OCTOBER 15, 1976 25 CENTS VOLUME 40/NUMBER 39

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY/PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE

MilE ER 'S -RKERS UNION DEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK AT CINCINNATI 1ST RULERS CONVENTION. PAGE 14. Butz slur, death penalty A&AIIST ruling reveal true face VIOLE ICE PROTEST BEATING OF SWP LEADERS BY CRUSADE FOR of capitalist government JUSTICE MEMBERS. PAGE 9. LEBAIOI CIVIL WAR AT TURNING POINT. PAGE 5. &' WHERE DESEGREGATION FIGHT STANDS. PAGE 16. SWEDE I BEHIND DEFEAT OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. PAGE 22.

EARL BUTZ: Official bigotry ELECTRIC CHAIR: Legalized murder PETER CAMEJO II. lEW MEXICO [The following statement was tions in this country since 1967 may RAZA UNIDA SPONSORS TOUR issued October 6 by Peter Camejo occur before Thanksgiving. FOR SOCIALIST. PAGE 6. and Willie Mae Reid, Socialist Because of the racism built into Workers party candidates for every aspect of capitalist "justice," the president and vice-president.] majority of the more than 600 prison­ ers on death row today are Black. Two events occurring within a few Rarely has the government's bigotry WHORUIS days of each other been expressed more have vividly high­ · openly than by Earl CARTER? lighted the racist , Butz. Most of THE REAL POLICY-MAKERS character of the Uni­ the capitalist-owned DON'T COME FROM THE ted States govern­ news media have PEANUT FARM. PAGE 25. ment. declined to print First, the exposure what this high Wash­ of the outrageous ington official really

Peter Camejo anti-Black slurs of said. Claiming "good Willie Mae Reid Cabinet member Earl taste," they cloak WOMEI Butz. Butz's remarks in eu- Second, the Supreme Court go-ahead phemisms. '76 to legalized murder. We believe that the American people WILLIE MAE REID SPEAKS On October 4 the court reaffirmed its have a right to know the despicable OUT ON ELECTION-YEAR July decision upholding the death prejudices of the politicians running ISSUES. PAGE 29. penalty. As a result, the first execu- Continued on page 10 THIS In Brief Hospital and Health Care Employees, who· will discuss fight-back strategies. For more information contact the WEEK'S alliance at: CF 347, Queens College, Flushing, New York MILITANT 11367, or call (212) 691-8938. CORNELL STUDENTS HIT U.S.-APARTHEID TIES: 4 Boston racists undermine Two hundred students at Cornell University in upstate New parents' group York rallied against apartheid September 29. The protest 7 A talk with was organized by the Coalition Against Apartheid and Juan Jose Peiia cosponsored by the Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations and the Young Socialist Alliance. 8 Reid speaks out for framed-up prisoners DEMAND FREEDOM FOR VLADIMIR BUKOVSKY: 9 Crusade members Forty recent emigrants from the USSR. demonstrated outside the Soviet Mission to the United Nations October 1. assault socialists Tallahassee protest against death penalty The protest, called by the Committee to Help People in the 13 Sadlowski campaigns Soviet Union, demanded freedom for Vladimir Bukovsky. in steel centers The Stalinist regime sentenced Bukovsky to seven years PROTEST DEATH PENALTY IN FLORIDA: On in prison and five years of internal exile in January 1972. 14 Miners' convention: union October 2, 125 people rallied on the steps of the Florida He was convicted because he had made facts available to democracy under attack Supreme Court Building to call for the abolition of the death foreign psychiatrists on the Kremlin's abuse of psychiatric 15 A socialist view penalty. The rally was organized by the Tallahassee treatment to persecute dissenters. He has been repeatedly of prisons Citizens Against the Death Penalty. Similar rallies were brutalized by authorities since. held that day in Tampa and Jacksonville. 16 The struggle for school Speakers at the rally included the Rev. C.K. Steel, a RALLY IN DEFENSE OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: a desegregation today former vice-president of the Southern Christian Leadership meeting of 125 people called by Women Employed, a Conference; and Judy Dougherty, a lawyer from the Public Chicago organization, has set plans to protest proposed 23 Who's behind McDonald Defender's Office, representing one of the eighty-one people Labor Department restrictions on already ineffective and his spies? on Florida's death row. government guidelines on affirmative action. 25 The ruling class & Women Employed plans a noon rally at the Department Carter's campaign NAACP WINS DELAY ON $1.6 MILLION: Enforce­ of Labor on October 13. That day, it expects women's and ment of a court order that NAACP officials said threatened civil rights organizations to be organizing similar protests 27 Socialists discuss ERA, the nation's oldest civil rights organization with bankrupt­ in Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, abortion, child care cy was delayed October 1. The order would have required Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Detroit, New 29 Women- and the NAACP to pay $1.2 million in damages for its role in York, and San Francisco. the elections organizing a boycott of racist white Port Gibson, Mississip­ pi, merchants in 1966-67. SWP FORUM ON MAOISM: Two hundred fifty people 2 In Brief Mississippi law required the NAACP to post a $1.6 million came to hear Les Evans, a member of the Socialist Workers bond by October 1 in order to appeal this penalty imposed party National Committee, present a forum in New York 5 As I See It August 9 by a state court. A major fund-raising drive to City September 30 on "The Politics of Mao Tsetung . . A raise this appeal bond had left the NAACP a little under the Marxist View." 10 In Our Opinion halfway mark by the deadline. Letters The last-minute delay was granted by Federal District TAX REFORM, ANYONE?: Eleven major corporations. 11 National Picket Line Judge Orma Smith. Smith ordered a hearing in the case for whose combined 1975 earnings topped $1 billion paid no CapitaHsm in Crisis October 7 and set back the October 1 deadline by one week. federal income taxes that year. So says U.S. Rep. Charles : Also on October 1, the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Yanik (D-Ohio), a member of the House Ways and Means 12 The Great Society Workers union agreed to lend the NAACP more than Committee. V anik based his claims on public Securities and La Lucha Puertorriquefla $800,000 had a delay not been won. "We do not abandon our Exchange Commission records. Women· in Revolt friends in the midst of battle," promised the unions. Other The eleven freeloaders are: Ford Motor Co., Delta Air labor support came from the National Education. Associa­ Lines, Northwest Airlines, Chemical New York Bank, 28 In Review tion, which set up a $50,000 seed fund and urged its Manufacturer's Hanover, Western Electric, Bethlehem Steel, affiliates to contribute. Lockheed Aircraft, National Steel, Phelps-Dodge, and WORLD OUTLOOK Freeport Minerals. -Peter Seidman 19 British Seamen's union PHILA. NOW BACKS SWP CONGRESSIONAL calls off strike SLATE: An October 5 meeting of the board of the 20 Demand Mao's heirs Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for free Trotskyists Women passed a resolution endorsing the campaigns of SWP congressional candidates in Pennsylvania's First and 21 World News Notes Second congressional districts. The resolution said: "While 22 Social Democrats lose Philadelphia NOW does not endorse the entire platform of at polls in Sweden the Socialist Workers party, NOW endorses the candidacies of Clare Fraenzl · and Tony Austin qn the basis of their positions on women's issues."

THE MILITANT PEACE MARCHERS TO REACH WASHINGTON: The Continental Walk for Disarmament and Social Justice­ VOLUME 40/NUMBER 39 three cross-country feeder marches from California, New OCTOBER 15, 1976 Orleans, and Boston-will reach Washington October 16. CLOSING NEWS DATE-OCT. 6 The marchers have passed through thirty-four states over Editor: MARY-ALICE WATERS the past nine months. They are calling for a halt to nuclear Managing Editor: NELSON BLACKSTOCK bomb production, passage of the Humphrey-Hawkins "full Business Manager: HARVEY McARTHUR employment" and Kennedy health bills by Congress, cuts in Southwest Bureau: HARRY RING Washington Bureau: NANCY COLE the military budget, and abolition of the CIA and FBI. A 2:00 p.m. rally at the Sylvan Theater behind the George Published weekly by The Militant Publishing Ass'n., Washington Monument will mark their arrival. Speakers 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Office (212) 243-6392: Business Office include Rev. Ralph Abernathy, president, Southern Chris­ (212) 929-3486. Southwest Bureau: 1237 S. Atlantic tian Leadership Conference; Anne Braden, cochairperson of SUBSCRIBE TODAY Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90022. Telephone: (213) the Southern Organizing Committee; Daniel Ellsberg; Dave 269-1456. Washington Bureau: 2416 18th St NW, Dellinger; and David McReynolds, War Resisters League. 5,767 Washington, D.C. 20009. Telephone: (202) 265- 10 weeks lor 81 6865. Continental Walk activities will continue through the Correspondence concerning subscriptions or weekend. changes of address should be addressed to The For more information contact the Continental Walk at: Militant Business Office, 14 Charles Lane, New New Bethel Baptist Church, 1739 Ninth Street NW, Wash­ York, N.Y, 10014. ington, D.C. 20001. Telephone: (202) 332-8252. Second-class postage paid at New York. N.Y. 0 $1 for ten weeks Subscriptions: U.S., $7.50 a year: outside U.S., 0 $7.50 for one year $13.00. By first-class mail: U.S., Canada, and Mexico. SPEAK OUT AGAINST NEW YORK BUDGET CUTS: Name ______$35.00. Write for surface and airmail rates to all other That's what you can do at a meeting scheduled for countries. Saturday, October 16, at Public School 41, Sixth Avenue Address ______For subscriptions airmailed from New York and City ______then posted from London directly to Britain, and Eleventh Street in New York, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Ireland, and Continental Europe: £1.50 for eight The event is sponsored by the newlv formed Community/ issues, £3.50 for six months, £6.50 for one year. Labor Alliance Against the Cuts. State ______....LiP·------Send banker's draft or international postal order Make checks payable to 'The Militant,' 14 Where (payable to Pathfinder Press) to Pathfinder Press, Speakers will include: Queens College economics professor 47 The Cut, London, SE1 8LL, England. Inquire for Bill Tabb, who will speak on the causes of the crisis; and Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014 weare air rates from London at the same address. Caryl Towner, activist in District 1199, National Union of Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent the Militant's views. These are expressed . in editorials.

2 SubscriP-tion drive in third week Bored by the debates? Read the 'Militant' By Harvey McArthur "Then one sister turned to me and elections. needed to meet new subscribers. New Well, the "Great Debates" between asked: 'How come you are so optimis­ After the third week of the drive we Orleans and San Francisco both made Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford have tic?' have received 5, 767 subscriptions. To big steps forward this week, and begun. They are proving just how little "So I shared my political perspective be on schedule 6,000 should have been Chicago jumped to 169 subscriptions the Democrats and Republicans have for half an hour. Every single woman sent in by now. This means that from 33 last week. to offer working people. there bought a subscription, and they currently the drive is 1.2 percent be­ Eight of the ten socialist campaign Some people this fall are working are making plans to hear Peter Camejo hind. teams visiting campuses across the hard to spread the word about an in Minneapolis in October." Several large cities got off to a late country are now on the road. Their alternative to Ford and Carter. They Young Socialist Alliance chapters at start. But they are now planning the subscriptions will also appear regular­ are selling subscriptions to the Mili­ the University of Pennsylvania and door-to-door and street canvassing ly on the scoreboard. tant and campaigning for Peter Came­ Temple University organized rallies jo and Willie Mae Reid, the Socialist for Camejo when he was in Philadel­ Workers party presidential candidates. phia for the first "Great Debate." More Susan V ass from Rockville, Minne­ than 400 students attended, and sota, meets regularly with a group of twenty-six bought Militant subscrip­ feminists. V ass says, "There was a tions. Subscription scoreboard real undercurrent of despair as these Camejo's appearances gave such a Sent women discussed the elections at one boost to the Temple and Penn YSA Washington, D.C., Area 700 178 25.4 that they decided to raise their joint Goal in % Indianapolis 100 25 25.0 of our meetings. Louisville 150 88 58.7 Boulder, Colo. 20 5 25.0 50 subscription goal from to 100. Buffalo, N.Y. 25 14 56.0 Los Angeles 1000 248 24.8 Texan Becky Ellis reports an inter­ Portland, Ore. 350 194 55.4 Atlanta 600 147 24.5 esting experience while selling sub­ Allentown, Pa. 20 10 50.0 San Jose 350 84 24.0 scriptions in Dallas. Dallas 150 68 45.3 Detroit 800 178 22.3 "We met one young woman on Baltimore 300 132 44.0 Salt Lake City 50 11 22.0 welfare who is threatened by govern­ Richmond, Va. 100 44 44.0 San Diego 400 84 21.0 ment cutbacks. She realized that the Newark 400 172 43.0 Miami 50 10 20.0 Democrats and Republicans are re­ Cincinnati 150 64 42.7 Champaign, Ill. 25 5 20.0 sponsible for the cuts and already Oakland, Calif. 350 149 42.6 Cleveland 450 86 19.1 looked to the SWP campaign as an Tacoma, Wash. 100 41 41.0 Chicago 900 169 18.8 Kansas City 125 50 40.0 answer. She can't wait to come meet State College, Pa. 30 5 16.7 Bloomington, Ind. 50 19 38.0 San Francisco 800 122 15.3 Willie Mae Reid next week." Madison, Wis. 100 37 37.0 Edinboro, Pa. 30 2 6.7 The Militant also gets a good re­ Kent, Ohio 30 11 36.7 Phoenix 50 3 6.0 sponse at political meetings. Twenty­ Houston 900 326 36.2 Albany, N.Y. 40 1 2.5 five subscriptions were sold at a recent New Orleans 225 80 35.6 Ann Arbor, Mich. 50 0 0.0 conference of Arab American Universi­ Pittsburgh 450 160 35.6 Arlington, Tex. 30 0 0.0 ty Graduates-twelve of them by a St. Paul 175 61 34.9 Columbus, Ohio 25 0 0.0 Palestinian professor attending the Lexington, Ky. 50 17 34.0 Sarasota, Fla. 25 0 0.0 meeting. San Antonio 175 57 32.6 Knoxville, Tenn. 10 0 0.0 Twenty-six subscriptions were sold Philadelphia 650 207 31.8 Denver 600 185 30.8 at the Texas Raza Unida convention Boston 800 241 30.1 Campaign teams: last month. The convention voted to St. Louis 425 126 29.6 New Mexico 85 82 96.5 launch a suit against government Ithaca, N.Y. 100 28 28.0 Ohio 400 77 19.3 harassment, and participants were New York 2000 555 27.8 Michigan-Indiana 400 51 12.8 especially interested in the Militant's Seattle 475 - 132 27.8 Rocky Mountain 215 15 7.0 MilitanVJoanne Murphy coverage of the SWP suit against the Toledo 150 41 27.3 Northeast 400 21 5.3 Socialists selling subscriptions outside FBI. Milwaukee 650 177 27.2 General 388 headquarters of new Broadway branch Responses like these promise impor­ Minneapolis 700 182 26.0 Total 20,000 5,767 28.8 of Socialist Workers party in Newark's tant results for the subscription drive Berkeley 400 102 25.5 Should be 6,000 30.0 Puerto Rican community. in the weeks remaining before the

Challenge to 'Great Debates' Socialist equal-time suit goes to Supreme Court By Dick Roberts whenever they want." parties' strategy to enforce an electoral This debate will take place in the The Socialist Workers party chal­ The debate between the Democratic monopoly through undemocratic ballot Broadway Presbyterian Church at lenge to the "Great Debates" went and Republican vice-presidential can­ laws, attempted reversal. of equal-time 114th Street and Broadway. before the U.S. Supreme Court October didates will take place in Houston legislation, and discriminatory public Side by side with the SWP suit in the 4. The suit demands equal time with October 15. Willie Mae Reid will be in financing schemes." Supreme Court is a second important the Democratic and Republican candi­ Houston that evening to take part in equal-time suit filed earlier in the year dates for SWP candidates Peter Came­ the protest that is being planned. While the ruling capitalist parties by Shirley Chisholm, the Black New jo and Willie Mae Reid. have so far succeeded in freezing out York Democratic congresswoman. The At issue is the government stripping On October 5 the Supreme Court discussion of their politics on the difference between the two suits is that away of equal-time protection for overruled an attempt by Eugene presidential and vice-presidential level, the SWP's specifically focuses on the independent parties and candidates. McCarthy to obtain equal time in the several other important debates have "Great Debates" that were scheduled "An unfavorable ruling," said Eric debates. The difference between been set around the country. after the Chisholm suit went to court. Lieberman, attorney for Camejo and McCarthy's suit and the one filed by In Boston, Sen. Edward Kennedy Reid, "would be a significant step the SWP is that the SWP suit was has agreed to a panel debate between Since last week's Militant, the SWP toward instituting the Democratic and previously taken to a U.S. court of candidates for U.S. Senate from Mas­ suit has been transferred from the U.S. Republican monopoly on air time." appeals, a step McCarthy omitted. On sachusetts that would include Carol Court of Appeals in New York to The Ford-Carter debates were made this technicality the high court refused Henderson Evans, the Socialist Work­ Washington. This unusual maneuver possible by a 1975 interpretation of the to accept McCarthy's suit. ers candidate. was carried out under pressure from equal-time laws that converts staged Air time.for this debate was offered the Federal Communications Commis­ debates into "bona fide news events." Meanwhile, the Carter forces in New by WTEV-TV of New Bedford. It would sion because ·it was the Washington "What we show in our suit," Lieber­ York are trying to drive McCarthy off be shown in New Bedford, Boston, and court that had ruled against Chis­ man explained, "is that Congress the state ballot. Seizing on the techni­ Springfield, Massachusetts. holm's suit earlier this year. intended the exemptions from equal­ calities of the undemocratic election At North Carolina State University True to form, the court of appeals in time protection to be very narrow and laws, the New York Democratic party in Raleigh, a panel discussion has Washington did reject the SWP's suit. limited. To be a 'bona fide news event,' is going over McCarthy's petitions been set that includes: Toba Singer, In a one-sentence declaration it stated an event would have to be one that signature by signature in an attempt SWP Virginia state coordinator; Joel that the decision it made on the would occur without the appearance of to disqualify enough of them to have McClearie, North Carolina state coor­ Chisholm suit still applied. any specific candidate and which McCarthy ruled off. dinator for Carter; Ron Davis, regional This brought the two important suits would happen whether or not there In a telegram to Jimmy Carter, coordinator of the Youth for Ford; before the Supreme Court. The court was TV coverage." Camejo and Reid demanded that this Arlan Andrews, the Libertarian party· has said that it will rule on the But in the Ford-Carter debates, "the challenge be dropped. They stated, gubernatorial candidate; and a repre­ Chisholm suit by October 11. event is staged for the explicit purpose "Today there are more people register­ sentative of the McCarthy campaign. "We have asked for expedited treat­ of furthering the candidates, and it ing as independents, or simply not ment, and they may rule on both suits absolutely requires TV coverage. That voting, than the combined total of And in New York, a debate is together," Eric Lieberman said. The should be subject to equal-time protec­ those registering as Democrats and scheduled October 19 between Ruth­ SWP's suit is sponsored by the Nation­ tion. If it isn't, the doors are opened for Republicans. ann Miller, the SWP candidate for al Emergency Civil Liberties Commit­ complete control of the air by the "The challenge to McCarthy's nomi­ state representative from New York's tee. The noted constitutional lawyer Democrats and Republicans because nating petitions is another component Seventieth Assembly District, and Ed Leonard Boudin is also an attorney for they can obviously stage 'debates' of the Democratic and Republican Sullivan, the Democratic candidate. Camejo and Reid.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 3 School 'turmoil' continues Boston racists undermine parents' group By Jon Hillson try to take over the parent councils and building, coupled with the ROAR is a war zone for Black students. BOSTON-South Boston ROAR acti­ destroy them from within." triumph in the parents council, means And the war on their rights is far vists have launched a bold, and An ominous side of the racists' one thing: South Boston High School from over. apparently successful, "legal" attempt election is their potential abjlity to to sabotage Black rights in "Southie gain access to the tense high school. High," a central target of unrelenting In other neighborhoods where white racist defiance of desegregation. resistance to desegregation is high, the Antibusing bigots captured all five splintered ROAR organizations appear NSCAR meeting seats reserved for white parents on the to have boycotted or picketed similar BOSTON-An important national arising daily out of the government's South Boston High School Racial elections. steering committee meetfng of the racist offensive," said Hattie McCut­ Ethnic Parents Council. The councils Kelly's warning is an open and National Student Coalition Against cheon, an NSCAR spokesperson. were mandated in the school desegre­ illegal threat of intimidation of Black Racism will take place at Boston "Among them is the reenactment of gation order to infuse parent participa­ parents, a loud boast of direct chal­ University on October 23. the death penalty. tion in the busing program. lenge to the federal court's authority. The gathering will open a discus­ "We want to rally opposition to the The full complement of Black par­ Federal District Court Judge W. Arthur sion among antiracist activists on death penalty," McCutcheon said. ents has yet to be elected. Garrity has yet to make any comment. school desegregation in Boston and "We want to marshal our member­ In the past ROAR has organized a School Supt. Marion Fahey wel­ elsewhere. ship to build public campaigns to boycott of participation in such groups, comed the ROAR election victory, The meeting will also map plans free victims of racist injustice such combined with violent disruptions of terming it the start of "talking" with for the third National Student Con­ as Gary Tyler and Ben Chavis and meetings and elections and physical Black parents. ference Against Racism, set for the Wilmington Ten." harassment of white parents who are Boston University, November 19-21. involved with them. The high school itself was the scene The steering committee will dis­ The steering committee meeting For the first year of its existence, the of ongoing fights between Black and cuss a national campaign that begins at noon on October 23 in the South Boston Parents Council met white students and numerous suspen­ NSCAR is launching in solidarity Memorial Auditorium of the George secretly. sions throughout the week. with the struggles in southern Africa Sherman Union at Boston Universi­ On September 27 anonymous leaflets for Black majority rule. ty, 775 Commonwealth Avenue. ROAR's reason for moving in on the were found near the school grounds The meeting is open to everyone For further information contact: body was made clear by racist leader urging white students to fight with interested in acting against racial NSCAR, 612 Blue Hill Avenue, James Kelly. "Our action should not be Blacks, calling for "turmoil" in the oppression. Dorchester, Massachusetts 02121. construed with compliance with the schools. "New attacks on Black rights are Telephone: (617) 288-6200. court order," he said. "We decided to This racist call to arms inside the Ky. board moves to shut desegregated school By Debby Tarnopol at their own speed. Washington said the county board LOUISVILLE-Roosevelt Elemen­ It is because Roosevelt is a desegre­ was using the fire violations allegation tary School is fighting for its life. gated school with a popularly support­ as a political football. The main When the Louisville school system ed community school board and an violation, she said, was open stairwells went bankrupt two years ago, it open educational system that the at the school. At least forty other merged with the Jefferson County conservative and racist county board schools in the system have open school system. That was the beginning is pressing to close it. stairwells, but there has been no move of big problems for inner-city schools Some 250 parents filled a board to close them. such as Roosevelt. hearing September 21 to defend Roose­ Washington also explained that the The county school board has already velt's educational programs and make Roosevelt school board, the principal, closed several inner-city schools and clear their determination to keep the and teachers had worked to improve has been trying to close Roosevelt school open. They protested harass­ race relations at the school. She felt since last spring. The board says the ment of the school by the county this effort had virtually ended the schools are too old. But in the case of board. racial tensions that existed in 1972 Roosevelt there is a great deal more The plant operator for the school, the when the community board was elect­ behind the board's actions. parents explained, has been changed ed. Roosevelt is located in a racially by the board thirty times in the last "They're really opposed to having mixed area in northwest Louisville year. Recently, the state fire marshal parents in the school," Washington that was exempted from the 1975 was sent by the board to visit Roose­ said of the county board. "They don't cross-county desegregation plan. Since velt, and he issued a report that like the parent support and parent 1972 Roosevelt has been governed by a suggested the school be closed because involvement that we've got here." community-elected school board. of fire violations. Parents won a round on September Roosevelt's experiment with the Angered parents demanded that the 27 when U.S. District Judge James community school board seemed to board remedy the violations to keep Gordon, who issued the Louisville work well. Each year more parents the school open. busing order, overruled the county turned out for the elections. Many got In a recent interview Emma Wash­ board and ordered Roosevelt kept open involved in adult education and help­ ington, the Black head of the Roosevelt pending repairs. However, no funds for ing out in the classrooms. Community School Board, explained this were immediately available. Until The school also has an open class­ some of the problems the school has money is found, the school remains in Students at Roosevelt Elementary room setting in which students learn encountered. danger. School.

By Chris Brandlon Black, Chicano, and Asian students, classes are packed beyond capacity. SAN FRANCISCO-More than who comprise more than 75 percent of Hundreds of students, many of S.F. high 1,000 students walked out ofWashing­ the district's students, are hit the whom had taken part in the walkout ton High School September 21 to hardest by these cutbacks. earlier in the day, turned out at the protest a rash of education cutbacks. At Baiboa High, the "English as a September 21 board of education meet­ school "What we need is more demonstra­ Second Language" program has been ing. After picketing outside, dozens of tions, demonstrations that are city­ cut in half. Twenty percent of Balboa students spoke to the meeting to wide, that unite students and teachers students have little or no background demand that all teachers be reinstated. against these cutbacks," said Roy in English. The board, however, was unmoved. students Womack, a leader of the protest. At Galileo High, where there is a The demonstration protested Supt. sizable number of Chinese students, In response, the students have called Robert Alioto's new "consolidation instruction in Cantonese has been for city-wide planning meetings to protest plan." Under the plan 250 teachers eliminated. discuss a plan of action and protests have been removed from classroom Reading programs have been against the cutbacks. as&ignments. One hundred of them slashed throughout the district, while "These cutbacks are totally unneces­ have been assigned to district child­ the district's reading scores are among sary," said Socialist Workers party cuts care centers. The others have been the lowest in the state. board of education candidate Sylvia reduced to substitute status. The effect of the cutbacks on Weinstein. "These programs, and oth­ The new plan follows a five-year teachers and classes has been chaotic. ers that would make quality education hiring freeze that through attrition has Teachers arrived for the start of school in San Francisco a reality, could easily cut the number of teachers in the to find themselves teaching classes be funded by taxing the downtown district. they have never taught before. Other corporations for funds for education."

4 Butz & the rogues' gallery of racist politicians By Steve Clark the speech. Referring to the Senate's only Black Asians crystal clear while he was serving in the Earl Butz has guaranteed himself a spot in the member, Rockefeller said, "Ed Brooke is a one­ House of Representatives in 1948. Speaking in rogues' gallery of racist politicians. man receiving committee." Laughing, Albert support of increased spending on the air force, The big-business-owned press would like us to replied, "Yeah, he'd be a slave if he were over Johnson said, " ... without superior air power believe that Butz's disgusting white-supremacist there [Liberia]. America is a bound and throttled giant; impotent views are a rarity in Washington. "It could only Jimmy Carter's defense of "ethnic purity" last and easy prey to any yellow dwarf with a pocket have been Earl Butz," the Washington Post spring is another well-known example. knife." editorialized. Anti-Semitism also runs deep in Washington. Later, as president, Johnson used the air force The truth is that racism is the stock-in-trade of Transcripts of the Watergate tapes revealed that to pour death and destruction on the Asian the U.S. government and the Democratic and former President Richard Nixon used the term people of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Republican parties. They refuse to enforce equal "Jewboys." Nixon also advised his campaign America's rulers have also tried to whip up educational, job, and housing opportunities for staff to avoid- engagements before groups of anti-Arab sentiment in this country to bolster Black people. They help prop up the apartheid artists because, "The Arts you know-they're their efforts to crush the Palestinian liberation Jews, they're left-wing-in other words, stay struggle. A report on the CIA by the House away." Intelligence Committee this year -documented Gen. George Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint several examples of vile, anti-Arab prejudice. Chiefs of Staff, said openly in 1974 that Ameri­ According to the House report, the CIA's 1971 cans should "get tough-minded" about "Jewish handbook stated that the Arab "lacks the regime in South Africa. They conducted a influence." necessary physical and cultural qualities for genocidal war against the people of Vietnam. "They own, you know, the banks in this performing effective military services." As a result of the Black struggle of the past two country, the newspapers," Brown said. "Just look Another CIA memorandum said that "many decades, most politicians today try to keep up at where the Jewish money is.... " Arabs, as Arabs, simply weren't up to the appearances in public by avoiding overtly racist Despite these comments-reminiscent of Nazi demands of modern warfare and that they lacked remarks. Once in a while, however, something propaganda-President Ford nominated Brown understanding, motivation, and · probably in slips out. for a second term, and the Democratic-controlled some cases courage as well." Just last month, for example, a racist conversa­ Senate Armed Services Committee approved the tion between Republican Vice-president Nelson appointment. Clearly, they see nothing alarming Rockefeller and Democratic Speaker of the House or unusual about such views. * * * Carl Albert was broadcast over a microphone Asians are also targets of racist abuse by Such comments are undoubtedly bandied about they thought was shut off. politicians in both capitalist parties. Nixon's daily in Washington and on Wall Street. Most of The president of the African country of Liberia Vice-president Spiro Agnew called a Japanese them we will never hear. was slated to address Congress, and Rockefeller reporter a "fat J ap." But the racist policies cranked out by Congress and Albert were chatting a few minutes before Lyndon Johnson made his attitude toward and the White House speak loudly enough.

Palestinians on defensive Lebanese civil war reaches turning point By David Frankel character of his intervention in Leban­ "What can we do? Where can we run if The statement was accurate, but From Intercontinental Press on up to now, Assad ordered his troops we don't fight? Out to sea? The Israelis Sadat himself, along with the rest of After a year and a half of fighting, it to halt their offensive after they had will shoot holes in our boats." (New the Arab rulers, has been playing a is clear that the civil war in Lebanon is succeeded in driving the Palestinians York Times, September 30.) cynical game. While giving lip-service nearing a turning point. Helped by out of their key mountain positions. Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat to the Palestinian cause, he has made Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, the When the Christian rightists attemp­ accused Assad September 28 of at­ no real effort to stop Assad. On the Christian rightists are now hoping for ted to carry on the attack by them­ tempting to "liquidate the Palestinian contrary, Sadat pledged his full sup­ a military victory. selves October 1, they were pushed resistance in Lebanon" with his new port to Elias Sarkis, the new president In the north of Lebanon, Palestinian . back with heavy losses. offensive. He said, "The only winner is of Lebanon, who was elected with and Muslim leftist forces are bottled up Assad's tactic of alternating military Israel." Syrian support and who has expressly in a small enclave around the city of pressure with negotiations has led approved the presence of Assad's army Tripoli. In the south, long a Palestini­ some commentators to suggest that he in Lebanon. an stronghold, the right-wing Phalan­ is trying "to cut the Palestinian A similarly hypocritical gesture was gists have begun to raise their heads. movement down to controllable size," made by the Saudi Arabian regime, They have received arms and training as Geoffrey Godsell put it in the Assad moves which has announced the withdrawal from Israel, and Phalangist leaders October 4 Christian Science Monitor. of its troops stationed in the Golan say that they will soon go on the Similarly, New York Times cOrres­ against foes Heights, ostensibly as a protest over offensive in the southern region. pondent Henry Tanner argues that Assad's offensive. But what tipped the scales in the "the Syrians wanted to 'tame' the The Kremlin, which also professes civil war was the rapid victory of [Palestinian] movement, not to liqui­ of S rian role support for the Palestinians, has Syrian and Lebanese rightist forces in date it." limited itself to reproaching Assad in the mountain battle east of Beirut. On It is true that Assad would like the letters and urging him to withdraw September 28, Syrian troops and Leba­ luxury of a housebroken Palestine from Lebanon. The Syrian army is nese rightists, backed by massive Liberation Organization, which he totally dependent on Soviet equipment, artillery barrages and at least ninety could use as a pawn in negotiations but Moscow has made no move to cut Soviet-built tanks, launched an offen· with Israel and in his relations with off supplies. sive against Palestinian positions in other Arab regimes. He has already Meanwhile, both the U.S. State the mountains. called for the replacement of the Department and the Israeli regime are In two days of fighting, Palestinian current PLO leadership. watching events in Lebanon with forces were pushed out of a twelve­ But it is not only the Palestinian undisguised satisfaction. With the mile-long salient, their last important national liberation movement that is Palestinians surrounded on land, position north of the Beirut-to­ threatened by Assad's actions. The blockaded by sea, and seemingly Damascus highway. Syrian troops whole Palestinian community in Le­ without recourse in their last strong­ occupying eastern Lebanon were able banon is in deadly danger. Whatever hold, the imperialists are having Assad's intentions-and there is good to complete their link-up with the Despite major gains by the Syrian visions of finally eliminating the reason to assume the worst-his policy Christian rightists in the west, and the and rightist forces in Lebanon, the biggest stumbling block to an imposed in Lebanon will lead inexorably to a proimperialist forces now threaten the Palestinians have not been defeated Middle East settlement. bloody massacre if it succeeds. last short section of the Beirut-to­ yet. One problem Assad has, should Damascus highway still in the hands The Palestinians have proved to be his Lebanese intervention become But even if the Palestinians are of the Palestinians and Muslim lef­ an ever-present danger as far as too drawn out, is growing opposition militarily defeated in Lebanon, the tists. Assad's rightist allies in Lebanon are to his policies both within the Syrian problem of Palestine will remain to More important, Beirut itself is concerned. Both the Palestinian na­ army and among the Syrian masses. haunt those who would like to see it threatened with encirclement. One tional liberation movement and the Nervousness about his home base buried once and for all. Following the Palestinian was quoted in a September population that is its source are a was reflected in Assad's decislon to 1948-49 Arab-Israeli war, the very 30 United Press International dispatch threat to the Maronite Christian estab­ stage a public hanging September name of Palestine disappeared from as saying, "The loss of Tal Zaatar was lishment that has ruled Lebanon for 27. The victims were three the map. In 1967, the -Israeli regime a prestige blow. But the mountain the last thirty years. Palestinian guerrillas who seized was reinforced by a military victory front is a real strategic loss." (Tel If the Maronite rightists gain the hostages and tried to exchange over its Arab opponents. In 1970, the Zaatar, a Palestinian refugee camp in upper hand in Lebanon, it will only be them for some of the 100 Palestinian liberation movement in a matter of time before they try to Beirut, withstood a fifty-five day siege Palestinians reported to be held in Jordan was defeated and its organiza­ settle accounts. Awareness of this was before falling ,to rightist attackers in Assad's jails for oppositional tions destroyed. But in every case the expressed by one Palestinian youth August.) activities. issue of Palestine has remained in the In keeping with the step-by-step fighting in the mountains, who said, center of Middle Eastern politics.

THE MtUTANT /OCTOBER 15, 1976 s Sgonsored bx Raza Unida Camejo campaigns in New Mexico By Harry Ring $20,000 and Miguel Pendiis ALBUQUERQUE, N. Mex.-Peter Camejo ended a three-day tour of New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, here Camejo September 29. Camejo's tour was sponsored by the New Mexico Raza U nida party. The RUP voted to endorse the &Reid Socialist Workers party campaign last spring. Noting the fact that Camejo is the first Latino ever to run for U.S. campaign president, the RUP's state convention adopted a resolution declaring that Camejo's "ideology is similar to that of the Raza Unida Party of New Mexico." The RUP and other Chicano groups fund pitched in to get media coverage and to bring people to hear the socialist candi­ date. The enthusiastic response for Highlights were two public rallies, Peter Camejo in New Mexico. one at New Mexico Highlands Univer­ The increasing endorsement of sity in Las Vegas, the , other at the the Camejo and Reid University of New Mexico in Albu­ Camejo is interviewed by Eduardo Diaz, public affairs director of Channel 7 campaign-Texas Chicano querque. At the university in Albu­ Albuquerque, New Mexico. querque, 250 people filled the rally hall. leader Mario Compean and Both meetings were chaired by Juan Las Vegas is a small, majority­ "The oppression of women and 'Black Scholar' Editor Robert Jose Pefia, RUP state chairperson, Chicano town. The campus, with about minority nationalities has increased Allen added their names this who is an endorser of the SWP cam­ 1,500 students, is also mainly Chicano. with the economic crisis," Camejo week. The hundreds of paign. La Raza U nida has a strong base and emphasized. "The gaps in wages­ inquiries about the socialist In El Paso, Texas, where there are 125 people turned out for the Camejo between men and women, between program that come after Came­ neither RUP nor SWP campaign rally. After the meeting, thirty people whites and Blacks and Chicanos-are jo and Willie Mae Reid are groups~ a news conference for Camejo came to talk with Camejo at the RUP widening." heard on radio and TV. This is was sponsored by the Committee for headquarters. Noting that capitalist profits are one side of the story. The other Development of Mass Communica­ The response to Camejo was rising, Camejo emphasized that this is side is the massive disinterest tions. Camejo spoke in defense of the summed up by one young Chicano as inextricably linked to the fact that the three Chicano activists who were he was leaving the rally. "A lot of standard of living of working men and in Ford and Carter, especially convicted on frame-up arson charges people's eyes have been opened to­ women is worsening. "Capitalist prof­ when the capitalist candidates in El Paso September 9. night," he commented. its result from keeping our wages refuse to deal with pressing Two of the three, Ram6n Arroyos As the Las Vegas meeting began, the down." issues in the debates. It adds and Alfredo Espinosa, met with Came­ audience was very quiet. You could "And at the same time," he stressed, up to the crucial importance of jo after the news conference. The third, sense that they didn't know quite what "they are cutting away at education, publicizing the SWP's 1976 Ruben Ogaz, remains imprisoned: to expect from a socialist speaker. It they . are firing thousands of city election campaign far and wide unable to raise $50,000 bail. took Camejo perhaps a few minutes workers, they are freezing wages. They in the remaining month before In Las Cruces, Camejo's campus longer than it usually does to establish are waging a campaign of terror elections. To do so we urgently appearance was sponsored by Los rapport with his audience. The break­ against undocumented workers and need your financial help. Any Chicanos. The meeting was introduced through ~arne when he made an angry the activists of the Chicano move- amount will be appreciated. by Larry Hill, the RUP's state counsel. denunciation of the brutal victimiza­ ment." tim~ of undocumented Mexican work­ The Albuquerque audience was per­ ers and called for solidarity with them. haps half-Anglo and half-Chicano. It How we're doing The audience broke out in applause. included many campus radicals, some Compean From then on they clapped and independent and some supporters of $20,000 laughed frequently. When he finished various groups. ...--• November 15 they gave him a standing ovation. Camejo discussed the role of U.S. 18,000 backs Ca One Chicano, who stopped at the imperialism in the colonial world and socialist literature table after the rally, how it has tried to destroy so many 16,000 said his cousin had invited him to movements for independence. He de­ 14,000 attend. At first he had said no. It was a tailed the bipartisan responsibility for "communist meeting" and there would this and then added: 12,000 be talk of "violence." But he was "Every time you vote for a Democrat, finally persuaded to come consciously or not you are voting to 10,000 What did he think of Camejo's suppress and shoot down liberation speech? "I was amazed," he replied. "I fighters." 8,000 agreed with everything he said." He At both meetings people seemed 6,000 bought a one-year subscription to the genuinely gratified that the socialist Militant. movement is making progress. Both 4,000 October 2 He wasn't the only one to subscribe audiences applauded when he told of $3,249 to the paper. Sales of the Militant and the SWP petitioning victory in Califor­ 2,000 other socialist literature were organ­ nia and how it meant that a socialist 0 ized by Militant columnist Miguel ticket would be on the ballot there for Pendas and Mike Zarate, Young So­ the first time in decades. cialist Alliance Chicano work director. Media coverage of the tour was They had come in as an a.dvance team excellent. When Camejo arrived in for Camejo's tour and in eight days Albuquerque, his news conference_ was Make checks payable to the sold eighty-two Militant subscriptions. covered by both TV channels and both Socialist Workers 1976 National daily newspapers. Campaign Committee, 14 Charles Participants in the Albuquerque Lane, New York, New York 10014. rally also enjoyed Camejo's speech. Its In Las Vegas a local radio station Militant/Harry 0 Enclosed is my contribution of basic outline is now familiar to people interviewed him for a half hour in SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 4-Mario Spanish. $--- Compean, a leader of the Chicano in the many cities where he has spoken. On tour as long as he has In Albuquerque he was interviewed movement in· Texas, has joined a for a half hour by the popular broad­ 0 Please send me more information growing list of Camejo and Reid been, a candidate can't write a differ· on the SWP campaign. ent speech for each city. caster Eduardo Dfaz, public affairs campaign endorsers. Compean director of Channel 7. When Camejo helped to found both the Texas La But Camejo's presentation is some­ went to Channel 7's studio to tape the Name Raza Unida party and the Mexican· thing like that of a jazz musician. Dfaz interview, you could see some of Street American Youth Organization There's improvisation and shifts in the results of his visit. A cameraman (MAYO). He later served as state tempo and mood. He adds comments came over to tell him that he had City ------chairperson of the Texas RUP. on new developments as they occur filmed his news conference a few days State _____ Zip Other new endorsers include Ernes­ and emphasizes particular points for a previous and wanted him to know how to Borunda, New Mexico La Raza given audience. His eloquence and wit much he had enjoyed it. Occupation ------­ Unida party candidate for U.S. are, of course, greatly appreciated. The El Paso news conference, where Business address Senate, and Oscar Trevino, who is At both meetings the best response Camejo called for the end of harass­ co-coordinator of the Chicano seemed to be evoked by the devastat­ ment of Chicano activists and the A copy of our report is on file with the Studies Library on the University of ing way he dissected the hypocrisy, freedom from jail of Ruben Ogaz, was Federal Election Commission and is available California's Berkeley campus. irrationality, and injustice of the covered by all three TV networks and for purchase from the Federal Election Commission. Washington, D.C. Chairperson, capitalist system. the two city papers. Linda Jenness; treasurer, Arthur Hughes.

6 time we mentioned it, we came head on with them." Since he got into the RUP, he said, his thinking has developed as the result of contact with new ideas. "It's been mainly a matter of building on the basic structure of my ideas," he said. "My political and philosophical outlook is now socialist-for several reasons. "First of all," he said, "right now a majority of the people in the world go hungry. Yet I can see the United States producing so much food that it throws it away. "I can see that the people have to be fed and that under this system that won't happen." He added, "I've seen people die because they haven't had medical care, both here and in Mexico, where my wife is from. "So," he said, "I'm in disagreement with what's called free enterprise. I feel it's not only wasteful, 1971 student protest won appointment of Juan Jose Pena as director of Chicano studies at New Mexico but it's degenerative to the development of human Highlands University in Las Vegas. beings."

Talking socialism Peiia has given considerable thought on how best to talk to people about socialism. A talk "The first thing," he said, "is to open up people's minds to consider different ideas without just having a gut reaction to them. "For example, when you mention the word socialist, they tie it in with Communist. Commu­ nist, they immediately begin thinking of Russia. with Juan They think of the repression in Czechoslovakia. That is what they equate with socialism. "I don't think that's the equation at all. But people have to have enough information so they can analyze what socialism really is, what they would want it to be. Jose Pena "It has to be a democratic society," he empha­ sized. "The human being, as far as I can see, has By Harry Ring language to be able to talk with some of the unlimited potential. If the individual is free LOS ANGELES-I first met Juan Jose Pena this prisoners. They intensified his opposition to the intellectually-and we're not in this society-that spring at his home in Las Vegas, New Mexico. war, persuading him that the Vietnamese people potential can be realized." Pena is the director of the Chicano studies had the right to determine their own destiny. To persuade people of socialism, Pena continued, department at New Mexico Highlands University in Back at the university, he quickly became you have to face squarely the absence of democracy Las Vegas. He is also coordinator of ethnic studies. involved in campus politics. In 1971 he joined in a in the countries where capitalism has been abol­ He's been on the faculty for five years, has one demonstration demanding a Chicano president for ished. master's degree, and is now completing a second. Highlands, which has a majority-Chicano student "I've done some reading about conditions in the body. Soviet Union," he said. "The bureaucrats have During this time Pena was greatly influenced by certain privileges and certain controls they This interview by Harry Ring was conducted Pedro Rodriguez, then head of Chicano studies. shouldn't have. during a trip he and Arnold Weissberg made to Rodriguez had worked with the recently formed "The problem of artists and writers in these New Mexico for the Militant Southwest Bureau. Texas Raza Unida party and he organized a countries concerns me a great deal,'' Pena added. campus meeting for Jose Angel Gutierrez, who had "In the end, ideas will prove themselves. And if But he is still an instructor. just led the Crystal City partido to its first victory. someone is writing who is reactionary-like Solzhe­ Why? Pena recalls the meeting for Gutierrez and the nitsyn for example-then there are certain condi­ Pena is state chairperson of La Raza Unida party beer and discussion session that followed. tions that have created a Solzhenitsyn." of New Mexico. He was hired for his present Soon, Pena and three position only after Chicano students occupied the others-including Ma· Focus on Issues administration office. nuel Archuleta, the pres· Returning his thoughts to this country, Pena Now the administration apparently is not up to ent San Miguel County discussed the activity and program of the RUP and firing Pena. But the professorship that he so chairperson of the how he thought people could be moved in a socialist obviously deserves is regularly denied. party-decided to start direction. What is needed, he said, is for the party to Pena doesn't take it personally. It's simply one building a chapter of the focus on issues that relate to people's basic needs. more reflection of the racism of this society. For him RUP. "To win people to socialism," he said, "you have the important thing is the fight against racism and Ever since, Pena, Ar· to win their confidence by participating in their the society that breeds it. chuleta, and others have daily struggles. People have important needs and Talking with Pena, you realize that his entire life been active in political problems. People get jailed for no reason at all. and those of the generations that preceded him orgamzmg throughout People go hungry because welfare won't give them have shaped him as a resolute fighter for Chicano the state. They consider their food stamps." liberation. themselves very much Peiia is well known in the area. That's the result part of the broader Raza Camejo endorsement of his political activity plus the reputation he Unida movement and Milit~~t/C~~·Howort Peiia discussed the unanimously adopted resolu­ gained as a high school and college athlete. regularly attend nation- JUAN JOSE PENA tion of the New Mexico Raza Unida party conven­ Also, his family has been around for a long time. al gatherings. tion this spring to endorse Peter Camejo, the At the first national RUP conference, held in El Socialist Workers party candidate for president. New Mexico roots Paso in 1972, the New Mexico delegation tried to "Several things influenced us to support Camejo," With obvious pride, Pena will tell you that his play the role of "peacemaker" between two contend· Peiia said. "His platform, the 'Bill of Rights for family came to New Mexico nearly 300 years ago. ing factions there. One was led by Gutierrez, the Working People,' contains many points that coin­ Pena's great-grandfather was a member of the other by Corky Gonzales of Denver. cide with ours. Partido del Pueblo Unido. "That was organized in "We felt unity was a critical issue," Pena said. "If "We are supporting Camejo on the basis of 1892," Pena commented. it got divided, we wouldn't be able to function as a principle," Pena added, "but also on the basis that "So you see, the concept of an alternative party national partido. And, as it turned out, we haven't. he is one of the mestizo people, or what is commonly for the Chicano in New Mexico is nothing new." "I think' we've spent too much time fighting one called a Latino." Now thirty, Peiia was born in southern New another. This is why Raza Unida in 'New Mexico Pena said that in addition to campaigning for its Mexico where his family was working in the onion has stayed out of the internal squabbles. We felt it own state ticket, the New Mexico RUP would also fields. His father died when he was four and his wasn't doing anyone any good. And it takes away work actively for Camejo. (See story on facing mother and grandfather brought the children back time and energy from work you could be doing." page.) to Las Vegas. Discussing the prospects for building La Raza School brought Peiia face to face with racism. Political evolution Unida as a mass force, Pena indicated he had no When he started he had already been tutored by his While Pena feels strongly about the need for illusions about the hard work ahead. At the same grandfather and spoke and read Spanish well. unity, he's not one to sweep ideas under the rug. time, he seemed genuinely optimistic about the But he didn't speak English. He is deeply concerned with political ideas, and it prospects. "I didn't really catch up until the ninth grade," he was particularly interesting to discuss the evolution "Some Chicano activists have become discour­ recalled. "This is how I learned to appreciate the of his thinking. aged about the prospects for the movement, some importance of bilingual education." "My thinking in relation to the partido was very have become dogmatic," he said. "But I think in the Despite the difficulties, Peiia made it through nationalistic at first," he said. "I wanted the long run the cooler heads that have developed high school and then won a college scholarship and Chicano's language preserved because I was very among Chicanos will probably bring our people to a grant. proud of that language. I wanted our culture, our Raza Unida party that will be a real, independent In the midst of his studies, he was drafted for customs preserved. I wanted the children to learn alternative to the two major parties. Vietnam. He fought at Pleiku and was m the the language. "We can either move forward to an era of Cambodia invasion. "And," he continued, "I saw that the Republicans enlightenment, or back to the dark ages," Pena In Vietnam Peiia picked up enough of the and Democrats weren't doing this. In fact, eVery concluded. "We're at that point at the present time."

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 7 Socialist candidate in Miami Reid speaks. out for framed-up.prisoners By Barbara Mutnick sion, spoke at the Reid campaign conflicts as to be inherently unreliable. MIAMI-Willie Mae Reid, the Social- meeting. One judge went further, in a separate ist Workers party vice-presidential "Delbert Tibbs in Florida," Reid but concurring opinion, urging Tibbs's candidate, arrived here September 27, said, "Gary Tyler in Louisiana, Stan- release without additional litigation. the day Gerald Ford addressed a ton Story in Pittsburgh, J.B. Johnson Lisa Graves reported that despite the convention of the International Associ- in St. Louis, Antonio Smith in New strong decision by the Florida Supreme ation of Chiefs of Police. Mexico, Joanne Little and the Wil- Court, Tibbs is still sitting on death The next day FBI chief Clarence mington Ten-it makes you angry to row, having been refused bail or bond. Kelley addressed the congregation of think about all the mothers, like Mrs. The Florida death penalty was not cops, and Reid's campaign supporters Smith, who are forced to spend so only upheld in the U.S. Supreme threw up a picket line to greet him. much of their lives trying to pressure Court's decision approving capital "Get the FBI out of the SWP" and the system that is suppQSed to be just." punishment, but was pointed to as an "Open up the Files" read the signs. Antonio Smith, who is from Miami, exemplary law by the high court. Reid's appearance at the picket line was framed up on a murder charge in outside Miami's plush Fontainebleu New Mexico two years ago. Reid's day-and-a-half Miami tour Hotel was covered by radio and TV. Tibbs is a Black, thirty-five-year-old was a real boon to her supporters, who She demanded full disclosure of the poet and theology student from Chica­ are in the process of establishing the illegal acts by the FBI against the go who was convicted of rape and Socialist Workers party in Florida. The Socialist Workers party and the with- murder in Fort Myers, Florida, in Florida Socialist Workers Campaign drawal of all informers. December 1974. He received a life Committee is suing for the right to Reid's major Miami meeting was at sentence for rape and the death sen­ place Peter Camejo and Reid on the the Center for Dialogue in a rally tence for murder. They jury that November ballot as independent candi­ centering on the defense of two framed- convicted him was all-white. dates. The Florida election code makes up Black prisoners, Antonio Smith and The Florida Supreme Court has since no provision for "independent" presi­ Delbert Tibbs. ordered a new trial for Tibbs. "Our to-three decision. The judges said that dential candidates to get on the ballot. Elizabeth Smith, the mother of the review of the record of this proceeding the testimony of the only eyewitness, Eugene McCarthy has successfully eighteen-year-old New Mexico prison- leaves us with considerable doubt that the sixteen-year-old woman who ac­ sued on this ground, although Florida er, and Lisa Graves, cochairperson of Delbert Tibbs is the man who commit­ cused Tibbs of raping her and murder­ officials have delayed certifying him the Florida Alliance Against Repres- ted the crime," the court said in a four- ing her boyfriend, was so riddled with for the ballot. Musa backs International Hotel struggle By Bob Capistrano detection system. Musa asked if the city government Diones told Musa. "Time is running and Laura Dertz "About that time," Diones explained has offered any help. Diones answered out and some action must be taken SAN FRANCISCO-The Interna­ to Musa, "the tenants association tried that the housing authority and the soon, or else innocent people will get tional Hotel is on the border between to buy the building. That's when the mayor's office have made promises but hurt." San Francisco's financial district and trouble began. The owners wanted to have offered no suitable alternative Several demonstrations have taken Chinatown. It is home for elderly demolish it and put a parking lot in its housing. "After you retire you're for­ place to back the right of the hotel's Chinese and Filipinos who live on place. Parking lots bring in more gotten," Diones said. "These people residents, including a recent protest of fixed incomes. profits than rent from old people." have no place to go." more than 300 people. The Chinese and Filipino residents Instead of letting the tenants associ­ Musa added the Socialist Workers have been fighting since 1968 to save ation buy the International Hotel, the The tenants association is demand­ campaign's support to the tenants' their hotel from destruction. owners sold it in 1972 to Four Seas ing that the city's redevelopment efforts. "International Hotel is a good Recently Omari Musa, Socialist Investment Corp., a Thai company, for agency exercise its power of eminent example of how the Democrats and Workers party candidate for U.S. $850,000. In 1975 Four Seas got a domain, take over the building, and Republicans put profit before people's Senate, visited the International Hotel demolition permit. sell it to the hotel's residents. The needs," he said. to lend support to the tenants' struggle. The tenants have fought the eviction tenants are sure they can raise the He spoke with Joe Diones, president of notice in the courts. But this spring the money for the appraised value of the Persons interested in helping the the International Hotel Tenants Asso­ tenants lost the eviction suit. In property. So far the agency has re­ International Hotel Tenants Associa­ ciation. August the state supreme court turned fused. tion can contact Joe Diones, Interna­ Diones pointed to the improvements down their appeal. "The board of supervisors have tional Hotel, 848 Kearny Street, San the residents began to make in 1968, "But we're not giving up," Diones proven by their actions that they work Francisco, California 94108. Tele­ such as a fire escape and smoke insisted. just for the big business interests," phone: (415) 982-4249. Endorse Camejo and Reid. 0 I endorse Camejo and Reid as a "The SWP campaign, the Camejo-Reid campaign has a very definite positive alternative in the 1976 program to offer ... that in particular Black and Third World people elections, although I may not agree should be able to support because it speaks to the needs of Black and with all the planks of the SWP Third World communities. Camejo and Reid are trying to relate the platform. . program and their campaign to the day-to-day struggles of people out 0 Add my name to the endorsement statement that will appear in there on the streets trying to make a better society."-Robert Allen, newspapers and magazines. editor, Black Scholar magazine. 0 Enclosed is a contribution of $ __ to help publicize the socialist campaign. 0 Please send me more information.

Name Signature Organizational affiliation "I think Camejo and Reid have a people's platform that all humanitarians should support. As far as things stand now, until such time as Ford or Carter can give me some evidence that they are (listed for identification only) running in the interests of poor people, I don't think I could support Address their efforts."-Robert F. Williams, civil rights leader, author. City ------State ______Zip

Occupation Join Robert Allen, Robert F. Williams, and the many others-women's rights activists, students, Blacks, Puerto Ricans, Chicanos, trade unionists, civil libertarians-who are endorsing Peter Camejo and Willie Mae Reid as a positive alternative to the Democrats and the Republicans. A copy of our report is !iled with the Federal To add your name to the list of Camejo-Reid endorsers fill out the coupon. Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission, Clip and mail to: Socialist Workers 1976 Campaign, 14 Charles Lane, New Washington. D.C. Chairperson: Linda Jenness, York, N.Y. 10014. treasurer: Arthur Hughes.

8 Chicano leaders condemn violence in movement Crusade members assault socialists in Denver By Harry Ring attacks on it. and Miguel Pendas And, equally unfortunate, Crusade DENVER, Colo., Oct. 5-Fred Hal­ members have earned notoriety within stead and Steve Chainey, members of the Chicano movement for threats of the Socialist Workers party, were the force and the use of force against victims of an unprovoked physical movement people who disagreed with assault by members of the Denver them. Crusade for Justice. Increasingly, Chicano activists in Both refused to respond to the the Denver area have been alienated provocation by striking back. Chai­ by Crusade members' use of bureau­ ney's face was bruised and cut. Hal­ cratic means, coupled with intimida­ stead suffered a broken nose and face tion, to impose their views on campus wounds requiring stitches. The attack organizations and other Chicano groups. A "Declaration· Against Violence in In several cases, it has been report­ the Movement" signed by several ed, when elected officers of an organi­ zation have refused to accept Crusade Chicano leaders and addressed to dictates, large numbers of Crusade Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales appears members have simply walked into a on page 30. meeting, rammed through a motion to suspend the rules, and voted out the occurred Friday, October 1, at the offending officers. headquarters of the Crusade. Such an effort was initiated at the A member of the SWP National September 22 meeting of the Metro Committee, Halstead was a central College MEChA. A Crusade member figure in the movement against the Militant/Bruce Farnsworth made a motion to suspend the constitu­ Vietnam War. Chainey, a longtime SWP leaders Steve Chainey (left) and Fred Halstead immediately after attack tion and to impeach Baca. However, movement activist, is the SWP's the turnout of members at the meeting Denver organizer. was apparently greater than Crusade Halstead and Chainey had gone to Vigil's threat is Elfego Baca, a well­ attacked Halstead. Another man be­ members expected, and the impeach­ the Crusade offices seeking a meeting known Chicano activist. A one-time gan punching Chainey. Other Crusade ment failed. Further consideration of with the organization's central leader, member of the Crusade, Baca is the people were standing by. the issue was postponed to a meeting Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales. Earlier elected chairperson of MEChA, a Halstead and Chainey refused to be slated for Wednesday, September 29. they had tried, unsuccessfully, to reach Chicano student organization at Met­ provoked. They simply tried to get out The September 29 meeting adopted a him by phone. ropolitan State College in Denver. of the b"uilding. resolution calling for an end to the use At the Crusade, they were told When Halstead and Chainey told The incident is particularly deplora­ of intimidation and violence to settle Gonzales was not in and they ex­ Serna of their concern about this, she ble in that the Crusade has been the disputes within the movement. plained the purpose of their visit to said that it would be best for them to target of an unrelenting campaign of The only dissenting votes on the Maria Serna, a Crusade leader. talk with Vigil. government harassment and victimi­ motion came from the Crusade They had come to discuss three When they tried to discuss the zation clearly designed to destroy it. members. When it became apparent things. The first was the antiharass­ matter with Vigil, he responded not by The SWP and YSA, which have that it would not pass, the Crusade ment suit against the government that denying that he had threatened Baca borne their share of government vic­ people withdrew the impeachment the Crusade recently announced. Since but by asserting it was a "personal" timization, have consistently stood in motion, declaring they could reintro­ the SWP has a similar suit in the matter and not the business of the full solidarity with the Crusade duce it at any future meeting. courts, they wanted to offer the party's SWP or YSA. against reactionary attacks. They It was in the context of these cooperation and whatever benefit of Halstead tried to explain that the strongly favor a united response developments that the attack on Hal­ experience in the matter it might be SWP and YSA would have to consider against them. stead and Chainey occurred. After the able to give. a physical attack on Baca as a Since the 1960s, the Crusade has attack, Halstead wrote an open letter Secondly, they wanted to invite the physical attack on the two organiza­ been widely regarded as a leading to Corky Gonzales, explaining the Crusade to participate in an October 23 tions. progressive force within the Chicano facts of the situation and urging him Denver civil liberties rally initiated by Vigil responded by ordering them movement. It contributed much in to repudiate and help put an end to the Political Rights Defense Fund. out of the office. terms of ideology and organizational such acts of violence within the move­ Finally, Halstead and Chainey ex­ Halstead and Chainey complied. In efforts. ment. (See text on this page.) plained, they had come to discuss the the hallway, as they were departing, However, in recent years it has Halstead also called upon movement problem of a threat of physical vio­ Halstead made a final comment. He responded in an increasingly sectarian individuals and organizations to con­ lence against a member of the Young stated that if anything were to happen manner to political disputes within the tact Gonzales in an effort to persuade Socialist Alliance by Emesto Vigil, the to Baca, the SWP and YSA would be movement. him that such tactics can only damage second leading figure in the Crusade. compelled to make the matter public. Its sectarian and ultraleft course the movement as a whole, including The YSAer who was the target of At that point Vigil, a trained boxer, seemed to deepen with the government Continued on page 30

Open letter from Fred Halstead to Rodolfo ~corky' Gonzales [The following open letter was sent by itself, there is nothing unusual about disagree­ punching. By the time we were able to get out of Fred Halstead of the Socialist Wot:kers ment, but we are concerned about rising tensions the building both of us were bleeding profusely. party to Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, leader and the threat of physical violence. Chainey had a bloody nose and a cut lip. My of the Denver Crusade for Justice.] We intended to ask you to join us in discourag­ nose was broken and I had cuts on my face that ing violence over disagreements in the move­ required several stitches. Denver, Colorado ment. As we were walking away from the building, October 2, 1976 When we entered the Crusade headquarters we people outside expressed concern about the blood were told you were not there but that we could on our faces" and asked what had happened. I Dear Corky Gonzales, speak to Maria Serna. When we told her of our heard someone shout from behind me, "That's Around 2:30 p.m. on October 1, Steve Chainey, concern about the threat, she said we should what you get for threatening people's lives." This the Denver Socialist Workers party organizer, speak to Emesto Vigil. She sent for him. was an obvious attempt to justify a completely and I went to the headquarters of the Crusade for Vigil entered the office accompanied by anoth­ unprovoked assault. Justice in Denver. We had been requested to do er man whose name I do not know. When I told We made no physical threats while we were in so by the national offices of the Socialist Workers Vigil about my concern, he did not deny having the building and we make none now. party and the Young Socialist Alliance. threatened Elfego Baca. He simply said it was We are completely opposed to the idea that The purpose of our visit was threefold: to offer none of my business. Throughout the conversa­ violence can be used to resolve any dispute any assistance we could in the Crusade for tion both Steve Chainey and I were calm and among those fighting for the oppressed. Such Justice suit against government police agencies; used a friendly tone. At no time did we threaten violence simply provides an opening for the to invite you to speak on your suit at a coming violence or make any movements that could have police and police agents to divide us and tum us public rally in Denver; and to speak to you about been interpreted as threatening. against ourselves. FBI documents that have a threat of physical violence made by a member Vigil ordered us to leave the building. As we come out over the last year or so show that one of of the Crusade for Justice against a member of left the office on our way out of the building, I the first tactics they use is to try to get movement the YSA. paused to say that if Elfego Baca was harmed we groups fighting among themselves. We had been told that Emesto Vigil, a leader of would be obliged to make public the previous If you allow physical intimidation to become a the Crusade, made a physical threat against threats. trademark of the Crusade, it will be a grave Elfego Baca, the chairperson of the Metro State Vigil's response was to punch me repeatedl_y in disservice to all those fighting for a better world. College MEChA who is also a member of the the face while the other man punched Steve I strongly urge you to take all the necessary YSA. It is common knowledge that there are Chainey. Neither Chainey nor I made any steps to see that this kind of violence is not disagreements between members of the Crusade attempt to strike back. We simply attempted to repeated. and the leadership of the Metro MEChA. In leave the building. Nevertheless, they continued I await your response with great concern.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 9 In Our Opinion Let ten ... racist rulers Continued from page 1 Texas prisons keep 'order' The present government is no better this government. than its predecessors. It has spent "I'll tell you what coloreds want," Butz said. "It's three My campaign committee recently sent a letter to the Texas Department lavishly to improve the lot of the things: first, a tight pussy; second, loose shoes; and third, a of Corrections stating my intention to soldiers and police. We are governed warm place to shit. That's all!" visit inmates on death row at the state under an emergency law-under a Butz later explained to reporters that this was a "joke" he prison in Huntsville. A few days later pretext of providing security to the "often told." we received the following people from leftist extremists-when To 24 million Blacks in this country, Butz's "joke" symbolizes communication: there's no such threat. By depriving the degradation and discrimination they face day in and day "Mter careful consideration, it is our the needs of the young generation, the decision that we cannot ~onor your government is heading toward its own out. This racist-and sexist-remark was an insult to an entire destruction. race. It was the expression of a slaveholder mentality. request to visit inmates confined on Death Row. This decision was based Once in 1971 a minority party In accepting Butz's resignation Monday, Gerald Ford said, on our prevailing interest in the without the active support of the "This has been one of the saddest decisions of my presidency." maintenance of institutional order." workers staged an armed struggle He called this bigot a "decent and good man" and a "close The prison officials must consider a which was soon defeated with the help personal friend." socialist candidate's visit a dire threat of the United States, USSR, and Democrat Jimmy Carter hopes to make political hay out of to "institutional order." China. This was expected by the rest of the Butz affair. But Carter's defense of "ethnic purity" and his Gene Lantz the revolutionary parties because this particular party wanted the glory to opposition to busing make clear the deepgoing racism at the SWP candidate for U.S. Congress, 8th C.D. themselves. highest levels in both big-business parties. Houston, TexM What I am trying to say is that those Carter complained last April about "Black intrusion" into people who struggled demanded the white neighborhoods. The "natural inclination of people," same things. It seems to me as if the Carter said, is "to live in ethnically homogenous neighbor­ capitalist parties think that they can go on like this forever. They are wrong hoods." In other words, segregated neighborhoods. Omaha Marxism conference Carter explained a few days later that his remarks were "ill­ and are pretending they don't know it. Congratulations on the good job you A.N.U. chosen" and "unfortunate." Butz-using the same excuse­ have been doing-! for one am deeply Kandy, Sri Lanka labeled his own comment a "gross indiscretion" and an grateful for the political knowledge you "unfortunate choice of language." give me each week. By resigning, Butz said, "I hope to remove even the Here is information on a Marxism appearance of racism as an issue in the Ford campaign." seminar scheduled for later this year, But no half-hearted apologies, excuses, or evasions can organized and partially run by a Assault on Mario Cantu conceal the centrality of racism in this election year. philosophy professor of mine. He is On page 27 of your September 24 also planning one at Ohio University issue, David Salner reports, "Three The ruling rich have launched a concerted attack on the for the 1977-1978 year. days before the newspaper story rights and living standards of working people, and right now The conference will be held at the Mexican President Luis Echeverria the heaviest blows are aimed at Blacks. University of Nebraska at Omaha personally assaulted Cantu in San Jobless levels in the Black community run twice as high as November 11 through 13. The title of Antonio." among whites. More than twenty years after the Supreme Court the conference is the "Current State of Was this a physical assault as the desegregation decision, busing is still under attack. Marxism." Each day there will be article implies? If so, it should be made Social services in Black neighborhoods are being slashed. several lectures by professors from more specific since most readers will universities all over the United States. regard President Echeverria's act as And now the Supreme Court has given the go-ahead to For more information on the rather unusual. capitalism's paid executioners. conference contact Algis Mickunas, The article leaves open the America's rulers are not satisfied with merely degrading Philosophy Department, Gordy Hall, possibility that the assault was Black Americans. They are not satisfied with throwing Blacks Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701; figurative, merely verbal. The political out of work, forcing Blacks into dilapidated schools and or call (614) 594-4167. atmosphere of capitalist society is so segregated housing, and brutalizing Blacks on the street. K.S. saturated with violence, particularly in They are not satisfied at demagogically crying "law and Athens, Ohio the semicolonial and neocolonial order," while they perpetuate the very conditions of poverty and countries, that the spectacle of a visiting head of state physically despair that drive people to violence and crime. attacking an American citizen on the No, they want to hold the ultimate punishment in reserve at streets of a Texas city does not jar me all times. They want to terrorize and intimidate all those among Parties of big religion into disbelief. the oppressed who rebel against this society. That is the The Democratic and Republican But such an event is certainly meaning of their cops, their courts, their prisons, and especially parties seem not only to be the parties unusual enough to be described in of big business but also of big religion. some detail, at least enough to their electric chairs. Both parties began their sessions with Right now nearly 200 prisoners face execution in Texas, eliminate the possibility of the prayer during the Democratic and figurative use of the term "assault." Florida, and Georgia-states whose death penalty laws were Republican conventions. Bob Bresnahan specifically upheld by the court. It has been said that both Ford and New York, New York Ford and Carter both endorse this ruling. In fact, Carter, Carter are too religious for the good of while governor of Georgia, signed one of the death penalty laws the country. Besides reactionary [Editor's note-As reported in the okayed by the court. planks supporting constitutional September 17 Militant, President Luis amendments against abortion and The Democrats and Republicans-and their all-male, all­ Echeverria physically attacked busing, the Republican party platform Chicano activist Mario Cantu, while white presidential tickets-are the parties of racism in this also has an equally reactionary plank country. Cantu was peacefully picketing. supporting a constitutional [Correspondent David Salner quoted Our campaign-the Socialist Workers party campaign-offers amendment that would reinstate so­ eyewitness Ellard Yow: "Cantu an alternative to these two big-business parties. called voluntary prayer in public approached the group (Echeverria and We support school desegregation and busing. schools. his entourage). All of a sudden We demand an end to job discrimination both in hiring and Though the Democratic party has no members of the entourage roughed up firing. such plank in its platform, it does Cantu.... Cantu tried to walk away, support state aid to religious schools. but they beat him up while San We are against housing discrimination, even if it goes by the Here in Indiana a bill sponsored by a name of "ethnically homogenous neighborhoods." Antonio cops just watched." Democratic state legislator, endorsing [Salner also noted, "A local We do not consider racist "jokes" the mark of a "decent and a constitutional amendment for so­ television station reported that good" person. Nor do we count bigots among our "close called voluntary public-school prayer, Echeverria himself kicked Cantu, tore personal friends" and supporters. was supported by both Democrats and up his picket sign, and called him a And we are 100 percent opposed to the death penalty. . Republicans. 'young fascist.' ") Sometime soon-perhaps only a few weeks after the No­ Karen Moskewitz Indianapolis, Indiana vember election-the first execution in nearly a decade may take place in this country. We urge our supporters to begin the work right now of Too pat and predictable? organizing the broadest possible nationwide protest movement I realize that you are involved in against the implementation of the death penalty. We urge From Sri Lanka many different struggles, but it seems NAACP chapters, civil liberties groups, trade unions, women's I had the good fortune of reading to me that you are getting stuck in organizations, student groups, and everyone who believes in your paper. aggressive posturing. Your attack on To tell you a lot of things in short, I Mao was too pat and predictable. human rights and dignity to join in. am fed up with the whole imperialist Dictator that he was, Mao was a We should schedule picket lines, rallies, and demonstrations setup. There's a lot of frustration serious and dedicated revolutionary to demand: among Sri Lanka youth, who did great things for China. By No to legalized murder! unemployment being the major cause, spending all your energy attacking Not one more execution! lack of universities is another. rival factions you are just splintering 10 National Picket Line Frank Lovell Union women's history [The following guest column is by Jean Tussey, that this was not done by a specific date, they would the movement against capitalism. chairperson of the Cleveland Typographical themselves inaugurate such a movement." Rivalry based on competing heroes­ Union organizing committee and past president But Gompers and the Executive Council chose to Mao vs. Trotsky-is infantile. of the Cleveland chapter of the Coalition of dissipate the militancy and class-consciousness of the Accepting any one man's ideas as Labor Union Women.] workers through lobbying and rhetoric. They recom­ doctrine betrays an unthinking mended that the convention continue the AFL policy authoritarian frame of mind-no of rewarding their "friends" and punishing their matter what ideas are expressed. If there was one area of basic agreement among the enemies within the Democratic and Republican par­ By constantly attacking others, 3,200 union women at the founding convention of the ties. many Young Socialist Alliance members justify the adoption of an Coalition of Labor Union Women in 1974, it was this: There was hardly any discussion of Gompers's report arrogant, "macho" attitude toward the The most effective way to win equal rights on the job on political action. "The only voice raised in behalf of world, an "I don't care what you is through our unio~s. But the traditionally more a labor party at the convention was by the delegation think" attitude that just turns people privileged male officers and members of the unions from the Women's Trade Union League which present­ off. A clear-headed understanding of will not act to eliminate sex discrimination on the ed a resolution adopted by its convention on Oct. 1," one's cause cannot be replaced by job-or in the union-unless women assert our rights according to Philip Foner in his History of the Labor attacks on other people's ideas and as dues-paying, voting members to participate on all Movement in the United States, Volume Three. actions. levels of union responsibility and leadership. This resolution "declared that 'the time is now ripe Steve Eardley CLUW's development and future prospects are for the Working Classes of the United States to Winooski, Vermont matters for serious analysis right now. forward their legitimate interests by political action'; Some useful lessons can be learned from the history that this end could 'best be served by the formation of of the struggles of working women in this country. a political party independent of all other political Unite to fight cutbacks Especially the experiences of the Women's Trade parties,' and, therefore, urged the A.F. of L. 'to take Some two dozen activists, primarily Union League in the early part of this century. action toward the formation of a Labor Party, which from Black Economic Survival-an An interesting example of the courage of the WTUL party shall be pledged to forward the higher interest organization fighting for minority was the principled political position it took, "swim­ of the toiling millions as against the selfish interests hiring in the all-white construction ming against the stream," at the 1909 convention of of a privileged minority.'" trades-recently occupied the City the American Federation of Labor. Foner adds: "But the A.F. of L. told the women to College of New York gymnasium, The labor movement had been under tremendous concern themselves with problems other than political bringing the first day of registration to attack by the courts and Congress. AFL President action and tabled the resolution." a halt. They were protesting the Samuel Gompers reported that antilabor injunctions With the formation of CLUW in the 1970s, based on imposition of tuition. were being issued "in constantly more aggravated a larger female work force and a new concept of the This showed the depth of anger and form," that "free speech and free press were denied," role and rights of women, there is a new potential for frustration at the racist offensive and finally that the Supreme Court, in the infamous changing traditional patterns of sex discrimination. launched against the right of students Danbury Hatters' case, had classified unions as But support by union women today of the same old to an education. "conspiracies in illegal restraint of trade." ineffective "political action" policies of the same old There was, however, little support Gompers said the federation had received demands male labor hierarchy won't change anything among students for the action. And to for action "from our fellow workers all over the We have to start thinking and acting on the social make matters worse, the activists were country." A number of central labor bodies had even questions facing the labor movement-thinking and persuaded to endorse U.S Rep. Herman "adopted resolutions demanding that the Executive acting like leaders, not ward-heelers. That's the only Badillo's campaign for reelection. Council call a mass convention to take political action way to win support for policies that can strengthen our Badillo was on campus at the time to unions and change society. use the occupation for his own ends. in some form or other, and declaring that in the event He is infamous for playing the needs of the Puerto Rican community against those of the city's unions, thus fostering divisions within the working Capitalism in Crisis class. As a Democrat, Badillo is part of the same party as Mayor Abe Beame and Gov. Hugh Carey, who have endorsed the budget cuts. He serves as Andy Rose a cover for his party's role as a weapon of the rich against the people of New York. The "militant action" of an isolated Better than a mood ring handful combined with their support to Consider: a capitalist politician is no substitute It's better than a mood ring. Tell me how you feel for uniting large numbers of students about the economy, and I bet I can peg your income • Unemployment has been nsmg steadily since from all City University campuses bracket. May and is now officially listed as 7.9 percent. with their allies in the unions and Are you tickled pink about the recovery? Then being • The latest figures, for August, show real wages of community groups in common actions in the wealthy minority of Americans probably helps the average worker down 0.6 percent from a year independent of the Democratic and you see the statistics through rose-tinted spectacles. earlier. Real wages today are lower than they were in Republican parties. Or have you still got those deep-depression blues? 1965. The only candidates who offer an Then chances are you also turn green with envywhen • Meanwhile, pretax corporate profits for the second effective program for fighting the cuts you compare your below-$12,500-a-year pay stubs to quarter of 1976 hit a near-record annual rate of $150 are those of the Socialist Workers the booming profits on Wall Street. billion-30 percent ahead of the same period a year party. That guess is bolstered by scientific evidence from ago. Norman Ressnick the pollsters at the University of Michigan's Institute It seems that the different attitudes among working New York, New York for Social Research. The institute is renowned by people and the better-off reflect different conditions in economists for its surveys of what the American real life. This was dramatically confirmed recently consumer is thinking. Between February and May, it when the Census Bureau released its survey of Abortion rights found, the "consumer sentiment index" gained 4.4 incomes for 1975. I would like to point out a slight points among those with incomes above $'15,000. In The number of people with incomes below the discrepancy in your article on the rally contrast, the index dropped 6.9 points for families with officially defined poverty level-and that means for abortion rights in San Jose (in the incomes below $12,500. poor-increased by 2.5 million. It was the largest rise October 1 issue). The article implies in any year since the government began keeping that the San Jose City Council Dr. Thomas Juster, director of the institute, sums it poverty statistics in 1959. Average family purchasing declared a week in September as up: "The higher earners see the recession as over. They power fell by 2.6 percent during the year. "Right to Life Week." report their own income is up substantially. They One of the biggest factors in the spread of poverty Actually, that declaration was made show the buoyant attitudes of a strong economic was long-term unemployment. The Census Bureau by the neighboring city council of recovery. reported that 4.3 million individuals were jobless for so Santa Clara, which is a much smaller "The lower-earning half think the recession is still long last year that they exhausted all their unemploy­ city than San Jose. there. They don't report big income changes and don't ment benefits. Sharon Cabaniss expect them. They take a pessimistic view of the The perception of a growing number of working San Jose, California present and future." people is entirely correct: the recovery in profits has Juster says this big divergence is unusual. He views come about at the expense of their jobs and wages. The letters column is an open it with alarm, fearing it "could create social tensions Their "consumer pessimism" is a step forward in forum for all viewpoints on sub­ over who is benefiting from the recovery." He warns: consciousness-a step toward understanding that the jects of general interest to our "It is potentially disruptive in the social sense." economic "solutions" of the corporations and capital­ readers. Please keep your letters The pollsters profess ignorance as to why the poor ist politicians mean only increasing hardship and brief. Where necessary they will take such a dim view of the recovery. But Juster poverty for the majority. be abridged. Please indicate if speculates that low-wage earners may have a "false When that understanding matures into class­ your name may be used or if you perception" of whether their income is keeping pace consciousness and finds expression on a political level, prefer that your initials be used with prices. the implications are not "potentially disruptive" as Dr. instead. Well, let's see who has the "false perception." Juster fears. They are revolutionary.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 '11 The Great Society Harry Ring

A moderate view-Amnesty for ninth birthday with a trip in a hot-air What so proudly we hailed­ executives to have lunch in a secure draft resisters, but not for deserters, is balloon shaped like a chicken. Commuters who drop their daily toll environment, where they can discuss favored by former Lt. William Calley into the coffer at New York's Verraza­ classified information." of My Lai slaughter fame. A real winner-Dorothy Benham, no Narrows Bridge may be interested the new Miss America, doesn't believe · to know· that it cost $25,000 to hoist the Inflationary toll-The five execu­ Correction-Recently we reported in smoking, gambling, drugs, women's world's largest flag there last spring. It tive dining rooms at the Pentagon California was enacting legislation liberation, abortion, or premarital sex. lasted an hour and a half before being have been ordered to hike their prices. requiring that no one graduate high She "isn't sure" about the ERA. Asked shredded by the wind. Or maybe it was A nickel or dime will be added to each school without being able to read, if her politics were conservative or just the acid in the air. item. Generals and admirals will now write, and do simple arithmetic. The liberal, she responded, "Probably - have to pay, for example, $2.50 for a bill did pass the legislature, but was both." Delmonico steak. vetoed by the good Gov. Edmund Sounds reasonable-We were Brown. He said it would be too costly Just don't miss-Country singer ticked that taxpayers spent $1 million Thought for the week-"Smoking to apply such high standards. Bobby Bare had a new single ready for last year to subsidize low-cost lunches is just another symptom of our com­ the opening of the football season: for the top brass. But a Pentagon plex, urban, confused, devastating Sounds like last night's dinner­ "Drop-kick Me, Jesus (Through the spokesman explained: "The executive society."-Marguerite Hodge of the Colonel Sanders celebrated his eighty- Goalposts of Life)." dining rooms are operated to permit California Lung Association. La Lucha Puertorriqueiia Catarino Garza Badillo: the original ~povertician' [Catarino Garza is the Socialist Workers area was scheduled for demolition to make way for my checks had arrived. party candidate for Congress in New York's cooperatives and projects. As I entered the agency's main office, I passed an Eighteenth District.] To make moving more palatable for Puerto impressive glass door with the name "Herman Ricans, Herman Badillo was chosen commissioner Badillo" painted on it. A well-dressed administrator The outcome of the Democratic congressional of relocation. Tenants were offered moving costs arrived with a woman taking notes, maybe a primary battle in New York's South ·Bronx plus $100 for each room they vacated. But most reporter. I heard her ask how the program was surprised many observers. Not only because tenants fought to stay because the relocations working. Before the administrator could answer, I incumbent Herman Badillo obliterated his meant they would get worse housing. cut in. opponent, Ramon Velez, by a three-to-one margin, My wife and I decided to take advantage of the I explained how I'd been waiting for four months, but because of the turnout. offer. Our apartment was too small for our family, how I'd been given the runaround from one office to The South Bronx-which in 1972 and 1974 had and my wife was expecting another baby. We rented another, and how I still hadn't been paid. the lowest voter turnout in the whole country-in another apartment. But before we could take Both my wife and I speak English well, I told her, 1976 had the highest turnout in the state. possession, we had to "purchase" some things left and were fortunate to have friends from whom we Many Puerto Ricans thought there was a big by the previous tenant. could borrow. "But most of the people involved difference between the two candidates. v elez is My wife went to Badillo's agency to report our don't speak English," I said. "Most have lost all head of a huge poverty program empire and has progress and get the money. But the officials said hope of collecting their money." been accused of everything from embezzlement to we would first have to move. So we borrowed money murder. from a friend and moved. Finally someone came with my checks. I signed Badillo styled himself as an "independent" Then we went to the agency and again asked for for them and left, passing the door with the name of taking on the Democratic machine. the relocation money. But every time we asked, Herman Badillo. The election shows Puerto Ricans will come out there was some new delay. So Badillo should know when he accuses Velez of to vote when they feel they have something at Months later, my friend explained he needed the being a "povertician." Badillo was one of the first. stake. Unfortunately, these feelings are misplaced money back to continue his studies. My wife and I But now he's the number one Puerto Rican on Herman Badillo. raced around to other friends and relatives in order Democrat in the United States. He's been Bronx I first heard of Herman Badillo almost thirteen to repay the· original loan. Borough president:and a member of Congress, and years ago through unfortunate personal Finally I assured the people at the agency that if the word is he'll be running for mayor in the spring. circumstances. the money didn't show up, I would pay them a He proved his loyalty to the landlords and real I was working as a waiter and living in a fifth­ personal visit. estate sharks as head of relocation. But he doesn't floor walk-upon the West Side of Manhattan. The Someone from the agency called back and said represent us. Women in Revolt Cindy Jaquith Tips for top execs Think of yourself as a male business executive. "It's a rare male who feels completely comfortable promote "unqualified" women. The institute stron­ Your company has recently been forced to let a with the increased presence-and status-of women gly advises against this. "Don't be afraid NOT to handful of women into management because of sex on the job," the handbook starts out. Some men promote a woman into a role for which she is discrimination laws. These women are hard to get have gotten so uncomfortable they have allowed certainly unfit,'' it counsels. The best way to deal along with-uppity, overbearing, and ruthless-and themselves to be kicked around by these women, it with these "unfit" women is to "applaud and it's causing all kinds of problems for the morale of observes. They "become so self-conscious that they encourage" them at the work they do best. (Tell the male executives. no longer trust their own instincts." (What those them how neatly they type and how nice their voice The Research Institute of AmeJ.jca, Inc., has just instincts are is left up to the reader's interpretation.) sounds over the phone, perhaps?) w~at you need: Working With Women: A Handbook The book suggests that male executives need not Other tips are scattered throughout the handbook, for Men. This little booklet contains the answer to drop every sexist practice they're accustomed to. including hints on when and when not to send just about every problem beleaguered male execu­ Moderation is advisable, says the chapter on flowers to a woman, how to handle sexual affairs on tives encounter from women on the job. Its contents "Women's Lib Rhetoric."" ...Most women are not out-of-town business trips, and whether telling dirty range from a chapter titled "Women's Lib Rhetoric revolutionaries," it reports, "and, despite all the jokes at business meetings is advisable. (or, don't be cowed by a lot of bull)'' to "How To Put noise, they do not maintain a constant guard And, if the poor exec is still stuck for what to do, A Woman Down (nicely)." against being treated like 'sex objects.'" What a he should simply ask himself: "Am I making a The Research Institute of America, Inc., is a think relief! sound business decision, or one based on her tank for big business. In fact, it bills itself as "the Male execs shouldn't get too uptight about sexist emotional appeal?" CIA of the business world." What does the institute language either. "Correct English usage is still That pretty much sums it up. "Sound business" do? It figures out for big corporations how to deal 'manhours,' " the book says. for the Research Institute and the bankers and with nuisances like the feminist movement, civil Another danger of taking this women's liberation businessmen it serves is the same as it's always rights, affirmative-action laws, and trade unions. stuff too far is that companies may (heaven forbid!) been: keep the women in their place.

12 Sadlowski cam~gns in steel centers ~Back to the basic principles of unionism' I've seen safety issues projected across the bargaining table and then with­ drawn in order to get another penny, another two pennies." CLEVELAND Instead, he stated, the union should By Andy Rose insist on "the safest standards human­ CLEVELAND-More than 100 steel­ ly and technologically possible, and workers turned out here on Sunday then police those standards." afternoon, October 3, to meet and hear If a job is unsafe, he declared, Ed Sadlowski, insurgent candidate for "you've got to say it's not going to be president of the United Steelworkers of worked until it's corrected, and the America. employee isn't going to lose any The crowd ranged from veterans of money. You shut the job down. You'd many years in the mills to young be amazed how readily the employer union activists, including some will correct the unsafe condition when women. They came from about twenty you're capable of doing that." different locals in the Cleveland area, In response to other questions, Sad­ USW A District 28. lowski said that both racism and red­ Sadlowski, who is director of District baiting are incompatible with trade 31 in Chicago, said he was running unionism. "That's the bosses' game," because neither incumbent President he said. "That's the divide-and-conquer I.W. Abel nor his handpicked successor game." Lloyd McBride is "responsive to the The steelworkers' anticommunist membership." clause "doesn't belong in a labor union "We have to get back to the basic constitution," Sadlowski said, · "no concepts of what the trade-union more than in the Constitution of the movement is all about," Sadlowski United States. And you won't find it said. "Not concerning itself with the there." Mil n Campbell profits of management, but addressing Sadlowski again drew applause Ed Sadlowski at Cleveland rally: 'Abel's no-strike deal strips the labor movement of itself to the problems that confront the when he said that pensions should be what it should be all about.' members, solving those problems, and raised to the level of regular wages. creating new goals and new ideals to His own father, after working thirty­ benefit the membership." eight years at Inland Steel, draws a After making a brief introductory by the Abel machine. Two members of Works, Sadlowski's home local, pension of about $200 a month, he the McBride slate campaigned in pledged his support to Sadlowski's statement, Sadlowski answered ques­ said. tions for nearly two hours. One of the Cleveland recently together with Kend­ campaign. "He can't make it. I don't know of er's opponent Frank Valenta, former Patterson, a picket captain during first questions was about the "Experi­ anybody that can make it out of that mental Negotiating Agreement," the president of the Cleveland AFL-CIO the 1937 strike and an eyewitness to meager pension." Federation of Labor. the Memorial Day Massacre, recalled no-st:i:ike pact Abel signed in 1973 The high point of the meeting came covering the basic steel industry. Sadlowski reportedly rejected any the days of the Little Steel strike and when Ed Buxton, president of Local joint campaign effort with Kender, the spirit of the union during its Sadlowski condemned the ENA as a 1098, got up to pledge his support to organizing drives. throwback to company union policies. citing Kender's record of undemocratic Sadlowski. practices in District 28. Kender then "ENA strips the labor movement of "I didn't commit myself to you at the Sadlowski, who had flown into what it should be all about," he said, left the meeting. convention," Buxton S{lid. "But I see in Over the weekend Sadlowski also Chicago that afternoon after success­ "that is, being capable of negotiating Mr. McBride more of the same old addressed meetings in two other Ohio ful meetings in Baltimore, Philadel­ the finest things for its membership." stuff. All we've got is a puppet on a steel centers, Youngstown (District 26) phia, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Deriding the ENA plan that submits string. That's what Mr. McBride is. and Canton (District 27). said it was necessary to bring back disputes to an "impartial arbitrator," "I don't know what Ed can do for us "the traditions in which this union Sadlowski declared, "I've never met an yet," he went on. "And I never came up was born." arbitrator that was impartial." here until this moment to commit "We must make this union responsi­ He added that he did not .see any myself, until he answered some of the ble to the members, not to the bosses," way to prevent the 1977 basic steel questions asked here. Sadlowski said, adding that a rank­ contract from being negotiated under "I'm telling him, as I told Emil and-file victory in steel could be the ENA, since Abel had already Narick [who ran against Abel in CHICAGO "beneficial for the entire labor move­ signed agreements extending the no­ 1969]-and I took Emil N arick around By Michael Gillespie ment." strike agreement to 1980. to the gates and I'll be proud to take CHICAGO-A picnic and rally on Also speaking at the rally were "In a legal sense it's there," he said, you around-! told him, if he don't do Sunday afternoon, September 26, Dorothy Gaines and Ola Kennedy, two "and there's not a hell of a lot you can the job I'll work equally a:s hard kicked off the Sadlowski campaign in Black women union members. Gaines do through collective bargaining to get against him to dump him out of there!" the Chicago area. was Sadlowski's first appointment for it out in 1977." Those present contributed nearly Four hundred steelworkers and their union staff representative after he won On other issues, Sadlowski said he $200 to further the Sadlowski cam­ families attended the event, held at the district directorship in 1974. had been fighting for fifteen years for paign in Cleveland. Campaign organ­ USWA Local 1033's hall just across Gaines would have been one of the the right of all steelworkers to vote on izers hope to open a storefront head­ from the gates of Republic Steel. few Black women staff representatives, their contracts. quarters here soon. The union's building is named but USWA President I.W. Abel vetoed "That's a basic principle, a right Already some 20,000 leaflets have "Memorial Hall" in honor of the ten her appointment. that should have been in the steel­ been distributed at Cleveland steel steelworkers who were gunned down Sadlowski supporters came from workers' constitution since its very plants. by police while peacefully picketing the throughout the Chicago-Gary region inception." Many more steelworkers saw Sad­ Republic plant during the 1937 "Little for the picnic and rally. A large Sadlowski was interrupted by ap­ lowski on the news that evening. Al} Steel" strike. contingent came from Local 1010 at plause when he said that a six-hour three local television stations sent Joe Romano, president of Local Inland Steel in East Chicago, Indiana. workday was "long overdue" in order camera crews to the meeting. 15271 at Danley Machine Company, Also steelworkers from Gary, South to "create employment and create more An interesting sidelight to the meet­ chaired the brief rally and introduced Chicago, and smaller fabricating and leisure time for workers." ing was the brief appearance put in by the speakers. can locals from the suburbs and west The life-and-death issue of safety, he District 28 Director Joseph Kender. George Patterson, the founding pres­ side of Chicago were there to show said, "is not a bargainable question. Kender has apparently been dumped ident of Local 65 at U.S. Steel's South their support.

Order a bundle of 5 or more today at the discount rate of 30 cents each. (Single copies, SPREAD 50 cents.) Send me: 5 copies ($1.50) 25 copies ($7.50) 10 copies ($3.00) 50 copies ($15.00) TBB WORD Enclosed is $ ____ ABOUT Name ______Address ______• Sadlowski's challenge in steel City------• Lessons of labor history State______Zip ------• Blacks and the CIO Mail order to: Pathfinder Press, 410 West • Issues in steel today Street, New York, New York 10014.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 .13 wildcat leaders. The sentiment against gized for the presence of a "communist" such an outrageous provision was so in the press section, explaining that Miners' convention: strong that the resolution died for lack they had received so many requests for of the 200 delegates needed to second press credentials that it had been it. impossible to "check" all of them. union democracy One delegate appealed to Miller: Roll-call vote "People in here to disrupt are getting On the only roll-call vote taken by their way, and you're letting them do the convention, Miller's position lost. it. Let's move on with the business." under attack The vote was on the Arbitration That was most likely the majority Review Board established in the last sentiment. But because the red-baiting contract and supported by Miller. was not answered, it cropped up Many miners were fed up with the several more times to disrupt the ineffective procedure and voted convention. against it. "I don't think a coal company should appeal and appeal Younger miners and wait until we die until a decision is The power struggle will ultimately be made," argued one delegate. decided by a union membership radi­ Miller's right-wing opponents didn't cally different in composition from a use the convention to talk about their few years ago. Expansion of the former support of Boyle, who now sits industry has brought an influx of new in prison for ordering the murder of miners. One-third of UMW members Jock Yablonski, one of the founders of are now in their twenties. the reform mov~ment. It's a work force increasingly unwil­ Nor did they reminisce about the ling to jump when told or to accept Militant/Nancy Cole good old days when any delegate who that there "must" be deaths in the UMWA delegates. Came to have a say about how their union is run. dared to speak out against Boyle at a mines. national convention would more than "I did two years in Vietnam," said likely by rewarded on-the-spot with a one of the union's many armed service By Nancy Cole back the reforms won since the MFD bust in the mouth. veterans, "and I didn't come home to CINCINNATI-The international slate was elected. Instead, they tried to use the demo­ get wasted under a piece of slate, just convention of the United Mine Work­ They are, of course, forced to dis­ cratic procedures of the convention to because somebody told me to work ers of America ended here October 2 guise their reactionary aims. They did disrupt it. It began with the very first under unsuppo~ top." with no decisive victory or defeat for so at the convention with a variety of point on the agenda. A motion by The delegates studied the resolutions the reform leadership of President techniques, ranging from red-baiting Patrick to save time by not reading the carefully, especially those on safety. Arnold Miller. tirades to demagogic appeals for de­ convention call already printed in the Without hesitation, they demanded The offensive by right-wing forces in mocracy. UMW Journal was opposed by the more if they thought it necessary. They the union, supporters of former Presi­ While these pro-Boyle forces consist­ disrupters. When the vote was called in were unawed by printed proposals dent W.A. "Tony" Boyle, failed in its ently voted against anything support­ favor of Patrick, the minority unsuc­ from offical committees. attempt to discredit and weaken the ed by Miller, most delegates voted their cessfully called for a roll-call vote, a The convention's collective bargain­ Miller administration. minds on the issues, whether Miller procedure that would have taken up to ing committee considered nearly 6,000 If there was one thing clear after the was on their side or not. three hours. resolutions submitted by union locals ten-day convention, it was this: those One example was the convention By the end of the ten-day proceed­ proposing demands for the next con­ who would return the UMW to its decision, opposed by Miller, to change ings, a steady chorus of boos greeted tract. Those adopted by the delegates former days of dictatorial rule and the election date. The majority of nearly every speaker construed as a included: cozy relations with the mineowners delegates were convinced that holding Miller supporter. Voice votes were • the right to strike; will have no easy time putting it over the election earlier was necessary to almost automatically contested. • full-time safety committeemen on this membership. strengthen the union position in the Miller insisted from the beginning with the power to shut down unsafe This gathering was a striking con­ 1977 contract negotiations. that there be no "politicking" during mines; trast to any other union convention for the convention. Thus, the politics of • a six-hour day; many years. Most of the 2,000 dele­ Open meetings the IEB split were never explained. • no compulsory overtime; and gates came directly from the mines; 60 According to Miller, one of his most The tyrannical rule of Boyle was • reduction of the gap between pay percent of them were attending their important victories at this year's never mentioned. Resolutions support­ grades, with an across-the-board sub­ convention was passage of a constitu­ ed by Miller were frequently not stantial wage increase. This is the first of several articles on tional provision to hold IEB meetings explained on the convention floor by the United Mine Workers of America in the coalfields and open them to his backers. rank-and-file observers. This way the convention. The only "politicking" was left to miners will see for themselves what Miller's opponents. Near the end of the first UMW convention. They came not the IEB majority represents. convention, a delegate finally rose to to be entertained but to have a say on "I whipped 'em [the IEB majority] complain: "There's a lot of people every aspect of the union's function­ here, and I'm going to whip 'em some running around from delegation to ing. more down in the coalfields," Miller delegation disrupting the convention. They like running their own union said after the convention ended. "It Why can't the IEB sit up there [on the for a change. will be a pleasure to hold board platform] where they belong?" Whether Miller can retain the confi­ meetings now." dence and respect of this growing, Miller won a number of other consti­ Patterson's record outspoken membership will be tested tutional amendments that strengthen The real character of the anti-Miller in the next election of international his supervision over staff and organiz­ opposition is exemplified by its leader, officers, moved up from November ing activities. Lee Roy Patterson. 1977 to June 1977 by the convention. His enemies lost on a proposal to For years Patterson fought against take the appointment of organizers, giving miners the right to vote on Miners for Democracy safety inspectors, and other staff out of contract ratification. Now he attacks Miller has served as president since Miller's hands. They proposed instead Miller for having "failed to get a 1972 when he defeated Boyle in a that the staff be elected. Their real aim contract miners were entitled to in government-supervised election. A was not to expand union democracy 1974." former leader of the movement for but to hobble the Miller administra­ Patterson's Kentucky district had black-lung compensation, Miller ran tion. four times as many fatal accidents in on the Miners for Democracy (MFD) Miller was defeated on a similar 1975 as the year before. question, however, when the conven­ slate with two other miners, Mike But earlier this year he told repor­ MILLER: 'It'll be a pleasure to Trbovich for vice-president and Harry tion voted to return the dues collection ters, "As long as we have mining, board meetings in the coalfields.' Patrick for secretary-treasurer. system from the international to the we're going to have deaths.", Trbovich switched loyalties soon district level. This is a step to strength­ Patterson did not take the floor to after his election, allying with the en the hand of anti-Miller district speak at all during the convention. right wing. In addition, Miller con­ leaders, opening the door to corruption Trbovich played his cards on the­ tends with Boyle holdovers on the and even blackmail of the internation­ second day of the convention in his International Executive Board, who al by withholding dues. vice~presidential report. He abandoned outnumber his supporters sixteen-to­ The right-wing forces have sought prepared remarks distributed to the five. to take advantage of legitimate dis­ press that warned of a "creeping The IEB has done its best to frus­ content with the Miller leadership. cancer" in the union, an "internal trate Miller in carrying out the man­ Under pressure of the government and infiltration of the Socialistic, Revolu­ dates of the 1973 UMW convention, the coal companies, Miller has tried to get tionary and Communistic elements." first one democratically run in de- miners to rely on a three-stage griev­ He did charge, nevertheless, that cades. , ance procedure, rather than defending radicals on the UMW staff have Miller's only announced presidential their rights through job actions. "practically destroyed the union." opponent is District 23 IEB member In July of this year a nationwide This attack on the union incensed Lee Roy Patterson. A former Boyle wildcat strike erupted to protest many delegates who hooted and crony, Patterson now says, "I hope we company-inspired court injunctions heckled him. One miner even moved to can look to the future and forget about and fines against striking UMW lo­ delete his speech from the official the Boyle faction and the Miller fac­ cals. Miller was indecisive, finally convention record. tion." ordering the miners back to work. But the red-baiting smear had its Patterson and other Boyle support­ They refused, and the strike went on effect. By the next morning motions to ers would like the rank and file to without national leadership for four "clean house" of communist delegates, forget about the past when union weeks. In response to this and other and to expel a· "communist" reporter officials served the coal companies at wildcats, the Miller leadership pro­ from the Maoist Call, received frenzied great expense to the miners. These posed that the convention enact a support. TRBOVICH: Radicals 'have practically right-wingers are now trying to roll constitutional amendment to prosecute Miller, chairing the session, apolo- destroyed the union.'

14 Why there will be no pr1sons• under socialism

By Willie Mae Reid Capitalism breeds crime. designed not to reform human beings, but to break The fifth anniversary of the Attica massacre At one end of the social spectrum we have the them. Every single hour of every day of every week brought with it new headlines of prison conditions tiny clique of organized and legalized criminals. for months or years is totally controlled by brutal and rebellions by inmates. That's the bankers and big businessmen who own guards. Prisoners are caged like beasts, driven like When the Attica rebellion ended five years ago our factories, farms, mines, and government. beasts, beaten like beasts. with government troops killing forty-three people, They make all their decisions on the basis of one Prisons are designed to torture and terrorize. all kinds of studies were done and changes in prison factor: profit. They poison our environment, kill Dungeons like Attica are American capitalism's conditions recommended. Yet nothing changed, millions in their wars, and make life miserable for answer to the torture racks ofthe Spanish inquisi­ forcing inmates once again to protest. working people-all in search of a buck. tion. At the end of August, prisoners of Attica At the other end of the social spectrum are the organized a strike. Their demands included the outcasts, the drug addicts, the unemployed. There How to end crime right to shower daily instead of tWice a week; an are thousands who have been spit out of the social A socialist America will have no need for that end to overcrowding; more telephone privileges; an system as if it were a testing machine rejecting kind of barbarism. Crime will be eliminated by end to strip and rectal searches; the right to kiss, defective parts. eliminating its root causes. hug, and touch visiting relatives and friends; and Under socialism, no one will want for food, an end to brutal and racist treatment. Racism and sexism clothes, shelter, or any other necessity. That will be The Socialist Workers party wholeheartedly There are other ways capitalism breeds crime. the absolute right of every single person­ supports their struggles and demands. But the The continual depiction of women as sex objects something to be taken for granted as we take for ultimate aim of socialists is not to have some. and submissive servants encourages crimes against granted the air we breathe. prettified version of these dehumanizing institu­ women, such as rape. With an end to the systematic propagation and tions. As Eugene Victor Debs, that great pioneer of The racist structure and ideology of this society­ practice of racism and sexism by the government American socialism, put it fifty years ago, "Social- including the law-and-order and antibusing cam­ and the ruling class, such sentiments will begin to paigns of capitalist politicians-leads to vigilante fade away. This will be aided by the impact of attacks on Blacks and other minorities. Willie Mae Reid is the Socialist Workers party massive affirmative-action programs to eradicate the second-class status of oppressed minorities and candidate for vice-president. women, and by systematic education against racist and sexist ideas. ism and prison are antagonistic terms." Ending frustrations and uncertainties of daily life At first the idea that there will be no prisons in . under capitalism will lay the basis for eliminating the socialist future sounds wild and utopian. But crimes of passion, alcoholism, drug addiction, and not all human societies in the past have had them, similar social evils. and under socialism there will be no need for them What then to do with the prisons? either. It is not only a matter of prisons, but of the whole "law enforcement" machine. The function of this Raze the prisons machine-to oppress, brutalize, and terrorize-is I would raze them to the ground. Except for one or best symbolized by the recent legalization of the maybe a couple to be kept as museums. death penalty in the United States. The whole There will, of course, still be antisocial behavior machine will be swept away. in the years immediately following a socialist EUGENE DEBS: 'Socialism and prison are revolution. Product of class society antagonistic terms.' Debs was sentenced to ten years But torturing people in prisons will not solve that Prisons and the rest of the machine are products in federal prison because of his opposition to World problem-if nothing else, the experience of capital­ of a specific kind of society-a society that is War I. ist societies has taught us that. We will have to internally divided into different classes. devise more effective and humane methods for As long as there has been master and slave, lord overcoming this problem. and serf, capitalist and worker, there have been Finally, we will have to decide what to do with cops, courts, and prisons. But before class society­ the small minority of unrepentant capitalists and in the communities of American Indians before the The frustrations, uncertainties, and pressures of their hangers-on. Some aren't likely to accept the Europeans -came, for example-there were no day-to-day life under capitalism are often too much new social order. repressive institutions of this kind. for people to bear. The results are the crimes of What do we do about them? Lock them into Attica Class society needs prisons, cops, and courts to passion, the parents who beat their children, the and let them rot? No. That's not the answer. keep the oppressed majority of the population from mentally deranged who shoot passersby at random. A socialist revolution will be made, in part, to do overthrowing the rule of the exploiting minority. And finally the dog-eat-dog principle under which away with such sadistic revenge, not to change the The kind of class society that has brought this society operates, coupled with the fact that name or class of its victims. repression to its highest pitch is modern capitalism, money-and only money-buys power and comfort, especially American capitalism. But it is not crime sets the stage for all kinds of crime. This goes from Trotsky's view in general that is punished in the United States. It the bribed politician to the landlord who burns his Russian revolutionist Leon Trotsky wrote about is the poor who get victimized. Especially if they building to collect the insurance. this in a popular American magazine in 1935. "If happen to be young Blacks, Puerto Ricans, or And what do prisons and the criminal justice America Should Go Communist" was the name of Chicanos. system do to end crime? the article in which Trotsky wrote: If the major function of law enforcement in this Nothing. Absolutely nothing. "As to the comparatively few opponents of the country were to combat crime, by now even the First, they do nothing to attack the source of [socialist] revolution, one can trust to American capitalists would have admitted its failure and crime-the poverty, unemployment, racism, sexism, inventive genius. It may well be that you will take sought new approaches. and irrationality of capitalism. your unconvinced millionaires and send them to Virtually every time the government releases Second, the idea that a prison is somehow going some picturesque island, rent-free for life, where crime statistics, previous records are broken. to "rehabilitate" someone is nonsense. Prisons are they can do as they please."

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 45 [The following article is based on a report given by Malik Miah at the Socialist Workers party national convention in August. Miah, a member of the SWP National Committee, is · the party's Black liberation director. He has been an active participant in the fight to Where the strug defend school desegregation in Boston.] Over the past two years, the struggle to win school desegregation in Boston and other cities has been a central issue in American politics. Every major capitalist presidential contender this school desegregati~ spring spoke out against busing, although it is the only viable means to end school segregation in this racist society. The importance of the busing fight is also pointed up by continuing federal court desegregation orders. For example, desegregation plans are expected to be in operation this fall in Milwaukee; Dayton, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; Dallas; Wilmington, Delaware; and Indianapolis. Busing has become a focus of the struggle between those who want to advance the struggle for Black equality and those who want to roll it back. That is why we in the Socialist Workers party have spent so much of our time and efforts over the past two years defending busing. At stake in the struggle for school desegregation is the democratic right of Blacks to get the best education possible-an equal education now denied them. But much more is also at stake. The outcome of this battle will affect the struggles of women, youth, and other working people attempt­ ing to defend and improve their living standards. Government offensive The government's offensive against busing is part of its general assault against the working class as a whole. tion. It refused to send federal troops to protect the This is one reason why AFL-CIO President ville, Pasadena, and other cities. But the racist Black community against violent attacks. George Meany has continued to publicly support movement in Boston has posed t}le greatest danger. When the government did act against city and busing. Even Meany-who has taken reactionary It has conducted a sustained and organized drive state officials and right-wing mobs, it did so only in stands on the Vietnam War and other important against Black rights for more than two years. response to mass social pressure. This was true in social issues-recognizes that the aim of the employers and their government is not solely to roll Lessons Little Rock in 1957 and Selma in 1965. The fight for busing in this country is just back gains of the civil rights and Black liberation The defeat of Jim Crow came about through the beginning. As in all major social struggles, setbacks actions of the independent civil rights movement movements. They also intend to slash the wages, and defeats will occur along the way. But the based on Black communities across the country. living standards, and democratic rights of all overall fight will go on. Beginning with the Montgomery bus boycott in workers. 1955-56, through the freedom rides and sit-ins of the It is no surprise, then, that the .government, This is true because the capitalist class is incapable of granting educational equality to 1960s, Jim Crow was finally defeated. politicians, media, and police have tolerated and Blacks-either through the right to control their The civil rights movement showed not only the even encouraged racist violence against Blacks­ own schools with adequate funding, or through full power of an independent Black movement in this the most militant section of the working class. school desegregation. Total Black equality is only Encouraged by this government complicity, right-­ country. It also exposed the complicity of the federal possible after the victory of the socialist revolution. government with the racists. wing organizations of all sorts have grown recently. The Black community must continue, however, to The government offensive has paved the way for press for the complete implementation of its No enforcement expanding support to racist groups such as Boston's Things are much the same today. Instead of ROAR (Restore Our Alienated Rights). democratic rights. Otherwise, not only will the desegregation fight enforcing desegregation, the government has en­ It has also made it easier for anti-Black, antilabor couraged and cooperated with antibusing forces. outfits like the Ku Klux Klan and Nazi party to be lost, but the capitalists will attempt to worsen the already rotten education received by Blacks. Instead of sending federal troops into South operate around the country. Key to advancing the fight for Black equality Boston to arrest and lock up racist hooligans, the Boston: center of battle today is to draw the lessons from past experiences. government-through statements by President Ford Since September 1974, Boston has been the center and other officials-egged on the drive to disrupt of the busing fight. This is where the battle lines Government Inaction busing and terrorize Black citizens. were first drawn between racist forces and support­ The main lesson to be drawn from the Boston In the 1950s the government had the power to events is the government's direct responsibility for ers of school desegregation. stop the bigots, but refused to do so. In the 1970s the racist violence. · The antibusing movement in Boston is highly government has the power to stop the racists, but organized. It has wide backing both at city hall and ·The government's refusal to enforce its own again refuses to do so. inside the police department. desegregation laws has given a green light to racist Why? Because it is not in the government's class organizations such as ROAR in Boston, "United As a result, ROAR and other right-wing organiza­ interests to defend Black rights. Labor Against Busing" in Louisville, and the tions have been able to function quite freely as We must educate the masses to have no illusions American Nazis in several other cities. These terror squads against Boston's Black community. that the government and the Democratic and groups have carried out attacks on the Black Blacks have been chased out of all-white East Republican parties will protect Black rights. community with virtual impunity. Boston. They can't live in South Boston. They can't Only the power of an independent mass move­ use certain beaches in the city. The democratic right Government inaction has also resulted in a deep ment will force the government to use its military of Blacks to move freely within Boston has been racial polarization in Boston. This polarization might to enforce Black civil rights. camouflages deep class divisions in the city. As a curtailed. Rulers' dilemma Antibusing violence has also erupted in Louis- result, it has been harder to win over working-class whites to support the democratic rights of the Black Despite the government's complicity with racist community. Many moderate or probusing whites in forces, it is not able today to publicly attack the idea Boston have remained silent, fearing vigilante that Blacks should have equal rights. Aside from retaliation. • outright fascist elements, almost no one anymore The role of the government has been crucial in all openly says that Blacks should be kept segregated. this. Its acts have helped the racists in Boston and Almost no one openly says that Blacks should be nationally. denied social, economic, and political equality with whites. 1950s This was not true thirty years ago. This new Washington played a similar role in the 1950s. situation poses a dilemma for the capitalists in Within a year after the 1954 Supreme Court carrying out their offensive against working people. school desegregation decision, the justices had The militant struggles of Blacks and their decided that their own ruling need not be enforced supporters over past decades won respect from immediately-just with "all deliberate speed." millions of whites. The racist attitudes of many The court's back-peddling gave the go-ahead to whites were challenged by these struggles, and Jim Crow supporters in the South. It was a signal attitudes began to change on a massive scale. that if they "resisted" long enough, Jim Crow could Despite the government's offensive, this general be maintained. respect for the potential of Black power remains. The racists began to mobilize their gangs to The struggles of the past twenty years have also attack Blacks. Organizations such as the Ku Klux given Blacks more self-confidence and self-pride. Klan and White Citizens Councils gathered steam. Black nationalist consciousness deepened through­ Washington collaborated with local and state out that entire period. governments in the South in resisting desegrega- Any attempt to drastically reverse gains from

1& Congress that would limit the power of federal Because such leadership does not exist, the courts to order busing. It would also limit the racists' lies about busing have gone largely unan­ number of years a court could actively enforce a swered in any mass sense. In addition, none of the busing plan once it was ordered. Black community's current leaders have effectively This bill is misnamed the School Desegregation exposed the government's role in the assault on 1le for Standards and Assistance Act of 1976. Its real aim, Black rights. however, is to maintain white privilege. The Supreme Court has also dealt blows to Lessons from April 24 desegregation. On June 28 it ruled in favor of racist This vacuum of leadership was among the main opponents of busing in Pasadena, California. The political reasons why the planned national probus­ court said the Pasadena Board of Education should ing march on Boston scheduled for April 24 had to tn stands not be required to reassign Black and white be canceled. This cancellation represented the students yearly in order to maintain desegregation biggest setback for the antiracist movement over levels ordered in 1970. This decision will lead to the the past year. resegregation of Pasadena schools. This setback has led to a certain demoralization The court's decision in this case marked a big and weakening of the antiracist forces, particularly setback to the busing fight. It helped undercut the in Boston. This can only be reversed by a major significance of the court's decision not to review the educational campaign culminating in a successful Boston desegregation order. mass action for busing sometime in the future. The Pasadena decision should warn Blacks that April 24 was called in response to an increase in the Supreme Court will not necessarily continue to anti-Black violence in Boston over the winter. No enforce its o\vn 1954 ruling. The Supreme Court will other national probusing march or rally had been respond primarily to the relationship of forces held anywhere in the country since the NAACP­ between those struggling for Black rights and those called demonstration in Boston on May 17, 1975. struggling against those rights. On the other hand, the racist& had held numerous demonstrations and were planning a national Divisions in ruling class march for Washington, D.C., also on April 24. (This Although the ruling class as a whole sees the action turned out to be quite small.) need to roll back Black gains, there are disagree­ The potential for the April 24 probusing march ments on whether such sharp attacks on busing was shpwn by the large number of local and should be carried out at the present time. national endorsers gathered by march organizers. Some of the nation's rulers fear the reaction of Leading up to April 24, more people in Boston knew Blacks to an all-out attack. They fear that such an about the planned demonstration than about any assault may spur Blacks to organize and fight back previous one. This march-unlike . prior on a massive scale. demonstrations-was scheduled to step off in the This, for example, is the opinion of the editors of Black community. the New York Times. After the announcement of the Ford-Levi plans to intervene in the Boston case, the Difficult decision past struggles will result in big resistance. Times editorialized: This potential made it very difficult for march The U.S. ruling class also faces international "The first message-even worse than that issued organizers to make the decision canceling the pressures that influence how it carries out its anti­ by President Ford in 1974 when he 'respectfully action. Black and anti-working-class offensive. disagreed' with Judge Garrity's original [Boston April 24 had to be canceled because of a The 1954 Supreme Court decision was in part an desegregation] order-would be to encourage resist­ combination of factors: 1) events in Boston in the attempt by Washington to enhance its image ance to the orders of the Federal courts. The signal days just before the march and 2) the default in among newly emerging independent nations in would simply read that if one disagrees loudly leadership by major Black organizations such as Asia and Africa. enough, throws enough bricks, breaks enough the NAACP, Urban League, Nation of Islam, Today the rise of the revolution in southern windows and injures enough people, the Justice Operation PUSH, Southern Christian Leadership Africa, coming after the victory of the Vietnamese Department ultimately will back down and ask the Conference, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, revolution, has a similar impact on U.S. imperial­ courts to bend the law to accommodate violent and those unions that support busing. ism. If America's rulers did not claim to back Black resistance to it. . . . None of these organizations threw their forces equality at home, their overtures to African and "Black Americans will be put on notice that the and energies behind this march, although a mass Asian governments would lose all credibility. Department of Justice ... has concluded that there response was badly needed to counter the racist Given the current upsurge in southern Africa, are no remedies for their rights and that the last 22 mobilizations and violence. Washington feels this pressure quite acutely. With years have been nothing more than a cruel hoax." This default in leadership flowed from a con­ Kissinger paying lip service to Black majority rule What the Times editors actually fear is another scious policy of class collaboration-that is, these in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and Namibia, he and Ford Soweto in Boston, Detroit, or Pasadena. organizations look to and rely on the capitalist cannot tum around and say that Blacks in this parties and government to defend Black rights. country have no rights. Where things stand They counterpose this policy to a strategy of relying Malcolm X used to talk about this ruling-class On the whole, the relationship of forces today is on our own power mobilized in the streets. hypocrisy. unfavorable for supporters of busing. Federal courts This factor, however, was not the decisive one in "South Africa is like a vicious wolf," Malcolm have recently issued weaker and weaker desegrega­ the cancellation of the march. April 24 was not the said, "openly hostile toward Black humanity. But tion orders. The Detroit decision, for example, is first time-and it won't be the last-that potentially America is cunning like a fox, friendly and smiling, among the weakest. Blacks in that city are being powerful organizations have refused to act in but even more vicious and deadly than the wolf. bused from all-Black schools to other predominant­ defense of their own followers and their own "The wolf and the fox are both enemies of ly Black schools. ·The Detroit NAACP is now interests. humanity; both are canine; both humiliate and appealing the ruling. . When that occurs, it may be necessary for mutilate their victims. Both have the same objec­ But the mere fact of continuing court desegrega­ revolutionists to take the ·initiative in calling an tives, but differ only in methods." tion orders-no matter how weak-shows that the action. The opposition of Black Americans to U.S. racists have not won. In fact, the legal setbacks the That was the course the Socialist Workers party intervention in Angola helped tie Washington's Boston racists suffered over the summer have followed in Boston. hands this year. Blacks in this country are also demoralized many of their supporters. As momentum for the April 24 march developed, taking the lead in mobilizing solidarity with Unfortunately, no Black leadership currently we hoped that pressure would build up on the freedom struggles in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and exists that shapes up to the task of organizing a NAACP and other groups to join in. But even if South Africa. countermovement against the racists. Continued on next page We can predict that the African revolution will continue to have a profound impact on the struggle for Black liberation here in the United States. Attacks on busing Given these international and domestic factors, the ruling class has to camouflage its attacks on busing behind demagogic statements supporting school desegregation and Black rights. The government has released several trial bal­ loons of a legislative and legal nature to gauge how fast and far it can go in limiting busing. President Gerald Ford has taken the offensive on this issue during the past year. Although his reelection bid is certainly involved in this, Ford's attack is part of the general rollback of Black rights. Ford's first trial balloon went up in May. Attorney General Edward Levi announced plans to intervene on behalf of antibusing forces in the Boston desegregation appeal that was before the U.S. Supreme Court at that time. Public opinion, however, moved quickly-led by the NAACP and other Black groups. Ford and Levi were forced to retreat. And the Supreme Court refused to hear the racists' appeal. 'The government's refusal to enforce its own desegregation laws has Then, on June 24 Ford submitted legislation to given a green light to racist organizations.'

THe MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 17 ...the struggle for d Continued from preceding page they didn't, we intended to urge the April 24 coalition to hold the march. It was our opinion then-and it still is-that even a demonstration of only 1,000 people would be a big step forward in Boston. It would have dealt a blow to the racists and set the stage for even bigger demonstrations. A march as broadly endorsed as April 24 would have mobilized the most conscious antiracist forces. It would have given renewed confidence to the young Blacks riding the buses. It would have shown those students that they had brothers and sisters standing behind them. For that reason alone, such a march would have been worthwhile. The decisive factor in canceling the march, however, was the situation that developed in Boston just days before the march. The default in leader­ ship only made it more difficult to overcome these new problems. Those days before April 24 were hell! Not only did the racists step up their violence, the cops worked with them hand-in-glove. This situation led to a rapid polarization in the 'We must be prepared to respond to any serious attacks on Boston's city between Blacks and whites: It wasn't safe for Black community with a nationwide response.' Blacks to go into white areas. In response to the racist violence, many young Blacks responded in kind to whites traveling in the At this time, however, we revolutionists are still We would have betrayed the trust of Boston's Black community. too small to replace these leaders, who are still Black community if we had followed the course This tense atmosphere whipped up by the white looked to by the masses. proposed by other left groups on April 24. Their racists-and city hall's refusal to stop the bigots­ Our job is to explain things squarely and honestly proposals would have ended in a bloodbath and a led many key Black leaders in Boston to withdraw to the masses of American working people. Our aim major defeat for the Black community. their support from the march. _ is to raise their political consciousness by involving We would have lost the trust and confidence of These Black leaders were the strongest backers of them in mass political activity. masses of Blacks not only in Boston but across the April 24 up to that time. Some even threatened to With our currently small forces, we can do this country-trust and confidence built up because we publicly denounce the march if plans for it contin­ best by participating in united fronts with these have shown in action that we can lead struggles ued. They intended to tell Blacks that the march large reformist organizations around important forward and win victories. was a dangerous trap. political issues. That's how we worked with the This turn of events significantly narrowed the NAACP around the May 17, 1975, probusing march. Strategy to move forward political forces in the April 24 coalition. And that's what we'll do in the future. As we enter the fall, numerous cities are begin­ This, in turn, made it impossible to mount an Through this approach, we can build a new ning desegregation plans. Boston, however, re­ effective political campaign to pressure city hall to leadership for the working class and the oppressed mains the center of the busing struggle. protect Black and white marchers on April 24. nationalities. The third year of busing begins in Boston this Demonstration marshals would have been physical­ fall. And the racists have pledged to continue their ly unable to stop a highly organized attack by the The U.S. left campaign against desegregation. racists under such circumstances. Our approach to the busing struggle stands in We must be prepared to respond to any serious It was this situation that made the cancellation of sharp contrast to almost every other left-wing attacks on Boston's Black community with a the march necessary. group. With the exception of the Guardian newspa~ nationwide response. per, almost every left group that said anything The National Student Coalition Against Racism Not Inevitable about April 24 opposed its cancellation. is planning a third national conference in Boston Of course, if the national Black leadership had The Communist party didn't comment on April 24 after the November elections [November 19-21 at decided to back the march, pressure could have been at all-either before the action or after its postpone­ Boston University]. exerted on the government to provide protection ment. This was another indication of its rotten role We want to help make this conference as large as and keep the racists at bay. in the Boston school desegregation battle. possible. We want to involve not only students, but But this didn't happen. The CP has not proposed any course of action to important union and community leaders as well. We March preparations in those last days were led the Black community in Boston other than backing . want these people to speak at the conference rally and organized mainly by the National Student liberal capitalist candidates and sending telegrams and participate in the workshops. Coalition Against Racism-the embryonic left wing to Attorney General Levi. This conference will be the only place this fall of the small probusing movement. The Maoist October League and the Workers where antiracist activists can meet together to To march under such circumstances would have World party both participated in the April 24 discuss, What next? It will be the only place to map been suicidal. The marchers would not have had the coalition and condemned the cancellation. The out a defense of busing and desegregation and plan support of the Black community or its present Workers League, International Socialists, and perspectives for the overall fight against racism in leadership. The demonstrators would have been Spartacist League-sectarian groups that didn't the United States. completely isolated. support the march-nonetheless joined in the Our main job in the coming months is to continue The march could easily have been broken up by chorus of condemnation. to educate on the importance of the busing issue in the racists or by government agents provocateurs. Their arguments reflect two things. the struggle for Black rights. This means stepping In our opinion, such an occurrence would have First, these groups have no understanding of the up our efforts to explain why busing is the only marked a much more serious defeat for the Black real relationship of forces in Boston. Total disre­ road to desegregated education today. community than calling off the march. gard for such matters is characteristic of ,these It also means explaining again and again how To have held the march would have been groups in almost every situation. They all live in the busing fight can be won: mass mobilizations of irresponsible. It would have exposed scores of their own small, isolated dream worlds. They have the Black community and its allies both in Boston probusing activists to racist violence under condi­ no strategy to reach out and involve masses of and across the country. tions where they could not defend themselves. Not people. only that, it would have made it much more difficult Second, these groups have no concept of what it to organize demonstrations in the future. The means to be part of the leadership team of a mass leaders of the march would have been totally movement-what it means to have t"esponsibilities discredited in the eyes of the Black community. not only to your own organization, but to masses of Issues in Under such conditions, the only correct decision working people. for march leaders was to admit that a setback had The Socialist Workers party, in contrast, sized up occurred and cancel the march. the situation in Boston by assessing the real social Boston· At the same time, demonstration leaders stressed forces. That's how we decided our tactics in that THE RACIST OFFENSIVE AGAINST BUSING: The the need for a probusing demonstration as soon as situation. Lessons of Boston; How to Fight Back, by Willie possible. And they launched an educational cam· Our main concern was always the interests of the Mae Reid, Peter Camejo, and others. 50 cents. paign on the issues that could lay the basis for such Black community-not just on April 24, but after­ a demonstration. wards. WHO KILLED JIM CROW? The Story of the Civil This continues to be our goal. This is what we did How could we advance the overall fight for Black Rights Movement and Its Lessons for Today, by and are now doing. rights? That was always our guideline. Peter Camejo. 60 cents. We recognized that this will be a long-term fight Explain things squarely with both victories and setbacks. Our role as FROM MISSISSIPPI TO BOSTON: The Demand We must always remember the real state of revolutionary leaders is to lead the masses forward for Troops to Enforce Civil Rights. An Education affairs in this country today. to victory. But sometimes along the way retreats for Socialists publication, 8% x 11 format, 75 cents. Key figures in the Black and labor movements must be made-like April 24-in order to regroup Order from Pathfinder Press. 410 West Street, New right now ~re not providing leadership in the and move forward tomorrow. York, N.Y. 10014. struggles to defend working people. Many are In such situations, any other course of action outright standing in the way. would be wrong and irresponsible.

18 A WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE MILITANT BASED ON SELECTIONS FROM INTERCONTINENTAL PRESS, A NEWSMAGAZINE REFLECTING THE VIEWPOINT OF REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM

OCTOBER 15, 1976

Under gov't,. TUC Qressure British Seamen's union calls off strike By Jim Atkinson government could have been immense. and John Blackburn But the government, in an unprece­ dented move on the eve of such a LONDON-The executive committee crucial strike, decided to take a back of the National Union of Seamen seat, leaving the TUC to meet with the (NUS) voted by a narrow margin seamen's leaders and force a September 22 to call off a plannec surrender-a mark of the government's strike for a pay raise barred under the high confidence in the TUC leaders Labour government's wage controls. and a striking example of the promi­ Under heavy pressure from top leaders nent role now played by the trade­ of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) union bureaucracy under the social and the Labour government, the lead­ contract as a direct agent of govern­ ership of the 38,000-member union ment policy. agreed to accept improved fringe In a September 12 article entitled benefits in lieu of the pay increase. "Seamen: How the TUC put the boot The seamen wanted a £6 weekly in," the Observer's labour correspond­ wage rise starting last July-a demand ent Robert Taylor gave a picture of which NUS leaders argued was in how the TUC leaders went to work on accord with the £6 limit operative the seamen's leaders. "There was no under Phase One of Labour's pay doubting the TUC's determination to policy, which was in force until Au­ drive home to Jim Slater, the volatile gust. But the TUC and the government NUS general secretary, and his execu­ disagreed. On July 14, and again on tive just what their surprise call for an August 11, the TUC Economic Com­ all-out industrial action would mean. Red Weekly mittee, which has acted as a sort of " 'By God, we'll make sure no union examining body for wage claims under supports you,' is what TUC General the "social contract," ruled that the Secretary Len Murray told them.... " are 1.5 million jobless, social facilities Unemployment is hitting especially seamen could not have a wage rise Under this pressure, the NUS execu­ . are being stripped back by public hard at public sector workers, and it is until next January. tive voted by 8-7 September 11 to spending cuts, and prices in August from the public sector unions that the Two days after the TUC's final postpone the strike for 15 days. After were up 13.8 percent over a year ago. first signs of action on the jobs front adverse ruling, the NUS National eleven more days of intensive talks, With this record, the seamen are are coming. The National Union of Executive Committee, facing mounting first with the TUC and then with the unlikely to be the only group of Public Employees (NUPE), the coun­ pressure from militant seamen, decided shipowners, the strike was called off workers to threaten to puncture the try's fifth largest union with over to ballot the union's membership on and a settlement reached providing social contract. "The barter price of 600,000 members, has called a demon­ the advisability of taking some kind of fringe gains allowable under the go­ wage restraint," Times labour editor stration and lobby of Parliament for industrial action to secure their pay vernment's wage controls. Paul Routledge reminded the paper's November 17. NUPE's London Div­ claim. The crisis had proved especially readers on September 6, "was supposed isional Council has called on its On September 6, the results of the acute for the TUC since, embarrassing­ to be price control and more jobs. members to strike on November 17. ballot were announced: by a slight ly, the original strike decision had Prices are bound to rise with the And Britain's largest civil service majority the seamen had voted for been announced right in the middle of phasing out of food subsidies, and union, the Civil and Public Service industrial action. Immediately, 300 the TUC's annual week-long congress registered unemployment has reached Association (CPSA), has thrown its seamen at Felixstowe port jumped the where a reaffirmation of support for 1,500,000 and is still rising. The support behind the demonstration and gun on the union leadership and the social contract was the main point reckoning cannot be postponed for called a one-day strike for November staged a twenty-four-hour wildcat on the agenda. ever.... " 17. walkout to pressure their leaders into Meeting in the seaside resort of calling a national strike. The following Brighton, the delegates (who represent­ morning (September 8), the NUS ed Britain's eleven million organised executive voted unanimously for an workers) voted overwhelmingly to 'A steady descent into hell' all-out strike from three days thence. renew the social contract for another The settlement reached by the and horses have been driven The NUS leaders, however, had been three years. The main resolution adopt­ NUS set off a selling spree by through it." cornered into a confrontation for ed called for a return to "free collective holders of the British pound that Seeking to counteract this opin­ which they had no stomach. On bargaining" after Phase Two expires sent that currency plummeting to a ion and shore up the pound, Prime September 9, the Guardian reported next August, but said that this should record low of $1.64 on September Minister James Callaghan told the that "Mr Slater, who is a member of be "planned" and "orderly" to avoid a 28. Labour party conference September the TUC General Council, went out of "wages free-for-all." As the TUC gener­ The capitalist governments, 28 that the Labour government his way to deny that the strike was a al secretary, Len Murray, put it in his banks, and giant corporations that would continue with its policies of challenge to the social contract." keynote speech to the congress on trade on the world money market cuts in social spending and tight But Slater's pleas of loyalty to the September 8: "The move next year feared that the benefits agreed to wage controls. social contract cut little ice with either towards a more flexible system must opened the way for more chal­ But the militancy of British the TUC or the government. The not lurch into instability but be an lenges to the government's wage workers leaves the international impending strike threatened to under­ orderly process: otherwise we shall control policy. financiers skeptical as to how long mine the social contract by pointing cast away all that we have gained." One financial dealer told the the Labour government's policies the way to other sectors of workers to Singing the praises of the social Wall Street Journal that "the can be maintained without provok­ challenge the wage controls. contract, Murray claimed that "all in government and the unions say the ing big social struggles. On the other hand, if the govern­ all, trade unionists have gained more wage-restraint policy hasn't been One London money dealer called ment had tried to hold out against a from this government in the last t vo breached by the seamen's pact, but the sterling's weakness "a steady, prolonged seamen's strike the econom­ and a half years than from any other to the rest of us it looks like a coach unstoppable descent into hell." ic dangers for the ruling class and the government"-at a time when there

19 World Outlook

Revolutionists still held as Qolitical Qrisoners Demand Mao's heirs free Chinese Trotskyistsl. . By Michael Baumann shot on false charges of being "Kuo- cal ideas by word of mouth and the newspaper the Mzlztant contmuall! mintang agents." . printed word. They committed no acts opposed Washington's support to Chi- Following the death of the Great A number of the Trotskyists' local that could reasonably be construed as ang and the aggression in Korea Helmsman, his successors have em- headquarters were raided by the new counterrevolutionary."_ launched by Truman. The Militant barked on a campaign of speedup regime. Each of these activities, it should be demanded that the White House grant under the slogan, "Turn grief into Trotskyist organizations not raided noted, is guaranteed as a right of all diplomatic recognition to the People's strength." in these years were constantly p~rse- citizens under both the constitution of Republic of China, and opposed all the Workers are being encouraged to lift cuted in various other ways. Their 1954 and the constitution of 1975. preparations for war against the new output some 20 to 30 percent, with activities and correspondence were If no public trials were held for the regime. special praise reserved for such model kept under permanent surveillance. Chinese Trotskyists, it was in large Silenced by political repression and efforts as a Shanghai steel plant that The biggest raids were carried out part because their records as fighters strict censorship, the Chinese masses "stayed on the job around the clock." three years after Mao rose to power. In for the revolution made this extremely cannot demand redress for these and There is nothing to indicate that sweeping actions across China De- difficult. They fought for twenty-five other revolutionists held behind bars. Mao would have disapproved. But cember 22, 1952, and January 8, 1953, years for the national independence of Accordingly, it is the duty of the entire would it not be more fitting to follow Mao's political police arrested virtually China, for the liberation of the prole- international workers movement, of all the example set by even some of the every known Trotskyist. In many tarian and peasant masses, and for a civil-liberties organizations, to demand most repressive capitalist governments cases their friends and relatives were socialist persp'3ctive. their freedom. upon the death of an autocratic roler- arrested, too. Because of their activity, they suf- In a statement issued April 16,1972, namely, the release of political prison- . In all, about 200 persons are estimat- fered brutal repression from reaction- the Fourth International called on the ers? ed to have been seized in the final ary forces. Many of their comrades international labor and socialist move- The fate of revolutionary militants raids. In the twenty-three years that were put to death by Chiang Kai- ment to speak out for the release of the who have rotted for years in the cells have since passed, the wall of silence shek's political police or suffered in his imprisoned Chinese Trotskyists. The of Mao's political prisons demands imposed by Maoist censorship has prison cells. Many died in the resist- statement said, in part: immediate attention. Their persecution prevented any definite word of their ance war against Japanese imperial- "We ask all the organizations that was one of Mao's-worst crimes. fate from reaching the outside world. ism, or were buried alive with Commu- have defended the People's Republic of In the case of the Chinese Trotsky- nist party militants on the eve of the China against its foes, that have ists, many were seasoned veterans of What are the charges against them? liberation. Others spent long terms in supported the Chinese Revolution, to the resistance war against Japanese It is impossible to say. No indictments Chiang's concentration camps, along- take a stand on this issue to help break imperialism and the fight against the or trials were ever made public, if side CP cadres. the wall of silence." reactionary rule of the Kuomintang. indeed they ever took place. No men- After the revolution, the Trotskyists They were jailed solely for their politi- tion of the arrests was made in the participated in some of the campaigns A little more than a year before his cal views. They became victims of the official press. instituted by the Mao regime. This is a death, Mao began releasing convicted Mao regime because of their outspoken What did they really do to earn matter of public record, for their war criminals, nearly all of whom had advocacy of socialist democracy. Mao's enmity? revolutionary activity was at times served as lieutenants or police agents The arrest and incarceration of the Li Fu-jen, a former Shanghai jour- praised in the Maoist press. of Chiang Kai-shek. It is a monstrous Trotskyist militants began almost as nalist who knew some of them person- violation of proletarian democracy to soon as Mao came to power. In the fall ally, answered this question in the The unwavering support given to the leave veteran revolutionists behind of 1949 several dozen Trotskyists were June 29, 1970, issue of Intercontinental Chinese revolution by their cothinkers bars while these butchers walk free. arrested in Shanghai and Wenchow, Press. Following Mao's takeover, abroad is a further indication of the Mao's successors· should be pressed to and two were executed. In 1950, a "they continued to maintain, as far as mettle and views of the Chinese alter their late master's policy and similar group was arrested in Kwangsi possible, a group activity. They met Trotskyists. release the Trotskyist revolutionists at and Kwangtung provinces. Some were together. They propagated their politi- In the United States, the Trotskyist once.

Dublin tribunal condemns Noel and Marie Murray Before every major step in escalating Moreover, the death penalty has not repression, the imperialist authorities been applied in the Twenty-Six Coun­ in Northern Ireland and the neocolon­ MUST THEY HROG? ties since 1954. The Criminal Justice ialists in the formally independent Act of 1964 abolished capital punish­ part of the country have tried to test ment for all but three types of crimes: the reaction of public opinion. treason, and certain offenses commit­ The case of a young couple sentenced ted by persons subject to military law; to hang in the Twenty-Six County the murder of the head of a foreign "Free State" seems to be another such state, or a diplomatic officer or member test. of the government of a foreign state; On June 9, in the Special Criminal and "capital murder," that is, murder Court in Dublin, Justice Pringle passed of a policeman or prison guard acting judgment on Marie Murray (twenty­ in the course of duty. However, whoev­ seven years old) and Noel Murray er killed Reynolds had no way of (twenty-five): "It was the duty of the knowing he was a policeman. The court, therefore, to order that you be MARIE AND NOEL MURRAY, SENTENCED TO DIE Murray sentence was the first time a removed to the prison in which you special tribunal has handed down the were last confined and there to suffer BY HANGING, ON THE 9th JULY, IN THE SPECIAL CRIMINAL COURT, BY JUDGES PRINGLE, death penalty. death by execution in the manner pre­ MARTIN AND CARROLL Although the Murrays were sent­ scribed by law [hanging] on July 9, enced to death as common criminals, 1976, and to be buried within the THEY WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH WITHOUT A they are being denied even the basic precincts of the said prison." JURY- THE ONLY EVIDENCE WAS STATEMENTS, rights of death-row prisoners. They Police officials claimed that Marie EXTRACTED UNDER TORTURE BY THE POLICE. cannot receive letters, even from per­ Murray had admitted shooting an off­ sonal friends. No visitors are allowed, duty policeman, Michael Reynolds, THE ACCUSED WERE NEITHER PRESENT NOR except for Noel Murray's parents, both during an attempted bank robbery LEGALLY REPRESENTED DURING TWO THIRDS • Leaflet circulated by Murray over seventy. They are not permitted to September 11, 1975, when he tried to OF THEIR 'TRIAL'. Defence Committee. Irish see each other. capture her and her husband. After she Supreme Court is to hear Execution of the Murrays has been was arrested, she allegedly told a POLICE PERJURY HAS CONDEMNED THEM TO DEATH their appeal November 1. stayed until after Supreme Court policeman: "It was panic and careless­ hearings on the case, scheduled for ness; I did not know it was a guard November 1. (policeman] until I heard it on the The actions of the Irish authorities news. I only intended to hit him. He tarily and had repudiated. republican movement. They were re­ have already revealed that more is crumpled up." The court that tried the couple was a vived for the purpose of suppressing involved in this case than ordinary On technical grounds, court experts · special tribunal of the type originally republicanism after the upsurge in criminal law. Apparently the govern­ claimed the gun could not have been instituted in 1939 and revived by Northern Ireland. ment ·has chosen an exceptionally fired accidently. government decree in 1972. In such When questions were raised whether isolated couple as its first victims in a The Murrays refused to participate courts there are no juries, and the the sentence against the Murrays was move to reestablish the death penalty in the hearings on the grounds that established rules of evidence do not politically motivated, the authorities in political cases, precisely because they were not getting a fair trial. apply. denied that the case was political in they have no ties to any political However, before sentence was pro­ The argument used by the authori­ nature. organization that could defend them. nounced, they denied involvement in ties to justify these procedures is that Nonetheless, the Murrays were tried Messages of support for the cam­ the shooting and the robbery. Noel in political cases, juries can be subject­ in a court set up to deal with "terror­ paign to overturn the Murray sentence Murray jlrgu"ed that the only evidence ed to unusual pressures. The tribunals ism," in which they were denied the can be sent to the Murray Defence against him and his wife were state­ were first set up under the pretext of rights of the accused established in Committee, 155 Church Road, Cel­ ments that they had not made volun- the wartime emergency to crush the common law. bridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland. 20 World news notes Arabs call protest strike in Galilee A two-hour general strike in the Galilee region has been called for September 28 by the majority of the Arab village and town officials in Israel. The strike call, which was adopted at a September 22 meeting, was prompted by the publication of a report by Israel Koenig, the Interior Ministry's chief official in Galilee. Koenig's report warned that Arabs would soon comprise a majority in Galilee, and urged: 1. Harsh penalties against Arabs who "show any sort of hostility to the country and to Zionism." How Kissinger's visit 2. Measures to curb the growth of the Arab population. 3. Measures to make it more difficult for Arabs to gain admission to Israeli universities, and a policy of encouraging Arab students to study abroad but making it difficult for them to return to Israel. boosted S. Africa regime 4. Reduction of the number of Arab workers in Israeli factories. By Ernest Harsch Koenig also criticized Israeli officials for not being sufficiently aware of "the superficial and Levantine Arab character." Henry Kissinger's recent flurry of The strike call demands Koenig's removal from his post and from "shuttle diplomacy" in southern Africa any activity having to do VO'ith Israel's Arab population. It condemns marks another step in Washington's the "evasive stand" of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who has refused escalating intervention against the to take any action against Koenig. African freedom struggle. The Palestinian leaders voiced their "outrage and condemnation" Arm in arm with the white racists in against the "racist and chauvinistic spirit, full of hate and racial Pretoria, the Ford administration is superiority which the [Koenig] document breathes." maneuvering to dampen or sidetrack the mounting Black ferment. A key Egyptian bus drivers strike concern is to establish neocolonial A two-day strike by Cairo bus drivers ended September 20, but only regimes in Namibia and Zimbabwe. after a confrontation in which at least one policeman was killed and a Whatever the final outcome of these number of other persons injured. maneuvers, Kissinger's visit to Preto­ The walkout was prompted by the refusal of the publicly owned ria was an immediate diplomatic boost transit company to discuss with officials of the drivers' union the for the Vorster regime. New York payment of traditional bonuses for the Muslim holy month of Times correspondent John F. Burns Ramadan. The strike also reflected the anger of Egyptian workers over reported in a September 19 dispatch rising prices, shortages of consumer goods, and low pay. from Pretoria: "For his part, Mr. "Many analysts believe that the patience of the Egyptian masses is V orster has made no secret of the pleasure he takes at dealing with Mr. wearing thin as the country's economic gloom deepens, and incidents Kissinger. A few days ago he told a like this weekend's illegal bus strike are watched closely for clues to the political rally that the talks had ended popular mood," Washington Post correspondent Thomas A. Lippman the period in which the West 'ignored reported in a September 20 dispatch from Cairo. us totally,' and ushered in an era in The government moved quickly to settle the grievances of the bus which Mr. Kissinger felt it necessary to Tachyd romos/Bas drivers. report personally to the leaders of However, the shortages and inflation in Egypt are the fruit of Western Europe on the discussions." Sadat's basic policy of opening up the country to foreign capital. This These diplomatic contacts with repeated these criticisms while he was policy is not about to be changed by Sadat, and his real answer to the Washington and the Western Euro­ in South Africa. protests of the Egyptian workers was indicated by a September 22 pean powers bolster the white minority Kissinger, however, took care not to Christian Science Monitor report that "official sources said the public regime's position within South Africa embarrass V orster too much. New prosecutor's office was investigating the strike." by showing the Black masses that York Times correspondent Bernard In an interview published the day after the strikers returned to work, Pretoria is backed by powerful allies. Gwertzman reported from Pretoria Prime Minister Mamdouh Salem charged that "a minority of Marxist The aim is to foster an image of white September 18 that when Kissinger extremists attempted to exploit the suffering of the people and to incite strength and invincibility. addressed a gathering of American resentment." He added that eleven persons had been arrested and were Since the first Black rebellions embassy employees, he "repeated his being interrogated. · erupted in Soweto in mid-June, Preto­ criticism of South Africa's apartheid ria has made a few minor concessions policy, but less harshly than he has India: more repressive legislation within an overall policy of brutal done in the United States. Mr. Kissin· On September 1, the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi repression. At least several hundred ger clearly wanted to avoid a public formally introduced amendments to the preamble and fifty-nine Blacks have been gunned down by rift with his host, Prime Minister John articles of the Indian constitution. Gandhi's latest move to consolidate police .and white vigilantes. It is V orster, during delicate negotiations." her personal dictatorship was taken in the name of a "socio-economic estimated that thousands of Blacks By pressing for concessions in Zim­ have been arrested, including about babwe and Namibia, Washington is revolution which would end poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality 250 leaders and supporters of groups seeking to create a political cover for of opportunity." identified with the Black Conscious­ its economic and paramilitary aid to The amendments would empower the government to outlaw ness movement. the V orster regime. About 360 Ameri­ "antinational activities and associations," a category defined as When about 1,500 Blacks demon­ can companies have nearly $1.5 billion anything that "disclaims, questions, threatens, disrupts or is intended strated in downtown Johannesburg invested in South African mines and to disrupt the sovereignty and integrity of India or the security of the September 23, demanding the release industries, thus playing a major role in state or the unity of the nation." of these political prisoners, the police propping up the apartheid economy. Other amendments bar the Indian courts from issuing writs of attacked them with clubs, arresting Since the 1960s, Washington has habeas corpus or other orders that might delay "a matter of public another 400 persons. . approved the sale of millions of aollars importance"; take away the power of all courts below the Supreme A report released by the antiapar­ worth of aircraft to Pretoria, including Court to review the constitutionality of federal laws; and bar the theid Christian Institute of Southern troop transport planes, Bell helicopters Supreme Court from reviewing the constitutionality of amendments to Africa September 20 noted that allega­ capable of being used in police and the constitution. tions of torture of political prisoners military operations, and twin-engined Moreover, the new legislation would give the president, acting at the were becoming more and more com­ Lear jets suitable for reconnaissance prime minister's behest, virtually unlimited power to further amend the mon. According to Amnesty Interna· and certain combat missions. constitution by decree. tiona!, Pretoria uses torture against The U.S.-sponsored negotiations Since Gandhi's Congress party has a two-thirds majority in both prisoners "on a disturbing scale." over Namibia and Zimbabwe are, in houses of Parliament, passage of the constitutional amendments Kissinger's willingness to greet the the last analysis, aimed at protecting appears assured. world's most hated racist within South Pretoria, the most powerful bastion of Africa itself is consistent with Wash­ colonial rule on the African continent. ington's overall foreign policy. In Colin Legum, a long-time commenta­ Chile protests in Britain LONDON-More than 7,000 persons took part in a demonstration in early June Kissinger posed for photo­ tor on African affairs, pointed to this graphers while shaking hands with aspect of Washington's southern Afri­ Trafalgar Square here September 12, marking the third anniversary of Chilean dictator Pinochet in Santiago, ca strategy in the September 19 issue military dictatorship in Chile. and two months later he signed an of the London Observer. He said that Supported by some of the largest trade un;ons in the country, the agreement in Tehran pledging the sale "powerful forces in the West are protest de~- .'nded that the Labour government end its material support· of another $10 billion worth of Ameri­ willing to support Kissinger in his to the Pinochet regime and that all political prisoners in Chile be can arms to the shah of Iran. efforts to achieve majority rule in released. Because of the international condem­ Namibia and Rhodesia only if they are The day before, a spirited and successful rally in Glasgow brought nation of Pretoria and the rising assured that their rich cake in South 2,000 persons out into the streets in support of the same demands. rebellion against its racist and repres­ Africa will be preserved." The widespread concern in the British labour movement about sive rule, however, Washington has Like Kissinger, their only real aim is political repression in Chile was testified to by the high proportion of been forced to publicly criticize the to preserve capitalist rule in face of the banners from trade-union branches and Labour party constituency system of apartheid. Kissinger himself massive Black ferment. associations in the march preceding the London rally.

21 World Outlook

Social Democrats defeated at the polls in Sweden By Gerry Foley ists who have reconciled themselves vote from 9.4% to 11%, and the Moder­ burning questions before the workers for decades to giving major conces­ ates (conservatives) from 14.3% to movement, the Social Democracy suc­ For the first time in forty~four years, sions to the workers are beginning to 15.6%. ceeded in driving a section of the youth a coalition of bourgeois parties won a foresee the need for cuts and for The Maoist SKP (Sveriges Kommu­ into the arms of the bourgeois parties." large enough percentage in the Sep­ driving the workers movement back nistiska Parti-Communist party of The government's program for build­ tember 19 Swedish elections to form an both on the economic and political Sweden), which has the support of a ing atomic power plants was reported­ openly procapitalist government. levels. few thousand young activists, concen­ ly the most discussed issue in the The defeat of "Swedish socialism" The defeat of the Social Democrats trated its fire on the CP (called the elections. Palme maintained the plants brought cheers from capitalist circles was greeted by a burst of enthusiasm Venstreparti Kommunisterna, VPK, were necessary to assure independent both in Sweden and around the world. on the Stockholm stock market, with Left party of Communists). Its own Swedish development because of the A September 20 Associated Press the biggest jump in prices in the small vote seems to have declined. country's lack of energy resources. dispatch reported: history of Swedish trading. Falldin argued radioactivity from the "Some United States. officials ex­ The prospect of cutbacks in Swedish The Swedish section of the Fourth plants could endanger future genera­ pressed quiet satisfaction today over social welfare benefits was obviously International, the Kommunistiska Ar­ tions. the defeat of Prime Minister Palme. good news for capitalists in other betarforbund (KAF-Communist Some leaders of Sweden's large anti­ Although relations have improved imperialist countries. Workers League), ran candidates in pollution movement threw their sup­ steadily over the last two years, Mr. The European and American press is most areas. It centered its campaign port to the Center party because of this Palme was never popular with some speculating that the Swedish results on calling for a democratic militant issue. However, the other bourgeois American officials." ' may give momentum to the bourgeois workers movement to oppose the bour­ parties openly backed building the Palme's "progressive" .international Christian Democrats in the October 3 geois offensive. plants, and the. Swedish employers policy enabled Swedish capitalists to elections in West Germany, where the The KAF opposed the sectarianism association issued a statement just make profitable deals with some more Social Democrats' small lead has been of the Maoists among the radicalized before the elections defending the need nationalist governments in colonial slipping. youth, as in a debate in Stockholm for them. Obviously the vote will not countries at the expense of the bigger Despite the fanfare over the Social reported September 17 in Dagens alter the Swedish capitalists' determi­ imperialist powers. However, Washing­ Democratic defeat in Sweden, its Nyheter, the country's leading daily. nation to continue this program. ton was undoubtedly most irritated by actual vote loss on September 19 was "The KAF holds that it is important the political concessions the Swedish small. However, the electoral following to see that Sweden doesn't get a government had to make to follow this of the party had been eroding for government of the bourgeois parties On the nuclear issue, as a defender line. several years and even a small loss and thinks it will be good if the VPK of Swedish capitalism, Palme was For example, the Palme govern­ was enough to tip the scales for the gets enough votes to stay in parlia­ trapped. It is not clear how many votes ment's opposition to the Vietnam war bourgeois parties. The Social Demo­ ment. The SKP holds that the Social went to the bourgeois parties on this weakened U.S. imperialism's position. crats lost 0.8% compared to 1973 and Democrats are a bourgeois party and issue. But it probably discouraged Stockholm's defense of Chilean politi­ the Communist party, which backed that the VPK is only their auxiliary." many young people from voting for the cal refugees also saved a number of the cabinet from the outside, lost 0.6%. After the defeat of the workers workers parties. In this, the nuclear political activists, such as the Peruvi­ On the other hand, the largest party parties, the KAF commented in the issue was symptomatic. The reformism an revolutionist Hugo Blanco, whom in the bourgeois coalition, the Center September 21 issue of its weekly paper of the Social Democrats has led to Washington would have preferred to party of the new premier, Thorbjorn Internationalen: increasing alienation of the youth from have seen silenced. Falldin, in fact, lost slightly. However, "By pretending classes were abol­ the workers movement, whose vitality In Sweden itself, even those capital- the Folkeparti (liberals) increased their ished, by refusing to take up the most depends on them.

500 iailed b~ Torrii2! Panamanian students protest price increases By Judy White

National Guardsmen using tear gas, rubber truncheons, and antiriot pellets fired from shotguns attacked demon­ strators in Panama City in mid­ September. As many as 500 persons were arrested as troops sought to crush an eleven-day wave of protests that began September 10. Scores more were injured. The September 10 demonstration had originally been called to mark the anniversary of the 1973 military coup in Chile. However, it developed into an anti-government protest when the authorities announced price increases for rice and milk September 9. Several thousand persons, mainly high-school and university students, participated in what press reports Students flee tear gas during protests in Panama City described as Gen. Omar Torrijos's first open clash with the student movement. Subsequent demonstrations took on Other actions by the regime con­ macy of the 47-year-old general seems ism,' and pointed to the repression that a more clearly antigovernment tone. firmed this estimate. less than assured.... " threatens Panamanian revolutionists Protesters carried signs saying, ''End A rash of complaints were made Riding pointed to the blow the during coming months." repression by the bourgeois govern­ about Washington stalling on the student protests had delivered to Torri­ Among the victims of this repression ment" and "Reduce the cost of living." canal negotiations. Torrijos had jos's prestige. Up until very recently, is Miguel Antonio Bernal. A prominent In addition to bringing in the N a­ agreed to suspend the talks last May in the Federaci6n de Estudiantes de opponent of the Torrijos regime and tiona} Guard and police, Torrijos the interests of Ford's election cam­ Panama has functioned as a semioffi­ professor of law and political science banned all public demonstrations, paign. Suddenly, however, in view of cial government body. Now, according at the University of Panama, Bernal ordered all primary and secondary the opposition to his economic policies, to Riding, it has lost the support of the was deported to Ecuador February 19, schools shut down for five days, and it was to his advantage to revive the student movement to "an assortment 1976. No reason has ever been given suspended classes indefinitely at the canal issue as quickly as possible in an of Trotskyite and other ultra-leftist for his deportation, but it came at the National University. attempt to shift the attention of the groups that ignore the Government's same time that eleven other left- and At the same time, the Panamanian Panamanian masses away from the radical rhetoric and dismiss it as right-wing critics of the Panamanian government arrested three persons repressive steps he was taking to crush oligarchic and bourgeois." government were also forced into exile. they claimed were U.S. intelligence the student protests. The Trotskyists of the Liga Socialis­ agents. Radio Libertador, the official Alan Riding, writing in the Sep­ t a Revolucionaria (LSR­ The U.S. Committee for Justice to radio station, announced that "the tember 23 New York Times, described Revolutionary Socialist League) have Latin American Political Prisoners is Central Intelligence Agency of the the ferment as the "most serious been active in Panama for more than a waging a campaign against this blat­ United States has carefully organized crisis" Torrijos has faced in his eight­ year. An article by Gerardo Solorzano ant case of political persecution. The a plot to destabilize our country and year rule. He commented: published in the May 3 issue of committee asks that messages de­ our revolutionary process." "A wave of student unrest has left Intercontinental Press stated: manding that Bernal be allowed to Groups involved in the protests him with little popular support outside "The analysis made by the comrades return to his country be sent to dismissed Torrijos's charges as "a the national guard, which controls the of the LSR during their congress [of Panamanian embassies throughout government 'campaign to confuse the country. And even in the guard, the February 1976] singled out the rightist the world, with copies to USLA, 853 masses," a dispatch in the September country's only armed force, with a turn being made by the bonapartist Broadway, Room 414, New York, New 21 New York Times reported. strength of 10,000, the continued supre- regime under the guise of 'left national- York 10003. 22 same day's (April 18) issue t)f the Congressional Record. McDonald claims that "since I have been in Wash­ ington I have not seen a copy of Information Digest." But Who's behind compare one of McDonald's recent attacks on the SWP with an earlier edition of Information Digest: "The Socialist Workers Par­ Rep. Larry McDonald ty, the oldest and largest Trotskyist· communist party in the United States, evolved in 1938 from earlier Trotsky­ ist organizations," McDonald & his right-wing spies? wrote in the August 30, 1976, Congressional Record. "The Socialist Workers Par­ By Diane Rupp information comes from· a rent for a radical bookstore police agencies are lying. For ty, the oldest and largest With everybody watching private spy ring. He claims to where the two could operate example, files turned over Trotskyist communist party them these days, it's harder have "reports obtained from a as spies in the antiwar move­ from the Internal Revenue in the U.S., evolved in 1938 for the FBI to carry out its number of patriotic Ameri­ ment. Service and Military Intelli­ from the Communist League attacks on democratic rights. cans in various parts of the Before the 1971 Mayday gence for the SWP lawsuit of America... ," wrote Infor­ But when the FBI's hands country who have penetrated antiwar demonstrations, the against government harass­ mation Digest twenty-two are tied, it has other weapons these violent Marxist-Leninist D.C. police wired John Rees's ment include copies of Infor­ months earlier. and mouthpieces. organizations." house and office with bugs. mation Digest. Does McDonald prepare There are, ·for example, But a close look at what Then Rees lured antiwar Where does the material for Information Digest? Or does Larry McDonald and his McDonald calls his "patriotic protesters to come and talk the newsletter come from? the right-wing spy newsletter right-wing spy ring. Americans" and their secret there. Some of it comes from reports prepare McDonald? We can McDonald is the Democrat­ newsletter shows that these In 1972 and 1973 Louise by people like the Reeses. add another question. Does ic congressman from Mariet­ are not private individuals Rees worked as a spy inside Other information comes someone else-the FBI, ta, Georgia-home of acting on their own. the National Lawyers Guild's from the files of the police perhaps-prepare Informa­ Lockheed-Georgia Company. McDonald's nest of agents Washington office. One guild agencies the newsletter tion Digest and McDonald? He is on the national council obviously includes many peo­ member recalled, "She main­ serves. of the right-wing John Birch ple who are paid FBI in­ tained and updated our do­ At least one list that ap­ Whose document? Society and a member of the formers and provocateurs. nors' list, things like that." peared in the newletter was Among the files obtained anti-abortion Georgia Right All the links between McDo­ By far the most ·valuable stolen, by the Digest's own from the FBI through the to Life Committee. nald's far-right operation and work the Reeses do for the admission: socialists' lawsuit is a pecul­ McDonald wages a fierce the government's official se­ government, however, is their "To protect sources, this iar document, "Exploitation crusade against everyone in­ cret police have not yet come secret newsletter, Information material should not be used in of Women's Movement by volved in a movement for to light. But there is convinc­ Digest. this format. It is also noted Socialist Workers Party." social change. His attacks are ing evidence that the two are that every attempt was made This document is very dif­ printed-at our expense-in closely connected. 'Underground link' to restore the list to its owner, ferent from other materials the Congressional Record. Louise and John Rees are Local red squads, the FBI, without success, as it is real­ turned over by the FBI. It is During an average two-week good examples of how the CIA, and congressiona·l ized that under certain cir­ not an internal report, but a period McDonald submits government makes use of witch-hunters use Informa­ cumstances the publishing of political tract prepared to be fifteen "remarks," four arti­ McDonald's "patriotic Ameri­ tion Digest to pass around stolen lists is illegal." distributed widely, in a semi­ cles reprinted from other cans." lists of names and gossip public way. publications, and two mem­ During those years when about political individuals Just quotes? Except for the cover, which bership lists of political or­ Congress staged witch-hunt and groups. McDonald claims that even says "Federal Bureau of In­ ganizations. hearings more often than ·it The New York State Assem­ though Louise Rees works in vestigation," the document In his attacks, McDonald does now, Louise Rees did bly Office of Legislative Over­ his office he has no ties with looks like an issue of Informa­ charges a wide variety of research on "subversives" for sight and Analysis has inves­ Information Digest. "Neither tion Digest. The format, the individuals and groups with the House Internal Security tigated Information Digest I nor my office is a 'source'­ bold headlines and italicize& being communist fronts, ter­ Committee. Now she is on the and produced an extensive let alone the 'chief one'-for quotations, and the writing rorists, and subversives. His governmental payroll as a report on it. The report docu­ Information Digest," McDo­ style are all those of the right­ targets·range from newspaper staff member for Larry McOo­ mented how the New York nald says. "I have inserted wing newsletter. (See illustra­ columnist Jack Anderson to nald. State Police used the right­ comments into the Congres­ tion.) Puerto Rican nationalists to Like his wife, John Rees wing newsletter to set up sional Record which may The obvious similarity of civil liberties groups. provided material for the political files. have been quoted in the the FBI report and Informa­ The Socialist Workers par­ congressional red-baiting The report said Information Digest and many other organ­ tion Digest points out that the ty, of course, is a favorite committees. He also worked Digest was "serving as a izations." government does not just target. Currently, McDonald with police departments in clearing-house of information To say that Information receive and file the newslet­ is doing a series-twelve arti­ Houston, on the West Coast, on the left for police depart­ Digest picks up McDonald's ter. The FBI sends out this cles so far-attacking the and in Maryland, New Jer­ ments, and forming an under­ comments from the Congres­ material and may help pre­ SWP. sey, and New York. ground link among them." sional Record simply does not pare it. Faced with a lawsuit by the In the early 1970s the The FBI and CIA have jibe with the facts, however. The government's use of SWP and overwhelming pub­ Reeses posed as Sheila O'Con­ admitted they receive the The April 18, 1975, Informa­ this private army of spies is a lic pressure, the U.S. attorney nor and John Seely in Wash­ newsletter, but claim they tion Digest printed Larry major danger to the civil general has admitted that ington, D.C. The police paid don't use it. These federal McDonald's remarks from the liberties of all Americans. there is no legal basis for an FBI "investigation" of the SWP. During four decades of THE SHP 1971J ELE~TORAL. Pl\OGRArl spying, harassment, and TROUBLED WATERS IntrOduction. work by agents provocateurs, 1~1lnntnc with •· •ustve nulonal Wo•rn's Strike for r;qudlty. held on AnJtUft 26, 1970, soc.iali,ts within olk!c:Aulle of ita twolvo-yc.,r involvement with Uto anth,,u mover. •nt, the FBI has never come up the wo.C'n's Move•rnt ht"J:.3ft to he oren1y attacked for their Nny pooplo havo cCI:itO to bell eva thlut.ion and foun.ior of tho •"d ia tcaki"f advafttag• of it. RBd Army, waa unable to prevent Stalin'• bi4 fur ab5olute pottor. Expcllo4 fron~ the Sovi11t Co:a."'llUnht Part.y and ita not privy to the secrets of the Co~mlttca, At the Septeaber, 1971 1 ftatlonal Conference of NOW, Ccntro.l Trotsky waa doportC'!! fr0111 Jluuh in Federal Bureau of Investiga­ SWP forces were attacked hy the out&oln& pre~idrnt who stated 1929 and. a.GaaaGinate

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 23 ~Y.Ivia Weinstein camp..@ign Unionists endorse San Francisco socialist By Valerie Libby 400, wrote: m.aintain, and expand child-care cen­ SAN FRANCISCO-The Democratic "CSA Local 400, SEIU, representing ters in the San Francisco public party's antilabor offensive here is more School District Employees than schools. causing some unionists to take a closer any other employee organization, en­ In 1973 Weinstein became a co­ look at the campaign of Socialist dorsed your candidacy at our member­ chairperson of Child and Parent Ac­ Workers party candidate Sylvia Wein­ ship meeting of September 13, 1976. tion. CAPA was formed by parents stein. Weinstein is running for San "Our members were particularly fighting against the 1973 federal Francisco Board of Education. impressed by the positions you ex­ cutbacks in child-care centers. It cam- Local 400 of the Civil Service pressed concerning employer-employee . paigned successfully for a ballot propo­ Association, Service Employees Inter­ relations, i.e., both favoring collective sition mandating that child-care cen­ national Union, the largest union of bargaining and binding arbitration of ters be made available to all who need city workers in San Francisco, and grievances. Our School District Em­ them. Painters Local 4 have endorsed the ployees were also encouraged by your This past spring Weinstein led a Weinstein campaign. statement that they should remain second fight for the same proposition, . Throughout the year the Democratic under the provisions and protections of which the board of supervisors had party administration of Mayor George the San Francisco City Charter and replaced on the ballot in order to defeat Moscone and the Democratic party­ the Civil Service Merit System. it. controlled board of supervisors have "We urged the San Francisco Labor In a letter urging endorsement for been stripping away wages, jobs, and Council to endorse you and wish you her campaign, Weinstein says, "Dear workers' rights. the best in November. The School Brothers and Sisters.... Just as we Now an array of antilabor proposi­ District Employees, as well as the worked together on the Proposition I tions have been placed on the city students and children attending San campaign (the childcare proposition), ballot. They would eliminate the right Francisco public schools and children we can work together to begin to to strike; open the door to discrimina­ centers need and deserve better school reverse the attack on education which tion based on sex, nationality, union board members. is taking place in our schools. Our activity, or political beliefs; slash "Our membership is convinced you children are the victims of these retirement benefits; and allow in­ would be able to provide the kind of cutbacks which have removed over 250 creased partronage in job appoint­ leadership needed if elected. teachers from the classroom." ments. "Good luck in November!" Weinstein explains that "the cut­ Weinstein is campaigning against Weinstein's campaign has also been backs in the schools are racist. They all of these propositions. endorsed by Vincent Hallinan; Yvonne have been implemented as the school She also demands: Golden, leader of the Black Teachers population has reached 75 percent non­ • Full funding for quality education. Caucus; Linda Festa, vice-president of white. • Expansion of quality child-care the San Francisco National Organiza­ "The Board of Education has at­ SYLVIA WEINSTEIN centers, to be made available for all tion for Women; Pat Crawford, cochair­ tempted to pit minority communities who need them. person of Child and Parent Action against each other, to fight for pieces • Implementation of the Bilingual­ (CAPA); and Howard Wallace, Bay of an ever shrinking pie." representatives on the Board of Educa­ Bicultural Master Plan. Area Gay Liberation. She says that "the Democratic and tion and in all levels of government." • Teachers' rights. . . no layoffs, no Republican politicians in this city have There are three headquarters for cutbacks, end the hiring freeze. Weinstein is well known in San proven to be the obstacle. . . . It is Sylvia Weinstein's campaign in the • The right of public employees, Francisco as a fighter for the rights of self-defeating to mobilize against the San Francisco area: 3284 Twenty-third including teachers, to strike. parents, students, and teachers. For rich and their politicians one day and Street, (415) 824-1992; 1441 Ocean In a letter to Weinstein, Vince the past three years she has been a vote for their two parties the next. . . . Avenue, 333-6261; and 2762A Pine Courtney, executive secretary of Local central leader of the fight to defend, Working people must put their own Street, 931-0621. Will Council, Teamster By Roberta Scherr Council liked what he read. He Young socialists tour NEWARK-Will Council has sold decided to attend the SWP campaign more subscriptions to the Militant rallies and forums in Newark. Doing By Betsy Farley than any other member of the Socialist so was difficult, because much of NEW YORK-Osborne Hart has Workers party in Newark, during the Council's time is spent on long over- spoken to more than 600 students on current subscription drive. He is also the-road trips. the East Coast. the SWP's newest member here. But he took every opportunity he Jo Carol Stallworth's tour of the Council, a thirty-one-year-old Viet- could to discuss the SWP's views with South included a meeting with Gary nam veteran, is a truck driver for Nu- Stewart and to attend socialist activi­ Tyler, the young Black frame-up ties. victim on death row in New Orleans. In June, Council joined the SWP as a Leslie Dork debated Marlene Bar­ provisional member. This three-month rett, Eugene McCarthy's Missouri provisional period gives prospective vice-presidential candidate on that members a chance to become better ·· state's ballot. (McCarthy has several acquainted with the SWP before for­ running mates in different states.) mally joining. In September, Council They are three of the nine national decided to become a member of the youth coordinators of the Socialist Weequahic branch in Newark. Workers party 1976 presidential Car Carrier, Inc., and a member of Council is introducing other Teams­ campaign who are touring campuses Teamsters Local 560. Some of Coun­ ters to the Socialist Workers party. and high schools across the country. cil's subscriptions were sold to fellow Among the new Militant subscribers at Students in New York, New Jer­ drivers who are involved in a class­ Nu-Car, there are several drivers who sey, and Eastern Pennsylvania have action suit against Nu-Car. The suit are also interested in joining the SWP. attended meetings for Osborne Hart. Militant/Lou Howort charges the company wi~h discrimina­ One became a provisional member this At a debate at Queens College in OSBORNE HART tion against Black drivers. month. New York, more than 100 students Council has worked for Nu-Car for crowded into the room to hear Hart At Southern University of New nearly seven years and has been a If you are interested in finding out confront N.Y. State Assemblyman Orleans Stallworth was denied a victim of the company's racist prac­ more about the SWP, write: SWP, 14 Pete Grannis (supporting Jimmy room in the student center at the last tices. He has had his paycheck pur­ Charles Lane, New York, New York Carter) and Paul Seidman (the New minute. Campaign supporters de­ posely shorted and truck runs taken 10014. York statewide coordinator of Eu­ cided to move the meeting outdoors. from him. _ gene McCarthy's campaign). Even though it was raining, 200 Two years ago, he and several other Later in the week, Hart spoke to students turned out. Several signed drivers decided to fight back. 100 students in the Black studies up to become active SWP supporters. One of the drivers who has fought department at City College of New In New Orleans, Stallworth visited the hardest is Larry Stewart. Stewart, York. Gary Tyler at St. James Parish now the Socialist Workers party candi­ "I find no evidence of active prison. She talked with Tyler about date for U.S. Congress in New Jersey's support groups for either Ford or his fight to get the charges against Tenth District, has worked for Nu-Car Carter on any of the campuses I him dropped. Tyler asked her to for more than ten years. visit," Hart said. "There are Camejo­ convey a message for him to all LastJanuaryStewart began discuss- Reid supporters everywhere I go." people fighting for their rights. . ing his plans to run for office with his Jo Carol Stallworth's tour of the "I would like everyone out there to coworkers. He explained that he was South helped break new ground for know that my struggle is connected running as a socialist to offer Blacks the socialist campaign. In Boca with the oppressed peoples. We've and other working men and women an Raton, Florida, a city north of been deprived of our rights, we've alternative to the Democrats and Miami, nine students asked to join been treated as subhumans. I would Republicans, who represent the bosses. the Young Socialist Alliance after like all supporters to know we've got As a result of Stewart's campaign, Stallworth spoke there. Many more to ret out ·there and struggle. By Council began thinking about social­ signed up to work on the Camejo­ every means. We've' got to show ism. He and nine other drivers bought Reid campaign. them that we can fight." subscriptions to the Militant. WILL COUNCIL

24 By Dick Roberts Fortune's list. Business Week stated and their most trusted agents make the Jimmy Carter's latest campaign July 19 that the latest to "volunteer central policy decisions. gimmick is attacking President Ford advice" to Carter are: "Nancy Teeters, Harriman had to persuade Brezhnev for playing golf on U.S. Steel's budget. The ruling chief staff economist of the House that detente remains the main axis of To me it seems better for U.S. Steel to Budget Committee; Arnold Packer, her U.S. foreign policy no matter what pay for the golf game than our tax counterpart on the Senate Budget Carter-and more especially, Ford­ money; and Ford could return the class Committee; and former Budget Direc­ might say in the election campaign. attack with Carter's domestic and tor Charles L. Schultze, now a top foreign junkets on tabs paid for by economist at the Brookings Institu­ Rohatyn, Brzezinski Coca-Cola and Lockheed. But the issue tion." Fortune also mentioned Felix Rohat­ is suited to Carter's campaign. & Business Week speculated September yn and Zbigniew Brzezinski. "Republicans have always been 27 that Federal Reserve Board chief Rohatyn is a general partner in the close to the special interests," Carter Arthur Burns would be replaced by investment banking house of Lazard says. either Paul Volcker, New York Federal Freres. He .is also on the board of "We've seen walls built around Carter's Reserve Bank president, or Arthur directors of ITT (Rohatyn was a go­ Washington and we feel we can't get Okun, "a Brookings Institution econo­ between in the ITT-Nixon scandal of through," the Georgia governor claims • mist." 1972), Pfizer, Owens-Illinois, and En­ in an oft-repeated TV advertisement. gelhard Minerals Chemicals (the notor­ That Carter wasn't in Washington campa1gn Who they are ious South African mining company). during the Vietnam War, Watergate, These people are described by the and the depths of the economic crisis financial press as "university profes­ It was Rohatyn who brought New of the past two years is his best selling sors," "former officials," and "experts" York's "Big Mac" into existence. This point. And he is capitalizing on it. at such think tanks as the Trilateral banking syndicate has fired thousands Add to this the Democratic party Commission and the Brookings Insti­ of New York teachers and government mainstay that it is the party of the tution. What is omitted is that all these workers and cut the city's school, day­ people-while the Republicans are the people are the small coterie of trusted care, hospital, library, and other social party of big business-and you have representatives of the American ruling services to the bone. · the Carter image: an honest man on class who will actually make the key Rohatyn is mentioned as a possible his way to Washington to straighten governmental decisions. secretary of the treasury. In that post out the government. Three of the people mentioned by he could act in relation to the U.S. It happens in Frank Capra's popular Fortune, for example, served on the government as the New York banks movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washing­ secret "Clifford Group" during the acted in relation to city hall. That is, in ton." Jimmy Stewart, as Mr. Smith, Vietnam War. This group made the the event of a U.S. financial crisis, a takes on the rotten moneyed interests decisive U.S. policy shift in 1968 "super Big Mac" would be created on epitomized by a villainous Claude toward withdrawing U.S. troops and the federal level to wipe out govern­ Rains-and Mr. Smith wins. attempting through intensified bomb­ ment jobs and slash social services. What about when Jimmy Carter ing and diplomatic pressure to force Brzezinski is a Soviet foreign policy goes to Washington? In its August Hanoi into accepting the South Vietna­ expert who is the front-running candi­ issue Fortune magazine asks this mese dictatorship of Nguyen van date for Carter's secretary of state. question in an article entitled " ... Thieu. Brzezinski's posts have included zhe And Now to C~rterize the White The three are: Russian Research Center at Harvard House." A more accurate title might be • Clark Clifford, who headed the University; the.Center for Internation­ "And Now to Ruling Classize Jimmy group and who is undoubtedly playing al Affairs, also at Harvard; and the Carter,"· or maybe "The Brookings a greater role in the "transition" of Russian Institute at Columbia. He is Institutionalization of Jimmy Carter." -- posts than Carter admits. Clifford is the director of the Trilateral Commis­ -- - ~---..: Let's take a closer look. the Du Pont family's chief lawyer and sion and has served as consultant to a member of the board of directors of the State Department, Rand Corpora­ Office jobs the Du Pont family's Phillips Petrole­ tion, and Brookings Institution. Fortune presents the situation as um. There is an ironic comparison here to primarily a staff problem. The Republi­ • Paul Nitze, whose career began Henry Kissinger, who also emerged as cans have left the White House empty. with the powerful investment banking a chief U.S. foreign policy maker "Carter would need some 2,500 people firm of Dillon, Read in 1929. Nitze through these Harvard, Brookings to fill the jobs at the President's served as: coordinator of inter­ Institution, etc., channels. Kissinger is disposal." American affairs, chief of the metals a protege of Nelson Rockefeller. Brze­ One person interviewed by Fortune and minerals bureau of the Board of zinski's Trilateral Commission is was former Secretary of State Dean Economic Warfare, special consultant funded by David Rockefeller. Rusk, "who as a professor at the to the War Department, vice-chairman University of Georgia has advised the of the U.S. strategic bombing survey, Brookings Institution candidate on many matters, including THE BROOKINGS INSTITUT ,-:_, secretary of the navy, and deputy The Brookings Institution, on Wash­ personnel.'' secretary of defense. ington's Massachusetts Avenue, "Carter's immediate job," Fortune • And Dean Rusk, secretary of state stands in the center of the process of says, "is to pick fifty to seventy-five under Democratic presidents Kennedy filling up Carter's staff and molding people for the very top positions. The and Johnson. Before that, Rusk was his potential policy. candidate has already touched base president of the Rockefeller Founda­ Five of the fifteen people I have with such party ikons as Averell tion from 1952 to 1961. mentioned are in, have been in, or Harriman and Clark Clifford, who These men told Johnson and Nixon have worked for the Brookings Institu­ have served or advised every Demo­ what to do in Vietnam, not vice-versa. tion. They include Brzezinski; Okun, a cratic President since Truman. (Carter Their relations with Jimmy Carter will Brookings "economist" who was pre­ is touchy, however, about press reports be no different. viously chairman of the Council of suggesting that Clifford rather than Economic Advisers under President Carter's staff is planning the transi­ Averell Harriman Johnson; Schultze, previously a U.S. tion.)" Averell Harriman is a bit exception­ budget director; Rivlin, previously a In particular policy areas, Fortune al in that he is a member of the ruling Brookings "senior fellow" and assist­ found that three people "who seem to class in his own right. The Harriman ant secretary of the Department of fit the specifications" for top economic family inherited one of the great Health, Education and Welfare under posts are: Felix Rohatyn, who heads nineteenth-century railroad fortunes. Johnson; and Henry Owen, previous New York City's Municipal Assistance This architect of the cold war, now chairman of the State Department's Corporation-the banking syndicate eighty-four years old, has filled the policy planning council and currently nicknamed "Big Mac"; Alice Rivlin, touchiest foreign policy posts for de­ Brookings director of foreign policy director of the new Congressional cades. Harriman was the U.S. repre­ studies. Budget Office; and Lawrence Klein of sentative to the Paris "peace talks." He Britain's influential financial week­ the Wharton school of economics. was charged with persuading the ly the Economist recently described In foreign affairs, Carter "has gotten Vietnamese to accept the Thieu dicta­ Brookings as "to some extent the to know some of the nation's foreign­ torship, as the escalated bombing raids parent body" of American think tanks. policy experts through his membership poured death across their land. It is privately funded, especially by the on the Trilateral Commission, an Recently Harriman was in Moscow. Ford Foundation. organization dedicated to fostering Harriman, said the New York Times, Its staffers act as consultants to all Militant/Nancy Cole close relations between North America, "who is serving as a foreign policy the main governmental departments, Japan and Western Europe." Washington, D.C.'s Brookings adviser to Jimmy Carter, met ... with as top government officials, and as "One influential adviser," says For­ Institution. Leonid I. Brezhnev, the Soviet leader, advisers to politicians, corporate man­ tune, "Paul Nitze, a former deputy in an effort to assuage anxieties about agement, and municipal government secretary of defense, has urged that the impact of election-year speech­ leaders. preference be accorded the nation's making on detente." Brookings's "channels are ... well­ nuclear strike capability.... Harriman told the Times, "It's guarded from public scrutiny," an "Others like Zbigniew Brzezinski, awfully hard to understand the work­ article on Brookings observed in 1967. the Columbia University professor ings of an American campaign. . . . Behind closed doors, the Brookings who coordinates Carter's foreign-policy 1· I'm not sure I was able to persuade experts work in concert with the task force, advocate an emphasis on ! him that everything that was said was industrialists who pay them to mold conventional forces .... of no importance." the domestic and foreign policies of the "Carter's view of the world has been Harriman's remark is.cynical, but it U.S. government. Sometimes the mostly shaped by this Polish emigre, is also true. The main job of politicians Brookings role is admitted, though as well as by Brzezinski's Columbia like Carter is to gull people into voting more often it is not. The notorious colleague, Richard Gardner, and Hen­ for them. This keeps the capitalist antilabor Taft-Hartley law, for exam­ ry Owen of Brookings." Democratic and Republican parties in ple, was a Brookings product. A few other names can be added to office. But the capitalists themselves Continued on page 30

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 25 Auto strike: profit drive vs. jobs & wages By Frank Lovell would have increased $799,272 by the When auto negotiations formally end of 1975. opened last July, the corporations were "Thus," says UAW, "while the Ford con1plaining publicly that they could $11,SOO worker toiled each work day in the not afford to raise wages or grant any · GM's profits from each worker shop, the stockholder winds up receiv- other concessions. ing almost seven times as much- By the· end of the month, when $1,431,000-as the worker earned dur- second-quarter profits were reported, ing the 27 years." there was no room for doubt about Stock dividends were raised in Au- the financial condition of the auto gust this year by all of the "Big Three" manufacturers. Their profits were the · auto corporations. highest in history. Ken Bannon, United Auto Workers Car prices also up . . . vice-president in charge of the union's With auto corporations making re­ Ford department, said for the record cord profits, top executives paying that Ford's surge in profits was themselves more than half a million "shocking, almost unbelievable." He dollars a year, and investors getting was "aghast at the amount." high returns on their capital, the auto "It's about time," he said, "that the monopoly continues to push up prices. Ford Motor Company began to share General Motors, as usual, set the its wealth with the consumers and pattern in late August when it an­ workers, as the company does with its nounced an average raise of almost 6 stockholders and executives." percent for 1977 model cars. Ford and This is a distorted expression of what · Chrysler followed suit at the end of prompted the UAW to strike Ford on September, quoting slight variations in September 14. prices to create the false impression of Against Bannon's bombast is the competition among the three of them. cold calculation of the auto There are rumors in Detroit that if auto workers gain higher wages or win OCT. 6.-United Auto Workers other substantial gains, the corpora­ President Leonard Woodcock an­ tions will raise prices again this year. The available statistics show that nounced last night that a tentative these giant corporations are financial­ settlement had been reached with ly able to raise wages, reduce the hours Ford Motor Company. No details of work, and at the same time lower were given. the price of cars. 10 Yr. Average 1973 As the strike of 165,000 Ford produc­ cm~porations-not only Ford-to hoard 1963-1972 tion workers drags on toward its first their exorbitant profits and to reject UAW Solidarity month, there are reports of an agree­ union overtures for "socially responsi­ Union journal reports: 'General Motors' pretax profits per worker have risen steadily ment "in principle," meaning that the ble" labor-management relations. over the years. Today, each worker, even after drawin·g his or her full wages and corporations are preparing to sign an In the September 1-15 issue of· fringes, earns a whopping $11,500 in profits for GM.' agreement for a few more paid days Solidarity, official UAW publication, off. Such an agreement will change editor Don Stillman exposes corporate very little for the vast majority of auto profits, executive salaries, and stock­ boosting profits to a record $227.2 $575,000. This does not include addi­ ·workers, those who are back in the holder dividends. He contrasts the million while selling 200,000 fewer tional income from stock options, plants as well as the 88,000 who have lion's share taken by investors and units and employing 12,000 fewer which the top executives in all the auto been displaced. management with the meager portion workers. corporations take advantage of. These agreements are always hailed distributed to the workers. What happens to the big money from by the UAW leadership as "the great­ high profits? Coupon clippers do well, too est ever won." But with each leap Record profits The UAW research department gives forward "in principle," the living In the first half of 1976 each of the Some profit is taken by corporate the following graphic illustration of standard of the working class now three major auto corporations posted executives. This is skimmed off the top the disparity between workers' wages slides a little lower and the profits of the highest profits ever. Ford Motor and recorded as cost, not profit. At and stockholders' dividends: the employing class climb higher. Company made $770 million. Ford Motor, President Lee Iacocca and "An owner of 6,800 shares of Ford What the auto workers are looking This was $15 million more than the Chairman Henry Ford II each got an common stock at the beginning of 1949 for in these negotiations is a settle­ boom year of 1973 when Ford got after­ annual salary of $291,667 in 1974. In would have received a dividend income ment in practice that will give them tax profits of $755 million in the first 1975 they gave themselves a $42,083 of $3,546 during that year-the same higher wages, shorter working hours, six months. But this year it made the raise, while the bottom was falling out sum the average hourly Ford worker and some relief from the inhuman excess profit while selling 315,000 of the auto industry and hundreds of would have earned assuming he or she assembly line speedup. That's what fewer units (cars, trucks, etc.) than in thousands of auto workers were being worked for 52 weeks without layoff," some of them have been trying to tell 1973, and with 20,000 fewer workers. furloughed. · says the UAW report. their union officials. General Motors made profits that It is not known what raises Iacocca "Over the 27 years from 1949 They can be expected in the near dwarfed all the others. It raked in $1.7 and Ford will give themselves in 1976, through 1975," the UAW reports, "the future-regardless of what is written in billion in the first half of this year, but it is certain to be more than the Ford worker would earn at most a total a new labor-management agreement­ almost $100 million more than its 1973 highest-paid auto worker will get. of $207,000. The Ford stockholder, to ask again why they cannot bring record. Like Ford, GM boosted its The story is the same at other without ever lifting a finger, would about these necessary changes. profits while selling fewer units than companies. GM Board Chairman Tho­ have earned three times that­ They probably won't worry much in 1973 (308,000 fewer), and with mas Murphy got a flat salary of $632,000-in dividends alone. about whether the companies can 56,000 fewer workers. $300,000 in 1975. But he also got a "In addition to cash dividends, the afford to pay. A lot is owed in unpaid Chrysler Corporation also did well, $275,000 "bonus," bringing his pay to book value of the stockholder's stock wages already.

500 march to defend ~Post' press operators · WASHINGTON-"These indict- operators be dropped. years in Jail. The first trials are ham, publisher of the Post. Feminists, ments represent a vendetta, not jus- The press operators are members of scheduled to begin next month. Nelson said, are for working women, tice," William Simons told a crowd of Local 6, International Printing and The demonstration marked the open- who are the overwhelming majority 500 demonstrators here October 2. Graphic Communications Union. They ing of the second year of Local 6's of women in the country. Simons, president of the Washington were indicted by a federal grand jury strike. The Post hired permanent scab David Cohen of the United Electrical Teachers Union, was one of many last July on various charges stemming replacements for the press operators Workers (UE) also spoke in solidarity union and community leaders who from alleged "violence" during Local early this year. The vast majority of with the press operators. He reported joined in demanding that charges 6's strike against the Post. Post workers in the International that a UE leadet, Tony Suarez, was against fifteen Washington Post press The fifteen men face a total of 268 Typographical Union and the News- recently framed up in Holyoke, Massa­ paper Guild are no longer honoring the chusetts; after a UE strike there. picket lines. Cohen charged that the frame-up Demonstrators braved a heavy was concocted with the help of the downpour that started just as the rally federal government-the Treasury De­ began at McPherson Square, a few partment's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobac- blocks from the Post. co, and Firearms. "The struggle, no matter how long, "What happened to the UE in will continue," Simons told the rally. Massachusetts could have very easily "We will let people know that there will happened here," said Fred Solowey of be no peace in the labor movement the Local 6 Legal Defense Committee. until there is justice." "Here they used the grand jury in­ Sara Nelson, labor task force coordi- stead." nator for the National Organization After the rally, the 500 demonstra­ for Women, added her support to the tors marched around the Washington defense of the press operators. Post building shouting, "Drop the Nelson said that feminists do not charges!" "Stop union busting!" and Signs, banners, T-shirts demand: 'Defend the pressmen!' support the actions of Katharine Gra- "Boycott the Post!"

26 By Ginny Hildebrand August Socialist Workers party con­ for action and expect NOW to provide to join the party this fall would be the The blow struck against abortion vention helped prepare the party to it." presidential campaign of Peter Camejo rights by Congress on September 30 countermobilize against these and Women steelworkers, public em­ and Willie Mae Reid. She also pointed poses a challenge to all political other attacks on women. ployees, auto workers, and others met to the importance of winning women's organizations fighting for women's The convention sessions and work­ in a workshop to discuss building the groups and feminist leaders to support liberation. A wide range of discussions shops reflected both the rise of feminist Coalition of Labor Union Women the SWP's suit challenging secret­ on the feminist movement at the struggles and the party's increased (CLUW). Efforts to mobilize the unions police attacks on movements for social participation in them. Separate work­ behind the ERA, abortion rights, change. shops examined the fight to ratify the affirmative action, and other issues "is Several areas reported on plans to Equal Rights Amendment, women's what we mean by trying to get work­ combine campaigning for socialist liberation work in the trade unions, ing people to think socially and act candidates with classes and confer-· Black Black feminist activities, and women's politically," said Jaquith. ences on women's liberation and Marx­ liberation struggles in other countries. "This helps to raise the conscious­ tsm. ness of trade unionists that the job of Bernie Kuhn, a new party member in feminism Militant Editor Mary-Alice Waters the unions is to defend the rights of the Minneapolis, summed up a feeling presented a special educational talk to most exploited workers-women and shared by all the women who spoke to the entire convention on "The Role of Blacks and other oppressed nationali­ the Militant during the convention. Women's Liberation in the Socialist ties." "I've been really impressed by seeing Revolution." women in the leadership of this party," Cindy Jaquith, SWP women's libera­ Convention discussions showed that she said. "Women in this movement tion work director, gave a report to the socialists are active in many women's play a decisive role in working out the women's liberation workshop on per­ groups: NOW chapters, campus femi­ goals of the SWP, what the party will spectives for advancing women's nist groups, women's centers, Black be doing in every area of activity-not struggles. and Chicana feminist groups, women's just the women's movement. "The basis certainly exists for a Jaquith explained that the women's rights committees in the unions, and "Seeing this," Kuhn continued, powerful Black women's movement movement is entering a new stage. socialist-feminist groups. "helped me decide that this is the place in this country," said Cathy Sed­ "First of all, there is the upsurge in Many at the convention spoke about I want to be-to learn more about wick opening up a workshop on activity that we see around the ERA," the openness of activists to socialist socialism while being active in the Black feminism at the Socialist she said. "There are more struggles ideas. Jaquith emphasized that the women's and other movements for Workers party convention. Sed­ around child care and abortion, and best vehicle for encouraging feminists social change." wick, a national leader of the there is an increase in discussion of Young Socialist Alliance, described socialism as the solution to women's the multiple ways Black women are oppression. These women oppressed. "Secondly, this upsurge has for the During the discussion, Trudy first time brought working women into support the Hawkins explained that in her action-not in large numbers yet, but Political Rights discussions with Black women at in numbers sufficient for us to know Detroit-area community colleges, that there are important new opportun­ Defense Fund she found that "women are not ities to do women's liberation work in looking at the women's liberation the unions, at workplaces, and in the The Socialist Workers party movement in the same light as Black, Chicano, and Puerto Rican and Young Socialist Alliance they were in the past." Black communities." have sued the government for women, she said, are rejecting the In the ERA workshop, activists an end to spying and disruption. media-created image of the move­ discussed their experiences in getting This lawsuit has exposed FBI ment as a "white thing." Several unions to back ERA actions, winning and CIA attacks against demo­ speakers pointed to child care, support from Black and Chica~o cratic rights. More than 400 equal job opportunities, and abor­ groups, building campus ERA commit­ people-including these tion as "survival" issues for Black tees, and organizing local coalitions women-are sponsors of the women. for the ERA. Political Rights Defense Fund, "Gains we make as Black women At the convention, Eileen Foley, a the group organizing support are gains for our entire race," said member of the National Organization for the lawsuit. Rashida Abdul-Ahad, a socialist for Women in New York, told the and Equal Rights Amendment Militant: "In building for the May 16 How about you? activist from Philadelphia. Mary ERA march on Springfield, Illinois, I If you would like to be a Pritchard from St. Louis added, saw that the SWP always wanted to sponsor of the Political Rights "We must throw off the dual involve more and more people. Other Defense Fund, return this cou­ shackles of racism and sexism. If groups didn't want to do this or didn't pon to PROF, Box 649, Cooper we just fight racism, we're only know how. The SWP knew how." Station, New York, New York dealing with half the struggle." Foley joined the SWP during the 10003. Reba Williams, who is active in convention. "Being a member of the FLORENCE LUSCOMB, the campaign to pass a referendum SWP will help my work in the women's veteran of the suffrage 0 Please add my name as a movement for a state ERA in Massachusetts, movement," she declared. sponsor of the Political Rights pointed out that antibusing forces Convention delegates voted to con­ Defense Fund. there are also attacking women's tinue making ERA ratification a priori­ 0 Enclosed is a contribution of rights. "They busted up a pro-ERA ty. $ ___ rally last year." The women's liberation workshop Cathy Sedwick and other speak­ discussed other vital issues: defense of Name ______ers discussed two complementary abortion rights, child care, and affir­ approaches for involving Black mative action, and opposition to forced Address ______women in the women's rights sterilization. City ______struggle: through already existing Jaquith pointed out that recently the feminist organizations, such as the organization most often in the fore­ State ____ Zip ____ National Organization for Women; front of women's struggles has been and through all-Black organiza­ the National Organization for Women Organization (for identification tions, such as the National Al­ (NOW). "NOW is attracting many only) ______liance of Black Feminists and all­ young militant women," she said. president, Coalition of Labor vice-president, Operation Signature ______Black ERA t~sk forces. -G.H. "Many of them are radical and more Union Women PUSH are working women. They are looking

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 27 ... abortion ban In Review Continued from back page their anti-abortion proposals. These attacks pose a challenge to every political group and individual who stands for women's rights. Across the country women are looking to the National Organization for Women, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, and other groups to organize George Sand: a biography a response that can reverse the tide. Picket lines, marches, and rallies have been held George Sand: A Biography by Curtis Gate. New in several cities. NOW has helped to initiate many York: Avon Books, 1976. 818· pp. $2.75 paper. of these protests. Yet some NOW leaders and other My only previous encounter with author George feminists hesitate to launch an all-out national Sand-I think it was a typical one-was as a counteroffensive. student. I read a brief biographical description of Some of these women are saying that abortion is her that was included in a general introduction to simply a personal-as opposed to a political or the works of early nineteenth century French presidential-issue. But this ignores reality. Laws writers. codify restrictions or extensions of personal rights. Though we carefully studied her Carter and Ford's anti-abortion statements and contemporaries-Honore de Balzac, Victor Hugo, Congress's anti-abortion vote are political moves Alexandre Dumas-we leamed only about George that undermine the right of every woman to make a Sand's defiance of social convention: she smoked, personal choice about abortion. wore trousers, and adopted a man's name (her given At the bottom of this argument is an electoral name was Aurore Dupin). Her writings were never strategy that includes getting Jimmy Carter off the hook. While feminists oriented toward the Demo­ cratic party are sickened by Carter's anti-abortion stand, they are reduced to supporting him as the Books "lesser" anti-abortion candidate. They don't want to keep confronting Carter with the issue because it included in the literary anthologies-nothing but seems to be losing votes for him both among those snide jokes about her "eccentricities." proponents and opponents of abortion rights. Today, inspired by the women's liberation move­ ment, there is new interest in her extraordinary life. Liberals buckle In an era when women were almost totally shut out Also, some ot the feminists counterpose electing from participation in literary life, she wrote close to "pro-abortion" and "pro-ERA" Democrats and sixty novels, twenty-five plays, a long autobio­ Portrait of George Sand by Delacroix Republicans to holding actions in defense of graphy, and essays enough to fill a dozen volumes. women's rights. This is also a tragic mistake. Though talented, she was not a great writer. Few Politicians abound who swear loyalty to women's people today would rank Sand along with contem­ came later in her life through her friendship with rights. poraries like Balzac and Stendhal, for her novels Juliette Lamber, a young French feminist who But just look at the liberal members of Congress are dominated by overflowing emotion and senti­ defended both George Sand and Marie d'Agoult who voted for the allocations bill cutting off mentalism that today make them difficult to read. (who also had to use a man's pen name for her Medicaid funds: Bella Abzug, Herman Badillo, But in her own lifetime (1804-1876) she was dubbed literary work) against Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. Shirley Chisholm, Birch Bayh, Edward Kennedy, the "queen of the new literary generation," and held Proudhon was a founder of anarchism and the most Frank Church, and Edward Brooke. in high esteem by many European literary and prominent figure in the French working-class This bill falsely counterposed the rights of women artistic figures. This was no small achievement in movement, but a staunch antifeminist. to the needs of other oppressed people. The liberals those years-she had to take a male pseudonym just Infuriated by Proudhon's misogynism and his accepted this and opportunistically sacrificed a to guarantee publication of her first works. personal attacks against the two women, Lamber fundamental need of women in order to pass what responded by publishing a defense of the two they considered to be a more popular section of the Paragon & paradox women that was at the same time a powerful bill. In her personal and political lives, George Sand argument for women's rights. As a result, Lamber Clearly we cannot expect Democrats or Republi­ was both a paragon and paradox, and it is this that became a widely known publicist for the growing cans to defend women's rights. is of greater interest today than her literary women's liberation movement that developed in the Some people also pull back from organizing a contributions. years preceding the Paris Commune of 1871. While massive abortion rights action campaign because She grew up and was married during the period Sand became close personal friends with Lamber, they fear it will only stir up more anti-abortion after Napoleon's coronation and downfall and the she was never to draw the political conclusions activity. But the right-wing movement is already monarchist restoration-years during which the from Proudhon's attacks against her, and she stirred up. Their mobilizations of thousands paved most reactionary legislation, customs, and senti­ continued to stand aside from the debate over the way for the current retreat on abortion rights. ments against women reigned. The Code Napoleon women's rights. The relative inactivity of women's rights advocates (France's civil and criminal statutes) prescribed a allowed the right wing to masquerade as the status for women that was even more backward in Sand and revolution majority. Politicians can ignore the wishes of the some respects than before the French Revolution of A parallel paradox can be seen in Sand's attitude real majority if that sentiment is invisible and 1789. toward the two great revolutionary struggles that silent. Husbands and fathers were given complete occurred in her lifetime, the 1848 revolution and the A year ago, this same do-nothing strategy led to control of women's and children's property and 1871 Paris Commune. the defeat of state ERA referenda in New York and persons. Wives and daughters suspected of adultery, Sand was a fervent republican during the years of New Jersey. premarital "misbehavior," or other offenses could monarchist restoration. She was inspired by the be arbitrarily imprisoned or sent to convents. utopian socialist vision of a fratemal republic Mass mobilizations Divorce, a reform that had been won during the where the ruling class and workers would be We urge you to counter the anti-abortion mobiliza­ French Revolution, was again illegal. reconciled. Thus, she was a militant activist in the tions. We urge you to rely on your own power, not George Sand defied the stifling conventions and 1848 revolution, in which the French monarchy was the politicians and judges. customs of personal life when she set herself up in a finally deposed for good. During this period she The answer to the attacks on women's rights Paris apartment, started writing, and took lovers as wrote several stirring manifestos. And for a brief must be a massive, united protest campaign. she wished. period she collaborated in the publication of a Independent actions of the oppressed have time and weekly newspaper called La Cause du Peuple (The again intervened decisively in the decisions re­ Scandalizes Paris People's Cause). corded in the legislative halls and courtrooms. In winning a divorce despite the law from Narrowly avoiding prosecution herself when the The Supreme Court's original ruling legalizing Casimir Dudevant (who never risked the same movement was finally crushed, Sand used her abortion reflected the popular sentiment being public condemnation or legal harassment as she contacts with govemment officials to win clemency channeled into an organized movement. Joanne did, though he also broke with monogamy in for many of the imprisoned or exiled revolutionar­ Little and other victims of American injustice won marriage) and waging a furious fight for custody of ies. victories because of widespread· protests. Legisla­ her children, Sand scandalized Paris-and foresha­ But twenty-three years later, when the Parisian tors, including those who enthusiastically support­ dowed the modern. women's liberation movement. workers established the Paris Commune and fought ed the segregationist laws of the Jim Crow South, Yet, despite this courageous stand in her personal determinedly to wield their power against both the finally bowed to the will of hundreds of thousands life, she steadfastly refused to work with those who French capitalist rulers and the invading German of marchers demanding legal equality for Blacks. were beginning to demand full political rights for army, Sand turned her back on the fight. The Our party and campaign supporters stand ready women. Though she sympathized with many of the pioneering woman militant of 1848 was not to be to join in building a nationwide drive to defend ideas developed by the followers of the utopian seen alongside the numerous women fighters of abortion rights. socialist Henri de Saint-Simon, she specifically 1871. We need teach-ins, speak-outs, and debates rejected their calls for "free love" and an end to Her letters and diaries reveal that she was against the anti-abortion groups to alert the monogamy in marriage. horrified by the insurrectionary workers movement. population to the crisis confronting abortion rights. Instead this woman, who was to have about Instead of surmounting the utopian dream of Local and national marches and rallies must twenty lovers, continued to uphold the romantic reconciliation between the classes, she ended up mobilize feminists, the unions, organizations of tne ideal of "the love of one man for one woman" as the reconciling herself to those who' crushed the com­ oppressed nationalities, and students. These actions "holiest element of human greatness." And she mune. are our only weapon that can demoralize the anti­ called on women to take "the purest for exam­ Curtis Cate's biography is a serious work from abortion movement and force the courts and ples. . . suffer and pray, while they wait for which George Sand, in all her strengths and politicians to back off from the attacks on women's · marriage to, cease being a degrading tyranny... weaknesses, and the changing historical period in right to choose. What will women achieve through revolt?" which she lived, vividly emerges. Her closest encounter with the feminist movement -Rebecca Finch

28 [Following is an interview given social forces much more powerful than by Willie Mae Reid, who is running Interview with Willie Mae Reid either Carter or Ford determine gov­ for vice-president on the Socialist ernment policies. Workers party ticket. Her presi­ Remember Richard Nixon? It was dential running mate is Peter his administration that finally with­ Camejo. drew most of the ground troops from [The interview took place Sep­ Vietnam. It was his Supreme Court tember 21. Several days later, that legalized abortion. Nixon and the Congress overrode a presidential Women and justices had to make concessions to the veto and cut off Medicaid funds for social unrest being channeled into most abortions.] massive protest movements. Democratic party Question. What do you think are the The Democrats pretend that their major issues facing women in the the eleCtions party welcomes all the movements for elections? social change. But it also welcomes billionaire bankers and businessmen, Answer. All the important issues of George Wallace and Louise Day Hicks. the day are of grave concern to women: You can't be for the rights of the poor from U.S. support to racist regimes in and the privileges of the rich at the South Africa and Rhodesia, to FBI same time. attacks on democratic rights, to the The Democratic party's real commit­ severe economic crisis bearing down ment is to the capitalist class. The on working people. capitalists fatten their profits by feed­ But several issues stand out with ing on our oppression. By feeding on special significance for women. One is the secondary status of women. So, the the Equal Rights Amendment. The Democrats can't implement a program ERA is four states short of ratification around genuine equality for women. because of an aggressive right-wing Since that party is based on a political drive. minority-the superrich-it also can't The abortion victory that we won in allow democracy within itself. Just 1973 is under attack too. Congress is look at the convention last summer. moving to cut off Medicaid funds for Delegates weren't even allowed to abortions. Gerald Ford and Jimmy discuss the planks in the platform. Carter are also on the anti-abortion Many individuals have gone into the bandwagon. Democratic party hoping to reform it In addition, the gains women have but were simply "reformed" them­ made in the job market-including selves. Look at Bella Abzug, Gloria affirmative-action programs-are be­ Steinem, and Betty Freidan. They're ing eroded. Government cutbacks are out campaigning for Carter-a self­ eliminating the small number of child­ avowed anti-abortion candidate. care programs that exist. Q. Why should feminists support Jimmy Carter your campaign if you and Peter Came­ Q. Some feminists are saying that jo can't win this year? Carter is more pro-women's rights than Ford. Do you think that's true? Socialist campaign A. First of all, women can vote for us A. Not at all. At the Democratic with a clear conscience. They don't party convention Carter very humbly have to apologize or make excuses like told a women's caucus that it was they have to for Jimmy Carter. We're a impossible for him to understand party that will never let up in our people who were not in his income active support for women's liberation. group, not of his race, or of his sex. Tha't's because we're committed to a But, he added, he had great "sym­ different class than the Democrats and pathy" for those people. Republicans, the working class and all Was he sincere? His support to those-women, Blacks, and others­ barring Medicaid funds for abortions who suffer from capitalist injustice. is particularly revealing. A lot of people are disgusted with I had an abortion before the restric­ both the Democrats and Republicans tive laws were overturned. I remember and don't plan to vote. But the politi­ in great detail what it was like: very cians still feel pretty safe. Because expensive, very brutal, and very chan­ when people don't vote, it shows that cy in terms of survival. That's what they don't yet have an alternative. hundreds of thousands of women like Lippmann When feminists vote for the Socialist me-poor and Black-will have to face WILLIE MAE REID, Socialist Workers party vice-presidential candidate Workers party, they are showing that once again if Medicaid funding is cut they have begun to identify an alterna­ off. That's what Carter is for, Ford is tive. They're challenging the capital­ for, and the Democratic-controlled states to ratify. ratified the amendment this year. They ists' right to oppress us. Congress is for. The only reason we've gotten thirty­ already have a majority in fourteen of The capitalist politicians don't recog­ four states to ratify is because of the the sixteen state legislatures still Q. What will the S WP be doing for nize abortion as a right for women. So power of the women's rights movement blocking ratification. women's rights after the elections? they have no problems with bending to and its supporters. Remember, the Through my campaign, I try to win the pressure of a vocal, heavily fi­ ERA was passed in Congress at a time new partisans for the ERA. My suppor­ A. Two of our top priorities-then as nanced anti-abortion minority. when the independent feminist move­ ters work with coalitions to help now-will be working with the broad­ But we abortion supporters are the ment was on the rise. It was active and organize public activities bringing est possible forces to organize actions majority! We can muster great power if vocal. together large numbers of people. to defend abortion rights and get the we translate that majority sentiment The states blocking ratification are ERA ratified. into action. The need to out-mobilize considering the amendment in a differ­ May 16 demonstration And, of course, we'll be encouraging the right-wing forces through demon­ ent period-since the economic crisis I'm a member of the National feminists to join the Socialist Workers strations, pickets, and speak-outs has hit in 1974. This makes it clearer to the Organization for Women. Leading up party. never been more urgent. politicians that it's not expedient for to the May 16 demonstration last We have to totally reorganize society the private profit system to move spring in SIJringfield, Illinois, I worked on the basis of meeting human needs, ERA ahead on human rights. Guaranteeing to bring as many of my campaign not providing profits for a few. This Q. Ford and Carter both pledged to one-half of the population an equal supporters as I possibly could to that means going up against the most campaign for ERA ratification. Why opportunity to jobs, for example, march. powerful ruling class in history. So aren't they? doesn't fit into a plan that calls for At that demonstration, I thou.ght to working people-and their allies throwing people already working out myself, if the women's movement among the national minorities and A. Making the record in support of of their jobs. unites more unions, more Black women-need a party of their own. A the ERA says nothing about real Ford and Carter are trying to throw groups, more students in massive revolutionary party that understands commitment to its ratification. It just women off the track by urging us to actions on June 16, August 16, October and fights for the needs of the op­ shows that Ford and Carter see it's not focus our energies on electing them as and November 16 ... then-as one pressed. That's what the SWP is. wise in 1976 to say they're opposed to the best assurance of ERA ratification. speaker put it-"failure is impossible." We're fighting for a socialist society legal equality for more than half the But we didn't get rid of the anti­ where the majority of people-working population. abortion laws by depending on the Q. Why do you think so many people-run the government. A social­ But look at their performance. They politicians. Blacks didn't get the Civil prominent feminists are supporting ist democracy would guarantee have millions of tax dollars at their Rights Act of 1964 by depending on Jimmy Carter? everyone-regardless of race and sex­ disposal for their campaigns. They them. We had to depend on our own the opportunity to participate equally haven't spent a dime of that money to power,' our own demonstrations, our A. A lot of women identify the in producing society's wealth and discuss the benefits of the ERA. They own organizations. That's exactly how person holding office as the one sharing in its rewards. That will be the aren't using their authority within women are going to get the ERA. holding the solutions. These women beginning of real liberation for all their parties to pressure four more You know, the Democrats could have believe that Carter is a lesser evil. But women.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 29 Tatars return to Crimea. Picket the Soviet airline offices. Mon., Oct. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00p.m. 45th St. and 5th Ave. Ausp: Mustafa Dzhemilev Defense Against violence in movement Committee. For more information call (212) 533- Following 1s a "Declaration Against Violence in the Movement" Calendar 9238. addressed to Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, the central leader of the Denver CHICAGO: WEST SIDE NEW YORK: WEST SIDE Crusade for Justice. (See story on page 9.) CAMEJO ANSWERS THE 'GREAT PUBLIC DEBATE. Ruthann Miller, SWP Initial Chicano signers of the statement include: Miguel Angel, DEBATES.' Open house at noon. Watch Peter candidate for N.Y. State Assembly, 70th A.D., and Camejo, SWP presidential candidate, on TV at 1 Ed Sullivan, Democratic party candidate for the chairperson of ethnic studies, Laney Community College, Oakland, p.m. Clemens Bak, SWP candidate for controller same office, will participate in a public debate. Califomia; Elfego Baca, Denver; Cecilio Camarillo, editor of Caracol will answer questions following the TV program and Tues., Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Broadway Presbyterian magazine, San Antonio, Texas; Everett Chavez, professor of Chicano discuss the socialist campaign on the West Side of Church, 601 West 114th St. (corner of Broadway). Chicago. Sat., Oct. 9, noon. 5967 West Madison, studies, University of Colorado, Denver; Abelardo Delgado, Chicano poet, Ausp: West Side Socialist Workers Campaign 2nd Floor. Ausp: West Side Socialist Workers Committee. For more information call (212) 663- Salt Lake City; Adolfo G6mez, director, Auraria Community Center, Campaign. For more information call (312) 261- 3000. Denver. 8370. Also, Armando Gutierrez, vice-chairperson, Texas Raza Unida party; COLLEGE PARK, MD. PITTSBURGH Froben Lozada, head of Chicano studies at Merritt College, Oakland, HEAR PETER CAMEJO. Speaker: Peter Camejo, SOCIALIST WORKERS CAMPAIGN RALLY. Califomia; Alicia Lucero, West Side Youth Development, Denver; Juan SWP presidential candidate. Fri., Oct. 15, 2 p.m. Speakers: Peter Camejo, SWP presidential Jose Pefta, chairperson, New Mexico Raza Unida party; Josephine Perez, Room 231, &tudent Union Bldg., Univ. of Maryland. candidate; Carla Hoag, SWP candidate for U.S. Ausp: YSA. For more information call (301) 454- Congress, 14th C.D. Tues., Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. West Side Action Center, Denver; Kathleen Roybal, Platte Valley Action 4758. Linden School Auditorium (near corner of Linden Center, Denver; and Mike Zarate, Young Socialist Alliance national and Wilkins). Take PAT buses 74A or 67. Ausp: office, New York. LOS ANGELES 1976 Socialist Workof!rs Campaign. For more SOCIALIST CAMPAIGN RALLY. Speaker: Peter information call (412) 441-1419. Camejo, SWP presidential candidate. Sat., Oct. 23. Disturbing reports of the use of physical violence by members 7 p.m., reception; 8 p.m., rally. Regency Ballroom, ST. LOUIS of the Crusade for Justice have come to our attention. This Sheraton West Hotel, 2961 Wilshire Blvd. Ausp: ABORTION RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK. Speakers: underlines the urgent need for decisive action to deescalate Socialist Workers 1976 California Campaign Barbara Bowman, SWP candidate for U.S. Senate; tensions in the movement and to ensure that physical intimidation Committee. For more information call (213) 735- Chris Guerrero, president of North County NOW; 4235. Vivian Deaner, Reproductive Health Services; does not interfere with the free exchange of political views. Phyllis Lafata, Religious Coalition for Abortion Recent public revelations about the FBI have shown that LOS ANGELES: CRENSHAW Rights. Fri., Oct. 15, 8 p.m. Grace United Methodist fomenting violent conflicts within the movement is one of the BUSING: WHY IrS WORTH FIGHTING FOR. A Church, 6199 Waterman. Donation: $1. Ausp: panel discussion. Panel: Hattie McCutcheon, Militant Forum Series. For more information call government's favorite disruptive tactics. This is all the more NSCAR; others. Fri., Oct. 15, 8 p.m. 440 w. (314) 367-2520. reason for us to work to bring such incidents to an end. Washington Blvd. (across from Ralph's). Donation: We hope you will take a stand in favor of the simple democratic $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call right to express a point of view without fear of physical reprisal (213) 732-8196. TOLEDO CAMPAIGN RALLY. Speakers Willie Mae Reid, from anyone, including those who may disagree within the NEW YORK SWP vice-presidential candidate; Melissa Singler, movement. Taking such a stand certainly does not mean repudiat­ THE SOCIALIST ELECTORAL ALTERNATIVE. SWP candidate for Senate. Sat., Oct. 16. 8 p.m., ing the right of self-defense against violent attacks. It means Representatives of the National Black Assembly, refreshments; 8:30 p.m., program. Scott Park making clear that differences among those fighting for social Socialist Labor party, Socialist Workers party, and Community House, 2201 Nebraska. Donation: $1. Communist party USA will discuss why they are Ausp: Toledo Socialist Workers Campaign. For justice cannot be resolved by fists or other weapons. Any attempt running candidates for the U.S. presidency, their more information call (419) 242-9743. to do so simply provides openings for police and other enemies of campaign platforms, and how electoral politics the movement to tear us apart. relates to their overall strategy. Thurs., Oct. 14, 7 WASHINGTON, D.C. p.m. Washington Square Methodist Church, 133 CAMPAIGN RALLY. Speakers: Peter Camejo, Further, it certainly does not help us oppose the government's West 4th St. Admission: $2. Ausp: Marxist SWP presidential candidate; Eli Green, SWP use of violence against us if some of us use it against people who Education Collective. For more information call candidate for D.C. city council, at-large. Thurs., may not agree with our point of view. (212) 989-6493. Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. All Souls Church, 16th and The forces opposing progressive social change in the United Harvard St. NW. Donation: $1. Ausp: D.C. Socialist NEW YORK Workers Campaign Committee. For more States are very powerful.The unity necessary to overcome these FREE MUSTAFA DZHEMILEV. Let the Crimean information call (202) 797-7699. forces can only be achieved if we respect each other's democratic rights.

resolve financial crises through slash­ ing social programs. We have already ... Carter seen that Rohatyn, another expert on Those wishing to express their con­ Continued from page 25 this question, is a potential Carter cem over this grave matter should It was for these reasons that the cabinet figure. ... assault send messages to Rodolfo "Corky" Economist tumed its eyes to Brook­ "Mr. Owen," says the Economist, Continued from page 9 Gonzales, Crusade for Justice, 1567 ings, rather than Carter's speeches, to "recommends fierce and concentrated convey the real views of the potential defence of the United States' interests the Crusade. Downing Street, Denver, Colorado Democratic administration. where they lie: Westem Europe, Japan A statement to this effect, addressed 80218. Telephone: (303) 832-1145. A study suggesting. future govem­ and the Middle East, and a subdued to Gonzales, is also being circulated for Copies should be sent to Fred Hal­ ment policy has just been issued by concem with events elsewhere, espe­ signatures. A number of prominent stead, c/o Socialist Workers party, Brookings. The study was edited by cially in the third world." Chicano leaders have already signed 1379-81 Kalamath, Denver, Colorado Owen and Schultze. These are words that could just as it. 80204. Telephone: (303) 623-2825. "Mr. Schultze," says the Economist, easily describe Henry Kissinger's poli­ "questions the notion that federal cy. spending will continue to increase" if Jimmy Carter advertises that "we've govemment budgets continue as they seen walls built around Washington have in the past decade. "Unless the and we feel we can't get through." STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGE­ and counter sales, 9,256; (2) Mail subscriptions federal budget is allowed to rise as a The walls are certainly there: The MENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 6,797; C. Total paid Circulation (Sum of 10B1 proportion of gnp [gross national secrecy of govemment, its anti­ u.s.c. 3685) and 10B2), 16,053; D. Free distribution by mail, product], the growth in domestic pro­ 1. Title of publication: The Militant. cinTi.er or other means, samples, complimen­ working-class national and interna­ 2. Date of filing: Sept. 22, 1976. tary, and other free copies, 121; E. Total grammes will have to give way." tional policies molded by nonelected 3. Frequency of Issue: Weekly. distribution (Sum of C and D), 16,174; F. Copies These are polite words for the in­ agents of the ruling class . . . . But 3A. No. of issues published annually: 49 not distributed (1) Office use, left over, unac­ creasing tendency of the govemment Jimmy Carter is already behind those 38. Annual subscription price: $7.50 counted, spoiled after printing, 783; (2) Returns on a local and national scale to try to walls. 4. Location of known office of publication: 14 of news agents, 0; G. Total (Sum of E, F1 and Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. 2-should equal net press run shown in A), 4. Location of the headquarters or general 16,957. business offices of the publishers: 14 Charles Actual no. copill!l of single issue published Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. nearest to filing date: A. Total ·no. copies 6. Names and complete addresses of publish­ printed (net press run), 19,000; B. Paid circula­ er, editor and managing editor. Publisher: The tion: (1) Sales through dealers and carriers, Militant Publishing Assn., 14 Charles Lane, street vendors and counter sales, 12,170; (2) New York, N.Y. 10014. Editor: Mary-Alice Mail subscriptions, 5,838; C. Total paid circula­ Edited with an introductioR by George Novack Waters, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. tion (Sum of 10B1 and 10B2), 18,008; D. Free This is a portrait of capitalist America from its colonial infancy to its 10014. Managing Editor: Larry Seigle, 14 distribution by mail, carrier or other means, Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. samples, complimentary, and other free copies, emergence as an imperialist power in the twentieth century. America's 7. Owner (If owned by a corporation,its name 0; E. Total distribution (Sum of C and D), Revolutionary Heritage includes the story of the crushing of the Indians, and address must be stated and also imtpe­ 18,008; F. Copies not distributed: (1) Office use, the revolt against the British crown, and the overthrow of the slave diately thereunder the names and addresses of left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing, systffil in the South. 384 pp., cloth $15, paper $4.45 stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or 992; (2) Returns from news agents, 0; G. Total more of total amount of stock. If not owhed by (Sum of E, F1 and 2-should equal net press a corporation, the names and addresses of the run shown in A), 19,000. individual owners must be given. If owned by a 11. I certify that the statements made by me partnership or other unincorporated firm, its above are correct and complete. Last Hired, First Fired name and address, as well as that of each (Signed) individual must be given.) The Militant Pub­ Harvey K. McArthur, lishing Assn., 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. Business Manager 10014. Joseph Hansen, 14 Charles Lane, New 12. For completion by publishers mailing at York, N.Y. 10014. Farrell Dobbs, 14 Charles the regular rates (Section 132.121, Postal Affirmative Aetion Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Service Manual). 39 U.S.C. 3626 provides in 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and pertinent part: "No person who would have other security holders owning or holding 1 been entitled to mail matter under former percent or more of total amount of bonds, section 4359 of this title shall mail such matter mortgages or other securities. (If there are at the rates provided under this subsection Vs. SenloritJ none, so state.) None. unless he files annually with the Postal Service Includes "The Debate Over Seniority and Affirmative Action," "The 9. For completion by nonprofit organizations a written request for permission to mail matter NAACP and the Struggle for Full Equality," and "The AFL-CIO and the authorized to mail at special rates. at such rates." In accordance with the provi­ Seniority System." 10. Extent and nature of circulation: Average sions of this statute, I hereby request permis­ no. copies each issue during preceding 12 sion to mail the publication named in Item 1 at By Linda Jenness, Herbert Hill, Willie Mae Reid, Frank Lovell, and Sue months: A. Total no. copies printed (net press the phased postage rates presently authorized Em Davenport. 32 pp., $.50 run), 16,957;, B. Paid circulation: (1) Sales by 39 U.S.C. 3626. (Signed) Harvey K~ McAr­ through dealers and carriers, street vendors thur, Business Manager. Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014

30 NEW YORK Socialist Campaign Rallies Campaign Hear the ideas the FBI tried to suppress Ratty SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16. The Socialist Workers party presidential and vice-presidential candidates Peter Camejo and Willie Mae Reid are Socialist View. Hear Catarina slated to appear at major rallies across the country. Along with leading activists in each community they will Garza,. SWP candidate for U.S. discuss the real issues facing Americans. Congress, 18th C.D. Buffet, 6:30 PETER CAMEJO will be the featured p.m.; California petitioning film, speaker at rallies in: 7:30 p.m.; rally, 8:00 p.m. Party and PITTSBURGH-Wednesday, October 13, 7:30 dance to follow. Bracetti Houses, p.m., Linden School Auditorium, corner of 290 East 4th Street (between Ave. Linden and Wilkins streets B and C). Donation: $2. For more WASHINGTON, D.C.-Thursday, October 14, information call (212) 260-6400. 7:30 p.m., All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard streets Ausp: Lower East Side Socialist Workers LANDOVER, Md.-Friday, October 15, 8 Campaign Committee. Chairperson: Ka­ p.m., Parkview Baptist Church, 8206 therine Sojourner; treasurer: Naomi Vega. Oxman Rd. SAN ANTONIO-Sunday, October 17, 6:30 p.m., 1317 Castroville Rd. New Edition AND ON TELEVISION-Sunday, October 17, 11 a.m. EST, NBC's "Meet the Press." Also Why Women on Sunday, October 17, at 10 p.m. EST, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) will release an interview called "Camejo is a Need the Candidate Too." Check with local PBS affiliate for local time-ask for information on program number 106. Equal Rights WILLIE MAE REID will speak in: Amendment HOUSTON-Thursday, October 14, 7:30p.m., 6003 Bellfort St. By Dianne Feeley Includes "The Case for the Equal Your help is needed to build the SWP campaign and rallies. See the Socialist Directory on page 31 for the campaign Rights Amendment" and "How to headquarters nearest you. Win the ERA." 24 pp., 35 cents Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 Officers of the Socialist Workers 1976 National Campaign Committee: Chairperson, Linda Jenness; treasure.r, Arthur Hughes. West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014 Socialist Directory ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, P.O. Box 10772, Phoenix, Chicago, North Side; SWP, Pathfinder Books, 1870 Bookstore, 15 4th St. SE, Mpis., Minn. 55414. Tel: 19144. Tel: (215) Vi4-2874. Ariz. 85064. Tel: (602) 956-1181. N. Halsted, Chicago, Ill. 60614. Tel: (312) 642- (612) 332-7781. Philadelphia, West Philadelphia: SWP, 218 S. 45th Tempe: YSA, Box 1344, Tempe, Ariz. 85281. Tel: 4811. St. Paul: SWP, Labor Bookstore, 176 Western Ave., St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. Tel: (215) EV7-2451. (602) 277-9453. Chicago, South Chicago: SWP, Pathfinder Books, St. Paul, Minn. 55102. Tel: (612) 222-8929. Philadelphia: City-wide SWP, YSA, 218 S. 45th St., Tucson: YSA, SUPO 20965, Tucson, Ariz. 85720. 9139 S. Commercial, Room 205, Chicago, Ill. MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. Tel. (215) EV7-2451. Tel: (602) 795-2053. 60617. Tel: (312) 734-7644. 27023, Kansas City, Mo. 64110. Pittsburgh: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 5504 CALIFORNIA: Berkeley: SWP, YSA, Granma Book­ Chicago, South Side: SWP, Pathfinder Books, 1515 St. Louis: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 4660 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206. Tel: (412) 441- store, 3264 Adeline St., Berkeley, Calif. 94703. E. 52nd Pl., 3rd Floor North, Chicago, Ill. 60615. Maryland, Suite 12, St. Louis, Mo. 63108. Tel: 1419. Tel: (415) 653-7156. Tel: (312) 643-5520. (314) 367-2520. State College: YSA, c/o Lynda Joyce, 169 W. East Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, Chicago, Uptown-Rogers Park: SWP, Pathfinder NEW JERSEY: Newark: City-wide SWP, YSA, 403 Prospect, State College, Pa. 16801. Tel: (814) 234- 1237 S. Atlantic Blvd., East Los Angeles, Calif. Books, 1105 W. Lawrence, Room 312, Chicago, Chancellor Ave., Newark, N.J. 07112. Tel: (201) 2410. 90022. Tel: (213) 265-1347. Ill. 60640. Tel: (312) 728-4151. 923-2284. RHODE ISLAND: Kingston: YSA, c/o Box 400, Long Beach: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, 3322 Chicago, West Side: SWP, Pathfinder Books, 5967 Newark, Broadway: SWP, 256 Broadway, Newark, Kingston, R.I. 02881. Anaheim St., Long Beach, Calif. 90804. Tel: (213) W. Madison, Second Floor, Chicago, Ill. 60644. N.J. 07104. Tel: (201) 482-3367. TENNESSEE: KnoxvHie: YSA, P.O. Box 8344 Univ. 597-0965. Tel: (312) 261-8370. Newark, Weequahic: SWP, 403 Chancellor Ave., Station, Knoxville, Tenn. 37916. Tel: (615) 525- Los Angeles, Crenshaw District: SWP, YSA, INDIANA: Bloomington: YSA, c/o Student Activities Newark, N.J. 07112. Tel: (201) 923-2284. 0820. Pathfinder Books, 4040 W. Washington Blvd., Los Desk, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. NEW YORK: Albany: YSA, c/o Michael Kozak, 395 TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Student Activities, Texas Angeles, Calif. 90018. Tel: (213) 732-8196. 47401. Ontario St., Albany, N.Y. 12208. Tel: (518) 482- Union South, Austin, Tex. 78712. Los Angeles: City-wide SWP, YSA, 40~0 W. Wash­ Indianapolis: YSA, c/o Student Activity Office, 7348. Dallas: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 50212, Dallas, Tex. ington Blvd., Suite 11, Los Angeles, Calif. 90018. IUPUI, 925 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Ind. Binghamton: YSA, c/o Debbie Porder, 184 Corliss 75250. Tel: (214) 941-2308. Tel: (213) 732-8197. 46202. Tel: (317) 631-3441. Ave., Johnson City, N.Y. 13790. Tel: (607) 729- Houston, Northeast: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, Oakland: SWP, YSA, 1467 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, Muncie: YSA, Box 387 Student Center, Ball State 3812. 2835 Laura Koppe, Houston, Tex. 77093. Tel: Calif. 94601. Tel: (415) 261-1210 University, Muncie, Ind. 47306. Ithaca: YSA, c/o Ron Robinson, 528 Stewart Ave., (713) 697-5543. KENTUCKY: Lexington: YSA, P.O. Box 952 Un­ Rm. 13, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850. Tel: (607) 272-7098. Houston, North Side: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Pa•adena: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, 226 N. iversity Station, Lexington, Ky. 40506. Tel: (606) New York, Bronx: SWP, P.O. Box 688, Bronx, N.Y. Bookstore-Libreria Militante, 2816 N. Main, Hous­ El Molino, Pasadena, Calif. 91106. Tel: (213) 793- 266-0536. 10469. ton, Tex. 77009. Tel: (713) 224-0985. 3468. Louisville: SWP, YSA, Box 3593, Louisville, Ky. New York, Brooklyn-WIIIIamsburgh: SWP, Militant Houston, South-Central: SWP. 4987 South Park San Diego: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 1053 40201. Bookstore, 57 Graham Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. Blvd. (South Park Plaza), Houston, Tex. 77021. 15th St., San Diego, Calif. 92101. Tel: (714) 234- LOUISIANA: New Orleans: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder 11206. Tel: (212) 387-5771. Tel: (713) 643-0005. 4630. Bookstore, 3812 Magazine St., New Orleans, La. New York, Brooklyn-Crown Hts.: SWP, Militant Houston: City-wide SWP, YSA, 3311 Montrose, San Fernando Valley: SWP, P.O. Box 4456. Panora­ 70115. Tel: (504) 891-5324. Bookstore, 220-222 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. Houston, Tex. 77006. Tel: (713) 526-1082. ma City, Calif. 91412. Tel: (213) 894-2081. MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2117 N. Charles 11213. Tel: (212) 773-0250. San Antonio: SWP, P.O. Box 1376, San Antonio, San Francisco: City-wide SWP, YSA, 3284 23rd St., St., Baltimore, Md. 21218. Tel: (301) 547-0668. New York, Chelsea: SWP, Militant Bookstore, Tex. 78295. Tel: (512) 732-5957. YSA, P.O. Box San Francisco, Calif. 94110. Tel: (415) 285-4686. College Park: YSA, c/o Student Union, University of Libreria Miiitante, 200% W. 24th St. (off 7th Ave.), 12110, Laurel Heights Station, San Antonio, Tex. San Francisco, Ingleside: SWP, 1441 Ocean Ave., Maryland, College Park, Md. 20742. Tel: (301) New York, N.Y. 10011. Tel: (212) 989-2731. 78212. San Francisco, Calif. 94112. Tel: (415) 333-6261. 454-4758. New York, Lower East Side: SWP, YSA, Militant UTAH: Logan: YSA, P.O. Box 1233, Utah State San Francisco, Mission District: SWP, 3284 23rd St., Prince Georges County: SWP, 4318 Hamilton St., Bookstore, Libreria Militante, 221 E. 2nd St. University, Logan, Utah 84322. San Francisco, Calif. 94110. Tel: (415) 824-1992. Rrfl. 10, Hyattsville, Md. 20781. Tel: (301) 864- (between Ave. B and Ave. C), New York, N.Y. Salt Lake City: YSA, P.O. Box 461, Salt Lake City San Francisco; Western Addition: SWP, 2762A Pine 4867. 10009. Tel: (212) 260-6400. Utah 84110. St., San Francisco, Calif. 94115. Tel: (415) 931- New York, Queens: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, VIRGINIA: Richmond: SWP, 1203 A W. Main St. 0621. MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, c/o Mark Cera­ 90-43 149 St. (corner Jamaica Ave.), Jamaica, 2nd Floor, Richmond, Va. 23220. Tel: (804) 232· San Jose: SWP, YSA, 123 S. 3rd St., Suite 220, San soulo, 13 Hollister Apts., Amherst, Mass. 01002. N.Y. 11435. Tel: (212) 658-7718. 3769. Jose. Calif. 95113. Tel: (408) 295-8342. Boston: SWP, YSA, 510 Commonwealth Ave., New York, Upper West Side: SWP, YSA, Militant WASHINGTON, D.C.: Northwest: SWP, 2416 18tt East San Jose: SWP, 1192 E. Santa Clara, San Jose, Boston, Mass. 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4620. Bookstore, 786 Amsterdam, New York, N.Y. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Tel: (202) 797· Calif. 95116. Tel: (408) 295-2618. Boston: City-wide SWP, YSA, 510 Commonwealth 10025. Tel: (212) 663-3000. 7706. Santa Barbara: YSA, P.O. Box 14606, UCSB, Santa Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4621. New York: Cit)l-wide SWP, YSA, 853 Broadway, Washington, D.C.: Southeast: SWP, 727 8th St. SE, Barbara, Calif. 93107. Cambridge: SWP, 2 Central Square, Cambridge, Room 412, New York, N.Y. 10003. Tel: (212) 982- Washington, D.C. 20003. Tel: (202) 546-2162. Santa Cruz: YSA, c/o Student Activities Office, Mass. 02139. Tel: (617) 547-4395. 8214. Washington, D.C.: City-wide SWP, YSA, 1424 16th Redwood Bldg., UCSC, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064. Roxbury: SWP, 1865 Columbus Ave., Roxbury, OHIO: Cincinnati: 'SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 8986, Hyde St. NW. Suite 701B, Washington, D.C. 20036. Tel: COLORADO: Boulder: YSA, Room 175, University Mass. 02119. Tel: (617) 445-7799. Park Station, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. Tel: (513) (202) 797-7699. Memorial Center. University of Colorado, Worcester: YSA, Box 229, Greendale Station, 321-7445. Boulder, Colo. 80302. Tel: (303) 492-7679. Worcester, Mass. 01606. Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 2300 Payne, Cleveland, Ohio WASHINGTON: Seattle, Central Area: SWP, YSA; Denver: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 1379-81 MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor: YSA, Room 4103, Mich. 44114. Tel: (216) 861-4166. Militant Bookstore, 2200 E. Union, Seattle, Wash. Kalamath, Denver, Colo. 80204. Tel: (303) 623- Union, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Cleveland Heights-East Cleveland: SWP, P.O. Box 98122. Tel: (206) 329-7404. 2825. 48104. Tel: (313) 663-8766. 18476, Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44118. Tel: (216) 861- Seattle, North End: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Book­ Fort Collins: YSA, Student Center Cave, Colorado Detroit, East Side: SWP, 12920 Mack Ave., Detroit, 4166. store, 5623 University Way NE, Seattle, Wash. State University, Ft. Collins, Colo. 80521. Mich. 48215. Tel: (313) 824-1160. Columbus: YSA, Box 3343 Univ. Station (mailing 98105. Tel: (206) 522-7800. FLORIDA: Miami: YSA, Box 431096, South Miami, Detroit, Southwest: SWP, 4210 W. Vernor Hwy., address); 325 Ohio Union, Columbus. Ohio Seattle: City-wide: SWP, YSA, 5623 University Way Fla. 33143. Detroit, Mich. 48209. Tel: (313) 849-3491. 43210. Tel: (614) 422-6287. NE, Seattle, Wash. 98105. Tel: (206) 522-7800. Tallahassee: YSA. c/o Suzanne Welch, 765 El Detroit, West Side: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 18415 Kent: YSA, c/o Bob Laycock, 936 Carlisle Ct., Tacoma: SWP, P.O. Box 1312, Tacoma, Wash. Rancho St., Tallahassee, Fla. 32304. Tel: (904) Wyoming, Detroit, Mich. 48221. Tel: (313) 341- Kent, Ohio 44240. Tel: (216) 678-2489. 98401. Tel: (206) 627-5821. 224-9632. 6436. Toledo: SWP, P.O. Box 2325, Toledo, Ohio 43603. WISCONSIN: Eau Claire: YSA, c/o Chip Johnson, GEORGIA: Atlanta: Militant Bookstore, 137 Ashby, Detroit: City-wide SWP. YSA, 19 Clifford, Room Tel: (419) 242-9743. 221% Ninth Ave., Eau Claire, Wis. 54701. Tel: P.O. Box 92040, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. Tel: (404) 805, Detroit, Mich. 48226. Tel: (313) 961-5675. OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, (715) 835-1474. 755-2940. East Lansing: YSA, First Floor Student Offices, 3928 N. Williams, Portland, Ore. 97227. Tel: (503) La Crosse: YSA, c/o UW La Crosse, Cartwright ILLINOIS: Champaign-Urbana: YSA, 284 lllini Union Bldg., Michigan State University, East 288-7860. Center, 1725 State St., La Crosse. Wis. 54601. Union, Urbana, Ill. 61801. Lansing, Mich. 48823. Tel: (517) 353-0660. PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, Edinboro State Madison: YSA, P.O. Box 1442, Madison, Wis. 53701. Chicago: City-wide SWP, YSA, 407 S. Dearborn MI. Pleasant: YSA, Box 51 Warriner Hall, Central College, Edinboro, Pa. 16412. Tel: (608) 251-1591. #1145, Chicago, Ill. 60605. Tel: SWP-(312) 939- Mich. Univ., Mt. Pleasant, Mich. 48859. Philadelphia, Germantown: SWP, Militant Book­ Milwaukee: SWP. YSA, 3901 N. 27th St., Milwaukee. 0737; YSA-(312) 427-0280. MINNESOTA: Minneapolis: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder store, 5950 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. Wis. 53216. Tel: (414) 442-8170.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 15, 1976 31 THE MILITANT

Protest f/1 • ortion Socialists urge nationwide effort to defend womenS right to choose

United actions such as this November 20, 1971, demonstration helped win women the right to abortion.

[The following statement was released Oc­ of women's equality. signals a warning: the government and the two tober 4 by Peter Camejo and Willie Mae Reid, The policy is also flagrantly racist. In dispropor­ parties that run it are not guardians of democratic Socialist Workers party candidates for presi­ tionate numbers Black, Chicana, and Puerto Rican rights. Women, Blacks, and the entire working class dent and vice-president.] women will be turned away from hospitals because must fight time and again to safeguard the victories they cannot afford to pay $125 to $325 for abortions. we have won in the past. We are outraged by Congress's decision to deny In addition, it enforces class discrimination. Low­ Right now, we must unite in emergency actions to Medicaid funds to women seeking abortions. This is income, working-class women, says Congress, do defend abortion rights. one of the biggest setbacks for women's rights in not have the same rights as wealthier women. Temporarily, courts have issued restraining decades. It also marks the anti-abortion move­ Moreover, the attack on abortion rights is an orders suspending the implementation of Con­ ment's most significant victory. important item on the government's agerida to gress's funding ban. U.S. District Court judges will At this point the law has not gone into effect. erode political, economic, and social rights in the soon be considering the constitutionality of the Court action has won a temporary reprieve. [See context of the current economic crisis. It ranks high policy in suits brought by the National Abortion news story below.] on the list, along with reinstituting the death Rights Action League, Planned Parenthood, and By barring Medicaid-funded abortions except penalty, restricting busing for school desegregation, others. when a woman's life is "endangered," members of tearing up union contracts, eleminating affirmative­ The Supreme Court will also hear two cases from Congress are denying hundreds of thousands of action programs, and generally cutting back on Pennsylvania and Connecticut that raise similar women access to safe abortions. These hypocritical social services. issues of economic discrimination in abortion servi­ politicians ignore the human cost of this policy. The Medicaid ban and Carter and Ford's anti­ ces. If the courts give the go-ahead, won't the lives of abortion pronouncements are a boon to every Meanwhile, anti-abortion demonstrators continue every woman who will desperately attempt self­ reactionary cause and right-wing outfit. to try to shut down abortion clinics in Milwaukee, induced or back-alley abortions be "endangered"? In particular, ending the right of women on Cleveland, and other cities. State legislatures pre­ Congress knows the facts: before the 1973 Supreme Medicaid to abortions could easily have a domino pare to consider additional restrictive laws. The Court ruling, botched illegal ·abortions were the effect on the Equal Rights Amendment. If the right Catholic church· hierarchy on October 3 held leading cause of maternity deaths. wing sees that it is strong enough to erode a "Respect Life Sunday," preaching to congregations Rich, white, men-who gominate Congress-have fundamental right already won by women, surely it the moral imperative of backing an anti-abortion brazenly stepped in to decide the fate of women. will be emboldened to step up its campaign to amendment to the Constitution. And on the They are undermining the democratic right of prevent any expansion of women's rights. campaign trail, Carter and Ford continue to peddle women to control their own bodies-the cornerstone The intensified anti-women's rights campaign Continued on page 28 Suits, actions hit anti-abortion law By Ginny Hildebrand on a preliminary injunction October • In effect, the measure also Carter's headquarters in Milwaukee. Abortion rights 11upporters went to 12. Two suits were filed in that city: violates the First Amendment by Carter's son Jack told demonstrators court just hours after Congress voted one by several Maryland doctors, imposing the views of a special that his father does support denying to deny Medicaid funds for abor- clinics, and patients; the other by religiollil group on others. Medicaid funds for abortions. tions. The anti-abortion provision is the National Abortion Rights Action Two days after the congressional In San Francisco, an abortion attached to an allocations bill for the League, a local abortion clinic, and vote, 120 abortion rights supporters rights news conference announced Departments of Labor and Health, four Washington doctors. The Amer- demonstrated in downtown Milwau- plans to demonstrate outside the Education and Welfare. It denies ican Civil Liberties Union filed still kee. Twenty local and state groups Carter-Ford debate. The purpose of Medicaid funds for abortions except another suit in Trenton, New Jersey. backed the action. They included the the October 6 action, explained San those performed to save the life of a The suits raise fundamental issues University of Wisconsin Pro-Choice Francisco NOW President Jayne pregnant woman. of democratic rights supposedly Abortion Coalition, Coalition for the Townsend, is to demand that Medi- On October 1, U.S. District Court guaranteed by the Constitution. Right to Choose, Wisconsin National caid funds be restored and to let both judges in Brooklyn and Washing- Organization for Women, Religious candidates know how women feel ton, D.C., issued temporary restrain- • The prohibition denies a worn- Coalition for Abortion Rights, and about their "right to choose to live ing orders preventing the immediate an's right to privacy as guaranteed the Socialist Workers party. with or without children." cutoff of funds. The court orders by the Fourth and Ninth amend- Adrienne Kaplan represented Wis- . came in response to suits challeng- ments. The Supreme Court cited the consin NOW. "We must gather our A protest against Medicaid restric­ ing the constitutionality of the mea- right to privacy when it ruled in forces and challenge the tiny but tions is also scheduled in New York sure. 1973 that the government could not highly visible antiwoman, anti- City for October 19. Twenty-five In Brooklyn, the suit was brought interfere with a woman's decision to abortion minority," she told the activists met at the Women's Coffee by Planned Parenthood and the New have an abortion in the early stages enthusiastic crowd. "We must dem- House October 5 to plan the picket York Health and Hospitals Corpora- of pregnancy. onstrate again and again and again line. Participants at the meeting tion. The judge said he would rule on • By providing Medicaid funds for . if we have to." included members of NOW, Women a preliminary injunction by October pregnancy services other than abor- Last spring, abortion rights mobil- Office Workers, the Socialist Work­ 20. If granted, the injunction would tions and denying abortions to izations successfully defeated a Wis- ers party, Committee to End Sterili­ prevent the Medicaid ban from women with incomes low enough to consin bill to cut off state Medicaid zation Abuse, Health Right, and the taking effect until the court can rule get Medicaid, the measure violates funds to abortions. women's centers of New York Uni­ on the constitutional questions. the right to due process and equal A week before the downtown rally, versity and Columbia. The action In Washington, U.S. District protection under the Fifth Amend- twenty-five abortion rights support- will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Judge John Sirica will hold hearings ment. ers picketed the opening of Jimmy the Federal Building.