Trump, Putin y Helsinki 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 60, No. 31 August 2, 2018 $1 Anthem policy on hold NFL players push back bosses By Monica Moorehead dented one. In January 1934, the fascist take place. A July 19 public joint state- defensive end for the Tennessee Titans, Nazi government banned its football club ment read: “No new rules relating to the stated that he will continue to protest July 30 — The struggle between Na- from playing against a French team when anthem will be issued or enforced for the during the anthem, policy or no policy. tional Football League players and bil- the club refused to give the Nazi salute next several weeks while these confiden- Casey told CNN: “I’m going to take a lionaire owners continues to dominate before a game. tial discussions are ongoing.” (CNN.com) fine this year. Why not? I’m going to pro- sports and political headlines on social A July 10 press release from the NFL- If the bosses’ decision eventually gets test during the flag.” (July 18) issues. The NFL Players Association, PA stated: “Our union filed its non-injury enforced, it would give the NFL hierar- Where pro football is concerned, the union representing the players in a grievance today on behalf of all players chy the right to fine any player for taking standing for the U.S. national anthem league that is at least 70 percent Black, challenging the NFL’s recently imposed a knee or expressing any kind of protest first began in 2009. Before that time, filed a grievance on July 10 in response anthem policy. The union’s claim is that during the anthem. It would also give players stayed in the locker room during to a policy passed on May 23 by 31 of 32 this new policy, imposed by the NFL’s gov- individual owners the option to impose the anthem. owners. erning body without consultation with the an additional fine on a protesting player. Then, between 2011 and 2014, the De- The owners’ policy stated that players NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective Players’ sole option would be to stay in the partment of Defense gave the National could be fined for kneeling during the bargaining agreement and infringes on locker room until the anthem is finished. Football League $6 million for “paid playing of the national anthem during player rights.” (www.nflpa.com) When players were informed of the patriotism” during the playing of the the 2018-19 season. Only Jed York, own- Since the grievance was filed, both new policy by owners, many were an- anthem — a policy that also extended to er of the San Francisco 49ers, abstained sides in the dispute, the Players Associ- gered and frustrated by having their free- baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer from voting. ation and the owners, agreed to put the dom of expression stolen from them. games. The bosses’ action is not an unprece- policy on hold until further negotiations Justin Casey, a three-time Pro-Bowl Continued on page 5

As Occupy Philadelphia marched for justice against racist Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 30, solidarity between migrants and others incarcerated in prisons began to emerge. At the Bristol Detention Center in Massachusetts, migrant detainees who started a hunger strike on July 17 were joined by hundreds of other prisoners there. More at FIRE Boston (facebook.com/Boston4Migrants). WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE

Solidarity with migrant families 3, 4, 9 EDITORIAL: 10 Win against ICE 2 Housing is a right

Decolonize Laundry & domestic workers’ victories 3 Puerto Rico! 3, 10, 12 Spectrum strikers in limbo 4

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Philadelphia Occupy ICE scores a win

By Betsey Piette An investigation by ProPublica and the Philadelphia Inquirer found that under the Trump administration ICE The weeks of protests officials in Philadelphia were the most aggressive in the  In the U.S. and occupations outside U.S., leading the country in noncriminal arrests. Some 64 NFL players push back bosses ...... 1 the federal Immigration percent of im/migrants arrested in Philadelphia in 2017 Philadelphia: Occupy ICE scores a win ...... 2 and Customs Enforcement had no criminal convictions. The studies also raised con- agency and Philadelphia cerns over Philadelphia ICE’s potentially illegal tactics. Chicago: Disability Pride ...... 3 City Hall brought about (BillyPenn.com, April 13) Philly protests U.S. colonization of Puerto Rico . . . . . 3 a key victory as Mayor Jim Kenney announced on July Demonstrators set up the encampment outside City New York teach-in: ‘Koreans want peace!’ ...... 3 27 that he would not renew PARS, the city’s data-sharing Hall on July 6 after police raided and destroyed an en- Domestic workers organize for rights and against ICE . 3 contract with ICE. campment of hundreds of activists outside the ICE office. Laundry workers make gains in East Harlem ...... 3 The announcement came one The City Hall encampment held Charter-Spectrum strikers left in limbo ...... 4 day after demonstrators took over frequent small street demonstra- and held a City Hall stairway, tions and provided opportunities Tech workers show growing class consciousness . . . . 4 blocking access into the building. to raise awareness of other strug- On the picket line ...... 5 The contract is set to expire Aug. gles, including the fight for disabil- Georgia: Prisoners resist psychological torture . . . . . 6 31. ity rights and for the needs of peo- MOVE: Over four decades of resistance ...... 6 Ending the ten-year contract ple without homes. San Diego: Race, class and mass incarceration . . . . . 7 that gave ICE agents access to the Prison rights activists, includ- South Carolina: Death by medical neglect ...... 7 police database system was one ing Pam Africa and Michael Africa Boston meeting defends the incarcerated ...... 7 of three demands put forth by a WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE Jr. from the MOVE organization, broad network of im/migrants’ Occupy ICE at Philadelphia City Hall. spoke to the protesters and gave Class solidarity surges for migrant families ...... 9 rights activists. Their struggle started July 2, when hun- information on the MOVE 9 and Mumia Abu-Jamal. On Pittsburgh tells Trump and Congress: #UnblockCuba . . .10 dreds of people set up an encampment outside the ICE July 25, demonstrators from the City Hall encampment  office in Center City. joined a march, when it reached their location, for Puerto Around the world Other demands were to abolish ICE and close the Berks Rican independence from U.S. colonialism. Vietnam August ‘68: GIs in military prisons rebel . . . . . 8 County Family Detention Center. Hundreds of undocu- France: From state repression to state scandal ...... 11 mented migrants, including children, have been held in The struggle continues  Editorial the center, some for years, awaiting deportation hearings. Kenney informed the protesters on July 27 that they Kenney has maintained that Philadelphia is a “sanc- would have 24 hours to shut down the encampment, cit- Housing is a right ...... 10 tuary city.” He even went to court to stop federal gov- ing an upcoming “construction project” at that location.  Noticias en Español ernment efforts to deny funding because of that status. A similar excuse was used by city officials in 2011 to shut Trump, Putin y Helsinki ...... 12 Nevertheless, immigrant rights activists and others have down Occupy City Hall, part of the Occupy Wall Street challenged the validity of Kenney’s claim because of PARS movement. as well as the city’s stop-and-frisk policies. Demonstrators packed up camp July 28 and moved The PARS system gave ICE agents access to police re- across the street to the Municipal Services Building. They cords that contained names, addresses and even coun- were then near the controversial statue of former Phila- tries of origin for anyone who had come in contact with delphia mayor and top cop Frank Rizzo, itself a longtime law enforcement as a witness or to file a complaint, even target of anti-police brutality activists calling for its re- when no laws were broken. moval. City officials announced months ago that Rizzo’s ICE used PARS records to target and profile individuals statue would be taken down, but no action has followed. Workers World born outside of the U.S., even where there was no report- Occupy City Hall protesters pledge to remain and to 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. ed infraction. PARS enabled ICE to track down people and link their demands to abolish ICE and close Berks along- New York, NY 10011 deport them and to detain people when they appeared for side demands to end stop-and-frisk and to fight for people Phone: 212.627.2994 court dates or probation appointments. who are homeless. E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Vol. 60, No. 31 • Aug. 2, 2018 Closing date: July 31, 2018 Join us in the fight Editor: Deirdre Griswold Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, for socialism! Monica Moorehead, Minnie Bruce Pratt; Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-­ Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with Web Editor Gary Wilson Leninist party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even make Production & Design Editors: Coordinator Lal Roohk; We are a multinational, multigenerational and multigen- it to college. Black and Brown youth and trans people are Andy Katz, Cheryl LaBash dered organization that not only aims to abolish capital- gunned down by cops and bigots on a regular basis. Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, ism, but to build a socialist society because it’s the only WWP fights for socialism because the working class Sue Davis, Bob McCubbin, Jeff Sorel way forward! produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should re- Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of main in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capital- Contributing Editors: Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, the world and the planet itself in the never-ending quest ist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially K. Durkin, Fred Goldstein, Martha Grevatt, for ever-greater profits. Capitalism means war and aus- owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guar- Teresa Gutierrez, Berta Joubert-Ceci, Terri Kay, Cheryl LaBash, John Parker, Betsey Piette, terity, racism and repression, joblessness and lack of antee basic human needs. Gloria Rubac hope for the future. No social problems can be solved Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the under capitalism. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Mundo Obero: Redactora Berta Joubert-Ceci; The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Andrea Bañuelos, Alberto García, Teresa Gutierrez, has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP Carlos Vargas education or anything else — unless they can pay for it. branch near you. Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis Copyright © 2018 Workers World. Verbatim copying Contact a Workers World Party branch near you: workers.org/wwp and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. National Office Boston Denver Los Angeles Rockford, Ill. 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl. 284 Amory St. [email protected] 5278 W Pico Blvd. [email protected] Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published weekly except the first week of January by WW Publishers, New York, NY 10011 Boston, MA 02130 Detroit Los Angeles, CA 90019 Salt Lake City 212.627.2994 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. 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Chicago 120 years Disability Pride Philly protests U.S. colonization of Puerto Rico On July 25, 1898, U.S. Marines invaded Puerto Rico. Participants then marched to Philadelphia City Hall, The U.S. continues to occupy that nation 120 years later, where Abolish ICE activists have been occupying a against all international conventions that prohibit the section of land for weeks, demanding an end to PARS WW PHOTO: JEFF SOREL possession of colonies. (Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System), an Chicago’s Disability Pride Parade on July 21 gathered Organized by the Philadelphia Camden Boricua Com- agreement between the city and U.S. Immigration and together over 1,000 people from as far away as North mittee, members and allies of the Puerto Rican commu- Customs Enforcement to share a database used to iden- Dakota to celebrate disabled people’s contributions nity rallied and marched in Center City on July 25 for tify “deportable” im/migrants. and to bring joy to participants and onlookers. Chicago 120 minutes to demand the end of the colonization of At City Hall, immigrant rights activists and home- Workers World Party carried a banner that read, “Sup- Puerto Rico. Marchers distributed informational fliers less people welcomed the marchers for Puerto Rican port Disabled Liberation: From each according to our about the crimes the U.S. has committed against the Bo- independence by blocking the busy street curb-to-curb. ability, to each according to our needs.” The banner fea- ricua people. Together, everyone marched around City Hall during tured silhouettes of people using various mobility devic- Demonstrators held signs and banners near the his- rush hour. In a further display of solidarity, marchers es as well as an illustration of a woman doing the ASL toric cracked Liberty Bell, as speakers took turns on a chanted “End PARS! Abolish ICE! End the occupation sign for “Unity.” bullhorn to explain why independence for Puerto Rico of Puerto Rico!” — WW Chicago bureau is justified and necessary. — Report and photo by Joe Piette New York teach-in: ‘Koreans want peace!’ Seventy people packed the Asian American Writers’ during the U.S. war against Korea. U.S. planes dropped Workshop in Manhattan on July 27 to discuss the struggle 32,000 tons of napalm, burning alive Korean children. The for peace in Korea. The majority were members of the Ko- U.S. still refuses to sign a peace treaty with the DPRK. rean diaspora. The teach-in was held on the 65th anniver- In the breakout groups following the panel, one Kore- sary of the Korean War armistice and organized by Nodut- an-American mentioned that the DPRK, like Cuba, gave dol for Korean Community Development. refuge to members of the Black Panther Party. In 1950, the A three-person panel, Betsy Yoon, Yujin Park and Rose renowned scholar and African-American leader W.E.B. Du Kim, together with moderator Ryan Wong, talked about Bois denounced the Korean War when he ran for the U.S. the political situation following the summit meeting be- Senate from New York and got 205,729 votes. tween Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Korean people want peace and reunification. A peace Jong Un and Donald Trump. Public opinion polls show 80 walk will be held in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., on Aug. 12. percent of people in U.S.-occupied south Korea view Kim Korea is One! Jong Un favorably. — Report and photo by Stephen Millies At least a quarter of the people in the DPRK were killed

Laundry workers make Domestic workers organize for gains in East Harlem rights and against ICE By Jim McMahan Seattle

Domestic workers here have won industry- wide standards under basic labor laws for the first time by winning a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in Seattle. The National Domestic Workers Alliance won the breakthrough law at the Seattle City Council meeting on July 23 after months of campaigning. Then, on July 26, the NDWA called a militant action at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters here against deportations and the separation of families. There are 33,000 domestic workers in Se- PHOTO: CASA LATINA attle. Nannies, cooks, house cleaners and gar- National Domestic Workers Alliance and CASA Latina members demand an end to family detention and “zero PHOTO: ERIC MCGREGOR deners, who are mostly women and people of tolerance” anti-immigrant policies, July 26. color, have for far too long been excluded from Following a June 28 march Latinx women immigrants. The basic labor protections. Under the new law, do- Following the law’s passage, the Domestic and walk-in organized by the center’s quick actions in East mestic workers will now receive minimum wage Workers Alliance, along with Casa Latina, called Laundry Workers Center at an Harlem pressured the owners protection plus meal and rest breaks. The law an action against the ICE/Trump war on im/mi- East Harlem laundromat, the to relent and agree to negotiate also protects the workers from having their basic grant families. July 26 was the 30-day deadline owners tried to argue that the la- “in good faith” with the work- documents, like passports, taken away. for the federal government to return the 3,000 bor of the workers was not legally ers. The company has also begun Funding for enforcement will be increased. The children who were seized by ICE to their parents. protected by wage, hour and oth- paying minimum wage and over- law covers all part-time, full-time, independent There were protests around the country on this er laws. The center immediately time, providing protective gloves contractor and live-in domestic workers in the date, but Trump failed to meet the deadline. planned picket lines and orga- and masks, and complying with city, regardless of whether they are technically em- In Seattle, at least 25 people with baby stroll- nized a call-in by supporters to health and safety laws. ployed by an agency or a family. (workingwa.org) ers blocked the entrance doors to the ICE head- let the laundromat owners know “Due to your support, and the The law establishes a Domestic Workers Stan- quarters for three hours. A hundred other dem- the community is watching them. courage of the workers,” said the dards Board, comprised of workers and man- onstrators supported them. Protesters carried The LWC’s attorneys also notified LWC in a message to supporters, agement representatives, to make regular rec- signs reading, “Nannies Say Families Belong To- the company that they would file “this is a victory for laundromat ommendations for improving the law. The board gether, Not in Cages!” charges if the owners retaliated workers and the community.” will oversee enforcement and work to provide Representative of the Domestic Workers Syl- against the workers. The center plans to monitor com- protection against discrimination and sexual via Gonzalez said, “We are here in front of ICE The LWC has a record of mak- pany actions and keep supporters harassment. The National Domestic Workers Al- committing civil disobedience to stop the sepa- ing important gains in its fight for informed until a final agreement liance was supported in this victory by Service ration of families and reunite the children with the rights of New York City’s laun- is reached. Employees Local 775 and the labor/community their parents, because the children are very dromat workers, who are mainly — Report by Mary Owen organization Casa Latina. much affected by their separation.” Page 4 Aug. 2, 2018 workers.org Charter-Spectrum strikers left in limbo

By Mary P. Kaessinger Spectrum management’s bringing cable TV to areas of New York arrogance. City where there is currently no service. The New York state Public Service “They were out to break Troy Walcott, shop steward at Spec- Commission rescinded the Charter/ the union,” a member of trum’s College Point facility and member Time Warner merger on July 27. It effec- International Electrical of the design team, told Labor Press: “We tively threw Charter, the second largest Workers (IBEW), Local 3, know the system because we built it. The cable provider in the country, out of the told this reporter. “We had system was already crumbling and the state. The commission’s counsel also filed a working relationship with infrastructure needed to be redone. … for additional penalties in New York’s Time Warner. Spectrum’s We’re saying instead of letting them do ­trial-level Supreme Court. first move was to lay off it, let’s start rebuilding it ourselves — the The PSC’s news release read: “Char- the management employ- people who are going to be building it ter, doing business as Spectrum, has — ees they considered to be anyway.” (laborpress.org, July 25) through word and deed — made clear ‘union sympathizers.’” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ex- that it has no intention of providing the Spectrum has 60 days pressed support for workers’ cooperatives public benefits” on which the PSC based to submit “a plan to ensure at a town hall in Queens: “We are interest- its approval of the merger on Jan. 8, WW PHOTO: SUE HARRIS an orderly transition to a ed in more competition (in the cable TV Striking IBEW Local 3 workers picket Spectrum at 43 W. 2016. The PSC also ordered Charter to successor provider(s).” No industry) going forward. … We would like 23rd St., New York City, July 6, 2017. pay $1 million to New York for missing direct mention was made to hear if there is something we can do its deadlines. “Charter is not interested only 40-percent compliant, it launched of the 1,800 strikers. However, one of with the workers themselves — that’s re- in the public good,” the PSC said, just in an advertising campaign boasting of its the instances of misconduct cited in the ally an interesting idea.” The City Council “lining its pockets.” high-speed networks. decision was “unsafe practices in the allocated $1.2 million in 2015 for develop- Spectrum had agreed to deliver broad- Striking cable technicians at Spec- field.” ment and cultivation of workers’ coopera- band speed of 100 Mbps statewide by the trum lit up the Twitter networks when Prior to this decision, a group of about tives, followed by $2.1 million in 2016 and end of 2018 and 300 Mbps by the end they learned of the rescinded merger. 50 striking technicians filed a business $2.2 million in 2017. (laborpress.org) of 2019. It also had agreed to build out On strike for better working conditions plan for a workers’ cooperative that would Although Spectrum was clearly dealt its networks to underserved homes and for over 15 months now, the technicians break Spectrum’s monopoly and bene- a defeat by the PSC, it is unclear at this businesses in less densely populated ar- cheered when the PSC voided the merg- fit everyone. The workers had been part point how these events will affect the eas of the state. Although Spectrum was er. They saw this as a decisive blow to of a design and survey team tasked with striking workers.

Tech workers show growing class consciousness

By Sven Ferarri ful worker-led campaign within Google against the company’s involvement in Workers at Microsoft used an internal Project Maven, which sought to devel- question-and-answer session in late July op artificial intelligence for use in drone to present CEO Satya Nadella with a peti- warfare. After months of internal unrest, tion signed by over 300,000 people. The multiple petitions and over a dozen resig- public petition demanded an end to the nations of highly skilled workers, Google’s tech company’s contract with U.S. Immi- parent company Alphabet announced in gration and Customs Enforcement. June that it would not be renewing its The petition points to Microsoft’s contract with the Department of Defense. $19.4 million contract with ICE as part of a broader trend in the tech industry. Worker power in tech sector It notes that Dell, Thomson Reuters, Mo- Marxist political activists should wel- torola, Salesforce and Hewlett Packard come and support these growing dis- all have ongoing contracts with ICE and plays of worker power in the technology U.S. Customs and Border Protection. sector. Even if these actions aren’t repre- Microsoft insists that its Azure soft- sentative of the entire workforce of these ware, a cloud-based computing program companies, they indicate a sea change in PHOTO: TECH WORKERS COALITION FACEBOOK that performs functions ranging from fa- workers’ political awareness. They also cial recognition to data collection, is not tactics may have forced Trump to make bus drivers at Dell and Google through reveal the changing dynamics of who ac- specifically being used to separate fami- concessions and reunite some families, Silicon Valley Rising. tually constitutes the working class. lies. It’s obvious, however, that the tech yet the government’s refusal to fully com- Now there are more signs of an emerg- The dynamics of class struggle are giant has been caught in the act. Last ply with the court order for reunification ing workers’ consciousness and bold dis- neither fixed nor immutable. They are January Microsoft bragged on its own highlights the monstrous U.S. system. plays of solidarity. The “growing move- relative to workers’ relationship to the blog that its software had become inte- ment” in the open letter to Microsoft means of production. If workers have to gral to ICE operations. Tech workers take action refers to a string of worker-led campaigns sell their labor to capitalists in order to Since bourgeois politicians can’t pro- inside some of the largest tech companies survive, and capitalists in turn need to Broad struggle for immigrant rights vide viable solutions to the problems they based in the United States. exploit workers in order to make profits, The recent confrontation between themselves have made, the people have In June Amazon workers published an the workers can also be organized to ap- Microsoft workers and the company’s begun to take matters into their own open letter, “Dear Jeff,” to company own- ply pressure to those capitalists. CEO is part of the broader struggle for hands. er Jeff Bezos, demanding that the com- Marxists are correct, for example, to cel- immigrant rights. It involves a growing Last week’s actions came a little over pany cancel contracts not only with ICE, ebrate the recent string of teachers’ strikes movement of tech workers as well as an a month after more than 100 Microsoft but with all law enforcement agencies, in- from West Virginia to Arizona. Remember emerging workers’ consciousness across workers published an open letter ad- cluding the police. The letter went so far there was a time when teachers weren’t various sectors of the working class. dressed to the CEO, calling for an end to as to compare Amazon’s actions to that of considered to be workers. The same econ- While the movement for immigrant any and all collaboration with ICE. Along IBM, which collaborated with Nazi Ger- omy that’s producing conditions that lead rights has been ongoing for decades, with providing a list of grievances and many to develop systems used to carry teachers to strike is producing conditions widely circulated reports of the Trump demands, the letter stated: out genocide in the 1940s. for tech workers to stand up against the regime’s brutal policy of family separa- “As the people who build the technolo- The Amazon letter follows the success- criminalization of immigrants. tion have produced mass outrage. This gies that Microsoft profits from, we refuse has shown itself in large-scale rallies and to be complicit. We are part of a growing marches across the country as well as movement, comprised of many across the in ongoing occupations at ICE detention industry who recognize the grave respon- centers, many of which have been met sibility that those creating powerful tech- with police violence and repression. nology have to ensure what they build is High Tech, Class War What has become increasingly clear to used for good, and not for harm.” Low Pay in West broad sections of the working class is that This welcome development comes in A Marxist Analysis Virginia: politicians have neither the will nor the an industry that has been famously de- of the Changing Character of the Working Class Education know-how to solve this crisis. void of organized labor. Many have writ- By Sam Marcy with an Workers According to most reports, the U.S. ten off Microsoft employees as decidedly updated introduction by Strike and government separated at least 2,500 chil- not working class. But segments of con- Fred Goldstein author of Low Wage Win! dren from their parents, and now deems tracted tech workers have been orga- Capitalism. 711 children “ineligible” for reunification. nizing, including tech cafeteria workers Popular disapproval of the government’s through UNITE HERE and janitors and Both available online at workers.org/books workers.org Aug. 2, 2018 Page 5 NFL players push back bosses PHOTO: WHATSTRENDING.COM Continued from page 1 Malcolm Jenkins holds a silent “you are not listening” press conference June 6 in U.S. Senators Jeff Flake and John Mc- response to Trump’s disinviting Eagles to Cain issued a report in 2015 on the mili- White House. By Alex Bolchi and Sue Davis tarization of sports: “These paid tributes team, said that he would not allow any- included on-field color guard, enlistment one on his team to even stay in the locker and reenlistment ceremonies, perfor- room during the anthem. Jones, who has 1,800 Vermont nurses strike for raises and safe staffing mances of the national anthem, full-field had multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits The 1,800 nurses and 300 health professionals at the University of Vermont Med- flag details, ceremonial first pitches and filed against him, stated at a press confer- ical Center (UVMMC) kicked off a 2-day strike in Burlington on July 12-13. Their puck drops. The National Guard paid ence: “Our policy is you stand during the union, the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals Local 5221, is teams for the ‘opportunity’ to sponsor anthem, toe on the line.” (USA Today, July striking because their low wages directly result in unsafe staffing ratios. The hospital military appreciation nights and to rec- 25) It comes as no surprise that Trump ranks among the lowest for pay in a state that ranks 47th in nurses’ wages. That’s ognize its birthday.” (thedailyhaze.com, praised Jones’ stance on Twitter. why the strike demands wages competitive with those of other nurses in the region Sept. 25, 2017) The irony of Jones’ statement is that, — a 23 percent raise. except on the Sunday after Trump’s Unable to recruit and retain because of these conditions, the hospital relies on trav- The ongoing impact of Colin Kaepernick “SOB” rant, not a single player from the eling nurses for 13-week gigs and forces its own nurses to work down — doing support The new NFL policy stems from the he- Cowboys protested last season. Only work like laundry, billing, coding, cleaning rooms and walking patients across the roic protest begun by former 49ers quar- time will tell if some of these players de- hospital, all of which take time from vital patient care. While UVMMC is the second terback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee cide to rebel against Jones’ scare tactic by largest employer in the state, it usually has vacancies for between 130 and 180 posi- during the anthem throughout the 2016- taking a knee to wield their power. tions. The workers are also demanding a $15 minimum wage for all employees. 17 season to protest racist police brutality Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Throughout negotiations, management has pursued a campaign of bullying and and social injustice in general. He began Jenkins called Jones a “bully,” while ex- intimidation, leading the union to file 21 unfair labor practice charges. Management his protest in August 2016 during presea- pressing solidarity with any Cowboys has stubbornly rejected union proposals, refusing to negotiate, blocking union staff- son, a few weeks after the fatal shooting of player who wants to protest. ers from coming on site, tearing down union fliers and failing to seat key decision two Black men, Alton Sterling and Philan- The Eagles, currently Super Bowl cham- makers — hospital executives with power— at the bargaining table. The last bargain- do Castile, by white police officers. pions, were disinvited by Trump to a White ing session was held on July 24 with no resolution in sight. The hospital pays lavish When protests spread to other teams, House visit when many of them stated they salaries — nearly $11 million to 15 administrators, including $2 million to its CEO. bigot in chief Donald Trump publicly at- didn’t want to go there in the first place. Meanwhile, the hospital has more than 220 days of operating cash on hand. tacked the players. In September 2017, The union knows that the success of the strike depends on community and labor Bosses fear a players’ rebellion during a Republican rally in Huntsville, support. Organizations sending solidarity include nurses from New York and Mas- Ala., he called the players “SOBs” and Many sports analysts claim that sachusetts, a number of unions, International Socialist Organization, Democratic demanded owners fire them for “disre- Trump has instilled fear in the NFL own- Socialists of America, and Vermont Workers Center. The Workers Center proposed specting the flag.” ers and that he is seeking revenge after an “Alliance in Support of UVMMC Nurses” with educational events and pickets. Kaepernick made it clear that his pro- some owners denied his bid to buy the And taking a cue from the #RedforEd solidarity campaign, it launched #RedforMed, test was not against the flag or the mili- Buffalo Bills decades ago. calling for pictures to be posted of supporters wearing red on the picket line. (Truth- tary, but to help raise awareness of white But as sports writer Dave Zirin stated out.org, July 14) supremacy that the flag represents, past in a recent column: “NFL owners don’t This recipe of broad community support and outreach to attack chronic un- and present, in the U.S. fear Trump. They fear their own players.” derstaffing and low wages is a teachable hallmark for all workers. It’s time to put While many Black players have faced a (The Nation, June 13) patients above profits! barrage of racist epithets and even phys- The bosses live in constant fear of ical assaults from white fans for taking a their workers going out on strike or on a knee or simply for playing while Black, work stoppage for higher wages and bet- Nike to raise women’s wages: goal is pay equity the opposite behavior has been displayed ter working conditions. The NFL owners Nike, the global, multibillion-dollar sportswear brand, connected the patriar- toward white racist players. A white Mil- are bosses who understand that players, chal dots after reports of workplace misconduct and discrimination against women waukee Brewers baseball player, Josh Ha- as workers, can be a threat, costing them surfaced. In a #MeToo moment, at least 11 senior managers were forced out after an den, recently admitted he tweeted racist billions of dollars in profits if they with- investigation exposed widespread harassment and bias against women. and homophobic messages as a teenager. hold their labor power. More than 7,000 women workers, about 10 percent of Nike’s 74,000 employees Yet he was given a standing ovation be- What distinguishes these players from worldwide, will get raises and opportunities for advancement. Nike characterizes its fore a majority-white home crowd in Mil- the millions of other workers is that they “adjustments” as establishing “a corporate culture ‘in which employees feel included waukee — a thoroughly segregated city can be seen on TV or live stream, on the and empowered,’” according to an internal July 23 staff memo quoted by the July 24 where Black youth, including Milwaukee sidelines and on the field on a Monday, New York Times. After apologizing to the workforce for “missing signs of discontent,” Bucks basketball player Sterling Brown, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, when- Nike CEO Mark Parker pledged to change pay and management training programs have been brutalized by the police. ever games are played. Some may make to “reflect its goals of equal pay and work force diversity.” Kaepernick was released from the huge salaries, but their work-life is very According to the Times, more than 100 large companies such as AT&T, Gap, Mas- 49ers at the end of the 2016-17 season short, and they are in constant danger of tercard and Target have already announced they plan to review salaries annually and has not played since, even though he work-related injuries. and close the gender pay gap. led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013. The owners already lose sleep about Gee whiz, what took them so long. The movement for pay equity has been around Many socially conscious players like Mi- the threat to their profits from increased for decades. But thanks to the #MeToo Movement, some CEOs finally got the memo! chael Bennett and Malcolm Jenkins have player injuries, especially head trauma voiced the opinion that Kaepernick has that ends playing years and lives. This Disneyland theme park workers reach tentative agreement been “blackballed” by the majority-white and other factors, including Kaeper- About 9,500 workers at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and owners for taking a public stand against nick being denied the right to play, also Downtown Disney, represented by four labor unions in the Master Services Council, racism. Kaepernick has filed a grievance threaten a loss in fan base, which in turn reached a tentative agreement on July 23. (For background, see WW article, May lawsuit of his own against the owners, affects the bosses’ profits. 28.) Disneyland Resort officials have proposed a 36 percent wage increase over a charging them with collusion for refusing But undoubtedly the bosses’ biggest three-year contract for hourly workers at the attractions, stores, main entrance, to allow him to play. worry is players rebelling for the right to costuming, bakery/confection, resort transportation and parking, custodial services express their political views, especially and onsite distribution center. Under the proposal, the workers would make $15 an Bosses bully players if those views reflect the communities hour by 2020, which would be two years ahead of the state’s minimum wage stan- The Miami Dolphins issued a July 26 where Black and Brown youth face police dard. memo stating that any player protest would terror and mass incarceration. The agreement, still to be ratified by the workers, followed months of protests by be grounds for suspension, not just fines. Many of the players were lucky enough employees, some of whom complained of earning poverty wages. As Artemis Bell, After the new owners’ policy was passed to escape these intolerable conditions due MSC bargaining committee member, noted: “Disney workers have been hiding in in May, Jerry Jones, the billionaire owner to their extraordinary talents and skills shame for too long, and it took us coming forward and taking a stand to make a real of the Dallas Cowboys, the richest NFL — and now they are ready to protest. change.” (nbcbayarea.com, July 23)

Learn more. Available online at: www.workers.org/books MARXISM, REPARATIONS WHY COLIN KAEPERNICK & the Black Freedom Struggle An anthology of writings from Workers World newspaper. IS RIGHT Edited by Monica Moorehead. Includes: Articles from Workers World/Mundo Obrero Racism, National Oppression & Self-Determination ▪ Black Labor Excerpt: ‘Last October, Colin Kaepernick, the African-American from Chattel Slavery to Wage Slavery ▪ Black Youth: Repression & former quarterback for National Football League’s San Francisco Resistance ▪ The Struggle for Socialism Is Key ▪ Domestic Workers 49ers, was asked after a game why he was wearing a Muhammad Demand a Bill of Rights ▪ Black & Brown Unity ▪ Harriet Tubman, Ali t-shirt. He said, “To pay homage. [Ali] fought a very similar Woman Warrior ▪ Alabama’s Black Belt: ▪ The 1965 Watts Rebellion

fight and was trying to do what’s right for the people.”’ Available at major online booksellers. BARRON SAHU GRAPHIC: COVER Page 6 Aug. 2, 2018 workers.org SUPPORT THE NATIONWIDE PRISON STRIKE: AUGUST 21 TO SEPTEMBER 9 Prisoners resist psychological torture GEORGIA

By Christian Noakes to 46,534 people, and is still growing. In Atlanta 2013, 61.6 percent of Georgia prisoners were Black. (tinyurl.com/y9wytmvn) The Georgia Diagnostic and Classifica- The upcoming nationwide prison strike tion Prison in Jackson, otherwise known represents the latest front where prison- as Jackson Prison, is being exposed for ers are asserting their own humanity. subjecting inmates there to extremely de- The strike is set to begin on Aug. 21, humanizing conditions. the anniversary of George Jackson’s as- According to a recent report by psy- sassination at San Quentin State Prison chologist Craig Haney, the conditions of in California, and extends to Sept. 9, the solitary confinement in the E wing, or anniversary of the Attica Prison uprising “special management unit,” are among in New York state. the worst in the U.S. Haney, hired to in- The coming national strike is firmly vestigate by the Southern Center for Hu- rooted in the ongoing struggle for prison- man Rights, is a University of California ers’ rights. In a press release by Jailhouse professor specializing in the psycholog- Lawyers Speak, a group of incarcerated ical effects of imprisonment. (Atlanta people calling for the strike, their first Journal Constitution, July 20) The High Max Unit at the Diagnostic and Classification Prison, Jackson, Ga. demand is explicitly for “immediate im- In this unit, inmates are cut off from provements to the conditions of prisons physical and verbal contact. They are also prisoners committed suicide there in 2017. The practice of solitary confinement and prison policies that recognize the hu- deprived of natural sunlight and air. Ac- Haney was hired to assess conditions illustrates the true nature and function manity of imprisoned men and women.” cording to Haney, “The prisoners are in in the prison’s “special unit” after an in- of prisons, which are not geared toward Outside support and pressure are abso- essence hermetically sealed inside their mate filed a federal lawsuit about inhu- rehabilitation or addressing underlying lutely necessary to make sure participat- cells for the extended periods in which mane treatment while being held in iso- causes of what is considered criminal be- ing inmates are not subjected to the kind they are confined there.” (tinyurl.com/ lation. This was followed by three other havior. Rather, prisons function to inflict of treatment that is characteristic of plac- y8tejk3m) inmates filing lawsuits. the cruelest treatment on incarcerated es like Jackson Prison’s isolation unit. Locked up in 7-foot by 13.5-foot cells, All four inmates are requesting that people and to break their will under the People on the outside must help expose prisoners receive a meager five hours of their cases be treated as a class action iron heel of the capitalist state. Whether the darkest corners of a prison-industrial exercise time a week. Haney found that lawsuit, which could potentially improve exploited for slave labor or virtually cut off system where inmates are repressed and nearly 20 percent of inmates in the unit conditions for all inmates held in the spe- from the world, prisoners in the U.S. are brutalized with impunity. have been held for six years or more. cial unit. systematically tortured and dehumanized. Supporters can connect to local Given that 70 of the 180 prisoners cur- While conditions in Jackson are harsh In Georgia, this is happening at an accel- rently held in solitary confinement are in the extreme, the aim of breaking hu- erated rate to people who are overwhelm- prisoner rights organizations through considered to be mentally ill, the harsh man beings with prolonged psychologi- ingly poor, working class and Black. Be- [email protected]. conditions are a blatant form of psycho- cal torture is characteristic of the whole tween 1982 and 2002, the Georgia prison For more information, see “Prisoners call logical torture. Little wonder that two ruthless U.S. prison system. population more than tripled from 13,884 for national strike,” WW, July 26. MOVE Over four decades of resistance

By Ted Kelly All nine were convicted of the murder tice. But the war on the Philadel- Philadelphia of a Philadelphia police officer who died phia Black Liberation movement from being struck by one of his fellow had been raging for at least a Earlier this summer, Philadelphia was officers’ bullets in the hail of gunfire the decade before. The generalissi- in a state of celebration when political police blasted into the MOVE home. De- mo who prosecuted that war was prisoner Debbie Africa was released after spite forensic evidence and scores of eye- Frank Rizzo, the white suprema- nearly four decades in prison. In August, witnesses indicating the officer was slain cist police commissioner turned prison abolitionists, in Philadelphia and by “friendly fire,” all nine of the arrested mayor. For years, the city attempted to lock up across the world, will observe an anniver- MOVE members were convicted of firing A major attack on Black Liberation members of the MOVE Organization. But sary with more solemnity than rejoicing. the single bullet that killed him. began in August 1970 when police raid- John, and later Ramona, Africa’s remark- August 8, 2018, marks the 40th anni- Immediately after the police assault on ed the Philadelphia Black Panther head- able legal astuteness meant they often versary of the city’s first major assault on the MOVE family, the city bulldozed and quarters. Dozens of Panthers were pub- escaped serious charges. That changed in the MOVE family, an episode that ended destroyed the house, annihilating any and licly stripped naked on Columbia Avenue 1978, when weeks of siege on the MOVE in the death of one of the family’s infants all evidence that could have been used to before their arrest. In that era of Cointel- house culminated in the Aug. 8 assault and in the arrest and imprisonment of help exonerate the MOVE 9. The demoli- pro infiltration, intimidation and assas- and the imprisonment of the MOVE 9. nine MOVE family members. tion also erased all evidence of the police sination, the Philadelphia chapter of the Three years later, Black Panther jour- To commemorate this anniversary, a siege on the compound and the massive Black Panthers was just one of many to go nalist and MOVE supporter Mumia three-part event will be held on Aug. 5. At structural damage done to the house by underground or be destroyed outright. Abu-Jamal was also framed for the mur- 10 a.m., there will be a 5k run and walk police water cannons, chemical gas and The MOVE Organization, led by the der of a Philadelphia cop. A key witness to that starts in Fairmount Park and goes thousands of rounds of ammunition fired visionary John Africa, is what filled the that incident was found dead under mys- to the original MOVE house in the city’s into the home. vacuum left by the Panthers in Philadel- terious circumstances on May 13, 1985 Powelton Village neighborhood. Then, Despite all this, even the city had to ac- phia. With an ideology that combined — the same night that Philadelphia police at 3 p.m., there will be a public forum at knowledge that of the few weapons that an uncompromising dedication to Black dropped a bomb on the new MOVE house Mastery Shoemaker High School on what were recovered from the MOVE family Liberation with an unprecedented com- on Osage Avenue, killing eleven people, today’s movements should learn from home, none of them were operable. That is mitment to environmental justice and including founder John Africa and five MOVE’s struggle. Following that forum to say, the MOVE 9 had no way of shooting animal rights, MOVE became a revolu- children. will be a live concert at 5 p.m. featuring anyone. Yet each of the MOVE 9 were sen- tionary force to be reckoned with. In the years since the 1978 assault and local artists Seraiah Nicole, Mic Africa, tenced to 30 to 100 years in prison. In a recent interview in Workers World, the 1985 state murders, the MOVE family Raw Life Crew and more. Judge Edwin Malmed, who handed Debbie Africa explained: “[My brothers] has flourished and grown, despite main- down the bogus convictions, was asked got involved in MOVE activities, in speak- stream media accounts to the contrary. Free the MOVE 9! by then reporter Mumia Abu-Jamal how ing engagements — at the time they were Still, the city’s oppression has taken its Michael Africa Sr., one of the MOVE it could be considered a just decision that in full throttle speaking out against injus- toll. Mumia Abu-Jamal and six of the 9, has a new parole hearing this Sep- nine people were convicted of firing a sin- tice. They loved it, taking care of the dogs MOVE 9 are still in prison after 40 years. tember. Despite the fact that Janet and gle bullet. Malmed replied that since the and going to study sessions that MOVE Merle and Phil Africa were murdered by Janine Africa were also up for parole at nine wanted to be tried as a family, he con- founder John Africa held, educating peo- the prison system — they died under lock the same time as Debbie, she remains victed them as a family. ple how to avoid violence in their commu- and key. the only member of the MOVE 9 to be nities and on police brutality — the things This fortieth anniversary must mark released. Debbie was imprisoned in 1978 A history of oppression — and resistance that made people’s lives miserable.” not just four decades of resistance, but along with her partner Mike Sr., as well as The Philadelphia police assault on the She added: “John Africa’s teachings also a new chapter in that struggle. Delbert, Phil, Janet, Janine, Eddie, Merle MOVE family on Aug. 8, 1978, was a clear really lock you into the reality of what’s Free the MOVE 9! Free Mumia Abu-Ja- and Chuck Africa. escalation of violence, brutality and injus- really going on. The rest is history.” mal! Free ‘em all! workers.org Aug. 2, 2018 Page 7 SUPPORT THE NATIONWIDE PRISON STRIKE: AUGUST 21 TO SEPTEMBER 9 Race, class and mass incarceration SAN DIEGO

By M. Matsemela-Ali Odom Proposition 47 (2014) and Proposition 57 industrial jobs that had been unionized. and have promised to reverse propositions San Diego (2016). Both referendums allowed for the As radical professor Ruth Wilson 47 and 57. They do this despite reports by reclassification of adult and juvenile sen- Gilmore has shown in her works such as the Public Policy Institute of California Author Curtis Howard, an activist in tences. At least 13,000 inmates have been “Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and others proving the contrary. All of Us or None who is a formerly incar- released from California state prisons, and Opposition in Globalizing California” In 2000, Californians passed Proposi- cerated person, brought to public atten- and another 25,000 could be paroled. (2007), Black and Brown youth were most tion 36 to send people arrested for drug tion the case of the Boundary Park Four Yet, formerly incarcerated people like the impacted by this restructuring, and pris- offenses for treatment instead of to pris- and More. Boundary Park Four and More have come ons became warehouses for surplus Black on. Yet, citing his own conviction in 2006, Federal authorities announced indict- home to deindustrialized cities that are un- and Brown labor. Curtis Howard has noted that state and ments on May 25 against 23 men of color prepared, and often unwilling, to meet the Some have focused their criticism on federal agencies have evaded this reform in San Diego. Among the defendants, four needs of aging formerly incarcerated peo- the profits gained from the exploitation by charging users as if they were dealers. names stood out to local residents: Julius ple of color. They are too old for many of the of prison labor in state-run and for-prof- As they did with Howard in 2006, police Davis, James Staton, Anthony Rhodes reentry programs and too young for social it prisons. Yet the case of the Boundary agencies entice users into participating and Henry Hendrix. These four often fre- assistance. Drug sales have become the ul- Park Four and More displays how prison in minor sales as middlemen between a quent the local Dennis Allen Park, known timate act of survival for many by support- labor is merely a bonus. Remembering dealer and a customer and then charge colloquially as Boundary Park. ing their recreational habits. the centrality of youth to radical move- them as if they were large distributors. These men have an average age of 57 ments of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, we For Howard, the sheer absurdity in years. The minor drug sales and posses- Restructured economy can see how the mass incarceration of charging the Boundary Park Four and sion that make up the infractions they have endangered youth of color three generations of Black youth has held More as dealers lies in the fact that none been accused of are insignificant com- The fight against mass incarceration back mass mobilization. of these men have any recognizable as- pared to the 20 years in prison they could is a racial struggle and a class struggle. Now, federal and state forces seem in- sets: they own no cars or homes and don’t be facing. As Howard originally articulated Recently, Larry Holmes, First Secretary tent on completely throwing away the first even have bank accounts. They likely in his public correspondence, these indict- of Workers World Party, has urged re- ­generation impacted by deindustrialization. have less than $100 disposable income, ments reflect the conservative response to analysis of class struggle and the posi- Members of the Boundary Park Four suggests Howard. progressive anti-prison legislation. tion of groups generally disregarded by and More are among the formerly incar- If the Boundary Park Four and More These indictments also unearth the lim- the mainstream labor movement, such cerated who have been sent home from have any chance at freedom, they need its of contemporary prison reforms, in that as African-American youth. Now in their prison with no concern for their employ- the support of the community. As mem- they fail to alter the material conditions 50s and 60s, the Boundary Park Four and ment, housing, food or health care. Still, bers of Workers World Party-San Diego, the formerly incarcerated must live under. More sit on the cusp of Baby Boomers California State Democratic Party offi- the Committee Against Police Brutality With nearly 130,000 people in prison and Generation X (known as the hip hop cials have been rewarded with electoral and the Black August Planning Com- and another over 80,000 in jails, Califor- generation by African-American schol- victories for their support of the grass- mittee organize this August, they will nia, if measured as an independent coun- ars.) From the 1970s through the 1980s, roots propositions. remind people that all prisoners are po- try, has an inmate population that ranks it was their generation that first experi- On the other side, conservatives such litical prisoners. For this reason, these in the top 10 in the world and rivals those enced the dramatic effects of restructur- as State Assemblyman Travis Allen and organizations have called for a protest in in Mexico, Ukraine and South Africa. ing of the American economy from the gubernatorial candidate John Cox have solidarity with the Boundary Park Four In recent years, progressives in Cali- mid-20th-century Keynesian policy to blamed these ballot measures that released and More at the federal courthouse in fornia mobilized support for and passed neoliberalism. This included eliminating prisoners for increasing crime in California downtown San Diego on Aug. 10.

This is Part 3 of an interview conducted after an April 15 PART 3 South Carolina prisons: rebellion at Lee Correctional Institution, a South Carolina maximum security prison. Jared Ware spoke with individuals inside Lee, including one who identified himself as a member of Jailhouse Death by medical neglect Lawyers Speak, a group of imprisoned human rights advocates who have called for a National Prison Strike from Aug. 21 to Sept. 9. By Jared Ware area they call the RHU (Restrictive Hous- ing Unit) that’s supposed to be the area man a sheet, and then they say the man ment whatsoever. I consider those direct Jared Ware: I’ve heard some report- they put people that get in trouble or what- hanged himself. But by policy and by rule, murders, as well, of the state. When staff ing on how high the death numbers are ever. And they’ve got a cell that’s called a nobody is supposed to have [any] sheets in are failing to respond or respond and say, from South Carolina over the past cou- CI (Crisis Intervention) cell. That’s where [any] CI cell, and everybody know that, es- “Oh, you’re faking it, you’re not having ple years, but I’ve also heard from some they strip you, make you get butt-naked, pecially the lieutenant, who’s a supervisor. a heart attack,” and you fall out and die prisoners that they believe the death you got no clothes on, no nothing, and So that’s their fault. He was a mentally ill right there. We saw that happen several numbers are actually much higher than when they do bring you something, they’ll patient. That’s on them. times as well. So this also would account what’s being reported. bring you a suicide blanket only. D: Absolutely. I’d like to add to that. One for why some of the prisoners would say S: Yeah, they are only reporting certain A guy years ago, he said he was going to of the reasons why the number is probably that these numbers definitely would be kinds of deaths, not including some deaths kill himself, so they put him in the CI. The higher as well is they’re dealing with med- higher, after they are witnessing some that they have caused themselves. Just to guy told one of the lieutenants later on that ical neglect. We’ve seen incidents where people being allowed to die, the way that give you an example, they have a cell in the night he was cool. The lieutenant gave the guys fall out, [and] get no medical treat- they’re being allowed to die.

Boston meeting defends the incarcerated

By Workers World Boston bureau about the need for the progressive move- ment to defend the incarcerated, who are Former prisoners, prison abolitionists used as a captive source of labor. and supporters gathered in Boston on Former political prisoner and Jericho July 28 to commemorate the 25th anni- Movement member Kazi Toure spoke versary of the Lucasville Uprising, which about his experience in dozens of prisons took place in 1993 at the Southern Ohio across the country, highlighting the brutal WW PHOTO: STEVAN KIRSCHBAUM Correctional Facility. conditions as a constant in all of them. In Boston attendees stand next to image of Imam Siddique Abdullah Hasan at a commemora- The meeting began with a screening of his talk and in the following discussion, tion of the Lucasville Uprising. the documentary “Shadow of Lucasville,” Toure and audience members highlighted that the Imam had been placed in solitary tions for the Imam, visit www.facebook. followed by speakers and discussion that these prison conditions are being ex- confinement two days before that. The com/events/257447445036637. Please chaired by Belladonna Ashman of the ported to workplaces all across the coun- disappointed attendees recognized this write letters of support so authorities Trans/Nonbinar y Caucus of W WP-Boston try and that the U.S. is in many respects as a deliberate action on the part of the know that people are mobilizing in his and Bobby T of United Steelworkers Local nothing more than an open-air prison. prison administration to censor the truth defense. 8751, Boston School Bus Drivers. Meeting Imam Siddique Abdullah Hasan, one about conditions in the prisons. Siddique Abdullah Hasan sponsors included the Jericho Movement, of five men sentenced to death for their Activists subsequently learned that the 130-559 Chuck Turner, USW Local 8751, TOUCH proported role in leading the Lucasville Imam has been charged with violations 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd. 106.1 Radio/TV and WWP-Boston. Uprising, was scheduled to call in to the related to organizing prison work stop- Youngstown, Ohio 44505 Former Boston City Council member meeting. When the call did not come, pages. For a Workers World interview with and former prisoner Chuck Turner spoke attendees learned from contacts in Ohio For updates relating to solidarity ac- the Imam, see tinyurl.com/y9grqhd7. Page 8 Aug. 2, 2018 workers.org Vietnam, August 1968: GIs in military prisons rebel

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of GI uprisings in two military prisons in Vietnam during the U.S. war there, Workers World presents the following arti- cle based on material from Catalinotto’s book, “Turn the Guns Around: Mutinies, Soldier Revolts and Revolutions” (2017).

By John Catalinotto up with military oppression have rebelled at both the Marine brig at Danang and at “The month of August 1968 witnessed the Army stockade at Long Binh, twelve two of the largest prison rebellions of the miles north of Saigon. Vietnam War period, both led by Black “On the night of August 16, [1968,] Ma- GIs,” wrote GI historian Dave Cortright rine prisoners at the Danang brig tore the in his book, “Soldiers in Revolt.” These place apart and burned a cellblock. Angry rebellions took place among troops in at the humiliating requirement that they Vietnam at the Da Nang Marine brig and call the guards ‘sir’ and at the poor food, in the military prison known as Long the overcrowding and the long delay be- Binh Jail. fore trials, they decided to stand up and The GIs — that is, the members of the fight back. It took a force of MPs firing U.S. Armed Forces — called the latter pris- shotguns to crush the rebellion among on LBJ, a not-so-friendly allusion to then the 228 unarmed men. Seven prisoners U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson. and an MP were reported wounded. And That August, I was one of a handful it still wasn’t over. of people doing volunteer work out of “Two days later a second rebellion a small office on Fifth Avenue and 21st broke out when the officer in charge Street in Manhattan, trying to organize of the brig, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph a union in those armed forces. Most of Gambardella, ordered some of the pris- the volunteers had recently finished their oners moved out. This time MPs had to stint in the Army and were as strong op- use tear gas to stop the uprising. ponents of U.S. militarism as any Lower “Chairman of the American Service- East Side anarchist. men’s Union Andy Stapp immediate- Political events in the preceding few ly called the Pentagon and demanded months had increased the reach of our names of the men involved. Speaking to four-page monthly union newspaper, The ASU Chairman Stapp, Lt. Col. Ludvig, then proceeded to burn down the build- was refused further medical therapy and Bond, from a few hundred in January director of Marine Public Relations, re- ing, which contained all their records, was returned to the Republic of Vietnam 1968 to about 5,000. Our effort to form fused to release any information to the and nine other large buildings. without a profile for further combat duty. the American Servicemen’s Union was ASU or to the American people. “When the Brass, commanded by Colo- “Upon reassignment, this man was featured on the cover of the August Es- “Stapp said in a press release, ‘The nel William Brandenburg of Elloree, S.C., charged with missing three formations quire magazine, based on an interview Brass does not want brought to light the sent in MPs armed with M16 assault ri- and the misuse of a government vehicle with ASU chairperson Andy Stapp. rotten and abusive conditions that they fles, bayonets and tear gas grenades, the (a 15-minute trip to the PX). This was Earlier in 1968, the Vietnamese upris- have foisted upon the enlisted personnel unarmed GIs inside fought back. They a first offense. He is now on a pre-trial ing called the Tet Offensive had shown in the Armed Forces.’ wounded five MPs and put the acting confinement in LBJ awaiting a special much of the U.S. population that the war “In a statement to the New York Post warden of the jail in the hospital. One GI court-martial. was probably unwinnable for the U.S. of August 20, Stapp said, ‘We have nine- prisoner gave his life in the brief but bitter “Case 3 — (my own case) — I am an LBJ was forced to announce at the end of teen union members in Danang and we struggle and 59 were listed as wounded.” infantryman, not by choice but by force March that he would not run for re-elec- suspect that at least some of them are in- A group of prisoners at LBJ sent a col- of the U.S. Army. My own political and tion. A few days after that announce- volved in the uprising.’ lective letter to The Bond after reading personal beliefs will not allow me to car- ment, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “GI prisoners in Long Binh, the Army’s the above article. We published the letter ry a weapon in the field. My company was was assassinated in Memphis, and rebel- biggest stockade in Vietnam, broke out in the Oct. 16, 1968, issue. As you can see going to a heavily VC-infested area on a lions broke out in Black neighborhoods in in rebellion. Long Binh Jail (known to from the letter, publication in the news- three-day operation. Being that I don’t 100 U.S. cities. GIs as the ‘LBJ’) was also overcrowded paper and dissemination inside the pris- carry a weapon I refused to go. These events impelled rapid changes in — there were 719 men where there were on of both articles spread solidarity and “My company commander ordered the consciousness of the troops, especial- supposed to be only 550 — with angry GIs strengthened those rebelling. two fellow GIs to hold me while he tried ly African-American troops. whose grievances were probably much to bind my legs and arms with ropes and The ASU looked for ways to support like those of their brothers at Danang. Report from Long Binh Jail to forcefully take me on the operation. the prison revolts in Vietnam, despite “Shortly before midnight on Aug. 20, “Today my man from New York man- Not being a fool and with no other course its lack of funds and forces. GIs in these an apparent fight among the prisoners in aged to smuggle into the compound your to take, I went AWOL. After being appre- prisons who were ASU members wrote a barbed-wire enclosed medium security Sept. 18 issue of your dynamite thing, The hended I was threatened by the Brass in letters to The Bond and other GI publi- section brought three guards running in- Bond. Your paper was thoroughly read by my unit that I would be killed. I am now cations about the rebellions, providing side to quell it. They didn’t come out. The most of my fellow prisoners; speaking in LBJ on pre-trial confinement await- eyewitness accounts. Here are excerpts GIs inside had grabbed them and their for those who read it, including myself, ing a general court-martial for this act, from a Sept. 18, 1968, article in The Bond, keys. When the three guards didn’t come we would all like to say thanks for every- which I know was right. based on some of those letters and other out, an outside guard blew his whistle. thing you are doing to further the ASU “We could go on forever with many articles on the prison revolts: “At the same time, a band of prison- and bring to the attention of GIs all over similar cases but the Brass here at LBJ ers rushed the gate between the medium the world the many injustices, inhuman- will not afford us with ample stationery. Jailed men in Vietnam rebel against officers security section and the recreation and ities perpetrated on servicemen by the We feel a great need and desire for this “The anger of EMs imprisoned in Viet- administration area in the main part of U.S. Government Armed Forces judicial to be published in your next issue of The nam by the Brass has exploded. Men fed the compound. They broke through. They system — particularly the Army. Bond. If this is possible it would be deep- “Cited here are a few case histories of ly appreciated by everyone in the Long prisoners that I think would be of interest Binh Stockade both Black and white. TURN THE GUNS AROUND to men in the Armed Forces everywhere. “We would like to do more to further “Case 1 — An infantryman just out of the cause of the ASU but at this time our Mutinies, Soldier Revolts and Revolutions the field was caught stealing a peanut hands are tied by the Brass in LBJ. Weaving together GI letters, interviews and first-hand narra- butter and jelly sandwich from his base- “[Signed] The inmates, Mike Rouch, tives with historical research, the author brings to life GI resis- camp mess hall. First offense — sen- Tommy McDonnel, R.C. Brown, Brien M. tance in the Vietnam War era, shows its relation to capitalist tenced to six months hard labor in LBJ. Schulik, Marcy Schuman, Dave Landry, state power and highlights why breaking the military chain of “Case 2 — An infantryman after serv- J.A. Epriam.” command is an essential step to ending oppression around ing ten months of his twelve-month tour News reports as late as Sept. 24, a the globe. was given an order by a second lieu- month after the big Long Binh Stockade “If schools in the United States really wanted to impart historical tenant for him and the 17 other men in rebellion, tell of a group of a dozen Black truth, Catalinotto’s ‘Turn The Guns Around’ would be required GIs still bravely holding out against the reading. He tells the true story of this epoch. Few participants his element to assault a 250-man forti- know more about the ­massive GI rebellion against the Vietnam fied North Vietnamese Army force, and Brass in part of the prison. War, the anti-war ­veterans’ movement or the history of soldier was severely wounded in his right leg, Catalinotto’s book, “Turn the Guns revolts from the Paris Commune to the Portuguese coup.” right arm and kidney while the rest of Around,” also includes an account of – Pvt Larry Holmes GI resister and organizer for his element was completely eliminated. how, later that August 50 years ago, the the American Servicemen’s Union 1972-74. After recuperation in Japan his medical rebellion of the Black GIs came home to Available at online booksellers record was lost by the U.S. Army and he Fort Hood, Texas. workers.org Aug. 2, 2018 Page 9

Class solidarity surges for migrant families

By Kathy Durkin

The Trump administration’s racist war on im/migrants con- tinues. They are stopped and arrested at the Texas/Mexico border, as well as throughout the U.S. Hundreds of children are still separated from their parents. But resistance continues in the streets, outside Immigration and Bay Area, Customs Enforcement facilities and in the courts. Calif. Generous assistance to ­migrant WW PHOTOS families is flowing from sympathetic or- claimed that 206 parents waived their ganizations and individuals. They un- right to reunification with their children derstand that their sisters and brothers by signing waivers or orally consenting. who are trying to cross U.S. borders are The majority of them face immediate de- fleeing desperate situations of violence portation. Many parents want their chil- and extreme poverty — and that no one dren returned, but didn’t know they had would attempt the dangerous trip to the relinquished their right to be reunited. U.S., risking probable arrest, unless they Reportedly, border agents coerced, pres- Syracuse, N.Y. saw no other solution to their plight. sured, tricked and lied to get parents to Border Patrol officers have seized 2,551 sign the waivers. Forms were not avail- lice. In many facilities, adult caregivers strike in the Bristol County House of children from their parents at the Mexi- able in their native languages; some par- are prohibited from hugging children to Corrections in Massachusetts and were co/Texas border since last summer; this ents didn’t know what they signed. comfort them. joined by other prisoners in solidarity. practice escalated in the spring. On April Parents were also pressured to hast- There is also sexual abuse. The Na- Officials retaliated, but a rally outside 6, Attorney General Jeff Sessions an- ily sign deportation forms and were in- tion’s website reports that a six-year-old supported those incarcerated. Women at nounced a “zero tolerance” policy to stop formed they would see their children girl, separated from her mother, was the Port Isabel ICE facility in Texas fasted migrants from crossing the border. Gov- faster if they did so — and that this was sexually abused by an older child at a to gain phone calls to their children. ernment kidnapping of children intensi- the only way they would see them. The Southwest Key detention facility in Ari- Legal, humanitarian, im/migrant, ad- fied after May 7, when Sessions said all government says 1,000 reunited families zona. Outrageously, this child had to sign vocacy and faith-based organizations and migrants and asylum seekers, even those face immediate deportation. a form saying it was her responsibility to compassionate individuals are showing with children, would be criminally pros- The ACLU vows to get attorneys to find stay away from the abuser and “maintain solidarity and helping migrants. Some ecuted and families could be separated at missing parents and provide them with appropriate boundaries.” are traveling to Guatemala, Honduras the border. legal help. A plethora of lawsuits are un- Children are suffering from anxiety, and El Salvador to locate parents who On June 20, the American Civil Liber- derway on behalf of migrant adults and depression and feelings of abandonment. were deported without their children and ties Union filed a federal lawsuit in Cal- children. Some are acting out their anguish and offer legal assistance. ifornia challenging family separations. Efren C. Olivares, director of the Tex- anger at their parents. Some reunited Sympathic volunteers — ­multinational, Federal Judge Dana Sabraw gave the gov- as Civil Rights Project, said, “The gov- parents have said their children don’t rec- multigenerational, multigender and ernment until July 26 to reunite all mi- ernment would like the public to believe ognize or won’t talk to them or let them- ­working class — are helping countrywide. grant children with their parents. it successfully met the July 26 deadline; selves be hugged. Some youngsters will Women are driving migrant parents hun- On July 27, the ACLU refuted the gov- nothing could be further from the truth.” suffer longterm psychological damage and dreds of miles to reunite with their chil- ernment’s claim in court documents that (New York Times, July 28) post-traumatic-stress disorder. Emotion- dren. Individuals are standing outside it had met the “court-ordered July 26 Many parents and children are in “legal al pain and distress also plague parents detention centers with money, food, bus deadline to reunite the children it wrong- limbo.” Some wait for days to be reunited, when detained and those dealing with tickets and legal aid for the released immi- fully separated from their parents. It did are sent to the wrong location or are even traumatized children after reunification. grants. Local fundraisers are being held. no such thing … hundreds of children reunited with the wrong child. The secre- Refugees and Immigrant Center for were not reunited. Some 463 parents tive Department of Health and Human Solidarity, resistance and assistance Education and Legal Services (RAICES) were deported without their children — Services won’t reveal children’s locations Ever since the separation of migrant in Texas is offering to pay bonds for the and the government isn’t even trying to or conveys inaccurate information. families escalated in the spring, there release of women immigrant detainees reunite them.” (tinyurl.com/yan2vb42) Now ICE is attempting to coerce newly has been active opposition. A ground- and is uniting families. The government didn’t give the ACLU reunited families to withdraw applica- swell of resistance arose against the The tremendous surge of support for lists of those facing imminent deporta- tions for their children to stay in the U.S., Trump government’s inhumane policies. immigrants shows the bond of solidarity tion. According to the ACLU, officials reported Vox on July 29. Where fathers The president had to publicly withdraw between working people of all nationali- assert they will “immediately deport all would not relent, ICE agents yelled at the family separation practice June 20 ties. The power of that solidarity exists as parents who have final deportation orders them, refused their requests and/or sep- after a global outcry. a material fact in their shared struggles once they are reunified … even though arated them from their children for a sec- Some 600 people, mainly women, against the brutal oppression dealt out by many of those parents may have mistak- ond time. were arrested June 28 while occupying capitalism. enly given up their asylum claims.” Federal agencies are banning deport- the Senate Office Building in Washing- ees from returning to the U.S. to get their ton. Nationally coordinated protests took Catch 22: deported parents, children, and will “vet” parents before place in at least 700 locations June 30 children in U.S. custody Boston sending their children to their home- initiated by Families Belong Together. On July 27, the government said 711 lands. A Fight for Im/migrants and Ref- children were “ineligible” for reunifica- ugees Everywhere (FIRE) delegation tion, but immigration officials had already Shocking abuse of children joined demonstrations in Brownsville deported over 400 of their parents! Judge Among the worst of the U.S. govern- and McAllen on the Texas/Mexico bor- Sabraw said the government was “at fault” ment’s crimes is the mistreatment of chil- der. FIRE and Workers World Party have for deporting parents while their children dren in detention and border processing protested in many cities. Many “Abolish were in custody and for not having a re- centers. Lawyers, health care workers and ICE!” pickets and occupations have tak- unification plan. He ordered the govern- others report inadequate water; inedible, en place at the inhumane agency’s local ment to provide information by Aug. 1 on often rotten food; and lack of blankets in facilities. Government officials have been all deported parents, those missing in the cold temperatures. Some children were confronted in offices, restaurants and on U.S. or others deemed “ineligible” so they housed in cages. Some were not bathed. the street. can all be reunited quickly. A parent said her returned toddler had Migrant detainees staged a hunger The ACLU says the government In Defense of CUBA By Leslie Feinberg, Feinberg’s book documents revolutionary Cuba’s inspiring trajectory author of ‘Stone Butch Blues’ of progress towards liberation of sexualities, genders and sexes. This ground-breaking book reveals how the Cuban Revolution has grappled with the pre-revolutionary legacy of 450 years of persecution and exploitation of homosexuality. Rainbow Solidarity answers the From the pages demonization of the 1959 Cuban Revolution by Washington, Wall Street of Workers World and Hollywood by demonstrating that the process of solving these newspaper problems is the forward motion of the revolution. A compilation of articles from the Workers World series Read pamphlets that are compilations of WW entitled Lavender & Red, online at workers.org. articles ­online at: www.workers.org/books The book is available at major online booksellers Page 10 Aug. 2, 2018 workers.org Pittsburgh tells Trump and Congress: #UnblockCuba Housing is a right By Cheryl LaBash Even as the stock market and profits service jobs. Pittsburgh soar, so does the cost of housing in the It is no wonder that homelessness is United States. A transformation has been growing, alongside obscene wealth at the The Pittsburgh City Council taking place in major cities — San Fran- top. took action to strongly support cisco, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., What happens to those displaced? A the sovereignty of the Cuban and New York are but a few examples survey in 2017 showed that on any giv- people on July 24. — as affordable rental housing is either en night in this rich country, more than A resolution in the form of demolished altogether or renovated to half a million people — 544,000 — were a proclamation, sponsored provide luxury co-ops and condos for the homeless, with nowhere to sleep but un- by Council member Anthony newly rich and/or the established rich, der bridges, in back alleys or in crowded Coghill and co-sponsored by who are either moving in from the sub- homeless shelters. the other eight council mem- urbs or enjoy residences in both city and Many women with children are home- bers, backed a renewed cooper- country. less, some to escape abuse. So are peo- ative engagement with Cuba by Pittsburgh City Council members joined members of The election of a president whose per- ple with physical, mental and emotional the U.S., as well as restoration the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister City Partnership to cele- sonal fortune comes from real estate, disabilities. And because being homeless of the full diplomatic staff at brate passage of a Council resolution supporting Cuba. even as he claims to care about workers’ only exacerbates these conditions, many the Cuban Embassy in Wash- jobs, has only accelerated the process. end up in hospital emergency rooms. ington, D.C., and at the U.S. Embassy in Penn State University and the Universi- Tenant organizations are fighting a Beginning a century and a half ago, Havana. Members of the initiating or- ty of Havana, and sporting exchanges. In tide of wealth that is threatening to suck the development of capitalism and the ganization, Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister July 2016, a spectacular youth “Boxing them under. triumph of large-scale manufacture over City Partnership, and other supporters on the Bridge” exhibition was held with And growing wealth exists alongside cottage industries in much of Europe and were present. participants from Cuba and Pittsburgh growing poverty. But not because poor North America enormously increased the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister City Part- competing in the center of Pittsburgh’s people are “too lazy to work.” Just the productivity of labor. One worker today nership President James Ferlo and Vice Roberto Clemente Bridge spanning the opposite. According to the National Co- can produce a hundred times as much President Lisa Valanti spoke briefly, and Allegheny River. alition for the Homeless, back in 2009 — whether it’s textiles or steel or houses Valanti read a greeting from the Cuban The Pittsburgh resolution noted that as many as 44 percent of the homeless — with the new technology. A partially Embassy. Others present included a rep- only congressional action can unravel the had jobs — but the pay was so low they prefabricated, nicely designed four-bed- resentative from U.S. Congressperson web of many laws restricting trade and couldn’t afford even the cheapest hous- room house today can be assembled and Mike Doyle. travel with Cuba. It calls for the repeal ing. Since then, it’s only gotten worse. finished in one month. Pittsburgh’s resolution expresses the of the Helms-Burton and Torricelli acts That same year, the National Low In- That’s the upside of capitalist develop- will of yet another U.S. community to and “urges Congress to pass the strategic come Housing Coalition figured that ment. The downside of an economic sys- end the U.S. commercial, financial and pieces of legislation that would complete- a minimum-wage worker “would have tem built on profits and exploited labor economic blockade of Cuba. It also sent a ly repeal the blockade and travel ban” — to work 87 hours each week to afford a is the total degradation of the life of the special message of solidarity to Cuba just action that would benefit the people of two-bedroom apartment at 30 percent worker. two days before that country celebrated both countries. of his or her income, which is the federal Frederick Engels, Karl Marx’s closest the 65th anniversary of the July 26, 1953, For instance, while 2.5 billion pounds definition of affordable housing.” collaborator, wrote in 1872 about how the attack on the Moncada Barracks in San- of unsold meat and poultry are now Working 87 hours each week! That’s bourgeoisie solves the housing question: tiago de Cuba. That attack began the final warehoused in the U.S. and dairy farm- more than TWICE the 40-hour week, “The breeding places of disease, the stage of Cuba’s long struggle for indepen- ers are going out of business (Wall Street which once was the standard. Does any- infamous holes and cellars in which the dence and self-determination culminat- Journal, July 22), the Pittsburgh resolu- one remember what it was like to work capitalist mode of production confines ing in victory on Jan. 1, 1959. tion points out that there are commodi- eight hours, sleep eight hours, live a life our workers night after night, are not Pittsburgh joins eight other U.S. cities ties “that Cuba presently purchases from for eight hours and be able to do things abolished; they are merely shifted else- taking a similar action: Berkeley, Oak- far away countries and wants to purchase you enjoy on the weekends? where! … As long as the capitalist mode land, Richmond and Sacramento, Calif.; from the U.S.” These economic pressures To work 87 hours a week, you’d have to of production continues to exist, it is fol- Hartford, Conn; Brookline, Mass.; Min- are fueling incremental but important toil 16 hours each weekday, which means ly to hope for an isolated solution of the neapolis; and Helena, Mont. Activists amendments to the 2018 Farm Bill and sleep five hours, have three hours to trav- housing question or of any other social plan to introduce additional resolutions Trade Sanctions Reform and Export En- el to and from your jobs and catch some question affecting the fate of the workers. in Midwest, Eastern and Southern cities. hancement Act of 2000 to loosen some of food on the fly, then work those addition- “The solution lies in the abolition of The body of the resolution reviewed the the blockade’s financial grip. al seven hours on Saturday — and col- the capitalist mode of production and the history of exchanges and efforts between A video recorded in the Pittsburgh City lapse on Sunday. Unless you’re scheduled appropriation of all the means of life and Pittsburgh and Cuba since 1998, includ- Council chambers is viewable on the Na- to work then, which is increasingly likely, labor by the working class itself.” ing mayoral visits, trade delegations, tional Network on Cuba’s Facebook page: especially in low-wage retail and food Amen, Comrade Freddy. memoranda of understandings between http://bit.ly/2AmeGF9.

ENDORSE the PEOPLE’S TRIBUNAL LIST YOUR ORGANIZATION AS AN ENDORSER. on U.S. Crimes against On Oct. 27, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., join Rafael Cancel Miranda and other Puerto Rican and international personalities and organizations at the People’s Tribunal on U.S. Crimes Against Puerto Rico. The People’s Tribunal will convene at Holyrood Church/Iglesia Santa PUERTO RICO Cruz in New York City.

The Tribunal needs your support! Since A people’s investigation. The Tribunal will Puerto Rico is different only in scale and duration from the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in Sep- present a people’s investigation of the role of the U.S. U.S.-perpetrated destruction elsewhere. tember 2017, the world has heard of Puerto Rico’s eco- government during its 120-year colonial rule, and par- A people’s campaign. Only a people’s cam- nomic, social and environmental crisis. ticularly since the hurricanes’ devastation put Puerto paign in solidarity with the Puerto Rican struggle for de- This crisis is not new or even due primarily to the hur- Rico in the eye of the world’s media. The Tribunal will colonization, self-determination and justice can begin to ricanes, but is the culmination of the savage colonialist feature renowned Nicaraguan legal scholar and attor- end the continued U.S. presence and domination, not domination and capitalist exploitation that the United ney, Dr. Augusto Zamora, who will serve as prosecutor, only in Puerto Rico but throughout the Caribbean, Latin States has imposed ever since its 1898 military inva- and a distinguished jury of U.S. and international hu- America and elsewhere. sion of Puerto Rico. On Oct. 27, activists and witness- man rights leaders. We hope that your organization will endorse this es from Puerto Rico (including eyewitnesses to U.S. This call for action by the Puerto Rico Tribunal Ad crimes), the Puerto Rican diaspora, the U.S. and the Hoc Committee is not made solely for the sake of pos- very important effort and join with us on Oct. 27 in world will meet in New York City to take part in this co- terity, but also seeks to strengthen the worldwide strug- New York City. lonial crimes tribunal. gle for self-determination today. What is happening in

Please endorse! Like us on Facebook at Puerto Rico Tribunal. Donations are needed! Email: [email protected] Skype account name: Tribunal Puerto Rico Please send to: Type “Puerto Rico Tribunal” in the subject line. For more information, contact us at Puerto Rico Tribunal, A complete list of Tribunal conveners is on our website: [email protected]. P.O. Box 34249, Philadelphia, PA 19101 PuertoRicoTribunal.org Online: gofundme.com/tribunalpuertorico workers.org Aug. 2, 2018 Page 11

France From state repression to state scandal

By Rémy Herrera in generalized opposition to Macron. his excessive zeal — without any trace of Paris What is this “affair” about? On July such a punishment. Indeed, Benalla con- 18, videos dating from May 1 began to tinued to run with the president, collect July 29 — In recent months, crack- circulate on the internet showing a man his salary and hold onto his privileges. downs on social movements in France wearing a helmet — who turned out to Campaign slogans promising an “ex- have jumped several notches. The state of be the assistant to Macron’s chief of staff, emplary Republic” gave way to suspicions emergency, replaced in November 2017 by Alexandre Benalla — arresting and beat- that a parallel (illegal and “private”) po- the Anti-Terrorism Act, has played a ma- ing a young couple after the Workers’ Day lice force obedient to the president had jor role. But it is above all the multiplica- demonstration in Paris. been created. Macron and his govern- tion of workers’ struggles, in many sectors Benalla showed himself to be brutal — ment — stunned — remained mute for of society, which underlies the expansion the very image of such repressive attacks several days in the face of demands for of police and military operations. — but even worse: He wore police insignia, explanations from all sides. Until very recently, visible opposition to although he is neither a police officer nor Ten hours of parliamentary battle were President Emmanuel Macron came from a soldier. He is only a bodyguard, blood- necessary for the opposition to suspend the streets, the unions and the mobilized thirsty and a fighter, but much appreciat- debate on constitutional reform (sought Alexandre Benalla (wearing a helmet), an “assistant” to President Macron’s chief of public, much more so than from the politi- ed by Macron, who recruited him during by Macron because it would give him staff, intimidates a protester, while two cians and the media. Everything changed his election campaign and then propelled even greater powers than the immense passers-by film the incident. on July 18 with the eruption of the “Benal- him into his presidential cabinet. ones he already wields) and to form a la affair.” Three days were enough to take We then learn that Benalla, barely 26 commission of inquiry. The minister of the media, popular demonstrations. the French presidential palace from the years old and having received only on- the interior told this commission he knew Some nonparliamentary voices are euphoria of the French soccer team’s vic- the-job security training for the “Social- nothing, while a parade of senior officials demanding the French equivalent of tory at the football world cup to a political ist” Party, was benefiting from the fol- added that they knew little more. Macron’s impeachment. Two motions of earthquake of unimaginable magnitude. lowing privileges: ultrafast promotion, And for good reason: Everything was censure against the government were The same media that had served as a comfortable salary, carrying weapons happening at the Elysée (presidential tabled in the National Assembly. The Macron’s war machine to get him elected obtained by irregular procedures, alloca- palace). It took a week (of chaos) be- “Benalla affair,” which still hasn’t run head of state remind him today that his tion of an apartment in one of the nicest fore Macron intervened. He did it his its course, has profoundly — and oppor- executive power is limited to that of carry- neighborhoods in Paris. way, provocatively, saying in substance: tunely — tar­nished Macron’s image at ing out the demands of the big capitalists. Some of these favors were clearly out- “I alone am responsible. And whoever home and abroad. It is paving the way for In Parliament, the shock caused by the rageous, including the authority to give would like to try, let them come get me!” the workers to resume in September, un- “Benalla affair” has managed to unite the orders to police and soldiers, the right Come get him? But those who know der better conditions, their struggle for traditional right (the Republicans) and to wear a law enforcement armband, French political institutions know that the social benefits. what I will call the “new right” (what re- free access to the National Assembly and Constitution of the Fifth Republic strong- Herrera is a Marxist economist, a mains of social democracy) alongside the “friendly contacts” with police officials ly protects the president. What Macron is researcher at the Centre national de parliamentary far left (Jean-Luc Mélen- who provided him with the surveillance actually saying is that, as a little puppet of la recherche scientifique (CNRS), who chon’s France Insoumise and the Com- video footage that implicated him. In ad- big finance, he will act forcefully to carry works at the Centre d’Économie de la munist Party) and the extreme right (for- dition, Macron’s cabinet claims to have out the will of his capitalist masters in de- Sorbonne, Paris. WW staff translated mer National Front, now National Rally) immediately punished the perpetrator for fiance of all counterpowers: Parliament, this article. Trump, Putin y Helsinki Continua de página 12 y pro-policía de Trump sólo sustituye un cha sangre, ya sean derechos sindicales, encia con los derechos democráticos por gobiernos, demasiado numerosos para capitalista maligno por otro. derechos civiles, derechos de las mujeres los que para obtenerlos, tanta gente ha enumerarlos aquí. Ha llevado a cabo o derechos LGBTQ. Nada ha sido dado sido encarcelada o ha muerto. asesinatos, establecido sitios de tortura ¿Subvirtiendo “nuestra democracia” por la clase gobernante sin una pelea. y menoscabado las luchas de liberación al interferir en las elecciones? Los derechos democráticos en EUA en Trump y la democracia nacional en todo el mundo. Como Trump Una de las narrativas de propaganda realidad se están quitando, pero no por Trump es un fanático autoritario, dere- la ataca mientras intenta salvar su pellejo más perniciosa de la propaganda anti-ru- Rusia. La supresión de votantes por todos chista, racista, misógino y militarista. por la investigación de Mueller, algunos sa es que los rusos interfirieron en “nues- los medios posibles ha reducido los votos Está pisoteando las instituciones y los liberales y progresistas de alguna mane- tra democracia”. de las/os afroamericanos, latinos, nati- derechos que fueron establecidos para la ra se han confundido y defienden a estas Antes que nada, no es “nuestra democ- vos, asiáticos y blancos pobres. protección de la sociedad. Las numerosas dos organizaciones asesinas. racia”. Esta es la democracia de la clase Esto se ha logrado mediante la im- agencias gubernamentales que se han Trump, el Pentágono, la CIA y el FBI capitalista. Los ricos controlan todas las posición de leyes de identificación de creado a lo largo de los años para fre- deben ser condenados y combatidos por plataformas de publicidad, televisión, votantes, el cierre de las mesas elector- nar los abusos corporativos están siendo igual como enemigos del pueblo. periódicos, radio, películas, etc. Los jef- ales, la manipulación de los distritos completamente destruidas por Trump. es son dueños de todas las principales electorales para reducir el peso electoral Estas agencias e instituciones han sido Tratando de socavar a Trump salas, teatros y estadios. Poseen el papel de las comunidades oprimidas, y sim- consideradas como un seguro antidistur- El liderazgo del Partido Demócrata y de los periódicos, las prensas y otras for- plemente por la purga ilegal de las listas bios por los patronos. Fueron estableci- muchos progresistas esperan que la cam- mas de medios impresos. Controlan el de votantes. La encarcelación masiva de das para limitar el daño causado por los paña de hostigamiento de Rusia socave contenido ideológico y político de cada millones de trabajadoras/es negros, lati- capitalistas en las jurisdicciones indica- tanto a la administración Trump como a uno de los principales órganos de propa- nos y blancos pobres es un atajo para la das por su nombre. El soborno corporati- los republicanos de Trump en el Congreso, ganda pública. privación del derecho al voto, y no solo vo y la corrupción siempre han permitido y que erosione su base. Además del hosti- Los derechos democráticos que existen durante su período de encarcelamiento. a los patronos debilitar y eludir diversas gamiento de Rusia, esperan que la inves- para las masas bajo esta democracia capi- Muchos estados le quitan el derecho al regulaciones. Pero Trump lo ha llevado a tigación de Mueller sobre la campaña de talista truncada se han ganado a través de voto de las/os llamados delincuentes du- un nuevo nivel. Trump termine expulsando a Trump. la organización y la lucha, a costa de mu- rante largos períodos posteriores. Mantiene la lealtad y aquiescencia de Ambos caminos son un callejón sin Y esto sin mencionar el asesinato poli- las grandes empresas al destruir todas salida para la clase trabajadora y las/os cial de personas negras, latinas e indíge- las limitaciones progresistas al saqueo oprimidos. nas que ocurre día tras día en todo el país. capitalista y reducir los fondos para la Esta mentalidad de deshacerse de ¿Y dónde están los derechos democráti- regulación, como el recorte impositivo de Trump, sin importar cómo, es muy cos de millones de migrantes a no ser un billón de dólares, la transformación peligrosa. El hostigamiento de Rusia jue- perseguidas/os por las tropas de asalto de las agencias reguladoras en habilita- ga en la campaña de guerra de los mili- de la Patrulla Fronteriza y por agentes de dores permisivos del saqueo del medio- tares. Solo drenará los fondos que se de- Inmigración y Control de Aduanas que ambiente, la destrucción de la educación ben usar para el gasto social y reducirá la deambulan por el país atacando lugares pública, la eliminación de la supervisión red de seguridad social ya disminuida. de trabajo y vecindarios? Matan, abusan, gubernamental sobre el transporte públi- Se corre un mayor riesgo de guerra, en la encarcelan y deportan con impunidad. co, medicamentos y productos farmacéu- que la clase trabajadora de ambos países Los derechos de las mujeres a contro- ticos, el petróleo, la minería, etc. sería la principal víctima. lar sus cuerpos son denegados cada vez A pesar del tumulto sobre Trump y Ayudará al establecimiento del Partido Fred Goldstein utiliza las leyes de la que se aprueba una nueva ley contra el Rusia, los derechos de las masas están Demócrata en su campaña para manten- acumulación capitalista de Marx, y la tasa aborto; cada vez que se cierra una clínica bajo ataque diariamente. El movimiento er su dominio político sobre las amplias decreciente de ganancia, para demostrar de atención médica para mujeres. Cada debe centrar su atención en combatir es- masas de fuerzas progresistas, así como por qué el capitalismo global ha llegado vez que un agresor es ignorado por las tos ataques. El enemigo no es sólo la ad- para reforzar la ideología chovinista bur- finalmente a un punto de inflexión. autoridades, las vidas de las mujeres es- ministración Trump y los capitalistas que guesa. Usar la propaganda de guerra para LowWageCapitalism.com tán en peligro. lo apoyan, sino el sistema capitalista de desviar a los seguidores antiinmigrantes Available at all major online booksellers. Estos son ejemplos reales de interfer- saqueo y explotación en general. Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 60 Núm. 31 2 de agosto 2018 $1 PHOTO: ADELANTE WORKERS CENTER Marcha para sanctuario, Birmingham, Ala. Trump, Putin y Helsinki

Por Fred Goldstein minaron en una alianza no deseada con Ahora, el ejército de EUA está impul- da, lo que le permite a Caracas retener el figuras racistas y antiinmigrantes como sado por el objetivo de reconquistar los petróleo que usa para pagar las deudas. Mientras golpean los tambores de Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage y fuerzas territorios que perdió durante el período Es perfectamente comprensible que guerra anti rusos, los escribas pagados de rabiosas antiinmigrantes y chovinistas soviético. De eso se trataba el intento de los países oprimidos, bajo sanciones, la clase dominante se están uniendo de- que quieren “hacer que el imperio vuelva tomar control en Ucrania. Esto habría bloqueo o ataque militar de EUA se alíen trás del FBI y la CIA. Estos son dos de los a ser grandioso”. movido al Pentágono a la frontera sur de con Rusia y reciban ayuda de ella. Y las/ mayores enemigos de las/os trabajadores Por otro lado, sería progresista si la Rusia. Es por eso que Washington movió os revolucionarios y las/os progresistas y oprimidos aquí y en el exterior. OTAN y la UE fueran socavadas, no por a la OTAN a los países bálticos en 2004 y deberían apoyar y defender esa ayuda. La cumbre de Helsinki representa una Trump y Putin, sino por una clase trabaja- estableció un cordón militar en el norte Pero esto no cambia el carácter de clase nueva fase en el intento del presidente de dora unida, luchando contra los banque- de Estonia, Letonia y Lituania. Y EUA del régimen oligárquico contrarrevolu- los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, de ros y patronos europeos y sus interven- ha convertido a Polonia en una base de cionario en Moscú. forjar un acercamiento con el presidente ciones militares en África, Medio Oriente avance en Europa Central. Es la estrate- Vladimir Putin y Rusia. Esta cumbre, sin y Europa del Este. Sería progresista si gia del cerco. Washington también in- Lacayos publicistas y embargo, se produce en un momento en prevaleciera la solidaridad de clase en la tentó tomar control en Georgia y ahora la tormenta anti rusa que el estado capitalista de EUA se mueve lucha contra el racismo antiinmigrante. ha incorporado Montenegro a la OTAN. Lacayos publicistas de la clase domi- en la dirección opuesta: hacia relaciones El objetivo final del imperialismo es- nante de todo tipo se han apresurado al inflamatorias con Rusia. El Pentágono y las agencias de espionaje tadounidense es restaurar su propio régi- megáfono público para cumplir con las La base del intento de acercamiento es necesitan un enemigo men pro-EUA en Moscú. órdenes del Pentágono y las agencias de en parte una orientación política común Trump está tratando fuertemente de espionaje. Periodistas burgueses, presen- de la derecha. Trump y Putin son ambos reorientar la política exterior de Wash- El papel contradictorio de Rusia tadores de noticias, panelistas “exper- autoritarios y chovinistas de gran po- ington. Pero el Pentágono, la CIA, el FBI Debido a sus intereses estratégicos, tos”, funcionarios del gobierno anterior y tencia. Ambos se oponen a la Unión Eu- y el complejo militar industrial están Rusia juega un papel contradictorio en su actual, generales y almirantes retirados ropea y la OTAN, pero cada uno por sus tratando de sabotear estos esfuerzos. lucha contra el imperialismo estadoun- convertidos en “comentaristas” y “analis- propios motivos expansionistas. Y ambos Necesitan inflar la sensación de peligro idense. tas”, grupos de expertos, y hasta presen- promueven fuerzas reaccionarias, rac- de un “enemigo” para sostener y expandir Putin rechazó en parte el intento del tadores de espectáculos nocturnos, todos istas y antiinmigrantes en Europa como los preparativos de guerra y mantener las imperialismo estadounidense y europeo han competido para atacar a Trump por una herramienta para debilitar al imperi- ganancias militares. de apoderarse de Ucrania. Ha apoyado ser una herramienta de Putin y Putin por alismo europeo. La Unión Soviética solía ser el prin- la resistencia en la región de Donbáss y ser un maestro manipulador que “inter- Las/os revolucionarios y las/os antiim- cipal enemigo de la Guerra Fría de las ha protegido su base naval estratégica en firió con nuestra democracia”. perialistas también se oponen a la UE y a clases dominantes en Europa y EUA. En Crimea. Mientras golpean los tambores de guer- la OTAN. Ellas/os legítimamente quieren realidad, la Guerra Fría fue una autén- También ha apoyado al gobierno sirio ra anti rusos, estos escribas pagados de la ver destruidas estas instituciones impe- tica guerra de clases: una lucha entre en su campaña para detener la toma de clase dominante se están uniendo detrás rialistas. Pero la UE y la OTAN deben ser dos sistemas sociales antagónicos. La control de ese país por parte de EUA. del FBI y la CIA. ¿Y quiénes son éstas? Es- destruidas de manera progresista: por la URSS era un país socialista que estaba Putin está tratando de proteger al único tas agencias son dos de los mayores ene- clase trabajadora y las/os oprimidos. bajo presión en todo el mundo por parte aliado terrestre y marítimo de Rusia en el migos de las/os trabajadores y oprimidos Si Europa se desintegra por las fuerzas de las agencias de espionaje capitalistas Medio Oriente. aquí y en el exterior. El FBI ha infiltrado derechistas, antiinmigrantes y antiobre- de Washington, sus cuerpos militares y Rusia ha ayudado a Cuba con créditos y fabricado casos a generaciones de co- ras, podría provocar un conflicto mili- sus diplomáticos en más de 100 países. a la exportación, automóviles, locomo- munistas, socialistas, organizaciones de tar nacionalista e interimperialista. Tal Mientras existió la URSS, toda la clase toras, petróleo y otras exportaciones so- derechos civiles afroamericanas y grupos desintegración desencadenaría las fuer- dominante temía por sus propiedades y bre una base estrictamente capitalista. de liberación. Les ha perseguido en sus zas de la conquista y la guerra. ganancias. Temían la propagación del so- Ha perdonado gran parte de la deuda de trabajos y en sus casas, les ha encarcelado Muchas/os de la izquierda en Bretaña cialismo. Cuba de $3 mil millones, sobrante de la e incluso les ha matado. respaldaron por error al Brexit porque Rusia capitalista no plantea tal era soviética. Rusia también ha ayudado Durante décadas, la CIA ha derrocado se oponían a la UE. Sin embargo, ter- ­amenaza. a Venezuela con la condonación de la deu- Continúa a página 11 Invitación para que su organización endose TRIBUNAL del PUEBLO sobre El 27 de octubre de 2018 a las 9:00 am, únase a Rafael Can- cel Miranda y otras personalidades y organizaciones puertor- los Crímenes de EUA contra riqueñas e internacionales en el Tribunal del Pueblo Sobre Crímenes de los Estados Unidos Contra Puerto Rico, en la el PUEBLO de PR Iglesia Holyrood/Iglesia Santa Cruz, Ciudad de Nueva York. Desde la devastación de los huracanes Irma y María El tribunal presentará una investigación del pueb- solamente en escala y duración, a la destrucción perpe- en septiembre de 2017, el mundo se ha enterado de lo sobre el papel del gobierno de los Estados Unidos trada por los EUA en otros lugares. la crisis económica, social y ambiental de Puerto Rico. durante su dominio colonial por 120 años, y partic- Solamente una campaña del pueblo en solidaridad Esta crisis no es nueva, ni siquiera se debe principal- ularmente desde la devastación de los huracanes. A con la lucha puertorriqueña por la descolonización, mente a los huracanes, sino que es la culminación de la ellas/os se unirán el renombrado jurista y abogado nic- la autodeterminación y la justicia puede comenzar a salvaje dominación colonialista y la explotación capital- aragüense Dr. Augusto Zamora, quien servirá como ponerle fin a la continua presencia y dominación de los ista impuesta por los Estados Unidos de América des- fiscal, y un distinguido jurado de líderes de derechos Estados Unidos, no solo en Puerto Rico, sino en el Ca- de su invasión militar en 1898 a Puerto Rico. El 27 de humanos estadounidenses e internacionales. ribe, en América Latina y en otros países. octubre de 2018, activistas y testigos de Puerto Rico, Este llamado a la acción no se realiza únicamente Esperamos que su organización pueda respal- de la diáspora puertorriqueña, de EUA y del mundo, se para la posteridad, sino que también busca fortalecer dar este importante esfuerzo organizativo, y pueda reunirán en la ciudad de Nueva York para participar de la lucha actual por la autodeterminación a nivel mundi- unirse a nosotros el 27 de octubre en la ciudad de un tribunal de crímenes de colonialismo. al. Lo que está ocurriendo en Puerto Rico es diferente Nueva York.

Para respaldar, envíe un correo electrónico a: Comuníquese por Skype: Tribunal Puerto Rico [email protected] y escriba: “Tribunal de Puerto Rico” en la línea del Para más información escriba a: [email protected] asunto. La lista completa de convocantes del Tribunal está en nuestro sitio web: Necesitamos donaciones. Las pueden enviar por correo postal al PuertoRicoTribunal.org Tribunal sobre Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 34249, Philadelphia, PA 19101 Visite nuestra página en Facebook: Puerto Rico Tribunal o en línea: gofundme.com/tribunalpuertorico