Mariam Malik

The Death Lobby: How U.S. Military Spending Siphons Funds from Human Needs and Social Programs, Boosts the Profits of Weapons Manufacturers, Buys Our Elected Leaders, and Feeds Racism at Home

In 2001, Boeing received $60 million in tax breaks to move its headquarters to Chicago. In return, Boeing was required to create 500 jobs in downtown Chicago, a promise it failed to keep. Meanwhile, Chicagoans were struggling to access basic services.

In 2012, Chicago fired 172 librarians and shortened library hours to save $3 million. Chicago closed half of its 12 public mental health clinics to save $2.2 million. That same year, Chicago gave $1.3 million to Boeing to reimburse them for real estate taxes.

Dissenters will provide a training on how communities can replicate the success of their 2022 “Boeing Arms Genocide” campaign, which resulted in Boeing moving its headquarters out of Chicago and denied Boeing $2 million in tax subsidies.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center will draw practical connections between the military budget and our everyday lives. For example, under the 1033 program, the Pentagon transfers surplus weapons to police departments across the country. This exacerbates violence against Black, Brown, and marginalized communities.

Military funding siphons funds away from social programs. A $100 billion cut to military spending could provide universal childcare ($70 billion), house every unhoused person ($7.4 billion), and provide universal school meals ($5.2 billion).

Together, we'll explore how U.S. foreign policy feeds racism at home and abroad and how U.S.-based campaigns can intersect with anti-militarism work.