Gloria La Riva in Interviews during 2017-2019


On Abortion: Repeal the Hyde Amendment

We call for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment and all other legislation that limits access to abortion services, thus denying "the right to choose" to millions of women, particularly low-income women, women of color, and young women. We demand full reproductive freedom for all women by removing all discriminating barriers to reproductive rights and reproductive health care.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Civil Rights: Oppose making English an official language

We oppose all efforts to declare English an official language and call for an end to all language discrimination. We demand that all public and private institutions provide services and materials in the languages of their communities.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Civil Rights: Lower voting age to 15

We call for the lowering of the voting age to 15. We oppose age-based curfew laws.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Corporations: Reregulation of the banking and insurance industries

We call for all financial and insurance institutions to be socially owned and operated by a democratically-controlled national banking authority, which should include credit unions, mutual insurance cooperatives, and cooperative state banks. In the meantime, we call for reregulation of the banking and insurance industries.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Corporations: Breakup large media companies, re-regulate industry

We support the breakup of large media companies so that no one owns more than one newspaper, radio or television station, or television channel. We call for the re-regulation of the communications industry. We call for government ownership of satellite and cable companies.

We support public funding of newspapers and magazines. We oppose all efforts to trim "fair use" rights. We call for the repeal of all existing copyright extension laws.

Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Crime: Allow prisoners to unionize to negotiate living conditions

We call for support services for prisoners and prisoners' families to reduce ostracism, maintain family ties, and provide for non-degrading visitation policies. We call for the abolition of prison labor for profit, forced labor ("chain gangs") and the use of prison labor to perform state services. We call for the right of prisoners to organize unions and cooperative groups to negotiate for better living conditions
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Education: End unpaid internships; allow student workers to unionize

We call for the abolition of unpaid internships throughout all industries, including nonprofit organizations. We call for an end to any academic requirements that force students to work without pay. We call for students &college &university workers, including but not limited to athletes, interns, and graduate students, to unionize within and across their respective departments, and for student athletes to unionize within all athletic divisions.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Education: Forgiveness of all outstanding federal student loans

We demand equal access to higher education for all people and support publicly funded higher education. We call for the forgiveness of all outstanding federal student loans and believe that students should not be saddled with decades of debt simply because they pursue higher education.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Education: Schools should reflect community; students on school boards

We call for affirmative action programs so that the faculty and student-body of all schools reflect the community at large in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, and economic background. We support student, parent, and teacher control of curriculum formation, and in the hiring and dismissal procedures of school personnel. We call for student representation on school boards, and for those boards to be fully accountable to students, parents, teachers, and school workers.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Environment: Support family farms that treat livestock humanely

The Socialist Party supports a system of ecologically based, sustainable, organic agriculture based on family farms and farming cooperatives that guarantee full workers' rights, uphold all environmental and safety standards, and treat their live-stock in a humane manner. We support the creation of socially owned enterprises in the areas of transportation, storage, and processing of agricultural goods, controlled by boards comprised of farmers, farm workers, and community members.

The Socialist Party recognizes the rights of animals to live free from unnecessary pain and suffering. We support the spaying and neutering of pets to prevent the massive extermination resulting from overpopulation. We oppose entertainment that causes pain to animals. We call for the banning of the fur trade. We call for a ban on animal experimentation for product development, and for an oversight board to examine and limit the use of animals in scientific and medical research.

Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Environment: Support use of recycled materials in public projects

We support the recycling of glass, metals, plastic, paper, and chemicals and the use of recycled materials for public works projects such as roadways, parks, and playgrounds. We call for shutting down waste incinerators and phasing out landfills and especially oppose targeting minority communities for hazardous waste disposal sites. We support large-scale environmental restoration efforts.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Free Trade: Support global transformation from capitalism to socialism

The Socialist Party stands for a fundamental transformation of the economy, focusing on production for need not profit. So-called fair trade is meaningless as long as the world economy is dominated by a few massive corporations. Only a global transformation from capitalism to socialism will provide the conditions for international peace, justice, and economic cooperation based on the large-scale transfer of resources and technology from the developed to the developing countries.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Government Reform: Uniform ballot access; eliminate Electoral College

We support the introduction of proportional representation at every level of government. We call for uniform ballot access laws for all states that give all political parties a chance to have their candidates on the ballot. We call for the elimination of the Electoral College and support instant run-off voting of all elected officials. We call for the restoration of the right to vote for all citizens incarcerated in jails and prisons.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Gun Control: Support right of working class to own and bear arms

We recognize and support the right of the working class to own and bear arms. We support community--based public training for gun owners."
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Health Care: Support right to die/assisted suicide

We support the right to choose or refuse medical treatment, the right to die, and the right to assisted suicide.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Homeland Security: Abolish CIA, NSA, FBI; disband NATO

We call for the abolition of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and all other institutions of covert warfare. We stand for unconditional disarmament by the United States. We call for the disbanding of NATO and all other aggressive military alliances, and the closing of all overseas bases. We call for the abolition of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Immigration: Full citizenship rights upon six months residency

We defend the rights of all immigrants to education, health care, and full civil and legal rights and call for an unconditional amnesty program for all undocumented people. We oppose the imposition of any fees on those receiving amnesty. We call for full citizenship rights upon demonstrating residency for six months.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Jobs: Restrict employers' asking about criminal records

We call for the immediate amnesty for all non-violent offenders currently incarcerated. We call for disallowing employers from inquiring about an applicant's past criminal record not directly related to the occupational task to be performed, including eliminating the check off box for felons.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Principles & Values: Art is an integral part of daily life, not a commodity

The Socialist Party believes that art is an integral part of daily life and should not be treated as a commodity produced by the activity of an elite group. We support guaranteed incomes and grants for artists and performers. We call for full funding of community and school arts programs for people of all ages. We call for full funding to keep libraries, museums, cultural centers, and historic sites open and accessible to all.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Social Security: Cap benefits to three times those receiving minimum

We demand that the Social Security system remain entirely within the public sector, with funding derived from a steeply graduated income tax on all income, earned and unearned. We call for the inclusion of all state and local government workers within the Social Security System. We call for a cap on Social Security benefits so that no beneficiary receives more than three times the income of those receiving the minimum.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Technology: Fund public transportation, high-speed rail

The Socialist Party calls for extensive public transportation in both urban and rural areas.

We call for the creation of a fully funded high-speed national rail system with fares set low enough to be a viable alternative to the use of the automobile. We call for an end to the expansion of the interstate highway system and the reduction of combustion engine/auto based transport.

Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Welfare & Poverty: Increase housing subsides; allow rent control

We call for a vast increase in Section 8 housing subsidies as one element of major public investment in the construction of low cost, scattered site, community-based, high quality housing. We call for rent control for all rental units, and the right of tenants to organize. We call for an end to home foreclosures.
Source: Socialist PSL Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful Aug 3, 2020

On Foreign Policy: Demands an end of U.S. aid to the state of Israel

U.S. imperialism has created a massive arsenal of economic and political weapons that comprise what is more accurately called "Blockade."

"Embargo" does not begin to describe what Washington heaped on Cuba, causing $1.2 trillion in economic damages.

In all these years, Cuba never surrendered. Despite the harsh blows caused by the U.S. financial, commercial and trade blockade, Cuba has survived precisely because of socialism and the overwhelming support of the people.

We express our full solidarity with the people of Palestine, and the various ongoing movements to bring mass attention to their struggle for emancipation, such as the international call for BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions). My campaign calls for no annexation and supports true self-determination for the Palestinian people including the right of return to their stolen homeland for all Palestinian refugees.

Source: Liberation News blog on 2020 presidential hopefuls Jul 15, 2020

On Civil Rights: Longtime supporter of LGBTQ rights; in first march in 1979

A longtime supporter of LGBTQ rights, Gloria participated in the first National March for Lesbian and Gay rights in 1979 and subsequent national marches. She joined in the marches and rallies protesting the passage of the anti- marriage equality Prop 8 in California.
Source: Liberation News on 2020 presidential hopefuls Sep 29, 2019

On Foreign Policy: Won Cuba's Friendship Medal for opposing US blockade

Gloria has worked for decades to defend Cuba's sovereignty and against the U.S. blockade. She was awarded Cuba's Friendship Medal in 2010, approved by the Council of State, for her many years of Cuba solidarity, and was the coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five, Cuban heroes unjustly imprisoned in the U.S. for defending Cuba from U.S.-sponsored terrorism.
Source: Liberation News on 2020 presidential hopefuls Sep 29, 2019

On Homeland Security: Opposed collection of citizens' digital communications

Section 309 of the intelligence bill sets a five-year limit, with many exceptions, on the retention of U.S. persons' communications collected, which was issued well before widespread use of cellphones and the Internet. Members of Amash's staff noticed the section Wednesday morning, and the Michigan Republican rushed to the House floor, rallied opposition with a letter to colleagues and secured a roll call vote. But opponents failed to defeat the bill.
Source: US News&World Report on 2020 presidential hopefuls Sep 29, 2019

On Immigration: For 8 days accompanied 2018 refugee caravan to reach US

Gloria has been active in the struggle for immigrant rights. In November 2018, she accompanied the refugee caravan of 7,000 Hondurans, Salvadoran and Guatemalans for eight days in their arduous march through Mexico to reach the United States. In the early 1990s, she was the initiator of the Farmworkers Emergency Relief campaign, following a disastrous freeze that left tens of thousands of Central Valley agricultural workers with no income.
Source: Liberation News on 2020 presidential hopefuls Sep 29, 2019

The above quotations are from Interviews during 2017-2019, interviewing presidential hopefuls for 2020.
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Gloria La Riva on other issues:
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
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Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families
Foreign Policy
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Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
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Immigration
Jobs
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Page last updated: Nov 01, 2021