This meeting will address the present political and cultural
situation in the light of American imperialism’s reckless and
relentless war drive, which threatens humanity with a global
confl agration.

The past decade and a half in particular have witnessed
the extraordinary brutalization and degradation of popular
culture and artistic life in general in the US. The great
majority of the population opposes the endless wars and
military-police violence, but the present political system
excludes their sentiments and interests.

What has happened to the mass anti-war sentiment in the
early 2000s? How have artists (fi lmmakers, novelists and
others) and intellectuals reacted to the growing war danger?

Historically, what has been the response of artists to such
a danger? How can the struggle against imperialist war and
for a socialist culture be advanced?

About the speaker:
David Walsh, arts editor of the
World Socialist Web Site, is an
expert on contemporary culture and
its relationship to politics and social
life. He is the author of thousands of
film reviews and essays on art and
history, some of which are collected
in the recently published book,
Sky Between the Leaves.