The Revolutionary Communists of America in Columbia held a protest in response to the 2024 election results on Nov. 6 at city hall. Eight participants stood outside of the Columbia City Hall to share how the RCA’s views are not reflected in the results of the 2024 election. 

During the protest, members of the RCA voiced dissatisfaction with both major political parties in this election cycle. They also voiced their concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s plans. 

“We are here to fight against Trumpism, to fight against the reactionary outcome of this election, to fight for the working class, against an incoming government that is going to attack the working class repeatedly.” RCA member Sam Fisher said.

Members of the RCA gave speeches and spoke on how they think the election results will affect the working class, the Israel-Hamas war, healthcare, lack of retirement security and environmental concerns. 

Gian Vitale, a member of the RCA present at the protest, gave a speech about his personal dissatisfaction with the current political climate.

“We have to change something – anything but this. We can’t do this anymore,” Vitale said. “We deserve better as human beings.” 

Vitale attributes his understanding of politics and his issues with the status quo to his experience as a nurse in Columbia. He has worked with those who sometimes do not qualify for Medicare, such as noncitizens, who he said often go untreated for simpler issues.

“Even those who do qualify for these social welfare programs can’t get enough days for treatment to truly resolve the issue, resulting in it getting worse over time,” Vitale said.

“It’s so frustrating knowing that I can heal these people, and I’m unable to do so,” Vitale said. 

Fisher said the organization attends events where it believes working-class people often frequent, such as farmers markets, street corners and Speaker’s Circle, to speak with them about its cause.

“We talk about political perspectives because we know that’s how you win people over is talking about these ideas,” Fisher said. 

Through these outreach events, Fisher said he hopes to organize like-minded individuals under one party and to bring about changes in the government. However, the RCA noted they’re excited for the legislation that was passed, such as Amendment 3, in this recent election.

“You can have tens of millions of people all thinking the same vague ideas, but if not organized in the united force for the common political program, those are just ideas,” Fisher said. 

The RCA has taken steps towards reaching the University of Missouri student body. Currently, the RCA is working on creating an official student organization in order to create stronger bonds between them and other justice-oriented student organizations. 

In a press release, the RCA voiced its stances on prevalent issues facing the MU community and supported the marches that Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine previously held and are currently being held by community members. 

“We stand with the workers of Columbia, the faculty of Mizzou and CPS, the student activists championing a free Palestine and both the national and international working class in demanding a socialist future that is led by and for the masses — not the Fortune 500 companies, the banks and billionaires and imperialist war-profiteers.” 

Moving forward, the RCA plans to continue to share  information about its organization and participate in protests against the policies and plans of President-elect Donald Trump. 

Edited by Eric Hughes | Ehughes@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com