Puerto Rico ¡Crisis escolar de Detroit! 12 PHOTO: TEAM SOLIDARITY TEAM PHOTO:

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 58, No. 4 Feb. 4, 2016 $1

Maureen Skehan and Local 8751 Pres. Andre In face of gov’t inaction François at Boston MLK March. See page 5. Solidarity brings water to Flint By Martha Grevatt Detroit Sammy Younge Jr., martyr 7

Water You Fighting For? It’s more than a great play on words. It’s a grassroots organization in Flint, Mich., founded by mothers Melissa Mays and Lee Anne Wal- ters, who refused to sit back and watch their children suffer. WYFF has been protesting the toxic Flint water for almost two years. Mays said in a national interview: “When your 12-year-old wakes up in the middle of the night crying because his bones hurt and there is nothing you can do, no creams, no medicine that you can give him to ease his pain, that’s infuriating. When your youngest can’t go anywhere because his white blood cell count is four, and his immune system is so compromised you’re worried he is going to get sick with anybody breathing on him, that’s awful. “When your oldest is starting to struggle in school subjects that were very easy to him,” continued Mays, “there’s nothing more than I want to do than scream and yell and that’s what we did for over a year, scream and yell, ‘This isn’t right, stop it, tell us the truth.’” (fox- business.com, Jan. 22) Now, because residents like Mays organized and fought back, the Flint water crisis is a national scandal, Flint’s people deserve even making the front page of the New York Times. Two officials of the Michigan Department of Environmen- tal Quality and the regional head of the Environmental Protection Agency have resigned in disgrace. REPARATIONS The DEQ failed to instruct the Flint water depart- ment to add anti-corrosive chemicals to the water when By Monica Moorehead 100,000 people of Flint, including 9,000 chil- Flint stopped using water from the Detroit Water and dren under the age of 6, have been poisoned for Sewerage Department and began tapping into the pol- The writer is the 2016 Workers World Party at least two years with lead-laden water carried luted Flint River. The DEQ’s bad instructions allowed presidential candidate. Her vice presidential through a corrosive system from the Flint River, Flint system pipes to leach deadly lead into the water, candidate and running mate is Lamont Lilly. which was polluted in the first place due to Gen- leaving the whole city of 100,000, including 9,000 chil- The capitalist system — whose main feature eral Motors’ corporate greed and governmental dren under age 6, poisoned. is to make profits for the billionaire ruling class neglect. As a result of the state’s indifference, at the expense of the rest of humanity — should children are suffering from lead poisoning, Calls for governor’s arrest and must be ABOLISHED, root and branch. which causes irreparable disabilities and can The primary target of community anger is Gov. Rick Why? Because this system that feeds off the su- lead to a slow, painful death. Snyder, a reactionary Republican who has been deflect- per-exploitation of the labor of the workers and Black people make up more than 50 percent ing blame while scraping up a woefully inadequate $108 oppressed peoples on a global scale is resulting in of Flint’s population. Some 41 percent now live million in state and federal funds for Flint. unimaginable poverty, suffering and hardships. below the poverty line, caused by the devastat- Political pressure forced Snyder — who by state law One of the greatest weapons the ruling class ing loss of jobs in the auto industry. Every de- has immunity from the Freedom of Information Act — uses to protect its wealth is institutionalized mand for water justice by Flint’s people must be to release emails between him and other state officials racism, intended to keep the multinational met immediately. about Flint’s water. Now it should be impossible for working class divided and weak so it can’t fight Snyder to escape criminal responsibility. Despite say- in its own class interests. GM: Pay reparations now! ing “I’m sorry” to Flint residents over two dozen times How else could the ruling class get away with For the past four years, the Black Lives Mat- in his State of the State speech on Jan. 19 in the State the horrors inflicted on Flint, Mich., which have ter movement has helped shine a bright light House in Lansing, his disdainful indifference and lack made national and international news? The Continued on page 10 of remorse were evident. “Arrest Snyder” has become a rallying cry. Signs against him were popular at Detroit’s annual Martin Luther King march on Jan. 18, which included a Flint delegation led by Mays. Later that day people pick- eted Snyder’s newly purchased swank condominium • Winter storm & inequality in Baltimore 10 in downtown Ann Arbor. The following day, 500 peo- Continued on page 6 • Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day of Struggle 4-5

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West Virginia

Workers rally against anti-union law  In the U.S. Solidarity brings water to Flint ...... 1 By Benji Pyles Flint’s people deserve REPARATIONS ...... 1 Charleston, W.Va. West Virginia workers rally against anti-union law . . . . 2 Over 1,000 workers, union staff and their supporters Milwaukee teachers call for ‘Walk-ins’ vs. austerity . . . . 3 showed up at a West Virginia AFL-CIO demonstration in Boston school bus union members ‘in very high spirits’ . 3 the state Capitol rotunda on Jan. 13 to display their col- Struggles spotlighted at Detroit MLK rally and march . . 4 lective anger and opposition to proposed “right-to-work” Mumia Abu-Jamal: ‘Free Reverend Pinkney!’ ...... 4 (for less!) legislation, which is to be introduced this ses- Treat hep C in Philly jails! ...... 4 sion. If passed, West Virginia would become the 26th MLK Day protests vs police brutality & gentrification . . .5 RTW state. While the House is firmly in the hands of the Repub- New York City: Black & Brown unite to reclaim MLK . . . .5 licans, there is controversy in the Senate. Daniel Hall Criticism grows of racism surrounding Oscar snubs . . . .6 was a Democrat when elected to the Senate in 2012 but Detroit teachers beat back injunction ...... 6 switched parties in 2014, giving the Republicans the Anthony Hill’s killer cop indicted ...... 8 Senate majority and breaking a 17-17 tie. However, ear- its lobbying against the re-election of President Franklin Upstate drones: State terror & the ‘Drone Economy’ . . . 8 lier this month Hall resigned to take a job at the Nation- D. Roosevelt. The Christian American Association was What’s driving shocks to the economy ...... 9 al Rifle Association. The controversy is over whether a on the far right wing in Texas labor politics. Democrat or Republican should be appointed to his seat. Muse also used segregationist views as an argument Baltimore poor abandoned by capitalist government . .10 ​If a Democrat is appointed, neither party will have a against unions, stating in the most vile language that Anti-racists support Islamic Community Center . . . . .10 majority. The state’s Supreme Court of Appeals will hear white workers would be forced into organizations with  Around the world the case. Black workers or lose their jobs. Haiti in turmoil as masses reject corrupt election . . . . 11 RTW is not the only attack being leveled against the A union-community fightback is needed to defeat this working class in West Virginia. There is also a bill to re- reactionary offensive. Workers have to understand that Pentagon, NATO plan renewed war on Libya ...... 11 peal the “prevailing wage” law. This law requires contrac- the threat of direct, coordinated and collective action is  Black History Month tors on state-funded construction projects of $500,000 what made unions work in the first place. Their power 1966 murder prompted SNCC’s anti-war stance ...... 7 or more to pay roughly union scale wages, using wage has always frightened the bosses and the state. rates calculated by WorkForce West Virginia that are Michigan and Wisconsin have shown that the union  Noticias en Español based on surveys of more than 3,700 contractors con- officialdom and Democrats were outmaneuvered in the Tiempo de definición del estatus en Puerto Rico . . . . .12 ducted this summer. struggle against RTW. The worst thing the working class ¡Crisis escolar de Detroit! ...... 12 Workers and supporters raised slogans such as “Stop can do at this juncture is to simply look forward to the the war on working families” and “Right-to-work is next election cycle with hopes they can get RTW over- wrong for WV.” One organization stood out as a clear turned. left flank in the demonstration. The Appalachian Work- What are needed are People’s Assemblies to organize ers Alliance dropped banners from the rotunda saying, and educate workers on how to win wage increases and “Beat back RTW! Say NO to Jim Crow!” AWA members safety measures and to raise their consciousness. The were quick to educate people on the racist origins of RTW working class must come to see that they are the sole in Jim Crow segregation in the South. producers of society’s wealth and can direct the econo- Vance Muse (1890-1950) was a business ow ner and con- my collectively without the need of the private profit mo- servative lobbyist from Texas who invented the “right-to- tive of capitalism. To do this takes the greatest amount work” movement against the unionization of workers and of working-class solidarity and must unite low-wage and helped pass the first anti-union laws in Texas. Muse was part-time workers, as well as the unemployed, Black/ editor of the Christian American newspaper and worked Brown/Native workers, students and youth. Workers World for the Southern Committee to Uphold the Constitution, For more information, see appalachianworkersalliance. 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. which used both anti-Semitic and anti-Black rhetoric in weebly.com or call 304-314-4340. New York, N.Y. 10011 Phone: 212.627.2994 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Vol. 58, No. 4 • Feb. 4, 2015 Closing date: Jan. 26,, 2015 Editor: Deirdre Griswold Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, Who we are & what we’re fighting for Kris Hamel, Monica Moorehead; Web Editor Gary Wilson Hate capitalism? Workers World Party fights for a ­degrading people because of their nationality, sexual or Production & Design Editors: Coordinator Lal Roohk; ­socialist society — where the wealth is socially owned gender identity or disabilities — all are tools the ruling Andy Katz, Cheryl LaBash and production is planned to satisfy human need. This class uses to keep us apart. They ruthlessly super-ex- Copyediting and Proofreading: Sue Davis, Keith Fine, outmoded capitalist system is dragging down workers’ ploit some in order to better exploit us all. WWP builds Bob McCubbin unity among all workers while supporting the right living standards while throwing millions out of their Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, jobs. If you’re young, you know they’re stealing your of self-determination. Fighting oppression is a work- Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, K. Durkin, Fred Goldstein, future. And capitalism is threatening the entire planet ing-class issue, which is confirmed by the many labor Martha Grevatt, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, with its unplanned, profit-driven stranglehold over the struggles led today by people of color, immigrants and Berta Joubert-Ceci, Terri Kay, Cheryl LaBash, means of production. women. Milt Neidenberg, John Parker, Bryan G. Pfeifer, Workers built it all — it belongs to society, not to a WWP has a long history of militant opposition to im- Betsey Piette, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Gloria Rubac handful of billionaires! But we need a revolution to perialist wars. The billionaire rulers are bent on turning Mundo Obero: Redactora Berta Joubert-Ceci; make that change. That’s why for 57 years WWP has back the clock to the bad old days before socialist revolu- Ramiro Fúnez, Teresa Gutierrez, Donna Lazarus, been building a revolutionary party of the working tions and national liberation struggles liberated territory Carlos Vargas class inside the belly of the beast. from their grip. We’ve been in the streets to oppose every Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis We fight every kind of oppression. Racism, sexism, one of imperialism’s wars and aggressions. Copyright © 2014 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium Contact a Workers World Party branch near you: workers.org/wwp without royalty provided this notice is preserved. 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Milwaukee Teachers call for ‘Walk-ins’ vs. austerity

By Workers World Milwaukee Bureau The MTEA, along with union and com- munity organizations such as Schools and In response to the largest cuts to edu- Communities United, Youth Empowered cation in the history of Wisconsin since in the Struggle and Voces de la Frontera, right-wing politicians took over the Leg- is engaged in numerous battles to stop islature and governor’s office in 2011, the the OSPP and other austerity measures. Milwaukee Teachers Education Associa- Union members and supporters, includ- tion (MTEA) last September held walk- ing K-12 students, have led school de- ins at dozens of schools. fense actions at dozens of schools, staged The union, representing over 4,000 Under Act 10, made law in June walk-ins, packed Milwaukee school board educators and staff in the Milwaukee 2011, Wisconsin public sector meetings and initiated other actions. Public Schools system, is now helping unions must annually vote to re- to organize walk-ins at over 700 U.S. PHOTO: JOE BRUSKY certify by 50 percent plus one of Building labor-community power Milwaukee, May, 20. schools on Feb. 17. the entire membership in a bar- Since 2011, the MTEA has implement- The MTEA call declares, “Parents, stu- Wisconsin have been taking place against gaining unit. Even where certified, unions ed a social justice union approach similar dents, educators and community mem- K-12, technical schools and the Universi- are barred from collective bargaining ex- to the Chicago Teachers Union and pub- bers: Please join us at a public school ty of Wisconsin system. Charter schools cept for wages up to the rate of inflation. lic workers in other cities. They prioritize near you on Feb. 17 to celebrate public ed- have expanded statewide and a Detroit Act 10 also increased pension and mass outreach and solidarity events in ucation and to stand up for public schools emergency manager style “Opportunity health care payments by public sector schools and communities across the state. that welcome and serve all children. Pub- Schools Partnership Program” (OSPP) workers, who must also work longer to be Union members are joining in solidarity lic education supporters in Los Angeles; was made law by Gov. Scott Walker last vested in the state’s pension system. with the Fight For $15 movement and Seattle; Chicago; Green Bay, Wis.; Bos- summer. The OSPP allows so-called “failing” Black Lives Matter actions, including pro- ton; and dozens of other cities around The defunding of public education in Milwaukee public schools to be handed tests demanding justice for Dontre Ham- the nation will also be walking on the Wisconsin is part of Wall Street’s prac- over to capitalist corporations to operate. ilton and other victims of police brutality. same day. Public education supporters tice of manufacturing a “crisis” to justify They would be run by a commissioner to MTEA brought water to Flint, Mich., will gather in front of their schools be- privatization for corporate profits and to be appointed by Milwaukee County Ex- residents poisoned by Wall Street and fore the school day starts to chant, march increase “debt service” for the banks. ecutive Chris Abele, a leading capitalist Wall Street’s bought-and-paid-for politi- and share information about how school Wisconsin’s decades-long austerity leg- in the Wisconsin Democratic Party. The cians. It mobilized members to support takeovers hurt our students. We will also islation was planned and funded by Wall commissioner would have parallel au- their union sisters and brothers during educate others about public community Street forces, including the American thority with the elected Milwaukee Public the 2015 strikes by Amalgamated Tran- schools that we know are a better solu- Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), School Board but be accountable only to sit Workers Union 998 and United Auto tion than handing schools over to private Americans For Prosperity, the Bradley the county executive. Workers Local 833. third party operators. Finally, attendees Foundation, the Koch Brothers and the Targeted schools are those that have Feb. 17 is the next step in their coura- will walk into the school collectively just Heritage Foundation. Banks were a cen- predominantly Black or Latino/a student geous resistance and labor-community before the start of the school day as a tral driving force. populations and are in neighborhoods unity building process. The MTEA calls community.” (stopmpstakeover.com) In Milwaukee, a city with a majority of devastated by decades of deindustrial- on families and educators in Milwaukee people of color, the attacks on public edu- ization and lack of social safety nets. All and across the U.S. to “Join us! Walk in Fighting racist austerity: Make the cation are modeled after austerity legisla- MPS workers at schools taken over would on Wed., Feb. 17, and be a part of history!” banks pay tion policies enacted in other cities with be fired and forced to reapply for their For more information about Feb. 17 ac- Very much a part of Wall Street’s on- large African-American and Latino/a jobs. To be considered for rehire, workers tions: facebook.com/schoolsandcommu- going privatization plans, since 2011 un- populations, including Detroit, New Orle- would have to waive their right to union nitiesunited; mtea.weac.org; and stop- relenting attacks on public education in ans and Philadelphia. representation. mpstakeover.com. Boston school bus union members ‘in very high spirits’ post-victory

By Martha Grevatt struggle since the four’s return. post office that pro- vides critical service Jan. 24 — It has now been more than Living the dream to the Black commu- a month since Steelworkers Local 8751, The victory has not given the union a nity. Now bus drivers the Boston School Bus Drivers’ union, moment’s rest. According to Gillis, “Get- are getting ready to won a major victory against the trans- ting back to work has been an equally jump into the fight national monster Transdev/Veolia and difficult job as winning our jobs back! against $50 million the austerity-minded city administra- We got back into the swing of things in austerity cuts pro- tion that employs them. This company, with a major yard rally, complete with posed by Boston Pub- which illegally fired four key union lead- picket signs, bullhorns and special guest lic Schools and the ers in 2013 and was taking a hard line in speakers organizing for the Martin Lu- expansion of charter PHOTO: TEAM SOLIDARITY contract negotiations, was forced by the ther King day march.” The January 18 schools. Some of Local 8751’s Team Solidarity attended MLK Day actions militant rank and file to rehire President march, organized by Massachusetts Ac- in Boston. From left, Claude St. Germain, Stevan Kirschbaum, Andre Francois, Vice President Steve tion Against Police Brutality, combined Fruitful lessons Fred Floreal. Kirschbaum, Financial Secretary Steve community demands of “Jail killer cops” “It is certainly our Gillis and Grievance Chair Garry Mur- and “No to Islamophobia” with issues desire to publicize our victory in the hope in Atlanta. “[Veolia/Transdev] came with chison. Local 8751 also won a great con- of young workers from the Service Em- that it can provide some morale to our the promise to bust our union, and they tract for the members. ployees union who marched into a KFC class,” said Gillis. “We offer fruitful les- gave the city that promise,” Francois “Our members are in very high spir- restaurant and a Burger King parking lot sons from the multinational unity, soli- shared. “To do that they had to try to get its and in a fighting mood,” said Gillis. to demand “$15 and a Union” and the re- darity and militant actions we built over rid of us. I am glad that we finally won.” “Good thing, because Transdev/Veolia’s hiring of fired co-workers. a sustained period, inside a relatively In the coming months the four union management are in the throes of a ma- Labor and community voices were small local of mostly immigrant workers. leaderes will share their story at the jor corporate temper tantrum, refusing heard loud and clear from the back of Rank-and-file leadership with class-con- Southern Workers’ Assembly School in to pay some of our leaders, withholding Local 8751’s sound truck. The union also scious training, in alliance with the North Carolina March 4-6, the Appala- millions of dollars in retroactive pay and sent a delegation and the sound system to communities we serve and the broader chian Workers’ Alliance conference in benefits, bringing down the unjust disci- the Boston Black Lives Matter march the political movement, can turn back even West Virginia, the Labor Notes confer- pline hammer on our good people, etc.” same day. The local also carried colorful the most well-planned and strategically ence in Chicago April 1-3 and other gath- Indications are, however, that the placards with slogans such as “Dr. King’s targeted assault of the ruling class.” erings around the country. The victory fighting spirit that brought the four lead- dream: end poverty, raise wages.” The four have taken the victory’s was written up in Avante, the organ of the ers back to work will prevail and that the Living Dr. King’s dream is Local 8751’s narrative to the airwaves, including an Portuguese Communist Party. workers will see the retro pay in their legacy, from its founding during the vi- hour-long radio show in Wisconsin — at “The rich lessons of this historic checks before the end of January. They olent racist campaign aimed at stopping the invitation of those on the front lines struggle,” union Vice President Steve have already won other victories, such school desegregation in 1974 to its soli- fighting Gov. Scott Walker and the Koch Kirschbaum explained, “are the collec- as the reinstatement of an unjustly fired darity action on MLK Day in 2012, which brothers’ brand of union busting and aus- tive property of the international working union veteran in the first arbitration helped stop the closing of the Grove Hall terity — and the Labor Forum radio show class.” Page 4 Feb. 4, 2016 workers.org

Struggles spotlighted at Detroit MLK rally and march

By Abayomi Azikiwe the state courts. Editor, Pan-African News Wire The Homrich 9, who were arrested in WW PHOTO: ABAYOMI AZIKIWE Detroit July 2014 for blocking Homrich compa- ny trucks that were heading out to shut which went into effect in 1986; and Tony safe water were performed by the Flow- The 13th annual Martin Luther King off Detroit residents’ water services, were and Mary, two of the now adult children town Revue. Day rally and march took place Jan. 18 co-recipients of the People’s Spirit of De- of Detroit-based Civil Rights martyr Vi- in downtown Detroit, where a host of troit award. ola Liuzzo. March for justice & people’s gathering speakers and organizations participated. Among those addressing the assem- After a more than two-hour rally, a Despite a windchill factor below zero, Solidarity with broad array of struggles bly, Joe Mchahwar of Fight Imperialism, march was held through downtown De- Central United Methodist Church was The Detroit MLK event is the largest Stand Together (FIST) spoke on the plight troit. It wound past the 36th District filled with social justice and peace ac- annual gathering of progressive forces in of the Syrian people and the role of the Court to demonstrate against foreclosures tivists who work tirelessly throughout southeastern Michigan and is endorsed U.S. and Israel in the continuing oppres- and evictions; then to the Wayne County Michigan. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by a host of organizations and coalitions sion of the peoples of the Middle East. Me- Jail to protest the mass incarceration of spoke in this church numerous times in dealing with education, water rights, lissa Mays of Flint, Mich., whose pioneer- African Americans and other oppressed the 1950s and 1960s. housing, police misconduct and other is- ing work exposed the crimes committed peoples; on to the Detroit Water and Sew- The special guest for the 2016 gather- sues. by Gov. Snyder in poisoning the children erage Department in opposition to water ing was Pastor Cori Bush of Ferguson, Speakers and artists participating in and adults of that formerly industrial city, shutoffs and proclaiming that water is a Mo., who traveled to Detroit and Toledo, the rally and march included people’s also spoke. And Amer Zahr, a Palestin- human right; and finally through the fi- Ohio, to bring news about the ongoing lawyers Vanessa Fluker and Alice Jen- ian-American writer and adjunct pro- nancial district with the message, “Bail- movement against racist violence and nings, addressing housing and water fessor at the University of Detroit Mercy out the people and not the banks!” state repression in St. Louis County. rights, respectively; Elena Herrada, an Law School, explained the central role of Marchers returned to the church for a Bush is a health care professional and elected member of the Detroit Board of Palestinian oppression in the political de- community meal supplied by the Detroit clergywoman who experienced firsthand Education in exile, which is still under velopments in the Middle East. Wobbly Kitchen. Hundreds were served. the police violence against the people of emergency management appointed by Music was provided by Bobbi Thomp- A cultural program, coordinated by Ferguson in the aftermath of the cop kill- Gov. Rick Snyder; U.S. Rep. John Conyers son of Central United Methodist Church, award-winning poet Aurora Harris, an ing of Michael Brown on Aug. 9, 2014. Jr., who drafted and pushed through the the director of the Deep River Choir. author and lecturer at the University of Mrs. Dorothy Pinkney was a scheduled federal bill recognizing the King holiday, Songs that addressed the right to clean, Michigan at Dearborn, followed. speaker, but was unable to drive some Numerous artists, musicians and poets 200 miles from Berrien County due to presented their works, including Wardell inclement weather. However, a statement Montgomery, Joe Kidd and Sheila Burke from her was read by Marcina Cole, a Music, Wanda Olugbala, Jim Perkinson, leading organizer in the Detroit area cam- Mumia Abu-Jamal: Shushanna Shakur, Susan Sunshine and paign to win freedom for the Rev. Edward many more. Pinkney, Michigan’s political prisoner. Tracy Mathews, a longtime Detroit Rev. Pinkney was railroaded in the ‘Free Reverend Pinkney!’ community activist who has been a lo- racist Berrien County courts during 2014 gistical volunteer at the Detroit MLK Day on fraudulent felony charges of changing The following edited commentary was Remember the petitions? They were for the last six years, said this year’s event five dates on recall petitions aimed at the written by political prisoner Mumia recall petitions of Benton Harbor’s may- was the best so far. Mathews commented, removal of Benton Harbor Mayor James Abu-Jamal. or, a politician owned and operated by “My interaction with Pastor Cori Bush Hightower. During the course of the trial The Rev. Edward Pinkney is the kind the Whirlpool Corporation — the real provided insight into the struggle in Fer- there were no eyewitnesses presented by of preacher that Martin Luther King Jr. owner of the town. guson and was inspirational.” the court who could testify that Pinkney would have admired. For speaking out against this corpo- This annual commemoration, which had committed the alleged crimes. Rather than build a mansion and live rate-political domination, Pinkney be- seeks to evoke the social justice and an- The political activities of Pinkney and like a prince, Pinkney has, for years, advo- came the target of the legal system. ti-war legacy of Dr. King, was founded in his associates were introduced as evi- cated for his community, fighting for wa- At trial, no one even claimed Rev. 2004 by the Michigan Emergency Com- dence by the prosecuting attorney. Pink- ter rights, fair elections and social justice Pinkney altered anything. He turned mittee Against War & Injustice (MECA- ney is the leader of the Benton Harbor for the people of Benton Harbor, Mich. in hundreds of recall petitions against WI) during the early months of the U.S. Black Autonomy Network Community Because of his political activities, he’s Whirlpool’s puppet mayor. That was invasion and occupation of Iraq. Since Organization (BANCO), whose political been targeted by the government, tried crime enough, apparently. then, a Detroit MLK Planning Committee work was utilized by the prosecution to by the Michigan political machine before As Rev. Pinkney approaches his sec- has been organized, bringing in veteran convict him of these spurious charges. an all-white jury and, with no evidence, ond year in prison, his support is grow- Civil Rights activists, along with youth At present, Pinkney is serving a sen- convicted of allegedly altering five peti- ing across the country, as he fights his and workers who help organize the event. tence of 30 to 120 months in Marquette tion dates! appeals. More than two dozen progressive organi- prison in the far northern area of the Incredibly, Rev. Pinkney is facing 10 The call to “Free Rev. Pinkney” is zations and individuals are co-sponsors state. He is appealing the conviction in years in prison! growing! and endorsers. Treat hep C in Philly jails!

By Betsey Piette gers of untreated HCV. It also addressed Philadelphia Corizon’s deadly pattern and practice of withholding medical care in order to save Supporters of political prisoner Mumia money and maximize profits. Abu-Jamal took their campaign demand- The denial of health care to the state’s ing life-saving drugs for him and 10,000 prisoners eventually impacts urban com- other Pennsylvania prisoners suffering munities as prisoners return home. An from chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) to estimated 45,000 people in Philadelphia Philadelphia’s City Council on Jan. 21. already have hep C. Left untreated, the The protesters carried signs urging the virus causes liver disease and other com- Council, and newly elected Mayor James plications that are fatal. Kenney, to investigate the obstacles and In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Ad- inequities people face in accessing the ministration approved Sovaldi, a new WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE costly antiviral medications that cure the direct-acting antiviral drug. However, it deadly disease. Demonstrators also called costs $84,000 for a 12-week treatment percent of Medicaid enrollees are able to ing with some of its members. They also on city officials to end their multimillion course. Gilead Sciences, which controls receive the new cures. Very few prisoners received broad support from members of dollar contract with Corizon Health to sale of the drug, subsequently marketed with hep C can get these medications. Philadelphia’s Muslim community who manage health care in Philadelphia’s jails. Harvoni, Sovaldi’s successor, at $94,000 While not allowed to raise their de- were at the Council meeting to push for The group distributed a flier to city of- per treatment course. mands from the floor of the Council the city’s school district to recognize and ficials and audience members on the dan- Because of the high costs, less than 3 meeting, protesters arranged for a meet- observe Muslim holidays. workers.org Feb. 4, 2016 Page 5 MLK Day marked by protests vs police brutality & gentrification WW PHOTO: GLORIA RUBAC Houston Several events celebrating the legacy Oakland, Calif.’s Oscar Grant Pla- ing-class folks across Oakland.” The of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took place za as part of the Anti Police-Terror coffin and real estate signs, mounted throughout Southwest Virginia Jan. 16- Project’s “96 Hours of Direct Action on stakes, were pounded into Schaaf’s 18. This area of Appalachia has a long his- to Reclaim King’s Radical Legacy.” lawn. tory of people’s resistance against Wall Organizers called on Oakland The 96 hours of direct action con- Street barons and bankers, most notably city officials and residents alike to tinued on the evening of Jan. 16, when from the United Mine Workers union, but see, connect with, and mourn the over 100 protesters gathered inside also from many other labor and commu- Black and Brown lives lost to police the Oakland airport terminals in the nity organizations. Some highlights of violence as well as the losses born evening to read aloud the names of solidarity with Dr. King’s ideas and tac- by communities of color in Oakland dozens of Black and Brown people tics were practiced during the 1989-1990 as a result of over-policing, dis- killed by Bay Area police in the past UMW strike against the Pittston Coal Co. placement and gentrification. few years. They marched between ter- In Abingdon, Va., on Jan. 16, a diverse Protesters called out the Oak- minals carrying a banner which read array of labor, community and student land mayor, Libby Schaaf, for inac- “Welcome to Oakland.” organizations participated in the 30th tion on racist police killings. Called As passengers exited the gate areas, annual King holiday parade and march by “Showing Up for Racial Justice” they were greeted with a “mic check” sponsored by the Appalachian Peace Ed- as part of the 96 hours of direct statement, led by the APTP’s Cat ucation Center. Speakers made connec- action, over 50 people marched Brooks, welcoming them to Oakland, tions between King’s historic resistance on Schaaf’s home with signs in but not the pretty one in the travel bro- to poverty, racism and war, and today’s the shape of coffins and real es- chures: “Under the mayorship of Libby Black Lives Matter movement and the tate “sold” signs. SURJ stated that Schaaf, a mandate has been issued to fight for living wages. “since Mayor Schaaf took office in make the city pretty for tourists and On Jan. 18 in Roanoke, Va., the King January 2015, at least seven Black developers. This has meant an upsurge Day parade and program was sponsored people have been murdered at the in police terror and murders in Oak- Denver by the Southern Christian Leadership hands of Oakland police. Schaaf PHOTO: VIVIAN WEINSTEIN land. In what we have dubbed ‘Libby’s Conference and endorsed by the NAACP and other civic officials have also Bloody Era,’ a string of Black Youth Council and other organizations. encouraged massive increases in Oakland, Calif. men were murdered in Oakland Many community members participated commercial development that is in 2015. All of them declared to demand an end to racism, union-bust- resulting in the traumatic displace- ‘justifiable.’” The airport action ing and police brutality. Other 2016 MLK ment of Black, Brown and work- was so successful, it was re- holiday events in Southwest Virginia took peated the next night at the San place in Bristol, Wise, Wytheville and Abington, Va. Francisco International Airport. other locations. On Dr. Martin Luther King A huge Black Lives Matter contingent WW PHOTO: TERRI KAY Jr.’s birthday, Jan. 15, a protest behind the banner “Death by Cop Is was called in Buffalo,­ N.Y., to Lynching” led the Martin Luther King address racist hiring practices, low wag- Jr. march in Denver. Attended by over es and the lack of job opportunities at 20,000, the multicultural and multira- recent development projects in the city. cial event included people from churches, The speakout targeted the Roswell Park Jewish groups, peace groups and schools. Health Center along with other publicly They carried signs about the recent mul- funded projects. Many of these projects tiple police killings of youth of color, in- are part of the gentrification process in cluding Jessica Hernandez and Michael Buffalo that has pushed people from op- Marshall, by the Denver police. pressed communities out of their homes Local supporters joined the Interfaith and jobs to make way for luxury apart- Committee in Solidarity with Black Lives ments and other projects. Matter — Bay Area for a vigil and can- The protest and march were called dlelight funeral procession on Jan. 15 in by Charley H. Fisher III, president of B.U.I.L.D. Inc., Erie County legislator Betty Jean Grant and Alberto O. Cappas, New York City president of the Puerto Rican and Afri- can American Association, as well as the Buffalo Committee for a Racial Discrim- Black & Brown unite to reclaim MLK ination Free Healthcare System. Protest- ers vowed to return again and again until New York WW Bureau here she pointed a finger at de Blasio as victory is won. she said, “at the hands of you!” Between 5,000 to 10,000 demonstra- The bold, dynamic street actions Demonstrators called out the collabo- tors marched in the 34th annual Martin which have characterized the Black ration between the NYPD and other New Luther King Day Celebration March in Lives Matter movement are being ad- York agencies to deport migrant workers, Seattle. Following an opening rally that opted in the struggle against mass de- a practice that has long predated 2016’s included many speakers and cultural portations of refugees — most notably mass raids of refugees. Also, the mayor performers, marchers went from Gar- in the Jan. 8 shutdown of Manhattan backs New York’s Police Commissioner field High School in the Black community traffic, a fierce, militant action carried Bratton’s racist “Broken Windows” policy, to the downtown federal building for an out by ICE-Free NYC. known as “de Blasio’s Stop-and-Frisk.” ending rally. The march was preceded by This Martin Luther King Day in As the NYPD rushed to usher out the 22 social justice and community organiz- New York, the two struggles united: protesters, Mike Bento of “NYC Shut it ing workshops. ICE-Free NYC joined forces with Black Down” said, “‘Broken Windows’ policing Another contingent of 400 activists or- Lives Matter activists in a Black-Brown is not in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther ganized by Black Lives Matter in Seattle “Reclaim MLK Day” rally which pro- King! Deportation of immigrant children marched from Garfield High School to a tested outside — and disrupted — May- that are fleeing violence is not in the lega- site of neighborhood gentrification. They or Bill de Blasio’s reading of Dr. Martin cy of Dr. Martin Luther King!” targeted a large, white-owned marijuana WW PHOTO: BRENDA SANDBURG Luther King’s last speech, “I Have Been to Outside, a militant crowd of 250 ral- store called Ike’s, which has a dominating the Mountaintop.” use the words of Dr. Martin Luther King!” lied with placards that read, “End ICE/ presence in the Black community. While De Blasio was attempting to do what As two pew rows of Black, Brown and Police Terror Against Black and Brown marijuana sales are legal in the state, so many capitalist politicians do on MLK white activists stood up, Moore then mic- People,” “There Are No Borders in the Ike’s big operation has eliminated com- Day: Use the revered mantle of King to checked over de Blasio, saying, “In the Workers’ Struggle,” “No Human Being munity participation in the enterprise. establish a phony connection with the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we, is Illegal” and “Stop Police Terror” — Later in the day, an Information and Op- very communities they are oppressing. the Black-Brown community, stand to- among other placards bearing the names portunity Fair was held at Garfield and a De Blasio chose St. Mary’s Episcopal gether to reclaim Black and Brown power! of people whose lives were cut short by chicken dinner was provided for all the Church in Brooklyn for this desecration. We will continue to fight our oppressors!” racist police killings. Despite the eve- marchers. But New York activists weren’t having it. Moore continued, “The Immigration ning’s frigid temperatures, the activists Vivian Weinstein, Terri Kay, ­Garrett As de Blasio began reading King’s words, and Customs Enforcement Agency and then marched through Brooklyn, accom- Dicembre, Ellie Dorritie and James KaLisa Moore of the People’s Power As- the New York Police Department con- panied by the people’s band, The Rude ­McMahan contributed to this article, sembly stood up and said, “No! Do not tinue to terrorize our communities,” and Mechanical Orchestra. which Betsey Piette edited. Page 6 Feb. 4, 2016 workers.org Criticism grows of racism surrounding Oscar snubs

on the screen telling By Monica Moorehead sue during his opening monologue and Ava DuVernay, have just ex- their stories as well.” throughout the program. acerbated this injustice to an The shutout of Black and other actors Some white actors, such as Dustin unprecedented level for those Hollywood: of color from the Oscars nominations an- Hoffman, Mark Ruffalo and George Cloo- inside the industry and for filmgoers. “a private club” nounced on Jan. 14 has intensified a de- ney, have also called out racism within DuVernay tweeted on Jan. 22, “Mar- It has been reported that inactive acad- bate about the entrenched racism inside the academy and throughout the film in- ginalized artists have advocated for acad- emy members have been allowed to have the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and dustry in light of this recent controversy. emy change for DECADES. Actual cam- a voice and vote on who gets nominated Sciences. There has been strong criticism for paigns. Calls voiced FROM THE STAGE. and who wins the awards. Prominent Black artists, such as direc- decades about the lack of “diversity” in Deaf ears. Closed minds.” (twitter.com/ Todd Boyd wrote in his Jan. 24 Daily tor Spike Lee, actor and producer Jada Hollywood when it comes to quality, non- AVAETC) News column, entitled “Full-color mov- Pinkett Smith and actor Will Smith, have stereotypical roles for African-Ameri- April Reign, a managing editor of ies: Not nearly here yet”: “Turns out, the publicly stated their plans to boycott this can and other actors of color, female and BroadwayBlack.com, which promotes industry, with precious few exceptions, year’s Feb. 28 Academy Awards ceremony male, due to the gross underrepresenta- Black artists on Broadway, created #Os- is white, from top to bottom and side to in protest of the lack of nominations for tion of Black screenwriters, directors and carssowhite on Twitter in 2014. The side. The studio heads and the people Black artists in front of and behind the producers. hashtag continues to provide an outlet who have the power to greenlight movies camera. However, this year’s Academy Award for anger and criticism from activists and are overwhelmingly white and male. The Chris Rock, the Black comedian and nominations, coupled with last year’s people from every walk of life. same is true of the casting directors, the host of the Oscars telecast, has already snubs of Black actors like David Oyelowo The Los Angeles Times interviewed heads of the various guilds and the people publicly said that he will address this is- for “Selma” and the film’s Black director, Reign on Jan. 14 about her reaction to who run the talent agencies.” the nominations. She illuminated the fact The article continues: “Hollywood is that the academy’s insensitivity toward basically a private club. And this par- people of color is just a mere reflection ticular private club has a liberal reputa- Detroit teachers of the entrenched white supremacist pol- tion in the larger culture. In many ways icies within the Hollywood industry from this makes things worse — because lib- top to bottom. erals can be very defensive when chal- beat back injunction Reign commented: “I’m disappointed, lenged about their own acts of bias. … but not surprised. While I appreciated Being charged with racism is not a good the fact that academy president, Cheryl red-carpet look; no doubt an image-ob- Boone Isaacs, attempted to make some sessed industry will react defensively to changes by inviting over 300 new mem- contain the public relations damage it is bers into the academy this year, we see now suffering.” that that is not enough, that there’s still Boyd concludes: “But the type of the erasure of marginalized communities change that is needed now is not a des- — not just with respect to the academy perate, defensive announcement like but also in Hollywood overall.” that made on Friday — that the acade- Additionally, Reign said: “The academy my will attempt to double the number understandably can only do so much, and of minorities and women in its ranks by they do need to do more, but we also need 2020. What we need instead is the type to focus on the heads of the studios who of slow but lasting structural change that make the decisions with respect to green- transforms the entire industry. … Unless lighting films so that we see more people this happens, the announced changes are of color and more LGBTQ people and cosmetic, akin to putting a Band-Aid on a more people who are differently abled up bullet wound.” Solidarity brings water to Flint

Continued from page 1 can-American population — compared to 2 percent of the white population — has WW PHOTO: MARTHA GREVATT ple demonstrated in bitter cold outside been under Emergency Management. By Kris Hamel ter poisoning scandal, filed suit Jan. 21 Snyder’s annual speech, making enough Flint Democracy Defense League, Detroit against more than two dozen defendants, noise to be heard inside the Capitol. Some formed to oppose Emergency Manage- including individual teachers, various protesters carried torches and pitchforks. ment, is now deep in the fight for water Jan. 25 — Teachers in the Detroit Public community groups, the union, DFT inter- Activists are also demanding the firing justice. League representative Nayyirah Schools scored a major legal victory today im president Ivy Bailey and ousted presi- of former Flint Emergency Manager Dar- Shariff has called for Snyder’s arrest, say- when, for the second time, Judge Cynthia dent Steve Conn. nell Earley, who now oversees the Detroit ing that “he can take his apology and flush Stephens of the Michigan Court of Claims, The previous day, Jan. 20, President Public Schools system and who carried it down the toilet.” (Democracy Now!, Jan. a division of the Court of Appeals, denied Barack Obama visited the North Amer- out the decision to draw water from the 8) The FDDL and WYFF have formed the DPS’s request for a temporary restraining ican International Auto Show in Detroit Flint River. On Jan. 20, the day President Coalition for Clean Water. order to force teachers to stop their sick- while 500 teachers and Flint protesters Barack Obama visited the North Amer- Water justice groups in Detroit and outs over deplorable and unsafe working amassed outside Cobo Hall in bitterly ican International Auto Show, another Flint have been supporting each other, re- conditions. Stephens on Jan. 21 denied cold weather. The president’s visit coin- teacher sick-out over cuts, huge class minding the public that tens of thousands DPS’s motion for an injunction against the cided with a coordinated sick-out by DPS sizes and dangerous building conditions of households in Detroit remain without teachers and ordered today’s hearing. teachers that closed 88 of the district’s closed most Detroit public schools. Some water after a brutal shutoff policy was in- Stephens said there is no proof that the schools — virtually all of them. 500 DPS teachers, along with Flint resi- stituted in 2014 under Emergency Man- union, the Detroit Federation of Teach- Hundreds of teachers, parents, stu- dents, picketed the auto show. The main ager Kevyn Orr. A People’s Tribunal Jan. ers, or its interim president instigated the dents and community supporters rallied demand was that these two criminals, 23 drew 200 people and found Snyder and sick-outs. Under Michigan law it is illegal outside Cadillac Place, site of the Court Earley and Snyder, be punished. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan guilty of de- for public school teachers to strike. of Appeals, as today’s hearing took place priving people of water. The Operating Engineers union also inside. In a display of unity, about three Emergency Management & water justice Thanks to heroes like Mays and Shariff, won a victory in a separate court hearing dozen teachers, wearing red, packed the The movement is fighting for more Flint has gained the world’s solidarity. Do- today when Wayne County Judge David courtroom. than the ousting of a few perpetrators, nations of money, water and supplies have Allen ruled DPS could not cut costs by Stephens ordered another hearing on however, and calls for an end to Emergen- come from celebrities like Cher, Michael having 15 instead of 75 licensed boiler op- Feb. 16 and instructed both sides to sub- cy Management. Public Act 436 allows Moore, Meek Mill, Big Sean and Pearl Jam; erators, or one per five schools. Allen cit- mit briefs and witness lists. the governor to appoint an Emergency Muslim communities in Detroit suburbs of ed the lead water crisis in Flint and wrote, DPS teachers have engaged in roll- Manager as dictator over a city or school Troy and Dearborn; the Little River Band “[W]hen we place financial expedien- ing sick-outs for several months to bring district deemed to be in financial distress tribe; Teamsters in Minneapolis; and of cy over basic and critical public health attention to wretched conditions, in- — rendering elected local and school offi- course United Auto Workers locals around needs, we reap what we sow. ... Let us cluding overcrowded classrooms, dilap- cials powerless. PA 436 makes paying the the country. It was in Flint in 1937 that the not have the next headline to go national idated buildings, 50-degree indoor tem- banks the first budgetary priority. heroic 44-day sit-down strike won the first be: ‘Detroit Schoolchildren Injured and peratures, rodent infestations, bathroom All but one of the cities and school UAW contract with General Motors. Killed in Unattended Boiler Explosion.’” plumbing leaks, cuts in pay and benefits, boards in Michigan that have had an People all over the U.S. have joined the The DPS, led by emergency manager lack of supplies, and widespread black Emergency Manager are majority Afri- people of Flint in saying, “Water is a hu- Darnell Earley, infamous for the Flint wa- mold, fungi and other toxins. can American. Half of Michigan’s Afri- man right — fight, fight, fight!” workers.org Feb. 4, 2016 Page 7 Criticism grows of racism 1966 murder prompted surrounding Oscar snubs SNCC’s anti-war stance Sammy Younge Jr.

By Abayomi Azikiwe enrolled in Tuskegee Institute elected SNCC Chairman Carmichael Editor, Pan-African News Wire and joined both the Student advanced the slogan “Black Power.” Nonviolent Coordinating Com- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Samuel “Sammy” Leamon Younge Jr., mittee and the university-based leader and co-founder of the Southern a 21-year-old activist from Tuskegee, Tuskegee Institute Advance- Christian Leadership Conference, left the Ala., was shot and killed at a Standard ment League, which led many emerging Chicago Freedom Movement Oil gas station as he was attempting to campaigns in Alabama for vot- to march to Jackson, the state capital, use a whites-only restroom in Macon ing rights and independent po- alongside SNCC; Floyd McKissick, exec- County on Jan. 3, 1966. His racist murder litical organization in 1965. utive secretary of the Congress on Racial occurred during the time when he was a Both SNCC and TIAL not Equality — which had also adopted the voter registration volunteer. only were engaged in voter Black Power slogan — and in solidarity For many decades prior to the mid- registration efforts, but were with the youth and farmers of Mississippi. 1960s, African Americans were by law challenging segregated facil- denied equal access to public and private ities that proliferated even after passage SNCC’s statement reads, in part, “The Opposing the Vietnam war accommodations in the U.S. South. It was of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights murder of Samuel Younge in Tuskegee, The SCLC had not taken a formal po- not until the summer of 1964 that a com- acts. Younge saw SNCC and TIAL as av- Alabama, is no different than the murder sition against the war even after SNCC prehensive Civil Rights bill was passed enues of expression designed to win full of peasants in Vietnam. For both Younge issued its statement on Jan. 6, 1966. aimed at ending the Jim Crow system of equality and self-determination for Afri- and the Vietnamese sought and are seek- Nonetheless, King admitted in March strict racial segregation. can-American people. He participated in ing to secure the rights guaranteed them and April of 1967 that he could no longer The Voting Rights Act was signed in the Selma-to-Montgomery March from by law. In each case, the United States refrain from speaking out against what August 1965 by President Lyndon B. March 21 to 26, 1965. government bears a great part of the re- the Johnson administration was doing to Johnson in the aftermath of the repres- After the campaign in Selma, an area sponsibility for these deaths. the people of Vietnam and Washington’s sion meted out against the people of Al- where SNCC had worked since 1962, or- “Samuel Younge was murdered because failure to adequately address poverty and abama. They were merely attempting to ganizers spread out to neighboring Lown- United States law is not being enforced. racism in the U.S. enforce previous legislation and the 14th des County. There, the first Black Panther Vietnamese are murdered because the On March 25, 1967, King and other an- and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Consti- organization was formed by the soon-to- United States is pursuing an aggres- ti-war activists, including Dr. Benjamin tution, which ostensibly guarantees due be SNCC Chairman Stokely Carmichael sive policy in violation of international Spock, noted pediatrician and author, process and the right to vote to all born — later known as Kwame Turé — and his law. The United States is no respecter led a demonstration of hundreds of thou- and naturalized U.S. citizens. comrades, working in close collaboration of persons or law when such persons or sands of people in Chicago. They called with local activists. laws run counter to its needs or desires.” for a comprehensive halt to hostilities Sammy Younge: Civil Rights hero ­(tinyurl.com/ZR4ornq) against North Vietnam and the revolu- Younge’s parents were African-Ameri- Martyrdom sparked more resistance The organization’s views on the war tionaries fighting for national liberation can professionals connected with Tuske- Sammy Younge’s murder in nearby drew widespread attacks on its activists of the South. Just 10 days later, the SCLC gee Institute and the segregated public Macon County led to a variety of protests. across the South. Its anti-war statement leader delivered his historic speech, school system. His death symbolized why people had to drew the ire of the administration of “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam,” at The Black Past website reports that intensify the struggle to expose the false President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Fed- Riverside Church in New York City. prior to Younge’s intervention in the Civil notion of “fighting for freedoms” abroad eral Bureau of Investigation and a wide A cacophony of condemnation poured Rights Movement: “Between September that were routinely denied in the U.S. spectrum of politicians in the Democratic in opposing King’s views on the Vietnam 1957 and January 1960 Younge attended Student protests erupted in Tuskegee and Republican parties. War. On April 15, he participated in a Cornwall Academy, a college preparatory when white county officials initially de- SNCC activist Julian Bond was elected march from Central Park to the United school for boys in Great Barrington, Mas- clined to indict Marvin Segrest, the elder- to the Georgia Legislature in late 1965 Nations in New York condemning the sachusetts, a town famous as the birth- ly, white gas station attendant who shot and was slated to take office in early 1966. bombing of Hanoi and calling for U.S. place of W.E.B. DuBois. Younge graduat- Younge. Yet, when there was a show trial He was denied his seat for two years be- forces to be withdrawn from the country. ed from Tuskegee Institute High School in December 1966, the all-white jury, in cause he refused to distance himself from Just one year later King was assassinat- in 1962 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.” a majority African-American county, de- SNCC’s position on the war. ed in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968, The article continues: “Soon after his liberated for only one hour and 10 min- SNCC’s call for an end to the U.S. war while assisting a strike of African-Amer- enlistment Younge served on the aircraft utes and then acquitted Segrest. against Vietnam and abolition of the ican sanitation workers seeking recog- Solidarity brings water to Flint carrier USS Independence during the Cu- SNCC was in the process of transi- draft sent shock waves through the rul- nition as a labor organization affiliated ban Missile Crisis when the vessel par- tioning its program to Black Power and ing class, particularly as dozens of urban with the American Federation of State, ticipated in the United States blockade revolutionary nationalism in 1965-66. rebellions erupted during the spring and County and Municipal Employees. His of Cuba. After a year in the Navy, Young The blatant killing of Sammy Younge Jr. summer of 1966. combined efforts for Civil Rights and the developed a failing kidney that had to be prompted SNCC to issue its historic state- In June 1966, during the “March elimination of poverty, along with his op- surgically removed. He was given a medi- ment against the war in Vietnam three Against Fear” through Mississippi, SNCC position to U.S. militarism and imperial- cal discharge from the Navy in July 1964.” days after his murder. SNCC was the first Field Secretary Willie Ricks — now ism, sealed his fate with the ruling class. After returning from the Navy, Younge major Civil Rights organization to do so. known as Mukasa Dada — and newly For more information, see “Sammy Younge, Jr.: The First Black College Student to Die in the Black Liberation Movement” by James Foreman, Grove Black History Month Matters: Press, 1968. SUPPORT WW MARXISM, REPARATIONS & the Black Freedom The heroic Black Lives Matter movement Ferguson, Mo., August 2014. is the latest chapter in the centuries-long WW PHOTO: MONICA MOOREHEAD Struggle struggle to end the brutal, genocidal his- An anthology of writings from Workers World newspaper. Edited by Monica Moorehead. tory of racism, starting with slavery, that Brown people all around the coun- Racism, National Oppression permeates every aspect of U.S. life. How- try. We also expose the criminal & Self-Determination Larry Holmes ever, that continuing history of vicious op- injustice system that allows killer Black Labor from Chattel Slavery pression and criminal exploitation is not cops to walk free — like the one to Wage Slavery Sam Marcy common knowledge today. who arrested Sandra Bland in Tex- Black Youth: Repression & Resistance That’s why Workers World makes a big as and the one who executed 12-year-old If you appreciate that coverage and LeiLani Dowell deal of Black History Month, as we com- Tamir Rice while he was playing with a more, it’s time to join the Workers World The Struggle for Socialism Is Key Monica Moorehead memorate the many sacrifices and valiant toy gun in the park in Cleveland. Even if Supporter Program. We established it in Domestic Workers Demand a Bill of Rights struggles of African Americans from slav- the cop who murdered Laquan McDonald 1977 so readers could help us publish an- Imani Henry ery to the present day to eradicate institu- in 2014 in Chicago was indicted, he might ti-racist, working-class truth and build the Black & Brown Unity tionalized racism, root and branch, in this get a slap on the wrist like the cop who many campaigns needed to make qualita- Saladin Muhammad country. only served 11 months for killing Oscar tive, revolutionary change that crushes Harriet Tubman, Woman Warrior But, as you know from reading this Grant in Oakland in 2009 in cold blood. capitalism and ushers in socialism. Mumia Abu-Jamal newspaper, Workers World doesn’t just WW bases our weekly coverage of the Write checks to Workers World and Racism & Poverty in the Delta Larry Hales Haiti Needs Reparations cover the Black struggle one month a ongoing Black struggle here, and the one mail them, with your name and address, Pat Chin year. We write about it in depth all year, in Africa to throw off imperialist chains, to 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, Alabama’s Black Belt every year. Our coverage includes the on the principle of self-determination: NY 10011. Or donate online at workers. Consuela Lee racist poisoning of water in the majority that oppressed people have the right to org/donate/. We are grateful for your Anniversary of the 1965 Watts Rebellion African-American city of Flint, Mich., as fight to end all forms of inequality and in- help in building the revolutionary press John Parker well as the daily cop murders of Black and justice — by any means necessary. in the U.S. Available at major online booksellers. Page 8 Feb. 4, 2016 workers.org Say his name! Anthony Hill’s killer cop indicted

By Dianne Mathiowetz ficers who have shot people are brought Atlanta before a grand jury, regardless of how suspicious the circumstances might be. Jan. 21 — After a four-day, round- Georgia law allows a police officer and the-clock vigil was held in front of the his lawyer to sit through the entire pro- DeKalb County Courthouse — despite ceedings, hearing all the witness testi- frigid temperatures and driving rain — mony. The officer is allowed to make the more than 100 protesters cheered the last presentation, which cannot be chal- news that a criminal grand jury had lenged or cross-examined. brought a six-count indictment against The Atlanta Journal-Constitution police officer Robert Olsen in the March published a study in December which re- 9, 2015, shooting of Anthony Hill. The vealed that of the 184 fatal police shoot- charges include felony murder, aggra- ings since 2010, half of the victims were vated assault, violating oath of office and either unarmed or shot in the back. More making false statements. than one-third were killed in their own The encampment was initiated by Rise homes or that of a loved one, following Up Georgia, a social and economic justice a call for help. African Americans were group, and was composed of a dozen or more than twice as likely as whites to be more tents set up on the front lawn of the killed. A police officer was indicted only DeKalb County Courthouse in the center once by a grand jury, but in that case, the PHOTO: RISE UP GEORGIA of Decatur. It brought out youth, veter- Crowd before Dekalb County Courthouse, Jan. 21. district attorney persuaded a judge to ans, clergy, union workers and college drop the charges the next day. students from across Atlanta. The four- Force after being given a bipolar disor- thought that his partner’s assailant had Following several police killings of day action, which garnered daily media der diagnosis and was suffering from returned and grabbed his unloaded pis- African-American men in 2015, DeKalb coverage, was a constant reminder of the post-traumatic stress disorder. He had tol, holding it at his side. County District Attorney Robert James widespread outrage at the undisguised sought help from the Veterans Admin- When Davis saw his dead dog, he brought the cases before civil grand ju- impunity given to police who kill. istration, without much success. Yet, yelled at Pitts several times, “Why did ries for review in October. Neither Davis’ Hill, a 27-year-old African American, despite all the obstacles he faced, he re- you shoot my dog?” Pitts then shot Davis nor Hill’s killers were indicted, but the was shot twice in the chest as he walked mained optimistic about the future and multiple times. He died two days later jurors requested that James further in- erratically and naked around his Cham- was passionate about his music. He was in the hospital in ankle restraints, hav- vestigate Hill’s shooting. This led to the blee, Ga., apartment complex. Several especially well-liked by the children in ing been denied family visits and even criminal grand jury hearing eight hours neighbors called 911, seeking help for his complex, always willing to play at charged with aggravated assault on a po- of testimony about Olsen’s shooting of the Afghanistan war veteran, whom they sports with them. lice officer. Davis, and then indicting him. knew as a gentle, friendly man. No one The young man and his partner had Hill’s family, his partner Bridget An- alleged that he had hurt anyone or was planned to celebrate their third anniver- Atlantans: ‘Stop racist police killings’ derson and the many activists who are acting in a threatening manner. sary the night he was killed. Hill report- Numerous militant demonstrations fighting for justice for Hill want the pub- Witnesses say that when DeKalb edly had stopped taking his prescription were organized, demanding justice for lic to know him — not as he has been por- County Officer Olsen pulled up in his medication, as it brought about sleep- Anthony Hill, Kevin Davis and others trayed in the media or by police, but as squad car, Hill was in a prayerful posi- lessness and caused his jaw to lock and killed by Atlanta area police. Thousands the genuinely thoughtful, talented and tion on the ground, and then he began his tongue to swell. of Atlantans, particularly African-Amer- kind young man he was. He had shared approaching the uniformed officer with Just months earlier, Kevin Davis, a ican youth, had already become engaged his thoughts on Facebook and Twitter his hands up and outstretched. Olsen popular restaurant worker, called 911, in the struggle against racist police and about living his life, despite having a drew his gun and ordered Hill to stop. requesting help for his partner, who had vigilante killings after the deaths of mental illness, and encouraged other The officer claimed that Hill “charged” been stabbed by a roommate. Upon ar- Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric people deemed not “normal” to “Love him — and that, in fear of his life, he fired riving at the apartment, DeKalb Coun- Garner, among others. your Life.” twice, striking the clearly unarmed man. ty Officer Joseph Pitts shot and killed Around the country, and particularly No trial date is set for Olsen, who has Hill had been released from the Air Davis’ beloved, three-legged dog. Davis in Georgia, it is unlikely that police of- been released on $110,200 bond. Upstate drones: State terror and the ‘Drone Economy’

By Minnie Bruce Pratt campaign. The U.S. repressive for a half-billion dollars in grants for “up- Syracuse, N.Y. state and its military are cynically state revitalization.” The region pledged using a law meant to protect wom- half the money, $250 million, to “a cen- Mary Ann Grady Flores, a en to shut down protest against ter for research and development of un- Catholic Worker movement, an- drone attacks. manned aerial and ground vehicles.” ti-drone activist, was taken into An unnamed whistleblower (Syracuse Post Standard, Dec. 10) custody in the DeWitt, N.Y., Town leaked classified Department of A key player in the plan is NUAIR, a Court on Jan. 20 to serve a six- Defense documents that reveal consortium of Central New York state month jail sentence for her 2013 that nearly 90 percent of people businesses and universities specializing nonviolent protest at nearby Han- killed by drones in one five-month in drone technology and testing. The cock Air Force Base in Syracuse. period were noncombatants who Federal Aviation Administration desig- Grady Flores was part of a five- were close to intended “targets.” nated nearby Griffiss Air Base as one of year stretch of activists’ unrelent- (The Intercept, Oct. 15) U.S. drone six U.S. sites for drone tests. NASA has ing Central and Upstate New York warfare in Afghanistan, in 2015 committed to building a drone test facili- opposition to U.S. drone warfare, alone, killed between 795 to 1,217 ty. (Atlantic Monthly, Nov. 13) anchored by the Upstate Coalition WW PHOTO: MINNIE BRUCE PRATT people, according to the Bureau Though publicity touts the drone boom to Ground the Drones and End the Mary Ann Grady Flores holds photos she was arrested for tak- of Investigative Journalism, and as benefiting “private” or “civilian” uses, Wars. (upstatedroneaction.org) ing at Hancock AFB anti-drone protest. already another 144-147 people the primary backers of NUAIR have been GIs in the 174th Attack Wing, New York killed in 2016. (tinyurl.com/hbr2eug) military-industrial corporations like SRC, National Guard, direct Reaper MQ-9 “Hell- tial trial, he admitted: “No, I don’t know Before she was jailed, Grady Flores Saab Sensis and Lockheed Martin, as well fire” drones out of Hancock AFB. These Mary Anne Grady. No, I’ve never had a zeroed in on another underlying reason as energy giant National Grid. Saab Sen- drones target and kill people in Afghani- conversation with her. I’m not afraid of for the state’s targeting anti-drone ac- sis develops military radar and air-traffic stan, Pakistan and Yemen. The attacks are her. That’s just a piece of paper. I want — tivists: “Drones are just one part of the systems out of East Syracuse. Lockheed part of Washington’s “endless wars” to en- I just want these protesters away from my endless wars and U.S. profiteering off of Martin — the largest for-profit employer sure capitalist profits worldwide. base.” (Democracy Now! Jan. 19) war-making.” (Huffington Post, Jan. 19) in Syracuse’s home county of Onondaga Grady Flores’ only crime was to briefly A court typically issues an “order of — creates warfare electronics in subur- step on base property while taking pho- protection” to prevent abusers from get- The drone economy ban Salina. SRC Inc., which started up at tographs of an anti-drone demonstra- ting close to and/or killing victims of do- The Albany-to-Syracuse corridor is Syracuse University, designs drone radar tion. She was subsequently arrested and mestic violence — most usually women becoming a “Silicon Valley” of drone for military use. charged with violating an “order of pro- being beaten by male partners. Yet, no military-industrial development. In De- The Department of Defense will be the tection” filed by the Hancock base com- Hancock soldiers, officers or property cember, the Central New York region, major user of new drone technologies un- mander against drone protesters — none had been hurt or damaged by anti-drone centered in Syracuse, won Gov. Andrew of whom he had met. At Grady Flores’ ini- protesters during the five-year anti-drone Cuomo’s “Hunger Games” competition Continued on the next page workers.org Feb. 4, 2016 Page 9 What’s driving shocks to the economy

By Sara Flounders Giants felled by debt Even giant multinational corporations Jan. 25 — The working class in the U.S. that survived decades of past capitalist has suffered devastating blows since the turmoil are now tottering. Years of al- 2007 capitalist economic crisis. Now the most zero interest spurred many of the threat of a new downturn is rumbling world’s largest commodity corporations through the financial markets. to take out huge debts to invest in further City and state budgets have already expansion and mergers. But now that the been cut in the name of austerity. Gov- price of commodities has crashed to one- ernment services, including those in half or even one-third of a year ago, the hospitals, schools, libraries, water works market value of these corporations has and maintenance, have been privatized gone into free fall. — sold to generate immediate revenue One of the largest and oldest gold and needed to pay the interest on bank loans. copper mining corporations, Freeport The impact of these criminal policies can McMoRan, is in crisis after taking out big be seen in Flint’s poisoned water and in loans about three years ago to buy into oil decaying schools, from Los Angeles to and gas. Now, with the oil glut, the com- Detroit and Philadelphia. pany’s stock has fallen from $60 a share Even as a new round of layoffs is pend- to below $4. Freeport McMoRan, now ing, the number of people participating in valued at $4.8 billion, is carrying a debt the workforce has reached its lowest level Industrial production and manufacturing output have slowed to a trickle. of $20 billion, so it is slashing jobs and all in 30 years, despite population growth. capital spending. But in order to meet its Real wages, stagnant since 1979 accord- Stagnant and falling wages, alongside When it cannot do this, the entire global debt payments, it is continuing to pump ing to an Economic Policy Institute report the increasing productivity of labor, have system goes into a spiral of crisis. oil, even at extremely depressed prices. of Feb. 19, 2015, have not improved since led, under capitalism, to the concentra- Bailouts have not succeeded in jump (New York Times, Jan. 22) then. tion of extreme wealth in private hands at starting the economy. Years of almost In previous price slumps, commodities The workers whose labor produces all a scale unknown in history. The 62 richest zero interest rates to encourage giant producers immediately cut back. But this wealth have been receiving a smaller and people on earth now hold as much wealth loans supposedly to stimulate production time, due to their enormous debt, they smaller portion of the value they produce. as the poorest 3.5 billion. (Oxfam, Jan. 17) may instead have made this capitalist continue to flood the market, making Some 56.3 percent of the U.S. population Five years ago, 388 super-rich held this downturn much worse. their situation worse. is now living paycheck to paycheck, with criminal status. The staggering concen- A British paper quotes an official of the less than $1,000 in checking and sav- tration of wealth continues unabated. Organization for Economic Cooperation Capitalists blame their woes on China ings accounts combined. And 24.8 per- and Development: “‘The situation is worse The global glut of all commodities is cent have under $100 in their accounts. One-fifth of paper value wiped out than it was in 2007. The world faces a wave currently being blamed on a slowdown (Forbes, Jan. 6) The other feature endemic to capitalism of epic debt defaults. Our macroeconomic in the growth of People’s China — the that Karl Marx explained 165 years ago is ammunition to fight downturns is essen- world’s second-largest and most rapidly asserting itself yet again. Capitalism — the tially all used up,’ said William White, growing economy. economic system built on social produc- the Swiss-based chairman of the OECD’s The chaos and ruthless competition Drone economy tion but private expropriation — has nev- review committee and former chief econ- of the capitalist system itself are never Continued from page 8 er been able to solve the lurching cycles of omist of the Bank for International Settle- blamed. For example, both U.S. and Ger- boom and bust caused by overproduction. ments (BIS).” (Telegraph, Jan. 19) man corporations have exacerbated condi- derway at NUAIR. The DOD has spent The overproduction of every commodity is tions in China at plants that are joint ven- $200 million in the last 13 years on the again shaking financial markets. ‘Zombie’ ships tures. A decision by Volkswagen, GM and “sense and avoid” drone technology that The fall in the price of oil from more There is overproduction in commod- other major automakers to rein in their the Syracuse firms specialize in. (Syra- than $110 a barrel in June 2014 to below ities, from oil to finished products like production in China due to a global glut cuse.com, Jan. 5, 2014) $30 today has received great attention. toys, clothing and cars. There is even a in autos meant they first canceled work- Drone boosters say that the drone But a similar collapse has happened in glut of the huge container ships that move ers’ bonuses at their plants. “The bonuses boom will bring jobs. Syracuse has the industrial goods, steel, piping, sheet met- more than 95 percent of the world’s man- being scrapped typically amount to more highest rate of “concentrated” extreme al, coal, gold, aluminum, zinc and major ufactured goods. than half of the assembly-line workers’ poverty for Blacks and Latinos/as among food crops. The shipping industry is facing its worst take-home pay.” (Reuters, Sept. 15, 2015) the hundred largest U.S. metropolitan Since the New Year, stock markets crisis in living memory after years of rap- These international corporate giants areas. (Paul Jagowsky, “Architecture of around the world have been dropping id expansion fueled by cheap debt. The not only cut assembly-line workers’ take- Segregation”) inexorably. From New York’s Dow Jones world fleet doubled in size from 2010 to home pay, hours, break times and num- Anti-drone activists disagree with the and the S&P 500 to the main European 2013. (Reuters Business Insider, Jan. 20) ber of shifts, but they and other major “more jobs” assertion. Dave Kashmer, a stock exchanges in London, Paris and Competition among shipping compa- Western firms also cut billions of dollars U.S. Navy veteran, says: “It’s not going to Berlin; to markets in Dubai, Tokyo, Hong nies has pushed the building of a new from major expansion plans they had produce jobs for a Syracusan. It’s all high- Kong and Shanghai; together they have generation of super freighters that can in China. Of course, all these cuts in in- tech engineer jobs, and for that you need lost more than 20 percent of their value, carry 19,000 containers, compared to vestments, announced more than three a high-tech education.” Only a quarter of entering what is called a “bear market.” earlier ships that carried just 5,600. It months ago, impacted on the Chinese the residents of Syracuse have a bachelor’s A fifth of all stock market wealth in the takes years to build such ships. Orders stock market. degree, even though Syracuse University world has been wiped out. This may not were placed when a full global recovery These abrupt cuts have spurred in- is there. ((Atlantic Monthly, Nov. 13) immediately affect most workers. But the was expected after 2009. creasing efforts to further develop more When the local Post Standard ran a capitalists’ way of dealing with the loss Shipping corporations that financed stable links and trade among China, Rus- page one headline: “Reaper Drone Makes of their speculative wealth is to immedi- their fleets with 60 percent debt and 40 sia, Latin America and Africa. A Cuban History in Syracuse” in December 2015, ately turn on workers who have less than percent equity have seen that equity be- article titled “Weathering the storms of the story emphasized that this was “the $1,000 or $100 to their name. come worthless. the 21st century,” written days ago, said first unmanned aircraft in the [U.S.] to President Barack Obama’s State of the Now “zombie” fleets accept freight at this rapidly developing trade was mutu- launch from a commercial airport.” Union address highlighted a modest in- maverick prices just to keep going. But ally beneficial. By 2014, the value of bi- But the Reaper MQ “Hellfire” drone crease in service jobs at the lowest pay the owners have no hope of repaying the lateral trade between China and Latin is used only as a battlefield remote-con- — from call centers to fast food restau- capital on their loans. Banks are afraid to America was 22 times what it had been trolled bomber by the U.S. military — and rants. However, hundreds of thousands pull the plug on these loans because then in 2000. (Granma, Jan. 19) for surveillance against immigrants at the of workers in heavy industry, energy pro- they would be forced to list the losses on How deep and intractable the coming U.S. borders. This is a far cry from corpo- duction, banking and financial services their books. crisis will be, or what will spark it, can’t rate ads of a cute commercial drone deliv- — from DuPont, Alcoa, John Deere and The Baltic Exchange, which has set be predicted. But the urgency for work- ering holiday packages from Amazon. BP to Morgan Stanley — have already shipping rates for more than two and a ers of sounding the alarm and organiz- Syracuse anti-drone activist Ed been laid off over the last year. half centuries, says the situation its mem- ing a determined fightback is beyond Kinane says: “I think once the drones are bers face now is grim. dispute. normalized, then you bring them home Bailout deepened the crisis and who are the targets? They’re going to Capitalist economists, hesitant to use be dissenters, they’re going to be demon- the term recession, have come up with a strators, they’re going to be minorities. It new term for such a long period without Capitalism at a Dead End doesn’t bode well.” (Atlantic Monthly) economic growth: “secular stagnation.” Job destruction, overproduction Kinane emphasizes that hyped com- International conferences and numerous and crisis in the high-tech era mercial uses of drones are a diversion academic papers have been held on this from military uses. Meanwhile, the do- topic. Secular stagnation is a nicely vague For more information on these books and other mestic drone industry provides an indus- term that hides the reality. Capitalism, writings by the author, Fred Goldstein, go to trial base — research, engineering exper- in order to expand, must find markets LowWageCapitalism.com tise and production — for the Pentagon. in which to sell its products at a profit. Available at online major booksellers Page 10 Feb. 4, 2016 workers.org

Mega snow storm buries East Coast Campaign Statement Baltimore poor abandoned Why people of Flint by capitalist government Special to Workers World deserve reparations The winter storm, driven by extra en- ergy typical of this climate-change era, Continued from page 1 dropped 1 to 3 feet of snow from Ten- alism. This right can come in different nessee to Connecticut between Jan. 22 on police violence and state repression. forms, paid for by public or private funds. and 24 as it jammed interstate highways, The capitalist state, especially the police Both Malcolm X and the Rev. Dr. Mar- flooded Atlantic beach towns and closed and mass incarceration, is carrying out tin Luther King Jr. demanded repara- cities along the Eastern Seaboard. PHOTO: BALTIMORE PPA a genocidal war of brutality and killings tions for Black people to compensate for Storm Jonas was no equal-opportuni- Only popular organizations aided the com- against Black, Brown and Indigenous their labor and resources, stolen by cor- ty disaster. The snow landed everywhere, munity after massive snowfall. youth in grossly disproportionate num- porations like GM. but like 2005 Hurricane Katrina, the im- The state and city had enough funds in bers. The current stage of the capitalist In fact, it should be GM that pays rep- pact of this storm hit hardest the workers, their budgets to put National Guard hum- economic crisis of overproduction pro- arations to Flint’s people. For decades the poor and the most oppressed commu- vees and cops on the streets. But the “au- vides nothing more than low-wage jobs it dumped acid chemicals into the Flint nities. An example of disaster inequality? thorities” were doing exactly what they and no future for youth of color or less River that eventually caused lead in the Look at the mostly African-American are meant to do in capitalist USA: Protect privileged white youth. city’s water pipes to leach into the drink- and very poor city of Baltimore, the home the property of those who own — that is, The BLM movement has broadened ing water. (Truthout, Jan. 26) GM owes of the unpunished cop killing of Freddie the capitalists. There were no deliveries its view of the struggle to fight racist re- reparations for its genocidal poisoning of Gray and last spring’s rebellion. of emergency food, nor were urgent cases pression by showing solidarity with the the Flint community and infrastructure, One of the organizations that has been transported to hospitals. embattled people of Flint, especially the and GM should pay for completely replac- demonstrating regularly against police After late night listening to and help- Black community. The Black Lives Mat- ing the lead pipes, estimated to cost $1.5 “impunity,” the People’s Power Assembly, ing the residents of Gilmor Homes, the ter National Network posted a solidarity billion. It should be GM that pays repa- knew that the storm would wreak havoc PPA and SCLC reacted Jan. 25 by calling statement with Flint, which has a 14-point rations for the devastating loss of hun- on the residents of Freddie Gray’s neigh- a press conference at the Harriet Tub- program. It includes a moratorium on all dreds of thousands of jobs that forced borhood. When the snow stopped at 30 man Solidarity Center to issue four im- water shutoffs; a refund of all water bills half of the Flint population to leave over inches on Jan. 24, the Baltimore People’s mediate demands: since the switch to the Flint water sys- 30 years. Power Assembly and the Southern Chris- “We are calling on the mayor and the tem; creation of a holistic medical care Demanding reparations for the peo- tian Leadership Conference organized governor to provide emergency food re- facility for Flint residents that will offer ple of Flint should be a main issue in People’s Emergency Snow Brigades. lief immediately. chelation therapy as treatment for lead the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. But The organizers called people to check “We are demanding that the govern- poisoning; and creation of a Flint Citizen that is pie in the sky. The Republican and on the health and safety of public housing ment reorder priorities and organize Civilian Corps to train local workers to Democratic candidates are either hostile residents. Young people went out to clear door-to-door checks to make sure our repair the infrastructure. In introducing or indifferent to empowering the people snow where residents needed help dig- elderly, those with health problems and these demands, the BLMNN states: “The of Flint because these candidates do the ging out. The PPA and volunteers from young children are OK. water crisis in Flint is one of many ways bidding of corporations like GM. the Maryland Art Institute and Johns “We demand that the mayor enact an state agencies and elected officials have The people’s organizations already in Hopkins University discovered condi- emergency jobs program to hire unem- sanctioned violence against Black peo- motion to provide clean water for Flint, tions building toward a frozen version of ployed youth and members of our com- ple.” (See full statement at workers.org.) from around the country and locally, Hurricane Katrina. munity to help with clean up in the com- These demands and more should be could play an instrumental role in orga- They found that residents both on the munity itself, not just downtown. framed as calls for reparations for the nizing for reparations. east side and in the community on the “We need a People’s Emergency Plan: people of Flint, much like the call for “40 Workers World Party sees this effort west side where police killed Freddy Gray Where do people go for food? What do acres and a mule” that formerly enslaved as a vital part of the broader struggle to had no food at home and no way to get out workers do about lost wages? people demanded following the end of abolish capitalism, which will commit to get it. Many of the children depended “Our members can speak directly to chattel slavery. The demand for repara- any crime to boost the profits of the few. on food served in school — and schools what is happening in the neighborhoods tions is a political right, an indispensable It must be replaced with socialism, where were closed on Monday, Jan. 25. Resi- as we were in Gilmor Homes until late last step on the path to self-determination for the economy belongs to the people and dents who reached the corner store found night and have taken calls all day and night people of color oppressed by colonialism, can be planned to satisfy all basic human its shelves already empty. Even the Food from desperate housing project residents.” neocolonialism and present-day imperi- needs, including clean water. Bank was closed. An hour before the PPA/SCLC demand for food distribution, Baltimore’s Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced at a briefing that although the city schools would remain closed on Jan. 26, recre- ation centers would distribute meals to Anti-racists support Islamic Community Center youngsters. She touted a mayoral pro- gram that hired young workers to clear By Sara Flounders lamic community center, public sidewalks for seniors and people Bayonne, N.J. although organized in only New Jersey with disabilities who were unable to do three days, was far larger, so themselves and said the Baltimore city More than 200 people came out here very multinational and drew website had emergency numbers and in- on Jan. 19 to stand in solidarity with the community support from structions on how to get help. Muslim community in the face of a right- Bayonne and other parts of What the mayor did not announce was wing, racist attack on their application Hudson County, including a plan to ensure that everyone who need- to build an Islamic community center on Jersey City, which borders ed help received it. Both the New York the site of an old warehouse. Bayonne. Times and Baltimore Sun reported that A racist group, announcing they were The Jersey City Peace WW PHOTO top city officials could not say when the supporters of Donald Trump and Pamela Movement and the International Action for the Islamic center was the only agen- snow would be cleared. Geller, had said they would hold a protest Center set up a Facebook event page, da item. The session lasted almost four Sharon Black, of the PPA, told Workers at the Bayonne Zoning Board meeting “Stand with our Muslim Neighbors,” and hours and gave endless time for the op- World, “The storm exposed the failure of to oppose an Islamic community center. began making calls to area community ponents of the Islamic community center capitalist society to look after the needs of The board had called the special session activists two days before the rally. Vet- to treat the hearing like an inquisition. the people. The power of the state was used to take up the Muslim community’s zon- erans For Peace Chapter 21, N.J. Peace The zoning board, a body that is all not to protect and serve the people, but to ing application for the center. The group’s Action, Action 21 and Food Not Bombs men and white except for one Latino protect the property of the capitalists.” letterhead and many neighborhood signs immediately responded with their own business owner, hardly represents Bay- have attempted, through use of 9/11 and round of calls and emails. onne. They made no effort to rule out of Twin Tower images, to frighten Bayonne Gene Forrest, a Bayonne high school order the insulting harangues made by residents. teacher and lifelong resident of Bayonne, opponents of the proposed center. Then, MLK Day in Oakland The media in New Jersey had report- also started reaching out in Bayonne with they declared that still another hearing ed this opposition as if it represented the a Facebook page message to “Show Our would be needed for further questions On Jan. 18, some 3,000 people marched whole community. Solidarity.” and set it for Monday, March 14, at 6 p.m. 4.6 miles from downtown Oakland, Calif., But the strong, unified response to this At the rally, some 50 signs with the slo- Supporters of the Muslim community’s through West Oakland, ending at the Bay threatening, anti-Muslim rally clearly ex- gan “No to racism and anti-Muslim bigot- right to build their center pledged their Street Mall in Emeryville. posed them as a narrow, bigoted group- ry” were quickly distributed. continued solidarity. Additionally, Black.Seed, a Black queer ing without community support. Both sides packed into the zoning Flounders is a 25-year resident of liberation collective, shut down the Bay – Report and photo by Terri Kay The rally showing support for the Is- board hearing. The zoning application Jersey City, N.J. Bridge. workers.org Feb. 4, 2016 Page 11 Haiti in turmoil as masses reject corrupt election

By G. Dunkel The march was shadowed by the Com- cycle, including parliamentary elections, pany for Intervention and the Mainte- where there were also serious problems. Tens of thousands of Haitians took to nance of Order of the National Police. Some political currents in this camp feel the streets Jan. 22 to protest the sched- CIMO is Haiti’s heavily armed national it is impossible to have fair and free elec- uled second round of corrupt presidential SWAT team, but that day it limited itself tions when the country is militarily occu- elections. The demonstrators could hard- to firing in the air and using tear gas. pied by the U.N.’s Minustah troops. ly contain their glee when word spread CIMO also cleared the streets of burn- During this very sharp and serious that it had been canceled. They had de- ing barricades and put out fires set in struggle over the political direction of fied both the vicious brutality of the cops some fancy cars. Whenever CIMO set up Haiti, its economy is tottering. and the “assurances” of U.S. diplomats a barricade, the protesters — with enthu- The neighboring Dominican Repub- that the first round had been fair. siastic support from neighborhood peo- lic has expelled 129,000 people because Protests were held throughout the ple — split up and went around the cops. they are Haitians or the children of Hai- country, the largest of them in Haiti’s (Kim Ives and Tercier Daniel, Facebook) tians. They have been cooped up in total- capital, Port-au-Prince. The protesters were so charged up that ly dilapidated, nearly waterless camps on The Provisional Electoral Council when CIMO personnel carriers pushed the border. Many spent their lives in the (CEP) canceled the round without setting through the crowds, they pushed back, ac- DR and are more comfortable speaking a new date. cording to videos circulating on Facebook. Spanish than Creole. The protesters raised new demands on This massive protest by the people, Jovenel Moïse illustrates another eco- Jan. 24. They now want President Michel firmly rejecting pressures from U.S. im- ‘We oppose all: Stolen elections, stolen wa- nomic problem plaguing Haiti. He is a Martelly to leave office immediately, even perialism and the Core Group that dictate ter, stolen gas, any interference. Down with banana exporter who, using $6 million before his term ends on Feb. 7. how and who is chosen to lead the Haitian 1-24-16 [election]!’ in state loans, plus favorable rulings Fanmi Lavalas, a progressive mass state, has inspired international support. from local officials, was able to seize party in Haiti whose leader is former The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples ter Feb. 7. It is not going to be possible to 2,371 acres by driving 800 farm families President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, called of Our America (ALBA) issued a state- organize elections before he is gone, and off their land. His plantation currently the decision of the CEP a victory for de- ment Jan. 21 denouncing electoral fraud there are grave doubts about the fairness ships 40 truck-size containers of banan- mocracy and the Haitian people. The in Haiti, calling for the withdrawal of the and validity of the parliamentary elec- as to Germany each week and must begin electoral council has been openly tied to U.N. forces known as Minustah and for tions, even though the Haitian Parlia- shipping 160 a week within the next three the United States and the so-called “core” the “cessation of any external interfer- ment is meeting. years. That will mean more land grabbed group of France, Canada, the Organiza- ence from the international community Jovenel Moïse, the candidate for Mar- and less production of food for domestic tion of American States, the United Na- against the will of the Haitian people.” telly’s PHTK party and his imperialist consumption, plus a higher import bill tions and the European Union. The Argentine Solidarity Committee backers like the U.N., the Core Group and less need for farm labor. (otherworld- Fanmi Lavalas said in a statement on issued a call the same day, noting, “The and the U.S., would like a brief, cleaned- sarepossible.org, Jan. 21) its Facebook page Jan. 23 that it will con- Haitian people are in a critical battle at up and widely accepted second round Currently only 13 percent of Haiti’s tinue to support struggles throughout the this moment fighting for sovereignty and against Jude Célestin, candidate of the workforce is in formal, regular jobs. Its country. the right of self-determination.” What Alternative League for Haitian Progress economy, never fully recovered from the makes this especially important is that and Empowerment (LAPEH). These earthquake of six years ago and in bad Massive protest inspires Argentinian soldiers make up a signifi- two candidates came in first and second shape before the earthquake, is being international support cant portion of Minustah. in the “official” counts. They’ve already squeezed by global austerity. The march on Jan. 22 went along the spent over $100 million on this election Since their revolution against French Delmas Road from the poorest neighbor- Ending electoral crisis and want to be done with it. colonial rule more than two centu- hoods of Port-au-Prince to Petionville, while economy totters Pitit Desalin and Fanmi Lavalas, the ries ago, the Haitian people have never where many of the rich and powerful live There are two contending political po- parties that came in third and fourth in the stopped struggling as hard as they can in sumptuous luxury. It then flowed back sitions in the Haitian opposition over how “official” counts, take the position that the for real independence. Their struggle de- to the Champ de Mars, a large space in to resolve this electoral crisis. There is no first round of the election was fraudulent. serves our support. the center of Port-au-Prince. support for extending Martelly’s term af- They want to repeat the whole election Pentagon, NATO plan renewed war on Libya

By Abayomi Azikiwe even non-existent role in the North Af- partment, the British Foreign Office and nounced “unity accord” aimed at ending Editor, Pan-African News Wire rican state’s military and security crisis, others in an effort to impose them as “le- 1.5 years of civil war between the oppos- Pentagon officials and other NATO mem- gitimate” leaders of the oil-rich country. ing installed forces could signal the en- Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of bers, including France, Britain and Italy, Setting the stage for an intervention tire scheme’s unravelling. If imperialist the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Jan. 23 that say they are motivated by the instability depends on securing a “unity accord” be- forces are fired upon by Libyan groups — the United States is preparing a renewed and “threat of terrorism” posed by the tween these two rival factions. Although supposedly parties to the U.N.-brokered military campaign in Libya with its impe- Islamic State group. Pentagon and State a peace agreement has been announced, agreement — this could create more in- rialist allies. Dunford’s narrative provides Department efforts are aimed against ranking elements in Tripoli’s General Na- stability in the country and the region. a rationale and political justification for a the group’s growing influence: I.S. now tional Congress and Tobruk’s House of A new ministerial regime was estab- permanent imperialist occupation of the controls several cities and towns on the Representatives have rejected its terms. lished in January, after lengthy, heated region, thus negating the right of self-de- Mediterranean coast. Some elements reject a foreign mili- talks mediated by Kobler, a career Ger- termination for the states involved. Washington has been fighting a low-lev- tary occupation. If they maintain their man diplomat with experience in other Dunford referred to deepening inter- el war against I.S. in Iraq, Syria and now position, it could signal a much more imperialist war scenarios. Even if Kobler ventions: “You want to take decisive mil- Libya. The Obama administration reject- complicated and contentious tenure for and his Western backers can pressure the itary action to check [the Islamic State ed the Russian Federation’s intervention the proposed force of 6,000 troops led by rival regimes into accepting the “unity group’s] expansion and ... do it in such a in Syria last year as unwarranted interfer- Italy, Libya’s former colonizer prior to its accord,” that still leaves the hundreds of way that’s supportive of a long-term politi- ence designed to bolster Syrian President independence in 1951. armed militias roaming the country out- cal process. … I think it’s pretty clear to all Bahsar al-Assad’s government. Colin Freeman wrote in the Jan. 21 side the agreement. of us — French, U.S. alike — that whatev- British Telegraph that Ahmed Mateeq, The region is far more unstable than er we do [will] be in conjunction with the “Unity” under neocolonialism deputy prime minister in Libya’s new at any time over the last four decades: new government,” referring to the neo- Two rival regimes in Libya stem from “unity” government, “warned that the The 1973 war fought between Egypt and colonial-dominated regime that U.N. en- a split in the political forces installed by country may be unwilling to accept Brit- Israel prompted an oil embargo and an voy Martin Kobler is attempting to mold Washington and Brussels after the 2011 ish troops in its fight against [I.S.’s] grow- economic crisis in the U.S. In 1978-79, together in Libya. Dunford stresses: “My war of regime change. Rebel organiza- ing presence. [He] said that Libya ‘did not President Anwar Sadat’s regime in Egypt, perspective is we need to do more. Quickly tions, including many labelled as “ter- need’ to take up the offer from Britain of under U.S. pressure, signed a separate is weeks not hours.” (Reuters, Jan. 23) rorists,” were funded, armed and given 1,000 soldiers to train Libyan troops,” peace agreement with Tel Aviv, which Speaking as if the U.S. had a limited or diplomatic support by the U.S. State De- and that while Western “logistical and neutralized Cairo’s role in the Palestinian technical support” was welcome, “most independence struggle. Libyans would not accept the presence of Currently, discussion around North foreign troops on their soil.” African and Middle Eastern affairs fo- MLK Day in Oakland Despite these remarks, Freeman cuses on the roles of I.S., al-Qaida and wrote, “[D]iplomats close to the UN ne- other so-called “Islamist extremist orga- gotiations on the new unity government nizations.” said last weekend that they thought [that Whatever the purported rationale, the government] was likely to accept the Brit- imperialist countries are planning further ish offer [of indefinite foreign occupa- intervention in Libya and the surrounding tion], as long as the troops were confined region. Anti-war and other progressive to a training role.” forces in the U.S. and NATO countries – Report and photo by Terri Kay Mateeq’s statement following an an- should oppose all such moves. Page 12 Feb. 4, 2016 workers.org 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. 58 Núm. 4 4 de febrero 2016 $1 Libertad para Oscar López Rivera, ¡YA! Tiempo de definición del estatus en Puerto Rico Por Berta Joubert-Ceci de un pueblo que pudiera opacar el avance indignación de los corruptos y traidores independentista. Un ejemplo fue la Asam- de su guerra fría contra la URSS, EUA de su propio pueblo. Si no fuera algo tan blea del Partido Independentista Puertor- Recién comienza el año 2016 y ya pro- impuso una imagen de “autonomía puer- trágico, sería material irrisorio para una riqueño el pasado mes donde se proclamó mete ser uno lleno de definiciones políti- torriqueña” mediante una constitución comedia. Señalando que EUA “cambió de la candidata a la gobernación por el PIP, cas para Puerto Rico. La gigantesca deu- en Puerto Rico que otorgaba limitados e opinión”, AGP escribió que “las leyes y la María de Lourdes Santiago, actualmente da pública de $73 miles de millones y su irrisorios derechos bajo el eufemismo del Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado senadora por el mismo partido. En esa impago sigue siendo el problema en que se ‘Estado Libre Asociado’, concepto en sí emanan del poder del pueblo de Puerto asamblea acudieron partidos, organi- centran los medios noticiosos corporati- contradictorio. A partir del 1953, ya los Rico en el ejercicio de su poder inherente a zaciones y personalidades de la izquierda vos a nivel internacional. Sin embargo, a imperialistas no tendrían que dar cuenta organizarse políticamente en un gobierno y el movimiento de liberación que no están pesar de que por tratar de pagar esa deu- de su colonia en las asambleas de las Na- propio. Así lo han reconocido también los afiliadas al PIP, en una muestra de acer- da, el gobierno colonial de PR ha recorta- ciones Unidas, puesto que PR era un país Estados Unidos durante décadas ante la camientos que podría significar la búsque- do servicios esenciales y ha hundido en la ‘casi’ soberano y tenía su propio goberna- comunidad internacional”. da de un consenso tan necesario en este miseria a la mayoría de las familias boric- dor puertorriqueño elegido por el pueblo, El gobierno del presidente Obama tiempo de lucha independentista. uas, es otro el centro de atención y acción no un yanqui nominado por EUA. La colo- sin embargo, a través de su procurado- Muchas figuras del independentismo en Puerto Rico: el estatus político. nia se había ‘perfumado’ y EUA podía se- ra general adjunta, Nicole Saharsky, se han manifestado que este es el año crucial Por muchos años se ha hablado del esta- guir obteniendo todas las riquezas nece- pronunció claramente durante la vista para la lucha por la soberanía e indepen- tus e incluso se han celebrado referendos sarias sin mayor objeción internacional. del 13 de enero en el Tribunal Supremo. dencia. De hecho, nunca antes se han dado que, por el hecho de haber sido encuadra- Saharsky dijo: “El Congreso puede, de coordinadas tan perfectas para facilitar la dos dentro de un estado colonial, impues- Momento de definición hecho, revisar el arreglo actual que tiene discusión amplia y abierta con el pueblo tos en cierta medida por la metrópolis Esa farsa terminó hace pocos días cuan- con Puerto Rico. Eso es así porque Puer- sobre la independencia. Es imprescindible (EUA), han sido realmente ilegítimos e in- do el Procurador General de EUA, Donald to Rico es un territorio de Estados Uni- una campaña de educación popular sobre consecuentes. Sin embargo, las discusiones Verrilli Jr., manifestó claramente que el dos. Los territorios pertenecen a Estados la necesidad de autodeterminación y lib- actuales, resultado de la enorme crisis a ELA no tiene soberanía propia. Es intere- Unidos lo que significa que están bajo la eración del yugo imperialista y demostrar todos niveles que sufre el país, conllevan sante saber que estas declaraciones surgi- soberanía de Estados Unidos. Y la segun- que la independencia, no la estadidad, es la legitimidad de que sólo la definición del eron durante una comparecencia del PG da es que es el Congreso el que hace las el único estatus que puede garantizar un estatus podrá conducir al camino de una como ‘amigo de la corte’ para vistas frente reglas….”. (noticel.com) En resumen, que futuro de justicia social y económica para verdadera solución a esta profunda crisis. al Tribunal Supremo estadounidense en PR es propiedad, no parte, de EUA y puede el pueblo. La crisis ha sido la gran escuela Después de más de 100 años de un pro- un caso que nada tiene que ver con la crisis hacer lo que quiera a través del Congreso. que está ayudando a quitar el velo de obnu- ceso de coloniaje que afecta incluso el modo económica isleña e ilustra la urgencia del Se espera una decisión del caso en los bilación colonial impuesto por el imperio. de pensar y razonar, una verdad, aunque tema del estatus. próximos meses. Oscar López Rivera, prisionero político sea de Perogrullo, puede ser disfrazada e El caso conocido como Puerto Rico vs Esto tiene gran relevancia ahora cuando que lleva ya 34 años en cárceles yanquis incluso presentada como su antípoda. Este Sánchez Valle se trata de uno sobre doble como resultado de una serie de vistas en por luchar por la independencia, está ju- ha sido el caso en PR. Desde el salón de exposición (Double Jeopardy) en el que el Congreso estadounidense sobre la crisis gando un papel muy importante. Recien- clases hasta la radio y la televisión, pasando un sujeto fue procesado en tribunales en en PR y el pedido del gobierno de PR para temente escribió desde prisión un mensaje por todas las esferas de la vida social, han EUA por posesión y venta ilegal de armas y tener acceso a una ley de bancarrota para al pueblo para que su hija Clarisa López lo servido de plataformas utilizadas por el im- expone que no puede ser procesado por el reestructurar la deuda, hay una propuesta leyera en ocasión de la celebración de su perio para transfigurar la realidad patente mismo delito por tribunales locales puer- congresional de imponer una Junta Fiscal cumpleaños el 6 de enero. En él exhortaba de una colonia, dando aparentar que es un torriqueños. El Departamento de Justicia Federal independiente para supervisar las al pueblo entero a unirse para que rechaz- país con autonomía. de PR sin embargo, afirma que sí tiene el finanzas en PR. Esta realmente sería una aran el pago de la deuda y la boicotearan, Esto precisamente era lo que Lolita poder de acusar a personas por el mismo junta para asegurar el pago a los bonis- pidiendo además la unión y la colabo- Lebrón, Irving Flores, Andrés Figueroa delito puesto que PR tiene soberanía pro- tas de Wall Street y actuaría fuera de los ración del movimiento independentista en Cordero y Rafael Cancel Miranda inten- pia, sometiendo el caso ante el Tribunal marcos legales y gubernamentales isleños. una lucha conjunta. taron exponer al mundo cuando abrieron Supremo de EUA. Una verdadera junta colonial. Joubert-Ceci es miembro del Comité fuego en el Congreso estadounidense ese El gobernador Alejandro García Pa- Boricua Filadelfia-Camden reciente- 1º de marzo de 1954. dilla, del Partido Popular Democrático, Respuesta del Movimiento en PR mente formado, integrado por boricuas Para ocultar ante la comunidad interna- proponente y defensor del ELA colonial, Esta situación está ayudando a incre- en la diáspora para colaborar en la lucha cional su terrible papel como subyugador inmediatamente respondió con la ficticia mentar la unidad dentro del movimiento por la independenciade PR.

¡Crisis escolar de Detroit! ¿La solución de $715 millones de Snyder a la crisis del DPS? Crear un nuevo sistema Por Kris Hamel Las/os maestros y las/os estudiantes en logro académico. libre de deudas junto al actual, para ges- aulas atestadas se apiñan con sus abrigos El gobernador Rick Snyder, un reaccio- tionar las escuelas que pagan la deuda. Una serie de ausencias por enfermedad a causa de la inadecuada calefacción en nario capitalista, nombró a un administra- Sin embargo, la cuestión es que las durante varios meses por las/os maestros edificios dilapidados, cuya infraestructu- dor de emergencias que llevó la ciudad de escuelas seguirán siendo dirigidas por del sistema de Escuelas Públicas de Detroit ra está en severo deterioro y que además Detroit a la bancarrota. El administrador una junta directiva dominada por perso- (DPS siglas en inglés), culminó el lunes 11 contienen moho negro y otras toxinas. No de emergencias, nombrado en virtud de nas nombradas por Snyder. Las escuelas de enero con el cierre de prácticamente son infrecuentes los hongos en las paredes una ley que garantiza el pago de servicio de de Detroit no volverán al control de una todas las escuelas. Las ausencias contin- e infestaciones de roedores. En los baños, a la deuda a los bancos, colocó a las Escuelas junta elegida hasta el año 2017, y aún en- uaron durante el resto de la semana esco- veces ni plomería hay o está deficiente y no Públicas de Detroit en bonos impagables. tonces la junta elegida estará excluida de lar, mientras que cientos de maestras/os y hay papel higiénico. Los suministros esco- Prioridad No. 1: Pagar a los bancos elegir a un superintendente. simpatizantes marchaban hacia la sede de lares son pocos o inexistentes. Ahora, la principal partida en el pre- Además, la nueva junta escolar no tendrá las Escuelas Públicas de Detroit y hacia el Hasta el alcalde Mike Duggan vio un supuesto del DPS es el pago del présta- supervisión de las muchas escuelas chárter Capitolio estatal en Lansing-Michigan. ratón muerto y condiciones “profunda- mo y el servicio de la deuda a los bancos que han proliferado en Detroit, ni de la Au- Las acciones de las/os maestros pus- mente inquietantes”, cuando él hizo una e instituciones financieras. En febrero, el toridad de Logro Educativo (EAA por siglas ieron en claro la crisis que enfrentan mae- presentación a la prensa durante una visi- servicio de la deuda se disparará, con un en inglés) un distrito especial que admin- stras/os, personal y estudiantado en todas ta a algunas de las escuelas el 12 de enero, aumento de hasta 74 por ciento del año istra las “escuelas con bajo rendimiento”. las escuelas públicas de la ciudad y las el día después de que 64 escuelas fueran pasado, y con pagos de la deuda que rep- La EAA ha estado plagada de corrupción y condiciones deplorables que enfrentan. cerradas debido a la ausencia por ‘enfer- resentan la friolera de un 97 por ciento ha fracasado en proporcionar al menos un Con más de quinientos mil millones de medad’ de las/os maestros. del costo de la nómina del DPS. Un pago mínimo de educación a las/os estudiantes. dólares en deuda, el sistema de DPS ha Las escuelas de Detroit perdieron 84.000 de deudas del 10 por ciento del costo de la Acciones de masas por parte de las/os estado gestionado durante años por un estudiantes - o dos tercios de la matrícula nómina ya se considera alarmante. maestros, después de años de quejas que administrador de emergencia nombrado del DPS - entre 2005 y 2012. Esto se debió Snyder está ahora bajo fuego por ig- no tenían respuesta, finalmente han traí- por el estado, que ha usurpado toda toma en gran parte a la falta de empleos y la cri- norar información y no tomar medidas do esta crisis a la luz del día. Maestras/os, de decisiones de la junta escolar electa. sis de ejecución hipotecaria que azotó esta mientras las/os niños y las/os residentes madres y padres, estudiantes y miembros El magisterio, que ha sufrido recortes de ciudad con mayoría afroamericana con de Flint-Michigan – ¡el administrador de la comunidad, incluyendo el Consejo salarios y beneficios, está severamente préstamos hipotecarios fraudulentos de de emergencia de Flint cuando la crisis Escolar de Detroit en el exilio, continúan falto de personal. A menudo hay 50 o más alto riesgo, junto con la proliferación de las comenzó, era el [actual] administrador de luchando contra el estado por el control de estudiantes por clase, sin tener suficien- escuelas chárter privadas y la apertura de emergencia del DPS! – están siendo en- las escuelas de Detroit y el fin de la crisis tes libros de texto y en medio de terribles los distritos escolares suburbanos para ro- venenadas/os por plomo y otros metales financiera y la austeridad que han traído condiciones. bar a Detroit de sus estudiantes de más alto tóxicos en el sistema de agua de la ciudad. sufrimiento a tantas personas.