Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! July 5, 2007 Vol. 49, No. 26 50¢ As millions lose homes

Resistencia nacional en Gaza Hamas: ‘Nos forzaron Mortgage crisis a hacerlo’ 12 spreads on Wall St. Banks bail out hedge funds but foreclose on workers’ houses By Jaimeson Champion families. During the housing bubble of 2000-2006, Bear Stearns, in addition to other Wall Street giants like Goldman Sachs and The subprime mortgage crisis, which has already forced a Bank of America, bankrolled the subprime mortgage lenders photo: Roberto Mercado record number of working class families to lose their homes to with hundreds of billions of dollars worth of credit. OUTRAGE IN foreclosure, has metastasized. It has spread into other sectors of The subprime lenders then used this money to ensnare work- the U.S. economy and sent shockwaves down Wall Street. The ing class families, a disproportionate number of them Black and BROOKLYN 21st-century robber barons of finance capital are scrambling to Latin@, in adjustable rate mortgages that had “exploding” inter- Cop attacks avoid a further meltdown as the predatory loans they underwrote est rates. These loans would start out at low “teaser” interest Black attorneys 3 go into default en masse. rates, some as low as 1 percent and 2 percent for the first few Subprime lenders lure people with poor credit into taking out years, but would then reset or explode as interest rates skyrock- mortgages but then squeeze higher interest out of them and fore- eted into the double digits. close more often when they can’t pay. Subprime mortgage lenders and their investment bank spon- VETERANS, TOO The panic over the worsening crisis was on full display in the sors on Wall Street raked in astronomical profits during the week culminating on June 22, when Bear Stearns—one of the housing bubble. At their peak, subprime mortgages were a $1.3 1.8 million can’t largest and most influential investment banks on Wall Street— trillion industry. But now that the housing bubble has burst, get health care 4 announced it would spend $3.2 billion of its own money in an sending the price of homes into a freefall, borrowers who were effort to rescue one of its hedge funds, the ironically named High caught in these predatory loan schemes are defaulting in unex- Grade Structured Credit Fund, from complete liquidation. The pectedly large numbers. hedge fund was under siege by individual investors who had The Wall Street institutions are now starting to feel acute begun demanding their money back after it posted large losses losses. High Grade Structured Credit Fund had posted losses ANOTHER resulting from the subprime crisis. of nearly 23 percent over the first four months of 2007. Losses WARNING The $3.2 billion bailout proposal capped a frenzied week in at the second Bear Stearns hedge fund, High Grade Structure Birds are which a number of different rescue plans were suggested. The Credit Enhanced Leverage Fund, are much worse, but so far Bear disappearing 4 capitalist rulers and their executives debated ways in which to Stearns has not announced a bailout plan for that fund. best limit the damage to their holdings. High Grade Structured Credit Fund is the less leveraged of Waves of foreclosures two Bear Stearns hedge funds which were intricately involved As is the case with all economic crises under capitalism, the FIDEL TO BUSH in underwriting the predatory mortgage loans made to working Continued to 4 You can’t have Cuba 8 Lesbian, gay, bi, trans: Pride & solidarity —Centerfold AFGHANISTAN Massacres from the sky 9

DARFUR NO to U.S. intervention 11

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Superdome II

H In the U.S. New Orleans death rates jump 47% Mortgage crisis spreads on Wall St...... 1 By Ellen Catalinotto New Orleans death rates jump 47%...... 2 Police beat, arrest civil rights attorneys...... 3 New Orleans residents are dying at 47 percent higher Popular Black official remains in jail...... 3 than normal rates since Hurricane Katrina. When the hurricane struck in 2005, racist and incom- 1.8 M veterans get no health care...... 4 petent government agencies failed to provide people in Birds are disappearing ...... 4 the Superdome with water, food or sanitation. According Protest briefly shuts ICE jail...... 5 to a report published in June 2007 in the new journal, Letters to the editor...... 5 “Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness,” the sequel to the Superdome disaster is an ongoing toll of Marchers demand ‘Trans justice, now!’...... 6 almost 400 excess deaths a month. New York LGBT Pride ...... 6 Dr. K.U. Stephens, head of the New Orleans public S.F. LGBT Pride huge, as usual...... 6 health department, led the team of experts who pro- More lies from Giuliani ...... 6 duced the study documenting the rise in death rates. The Atlanta LGBT Pride draws regional crowds ...... 7 authors cite the collapse of the public health infrastruc- ture as a major cause of this increase. Alert: Time Warner is raising our postage...... 10 The report notes that “only 15 of 22 area hospitals have H Around the world reopened, with less than half the number of pre-storm beds. A significant portion of the population is still living Brazil: Biggest LGBT Pride on the planet...... 7 Lavender and red, part 103...... 7 in substandard conditions, contributing to the reported Ellen Catalinotto and Malik Rahim, Common Ground pervasive, unmitigated stress among residents.” Collective leader, New Orleans, Dec. 2005. ‘They will never have Cuba’...... 8 New Orleans’ public hospital—named Charity—which U.S. groups support Venezuela ...... 8 provided care to many of the poor and uninsured, includ- emergencies die from indirect causes for many years ing the majority of the mentally ill, has been closed. More afterward. These deaths affect the most vulnerable peo- NATO bombs slaughter Afghan civilians ...... 9 than 4,000 doctors have left the city. Rates of depres- ple in society and are 90 percent preventable, according U.S. policies doomed to fail in Latin America. . . . . 9 sion, post traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric to the editors of the new public-health journal. U.S. intervention in Sudan is the worst option. . . . 11 problems have soared. Nigerian unions beat back gov’t attack ...... 11 The lack of medical resources has been made worse Beyond the report by the inability of health officials to accurately track, The report did not address issues of age, race, gender H Editorials monitor or report conditions requiring urgent interven- or cause of death. Racism results in wide gaps in health Oil for profit or for people? ...... 1 tion. The report concludes that “a destroyed or poorly status between whites and African Americans. Studies recovered public health infrastructure, which normally of health disparities show this in everything from infant H Noticias En Español would be able to identify health problems and protect the mortality to HIV, treatments for heart disease and can- Resistencia nacional en Gaza...... 12 health of a population, has in fact contributed to excess cer—even when insurance status is equal. A similar pat- mortality.” tern would be expected in the post-Katrina deaths. Hamas: ‘Nos forzaron a hacerlo’...... 12 The study used paid death notices published in the Another important health issue following Hurricane New Orleans Times-Picayune, the major daily newspa- Katrina concerns questions about exposure to mold and Workers World per, to obtain numbers of deaths occurring in the greater to toxic substances in the floodwaters. Tracking these 55 West 17 Street New Orleans area from January to June 2006. Official outcomes will require long-term follow-up studies. New York, N.Y. 10011 death-certificate data is unavailable due to understaff- Deaths among survivors still unable to return Phone: (212) 627-2994 ing and other problems in the city’s health statistics to New Orleans were not included in the report. Fax: (212) 675-7869 bureau. A comparison of average monthly mortality rates These evacuees face the trauma and stress of hav- E-mail: [email protected] for 2002 to 2003 showed that the death notices in the ing lost their homes, possessions and social networks. Web: www.workers.org Times-Picayune and official Louisiana state data were Accessing health care in their new locations is just Vol. 49, No. 26 • July 5, 2007 closely comparable. one of the multiple problems and stresses they face. Closing date: June 27, 2007 An average of 1,317 people died each month during “We can get hung up on the numbers, but the bottom line the study period. This compares with 924 before the is that people are dying at a faster rate here post-Katrina,” Editor: Deirdre Griswold storm—when the popula- says Jullette Saussy, director Technical Editor: Lal Roohk tion of New Orleans was of New Orleans EMS in a June Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, much bigger. The number 21 interview in USA Today. Leslie Feinberg, Monica Moorehead, Gary Wilson of excess deaths was more “The lack of primary care, than 2,300 in the course of of mental health care and West Coast Editor: John Parker the six-month study peri- the long waits in emergency Contributing Editors: Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, od, about twice the num- rooms all have [worsened] Fred Goldstein, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, ber who died during the people’s normally control- David Hoskins, Berta Joubert-Ceci, Cheryl LaBash, storm. The mortality rate lable chronic diseases,” she Milt Neidenberg, Bryan G. Pfeifer, Minnie Bruce Pratt in the first six months of says. “Diabetes, respiratory Technical Staff: Shelley Ettinger, Bob McCubbin, 2006 was 91 per 100,000 disease and hypertension all Maggie Vascassenno people, up from 62 per are killers, especially when Mundo Obrero: Carl Glenn, Teresa Gutierrez, 100,000 before Katrina, they’re not dealt with.” Berta Joubert-Ceci, Donna Lazarus, Carlos Vargas an increase of 47 percent. The writer was a volun- People throughout the teer nurse at the Common Internet: Janet Mayes world exposed to cata- Ground Health Clinic in Supporter Program: Sue Davis, coordinator strophic public health New Orleans in December Copyright © 2007 Workers World. Verbatim copying 2005. and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium JOIN US. National Office Buffalo, N.Y. Houston Richmond, Va. without royalty provided this notice is preserved. 55 W. 17 St., 367 Delaware Ave, P.O. Box 130322, P.O. Box 14602, Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published week- Workers World Party New York, NY 10011 Buffalo, NY 14202 Houston, TX 77219 Richmond, VA 23221 ly except the first week of January by WW Publishers, (WWP) fights on all 212-627-2994; 716-566-1115 713-861-5965 [email protected] 55 W. 17 St., N.Y., N.Y. 10011. Phone: (212) 627-2994. issues that face the Fax (212) 675-7869 [email protected] [email protected] Rochester, N.Y. working class and [email protected] Chicago 585-436-6458 Subscriptions: One year: $25; foreign and institutions: Los Angeles Atlanta 27 N. Wacker Dr. #138 [email protected] $35. Letters to the editor may be condensed and edited. oppressed peoples— 5274 West Pico Blvd., P.O. Box 424, Chicago, IL 60606 Articles can be freely reprinted, with credit to Workers Black and white, Latin@, Suite 203 San Diego, Calif. Asian, Arab and Native Atlanta, GA 30301 773-381-5839 3930 Oregon St., World, 55 W. 17 St., New York, NY 10011. Back issues 404-627-0185 Los Angeles, CA 90019 peoples, women and [email protected] Suite 230 and individual articles are available on microfilm and/ [email protected] 323-936-1416 men, young and old, Cleveland [email protected] San Diego, CA 92104 or photocopy from University Microfilms International, Baltimore lesbian, gay, bi, straight, P.O. Box 5963 619-692-4496 426 E. 31 St., Milwaukee 300 Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106. A searchable trans, disabled, work- Cleveland, OH 44101 San Francisco Baltimore, MD 21218 216-531-4004 [email protected] archive is available on the Web at www.workers.org. ing, unemployed and 2940 16th St., #207 410-235-7040 [email protected] A headline digest is available via e-mail subscription. students. [email protected] Philadelphia San Francisco, CA 94103 Denver 415-738-4739 Boston P.O. Box 9202, Send an e-mail message to If you would like to [email protected] [email protected] 284 Armory St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 [email protected]. know more about WWP, Detroit 610-453-0490 Boston, MA 02130 Washington, D.C. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. or to join us in these 617-983-3835 5920 Second Ave., [email protected] P.O. Box 57300, struggles, contact the Detroit, MI 48202 Washington, DC 20037, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fax (617) 983-3836 Raleigh, N.C. branch nearest you. [email protected] 313-831-0750 [email protected] Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., 5th Floor, [email protected] workersworld.net/boston [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. www.workers.org July 5, 2007 Page 3 Police beat, arrest civil rights attorneys By Larry Hales Brooklyn, N.Y.

A long-time civil rights and people’s attorney, Michael Tarif Warren, and his partner Evelyn Warren, also a lawyer, were beaten and arrested by police on June 21 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Warrens, who are both Black, were held for several hours at the 77th Precinct before being released. Their statement to the press on being released later that evening, following a long ordeal and after both having been attacked by a cop, was: “What we expe- rienced tonight happens every day in our communities. What happened to me was the result of doing what is right—speaking out against wrongdoing.” WW photos: Arturo J. Pérez Saad Michael Tarif Warren (above center), Charles Barron (below, left) and Larry Holmes address The doing “what is right” was to observe crowd outside Brooklyn’s 77th Precinct at June 23 protest rally. and try to offer assistance to a young Black man who had been chased by cops. After having caught the young man, they began kicking him while he had his hands behind his back and was on the ground. The following are excerpts from an article entitled “NYPD Brutalize Human Rights Attorney” written by Amadi Ajamu, an organizer with the December 12th Movement: “Warren, a high profile attorney who has been practicing law for 28 years, said, ‘We saw a young kid being chased by a horde many times before, the police chief, may- they were being held. In just a couple of of policemen across a McDonald’s parking or and the corporate media outlets would hours, the precinct was packed with polit- lot. They tackled him and immediately put Both were arrested and taken to the 77th speak of the difficulty of police work. ical and community leaders and activists, handcuffs on him. Then Sergeant Talvy, precinct charged with obstruction, disor- There would be no suspension, no dock including this writer. who appeared to be in charge, began kick- derly conduct, and resisting arrest. in pay, no firings and cops still celebrated Those who immediately came to the ing him in the head and ribs, and stomp- “Michael Tarif Warren has handled as heroes in popular media. precinct were Brooklyn-based city coun- ing him on the neck.’ The other police offi- many police misconduct cases in the black This time, though, the cops picked on cil member Charles Barron; the Malcolm cers followed suit. ‘They literally gave this community, including the shocking police two Freedom Fighters, two well-known X Grassroots Movement; the December kid a beating which was unconscionable.’ murder of graffiti artist Michael Stewart, heroes and supporters of liberation 12th Movement; FIERCE!; CAAAV; “‘Not only as people of conscience and and Yvonne Smallwood, who was beaten struggles around the world. This time the WBAI, which broadcast the incident on moral decency, but as lawyers, we said to death by police in the Bronx. He also cops attacked people who not only have the airwaves; the Jericho Movement; the this is outrageous.’ They arrived and stood handled the case exonerating the five the know-how and determination to fight Safiya/Nuh Foundation; CEMOTAP, the ‘more than 10 feet away,’ he said. Mr. young black teenagers falsely convicted of back, but also the popular support that Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition; repre- Warren told Sergeant Talvy they were law- raping the white bank executive ‘Central comes with having been in the struggle for sentatives from the Muslim and Haitian yers, and told him to stop and just take the Park Jogger.’” years and with being loved for their work, communities; the International Action young man to the precinct. In response, he compassion and humble demeanor. Center; Workers World Party; and other said, ‘Talvy shouted, ‘I don’t give a f**k who Arrests outrage community There is no greater evidence of those organizations and concerned individuals. you are, get the f**k back in your car!’ Perhaps the cops didn’t know who they assets than what happened the night of There was barely room to move and still “They returned to their car, and Mr. were attacking, maybe they did. It is entire- their detainment. more people waited in the stairwell and Warren began to write down the license ly possible, though, that the cops thought It undoubtedly goes without utterance outside in the rain. When one cop asked plate numbers of the police vehicles as they the two were a “regular” Black couple and or written word that no cop at the 77th if the people could make room, someone watched them put the bleeding young man that, like countless other times that play Precinct expected that there would be a in the crowd retorted, “As soon as you let in a car. ‘Then Talvy comes to my car and out in every city around this country, they minor rebellion, albeit a peaceful one. But Michael and Evelyn go, we’ll give you all viciously attacks me, repeatedly punching would simply get away with it. that is what happened in the late evening the room you want.” me through the window. Shouting, “Get The community might hear or read of of June 21. Because of the mass of people, there was out of the car!” he dragged me out of the the incident, and then again, they might As soon as word got out about the nothing the cops could do, not even when car, ripping my shirt and pants. My wife, not. There could be a press conference, a Warrens’ arrests, the call was sent out the cop who attacked Michael Tarif and very upset, asked him, “Why are you doing few rallies, outrage, marches calling for by e-mail, WBAI-FM public radio and by Evelyn Warren was pointed out, and not this?” He then punched her in the face.’ justice, but at the end of the day, just as phone to gather at the 77th Precinct where Continued on page 9 As state piles on new charges Popular Black official remains in jail By Bryan G. Pfeifer the state charges was reduced to $50,000 On June 22, as the handcuffed alder- Since McGee’s arrest, a wide range of Milwaukee from $100,000, but authorities would not man entered the courtroom, over 50 sup- supporters in the Black community has immediately release him because of pend- porters, many wearing “Free Ald. McGee supported him by demonstrating at his On June 22 District Attorney John T. ing federal charges. U.S. Attorney Steven 4 Me” tee shirts, stood in salute with their court appearances, getting messages of Chisholm unveiled more state charges M. Biskupic said the U.S. Marshals Service fists raised. support aired on local Black radio and against Black City Alderman Michael placed a hold on McGee that would turn On June 8 the Milwaukee NAACP had other avenues. In contrast to the rabidly McGee Jr., who has been locked up in the him over to federal custody if he were to held a press conference with the goal of racist coverage in the predominantly white Milwaukee County jail since May 28 on be released on bail in relation to the state “seeking justice for Alderman Michael media, Black media outlets have covered various charges. charges. McGee would then be taken McGee Jr.” Jerry Hamilton, president of extensively the support for McGee and McGee has been charged in state court into federal court for his first appearance the local branch, said the bail in McGee’s the implications of his case for all poor with seven felony counts and five mis- there, which could include a separate bail case was unjust, as in recent years almost and working people in Milwaukee and demeanors related to elections, bribery, amount being set. all other elected officials in Milwaukee and beyond. conspiracy and contempt. He has also This situation amounts to an extraordi- Wisconsin who were charged and indicted Many in the Black community see the been indicted in federal court on charg- nary full-court press by state and federal were released on their own recognizance targeting of McGee as payback for his es that allege he pressured businesses agencies in collusion with the corporate or a small signature bond. Hamilton said steadfast support of economic and social in his district for money to get licenses media against an elected official from the the bail of $250,000 set when McGee was justice for poor and working people, par- okayed through the City Council. McGee African-American community. Yet despite first arrested exceeded the total of all the ticularly in regard to Black youth and is facing at least 30 years on all counts if this attempt to demonize and silence bails of the other recently indicted poli- fighting police brutality. convicted. McGee through incarceration and other ticians. McGee is the only one not to be McGee supporters are now discuss- The jailed Black alderman is due back means, numerous supporters are stand- released on his own recognizance or a sig- ing various defense activities and will be in court July 13. On June 22 his bail on ing behind him. nature bond. packing the court again on July 13. n Page 4 July 5, 2007 www.workers.org

Used up and thrown away 1.8 million veterans get no health care By Caleb T. Maupin less of recruiters’ empty promises, there 290,000 since 2000, said Stephanie J. concerns for each one, and that 55 percent are currently in the U.S. 1.8 million veter- Woolhandler, the Harvard Medical School also had mental health issues. The study was Rosa Luxemburg, the Polish-born rev- ans who have no health insurance or any professor who presented her findings yes- published in the Journal of Occupational olutionary and courageous opponent of access to medical care, according to the terday before the House Committee on and Environmental Medicine. imperialist war, wrote of soldiers return- Washington Post of June 21. Veterans Affairs. About 12.7 percent of Perhaps this callous disregard for vet- ing to Germany after World War I that It seems that, even if young people non-elderly veterans—or one in eight— erans should not be surprising. Under they had “sacrificed the most blood and donate their bodies to the rulers of this lacked health coverage in 2004, the most capitalism, workers are laid off when their goods” but that they “return to need and country, they still can’t get what is guaran- recent year for which figures are available, work is no longer profitable; public hous- misery, while billions has been heaped in teed to everyone in socialist countries and she said, up from 9.9 percent in 2000.” ing is reduced as homelessness rises; cuts the hands of a few.” even in some capitalist ones: healthcare Some of these veterans are eligible for are made to food stamp services; schools She would say the same thing today provided to the people free of charge. Veterans Administration care, but there are crumbling and classrooms are packed about U.S. soldiers. It was already a scandal that 45 million are no VA hospitals or facilities near them. even as the incomes of the super-rich soar The young men and women who, often people in the U.S. are without any health The government has closed many down into the stratosphere. out of basic economic need, sign up for coverage. Now, at this time when every recently—just as veterans with multiple In a system based on profit, when peo- the military are betrayed. Recruiters big shot professes to love the troops who problems have been returning home. ple are no longer useful tools for those patrol the poor and oppressed neighbor- are fighting the rich man’s war, it is dou- Another recent study, conducted by Dr. who crowd the halls of power, they will hoods bearing promises of veterans’ ben- bly scandalous that even veterans can’t Drew A. Helmer for the Baylor College of be cast aside as useless, no matter how efits. Capitalist politicians brag about how get health services. Medicine, discovered that, in a group of 56 many promises must be broken. The only much they “support the troops.” The Post article added: “The ranks of veterans returned from Iraq and Af­ghan­ recourse for veterans is to organize and But regardless of their rhetoric, regard- uninsured veterans have increased by istan, the average was four physical health use their skills to fight back. n Birds are disappearing Another warning to fix human society

By Kris Hamel

Avian enthusiasts, environmen- talists and nature lovers everywhere read with a heavy heart the reports of the National Audubon Society study on Common Birds in Decline released on June 14. The study showed dra- matic declines in populations of 20 common bird species in the U.S. The Audubon Society summed up the 40-year study: “Since 1967 the average population of the common birds Bobwhite, field sparrow, eastern meadowlark and, below, an evening grosbeak. the potential destruction of life on earth in steepest decline has fallen by 68 per- is no barrier to the capitalists’ plans to cent; some individual species nose-dived of 64 percent; the eastern meadowlark, summer censuses conducted by the U.S. expand in order to raise their profits. as much as 80 percent. All 20 birds on the down by 72 percent; evening grosbeaks, Geological Survey. Thousands of volun- This class of super-rich individuals is national Common Birds in Decline list lost reduced 78 percent; and the biggest loser teers over many decades meticulously what stands between the great mass of at least half their populations in just four of all, the northern bobwhite, down 82 collected data. The Audubon bird counts humanity and true social progress. decades.” percent. The northern bobwhite’s popu- have taken place for more than 100 years, Only socialism, a social and economic Among the nationally diminishing spe- lation, now just 5.5 million birds, was 31 and the USGS census began in 1967. system based not on profit but on planning cies are the whippoorwill, down 57 percent; million only four decades ago. The devastating decline in bird popula- to meet people’s needs, can truly protect four types of sparrows, including lark and Individual states have seen dramatic tions is blamed on several factors, includ- birds and all the myriad forms of life on field sparrows, which declined an average declines in other bird species. California, ing loss of grassland and shrub habitat earth. It takes social ownership of produc- for instance, has documented declines from “suburban sprawl” and other devel- tion to plan and implement a sustainable of 75 percent to 96 percent for several opment; the expansion of corporate agri- economy, to work out how people can live species, including the northern pintail, culture, including the drive to produce comfortably but efficiently, how they can horned lark and loggerhead shrike. more ethanol, a corn-based fuel alterna- travel from place to place without pollut- The Audubon Society avows: “Birds are tive; and effects of global warming. ing the environment, how life in general important indicators of the overall health In the dominant capitalist system, pro- can be reorganized so the long-term needs of our environment. Like the proverbial duction and development of every kind is of the people are met, with every precau- canaries in the coal mine, they send an motivated by the drive for ever-increasing tion taken to safeguard the natural envi- urgent warning about threats to our water, profits, the so-called “bottom line.” Every ronment and diverse ecological systems air, natural resources, climate and more.” year, each privately owned company has and species. The Audubon study was based on over to try to show an increase in its profits, no Hamel is a member of the Cornell 40 years of data collected by the organi- matter what the cost to the environment, Lab of Ornithology and the Detroit zation’s annual winter bird counts and human beings or any living species. Even Audubon Society. Mortgage crisis spreads to Wall Street Continued from page 1 sure further depresses the value of other area that has been absolutely devastated 2000, Wall Street began intentionally fun- working class has borne the brunt of the homes in that neighborhood, creating a by the subprime mortgage crisis, have neling billions of dollars worth of invest- fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis. downward spiral. begun an innovative campaign to force ment capital into the housing market in Entire communities have been uprooted Working class communities in states the remaining subprime lending institu- an attempt to boost the U.S. economy. as foreclosures force families from homes like Michigan, California, Colorado, Ohio, tions out of the area. Under the direction During the housing bubble of 2000- in which they had invested their entire Arizona and New York have been par- of the East Side Organizing Project, activ- 2006, which was marked by historic levels life savings. “For Sale” signs have become ticularly hard hit. In many areas in the ists have been placing thousands of toy of new home construction, the capitalists’ ubiquitous, dotting the front yards of Midwest, the wave of foreclosures coupled sharks on the front lawns of the homes of plan seemed to be working. The housing homes in working class neighborhoods with large-scale layoffs in heavy industries subprime lending executives to convey the bubble had meant an increased demand across the country, as banks try to unload has turned once vibrant communities into message that the lenders are loan sharks for labor in numerous industries related to the foreclosed properties in an already ghost towns. who are preying on the community. home construction. Carpenters, masons, glutted market. While the surging wave of foreclosures electricians, plumbers—all saw demand The Center for Responsible Lending appears to be an almost unstoppable Economic stagnation for their skills increase. While the rest of projects that an additional 20 percent force, it is important to highlight the many The subprime crisis has led to a marked the U.S. economic landscape consisted of the some $265 billion worth of out- ways in which working families and other stagnation in the U.S. economy. New home primarily of low-paying service industry standing subprime mortgages around the community groups are organizing to help construction had been a primary engine jobs, the housing trades gave some work- country will enter into foreclosure over stem the tide. of economic growth in the U.S. since the ers a more financially rewarding option. the coming months. Each new foreclo- Activists in and around Cleveland, an late 1990s. Following the dot-com bust of Continued on the next page www.workers.org July 5, 2007 Page 5

Ashley Turner, shown here, and Ben Browning U-locked themselves to the gates of the detention center in solidarity with immigrants. Photos: Houston Indymedia Protest briefly shuts ICE jail By Gloria Rubac It took three fire trucks and dozens of ties profess to celebrate freedom and which impacts the whole world, mak- Houston police and firefighters over two hours to independence. ing the rich richer, and impoverishing figure out how to get the bike locks off. A statement released by participants millions. Just after dawn on June 4, two Turner and Browning were led to the cop after the arrests linked this action to oth- “Today, June 4th, the Dissent! Network young Houston activists shut down the cars as their supporters cheered. They ers happening around the world during in Europe has called for a Global Day of Immigration and Customs Enforcement were bonded out and now face a mis- the G8 summit: Action for freedom of movement and detention center in Houston for three demeanor charge of trespassing and a “This week the leaders of the richest equal rights for all! hours. They chained and locked them- felony charge of possession of a criminal and most powerful eight countries in the “We here in Houston, Texas, USA, selves to the only two gates that allow instrument. world are meeting in Germany for the have heard this call to action and share vehicles into and out of the jail. A newly formed group, Houston Sin Group of 8 (G8) conference. During the the same concerns as our brothers and Ashley Turner and Ben Browning used Fronteras, which Turner and Browning G8 gathering these leaders will continue sisters in Europe and all over the world bike locks and chains to attach themselves are working with, has called for anoth- to strategize and promote the economic who are taking action today in solidarity to the automatic rolling gates in front of er demonstration in front of the ICE and political policy of neoliberal ‘global- with migrants and refugees of the global the jail, which holds 950 people. Not only Detention Center on the Fourth of July ization.’ These eight nations, which com- economy.” could the shift not change, but none of at 8 a.m. to show solidarity with all pose 65 percent of the global economy, For updates, see www.houston.indy- the vans bringing in people rounded up in those incarcerated while U.S. authori- have pushed for an economic system media.org. n early morning raids could enter either. A phalanx of Houston cops joined the ICE cops and finally told the two activists Letters they had five minutes to get off the prop- erty. One of the dozens of people joining ner ruled his death a homicide so I hope As a man of color (Asian-American) Police killing I am well aware of the label of having in the protest and supporting the civil of Aaron Steele some kind of justice comes out of this. disobedience told the cops they had five —Charmagne Jordan a “bad attitude” in the world of race minutes to release all the people in the This email is to comment on the arti- Cleveland and race consciousness (this was rein- detention center. The standoff began. cle written by Martha Grevatt about the forced by my experience as a Marine numerous killings that were done by the in Vietnam)—in this case then “good” Cleveland police in the beginning of this More on Barry Bonds means “go along to get along”—main- month [WW, “Cops kill three people in 3 I liked the Mike Gimbel response to taining a servile, correct attitude in the Mortgage days,” May 25]. face of authority. the Barry Bonds situation in your earlier Continued from page 4 Aaron Steele was a friend of mine and issue [WW, Letters, May 31]. This past Interestingly enough, recently a black he is truly missed and to have the media weekend the San Francisco Giants were MLB player (whose name and team But the subprime meltdown has led and the Cleveland Police Department here in Boston to play the Red Sox. Of escapes me at this moment)—stated that to a near moratorium on new home con- paint someone who was as gentle as a course Barry Bonds was heavily jeered a lot of MLB players are black, but they struction, which in turn has meant more teddy bear as a hardened criminal thug and booed by the local crowd (so-called have Spanish surnames—consequently layoffs and a further reduction in wages type haunts me every day that I have to Red Sox Nation). these “temp/guest” workers are more for workers in the construction indus- face without him. I am just thankful that Babe Ruth (famed ex-Red Soxer) was easy to “handle” by the league bosses tries. Hundreds of thousands of workers someone has the sense and the heart to hardly a “choir boy” based on his notori- than say native-born African-American have been laid off or have had their work state what they believe is true and what ous off-the-field behavior as noted by players. hours and wages reduced in the wake of they believe is not. Gimbel. But the point that impressed me I believe it was Malcolm X that said: the subprime crisis. Workers in large con- The one thing that hurts us all that the most is that of Barry Bonds’ allegedly “The Negro (black man) who is not angry glomerates like Home Depot and Lowe’s know him is that the Aaron we know and “bad attitude”—or that he is an “uppity should go see a psychiatrist.” have also become victims of subprime- love would not have pointed a gun at the negro.” The hypocrisy around the legal Thank you. induced layoffs as those stores trim their police but out of all the witnesses that and illegal drug use in this country is —Henry workforce in response to lower demand saw the shooting no one went on record another story. Boston for construction products. to say that he did point a gun. The coro- U.S. gross domestic product growth has slowed to a crawl. The latest figures show that the U.S. economy grew by a WW is in the streets and on the web. measly 0.6 percent over the first quarter of 2007. Wages continue to lag behind The National Spring Fund Drive for Workers World newspaper is underway. You can help us keep the print newspaper going out to readers all over inflation even though aggregated mea- This is a twice-a-year fundraising campaign that covers the costs of pub- the country and make the web site available to the world by contributing. sures of productivity and corporate prof- lishing this newspaper, mailing it out, and maintaining our vital Web site. Please fill out the coupon below and return it with your check to WW Publishers. Know that your dollars will help get the truth out and be an its continue to rise. Workers across the Your contribution would make a real difference! country are struggling to cope with food organizing tool in the fight against capitalist war, racism and poverty. and gas prices that keep going up. This paper offers class truth.I t tells you what’s really happening to n Yes! I want to contribute to the National Spring Fund Drive. While it remains to be seen just how working and oppressed people around the world and in this country— deep into the heart of the U.S. capitalist and why. n Here is my donation of n $250 n $100 n $50 n $35 economy the subprime crisis will strike, it It doesn’t just report news. It goes beyond the surface with a Marxist _____ $ (other). has already laid bare some critical chinks historical perspective that analyzes events in terms of broad social move- in the armor of the empire. While it is by ments and class struggles. Unlike the big business media, it doesn’t pass Name no means certain that the subprime crisis on pronouncements from boardrooms and political demagogues—it will push the economy into a recession, it gets to the economic roots of conflicts and elevates the people’s strug- Address appears more likely with each new record gles that change history. high in foreclosure rates. Because of hard work by our volunteer staff, the articles are also posted City/State/Zip A full-blown economic recession, cou- online every week at www.workers.org. We had 237,420 online readers pled with rising food and gas prices, an in the month of May and 1.5 million “hits.” Phone No. imperial army bogged down in the sands This independent weekly’s publication is not paid for with corporate of Iraq, and an angry working class at advertising or by wealthy backers. The costs are paid by our readers, sub- E-mail th home: it’s a scenario for a surge of orga- scribers and supporters. Return to WW Publishers, 55 W. 17 St. 5th Fl., NY, NY 10011. Page 6 July 5, 2007 www.workers.org Marchers demand ‘Trans justice, now!’ By Leslie Feinberg gender non-conforming people of color. Rivera said, “brought visibility to ongo- and we won’t allow our community to be New York Elizabeth Marie Rivera, organiz- ing issues that continue to impact on the silenced.” ing coordinator of TransJustice, told lives of trans and gender nonconforming Rivera said “there was new energy Close to 1,000 people marched in the Workers World that a wide variety of people. this year, the leadership is very strong third annual Trans Day of Action organizations and individuals endorsed “We need to be able to continue to this year, and a lot of people are look- for Social and Economic Justice here the march, many of whom have not par- create a movement for voices to be ing to see what’s going to come out of on June 22. The event was organized by ticipated in the last two actions. heard,” she continued, “to bring visibil- TransJustice in the upcoming year.” TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project, Marchers demanded accountability ity to our community and the discrimi- Elizabeth Marie Rivera concluded, an organizing center for lesbian, gay, from city agencies for homeless trans nation that we face on a daily basis, to “My goal next year is 2,000!” n bisexual, two-spirit, transgender, and youths and adults. The protest also, let people know we’re here, we’re human New York Pride WWP: ‘Free all political prisoners’ Workers World Party took part in the LGBT Pride March in New York City, as it has for more than a quarter of a century. The contin- gent was multi-national, immigrant and U.S.-born, and included party members of all sexualities and genders and sexes. This year, the WWP contingent pressed the demand for free- dom for the Jersey 4. An all-white jury recently convicted the four African American lesbians—Venice Brown (19), Terrain Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20) and Renata Hill (24)—who had defend- ed themselves against an anti-lesbian attack. The four received sentences ranging from three-and-a-half to 11 years. Rainbow Solidarity for the Cuban Five—five political prisoners held behind bars in the U.S. for trying to stop CIA-backed anti- communist terror attacks on their island—also marched with the Workers World contingent. n

WW photos: G. Dunkel

S.F. Pride huge, as usual Thousands of trans people, hundreds of thousands of visi- their families and support- tors and participants from all ers from around the Bay Area over the world. It’s hard to get marched and rallied on June a “crowd count” of such a huge 22 in the Mission and Castro event, but it took hours for the neighborhoods here. The next seemingly endless stream of night, the annual “Dyke Rally & beautiful contingents to com- March” took place in the same plete the parade route and pack area. the Civic Center Plaza in front On June 24, the 37th annual of City Hall. This event is one of Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans the largest LGBT Pride marches (LGBT) Pride Parade in down- in the world. town San Francisco attracted —Joan Marquardt Look who’s talking Giuliani says Cuba mistreats gays The following is from a talk by Bob Such dangerous homophobic and gen- sisters at www.fiercenyc.org. Everyone—lesbian, gay, bisexual, McCubbin at a June 23 Los Angeles film der-phobic conditions exist nowhere in Someone might want to alert Mr. straight and trans—should sign on to this showing of “Butterflies on the Scaffold,” the island nation of Cuba. Giuli­ani: The attack against these sisters statement of support. a powerful documentary about trans- If Giuliani had any real concern about occurred in New York City’s Greenwich A high point for the Rainbow Solidarity gender experience in Cuba. The event the bigotry against LGBT people that Village. campaign for the Cuban Five was the June was a fund-raiser for an upcoming trip remains so prevalent in the U.S., instead [T]o cite an important example of real 2 meeting at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and to Cuba led by the militant youth group of attacking Cuba he could have called for solidarity with the struggle against lesbi- Transgender Community Center in New FIST—Fight Imperialism, support for the Jersey 4. an bashing and with Cuba, the New York York City. At that meeting, a representa- Stand Together. Quoting from an article by trans activ- City LGBT youth group called FIERCE!, tive of the Cuban government welcomed ist Imani Henry in the current issue which is in the forefront of organizing the support of the LGBT movement. On June 22 the New York Times online of Workers World: “On June 14, four support for the four jailed New Jersey Sisters and brothers, there’s another edition carried a blog article reporting on African-American women … received sen- lesbians, is also a proud signer of the grouping within U.S. society whose con- presidential aspirant Rudolph Giuliani’s tences ranging from three-and-a-half to Rainbow Solidarity call demanding jus- tributions to social enrichment and polit- latest anti-Cuba rant, where he gushed 11 years in prison. None of them had pre- tice for the Cuban Five. ical progress remain to be welcomed: eloquent on how terribly Cuban gays vious criminal records. Two of them are The Rainbow Solidarity with the Cuban the contributions of immigrant workers. are treated. Not to let current billionaire parents of small children. Their crime? Five call has, since its issuing, received the These workers deserve no less than full Mayor Michael Bloomberg off the hook, Defending themselves from a physical endorsement of over 1,000 individuals, equality with full political rights. But they but former New York City Mayor Giuliani attack by a man who held them down organizations and unions in 40 countries, need solidarity from the rest of us in this left no pro-gay legacy for that city. Like the and choked them, ripped hair from their as well as every state in the continental difficult struggle. rest of the U.S., the streets of New York scalps, spat on them, and threatened to U.S. The statement has been translated What about “Rainbow Solidarity with City were, under Giuliani’s rule, and con- sexually assault them—all because they from English into 12 other languages with Undoc­umented Workers”? Could this tinue to be under the rule of Bloomberg are lesbians.” six more translations on the way, includ- become more than just another interest- extremely hazardous for lesbian, gay, bi [Y]ou can find out more about the con- ing a streaming video in American Sign ing idea? n and trans (LGBT) people. tinuing struggle to free the jailed lesbian Language. www.workers.org July 5, 2007 Page 7 Biggest Pride on planet BRAZIL. at least 3 million people crowded into the streets of São Paulo for the biggest Pride march on the planet June 10. the turnout was estimated at half a million more than last year. the march condemned anti-gay bigotry, racism and sexism. (aP, June 10) before the march, the Communist Party of brazil issued a support statement that read: “the Communist Party of brazil greets the participants of the Gay Pride March in São Paulo and supports the fi ght against racism, male chauvinism and homophobia present in our society. the March is a great moment of struggle and raising of conscious- ness, with the joy and irreverence characteristic of our people. “the freedom of sexual choice and for individual rights is part of the option for democracy and the transformation to a more just society. “we are part of the brazilians, men and women, who fi ght for social inclusion, for a guarantee of rights and equality between people. we defend the banners raised for the right to civil union for people of the same sex, the fi ght against discrimination and for the affi rmative actions of public institutions and society to guarantee full conditions for human development. “to build a just brazil it is necessary to fi ght all forms of discrimination and to pro- mote broad social inclusion. our determination is to defend a sovereign country, with equality, democracy and free of prejudice.” —leslie Feinberg Atlanta Pride draws regional crowds By Dianne Mathiowetz diversity and beauty of their lives. Atlanta Among the many contingents and fl oats representing community organizations, Hundreds of thousands of gay men, les- religious, social and youth groups, busi- bians, bi and trans people and their fam- nesses, AIDS activists and more, Queer ily, friends and supporters crowded the Progressive Agenda organized a contin- sidewalks and streets of Atlanta for the gent promoting the U.S. Social Forum 37th annual Gay Pride parade on Sunday, which is about to begin here in Atlanta. June 24. Banners and signs in the contingent The Pride events draw people from refl ected political issues such as ending war cities and towns across Georgia and the and occupation, human rights for all and South, excited to experience the power, calling for freedom for the Cuban Five. n ‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ The sweet taste of change in Cuba By Leslie Feinberg fi lmmaker answered that as soon as the 1994 about an argument with his father. can stay. You don’t have to cut your hair. movie opened after the annual fi lm festi- Aramis said when he returned home for a I’ve got to think about these things.” Aramis In 1993, the Cuban state sponsored a val, “There were very long lines to see it, visit with shoulder-length hair, his father added, “So we hugged, and I stayed.” ground-breaking movie, “Strawberry and and it ran for something like three months used an anti-gay slur and ordered his son Chocolate” (“Fresa y Chocolate”). in Havana. I think it had that response to get a haircut or leave. ‘The trajectory of Cuban cinema’ The movie tells the story of two young because it was a well-told story with a Gutiérrez said Aramis argued with his Julia Levin, a Latvian freelance film Cuban men—a heterosexual communist theme that many people wanted to discuss father, saying, “You’re supposed to be critic who lives in the U.S., described and a homosexual. In his 1995 Cineaste in public. A theme that up until this time a communist, for freedom, for human Gutiérrez Alea as the most famous director article, Dennis West described the movie had remained rather marginalized. I’m not beings. I’m your son, you should love me, in Cuba. She noted that the fi lmmaker was about two young men getting to know referring just to the theme of homosexual- whether or not I’m a homosexual. What born to a bourgeois family in 1928. After each other in Havana in 1979. David is ity, but rather to the theme of intolerance kind of communist are you?” getting a law degree from the University the young communist. Diego, the homo- in general. I think that people really felt a Gutiérrez said by the time Aramis had of Havana, he studied fi lm at “the Centro sexual, West writes, “leaves in spite of great need to refl ect on this, and to refl ect stormed to the door, his father stopped him Continued on page 10 his pro-Revolution sympathies and his on it openly. For these reasons, the fi lm with these words: “Wait. You’re right. You friend’s claim that there is a place for gays became a sociological phenomenon.” in the Cuban Revolution.” (vol. 21, no. 1-2, When asked about the number of Cuban Winter-Spring 1995) viewers who attended screenings, Gutiérrez The release of “Strawberry and said, “‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ may Chocolate” in Cuba broke national box hold the record for the greatest number of offi ce records and opened up an island- Cuban viewers. I don’t know. But at any In Defense of rate, it is the fi lm which has attracted CUBA wide discussion about same- sex love and prejudice. the greatest number of viewers The movie’s script is an lavender in the shortest period of time.” adaptation by author Senel Paz Gutiérrez contrasted 1979, Help publish the the year in which “Strawberry of his own very popular short # 103 & and Chocolate” is set, with life ground-breaking story, “The Wolf, the Woods red and the New Man.”  on the island in 1995: “Now his soon-to-be published work, book a compila- Dennis West interviewed there is greater fl exibility in job tion of 25 articles from the lavender & red H series in Workers World newspaper, shows acclaimed Cuban director Tomás opportunities for homosexuals. In the case how the Cuban revolution has worked to over- Gutiérrez Alea—affectionately known to of representing Cuba abroad, for example, turn prejudice against same-sex love inherited friends as “Titón” but also referred to as the appointment of representatives used from the colonial and imperial eras. Alea—in August 1994. Gutiérrez died, at to be handled with kid gloves when homo- the book shows the Cuban revolution’s age 68, in April 1996. West conducted the sexuals were involved. Many people were trajectory of progress in hard facts. it’s a must- against appointing them because they interview in Juárez, Mexico, during the read to understand the revolutionary process Second Festival of Latinamerican Cinema were considered more vulnerable to scan- required to uproot prejudice. dal and blackmail—and that’s true, we’ve Paso del Norte; Dennis West and Joan the book will have a spine, a beautiful multi- M. West translated the interview into seen it in countries such as England and color cover, and many stunning photographs. the United States—but things are very dif- English, edited it and published it in the While all the labor to edit, design, lay out and Winter-Spring 1995 edition of Cineaste. ferent nowadays for homosexuals.” proofread the book is voluntary, printing costs The movie, which played simultane- Gutiérrez summed up, “Many Cuban are high. so your fi nancial help is needed to ously at 10 to 12 Havana theaters, drew homosexuals are now open about their make this happen! lines of Cubans that stretched for blocks. sexual orientation. Others are not open those who contribute $50 or more to the (Larry R. Oberg, “The Status of Gays in about it—just like anywhere else—but publication of the book can choose to be Write checks to World View Forum; Cuba: Myth and Reality”) there is a new level of awareness concern- listed in the acknowledgments. donors should put “rainbow solidarity” in the memo line. When West asked Gutiérrez why he ing homosexuality.” specify how they would like their names listed, send to World View Forum, 55 W. 17th st., thought his movie “Strawberry and Gutiérrez recalled the experience of his whether they prefer to donate anonymously, 5th fl oor, New york, Ny 10011. Chocolate” so resonated in Cuba, the friend Aramis, who told him in Havana in and if they wish to include a memorial message. For information, call 212-463-7146. Page 8 July 5, 2007 www.workers.org

Fidel Castro Ruz: ‘They will never have Cuba’ June 17—I hope that no one says that “Bush laughed, ‘You got it. You got have been maneuvering in the Persian I am gratuitously attacking Bush. Surely Cuba.’” Gulf, a few miles off the Iranian territory. they will understand my reasons for Bush was betrayed by his subconscious. It will very soon be 50 years since our strongly criticizing his policies. It was in his mind when he declared what people started suffering a cruel blockade; Robert Woodward is an American jour- scores of dark corners should be expect- thousands of our sons and daughters have This is how it preserved an unsustain- nalist and writer who became famous ing to happen and Cuba occupies a special died or have been mutilated as a result of able economy. A large part of the world for the series of articles published by the place among those dark corners. the dirty war against Cuba, the only coun- currency reserves are in U.S. Treasury Washington Post, written by him and Carl Garner, a recently retired three-star try in the world to which an Adjustment bonds and bills. For this reason, many Bernstein, and which eventually led to the general who had been appointed Head Act has been applied inciting illegal emi- would rather not have a dollar crisis like investigation and resignation of Nixon. of the Post-War Planning Office for gration, yet another cause of death for the one in 1929 that would turn those He is author and co-author of 10 best- Iraq, created by secret National Security Cuban citizens, including women and paper bills into thin air. sellers. With his fearsome style he man- Presidential Directive, was considered by children; more than 15 years ago Cuba Today, the value of one dollar in gold ages to wrench confessions from his inter- Bush an exceptional man to carry out his lost her principal markets and sources is at least 18 times less than what it was viewees. In his book “State of Denial,” he war strategy. of supply for foods, energy, machinery, in the Nixon years. The same happens says that on June 18, 2003, three months Appointed for the post on Jan. 20, raw materials and long-term low-interest with the value of the reserves in that after the Iraq war had begun, as he was 2003, he was replaced on May 11 of that financing. currency. on the way out of his White House office same year at the urging of Rumsfeld. He First the socialist bloc collapsed fol- Those paper bills have kept their low following an important meeting, Bush didn’t have the nerve to explain to Bush lowed almost immediately by the USSR, current value because fabulous amounts slapped [Lt. Gen.] Jay Garner on the back his strong disagreements on the matter dismantled piece by piece. The empire of increasingly expensive and modern and said to him: of the strategy to be pursued in Iraq. He tightened and internationalized the block- weapons can be purchased with them; “‘Hey, Jay, you want to do Iran?’ was thinking of another one with identical ade; the proteins and calories which were weapons that produce nothing. The “‘Sir, the boys and I talked about that purpose. quite well distributed despite our defi- United States exports more weapons than and we want to hold out for Cuba. We In the past few weeks, thousands of ciencies were reduced approximately by anyone else in the world. With those same think the rum and the cigars are a little marines and a number of U.S. aircraft car- 40 percent; diseases such as optical neu- paper bills, the empire has developed a better. ... The women are prettier.’ riers, with their naval supporting forces, ritis and others appeared; the shortage of most sophisticated and deadly system of medicines, also a result of the blockade, weapons of mass destruction with which became an everyday reality. Medicines it sustains its world tyranny. were allowed to enter only as a charitable Such power allows it to impose the act, to demoralize us; these, in their turn, idea of transforming foods into fuels and became a source of illegal business and to shatter any initiative and commitment black-market dealings. to avoid global warming, which is visibly Inevitably, the “special period” struck. accelerating. This was the sum total of all the conse- Hunger and thirst, more violent hur- quences of the aggression and it forced us ricanes and the surge of the sea is what to take desperate measures whose harm- Tyranians and Trojans stand to suf- ful effects were bolstered by the colossal fer as a result of imperial policies. It is media machine of the empire. Everyone only through drastic energy savings that was awaiting, some with sadness and oth- humanity will have a respite and hopes of ers with oligarchic glee, the crumbling of survival for the species; but the consumer the Cuban Revolution. societies of the wealthy nations are abso- The access to convertible currency lutely heedless of that. greatly harmed our social consciousness, Cuba will continue to develop and to a greater or a lesser degree, due to the improve the combative capacities of her inequalities and ideological weaknesses it people, including our modest but active created. and efficient defensive weapons industry, Throughout its lifetime, the Revolution which multiplies our capacity to face the has taught the people, training hundreds invaders no matter where they may be and of thousands of teachers, doctors, sci- the weapons they possess. We shall con- entists, intellectuals, artists, computer tinue acquiring the necessary materials engineers and other professionals with and the pertinent fire power, even though university and post-graduate degrees in the notorious Gross Domestic Product as dozens of professions. measured by capitalism may not be grow- This storehouse of wealth has allowed ing, for their GDP includes such things as us to reduce infant mortality to low levels, the value of privatizations, drugs, sexual unthinkable in any Third World country, services and advertising, while it excludes and to raise life expectancy as well as the many others like free educational and average educational level of the popula- health services for all citizens. tion up to the ninth grade. From one year to the next the stan- By offering Cuba oil under favor- dard of living can be improved by raising able terms of payment at a time when knowledge, self-esteem and the dignity of oil prices were escalating dramatically, people. It will be enough to reduce waste the Venezuelan Bolivarian Revolution and the economy will grow. In spite of brought a significant relief and opened up everything, we will keep on growing as new possibilities, since our country was necessary and as possible. Photo: Roberto Mercado already beginning to produce her own “Freedom costs dearly, and it is nec- energy in ever-growing amounts. essary to either resign ourselves to live Concerned over its interests in that without it or to decide to buy it for its U.S. groups country, the empire had for years been price,” said [José] Martí. planning to destroy that Revolution, and “Whoever attempts to conquer Cuba so it attempted to do it in April 2002, as will only gather the dust of her soil soaked support Venezuela it will attempt to do again as many times in blood, if he does not perish in the fight,” as it can. This is why the Bolivarian revo- exclaimed [Antonio] Maceo. Organizations in solidarity with the social position of the vast majority in the lutionaries are preparing to resist. We are not the first revolutionaries to changes being made in Venezuela held country. Meanwhile, Bush has intensified his think that way! And we shall not be the a solidarity picket line in front of the The solidarity picket was called by the plans for an occupation of Cuba, to the last! Venezuelan Consulate in New York on Troops Out Now Coalition and support- point of proclaiming laws and an inter- One man may be bought, but never a June 20. ed by Cuba Solidarity-NY, the Alberto ventionist government in order to install people. Their message to the public was that Lovera Bolivarian Circle, the Puerto Rican a direct imperial administration. Fate decreed that I could survive the the Venezuelan government’s decision Nationalist Party and the International Based on the privileges granted to the empire’s murderous machine. Shortly, it to allow the license of RCTV—a right- Action Center, which all united to sup- United States in Bretton Woods [monetary will be a year since I became ill and, while wing television station that supported the port President Chávez and Venezuela’s and financial agreements for the post-war I hovered between life and death, I stated failed 2002 coup against President Hugo Bolivarian Revolution in their efforts to period signed by the Allied countries in in the Proclamation of July 31, 2006: “I Chávez—to expire should not be used as determine their own course of develop- 1944—WW] and Nixon’s swindle when he do not harbor the slightest doubt that our a pretext to attack the revolutionary pro- ment without U.S. intervention. removed the gold standard, which placed people and our Revolution will fight until cess there. The closing of the television Workers at the Consulate came out to a limit on the issuing of paper money, the the last drop of blood.” station has become the focus of a virulent thank the people on the line, saying that empire bought and paid with paper tens Mr. Bush, don’t you doubt that either! campaign against the Chávez govern- support in the U.S. was critical. of trillions of dollars, more than 12-digit I assure you that you will never have ment, whose programs have raised the —Teresa Gutierrez figures. Cuba! n www.workers.org July 5, 2007 Page 9 U.S./NATO bombs slaughter Afghan civilians By G. Dunkel avail, since they still continue. Even the tion even before oil was involved. Associated Press reported on June 23 that As long ago as the middle of the 19th Long-range attacks by U.S. and NATO U.S. and NATO forces have killed at least century, imperial Russia and impe- forces, both air strikes and artillery fire, 203 civilians so far this year, while the rial Britain were competing for control killed more than 100 Afghan civilians— Afghan resistance has killed 178 civilians. of Central Asia. Frederick Engels, who mainly women, children and old men—in This report was picked up by over 1,300 with Karl Marx founded scientific social- a 10-day period in late June. newspapers throughout the world. There ism, wrote an article in 1858 that is still These deaths have caused such a fury are now contingents from over 37 coun- relevant. Describing the British invasion among the Afghan people that Hamid tries in Afghanistan, though few of them of Afghanistan from its Indian colony, Karzai, the president installed by the U.S. are soldiers on the ground. The U.S. and Engels said: “The conquest of Afghanistan with the blessing of NATO, had to call a other NATO governments are pressuring seemed accomplished [in 1839] and a con- press conference on the lawn of the presi- other imperialist powers and also client NATO attack helicopters in Afghanistan. siderable portion of the troops was sent dential palace to denounce the attacks. states to provide additional troops. The back. But the Afghans were no ways con- Karzai said, “You don’t fight a terrorist ruling group in Japan, whose constitution Quebec City to send a new Canadian bri- tent to be ruled by the European infidels, by firing a field gun from 37 kilometers prohibits sending its armed forces abroad, gade to Afghanistan. and during the whole of 1840 and 1841, away into a target. That is definitely bound has indicated it is willing to change its Of course, Harper would like Canada insurrection followed on insurrection in to cause civilian casualties. You don’t hit a constitution. to stay in Afghanistan because he wants a every part of the country.” few terrorists with field guns.” The oil and natural gas resources share in what is at stake there. Washington The costs of the occupation proved to Before Karzai was anointed president in Central Asia, including those of the insists that all who want to get a share in be so high that the British had to cut back of Afghanistan, he was a consultant for Caspian Sea, are largely unexploited but imperialist plunder of the region share in on their payments to the local chiefs, now Unocal, the U.S. oil company that wanted are believed to be the second largest in the military intervention, from Britain and called warlords. to build a pipeline linking Turkmenistan the world after the Persian Gulf. The gov- Spain to Germany and even Poland, all of The very day that W. McNaghten, the and Pakistan, which would allow billions ernments participating in the occupation which have contingents in Afghanistan. executive assistant to the British gover- of dollars of natural gas from what used of Afghanistan are looking for a share of Wall Street’s economic and financial nor general of India, did this, “the chiefs to be part of the Soviet Union to be sold those resources. stakes in Afghanistan, namely grabbing formed a conspiracy for the extermina- on the capitalist world market. Karzai was Canada is one of the largest oil export- the vulture’s share of these reserves, are tion of the British, and thus McNaghten such a U.S. creation that the bodyguards ers in the world. It has sent significant so high that the Pentagon has maintained himself was the means of bringing about protecting him until 2005 were U.S. mer- forces to Afghanistan, which has aroused a sizable force there—10,000 to 18,000 the concentration of those insurrection- cenaries, who didn’t leave until they had a significant protest movement within troops—even though its ground forces are ary forces, which hitherto had struggled trained a special group of Afghans to take Canada. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, stretched to the maximum with the occu- against the invaders singly, and without over. who has allied closely to the U.S., never- pation of Iraq. unity or concert; though it is certain, too, All throughout his reign in Kabul from theless had to promise that “this mission The geostrategic position of Afghanistan that by this time the hatred of British 2002 on, Karzai has protested against U.S. will end in February 2009,” while speak- is also highly significant and this area was dominion among the Afghans had reached and NATO “excesses,” but not to much ing on June 23 at a public ceremony in an area of imperialist interest and conten- the highest point.” n U.S. policies doomed to fail in Latin America

Latin America at the Hugo Chávez was re-elected by a land- alternate with the right wing in admin- like British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Crossroads—Domination, slide in revolutionary Venezuela. These istering the same neoliberal program. Labour Party, welcomed their new role Crisis, Popular Movements new developments, however, only serve This has led to victories of left-leaning as administering social cutbacks. In the & Political Alternatives, to establish Regalado’s main points: candidates and parties, which are immediate post-World-War-II period, by Roberto Regalado • U.S. imperialism needs to exploit unable to offer significant concessions these parties ran ‘’welfare states” to coun- Álvarez, 2007, Ocean Press, Latin America’s resources and labor to the workers and poor within the con- ter the challenge from the socialist camp, 263 pages, available from even more mercilessly than it did fines of the existing system. and claimed they would change capital- leftbooks.com. in the period up to the late 1970s. It • These changes, with a big impulse from ism. But, Regalado notes: does this by imposing the policies of the 1991 Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, “It was not social democracy that By John Catalinotto “neoliberalism”—essentially, using the Mexico, are nourishing a debate in the reformed capitalism, but capitalism that state power to aid the banks and trans- Latin American left. The poten- reformed social democracy. This The Cuban Marxist economist Roberto national corporations to concentrate tial for a struggle for a socialist was clear, since by the end of the Regalado, in the preface to the English capital while never using the state to alternative is gaining cred- WW 1970s, social democracy was par- edition of his book, takes note of the aid poor and oppressed groups or indi- ibility, even if such a struggle Book ticipating in dismantling the wel- “challenge to write a book that deals with viduals. Washington has tried to do this is not on the order of the day; fare state and functioning as the current-day events.” The December 2005 with minimum intervention, but this Colombia is the only country Review spearhead of European imperial- election of Evo Morales as president of has turned out to be impossible; the where an armed struggle is ism in the South.” Bolivia had forced him to revise the last U.S. is again intervening, subverting under way. This socialist alternative The author discusses the conflicts two chapters before publication. and threatening military intervention. offers the only solution to the crisis of between socialist Cuba and the U.S., and It is likely Regalado would now like • Washington and the South American contemporary capitalism. briefly discusses the Caribbean, but focus- the chance for another revision. Since he oligarchy have allowed the electoral Regalado is currently the section chief in es on Latin America. It would be interest- wrote those lines the Ecuadorans have arena to be open to more popular can- the Department of International Relations ing to see what he would write about the elected leftist Rafael Correa president, didates with the plan of gaining a con- of the Cuban Communist Party. A for- U.S. war on Iraq and the impact of the Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega won the sensus of support for the system. The mer diplomat in the U.S. and Nicaragua, Iraqi resistance on Washington’s ability to presidential election in Nicaragua and role of these parties is supposed to be to he has researched and written on Latin intervene in South America, if that were American politics since the 1970s. He also within the scope of the book. appears to be well acquainted with U.S. The dilemma the U.S. faces is that the politics and even with developments in neoliberal scenario continually narrows Police beat, arrest civil rights attorneys the U.S. progressive movement. popular support for the system and its The book is effective on a few different institutions. It wipes out the middle class Continued from page 3 were surprised and glad to see so many levels. It summarizes the recent economic and impoverishes workers. Thus imperi- even when shouts of “Michael Warren/ admirers. After giving a statement, they development of the worldwide imperialist alism is finding it necessary to intervene Freedom Fighter,” resounded. got in their vehicle, flanked by supporters, system and especially in Latin America. more directly, as in Haiti and Venezuela, Those gathered along with the leader- and drove away. From there the people It goes over Latin American history and in the Mexican election, etc. While at pres- ship, from Viola Plummer of the December marched and chanted. The cops looked reviews in detail the change in the type of ent the conditions don’t exist for a strug- 12th Movement to Charles Barron, had on, helpless. People from the neighbor- imperialist domination and exploitation gle for socialism, the continued deteriora- already decided that the night could not hood looked out their windows, seeming from the earlier part of the 20th century tion of living conditions and the threat to end without the freedom of Michael and to revel in the victory, though maybe not to the period since the mid-1970s. humanity from the crisis of capitalism will Evelyn. even aware of what transpired. It reviews the political struggles within soon raise this question anew. Darkness would have passed into day Another anti-police-brutality rally took the Latin American left—the social move- “Left political alternatives,” writes as nature goes unimpeded, but the mass- place at the precinct on June 24. ments, social-democratic parties and the Regalado, “will have to include the strug- es gathered seemed to have made up This battle is not yet over, however. broad electoral fronts that have led to the gle for revolution.” And “the use of some their mind. Michael Tarif Warren and Evelyn Warren elections of “left” candidates or parties in type of revolutionary violence will be inev- Eventually, after the summoning of the have a court date on July 25 in Brooklyn Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Venezuela. itable, because those holding power in the borough chief and deputy chief, before to respond to desk appearance tickets. The next edition will undoubtedly include world will cling to it to the very end.” midnight, Michael and Evelyn walked out Supporters are asking that the courtroom Ecuador and Nicaragua. This conclusion, while not new in clas- of the precinct, surrounded by throngs of be packed to show the city that justice is Regalado also makes a devastating sical Marxist literature, bears repetition supporters who chanted loudly. demanded, that the charges be dropped critique of the role of European social in this post-Soviet period. To understand Michael Warren’s clothes were torn and and once again, the cops have to be put on democracy and the parties of the Second how Regalado comes to it, it’s best to read both had scrapes and looked tired, but n trial for their brutality. International, especially those that, his book. n Page 10 July 5, 2007 www.workers.org Alert: Time Warner is raising our postage Oil for profit By Deirdre Griswold to communicate, it now costs more to send a letter to the opposite coast than The heavy hand of Time Warner most phone plans charge for a 10-min- or for people? Inc. is reaching into your mailbox and ute chat. making it more difficult for smaller Workers World mails out many wo U.S. companies, ConocoPhillips does result [from the exit of the U.S. compa- publications—like Workers World—to thousands of copies of our paper every and Exxon Mobil, have refused to nies] will only help [Venezuelan President mail out their periodicals. week, some of them free to prisoners. abide by Venezuela’s new laws on Hugo] Chávez finance his broadening gov- How did they do it? By writing up We rely on the support of our readers T new regulations for the U.S. Postal to make up the deficit. Now that deficit ceding ownership of some of their oil hold- ernment social programs.” ings. Several other international oil compa- The influence of Venezuela’s Bolivarian Service that will take effect on July 15 is going to be bigger, thanks to Time nies have already agreed to the new terms, Revolution on other countries was not over- and raise the postal rates for smaller Warner. which require that majority control over looked by the Times. It discussed how the publications by up to 30 percent— The whole point of this newspaper investments be handed over to Venezuela’s fact that companies from other countries while the increase for big corporations, is to help organize the fight against the government-owned oil company, Petróleos have accepted the new rules in Venezuela like Time Warner, will be kept down to giant monopolies that run the econo- de Venezuela. “and the potential exit of Conoco and a more comfortable 10 percent. my in the United States and much of A report on this development in the June Exxon point to concern that developments Originally, the USPS had proposed the world. Time Warner is one of the 27 New York Times called Venezuela’s most in Venezuela may influence negotiations a plan that would have raised the rates biggest, and the fact that it can dictate valuable natural resource “some of the over oil and natural gas projects in other for all types of publications by equal policy to the Postal Service just illus- most coveted oil reserves in the Western countries, from rising African oil produc- proportions. trates how these giant firms run the Hemisphere.” ers like Angola to longtime members of the But then the Postal Regulatory government and determine how deci- What has Venezuela done with its oil Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Commission—whose five commission- sions are made, no matter which capi- since the beginning of the Bolivarian Countries like Iran.” ers are appointed by the president and talist party is in office. Revolution? The “concern” is that these countries will confirmed by the Senate—stepped in You need a voice of revolutionary It has pledged to provide oil to exert their sovereignty to use their own oil and rejected that proposal, adopting opposition like Workers World, one Zimbabwe, where U.S. and British neo- to sustain their own people—and perhaps a very complicated alternative devised that gives news of how workers and colonialists continually push for “regime people elsewhere in the world—rather than by Time Warner. How’s that for hiring oppressed people are organizing to change” against a president who returned the pockets of the imperialist corporations. the fox to guard the chicken coop? fight back against the robber barons. to the indigenous population land stolen by This development lets the cat out of the Everyone knows how postage rates Please check out our appeal for dona- white colonialists. (WW, April 12) bag as to what is really behind the forces for regular letters keep going up. You tions on page 5 of this issue and help It has an oil deal with impoverished, that have been trying to make Venezuela’s probably keep a stash of 2-cent stamps keep Workers World coming by U.S. U.N.-occupied Haiti that saves that coun- recent closing of the right-wing, imperialist ready to paste next to your old ones. mail as well as by e-mail and on the try $150 million a year, and it recently mouthpiece RCTV television station into an While letters used to be the cheap way web. n announced a tripartite agreement with issue of “free speech” and “human rights.” Haiti and Cuba—another country facing Notwithstanding the use of the station to the guns of imperialism—covering health, openly support the failed overthrow of the energy and oil. (WW, March 29) Chávez government in 2002—an act that Subscribe to It has provided discounted heating oil to would result in the immediate shutdown of people in 11 U.S. states, including more than a station in any country—the government’s 220 Native tribes—a program that was cre- decision not to renew RCTV’s contract was Workers World ated after Venezuela’s offer to assist Katrina yet another blow to those in Venezuelan survivors exposed the need throughout the society who would put corporate profit Newspaper United States. (WW, Oct. 2, 2006) above people’s needs. 4 weeks trial subscription $2 One year subscription: $25 And, in Venezuela itself, the resources The closing of RCTV is really a struggle from the country’s oil reserves have allowed between imperialism, and all those who Name______Phone ______a number of social programs to be created have been privileged collaborators with it, and thrive. These programs have combated and a popularly elected government that is Address______Email ______illiteracy, reduced a staggering amount trying to serve the interests of the major- of poverty, and brought health services to ity of the Venezuelan people. This current City ______State ______Zip______long-neglected communities. The Times battle over the use of oil clarifies what the Workers World Newspaper article had to acknowledge these programs struggle with the U.S. and with domestic 55 W. 17 St. 5 Fl.,NY, NY 10011 when it said, “Any increase in oil prices that reaction inside Venezuela is all about. n 212-627-2994 www.workers.org

‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ The sweet taste of change in Cuba

Continued from page 7 “The ICAIC recognized film as the Solidarity served up “The commercial release of ‘Strawberry most powerful and important art form with a cherry on top and Chocolate’ in the U.S. is a welcome Sperimentale della Cinematographia in in modern life, a voice of the state, and, After Cuba lost the socialist solidar- event because U.S. authorities have at times Rome (which had spawned, amongst oth- unquestionably, the most accessible form ity and trade it had had with the Soviet hounded Gutiérrez Alea—by, for example, ers, Michelangelo Antonioni), where he fell of distributing revolutionary ideas to the Union, the illegal U.S. blockade tightened denying his visa requests or blocking in love with cinema and where he directed masses. In its first 24 years, ICAIC pro- its grip on the island’s economy. exhibitions­ of his works. This interview- his first neorealist film, El Mégano (1954), duced nearly 900 documentaries and over West pointed out in 1995, “Given the er’s videotape copy of [Gutiérrez’s 1968 with Julio García Espinosa, another film- 112 feature films.” profound economic crisis currently grip- film] ‘Memories of Underdevelopment’ maker he met at Centro Sperimentale.” Levin pointed out, “Artistically and ping Cuba, it is astonishing that a feature was confiscated by U.S. Customs in Los Levin continued, “It has been noted intellectually, the trajectory of Cuban such as ‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ could Angeles when he entered the country on that this film marked the very beginning cinema—from cinéma vérité to experi- be produced. The situation in ICAIC is Dec. 11, 1993, after having legally attend- of the New Latin American Cinema, the mentalism, and from neorealist drama to desperate. Top directors such as Gutiérrez ed the annual International Festival of ‘new wave’ in cinema that grew out of social comedy—has paralleled the trajec- Alea earn the approximate equivalent of New Latin American Cinema in Havana.” the desire by many Latin American film- tory of Alea’s directorial career. Similarly, $5.00 per month, and the once relatively By the closing ceremony of that festival makers to unveil the conflicting realities Alea’s films are a primary source of cul- well-funded ICAIC filmmakers can now in Havana on Dec. 10, 1993, “Strawberry of their own countries and to do this by tural politics in revolutionary Cuba, a fact undertake a feature only if co-produc- and Chocolate” had won most of the top exploring the political potential of the that allows one to study his films directly tion money is available. The low-budget awards. filmic medium. against the political climate in which he ‘Strawberry and Chocolate,’ for instance, “Afterwards”—West, who was a “Alea was one of the founders of the lived and worked.” could not have been produced without guest, described—“in the Palace of the Instituto Cubano del Arte y la Industria Daniel West added that “Tomás Mexican and Spanish support.” Revolution, Fidel Castro held a reception Cinematográficos (ICAIC),” Levin wrote, Gutiérrez Alea has been the most promi- Gutiérrez Alea, battling cancer, also had for festival guests featuring strawberry “which was created in 1959 in order to nent of the filmmakers working in Cuba’s to undergo surgery during the production and chocolate ice cream served together vigorously produce and promote cinema government-supported film institute. of the film. Juan Carlos Tabío, a collabora- for dessert.” as the most progressive vehicle for com- ... Gutiérrez Alea is a committed revolu- tor, stepped up to co-direct the film. Next: “Gay Cuba” municating the ideas of the revolutionary tionary, and his best features explore the “Strawberry and Chocolate” was the first To find out more about Cuba, read through, for the most part, documen- social, political and historical dimensions Cuban movie to be nominated for an Oscar parts 86-102 of Lavender & Red at taries, although some fiction films were of the revolutionary progress.” (www. in the Best Foreign Film category. (Levin) workers.org. made there as well. sensesofcinema.com) Daniel West concluded in early 1995: E-mail: [email protected] www.workers.org July 5, 2007 Page 11 Alert: Time Warner In oil-rich Sudan is raising our postage U.S. intervention is the worst option By John Parker with the false promise of bringing stabil- gathered in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, ity and ending bloodshed. to form the National Redemption Front In spite of the current and historic This is what is behind the U.S. calls a (NRF) and continue the war with the role that imperialist forces have played month ago for sanctions against Sudan, Sudanese army. in Sudan, the U.S. and European media just four days after the government of De Waal continues: “As the Abuja nego- almost exclusively blame the violence in Sudan agreed on May 25 to a joint African tiations drew to a close, the Congress Party the region on the government in Khartoum. Union and United Nations (AU/UN) [Sudan President Omar al Bashir’s politi- This ignores the most important fact in its “hybrid peacekeeping force” assigned to cal party—J.P.] launched an internal dis- history: it was colonialism and imperial- Darfur to quell the violence in that region. cussion on Sudanese-U.S. relations. The John Parker on a fact-finding trip to central question they asked was: ‘Given ism that created the root cause of the eco- In an interview with Gulf News, Sudan with Ramsey Clark after the U.S. nomic crisis facing Sudan today. Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr. Lam Akol bombed the El Shifa pharmaceutical that we have made peace with the South The struggle in Sudan is, in fact, a Ajawin said: “The message we took from plant in 1998. and given them everything they asked struggle for basic necessities. They have this act by the U.S. is that no matter how for; given that we are co-operating in the been denied not by the Sudanese people, much the Sudanese government cooper- Alex de Waal, who was an adviser to the war on terror; why are the Americans still but by years of competing British, French ates, the U.S. is going to go ahead with its Organization of African Unity and par- determined to punish us?’ … and U.S. efforts to increase their exploita- plans. The sanctions were strange but it ticipated in talks between rebel forces, the “The worst fears of Khartoum’s con- tion of the region. did not surprise us in Khartoum.” U.S. and the Sudanese government. He spiracy theorists had seemed to be justi- Instead of trying to solve this crisis, in This is not the first time that Sudan’s was quoted in AfricaFocus online (www. fied when Zoellick arrived in Abuja and 1998 President Bill Clinton sent 19 cruise willingness to negotiate in order to calm africafocus.org) on April 30. Although de revised the security arrangements agenda missiles slamming into Sudan, one of U.S. aggression failed. Waal is not partisan toward the Sudanese of the DPA text, increasing the number of the poorest countries in the world, and In July of 2004 the Sudanese govern- government, his account exposes the U.S. rebel combatants to be integrated into destroyed its sole pharmaceutical plant— ment accommodated the U.S. by allowing role. He explains: the army and security forces to 8,000 that provided over 50 percent of the medi- small teams of U.S. soldiers to pass into “Long neglected conflicts first exploded (80 percent of these positions, he indi- cine there. the country as part of official visits and in February 2003, when the newly formed cated, would go to Minawi’s men [of the Ever since Sudan opposed the first U.S.- even allowed U.S. Special Forces to do Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) SLM]). As Zoellick argued and arm-twist- led war against Iraq in 1991, U.S. policy— weeklong patrols in its Kurush Mountains launched guerrilla raids on government ed late into the night on 2 May, agitated from both Democratic and Republican to look for alleged al Qaeda activity. garrisons, and the government responded Sudanese generals paced up and down in presidents—has been aimed at destabi- During this period Sudan was hold- with its well-tested counter-insurgency the hotel car park, calling their superiors lizing the Sudanese government. In fact, ing intense negotiations with warring tool of unleashing militia—in this case the in Khartoum on satellite phones. They Washington helped finance a secessionist parties in the Darfur region. In spite of Janjawiid. … It was three years before a buttonholed mediation team members— civil war against the Khartoum govern- these attempts at cooperation and moves workable peace agreement was tabled. by now excluded from the action—to ask: ment and imposed economic sanctions towards negotiating a peace, the U.S. And it very nearly succeeded. Everything ‘What is America’s real agenda?’” on the country. rushed through a resolution, adopted on hinged on a few weeks this May [2006], The missile attack came soon after Sudan July 30, 2004, imposing a timetable for when the Darfur Peace Agreement was U.S. intervention has been bloody took steps to access a 300-million-barrel sanctions-like measures against Sudan. finalized and signed by the Sudan govern- and brutal reservoir of crude oil in the country’s South. Its U.N. ambassador, Elfatih Erwa, and its ment and one of the rebel factions. Had The history of U.S. involvement in Africa There is a clear relationship between U.S. ambassador to the African Union, Osman the leader of the main part of the Sudan is one of brutal terror and colonial and neo- oil policy and U.S. government hostility al-Said, separately said Khartoum would Liberation Movement also signed, the colonial plunder, using the most sophisti- toward Sudan. Likewise, there is clear evi- comply. “We are not happy with the reso- current crisis would not have happened.” cated weapons of mass destruction against dence of indirect U.S. arm­ing and funding lution, but we are going to implement it— In the late afternoon of May 5, 2006, the poorest of countries—like the bomb- of the rebel forces in Darfur that initiated we have no other option,” said al-Said. after a final 20-hour negotiating session, ings of Somalia, Tanzania and Sudan. It the violence back in 2003. The situation in Sudan is desperate. The the Sudanese government and the SLM includes the murders and assassinations Darfur is known to have major yet U.N. estimates that 200,000 Sudanese faction led by Minni Arkoy Minawi signed of anti-imperialist independence leaders untapped oil reserves, representing a vast have died from either drought or war- the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). who, given the chance, could have helped amount of potential wealth. It is believed related causes. That war was started in However, de Waal explains that not all solve the problems Africa faces today. to have oil reserves rivaling those of Saudi 2003 by the Sudan Liberation Movement of the SLM representatives signed. The U.S. involvement in Africa should Arabia. It has large deposits of natural (SLM) and the Justice and Equality founder of the SLM, Abdel Wahid, refused. concern itself solely with the implemen- gas. In addition, it has one of the three Movement (JEM) over what they con- After a British official worked into the tation of reparations to that continent. largest deposits of high-purity uranium sidered unjust resource distribution to night on the text to meet the objections Any other form of involvement, particu- in the world, along with the fourth- a region where people depending on the of Wahid, he still did not sign and instead larly military intervention in any form, largest deposits of copper. Unlike Saudi land face scarcity of water, arable land asked for more concessions. always means escalating death and chaos Arabia, however, the Sudanese govern- and food. De Waal asks: “Would those conces- through their “humanitarian” claws. Yes, ment has retained its independence of This problem exists all over the south sions have been enough? It’s not clear. In even more than would have died if not for Washington. Sahara region, but it could be fixed through the early hours of 5 May Abdel Wahid told its interventions. Unable to control Sudan’s oil policy, irrigation and the development of Sudan’s [U.S. deputy secretary of state] Zoellick Maximizing profits is expensive in the U.S. imperialist government has made rich resources—a task easily achievable and [Nigerian President] Obasanjo: ‘I terms of lives. In Iraq 1.5 million, close to every effort to stop its development of this with just a portion of the resources squan- need a guarantee for implementation half of them children, have died because valuable resource. However, China has dered in Iraq by the U.S. like in Bosnia.’ The personal letter he had of U.S. sanctions and military interven- helped Sudan, in spite of U.S. efforts, by just received from President Bush wasn’t tion—so far. providing the technology for exploration, How U.S. undercut negotiations enough: what he wanted was internation- Shame on those who, to this day, still drilling, pumping and the building of a Instead of the U.S. assisting in this way, al military intervention to deliver Darfur don’t understand this reality and are facil- pipeline. China buys about two-thirds of however, it has been creating obstacles from the Khartoum government. ...” itating a new and real genocide against the Sudan’s oil. every time the Sudanese government It seems that Wahid had gotten a cer- people of Africa. It will echo the cries of So, as it did in in Somalia, Afghanistan, makes efforts to negotiate with the various tain impression from the U.S. govern- torture and heartache heard today by the Haiti, Iraq and in the former Yugoslavia, factions of the rebel forces who attacked ment, including President Bush, that he current victims of U.S. imperialism in Iraq, Washington used its dominance over the them. was entitled to much more. Haiti, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yugoslavia, United Nations to help justify the forced This is made clear in an eyewitness Because Wahid did not sign, other SLM Congo, Palestine, Lebanon and so many entry of troops across Sudan’s borders, account of one of these negotiations by commanders also refused and instead other countries. n Nigerian unions beat back gov’t attack By G. Dunkel The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who may have suffered “momentary loss The unions involved called the agree- and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had of income,” but added, “We must remain ment with the government a victory for This spring the Nigerian government jointly called the action. strengthened in our conviction that we the workers they represent. announced it would double the value add- Two days into the strike, one of the oil need this kind of collective action and Britain is Nigeria’s former colonial rul- ed tax (VAT), a disguised form of sales tax, workers’ unions, PENGASAN, called its solidarity to end bad governance.” er and still has major economic stakes in and sharply increase the prices of kerosene workers off their jobs at the oil-export ter- According to the daily newspaper, This the country, raking off a goodly part of its and diesel. Nigeria’s workers responded minal. A strike there would have greatly Day, the unions noted that good gover- oil revenue. British imperialism played a with a four-day general strike that grew cut the main source of government rev- nance cannot evolve if the citizens do major role in creating the economic and stronger and stronger until the govern- enue. Workers at the Kainji and Shiroro not impose control over leaders through political structures of Nigeria, which still ment finally backed down on June 24. The dams decided to join the strike, which strikes and protests. operate to London’s benefit and the ben- VAT will stay at its current level and the meant that Nigeria would have quickly The union coalitions also hailed efit of other imperialists who control parts price hike for fuel will be cut in half. lost most of its hydroelectric power. Also, Nigerians from all backgrounds for their of Nigeria’s economy. The Nigerian federal government also picket lines kept fuel from reaching diesel support and participation and the sacri- Conducting a successful, widespread gave its employees a 15-percent pay raise, generators. fice and understanding they showed over general strike is a major step forward for retroactive to Jan. 1. The NLC and TUC apologized to those the four days of the strike. the Nigerian working class. n ¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los países, uníos! Resistencia nacional se enfrenta al imperialismo en Gaza Por Joyce Chediac bate, puede que militantes genuinamente tra de muchos colaboradores que traba- miembros dentro de Fatah apoyan las Junio 20—Los recientes eventos en antiimperialista, y anti Israel en el lado de jaron para Israel y cometieron muchos acciones de Hamas. El ex miembro de alto Gaza no han sido “una lucha por el poder Fatah fueran absorbidos erróneamente en crímenes—como asesinatos contra pales- rango de Fatah, Khaled Abu Helah dijo entre dos facciones rivales,” o “una guerra la lucha. Sin embargo esto no cambia el tinos sólo porque tenían barbas, además por la estación de televisión de Hamas civil de cinco días.” Estas descripciones carácter clasista de la lucha. bombardeaban supermercados y casas que el “acogió positivamente la limpieza que da la prensa capitalista son intentos que eran de Fatah.” por parte de Hamas de los traidores y de esconder la verdad de los eventos. Hamas y Gaza necesitan Continuando con su intervención des- colaboradores en Fatah”. Además, “algu- La lucha en Gaza era una lucha entre del apoyo mundial carada, “Estados Unidos había discreta- nos oficiales en la guardia presidencial dos fuerzas irreconciliables de clase. Por Estados Unidos, Israel, la Liga Árabe y mente alentado al Sr. Abbas para que dis- habían enviado sus tropas a casa cuando un lado estaban las fuerzas de la resist- la Unión Europea se han puesto en contra olviera el gobierno palestino y destituyera comenzó el combate”. encia nacional representadas por Hamas. de Hamas rápidamente, lanzando ame- al Primer Ministro Ismail Haniya”, (New Un residente de Gaza agregó, “Los com- Por el otro lado estaban las fuerzas del nazas adicionales a ese grupo y a los 1,4 York Times, del 15 de junio) Esto es pre- batientes de Hamas no recibían salarios. imperialismo esclavista representadas millones de personas que viven en Gaza. cisamente lo que hizo Abbas, ignorando Ellos creían en lo que estaban haciendo. por una pequeña facción de Fatah bajo Hamas y la lucha palestina necesitan el las ofertas de Hamas para restablecer el Algunos combatieron por cuatro días sin el presidente palestino Mahmoud Abbas apoyo de progresistas en el mundo entero gobierno de unidad. ir a sus casas. y Mohammad Dahlan, su consejero de en este momento tan crucial. En violación a la Constitución palestina, “Las fuerzas de seguridad de Fatah seguridad. Este grupo concientemente se L@s palestin@s, quienes necesitan y con regocijo de Washington, él ha despe- pelearon por sus mil siclos o por un prestó a los planes de Washington y Tel desesperadamente un movimiento fuerte dido a Hamas y a todo el gobierno electo y paquete de cigarrillos. Dahlan había usa- Aviv de expulsar a Hamas del poder y y unido, han reaccionado a los eventos ha nombrado un gobierno de emergencia do la pobreza para reclutar. La mayoría revocar los resultados de las elecciones del en Gaza y la consecuente división con y un primer ministro ex oficial del Banco ni siquiera se presentó para defender sus 2006 que dieron a Hamas una mayoría en mucho dolor. Por los constantes ataques Mundial que es el escogido de los imperi- estaciones. Muchos se quedaron en casa. el Parlamento Palestino. de Israel, la situación en los territorios alistas occidentales. Este nuevo gobierno, La mayoría no se puso los uniformes. “Nuestra lucha no es contra Fatah, ocupados es desesperada. Pero sería peor en el cual fue elegido sólo Abbas, aduce Decenas llamaron al Qassam y dijeron, que tiene una larga historia de lucha, si Hamas hubiera sido derrotado en Gaza que representa la población de la Franja ‘Queremos irnos, dénos seguridad y pasa- sino en contra de este grupo de agen- por el grupo Fatah. Este grupo se opuso Occidental, y en verdad rige bajo el puño je seguro’. La mayoría de la gente decente tes de Fatah que sigue la agenda de los a todos los intentos de Hamas de lograr de hierro de la ocupación israelí, donde de la seguridad no quiere luchar para Sionistas,” explicó Abu Obviada, vocero la unidad en contra de los israelitas y no todas las fuerzas de lucha tienen que man- Dahlan, o Israel o América. No se sienten de las Brigadas Qassam de Hamas. Hamas hizo nada cuando Israel arrestó a 40 leg- tenerse en la clandestinidad. que deben morir por la agenda americana reconoce la presidencia de Mahmoud isladores de Hamas. El grupo insistió en Ahora Bush se refiere a Abbas como [EEUU] o israelí”. Abbas y le ha pedido que se les una en un la provocación hasta el punto de tratar “presidente de todos los palestinos”, y el En el pasado hubo un tiempo cuando nuevo gobierno de unidad. de asesinar al primer ministro de Hamas, primer ministro de Israel, Ehud Olmert, las fuerzas de Fatah sentían que tenían Hamas se vio forzado a defenderse Ismael Haniyeh está llamando a Abbas un “amigo”. Sin algo por qué luchar. Uno de sus momentos destruyendo las fuerzas armadas de las Unas citas de las calles de Gaza revelan embargo, ni Washington ni Tel Aviv más excelentes ocurrió durante el asedio garras del imperialismo antes de que lo que esta cooperación Abbas-Dalanh con tienen la intención de otorgar la verdad- estadounidense-israelí de Beirut en 1982. estas garras destruyeran a Hamas. Es los Estados Unidos y la desestabilización era soberanía al pueblo palestino, por el Por siete semanas Israel atacó Beirut por por eso que Hamas dio el primer paso israelita trajo al pueblo. Harem Shurrab temor de su potencial revolucionario. tierra, mar y aire, cortando los suminis- en contra de las fuerzas de seguridad de de 22 años de edad, trabajador en Gaza, tros de alimento y agua y desconectando ‘No lucharán por una agenda Fatah, especialmente contra las fuerzas dijo en una entrevista por el noticiero la electricidad durante una intensa ola de estadounidense’ de la Seguridad Preventiva y la Guardia aljazeera.net el 15 de junio que “Yo me calor. Pero el pueblo armado y los guer- Presidencial, las cuales obedecen a sentí muy triste por lo que pasó...[pero] EEUU e Israel fueron cogidos despre- reros heroicos, quienes mayormente se Mohammad Dahlan. En la furia del com- algo bueno es que Hamas apuntó en con- venidos, y les fue entregada una derrota identificaban con Fatah, se mantuvieron contundente con el colapso de las fuerzas fuertes bajo condiciones insoportables, de seguridad de Fatah. Hasta el New York defendiendo el campo y los suburbios Times, en un editorial del 15 de junio, y rehusaron rendirse. Su persistencia Hamas: ‘Nos describe lo ocurrido en Gaza como “una forzó un trato negociado e inspiró a l@s derrota para Israel y la política ameri- trabajador@s y a los pueblos oprimidos cana”. EEUU, que considera a las perso- alrededor del mundo. forzaron a hacerlo’ nas como una mercancía que se compra Estos luchadores de Fatah mostraron y se vende, quedó verdaderamente asus- al mundo que sólo la lucha gana conc- El establecimiento imperialista mun- la crisis hacia la explosión.” tado con la rapidez con que colapsaron las esiones, especialmente en una lucha de dial y su prensa le echan la culpa a Hamas “Abbas tiene la legitimidad,” dijo fuerzas mejor armadas y más numerosas liberación nacional tan acosada como la por dar un golpe contra el gobierno pal- Meshaal. “No hay nadie que cuestionara de Fatah ante el asalto de Hamas. lucha Palestina. Hoy es Hamas la que está estino de unidad, un gobierno disuelto y o dudara que él es un presidente electo, y Pero el pueblo tiene corazón y mente. atacada por emprender esta lucha. Esa remplazado por Fatah. Para dar a nuest@s vamos a cooperar con él en beneficio del Aunque la pobreza pudo haberles forzado organización, y tod@s l@s que luchan por lector@s una visión más precisa, publi- interés nacional.” Meshaal pidió que los a inscribirse en las fuerzas de seguridad, Palestina, necesitan urgentemente del camos la siguiente declaración de Hamas, ministros del extranjero de la Liga Árabe muchos soldados de Fatah no tuvieron el apoyo activo de tod@s quienes valoren la obtenida del www.Manartv.com.lb (16 de reuniéndose en Cairo ayuden a mediar alma para hacer cumplir una agenda pro justicia y la libertad. n junio). negociaciones entre Hamas y Abbas, para sionista y pro imperialista contra su pro- “Hamas no desea tomar el poder,” actuar “como un paraguas para establecer pio pueblo. dijo el jefe del politburó del grupo, el diálogo nacional palestino para lograr El Observer del 17 de junio reporta que Khaled Mershaal. “Somos fieles al pueblo un acuerdo palestino.” palestino.” Meshaal dijo que un gobierno de uni- Mershaal añadió: “Lo que ha pasado en dad nacional es la única solución, y que Gaza es una medida de emergencia para la disolución por Abbas del gobierno de tratar con un estado que quería impon- unidad “no va a remediar la situación ... erse sobre todos ... estuvimos forzados y no va a resolver el problema. No habrá a tomar esta medida de emergencia. No dos gobiernos y no habrá división de la queríamos hacerlo pero estuvimos forza- patria.” dos a tomarla... Queremos fraternidad con Mientras tanto, un oficial de Hamas, los hijos del movimiento de Fatah. Éste no Sami Abu Zuhri, dijo, “El nombramiento fue un enfrentamiento con Fatah. Nuestra de Salam Fayyad como líder del gobi- crisis no es con Fatah. erno de emergencia es un golpe contra “El pueblo [de Gaza] estaba sufriendo la legitimidad [de Hamas]... Pedimos al por el caos y la falta de seguridad y este Presidente Abbas que retracte la decisión tratamiento era necesario,” continuó para así preservar la integridad de nuestro Meshaal. “La falta de seguridad condujo pueblo.” n