The 19 Most Revealing Documents From Bill De Blasio’s Socialist Past
New York Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio was a member of the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York. A collection of their papers, which is housed at New York University, gave a glimpse of what the organization was actually like. [Ed.: I was only able to look through two of the group’s boxes. Several of the other boxes were simultaneously being browsed by other news organizations.]
19. A Bill de Blasio signed fundraising letter.
18. “George Bush Murder, Criminal, and Terrorist.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
17. “Call: Cuba will stay free Response: Drive the Yankees to the Sea.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
16. An entire Castro speech.
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
15. An ad for a free panel discussing “progressive alternatives to free-market capitalism.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
14. “Contra Aid? Fuck No !”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
13. A flyer for a conference to stop the “‘New’ World Order.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
12. A unaddressed letter asking for someone to lend their expertise to an event aiming to stop the “New World Order.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
11. Flyer comparing Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait to Israel occupying the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
10. An unsigned petition to Congress.
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
9. A flyer from the “Socialist Scholars Conference.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
8. A handout for a rally against New York Mayor Ed Koch.
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
7. “Call on Congress to cut off future aid to the contras.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
6. A photo of a protest against U.S. troops in Central America.
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
5. “No Vietnam in Central America!”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
4. A flyer for a dance to support the Sandinistas.
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
3. A handout for a bike ride opposing the “oil war.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
2. “Yes, yes, war is swell and we’ve got other lies to tell.”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
1. “Impeach George Bush!” “Siege the White House!”
Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater Collection/Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive/Elmer Holmes Bobst Library/New York University
Andrew Kaczynski is a political reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
Contact Andrew Kaczynski at andrew.kaczynski@buzzfeed.com.
