AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE Cuban Five: ‘We extended solidarity and received it’ — PAGE 3 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 80/no. 7 February 22, 2016 End US Join the Socialist Workers Party economic 2016 US presidential campaign! embargo for president e Osborne Hart for vice president of Cuba by emma johnson Since Washington and Havana re- established diplomatic relations last year, Cuba’s revolutionary govern- ment has built on that victory to press for an end to the economic, diplomat- ic and financial warfare that 11 U.S. administrations, both Democratic and Republican, have imposed on the island over more than five decades. This is a fight that deserves the sup- port of working people everywhere. “There can be no normal relations between Cuba and the United States as long as the economic, commercial and financial blockade continues to be fully implemented,” said a July 1 statement issued by the Cuban gov- ernment announcing the opening Militant photos: Left, Laura Anderson; right, Hilda Cuzco of its embassy in Washington. Ha- Socialist Workers Party candidates Alyson Kennedy, front in sunglasses, marching on 2014 picket line with Steelworkers on strike at Sloan vana also called for the return of the Valve in Franklin Park, Illinois; Osborne Hart, far right, at November 2015 rally in Philadelphia demanding $15 minimum wage and a union. U.S.-occupied territory housing the Guantánamo Naval Base and an end The SWP candidates A working-class alternative to the capitalist parties to Washington’s destabilization pro- grams. Alyson Kennedy Join Alyson Kennedy and Osborne The revolutionary leadership has Alyson Kennedy grew up in a The Socialist Workers Party has Hart, Socialist Workers Party candi- made clear that Cuba will not aban- working-class neighborhood in India- announced its 2016 presidential ticket dates for president and vice president, don a single one of its principles, nor napolis. She was attracted to political of Alyson Kennedy for president and and other SWP candidates and their cede a millimeter in defense of its na- action in high school as she watched Osborne Hart for vice president. The supporters fighting alongside workers in tional sovereignty. TV coverage of workers and youth Militant reprints here the statement cities, towns and farming areas against So far Washington has removed who were Black battling racist cops and biographies of the candidates depression-driven attacks on our living Cuba from its self-proclaimed list and KKK thugs across the South and released by the Socialist Workers and working conditions. The bosses and Continued on page 4 Continued on page 7 Party National Campaign Committee their government are escalating assaults Feb. 10. These and other campaign on the working class and our unions to materials can be downloaded at shore up profits at our expense. themilitant.com to print and distribute. All the bourgeois candidates — from 1,000s flee Moscow’s bombings, Continued on page 6 assault on Aleppo by Syrian regime Sanders’ socialist reform program aims to save crises-ridden capitalism by Naomi Craine vice president now poses a working- The contest is heating up between class alternative. They call for a break socialist , who beat with the Democrats, Republicans and former front-runner bourgeois candidates of all stripes by 22 percentage points in the Feb. 9 Continued on page 8 New Hampshire Democratic primary, and the Clintons’ pursuit of a third family term for U.S. president. Billionaire Republican front-run- Inside ner trounced his op- Attempted murder charges filed ponents with over 35 percent of the under anti-abortion law 2 vote, more than double any rival. In his New Hampshire victory speech, Calif. protesters demand end Trump vowed to be “the greatest jobs to torturous prison practices 2 AP Photo/Bunyamin Aygun president,” stressing one of his key Syrians seeking refuge from Assad regime’s assault on Aleppo halted at Turkish border Feb. 6. appeals to working people. “Don’t Rallies in France demand by maggie trowe es seeking Assad’s overthrow. believe those phony figures,” he de- ‘End state of emergency!’ 9 Tens of thousands of Syrian workers Reinforced by Moscow’s massive clared. “If we had 5 percent unem- and farmers fled toward the Turkish bombing, Assad has reversed gains ployment do you really think we’d –On the picket line, p. 5– border over the last week during a bru- by opposition groups, strengthening have these gatherings?” The real fig- Montreal city workers strike to tal assault by Russian warplanes, Syr- his position in any negotiations on the ure, he suggested, could be as high as defend public services, jobs ian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s forces country’s future. Aleppo was a center 42 percent. and Iranian and Hezbollah troops on of popular mobilizations against the The entry of the Socialist Workers New Zealand meat workers Aleppo in northern Syria. The assault Damascus regime in 2011. They were Party campaign of Alyson Kennedy broaden fight to defend union is aimed at destroying opposition forc- Continued on page 9 for president and Osborne Hart for Calif. protesters demand end to torturous prison practices BY BETSEY STONE “This is the first time I’ve hugged my SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Under a brother in over 31 years,” Levin said, in- big banner saying, “Sleep Deprivation is stead of having to speak through a glass Torture — Stop Now,” 70 people gath- partition by telephone. ered outside the headquarters of the Cal- The suit was brought by prisoners ifornia Department of Corrections and who led three hunger strikes, the larg- Rehabilitation here Feb. 1, calling for est in 2013 involving more than 30,000 an end to so-called safety checks at the prisoners across the state. Pelican Bay State Prison, where guards During the hunger strikes “prison- wake up prisoners throughout the night. ers were able to organize across racial Prison authorities claim the checks lines, gang lines and religious lines,” are required under a 1995 court order said Jerry Elster, a coordinator with the to guard against suicide. But the prison- American Friends Service Committee ers say that the banging of metal doors, who spent 26 years behind bars. “What stomping and shining flashlights into they did makes me proud.” prisoners’ eyes is undermining their Luis “Bato” Talamantez, a leader of Militant/Betsey Stone Demonstration in Sacramento, California, Feb. 1 demands end to so-called safety checks by physical and mental health. the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity authorities at Pelican Bay State Prison that wake inmates up repeatedly throughout the night. “This has been going on for 181 days. Coalition and co-founder of California It’s got to stop!” said Marie Levin, a Prison Focus, pointed to the freeing of conditions in U.S. prisons,” he said. brother,” she said. leader of the Prisoner Hunger Strike the Cuban Five, Cuban revolutionaries Cynthia Fuentes, whose brother par- “What’s incredible is what I’m hear- Solidarity Coalition, which organized who were framed up and held in U.S. ticipated in the hunger strikes, described ing about what the prisoners’ did in- the protest. prisons for up to 16 years, as an impor- the effort to get him decent medical care side,” said Elyse Highstreet, a student Under the pressure of protests and le- tant victory. “Now the Five are touring when he was diagnosed with cancer. “I at the University of California at Santa gal action, prison officials have reduced the world, getting out the truth about the believe medical maltreatment killed my Cruz. “It shows their humanity.” the nightly checks from every half hour to every hour, Carol Strickman, one of the prisoners’ lawyers, told the rally. “We won a little, but not enough.” Attempted murder charges filed under anti-abortion law The noisy checks began six months BY SUSAN LAMONT tion,” said Cherisse Scott, of the group scripted “counseling” by a doctor, forc- ago, just before prisoners in the Peli- ATLANTA — A growing number of SisterReach in Memphis, in a Jan. 29 ing women to make at least two trips to can Bay Security Housing Units won states have adopted laws expanding the phone interview. “We’re afraid that the a clinic to obtain an abortion. a victory in their lawsuit against the definition of “personhood” to include a hostile environment around abortion “The legislature also enacted the re- widespread use of long-term solitary fetus, part of broader attacks on wom- that’s been created by the Tennessee quirement that clinics performing sur- confinement in California prisons. The en’s right to choose abortion. The Ten- state legislature will force more women gical abortions must meet standards settlement ordered an end to officials nessee government passed such a law into the situation Anna Yocca was in.” for ambulatory surgical treatment cen- throwing prisoners into solitary for in- in 2012. Now it is being used to charge Yocca, an Amazon fulfillment center ters,” Jeff Teague, president and CEO of definite periods by labeling them “gang 31-year-old Anna Yocca with attempted worker, was arrested Dec. 9. She is ac- Planned Parenthood of Middle and East affiliated.” As a result, hundreds of pris- first-degree murder for allegedly trying cused of using a coat hanger to try to Tennessee, told the Militant. “There are oners have been transferred out of soli- to end her pregnancy at 24 weeks. induce an abortion. She went to the hos- six health centers in the state that per- tary, including Levin’s brother, Sitawa “Whatever the exact circumstances, pital bleeding, and doctors eventually form surgical abortions. Of those, two Nantambu Jamaa. it’s clear she was in a desperate posi- delivered a baby boy, who weighed 1.5 don’t yet meet those standards.” pounds and has multiple serious medi- Planned Parenthood in Tennessee cal problems. She pleaded not guilty to lost federal funds for family planning the charges, which carry a possible sen- services in 2011, when the state legis- tence of life in prison. Yocca is being lature voted that those funds could only held in jail on $200,000 bail, with her go to county and city public health fa- next hearing scheduled for Feb. 29. cilities. “This means people have to Tennessee allows abortions up to the pay for their medical care or have in- “point of viability,” usually around 24 surance,” said Teague. “We know that Fight cop brutality and killings weeks, with exceptions afterward for not everyone we used to help is getting the life and health of the woman. But no served at these public clinics.” From cities to rural towns, clinics in the state offer abortions after In Texas, where restrictions on abor- the ‘Militant’ covers fights 16 weeks. Last July the state legislature tion access have forced the closure of against cop brutality and imposed a 48-hour waiting period, after Continued on page 9 killings. It explains how these actions help strength- Latin America, Caribbean: For one year en the working class, and send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above The Militant address. Vol. 80/No. 7 the impact they’ve had in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For forcing the capitalist rulers Closing news date: February 10, 2016 one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to to begin to rein in their po- Militant/Eric Simpson Editor: John Studer above address. Protesters in Paradise, California, Jan. 9 call On the Picket Line Editor: Maggie Trowe Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 lice. Don’t miss an issue. for arrest of cop who killed Andrew Thomas. to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- Editorial volunteers: Róger Calero, treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. Naomi Craine, Seth Galinsky, Emma Johnson, Jacob Perasso, Gerardo Sánchez, United Kingdom: Send £26 for one year Maggie Trowe, Brian Williams, Rebecca by check or international money order SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 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2 The Militant February 22, 2016 Cuban 5: ‘We extended solidarity and received it’ Cuban revolutionaries, fellow workers in US prisons resist ‘justice’ system organized to break them “It’s the Poor Who Face the Savagery with other prisoners. You establish of the US ‘Justice’ System”: The Cuban good relations with many people, but Five Talk About Their Lives Within Oscar and Carlos became my compa- the US Working Class is a new book ñeros and brothers. from Pathfinder. It centers on a 2015 Mary-Alice Waters: Did you share interview by Mary-Alice Waters and a cell? Róger Calero with the Cuban Five in Fernando González: With Car- Havana. Each was incarcerated in the los Alberto, no. We were in the same U.S. from 14 to 16 years after the FBI unit but not the same cell. Oscar and I framed them up for activity in defense shared a cell for some time. of the Cuban Revolution. This excerpt, Most prisoners have a relatively low “We Extended Solidarity to Others in level of political consciousness and in- Prison and Received It Too,” includes terest in political questions. But with Fernando González discussing his ex- these two compañeros I could have a periences in prison with Carlos Alberto different kind of discussion. They are Torres and Oscar López Rivera, Puer- well-informed compañeros, with solid to Rican independence fighters framed Militant photos: above, Seth Galinsky; left, Sara Lobman political education. Our conversations Sharing cell with Oscar López, Puerto up by the U.S. government and impris- Rican independence fighter, in prison covered many topics, including daily oned for decades. Torres was freed in now for over 34 years, “was an excep- events. July 2010, while the fight to free López tional experience,” Fernando González When I got to prison, Oscar and Car- continues. Copyright © 2016 by Path- said. Above, contingent in 2014 N.Y. los Alberto each had already been there finder Press. Reprinted by permission. Puerto Rican Day parade. Letters to a long time, and I benefited from their Cuban Five from around world — like from youth at Jackie Robinson Center in experience. Their view of prison life René González: Prison was a learn- Harlem, left — drew attention to their was different, not the way other prison- ing process for all of us. We set a goal support, helped defend them in prison. ers saw things. to leave prison stronger than when we That’s why I say I felt privileged. It’s entered. call, I told my wife that from then on, in the prisons, too. And apart from not just having gotten to know them The jailers want to destroy you. They if I could communicate, that would be that, other prisoners could see we personally. It’s the kind of human be- want to break your physical, moral, and fine, but if I couldn’t, that would be were ordinary human beings, that we ings they are. They are extremely hu- mental integrity. You understand that fine, too. didn’t create problems for anybody. mane and supportive of others. They immediately. You learn the first day I realized that if I thought that To the contrary, we were the easiest know the history of Puerto Rico, the that you have to resist this, and that the way, I’d be in control, not them. I’d people in the world to get along with. struggles of the Puerto Rican people. measure of your victory in doing so will remind myself that I had very strong We helped others. And, of course, we And both compañeros are also very be to leave prison a better person than moral values, and that they could had our own opinions. well informed about Cuba. when you walked in. Each of us, accord- never change that. Like Ramón, I also René González: Most important, Oscar is older. His experiences go ing to our own individual characteris- turned to physical exercise — I ran a I think, was our conduct. We earned back to the struggles of the 1960s and tics, adopted that as our strategy. … lot — and to reading to load up my the respect of others, even Cubans and 1970s in the United States. Not only For me, the hardest thing at first was intellectual backpack. … prison officers, because we treated oth- the Puerto Rican independence move- making sure I didn’t react the way they Antonio Guerrero: From the mo- ers with respect. If that’s how you act, ment but also struggles by African wanted me to. It didn’t take long. The ment we were convicted, people in and if you keep away from certain ac- Americans, Chicanos, Native Ameri- turning point came when my daughter Cuba began to hear about our case. tivities — like drinking, using drugs, cans, and others that were part of the turned fifteen. I’d saved up my weekly The billboards began to go up. People gambling — people respond by show- radical left. minutes to make sure I had enough to learned about the seventeen months ing respect in return. ... Róger Calero: Oscar says his po- call her that day. We were in the hole, in the hole and the seven-month trial, Ramón Labañino: I’d like to add litical views were profoundly changed however, and they figured out a way to which we faced with tranquility and something on the question of solidar- by his experience as a young man deny me the call. dignity. ity. Actually it’s not exactly solidarity; drafted into the US army to serve in That night I suffered, but when I We began receiving hundreds of it’s about the guards. Usually, when Vietnam during Washington’s brutal woke up the next day I was a differ- letters, not only from Cuba but from we’d get to a new prison — and I was war there. ent person. I realized I couldn’t allow the US and around the world. There in every type: maximum, medium, and Fernando González: When I met myself to suffer because of their ac- was news about us in various publica- minimum security — the guards would Oscar in prison, I went over and said tions. And when I finally was able to tions. All that started getting known be afraid of us at first. They’d seen our hello. “Yes, I know who you are”— files, which say we were convicted of that’s the first thing he said to me. “conspiracy to commit espionage.” Remember, we had never met each Just released. . . $15 — Get it now! You’d feel the tension. But as they got other. But he knew about our case, the to know us, even the way the officers names of all five of us, the history of “They chose five distant viewed us began to change. our fight, and a lot about Cuba, too. points for us to serve our A big part of that was the solidarity Carlos Alberto and Oscar both un- unjust sentences. . . . But that started coming in from all over. We derstood what our case represented nothing could stop the Five began to receive newspapers — like politically. And because of the politi- from marching together with the Militant — with front-page articles cal education I had received in Cuba our people and our supporters about the Cuban Five and books with about the history of Puerto Rico — the world over in the long photos of us in them. You wouldn’t be- which is so close to that of our own — battle for freedom.” lieve how much this helped. It was tes- I could understand perfectly the situ- timony to the solidarity with us around —Antonio Guerrero ation they were in. Within the possi- the world. ... bilities at hand, I could contribute to Five Cuban revolutionaries, Mary-Alice Waters: Fernando, the campaign for their release. framed up by the U.S. government in you were in prison at different times Mary-Alice Waters: The fight to 1998, spent from 14 to 16 years as with both Oscar López and Carlos win Oscar’s freedom is gaining momen- part of the U.S. working class behind Alberto Torres, the Puerto Rican in- tum, especially with mounting anger bars. Each reached out to fellow dependence fighters. That must have among Puerto Ricans at the economic prisoners with respect, solidarity, and been quite an experience. crisis hitting the island so hard due to through their own example — and Fernando González: In the two its colonial status. There’s a notable in- won respect and support in return. prisons where I did most of my time, crease in the breadth of forces demand- What prepared the Cuban Five I was able to share that time with two ing Oscar’s freedom. He was officially to act as each did? Above all, it individuals who were politically con- honored by organizers of the Puerto Ri- was Cuba’s socialist revolution, scious revolutionaries sentenced to can Day parade in New York last year, whose class character and values prison for political reasons. I consider and again this year there was a big con- Includes 40 photos from their their conduct exemplifies. With myself privileged. tingent demanding his freedom. years in prison and since the understanding, objectivity and At the federal prison in Oxford, Fernando González: If there’s Cuban Five won their freedom humor, in this 2015 interview they Wisconsin, for more than five years, anything I would call my best years and returned to Cuba. talk about U.S. capitalist society and I got to know Carlos Alberto Tor- in prison — if you can use such an its “justice” system. And about the res, and I spent nearly five years in expression, since I don’t wish prison future of the Cuban Revolution. the Terre Haute, Indiana, prison with on anyone — it would be those years www.pathfinderpress.com Oscar López Rivera. My relationship with Oscar. It was an exceptional ex- with them was different from that perience. The Militant February 22, 2016 3 ‘The truth will come out: Finicum was flat murdered’ by seth galinsky were in after Finicum initially pulled Working people should denounce over. Finicum then shouted out to the the cold-blooded Jan. 26 killing of cops, “I’m going to see the sheriff,” a Robert “LaVoy” Finicum by Oregon reference to Sheriff Glenn Palmer of State Police and the FBI; the frame-up Grant County, who was also scheduled conspiracy charges against Ammon to be at the John Day meeting and has Bundy and others who took part in the been quoted in the press as saying the occupation of the Malheur National Hammonds should be freed. Wildlife Refuge; and the frame-up of Finicum tried to drive away, but was Dwight and Steven Hammond, two soon forced off the road again. The Or- Harney County, Oregon, cattle ranch- egonian reports that the FBI admits le- ers, imprisoned for a second time on thal force was used when the truck “ap- the same bogus arson charges dating proached the checkpoint,” that is, even back to 2001 and 2006. before the vehicle crashed into the snow Feb. 6 vigil in John Day, Oregon, protesting state troopers’ killing of Robert “La Voy” Finicum. “The truth will come out. LaVoy was bank and Finicum gets out with his Sign reads, “Not a shootout when only one side is doing the shooting. Then you call it murder.” just flat murdered,” Tad Houpt, the own- hands up. er of a small logging company, said by Much of the capitalist press justifies backed into a corner,” she said. “And it’s that if the Hammonds went to jail there phone Feb. 7. Finicum and Bundy were the killing and prosecutions by labeling hard to get anyone to acknowledge our could be “extreme civil unrest.” traveling to a Jan. 26 community meet- Finicum and Bundy as extremists and needs, and so they gave us a platform.” Although the occupiers are not ac- ing that Houpt helped organize in John outside agitators. At least 22 smaller protests against cused of pointing their weapons at any- Day, Oregon, when they were intercept- “To his detractors,” the New York the killing of Finicum took place Feb. one, the indictment claims that they ed by the cops. Times said, “he was a doctrinaire leader 6, from Florida to Washington. One “brandished and carried firearms.” Or- Bundy initiated the refuge occupa- of an illegal protest that is deeply op- common placard was “Hands Up, Don’t egon law allows the open carrying of tion Jan. 2 to draw attention both to the posed by many who live near the ref- Shoot,” a slogan first popularized by firearms. frame-up of the Hammonds and to U.S. uge.” The paper conveniently leaves out protesters against police brutality after Bundy released a statement from pris- government land policies that have been that most people in the area support the the killing of Michael Brown in Fergu- on Feb. 6, noting that the occupation was undermining the livelihood of ranchers demand to free the Hammonds and are son, Missouri, in 2014. At events in John civil disobedience. He encouraged those and farmers. sympathetic to their opposition to the Day and Prineville, Oregon, dozens of “who disagree with my speech” or dis- The persecution of the Hammonds government land policies. Many local local ranchers participated. like his ideas to engage in civil discus- outraged small ranchers and farmers residents visited the refuge, met Finicum Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have sion. “If you do not advocate for govern- throughout the West — controlled burns and Bundy or donated food and supplies now indicted 16 supporters of the oc- ment to tolerate ideas that it hates, then are common to control invasive plants to the occupiers. cupation with conspiracy to “prevent by the First Amendment and free speech and to prevent the spread of wildfires. Some 1,000 people attended Fini- force, intimidation and threats, officers mean nothing,” he said. “Arm yourself Despite serving the sentence imposed cum’s funeral in Kanab, Utah, Feb . 5. and employees of the United States Fish with ideas. … Argue and disagree. Be by the trial judge, the Hammonds went While pretending to be objective, the and Wildlife Service … from discharg- free.” back to jail Jan. 4, because of a U.S. Ap- Times’ description of the scene plays ing the duties of their office” at the wild- Supporters of the Hammonds con- peals Court ruling that their sentences on many of its readers’ prejudices. Af- life refuge. tinue to organize. A new online petition didn’t meet federal minimum rules. ter the service there were “cowboys on The list of what the indictment calls calling on President Barack Obama to After the trial the U.S. Bureau of horseback and members of so-called “overt acts” to further the conspiracy free the Hammonds had 3,341 signa- Land Management vindictively revoked patriot groups wearing camouflage and is proof itself that the prosecution is a tures as of Feb. 9. The Oregon Cattle- the Hammonds’ grazing permits, threat- carrying small weapons,” it reports. frame-up. men’s Association is asking that dona- ening the survival of their ranch. The Times did quote one rancher The first “act” it lists is an Oct. 5 tions be sent to: The Hammond Family, Meanwhile, the Oregonian reported from Nevada, Diana Clark, at the fu- meeting where Ammon Bundy warned c/o Sandra Carlon at US Bank, 493 N. Feb. 6 that the scanty official informa- neral. “All of us ranchers feel like we’re Harney County Sheriff David Ward Broadway, Burns, Oregon 97720. tion and one grainy video released on the killing confirm many aspects of the accounts by Shawna Cox and Victoria Sharp — who were in the pickup truck End Washington’s economic embargo of Cuba driven by Finicum. Continued from front page in which Havana agreed to pay off $2.6 assistance and international broadcast- According to both of them, the cops of “state sponsors of terrorism” and billion in debt over a period of 18 years. ing to Cuba” and provided direction on first fired one shot at the vehicle they opened access to banking services for Some $8.5 billion in interest that had “denying the issuance of visas to mem- Cuba’s diplomatic mission in Wash- piled up since Havana suspended pay- bers of the Cuban military and the Com- ington. In three different rounds, the ments in 1986 was written off. munist party.” latest on Dec. 17, the White House eased The opening of diplomatic relations The U.S. Agency for International calendar some travel and trade restrictions. All came only after Washington released Development announced Jan. 21 that it these measures have been executive or- the remaining three of the Cuban Five, is offering $6 million in grants over a california ders by President Barack Obama. revolutionaries framed up and impris- three-year period to organizations they Richmond Cuban officials point out that despite oned in the U.S. for up to 16 years. claim will “provide humanitarian as- Has U.S. Policy Towards Cuba Really the latest changes, the web of legislation Changed? Join a discussion with Miguel sistance to political prisoners and their Fraga, First Secretary of Cuban Embassy aimed to block Cuba from international Want to ‘destroy us with bear hug’ families, and politically marginalized in Washington D.C. Fri., March 11, 7 p.m. trade still has a big impact on the coun- “We have reason to be very cautious. individuals and groups in Cuba.” The Community Room, Public Library, 325 try’s economy. Most purchases from The U.S. has always seen my country Civic Center Plaza. Tel.: (510) 219-0092. amounts can range from $500,000 to $2 Sponsors: International Committee for U.S. companies are impossible under as its backyard, and there are powerful million. Peace, Justice and Dignity, Richmond; CA existing restrictions, which specifically interests who now see an opportunity Regla; Cuba Friendship Committee; and prohibit any interaction with many Cu- to achieve what they have been unable Marin Task Force on the Americas. ban state companies and entities. All to do by other means during half a cen- Cuba and the Coming washington, d.c. sales to companies that would “primari- tury,” Gerardo Hernández, one of the American Revolution Rally at the Supreme Court to Protect ly generate revenue for the state” are de- Five, told the Spanish daily El País Jan. Abortion Access. Wed., March 2, 8 nied. Cuba cannot use dollars in interna- 28. He was visiting Spain to thank sup- by a.m. – 12 p.m. Sponsored by Center for tional financial transactions. And many porters for their solidarity and to visit Reproductive Rights. About the struggles banks in other countries still won’t con- his mother’s birthplace in the Canary of working people duct business with Cuba, because they Islands. in the imperialist fear possible U.S. penalties. “Influential congressmen and the heartland, the militant French President Francois Hollande administration itself haven’t given up called on Washington to end the eco- their objectives with respect to Cuba,” youth who are labor nomic embargo on Cuba at a Feb. 1 joint Hernández said. “The goal has always attracted to them press conference with Raúl Castro in been to destroy the revolution. Now they and the example forums Paris, during the first-ever state visit by are wagering they can do it with a bear set by the people Canada a Cuban president to France. The two hug.” of Cuba that Montreal signed six bilateral accords on economy, Hernández pointed to the large appro- revolution is not Black History Month 2016: The tourism, trade, railroads and develop- priations of money by the U.S. govern- only necessary — Revolutionary Legacy of Malcolm X and ment aid. ment, both public and covert, devoted to it can be made. $10 the Struggles of Working People Today. Speaker: Annette Kouri, Communist Castro’s visit followed a deal in De- subversion in Cuba. League. Fri., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. 7107 St. cember between Cuba and the “Paris For the fiscal year 2016, the U.S. Con- PathfinderPress.com Denis, Suite 204. Tel.: (514) 272-5840. Club” of imperialist creditor countries, gress increased funding for “democracy

4 The Militant February 22, 2016 on the picket line Maggie Trowe, Editor

Help the Militant cover labor struggles across the country! This column gives a voice to those engaged in battle and building solidarity today — including workers fighting for $15 and a union; locked-out ATI Steelworkers; Verizon workers opposing concessions; construction workers demanding safe conditions. I invite those involved in workers’ battles to contact me at 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018; or (212) 244-4899; or [email protected]. We’ll work together to ensure your story is told. — Maggie Trowe

Montreal city workers strike and went back to work. to defend public services, jobs “We needed to get some income and MONTREAL — More than 8,000 wanted to keep the union alive in the city “white-collar” workers here are plant,” butcher Bertie Ratu, Rangiuru waging a month of rotating strikes cul- Meat Workers Union shed secretary, Bertie Ratu Members of the Meat Workers Union picket outside AFFCO’s Rangiuru, New Zealand, plant minating in a one-day general strike said by phone Jan. 29. The company Dec. 21 after union members were refused entry (stood down) for wearing union T-shirts. March 1 against the city administra- gave them no choice of shift, cut staff tion’s plans to privatize public ser- and ignored seniority. Workers face harassment every plant donated canned food, and the vices and contract out their jobs. The “They put senior butchers on low- day, Ratu said. A lot of Individual local Maori tribe, Ngati Kahungunu, workers, members of Canadian Union er-paid jobs and replaced them with Employment Agreements workers to which many of the workers belong, of Public Employees Local 429, have IEA workers with no experience,” “can see how the company is abusing helped cover travel expenses to the been without a contract for four years. Ratu said. “If the IEAs didn’t do it them” and have joined the union. court hearing here. At a Jan. 26 picket line passersby they were gone.” Ratu and shop stew- Locked-out Wairoa workers remain Donations to the locked-out work- honked as 40 strikers brandished signs ard Charmaine Takai were sacked for determined. They protest regularly on ers can be made at: http://www.nzm- that read, “Stop dismantling public talking to workers about this before the bridge in the town. Unionists from wu.org.nz/index.html. services” and “I am the city.” the shift started. the nearby Watties food processing — Felicity Coggan “Subcontracting our jobs is the ma- jor issue,” Local 429 President Alain Fugère told the Militant on the picket line. The city has been replacing only Walmart closes 269 stores worldwide, affecting 1,000s one of two vacancies, which will lead by eric simpson “It made me really angry,” said Der- stores are being shuttered in Brazil, to the loss of 2,200 jobs by 2018, and OAKLAND, Calif. — Walmart rick Logon, a worker on disability. “I where Walmart is the third-largest re- aims to reduce wages by 12 percent. closed its only store here Jan. 17, affect- don’t make much on disability and tailer. The administration of Mayor Denis ing 400 employees and thousands of I need cheap groceries. And the bus In order to deflect attention from Coderre “is waging total war against workers who shopped there. Manage- routes don’t go to the other Walmarts.” the crisis of capitalism, the bosses and the white-collar workers,” a Jan. 5 ment gave workers two days’ notice fol- Workers report managers have said their spokespeople claim that layoffs union statement said. lowing a corporate announcement that the store was not profitable despite its are the result of wage increases won — Annette Kouri 269 stores would be closed worldwide, high gross sales, blaming shoplifting by workers. “Does Walmart Closure another expression of the international and Oakland’s $12.55 minimum wage. Mean Higher Minimum Wage Equals New Zealand meat workers contraction of manufacturing and trade. The company closed the Walmart Ex- Fewer Jobs?” headlined an article by broaden fight to defend union When the store opened 10 years ago, press chain of 102 smaller stores. They Debra Saunders in the San Francisco AUCKLAND, New Zealand — 11,000 people applied for 400 job open- were launched in 2011 as neighborhood Chronicle Jan. 21. “It’s hard to think Meat Workers Union members re- ings. Bettie, now 64, was hired then. stores, often in rural towns with small otherwise,” she wrote. The scope of main locked in a battle with food gi- Many employees are transferring to populations, driving out competing closures across states with lower wages ant AFFCO. The company, owned by other stores, she told the Militant, but grocers with aggressive pricing. With- disproves her argument. the wealthy Talley family, employs “I’m done with Walmart!” out them residents in many towns will Walmart announced a new entry lev- some 4,000 workers, 1,000 of them A rally outside the store during its be left without a nearby store. el wage of $10 per hour starting Feb. 20, union members, at eight AFFCO meat last hours of business protested the clo- In addition to 10,000 workers affect- higher than the federal minimum wage, plants. It owns fish, vegetable and sure and demanded Walmart find a new ed by store closures in the U.S., 6,000 which has been $7.25 since 2009. This is dairy processing factories as well. job for every worker. workers in Latin America are impacted. a concession to the nationwide fight for The dispute began when the compa- “This is a big company with a lot of Walmart shut four Amigo and three $15 an hour, which has deeply affected ny insisted workers returning from sea- money,” Juana Pelayo, a cleaner, told Super Ahorro stores in the U.S. colony Walmart workers. At the same time, the sonal layoff last year sign “Individual the Militant outside the store the final of Puerto Rico, affecting 400 workers, company announced work rule changes Employment Agreements” instead night. “They don’t need to shut things but remains the largest retailer there, tightening attendance policies and fur- of renegotiating the union contract, down here. People need these jobs.” employing 15,000 people. Some 60 ther undermining holidays. which expired in 2013. At the Wairoa plant, more than 200 workers refused to sign and were locked out Sept. 9. 25, 50, and 75 years ago When the Employment Court ruled in November that the company’s ac- tion was illegal, workers at Wairoa hoped to go back to their jobs and ne- gotiate a new contract. Instead, bosses insisted they return February 22, 1991 February 21, 1966 February 22, 1941 without seniority to a special night SALT LAKE CITY — One day The recent gunning down of stu- Japan’s program of territorial expan- shift. “What they offered us was a slap after Utah’s governor signed the most dents on the streets of Santo Domingo sion in the Far East, which began with in the face,” shop steward Peter Amato restrictive abortion bill in the United was a cruel reminder that country is the conquest of Manchuria nearly ten told the Militant Jan. 25. “They’re act- States into law, some 2,500 demon- still suffering the full consequences of years ago, has come into conflict with ing like they won the court case.” strated in outrage. Hundreds of chant- U.S. military occupation. The Santo the aims and interest of American impe- Wairoa workers rejected these de- ing prochoice supporters first rallied Domingo military killed three students rialism. This fact is openly recognized mands and remain locked out. at the State Capitol, then marched to and wounded 32 others, in an attempt in both Tokyo and Washington and was Sixteen of them came here Jan. 25 governor Norman Bangerter’s man- to break up a demonstration demanding underlined by “crisis” developments to back a court case filed by the union sion. They placed hangers on his fence the resignation of the Trujillist generals during the past two weeks. A war in the demanding implementation of senior- and vowed to continue their battle. who remain in command of the Domini- Pacific is in the offing. ity. The law, signed on January 25, can army. Secretary of State Cordell Hull told “This is about being union,” said eliminates a woman’s right to abor- The fact is that the Trujillist generals the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- Tina Edwards, an offal worker. “They tion except in cases of rape or incest, are still around in Santo Domingo only tee on January 27 that “long, efforts to want to put us all on night shift to keep where the pregnancy threatens “grave because of the powerful intervention of obtain mutual understanding and co- us away from the IEAs.” damage to the pregnant woman’s the U.S. Marines. It is well known that operation between the United States Workers at the Rangiuru plant pick- medical health,” or to prevent the the resistance of the old-guard military and Japan had been virtually fruit- eted Dec. 21 after three workers were birth of a child with “grave defects.” had totally collapsed by the fourth day less.” Speaking the day before in the stood down (refused entry) for wear- Under the new law, doctors who after the April uprising, suffering a de- Japanese Diet, Foreign Minister Yosuke ing union T-shirts to work. perform illegal abortions would be feat at the hands of the armed civilian Matsuoka made the following pointed Unionists there, like most AFFCO guilty of a class-three felony, and masses. The continued presence of U.S. declaration: “The time for settling mis- workers, signed the Individual could face fines up to $5,000 and a troops can only lead to further suppres- understandings with the United States Employment Agreements last June five-year jail term. sion of the Dominican people. through negotiations has passed.” The Militant February 22, 2016 5 Working-class alternative Continued from front page consciousness and self-confidence of socialist Bernie Sanders and Hillary workers as we fight together. We know Clinton in the Democratic Party to from history that working people, rely- demagogue billionaire Donald Trump, ing on our own power, solidarity and , and other mobilization, can take over and run the Republicans — aim to rescue capital- mines, mills, railroads and factories — ism from an economic, social and moral without the bosses.

crisis as production, trade and employ- As we gain experience in struggle Craine Militant/Naomi ment contract. we become different people, capable In Flint, Michigan, Democratic and of organizing our class and its allies — Republican officials alike told work- millions strong — to overthrow rule by ing people it was OK to drink poisoned the billionaire capitalist families and water. In workplace after workplace job establish a government of workers and safety goes out the window as employ- farmers. ers impose speedup and either lengthen Socialist Workers Party supporters the workweek to increase exploitation fight within the ranks of labor to trans- Inset: Militant/Janet Post The Socialist Workers Party candi- or slash hours to boost their bottom line. form the unions into effective fighting dates demand Washington end its They scapegoat immigrant workers, instruments against the employing class brutal economic embargo against seeking to intimidate them with depor- and its government. The labor move- the Cuban people and return the tations to drive down wages and divide ment can become a powerful force for Guantánamo naval base. Above, the working class. human solidarity — championing the party banner at September 2015 West Indian Day parade in Brooklyn. The ruling capitalist families use fight for $15 and a union; for a gov- Inset, Osborne Hart speaks at Washington’s economic and military ernment-funded public works program St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in forces to protect their investments and to create jobs, build schools and medi- Philadelphia, July 2015. Hart and interests abroad against any who rise cal, child care and recreation centers, other SWP members, the church’s up to struggle for national sovereignty replace crumbling infrastructure and pastor and others had worked to- gether to build May 30 demonstra- and to close the chasm between their other things working people need; the tion calling for the release of Puerto conditions of literacy, electrification and fight for Puerto Rican independence; Rican independence fighter Oscar sanitation and those in the imperialist for free preventative and comprehen- López, framed up and imprisoned countries. sive medical care for all; to extend equal by Washington for over 34 years. The Socialist Workers Party cam- protection under the law to women who paign poses a working-class way for- seek an abortion; to demand that cops organized and fought to overthrow the cago to Andrew Thomas in Paradise, ward out of the dog-eat-dog, crises-rid- who kill or brutalize working people be U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship. They California — be charged and jailed. den capitalist system. prosecuted. became different men and women, ca- They are part of the effort to free The SWP strives to advance the class- SWP campaigners point to the need pable of working together to change so- Dwight and Steven Hammond, Ore- to break from the bosses’ ciety to meet their needs. gon ranchers jailed twice on trumped- parties and build our own in- Working people took over and began up arson charges. The SWP candidates dependent labor party based to run U.S.- and Cuban-owned facto- demand the arrest of the FBI and Or- on the unions. ries, sugar mills, utilities and banks. egon cops who killed Robert LaVoy Kennedy and Hart point to The revolutionary government backed Finicum, one of the ranchers who oc- the example of how Cuba’s landless rural laborers in an agrarian re- cupied the Malheur National Wildlife working people made their form that turned cultivation of the land Refuge to protest the imprisonment of 1959 revolution, an example over to the tillers. the Hammonds. for working people in the They destroyed the old army and po- The Socialist Workers Party speaks U.S. They demand Washing- lice and built new armed forces, militia out against Washington’s imperialist ton end its brutal economic and police out of their own ranks to de- military attacks — from Iraq to Af- embargo against the Cuban fend, not oppress, working people. ghanistan to Syria. SWP candidates people and return the Guan- The revolution enforced laws putting fight the rulers’ efforts to use workers’ tánamo naval base. Hart is in an end to racial discrimination, drew revulsion at Islamic State’s terrorist acts Cuba at the Havana Interna- women into the workforce and revolu- to scapegoat Muslims and roll back tional Book Fair, the better tionary political activity and made abor- workers’ rights. to tell workers here about tion a woman’s choice. Through our experiences, workers Cuba’s socialist revolution. The Cuban Revolution extends inter- will see more and more that all politi- In the 1950s workers and nationalist solidarity, from sending al- cal questions are class questions. We most 400,000 volunteers to fight against will see that here, as in Cuba, the only Militant/Maggie Trowe farmers across Cuba, led by Hart at Oct. 24 protest against police brutality in New Fidel Castro and the July 26 apartheid South Africa’s invasion in An- way forward is to organize indepen- York, during SWP campaign for mayor of Philadelphia. Movement, learned as they gola to sending doctors to help lead the dent working-class struggles that point fight against Ebola in West Africa. toward overturning the dictatorship of A similar transformation began capital, building a new society based on Malcolm X, Black Liberation, among many Blacks active in the fight human solidarity and joining the world- and the Road to Workers Power against Jim Crow, worker combatants in wide fight for socialism. This is a life the building of the CIO and stalwarts of truly worth living. by Jack Barnes the decade-long fight against Washing- Join the Socialist Workers Party “This is a book about the dictatorship of capital and ton’s war in Vietnam. Malcolm X said campaign! the road to the dictatorship of the proletariat. A book fighters “find their self-worth” in the about the last century and a half of class struggle in course of such struggles. the United States — from the Civil War and Radical A victorious revolutionary struggle NATIONAL Reconstruction to today — and the unimpeachable by working people here in the U.S. can CAMPAIGN evidence it offers that workers who are Black will com- inspire emulation worldwide. prise a disproportionately weighty part of the ranks and COMMITTEE leadership of the mass social movement that will make Candidates who are fighters The committee organizing a proletarian revolution.” — Jack Barnes The Socialist Workers Party candi- the Socialist Workers Party 2016 campaign is chaired by national $20 dates have taken part in rallies of Penn- campaign director John Studer. sylvania Steelworkers locked out by The Jewish Question It includes presidential candi- Allegheny Technologies and Verizon A Marxist Interpretation date Alyson Kennedy; Chris workers without a contract. They are by Abram Leon Hoeppner and Janet Post, who part of the fight for $15 an hour mini- helped lead vice-presidential Traces the historical rationalizations of anti-Semitism mum wage and to organize unions. candidate Osborne Hart’s path- and explains how in times of social crisis renewed The fight against police brutality and setting campaign for mayor in Jew-hatred is incited by the capitalists to mobilize killings is their fight. They have joined Philadelphia last fall; ‘Militant’ reactionary forces against the labor movement and protests at home and across the country, writer Maggie Trowe; New York to disorient the middle classes and layers of working demanding cops who killed youth and SWP organizer Norton Sandler people about the true source of their impoverish- others — African-American, Latino and West Coast campaign di- ment. $25 and Caucasian, from Freddie Gray in rector Joel Britton. www.pathfinderpress.com Baltimore to Laquan McDonald in Chi-

6 The Militant February 22, 2016 The SWP candidates ‘Workers need control on job to ensure safety’

Militant photos: Left,Naomi Craine; right, John Studer SWP candidates Alyson Kennedy for president and Osborne Hart for vice president. Militant/Seth Galinsky Continued from front page workers locked out by Honeywell Corp. NEW YORK — Alyson Kennedy, the Socialist Workers Party candidate for overturning Jim Crow segregation. in Metropolis, Illinois, in 2010 and again U.S. president, campaigned at construction sites on the West Side of Manhat- She moved to Kentucky, where she in 2014, as well as with United Auto tan Feb. 9. Kennedy and her supporters spoke with workers on their lunch was part of the fight to desegregate Workers members on strike last year break about the fatal collapse of a 565-foot crane in Lower Manhattan four Louisville public schools in 1975. against Kohler Inc. in Wisconsin. She days earlier that crushed cars parked on the street and killed a pedestrian. A Kennedy works at Walmart in Chi- joined protests in Kentucky, West Vir- construction worker fell to his death at an East Harlem site the day before the cago and is part of the movement for ginia and St. Louis by union coal miners crane incident. $15 an hour, full-time work and a union fighting attempts by Patriot Coal bosses Several construction union members told her that the “union backs us up” that has sprung up among fast-food, to use bankruptcy to tear up union con- if they refuse to work under unsafe conditions. “I’ve walked off many times,” Thomas Portelli, 38, right, said. “When it’s too windy and the load is spinning Walmart and many other workers. tracts. around. I’m not going to allow that.” A socialist and trade union fighter for She has been active in the fight against While unionized workers get safety training, unorganized workers do not, he more than four decades, Kennedy, 65, Washington’s wars, from protests said, but the bosses and government officials are trying to get rid of the unions. is a member of the Socialist Workers against the war in Vietnam to speaking “That’s why we need to organize all workers into our unions,” Kennedy said. Party’s National Committee. She was out against the bloody aggression in Iraq “Workers need to control conditions on the job to guarantee safety.” the SWP candidate for vice president in and Afghanistan. One ironworker said he thought we needed a businessman as president, like 2008 and for U.S. Senate from Illinois She’s been a stalwart in demonstra- Donald Trump, who could get things done. “Workers need our own party, a in 2010. tions against the cop killings of Laquan labor party based on the unions,” Kennedy said. She has worked in coal mines in Ala- McDonald, Rekia Boyd, Quintonio “There is no ‘we,’” she said. “There are two main social classes — the work- bama, Colorado, Utah and West Virgin- LeGrier, Bettie Jones and many others, ers and the bosses. The Socialist Workers Party joins in actions against employer ia. She joined the United Mine Workers as well as actions over years demanding and government attacks against us and helps to advance class consciousness.” in 1981. She became part of the Coal the release from prison of men tortured — Dean Hazlewood Employment Project, a group that cham- into making false confessions by former pioned women’s fights to get hired in the Chicago Police Lt. Jon Burge’s “Mid- mines and fight harassment on the job. night Crew.” independent working-class political ac- protests against deportations and efforts From 2003 to 2006 Kennedy was tion, urging workers to fight for a labor to organize the unorganized. among those in the front ranks of a Osborne Hart party based on the unions, to challenge He’s spoken out and built meetings union-organizing battle at the Co-Op Osborne Hart, whose father was a the Democrats, Republicans or other in defense of the Cuban Revolution, coal mine outside Huntington, Utah. career soldier, spent his youth traveling capitalist parties. demanding Washington end its 55-year- The miners there, a majority immigrants around the world with his family. Over the past five years, Hart has long economic embargo of the island from Mexico, fought for UMWA rep- Since getting involved with the civil joined in building protests in Philadel- and return the territory containing the resentation to win safe working condi- rights movement in the 1960s, Hart has phia against the relentless drive by state U.S. naval base at Guantánamo to Cuba. tions, an end to abuse by the bosses and been a lifelong fighter for Black rights. and city governments to slash funds for He was part of the international move- improved wages, which started at $5 an He’s joined struggles against police bru- public education, with massive layoffs ment that won freedom for the Cuban hour. Their struggle won widespread tality and school segregation and the and spiraling class sizes. These moves Five, revolutionaries imprisoned in the solidarity and set a powerful example of movement to bring down apartheid in have been accompanied by assaults U.S. for working to defend their coun- how to fight. South Africa and free Nelson Mandela. on teachers’ and other school workers’ try’s socialist revolution. In 2014 Kennedy went to Turkey to He was politically active in the 1970s wages, pensions, health care and their He calls for the immediate release of meet with coal miners there and help in the fight to end Washington’s war unions. Oscar López, a fighter for Puerto Rican them get out the truth in the U.S. and against the peoples of Vietnam and In- Hart is active in the fight against gov- independence framed up and jailed in elsewhere about their fight against dead- dochina. ernment attacks and discriminatory the U.S. — much of it in solitary con- ly working conditions imposed by the Hart joined the Socialist Workers laws against undocumented workers, finement — for more than 34 years. owners with government complicity. A Party in the mid-1970s and for decades mine explosion in the town of Soma had has been part of helping to build and killed more than 300 miners. She also strengthen the labor movement. He’s Join the Socialist Workers Party campaign in 2016! met with a representative of the Kurd- lived in Atlanta, San Francisco, New ish-based People’s Democratic Party York, Detroit and now Philadelphia and The working class, labor, socialist campaign (HDP) there, bringing solidarity to the has worked in industry, including as a q I want to get involved! Contact me so I can join in campaigning for the Kurds’ fight against national oppression meat packer, steelworker, loading trucks working-class alternative, Socialist Workers Party candidates Alyson across Turkey as well as in Syria, Iraq in a TJX warehouse and on the rail- Kennedy for president and Osborne Hart for vice president. and Iran. roads. He currently works at Walmart. q I want to help spread the word. Enclosed is my contribution of Kennedy has also worked in plants He joined actions in defense of Unit- $______. (Make checks to Socialist Workers National Campaign Committee) and mills organized by the United Steel- ed Steelworkers-organized oil refinery q I would like a 12-week subscription to the Militant, the campaign workers, UNITE HERE as a garment workers forced on strike in 2015, de- newspaper. ($5 enclosed, checks payable to the Militant.) worker, and other unions. manding workers control over safety Kennedy is active in the fight to de- to counter bosses’ speed-up drives, job Name______fend a woman’s right to choose abortion, cuts and attacks on unions. has spoken widely on the fight for wom- Hart, 63, ran for mayor of Philadel- Address______en’s rights and has helped defend clin- phia in 2015, gaining a wide hearing City______State______Zip______ics from rightist attempts to shut them among working people. He participated down. in protests against cuts in Medicare, de- Phone______Email______Kennedy marched with members of manding free, government-funded med- the Chicago Teachers Union on strike ical care for all; against police brutality Union/Organization/School______against a bitter assault by Mayor Rahm and in solidarity with workers fighting Emanuel and city officials in 2012, concession demands by steel giant Ar- walked picket lines with United Steel- celorMittal. He explained the need for Socialist Workers Party 2016 Campaign, 227 W. 29th St., 6th Floor, NY, NY 10001. Tel: (646) 922-8186 f Email: [email protected]

The Militant February 22, 2016 7 Sanders aims to save capitalism Continued from front page This echoes the “Occupy Wall Street” and, through the course of workers’ protests of 2011-12, which popularized struggles, for building an independent the catchphrase of a wealthy “1 percent” working-class political party advanc- versus “the 99 percent.” The Occupy ing a fight for workers’ power. movement, and Sanders, obscure the Sanders’ win underlines the most sig- fact that the capitalist crisis and growing nificant development in the 2016 cam- attacks on workers are the product not of paign, one dismissed earlier by bour- opposing percentiles or well-endowed geois commentators. He is running as a campaign “Super PACs.” Instead, they socialist candidate advancing a program register the reality of irreconcilable of radical reform to save capitalism. class interests under capitalism and state Something like this hasn’t been seen power held by a handful of ruling-class in U.S. politics for some time, though families whose entrenched power, prop- it isn’t uncommon in other imperialist erty and privilege are defended by the countries, where social democratic par- armed forces, cops and courts. ties have formed governments on and The Sanders campaign, like the Oc- off for decades when the capitalist rulers cupy movement, peddles the false notion Bernie Sanders describes himself as a modern-day Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s face a crisis. Sanders’ platform, in fact, of a classless “we” encompassing nearly “New Deal,” including Works Progress Administration make-work programs, aimed to blunt is to the left of those of most bourgeois all Americans (99 percent or more of us, rising social movement. Above, police confront strikers at WPA sewing project in Minneapolis during national strike in 1939, as workers fought government moves to slash jobs programs. parties in Europe today that go by the in fact), who can be brought together if name Socialist or Social Democratic. only capitalism and bourgeois election issue either — which is also new for a cial benefits that most of his Republican The response to Sanders reflects campaigns can be made more fair. U.S. presidential race. opponents demand. John Kasich, who growing dissatisfaction among work- Sanders presents himself as a modern As Sanders has risen in the polls, ran second in New Hampshire’s pri- ers and many in the middle class who Franklin Delano Roosevelt, proposing Clinton has said that she’s a progressive mary, gains at the polls from attacks by have faced years of grinding depression another “New Deal.” Roosevelt won too, but one “who gets things done.” She rivals for expanding Obamacare-linked conditions as the world capitalist con- office in 1932 in the midst of the Great says she wants to “rein in the excesses Medicaid benefits as governor of Ohio. traction drags on. In his stump speeches Depression. What Sanders doesn’t say of Wall Street,” even though she has ac- Trump presents himself as speaking Sanders calls for an infrastructure pro- is that the steps implemented by Roos- cepted substantial contributions from for the little person, a straight shooter gram to put millions of people to work, evelt — from make-work jobs programs Goldman Sachs and other “too big to who says what he thinks and a success- raising the minimum wage over several to the start of Social Security — were fail” banks and financial institutions. ful businessman who can get things years to $15 an hour and making public aimed at blunting the rising social The problem with Sanders, Clinton done. But some concrete proposals universities tuition-free. movement marked by the CIO industrial says, is that he’s utopian. he pounds away at are anti-working- He points out that unemployment and union battles in those years, a working- Sanders’ response is that real change class, such as building a wall along the underemployment for youth is over 35 class movement the rulers feared could “comes from the bottom on up.” He calls Mexican border to keep out immigrants percent, and more than 50 percent for threaten capitalist political power. for a “political revolution” — one whose (which he’s now begun presenting as a young people who are Black, while the Roosevelt turned the FBI into a na- content amounts to voting and pressur- solution to growing heroin addiction United States has the world’s highest tional political police, joining state and ing Congress to carry out the program as well!) and announcing this week he incarceration rate. This has to be ad- local cops in targeting and framing up he proposes to reform capitalism. supports waterboarding and “worse” for dressed, he says, for young people to trade union fighters and communists. Leading up to the New Hampshire those Washington accuses of terrorism. “begin their adult life.” This resonates By the late 1930s, Roosevelt’s pro- vote, Clinton’s campaign took on an One of Trump’s notorious positions, with many workers, including those gram increasingly became a “War increasingly panicky tone. She didn’t his call for a “temporary” bar on Mus- who are African-American. Deal,” slashing public works and other get much help when Gloria Steinem, a lims entering the U.S., was dealt a politi- Sanders has begun to win some en- jobs programs set up earlier as Washing- founder of Ms. magazine, said the rea- cal blow Feb. 3 when President Barack dorsement from political figures who ton and the propertied families it repre- son so many young women are active in Obama visited a Baltimore mosque and are Black, including former NAACP sents prepared to enter the second world the Sanders campaign is to meet young spoke against such “inexcusable political President Ben Jealous and Erica Gar- imperialist slaughter. It was only with men. The big majority of women who rhetoric against Muslim-Americans.” ner, daughter of Eric Garner whose the conscription of millions of young voted in the Democratic primary in New Meanwhile, former New York Mayor 2014 killing by a New York City cop men as cannon fodder in World War II Hampshire cast their ballots for Sanders. Michael Bloomberg confirmed he is met with local and nationwide protests. that the unemployment crisis ended. considering a bid for the White House (Eric Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, has Sanders speaks in opposition to new Trump’s nationalist demagogy in a widely reported Feb. 8 interview in endorsed Hillary Clinton.) U.S. military deployments in the Middle Like Sanders, Trump owes his posi- the Financial Times. The race today is East and elsewhere. He touts his record tion in the Republican race to broad “an outrage and an insult to the voters,” Covering up class divisions in Congress of having voted against au- discontent caused by the grinding capi- said the billionaire media owner. Sanders also focuses on income in- thorizing the U.S. war in Iraq in 2002, in talist crisis. Both speak in opposition to Bloomberg was a lifelong liberal equality, as well as campaign finance contrast to Clinton — failing to note that another U.S. ground war and Washing- Democrat before registering as a Repub- rules that he says perpetuate an “oligar- he often votes to authorize funding for ton’s involvement in so-called free trade lican for his 2001 mayoral bid for elec- chy” in government. He calls for raising that and Washington’s other wars. pacts. But beyond that, their campaigns toral reasons. He won his third term as taxes on corporations and the super-rich Sanders would be the first Jewish are qualitatively different. mayor as an independent. His main aim to “end a rigged economy, create an president, something that has not be- Trump’s campaign centers on nation- in entering the presidential race would economy that works for all.” come an issue in the campaign. He says alist demagogy. At the same time, he be to block prospects of a victory by he is “not actively involved with orga- says he’s the one who will create jobs, Sanders. Bloomberg says he will decide In New International no. 14 nized religion,” and that’s not been an and steers clear of calls for the cuts in so- by early March. The Clintons’ Antilabor Legacy: Roots of the 2008 if you like this paper, look us up World Financial Crisis Where to find distributors of the NEBRASKA: Lincoln: Tel: (402) 217- CANADA by Jack Barnes Militant, New International, and a full 4906. Email: [email protected]. QUEBEC: Montreal: 7107 St. Denis display of Pathfinder books. #204 H2S 2S5. Tel: (514) 272-5840. Email: Also includes: NEW YORK: New York: 227 W. 29th St., [email protected] ALBERTA: Calgary: 6th Floor. Zip: 10001. Tel: (646) 964-4793. • Revolution, UNITED STATES 4909 17th Ave. SE, Unit 154. T2A 0V5. Tel: (403) Email: [email protected] Internationalism and CALIFORNIA: Oakland: 675 457-9044. 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Email: [email protected] optusnet.com.au 2496. Email: [email protected] 8 The Militant February 22, 2016 1,000s flee assault in Syria Rallies in France demand ‘End state of emergency!’ Continued from front page time ago, but the next day Foreign Min- violently crushed by Assad, leading ister Mevlut Cavusoglu said 10,000 ref- to the ongoing civil war. ugees had been allowed to cross. Washington has forged a bloc with Indirect negotiations between Assad Moscow and Tehran, seeking to es- and opposition forces started Feb. 1 in tablish a cease-fire in Syria, to achieve Geneva under the auspices of the U.N. some measure of stability for U.S. inter- Security Council, but blew up after two ests in the region, and carry out united days as the regime’s offensive advanced. moves against Islamic State. Members of the opposition delegation The assault on Aleppo marks anoth- said the Saudi and Turkish governments er devastating blow to Syrian working pressed them to pull out. people. The war has claimed the lives Seeking to push Obama to back away of a quarter of a million people and dis- from Moscow and Assad, the govern- placed more than half of the country’s ments of Saudi Arabia and the United population. Arab Emirates offered to provide troops Human Rights Watch reported Feb. if Washington would lead an expanded 8 that Moscow’s planes have dropped ground war in Syria. cluster bombs — anti-civilian weapons Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Militant/Claude Bleton PARIS — Tens of thousands protested in nearly 70 cities across France that detonate in the air, shooting out le- Moallem ridiculed the offer Feb. 6, say- Jan. 30 demanding the government of President Francois Hollande end the thal shrapnel — at least 14 times in five ing they would “return home in wooden state of emergency declared in November. coffins.” provinces in the last two weeks. It was the first public protest against the state of emergency since the Secretary of State John Kerry said More refugees flee to Europe government imposed it, banning demonstrations, imposing restrictions on Feb. 5 that the bombing “has to stop.” political rights and giving cops freer rein to spy on and throw Muslims But for some time he has led Washing- Capitalist leaders in Europe have re- and others into detention or house arrest. The rulers insisted the moves — ton’s increased collaboration with Teh- acted with alarm at the continuing flow which they said they will extend indefinitely, writing it into the country’s ran and Moscow as the 20th century im- of refugees from Syria. German Chan- constitution — should be accepted in the name of responding to brutal perialist-imposed borders and stability cellor Angela Merkel traveled to Ankara attacks by Islamic State supporters here that killed 130 people. in the region crumbled and Islamic State Feb. 8 to press Turkish leaders to keep The protest here, some 5,000 strong, was organized by the League of seized large areas of Syria and Iraq. them from heading to Europe. Human Rights; the CGT, the main trade union confederation in France; While Washington has given luke- Capitalist governments in northern and a multitude of other organizations, including many representing im- warm verbal support and paltry aid to Europe are pushing for Greece to be a migrants and undocumented workers. the capitalist Syrian opposition, none holding pen for refugees, threatening to The government also announced plans to revoke French citizenship of its components are anywhere near send more border guards, and possibly from anyone with dual nationality who is convicted on terrorism charges. strong enough to stabilize the country. troops, to “hermetically seal” Greece’s — Claude Bleton and Nat London As a result of decades of betrayal by border with Macedonia. the Stalinist Communist Party of Syr- Islamic State’s territory and armed ia, which promoted collaboration with strength in Syria and Iraq is being Kobani, a town in northern Syria where fled the Sur district of Diyarbakir, the Assad’s Baathist Party and other bour- shrunk by growing unpopularity in heroic defense by YPG forces drove off largest city in the region, Jan. 27 after geois forces, there is no revolutionary areas they rule, U.S. bombings, and IS attackers in January 2015. government authorities expanded a sti- working-class movement that can chart ground attacks by Syrian Kurdish Peo- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- fling 24-hour curfew. an independent road to power. This ple’s Protection Units (YPG) and Iraqi dogan reacted angrily. “Am I your ally In a Feb. 7 editorial, the Wall Street vacuum, along with the brutal civil war, special forces. The reactionary group or are the terrorists in Kobani?” he said Journal referred to Obama’s actions in opened the door for Islamic State. carried out a suicide car bomb attack Feb. 5. Syria as a “let-it-burn policy.” But the The Barack Obama administration’s that tore up a police officers’ club and Erdogan has stepped up its military U.S. capitalist rulers have no interest nuclear accord with Iran allows Tehran vegetable market in Damascus Feb. 9, assault in Turkey’s majority Kurdish in getting caught in a new Middle East to resume trade on the world market wounding dozens and killing at least southeast since December, targeting the ground war. Whoever wins the presi- and escape imperialist sanctions. Wash- eight people. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and dency in 2016 is unlikely to stray from ington’s goal is to cement the broader Washington is no friend of the Kurd- terrorizing the population. Thousands the current course. political deal they are now working to ish people’s aspirations for an indepen- consolidate. dent homeland, but depends on YPG Assad and his allies threaten to im- units to push back Islamic State. After pose a starvation siege on those remain- Ankara’s determined insistence, Kurd- Charges under anti-abortion law ing in Aleppo, as they have in dozens ish representatives were excluded from Continued from page 2 by taking hormonal pills, alcohol, illegal of places across the country. By Feb. 8 the Geneva talks. In an effort to assuage 20 clinics in recent years, a study by the drugs, herbs or homeopathic remedies more than 35,000 Syrians were massed the exclusion, Brett McGurk, Obama’s Texas Policy Evaluation Project found or by getting punched in the abdomen, near the Turkish border, hoping to enter envoy for the “Global Coalition to Coun- that at least 100,000 women have at- according to the Washington Post. Turkey. Ankara closed the border some ter ISIS,” met with Kurdish leaders in tempted a self-induced abortion, usually “When abortions aren’t available that does not stop women from trying to ac- complish that goal, taking matters into letters their own hands,” said Willie Parker, a doctor who provides abortions in Ala- Cop sentenced for beating them most of this support. Yes, some After reading the court’s summary, bama, Georgia and Mississippi, in a Former Inkster cop William grievances are legitimate. But to most I think the government’s case against Feb. 2 interview on WNYC radio. This Melendez was sentenced Feb. 2 to 13 people here they look like dumb white the Hammonds is shaky. Their resen- “potentially leads them to have compli- months to 10 years in prison for the guys with cowboy hats. tencing smacks of double jeopardy and cations that are unnecessary when abor- beating of autoworker Floyd Dent. Joan Little raises the question of fairness of maxi- tion is safe and legal.” According to the website Heavy, Portland, Oregon mum terms in the first place. The clinic where Parker works in Dent refused a plea deal on March The Hammonds need defenders. Jackson, Mississippi, is the last one left Free the Hammonds 25. Originally Dent was charged with This has been made difficult with the in the state. It is threatened with closure resisting arrest and possession of co- I was pleased with your coverage focus of attention on the Bundyites and by a state law requiring doctors who caine. This is an example of a point the of the occupation in Harney County, their occupation. perform abortions to have admitting Militant has been stressing. Workers Oregon. You did not fall into the trap The Hammonds should be freed. privileges at a nearby hospital, which who are put through the “justice” sys- of concentrating on the Bundyites and There is an online petition for their most won’t grant. The U.S. Supreme tem seldom go to trial. Instead they their politics and made the right points clemency, which I urge defenders of Court will hear a challenge to a similar are offered the “opportunity” to plead about the importance for civil liberties civil liberties to sign. It is at savethe- law in Texas this spring. guilty to the lesser charge. Mr. Dent of the Hammonds’ persecution. It’s ob- hammonds.com and is sponsored by Meanwhile, a federal district judge refused this “opportunity” and had all vious from watching TV reports and the Oregon Farm Bureau, among oth- in San Francisco issued a preliminary charges dropped. reading the Oregon papers that there is ers. injunction Feb. 6 ordering the anti-abor- Robert Kissinger a big class divide on this. George Johnson tion Center for Medical Progress not to Detroit, Michigan Bend, Oregon release further secretly filmed videos ‘Militant’ Prisoners’ Fund that they claimed showed Planned Par- ‘Dumb guys in cowboy hats’ The Prisoners’ Fund makes it possible to The letters column is an open fo- enthood illegally sold fetal tissue. These At first I had some support for the send prisoners reduced rate subscrip- rum for all viewpoints on subjects claims are baseless, said Judge William Oregon protesters, who have been tions. To donate, send a check or money of interest to working people. Please Orrick. In January a grand jury in Hous- called “militants” in the media. They order payable to the Militant and ear- keep your letters brief. Where neces- ton indicted the group’s director, David have had considerable support here. marked “Prisoners’ Fund” to 306 W. 37th sary they will be abridged. Please in- Daleiden, and an associate on criminal But the racism and extremism of St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018. dicate if you prefer that your initials charges of using false driver’s licenses the protesters and occupiers has cost be used rather than your full name. to infiltrate Planned Parenthood. The Militant February 22, 2016 9