Bob Avakian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Avakian
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Avakian in 1980
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| Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA | |
| Assumed office 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Bruce Avakian
March 7, 1943 Washington D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (1975–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Peace and Freedom Party (1960s) |
Robert Bruce Avakian (born March 7, 1943) is an American political activist. He is the founder and chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (RCP). Avakian is a follower of Maoism, a form of communism.
His political party is often described as a "cult of personality." This means the group is extremely focused on him as a leader.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bob Avakian was born in Washington, D.C.. His father, Spurgeon "Sparky" Avakian, was a judge and a civil rights activist. When Bob was three, his family moved to Berkeley, California, where he grew up.
As a young man, he attended the UC Berkeley. During his time in college, he became very involved in the political movements of the 1960s.
Political Career
Student Activism
At UC Berkeley, Avakian joined groups like the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Free Speech Movement. He also supported the Black Panther Party. These groups were known for protesting and demanding social and political change in the United States.
In 1969, he was part of a major meeting of the SDS. He also helped start a new group called the Bay Area Revolutionary Union. This group later grew into the party he leads today.
Leading the RCP
In the early 1970s, Avakian was arrested during a protest for showing disrespect to the American flag. Later, in 1979, he was accused of being in a fight with a police officer during a protest in Washington, D.C.
Because of these legal troubles, he moved to France for a time. The charges against him were eventually dropped.
Since 1975, Avakian has been the chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (RCP). In 2016, his party helped create an organization called Refuse Fascism. This group organized protests calling for the removal of then-President Donald Trump from office.
Focus on Leadership
The RCP is well known for its strong focus on Bob Avakian. Many people, including other political groups and news magazines, have called the party a "cult of personality" because of this intense focus.
Why the Strong Focus?
The party began to promote Avakian as a larger-than-life figure in 1979. They believed that making him a powerful symbol would help their cause and make their organization stronger. They were inspired by how other movements had promoted their own leaders.
The RCP and its members see this focus on Avakian as a key part of their strategy. They believe his ideas are very important for their goal of changing society.
Legacy and Views
Bob Avakian is a controversial person, meaning people have very different opinions about him.
His supporters view him as a great revolutionary leader. They believe his writings and ideas offer a path to a better world, free from the problems of the current system.
His critics, however, argue that his party operates like a cult that is too focused on him. The party disagrees with this and calls these claims unfair.
