The 2007 US Social Forum (USSF) will be centered at Atlanta’s Civic Center in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta, GA. Little 5 Points & the historic West End will serve as the 2 satellite locations for other USSF workshops & activities. Listed below are several other neighborhoods of interest to USSF delegates and out of town guests. Keep visiting this page to see what we have planned especially for you.
Special Events:
We are working on lots of events like a Soccer Tournament, a festival of cultures, dance, theatre, art exhibits, slams!, musical concerts, and more!
Some events will be free, others will have a charge. We promise something for everyone. Keep visiting to see what we have planned especially for you.
Atlanta Neighborhoods & Public Spaces:
Buttermilk Bottom/Old Fourth Ward
The City of Atlanta was divided into four wards. The Fourth Ward includes the neighborhood Buttermilk Bottom, which will host the 2007 US Social Forum. Buttermilk Bottom was a working and middle class black neighborhood that thrived until “urban renewal” policies of the 1960s. The current Turner Field & parking areas, Interstate 75/85, Georgia Power headquarters, Atlanta Civic Center and upscale-gated condominiums were built on top of one of Atlanta’s most important historic, black communities. The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless is an important community center and will also be a central location for workshops and other USSF activities.
Auburn & Edgewood Avenues
In the 1960’s the headquarters of Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee were in the same building on Auburn Avenue. This historic center is celebrated every year during the Sweet Auburn Festival and is still home to barbershops, record stores, two Jamaican Restaurants, a couple BBQ spots, and nighttime lounges.
Little 5 Points to East Atlanta
Little 5 Points is an important community in Atlanta that has embraced struggles, cultures and spaces that are counter to the mainstream of America. One of the first feminist book stores in the City is Charis Books, the only community run radio station, WRFG 89.3FM, and a community theatre called 7 Stages are all in Little 5 and will all have USSF events. East Atlanta is further south on Moreland Ave. and is the location of Another World is Possible mural project. This mural is the culmination of engaging local community in the USSF process.
The Historic West End
During the 1906 Atlanta Race Riots WEB DuBois, a professor at Morehouse College located in the West End, was pictured standing on his porch with a loaded shotgun ready to protect his home from violent white mobs. West End is also home to Spelman, Clark Atlanta, and Morris Brown colleges, Morehouse School of Medicine and Interdenominational Theological Center. The West End has been a center for Black organizations committed to social change & advancement and is currently home to several restaurants, health & wellness stores, and the Hammonds House for African American Art that will be holding an exhibit by poet, collagist, & muralist Theodore A. Harris.
Ponce de Leon, Poncey Highland & Virginia Highlands
Ponce de Leon is a central corridor in Atlanta that stretches from downtown Atlanta to Decatur. The area between Piedmont (4 blocks north of the Civic Center) and Highland Avenue has 2 movie theatres, many restaurants and shopping districts, bars and nightclubs. The Plaza Theatre, Midtown Art Cinema, Apres Diem Restaurant, MJQ Nightclub, Masquerade Nightclub, and Blind Willey’s Blues bar are all in and around this walking part of the City.
Downtown Atlanta & Peachtree Street
Five Points & Underground Atlanta serve as a crossroads for travelers on MARTA with a large train and bus transfer station. It is also a commercial and local shopping center for tourist and locals. North along Peachtree Street will take you to the Westin, Marriott, Belmont and Holiday Inn hotels where USSF delegates will be staying and the location of USSF workshops. There are several restaurants and bars geared toward the corporate and conventioneer crowds but there are also some quality food and drink locations like Slice Pizza bar and Sugarhill nightclub. Further north on Peachtree towards Ponce de Leon Ave. is the Fox theatre and one of Atlanta’s best jazz venues, Churchill Grounds. If you continue north on Peachtree St. there is the Woodruff Arts Center including High Museum of Art and Atlanta College of Art student galleries.
Message from the local Health Healing & Environmental Justice Committee:
The Atlanta Local Organizing Committee is making every effort to have a healthy, safe and environmentally sound United States Social Forum. Here are a few reminders for folk who may not be familiar with Atlanta in late June.
1. Water will be available but please bring your own water bottles to decrease use of disposable cups.
2. Bring and use sun screen with a minimum SPF rating of 15.
3. Wear light, loose casual clothing, sunglasses and comfortable shoes
4. If you regularly take medications, please bring them with you and store them appropriately. Neither over the counter nor prescription medicines will be provided. There are local drug stores in the area.
5. If you usually travel with an attendant, guide dog, and/or assistive equipment please plan to do so on this trip.
6. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may want to carry on your person, your diagnosis and doctor's phone number.
7. No alcohol, weapons, or illicit drugs are allowed at any of the USSF venues.
8. Come ready to cooperate, lend a hand, be patient, learn/teach and support each other as we together build a movement to make
Another World Possible!
