Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade
Encyclopedia
The Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade is the former youth group of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA
. Founded originally as the Attica Brigade, it became the Revolutionary Student Brigade. The RCYB uniform included a t-shirts with a large red star
superimposed with the silhouette of a young person raising a rifle
. Some of these T-Shirts included the message, "I was born in the sewer called capitalism but now I'm living for revolution!"
The RCYB's founding conference was held in 1977 and the key speech was given by the chairman of the RCP, USA, Bob Avakian
. In later years the RCYB attempted to form alliances with anarchists and other radicals. These efforts were met with mixed reactions on the left.
The most famous member of the RCYB was Gregory "Joey" Johnson. During the 1984 Republican National Convention
in Dallas, Texas, he burned the United States flag to protest the policies of the Reagan administration. Johnson was arrested and convicted, but had his conviction overturned on appeal. The State of Texas then appealed that ruling all the way to the Supreme Court
. In his case, Texas v. Johnson
, a five justice majority held that Johnson’s act of flag burning was protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
.
The RCYB no longer exists. Young supporters of Bob Avakian now join Revolution Clubs.
Revolutionary Communist Party, USA
The Revolutionary Communist Party, USA , known originally as the Revolutionary Union, is a Maoist Communist party formed in 1975 in the United States. The RCP states that U.S...
. Founded originally as the Attica Brigade, it became the Revolutionary Student Brigade. The RCYB uniform included a t-shirts with a large red star
Red star
A red star, five-pointed and filled, is an important ideological and religious symbol which has been used for various purposes, such as: state emblems, flags, monuments, ornaments, and logos.- Symbol of communism :...
superimposed with the silhouette of a young person raising a rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
. Some of these T-Shirts included the message, "I was born in the sewer called capitalism but now I'm living for revolution!"
The RCYB's founding conference was held in 1977 and the key speech was given by the chairman of the RCP, USA, Bob Avakian
Bob Avakian
Bob Avakian is Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA , which he has led since its formation in 1975. He is a veteran of the Free Speech Movement and the Left of the 1960s and early 1970s, and was closely associated with the Black Panther Party. He has published writings on Marxism and...
. In later years the RCYB attempted to form alliances with anarchists and other radicals. These efforts were met with mixed reactions on the left.
The most famous member of the RCYB was Gregory "Joey" Johnson. During the 1984 Republican National Convention
1984 Republican National Convention
The 1984 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States convened on August 20 to August 23, 1984, at Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas, Texas. The convention nominated the incumbent Ronald Reagan of California for President of the United States and incumbent George H. W...
in Dallas, Texas, he burned the United States flag to protest the policies of the Reagan administration. Johnson was arrested and convicted, but had his conviction overturned on appeal. The State of Texas then appealed that ruling all the way to the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. In his case, Texas v. Johnson
Texas v. Johnson
Texas v. Johnson, , was an important decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag enforced in 48 of the 50 states. Justice William Brennan wrote for a five-justice majority in holding that the defendant's act of flag burning was...
, a five justice majority held that Johnson’s act of flag burning was protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
.
The RCYB no longer exists. Young supporters of Bob Avakian now join Revolution Clubs.