Doce días sacuden al imperio 12 PR: Llamado a la acción 12 ¡Defiende rebeliones justas! 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 61 No. 32 Aug. 8, 2019 $1 Trump, capitalism incite mass shootings Smash white supremacy!

There he shot and killed 22 people and wounded at least 26 more, many gravely. WW Commentary Identifications of those killed are not complete, but at least six Mexican nation- statement als died, according to their embassy, as well as 72-year-old former city bus driver Eric Garner & the ruling class police Between July 31 and August 3, three Arturo Benavides and 15-year-old high different white-identified male terrorists school student Javier Rodriguez. It was killed and wounded dozens of people in also reported that some of the wounded Gilroy, Calif.; El Paso, Texas; and Dayton, did not go to hospitals for fear of U.S. Ohio. Three mass shootings in the U.S. in Immigration and Customs Enforcement. one week. It’s possible that others, for the same rea- Garner TV announcers blared that this brought son, did not go to the morgue to identify family and the number of U.S. mass shootings in their loved ones. supporters 2019 to over 250. Wikipedia and news No information has yet emerged about protest articles everywhere put out complete or the ideology of the Dayton killer. But the outside home of killer cop partial accounts of the heinous crimes. identity of his victims brutally exposed his Pantaleo Yet nowhere in the big business media hatreds. The nine people he shot included on the fifth was the overwhelming reason for the kill- his 22-year-old sister and six African- anniverary of ings named. American men and women standing with Eric Garner’s Not “lack of gun control.” Not “mental or near her. death, July 17, illness.” After the massacres, Trump tweeted 2019. But the fact is that the U.S., all of its for- the obligatory “thoughts and prayers.” WW PHOTO: HENRY LUNA mal institutions and its “rule of law” are But his real function as the preeminent sunk deep in foundations of white suprem- governmental flag-bearer of divide-and- By Monica Moorehead anniversary of Garner’s death. acy, xenophobia, misogyny, Christian conquer hatred is on display constantly. At the Democratic Party presiden- nationalism and anti-LGBTQ2S+ hatred At a May 19 Florida rally, he lamented Five years ago a racist white cop, tial debates in Detroit July 31, two and a system of murderous capitalism. that agents of the Border Patrol are not Daniel Pantaleo, put an unarmed Black Lives Matter protesters dis- Those encouraged and practiced allowed to turn their guns on im/migrants Black man, Eric Garner, into a choke- rupted the candidates with chants hatreds inflicted a terrible toll last week. and demanded, “How do you stop these hold, on July 17, 2014, on Staten of “Fire Pantaleo.” The outcry was Just before the assault in Gilroy, the people?” When someone in the crowd Island, N.Y. Other cops furiously com- directed toward New York City Mayor killer went on Instagram to recommend shouted, “Shoot them,” he made a “joke” pressed Garner’s chest as he lay on the Bill de Blasio, who is running for pres- a book glorified by white supremacists of that. ground and cried out, “I can’t breathe” ident in 2020. and used to justify racism, slavery and Our question is: How do we stop him? until he died. Tamika D. Mallory, one of the pro- colonialism. Then he went out and mur- And the racist murderers, the anti-Semitic Pantaleo was never charged, much testers, stated why she confronted de dered one African-American young man and anti-Islamic murderers, the killers of less indicted, for the death of Garner. Blasio on her Aug. 1 Twitter feed: “We and two Latinx children—​6 and 13 years migrants, those who kill queer and trans In response, Garner’s family and the could not sit silent while @NYCMayor old—and​ wounded many others. people, those who kill in domestic violence progressive movement have continued Bill de Blasio misrepresented his posi- The El Paso shooter posted a long man- incidents? According to an Everytown for to fight for justice. tions on Stop and Frisk and continues ifesto, beginning with a statement that his Gun Safety analysis, of 156 mass shootings When the U.S. Justice Department to employ the police officers who killed attack was “a response to the Hispanic between 2009 and 2016, 54 percent were refused to file charges against #EricGarner, in particular Daniel invasion of Texas.” He then drove 9 hours related to domestic or family violence. Pantaleo on July 16, that latest out- Pantaleo.” across Texas, which was indisputably part (tinyurl.com/y5oyujxa) Nine African- rage prompted multiple demonstra- This righteous outburst helped to of Mexico until the U.S. stole it in 1848, to American people were shot to death in a tions in front of Pantaleo’s home for give national and international visibility the predominantly Latinx area of El Paso, several days, starting July 17, the fifth Continued on page 10 Continued on page 3 just across the border from Juarez, Mexico. N. Carolina: Anti-racists win 2 Miners block company trains, workers fight back! 4-5

Solidarity with Migrants 6-7 Why racism breeds resistance 8 Mumia: ‘Biden his time’ 8 Subscribe to Workers World Defend righteous rebellions 9 ☐ 4 weeks trial $4 ☐ 1 year subscription $30 ☐ Sign me up for the WWP Supporter Program: workers.org/donate Feds to resume executions 9 Name ______

Email ______Phone ______Editorial Ominous

Street ______escalation of war drive 10

City / State / Zip ______Workers World Weekly Newspaper workers.org 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011 212.627.2994 Puerto Rico 3 Algeria 11 Brexit 11 Page 2 Aug. 8, 2019 workers.org

North Carolina Anti-racist activists win case in court this week

By LeiLani Dowell ◆ In the U.S. Anti-racists won a victory Aug. 2 against suppression of Trump, capitalism incite mass shootings . . . . . 1 their protest when a judge dismissed charges against two Anti-racist activists win case in court ...... 2 activists. The two, Jody Anderson and Enzo Niebuhr, had placed KKK-reminiscent white hoods over a statue depict- On the picket line ...... 4 ing a Confederate woman and child on the grounds of the Coal miners up in arms again ...... 4 state capitol. The activists had been charged with disor- U.S. persecutes defenders of Venezuelan Embassy . 4 derly conduct and defacing a public statue. Northwest grocery workers prepare to strike . . . 5 A statement by Smash Racism Raleigh, organizers of the April 21 protest where the two were arrested, described Marches, disruptions as Dems debate in Detroit . .5 their efforts: “Activists allegedly climbed the monument Widespread militant actions against ICE . . . . .6 and placed Klan hoods over its two heads to properly con- Texas WWP statement condemns mass murder . .6 textualize the statue’s role in perpetuating white suprem- Activists challenge ICE profiteers ...... 7 acy and reinforcing both Jim Crow-era and modern racist violence and oppression. … Greyhound feeling FIRE for collusion with ICE . . 7 “The Women of the Confederacy monument, as well PHOTO: SMASH RACISM RALEIGH Why racism breeds resistance ...... 8 as the other racist statues on the State Capitol grounds, Hoods expose statue’s role in perpetuating white supremacy. Mumia: Biden his time ...... 8 have a dark history of oppression, violence and revision- Defend righteous rebellions against racist NYPD . 9 ism that has consistently attracted hate groups such as the Lawton concurred. KKK, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Heirs to the In Smash Racism Raleigh’s statement before the trial, Feds to resume racist death penalty ...... 9 Confederacy to the square for the last century.” the group affirmed that it “stands in solidarity with those ◆ Around the world At the Aug. 2 trial, people’s attorney Scott Holmes wrongfully arrested and condemns the actions and beliefs pointed out that there is no law prohibiting people from of the white supremacist groups who use these monuments Statement from A Call to Action on Puerto Rico . .3 climbing on the monuments or from placing objects on to glorify racism and bigotry. Smash Racism Raleigh addi- Union: End the Colonial Status of Puerto Rico . . 3 them. He challenged Capitol Police Officer Dustin Dobson, tionally condemns the actions of the state capitol police Algeria: Police allow thousands to march in protest 11 who outrageously claimed that putting white hoods on the and RPD [Raleigh Police Department] for their continued monument was a “hate crime.” The prosecutor went so far support and allegiance with white supremacist organiza- Brexit ...... 11 as to liken that to burning crosses. tions and their statues. We call for an end to state-spon- ◆ Editorial In a show of allegiance to white supremacy, however, sored racism and the removal of all tributes to white after arresting Anderson and Niebuhr, the officer actually supremacy from state capitol grounds.” (Smash Racism Ominous escalation of war drive ...... 10 handed his baton to a Confederate supporter. At the trial, Raleigh’s live Tweet coverage of the trial can be viewed at Dobson asserted that although he had never met this per- tinyurl.com/yy5g3l92.) ◆ Noticias en Español son before, he deputized the supporter at the scene. Over the past couple of years, activists throughout the Doce días sacuden al imperio ...... 12 The cop and prosecutor also maintained that Anderson’s Triangle region of North Carolina have challenged the ¡Defiende rebeliones justas contra la policía! . . . 12 and Niebuhr’s chants of “Fuck these racist statues! Fuck presence of Confederate statues and faced the wrath of the Confederacy! Racist statues have to go!” represented the state as expressed through cops and courts. That the PR: Llamado a la acción ...... 12 abusive language. However, after a lengthy debate in court judge threw out the charges in this case is a victory won about the use of the expletive outdoors in a public space, through the continued mobilization of anti-racist forces Holmes moved to dismiss all charges. Judge William in the South. ☐ Workers World 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10011 Join us in the fight Phone: 212.627.2994 E-mail: [email protected] for socialism! Web: www.workers.org Vol. 61, No. 32 • Aug. 8, 2019 Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist people are gunned down by cops and bigots on a regular Closing date: Aug. 7, 2019 party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We are a basis. multinational, multigenerational and multigendered orga- The ruthless ruling class today seeks to wipe out Editor: Deirdre Griswold nization that not only aims to abolish capitalism, but to decades of gains and benefits won by hard-fought strug- Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, build a socialist society because it’s the only way forward! gles by people’s movements. The super-rich and their Martha Grevatt, Monica Moorehead, Minnie Bruce Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of the political representatives have intensified their attacks on Pratt world and the planet itself in the neverending quest for the multinational, multigender and multigenerational Web Editors: Ben Carroll, John Steffin ever-greater profits. working class. It is time to point the blame at—and chal- Capitalism means war and austerity, racism and repres- lenge—the capitalist system. Production & Design Editors: Gery Armsby, Sasha sion, attacks on im/migrants, misogyny, LGBTQ oppres- WWP fights for socialism because the working class Mazumder, Scott Williams sion and mistreatment of people with disabilities. It means produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, joblessness, increasing homelessness and impoverishment remain in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capi- Sue Davis, S. Hedgecoke and lack of hope for the future. No social problems can be talist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially Contributing Editors: G. Dunkel, K. Durkin, Teresa solved under capitalism. owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guaran- Gutierrez, Betsey Piette, Gloria Rubac The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one tee basic human needs. has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the Mundo Obero: Alberto García, Teresa Gutierrez, education or anything else—unless they can pay for it. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Carlos Vargas Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even make and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP it to college. Black, Brown and Indigenous youth and trans branch near you. ☐ Copyright © 2019 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium Contact a Workers World Party branch near you: workers.org/wwp without royalty provided this notice is preserved. Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published weekly National Office Bay Area Durham, N.C. Philadelphia 147 W. 24th St., 2nd floor P.O. Box 22947 804 Old Fayetteville St. P.O. Box 34249 except the last week of December by WW Publishers, New York, NY 10011 Oakland, CA 94609 Durham, NC 27701 Philadelphia, PA 19101 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Phone: 212.627.2994 510.394.2207 919.322.9 970 610.931.2615 212.627.2994. Subscriptions: One year: $30; institu­ [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] tions: $35. Letters to the editor may be condensed and Atlanta Buffalo, N.Y. Houston Salt Lake City edited. Articles can be freely reprinted, with credit to PO Box 18123 335 Richmond Ave. P.O. Box 3454 801.750.0248 Workers World, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY Atlanta, GA 30316 Buffalo, NY 14222 Houston, TX 77253-3454 [email protected] 10011. Back issues and individual articles are available 404.627.0185 716.883.2534 713.503.2633 San Antonio on microfilm and/or photocopy from NA Publishing, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Inc, P.O. Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. Austin Charlotte Knoxville, Tenn. San Diego A searchable archive is available on the Web at [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.workers.org. Boston Cleveland Minneapolis Tucson, Ariz. A headline digest is available via e-mail subscription. 284 Amory St. 216.738.0320 [email protected] [email protected] Subscription information is at workers.org. Boston, MA 02130 [email protected] Pensacola, Fla. Washington, D.C. 617.522.6626 Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. Dallas [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] POSTMASTER: Send address changes to [email protected] Portland, Ore. West Virginia Workers World, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl. [email protected] [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. workers.org Aug. 8, 2019 Page 3 ‘We demand the resignation of Pedro Pierluisi & fiscal control board’

The following statement was issued by A Call to Action on the quick replacement of Pedro Pierluisi as colonial governor is Puerto Rico on Aug. 4. The organization can be contacted at an attempt of the metropolis through his dictatorial Fiscal Control [email protected], on their Facebook Page: A Call to Board and its colonial lackeys to try to appease the just indignation Action on Puerto Rico and on Instagram: prcalltoaction. of the people, reestablish its colonial control and maintain order. Puerto Ricans in the archipelago and Diaspora, from all sec- The collective A Call to Action on Puerto Rico / Un Llamado a tors of society, made their demands in the streets. Their protests DECOLONIZE la Acción por Puerto Rico from the Diaspora celebrates Ricardo made clear that they will not accept any government of corrupt Roselló’s resignation. It is a triumph of a people already fed up and unscrupulous blanquitos, nor the dictates of a Fiscal Control with the political, economic and social abuses perpetrated by the Board imposed by the U.S. There will be no peace for the empire PUERTO RICO! United States and its colonial administrators against the people nor for their colonial lackeys. It is time for decolonization. It’s of Puerto Rico. time for a Free Puerto Rico! #Rossellórenuncia #Telegramgate Our people demand the end of colonialism and the destitution #IndependenciaparaPuertoRico #esadeudanoesnuestra WORKERS WORLD PARTY of all representatives of the colonial empire. We understand that #cancelthedebt #ACalltoActiononPuertoRico ☐ Union resolution: End the colonial status of Puerto Rico! The resolution below was adopted brutally repressed by the corporate mas- Whereas, following a long and brave Pennsylvania Federation Brotherhood of by the Pennsylvania Federation ters and their servants in the United history of continued resistance against Maintenance of Way Employees Division Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way States Government who seek to con- the corporate and imperialist oppres- of the International Brotherhood of Employees Division of the International tinue to rob the island of their wealth sors, the Puerto Rican people have again Teamsters stand in solidarity with the Brotherhood of Teamsters at their con- and resources while keeping the people recently risen up and demanded justice Puerto Rican people in their efforts to vention in July 2019. unemployed and in poverty; and and an end to colonial oppression forc- throw off the yoke of 120 years of imperi- Whereas, the neoliberal assault on ing the sitting governor out of office alist oppression and to decolonize Puerto End the Colonial Status of Puerto Rico! public resources by our corporate mas- and showing the world that when work- Rico; and Freedom and Liberation for the Puerto ters following the devastating hurricanes ers stand together in solidarity they can Be It Further Resolved, that we call Rican People! of Irma and Maria in 2017 has increased achieve great things; and upon the United States Government to Whereas, the Puerto Rican people the oppression of the Puerto Rican peo- Whereas, the challenges facing the immediately increase by tenfold the aid have struggled under the yoke of oppres- ple with the complicity of the United people of Puerto Rico are not just the result to rebuild the infrastructure of the Puerto sion and colonial status from the United States Government that cynically denies of a corrupt governor but the result of 120 Rican island (water, electricity, schools, States for over 120 years; and the 4,000 deaths directly attributed to years of brutal and oppressive colonial rule and education, etc.) and return them to Whereas, this status has resulted in the storms and has used this false news and the struggle for a fair, autonomous, the Puerto Rican people as a public asset forced migration of millions of Puerto as an excuse to withhold much needed democratic process of self-determination and that we oppose all efforts by the Ricans forced to leave their homes and aid in order to force the privatization of for the Puerto Rican people; Financial Control Board to establish an terrible hardships suffered by the Puerto the public resources of the Puerto Rican Therefore Be It Resolved, that the austerity program to further increase the Rican people who have seen their demo- people, such as but not limited to power, delegates assembled at this Twenty Third exploitation of the Puerto Rican people cratic movements for self-determination water, education and health care; and Regular Quadrennial Convention of the and their resources. ☐ WW Commentary Eric Garner & the ruling class police

Continued from page 1 Counter this lack of accountability with what happened in Brooklyn and Harlem to the case, so that de Blasio was forced on July 20, one of the hottest days of the to pay lip service to the issue. Rosemarie summer. Black youth were being harassed Maldonado, a NYC deputy police commis- by New York cops for the so-called “crime” sioner who oversees disciplinary hearings, of turning on fire hydrants to cool off. The has recommended that Pantaleo be fired. oppressive heat was compounded by Con He has been on desk duty since 2014. Edison turning off power to whole neigh- Between 2015 and 2016, Pantaleo borhoods, cutting off air conditioning. A received close to $120,000 in salary, due few of the youth doused the police with to “overtime.” (N.Y. Daily News, Sept. 12, water—only​ water. 2016) New York Police Commissioner The cops turned that into a witch hunt, James O’Neill is scheduled to make a final with over a dozen youth targeted for round- decision on punishment for the killer cop ups. At least three have been arrested so in the coming weeks. far. These youth could face jail time if con- Ramsey Orta, the young Latinx man victed, since there are now racist calls to who videotaped Garner’s death, was con- make “dousing a cop” a felony, punishable Garner family and supporters demonstrate in pouring rain, July 17. WW PHOTO: HENRY LUNA victed on drugs and weapons charges and with a sentence of 1 to 4 years in prison. is currently serving a four-year prison These incidents are just the tip of the And if the workers dare to rebel against The police produce nothing of value to sentence at the Rikers Island Prison iceberg when it comes to the many forms their conditions of poverty and oppression, society at all. Before Eric Garner died, he Complex. His real “crime” was exposing of police brutality—​from stop-and-frisk the state will use every weapon at its dis- was selling individual cigarettes on the what happened to Garner. to tasering to chokeholds on dispropor- posal to repress them—​especially police street to support his family. He happened tionate numbers of Black and Brown peo- occupation and mass incarceration. to be a Black worker targeted by the police Not an isolated incident ple. The varying forms simply reflect the There are many instances when the on that particular day. The racist killing of Garner was not essence of why the police exist in New police will abuse or even kill a non- The progressive movement, along with the first time NYC police used the choke- York City—​and in every city or town, threatening individual like an Eric the Garner family, which has sacrificed hold method against people of color. The large and small, in the U.S. Garner, Anthony Baez or Sandra Bland so much, deserve all the credit for put- New York Police Department supposedly just because they are members of an ting mass pressure on bourgeois politi- outlawed the chokehold as a method of Role of police under capitalism oppressed nation. The cops know they cians like Mayor de Blasio, prosecutors restraint in 1993. But on Dec. 22, 1994, To label individual cops as good or bad will not face any legal retribution. Why? and the police to come to a decision about Anthony Baez, a Puerto Rican living in the obscures the objective role of the cops in Because under capitalism, the police whether Pantaleo is fired or not. It is very Bronx, died when Officer Francis Livoti put a class society where there exist rich and are above the law—because​ they are lit- rare to even have a debate about a cop him in a chokehold, after a football hit a poor, bosses and workers, and where the erally above society. And therefore, the being responsible for murder. police car. Livoti, with a sordid history of ideology of white supremacy dominates police, just like prison guards, are not If there were people’s justice, Pantaleo police brutality similar to Pantaleo’s, was every sector of society, together with workers. The police and prison guards and his accomplices would have been not fired. patriarchy and gender oppression. should be banned from the right to orga- charged, indicted and incarcerated for Since Garner’s death, people have The police—​along with the courts, nize unions or be in an existing union. the murder of Eric Garner. brought over 800 official incidents to the judges, prisons, etc.—​are part of the But this kind of justice will happen only Civilian Complaint Review Board about repressive state apparatus. It is an appa- People’s justice for workers with a socialist revolution—​when the New York police using the illegal choke- ratus that protects the interests of a tiny, and for the oppressed workers take power to run society to meet hold. With some cases still pending, only elite ruling class of bosses and bankers The working class is the only produc- human needs—and​ sweep away all rem- 2 percent of the outcomes have resulted who super-exploit the labor and resources tive class in a capitalist society, whether nants of the repressive state, along with in police facing any “disciplinary” action. of millions of workers of all nationalities in the industrial or service sector, whether the entire capitalist system which gives it (New York Times, May 9) on a global scale to make superprofits. employed, unemployed or underemployed. a reason to exist. ☐ Page 4 Aug. 8, 2019 workers.org

Harlan County, Ky. On the Coal miners up in arms again By Johnnie Lewis

Coal miners are up in picket line arms again. This time By Alex Bolchi and Sue Davis they are not unionized, but they are taking on the sixth-largest coal company House passes Raise the Wage Act, in the U.S., and the United Mine Workers of America but struggle is in the streets (UMWA) is helping them out. (@MineWorkers) The House of Representatives passed the Raise the Wage Act on July 18, which The miners demand would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, automatically payment for lost wages update it every year after that and phase out the “subminimum wage” for tipped from a bankrupt coal com- workers. The bill is expected to boost pay for 27 million workers, lifting 1.3 million pany, Blackjewel LLC. Miners block railroad tracks leading out of Blackjewel mine. households out of poverty. While the Congressional Budget Office says it might trigger The company was sup- job losses, most academic research reports there will be little or no loss. (Vox, July 18) posed to post a bond with the state of toilets. They play games like cornhole, One day after the bill passed, activists decided to bring the bill to the “House of Kentucky guaranteeing workers’ wages played by pitching bean bags, horseshoes the People,” demanding passage outside McDonald’s from coast to coast. While the without penalty, but failed to do so. Not and cards. Besides socializing, they tweet vote showed street protests are being heard, Frances Holmes, a leader of Minnesota’s only have the miners lost wages, but for and post to Facebook and other social Show-Me-$15 movement, asserted, “We will keep fighting until we get a living wage several months Blackjewel paid no depos- media 24/7. (courier-journal.com) where we can provide for our families with our work.” (Labor Tribune, July 29) its into their 401(k) retirement accounts. Former Blackjewel miner Shane Smith (thinkprogress.org) told WFPL radio in Louisville, “If they Typical of many unorganized work- can move that train, they can get us our Unions struggle against ers rising up these days—​Amazon work- money.” Mineworker Bobby Sexton said, ers, Lyft and Uber drivers, fast food and “It’s a little bit of a good feeling of accom- ICE using hotels as jails Walmart workers demanding an end to plishment [to hold the train], but we still sexual harassment and a $15 minimum ain’t done. We’re gonna stay here until we Unions and advocate groups have righteously pressured major hotel chains not wage—​these mineworkers are taking their get some answers.” (Aug. 2) to house im/migrant workers arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. fight to a new level; they are using social The miners are demanding the bank- “Hotels are meant to welcome people from all over the world, not jail them,” said media to gain recognition and support. ruptcy court order the company to pay D. Taylor, president of hotel workers union UNITE HERE. (Associated Press, July 21) On the first day of their work action, them wages for the coal that Blackjewel Unions have an important role in the fight for the rights of the im/migrant com- July 29, five miners using Twitter and stockpiled and tried to move off the mine munity—thousands​ of them belong to hotel unions. They’ve successfully pressured Facebook organized themselves to block property for sale on the global market. management at many big chains like Marriott and Hilton to state they don’t want to a coal train leaving a Blackjewel mine near Further, the miners say they have first be used as ICE detention centers. the town of Cumberland, Ky. Standing on dibs on the money to be made from the This movement is growing across industries, with airlines refusing to fly children the tracks as a locomotive pulling a long sale of that coal—​because their last pay- whom ICE separated from parents. Advocates hit Motel 6 in November with a class train of filled-to-overflowing coal gondo- checks bounced, costing them thousands action lawsuit after it shared lists of guests with “Latino-Sounding Names” with ICE. las bore down on them, they held a sign in overdrafts and bank fees. (Colorlines, July 22) made from a pizza box: “No Pay We Stay.” Blackjewel had drawn down the funds Although it’s a victory that CEOs of major chains oppose ICE’s lucrative contracts, The miners intended to hold the train in its payroll bank account to $0, making 88 percent of chains are independent franchises which make their own deals. So hostage until they were paid the wages the last checks they paid the workers no beware where you stay on summer vacation. Who would want to patronize a hotel they were owed. (wfpl.org) good. Meanwhile, the bankruptcy court that’s also a jail?! Blackjewel and CSX railroad called the judge allowed the company $8 million police, who told the miners to leave. The in cash withdrawals from other company miners left—​moving down the track, funds. (wpfl.org) but not off it. They tweeted for reinforce- WYMT, another eastern Kentucky news AFSCME stands up to ments, and nine more miners came. outlet, has reported that Blackjewel was anti-union Janus decision Again, the police told them to leave. sold Aug. 3 for $59 million. In all, 1,100 They moved farther down the tracks and mineworkers in Kentucky, West Virginia Did the 2018 Supreme Court decision, Janus v. AFSCME, bankrolled by conserva- reached out again. This time dozens more and Virginia are owed $11 million in back tive billionaires and think tanks, succeed in killing public sector unions? The American miners, family members and friends wages, in addition to the money Blackjewel Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the largest U.S. public sector came, eventually numbering hundreds, stole by failing to make 401(k) deposits. union, only saw a 6 percent loss in 2018—down​ from 1,411,877 members, including with more arriving by the hour. The miners have set up a Blackjewel agency fee payers and retirees, in 2017 to 1,329,594 in 2018. The police could do nothing. Bankruptcy Victims GoFundMe (tinyurl. The Janus ruling prohibits public sector unions from collecting agency fees—also​ As of Aug. 5, the miners now have a com/y4obclgy), asking for contributions known as “fair share” dues—from​ workers who don’t sign up for full union member- large and growing encampment on and to help with their Cumberland encamp- ship despite their still benefiting from it. AFSCME’s winning strategy was to focus on alongside the train tracks. They have ment and for emergency funds for miners’ retaining rank-and-file members, which outpaced member opt-outs 8 to 1. However, tents, food distribution and portable families. ☐ if organizing budgets have to be cut in the future, that could reduce membership. Despite well-funded, aggressive, right-wing campaigns to cut membership, statistics show a victory for AFSCME. Although conservatives in six states sued to make unions Drop the charges now! pay back agency fees collected before the decision, which could have defunded unions, those efforts failed. In February, an appeals court rejected a challenge to “exclusive rep- resentation”—​claiming union representation infringes on free speech rights—​brought U.S. persecutes defenders by the Freedom Foundation and the anti-union National Right to Work Foundation. Even as right-wing groups seek to smear public sector unions, approval ratings of labor unions are the highest they have been in 15 years—​62 percent in favor to 30 per- of Venezuelan Embassy cent opposed—​according to an Aug. 30, 2018, Gallup poll. Scholars attribute that to the recent wave of historic teacher strikes. (In These Times, March 27) Solidarity forever! By Ted Kelly seizure by U.S.-backed counterrevolution- Philadelphia aries. Facilitated and protected by federal police, this mob threatened, assaulted and Oregon passes pro-union law Having failed to instigate a right-wing hurled slurs at the Embassy Protectors, coup d’etat to overthrow the progressive, harassing the entire neighborhood around for public sector workers independent government of Venezuela, the embassy with strobe lights and loud the U.S. government is lashing out against noises late into the night. Oregon’s pro-labor law HB 2016 was signed the last week of June. It provides the solidarity movement here. Four mem- Despite the ugly behavior of these strong guarantees of government employees’ right to organize and bargain collec- bers of the Embassy Protection Collective right-wingers, publicly documented by tively. The bill, due to take effect Jan. 1, 2020, reinforces the First Amendment’s now face serious charges for so-called progressive reporters, none were charged guarantee that workers have the right to organize and take collective action. “interfering” with the functions of the fed- with any crimes. Passage of this law is critical since Oregon is a key battleground state where right- eral government. They had defended the However, EPC members Kevin Zeese, wing groups like the Freedom Foundation, which is funded by the Bradley Foundation Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C., Margaret Flowers, Adrienne Pine and and the Koch network, have declared war on public sector unions. from infiltration and takeover by a mob David Paul each face a year in prison and Stipulations in HB 2016 make it an unfair labor practice for employers to discour- loyal to corrupt coup leader Juan Guaidó. a $100,000 fine for their presence inside age employees from joining a union or to encourage employees to revoke union dues At the request and invitation of the peo- the embassy, which not only was com- authorization. For other pro-worker mandates, see the July 1 article by the Center for ple of Venezuela, the EPC had occupied pletely legal but had been requested by Media and Democracy posted on prwatch.org. ☐ the embassy for 37 days to prevent its Continued on page 5 workers.org Aug. 8, 2019 Page 5 Northwest grocery workers prepare to strike

By Johnnie Lewis and Joshua Hanks average of $2.25 an hour less than men Portland, Ore. their age. Union statistics show that men under 30 were twice as likely to get pro- Aug. 2—​“Are you aware that Fred motions as women under 30. Meyer pays $3.53 more per hour to male The major demand of Local 555 negoti- workers than to female workers?” ators is to “Fix the Gap.” The union mem- A United Steelworkers’ member posed bership agrees. So far, 10,000 members this question to a Fred Meyer grocery in Portland voted overwhelmingly to store shopper. Shoppers were shocked strike in June if the owners do not meet and stopped to listen. Most took flyers their demands, which also include an showing the facts and figures, and many hourly wage increase for all workers and signed the petition demanding that Fred improved health and welfare benefits. Meyer “Fix the Gap.” The other 15,000 workers in the region The steelworker, who came by the store will participate in strike authorization after putting in an 8-hour shift, and his votes between now and the end of August, co-writing partner (a retired meatcutter when a final decision will be made. and member of Food and Commercial While the owners cry poverty, the Workers (UFCW) Local 400, were leaflet- board of Kroger (also a major shareholder ing and petitioning in support of UFCW Women of Local 555. CREDIT: UFCW LOCAL 555 in Fred Meyer) just posted a 14 per- Local 555. The largest private sector cent increase in stockholder dividends. union in Oregon, Local 555 represents that may exist with other employers,” the a worker applies for a job at Fred Meyer, (tinyurl.com/y6nh6pko)​ nearly 25,000 retail grocery store work- union explained. they are assigned to a schedule. The The volunteers leafleting and peti- ers in Oregon and southwest Washington. The “Gap” is evident at FM, where on worker has no choice. tioning in support of Local 555 were The local is in contract negotiations with Schedule B the average wage is $13.69 per But not only does FM discriminate organized by Jobs with Justice, a labor Allied Employers, Inc., an owners group hour and 68 percent are women, versus against women with regard to wages, the support organization made up of Portland of Fred Meyer, QFC/Kroger, Safeway and Schedule A, where the average wage is older the woman is the more she is dis- and Vancouver, Wash., area unions, Albertsons. While targeting Fred Meyer, $17.20 per hour and 66 percent are men. criminated against. On average women community groups and political parties, the union believes that all chains in Allied The two groups of workers in the same (including those not on Schedule B) aged including the Portland branch of Workers Employers pay higher wages to men than store, all doing essentially the same 24 and under make $1 an hour less than World Party. women. “Whatever we can agree to that work—​putting merchandise on shelves men; women 25-29 make $1.50 less; closes this gap for Fred Meyer will likely and providing customer service—​are women 35-39 make $1.75 less. Women All statistics about the workers are rectify any similar situations or patterns paid substantially different wages. When over 60 fare even worse—​making an from ufcw555.org.

Marches outside, disruptions inside, as Dems debate in Detroit

By Martha Grevatt page for the event, organizers July 31. While candidate and New York posed a question to the can- City Mayor Bill de Blasio was speaking, As 20 Democratic Party didates: “Will you end deten- New York-based activists Tamika Mallory presidential candidates tion and deportation on day and Linda Sarsour began chanting “Fire took to the stage of the one?” Pantaleo.” Dan Pantaleo is the New York Fox Theater in downtown Young militants sat down cop who murdered Eric Garner on Staten Detroit on July 30 and 31, in the road leading into the Island July 17, 2014. mass demonstrations took tunnel to Canada. Customs Mallory and Sarsour are on the national place in the streets out- and Border Patrol cops hand- board of the Women’s March. side. Anti-racist protesters cuffed and arrested 21, but Later, as candidate and former Vice were loud and clear inside WW PHOTO: MARTHA GREVATT only after they had success- President Joe Biden took the microphone, as well. Union workers join mass march during Democratic debates. fully halted cross-border traf- members of Cosecha Detroit began chant- On the first day, thou- fic. Supporters chanted “Sin ing “3 million deportations,” a reference sands rallied and marched on the Fox. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who papeles, sin miedo”—​no papers, no fear. to the number of undocumented immi- Their main demand was to “Make Detroit joined the march in her home district. All the arrestees were released the fol- grants deported under the Obama/Biden the engine for the Green New Deal.” Tlaib has been the target of the most lowing day. As of this writing, no charges administration. Labor and environmental activists came deplorable racist attacks emanating from have been filed. All these actions, directed at the together to push for green jobs in a city the White House. The issues of police brutality and Democratic candidates, show that the with some of the highest national rates of At the next day’s protest, called by mass deportations were brought to the fight against racism and xenophobia will poverty, unemployment and foreclosure. Cosecha Detroit, hundreds mobilized on national television audience when activ- go on—​regardless of the outcome in Many offered hugs and support to the U.S.-Canada border. On the Facebook ists disrupted the debates inside the Fox November 2020. ☐

Venezuelan Embassy defenders Continued from page 4 financial resources and assets in countries “U.S. corporate power and Wall world capitalism in so short a time; the aligned with this demented onslaught. Street can’t call the shots in that coun- wealth drained from Venezuela, accord- the Venezuelan government. “And yet, thanks to a new system of try,” said Sara Flounders, co-chair of the ing to Domingo Alberto Rangel, exceeds The legitimate and democratically social protection, of direct attention to the International Action Center, at a recent what the Spaniards took from Potosí or elected government of Venezuela, headed most vulnerable sectors, we proudly con- event here in Philadelphia. “And that’s the English from India.” by Nicolás Maduro, has been able to fend tinue to be a country with a high human what they’re trying to do. They’re willing When right-wingers who want to sell off the imperialist assault on the nation’s development index and low inequality in to use every tactic. Sanctions are one tac- their country complain of Maduro’s sovereignty because of the unprece- the Americas.” tic. They’re using assassinations, drones, authority, they long for the same kind dented rallying of the Venezuelan people. It is precisely these policies of the military threats; they’re using aircraft of “freedom” referred to by a U.S. busi- Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans Bolivarian system that the U.S. has been carriers.” nessman back in 1953 when Caracas was have taken to the streets to condemn a seeking to destroy for the entire 21st The purpose of these attacks, it must still controlled by the imperialists: “Here small band of right-wing businessmen century. In 2002, the George W. Bush never be forgotten, is not to ameliorate you have freedom to do what you like and politicians intent on overthrowing administration supported a military coup a “humanitarian crisis,” as the corporate with your money; for me, this freedom the government. The Venezuelan peo- that briefly unseated then President Hugo media claim. Rather, the humanitarian is worth more than the political and civil ple’s message to the U.S. and the world Chávez, who was immediately restored to crisis in Venezuela is a result of these freedoms put together.” was simple: We will not go back; we will power by a vast popular movement. attacks. The goal of the U.S. ruling class is The Embassy Protectors, on the other not be recolonized. Shortly after Chávez’s death in 2013, to reestablish hegemonic corporate con- hand, were standing up for true free- In an open letter to the people of the Barack Obama declared Venezuela a trol in a country that refuses to relinquish dom and dignity, for the right of the U.S. in February, President Maduro “national security threat” and established control of its own resources for the sake Venezuelan people’s national self-deter- wrote: “The people of Venezuela have a new regime of harsh sanctions to starve of global capitalists’ profits. mination. Workers World supports the painfully suffered social wounds caused out the Venezuelan people and weaken Eduardo Galeano wrote in “The Open EPC and demands all charges be dropped! by a criminal commercial and financial their resolve. Obama’s successor, Donald Veins of Latin America,” his excellent his- Hands off Venezuela! Long live the blockade, which has been aggravated J. Trump, has continued and accelerated tory of the colonization of the Americas, Bolivarian revolution! ☐ by the dispossession and robbery of our this attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty. that “no country has yielded as much for Page 6 Aug. 8, 2019 workers.org Widespread militant actions against ICE

By Arielle Robinson entrances and exits of the ICE building and blocked agents from leaving in order Activists around the country continue to carry out raids and deportations, even- to participate in militant actions to shut tually shutting down the building. down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and those complicit with Boston: Protesters drive back that agency. masked white supremacists On July 30, around 200 protesters On Aug. 2, activists dropped a giant in St. Paul, Minn., gathered at the “No ICE, no prisons, no more cages” ban- Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building ner at a Boston Red Sox baseball game in to call for closing concentration camps Fenway Park. Then, on Aug. 4, hundreds at the border. Jewish activists who are of angry and organized pro-migrant, part of the national group, Never Again anti-racist prison abolitionists came Action, organized the event. The group is together in Boston for a March Against named as a reminder to never again allow Cages. the conditions to occur that led to the As activists gathered, they were con- Holocaust. The intervention was part of fronted by a masked group of white St. Paul, Minn., July 30. a national wave of actions sponsored by supremacists. A video from the scene Jewish activists and Never Again Action. shows the activists confronting the The St. Paul protesters also called for masked white Nazis marching toward defunding ICE and for permanent pro- them and finally forcing them to retreat tections for all undocumented immi- out of the area. (wcvb.com) grants and asylum seekers. Announcing Activists then advanced on the that their intention was to disrupt “busi- American Correctional Association’s ness as usual,” they blocked vehicle exits 149th Congress of Correction, held at at the building to prevent ICE agents Hynes Convention Center, and shut from going out to conduct raids. down the entrance for over three hours. In Detroit on July 31, the second night Chants rang out, including, “No hate, no of the Democratic presidential debates, fear, refugees are welcome here”; “We immigrant rights activists disrupted can- must organize to survive”; and “Border didate Joe Biden. They chanted “Three walls have got to go, from Palestine to million deportations!” as Biden tried to Mexico!” defend his role as vice president with The theme of the protest was “All Barack Obama, who deported more Cages are Connected!” with hashtag immigrants than any other U.S. presi- tweeting at #nomorecages, #abolishice dent before now. The action was orga- and #nocredentialsforcamps. The action WW PHOTO: MAUREEN SKEHAN nized by Movimiento Cosecha, which was led by Black Lives Matter; Black Boston, Aug. 4. means “harvest” in Spanish, paying trib- and Pink, a Queer-led prison abolition- ute to the long history of farmworker ist group supporting the liberation of detention centers that abuse people, Demands of the demonstrators organizing in the U.S. The group fights LGBTQIA2S+ people and people liv- separate families and throw children in included to shut down the cages and for “permanent protection, dignity, and ing with HIV from imprisonment; and cages. ACA-accredited facilities are guilty camps, stop the accreditation of facili- respect for the 11 million undocumented Deeper Than Water, focused on prisoner of widespread, documented human ties that abuse people and violate human immigrants in the U.S.” human rights and water justice. rights abuses including locking people rights, and make the credentialing pro- On Aug. 1, protesters briefly inter- A Deeper Than Water information in freezer cells leading to many deaths, cess public. rupted President Trump twice while he sheet passed out during the march noted: denying medical treatment to prisoners was speaking during a rally at the U.S. “The ACA is lobbying, pushing and prof- with broken bones, and housing prison- Maureen Skehan contributed to this Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. iting from the mass incarceration of poor ers in solitary confinement.” article. In Milwaukee a crowd of 100 activ- and oppressed people [in the U.S.]—​now ists from Never Again Action and #jew- the largest number in world history—​ sagainstice rallied and marched on Aug. and the caging of migrant families flee- 1, calling for ICE to be abolished. The ing imperialist-fueled war and economic Texas WWP statement event was coordinated with Voces de la devastation. The U.S. military creates the Frontera, a community organization led refugees and then cages them. by low-wage workers, immigrants and “The ACA makes $4.5 million each condemns mass murder youth. Activists gathered around the year accrediting prisons, jails and The Texas branch of Workers World Politicians seeking to hide white Party condemns, in the strongest terms, supremacy call for expanded gun con- the mass murder in El Paso and the sys- trol or “assistance” for people with men- tem of white supremacy that produced it. tal health. Gun control has historically Reports on Aug. 3 estimate that a white resulted in the increased incarceration supremacist murdered at least 20 people of people of color, while “mental illness” after driving over 9 hours from Dallas/ is used as a scapegoat for racism. Some Fort Worth to El Paso. His premeditated Democrats have found the gumption to dedication to vile racism was spelled out call Trump a racist who encourages vio- in a white supremacist manifesto. Injuries lence against im/migrants and other and deaths are likely being underre- oppressed groups, but they stop short ported, as people fled the scene in fear of of addressing the system that not only potential kidnapping by Immigration and allows these right-wing terrorists to go Customs Enforcement agents—​to the unchecked, but is responsible for placing point that people even avoided seeking Trump in office in the first place! medical attention for their injuries. Both A Chicano member of WWP Dallas the shooter’s manifesto and the deeply said, “I just ask myself: How many more racist history of Texas lynch mobs must times must this violence take place before be at the forefront of this discussion. we organize our communities? If white Detroit, July 31. PHOTO: MOVIMIENTO COSECHA In a country and state founded on white supremacy is left unchecked, I expect supremacy, we must fight the return of nothing short of another genocide of the lynch mob that threatens im/migrants people of color.” We need a working-class and people of color. This latest shooter movement that places the struggles of is not a one-off, but the product of an oppressed people, like those targeted in imperialist system that both encourages the massacre Aug. 3, at the forefront. A and depends on racism. While the media movement that will step forward when paint him as a misguided lone wolf, the people of color are under attack; one that fact that his ideas were shared and fos- tells capitalists, “Not one more death!” tered in online message boards suggests We demand justice for the victims of he had a vast network of support from fel- the massacre. We demand the abolition low racists energized by Trump and pol- of ICE and the racist border, an end to iticians like Ted Cruz, who casually take concentration camps, mass incarceration photos and meet with members of known and a society free of white supremacist Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 1. PHOTO: VOCES DE LA FRONTERA hate groups. and police terror! ☐ workers.org Aug. 8, 2019 Page 7 Activists challenge ICE profiteers By Betsey Piette At one point CXW’s single largest investor was the detention center. They were greeted by a solidarity gath- Vanguard Group Inc., with shares valued at nearly $600 ering of over 3,000 people. Shortly after Donald Trump was elected president in million, including investments from pension funds. Housing, transporting and watching over migrant 2016, shares of CoreCivic Inc. and GEO Group (CXW Vanguard owns roughly 15 percent and second-largest children is a lucrative billion-dollar business involving and GEO on the stock exchange) shot up 21 and 43 per- asset manager BlackRock owns 12 percent of CXW and for-profit and nonprofit corporations alike. Nonprofits, cent, respectively. The two companies controlled 85 per- GEO. including Southwest Key Programs, Catholic Charities cent of the private, for-profit prison industry. Around 20 union pension funds have an estimated and BCFS (a global nonprofit network), have all received Today, facilities run by these two companies hold $67 million invested in CXW or GEO. Many are pub- millions of dollars in government funds to operate im/ around 75 percent of im/migrant detainees. CXW and lic pension funds that tout “environmental, social and migrant child detention centers. GEO own many of the detention centers near the U.S./ governance (ESG) principles.” The California Public Military contractors, security firms, airlines, ground Mexico border; their government-guaranteed profits aver- Employees Retirement System, the California State transportation providers and hotels also profit from age $3,000 to $4,000 per detainee. Teachers’ Retirement System and the Oregon Public ICE contracts. Aircraft Transport Services was awarded Fueled by mass deportations and detentions of Employees Retirement System are investors in CXW and nearly $30 million for charter flight services to trans- migrants, these companies’ stock prices have skyrocketed. GEO and are all ESG proponents. Borrowing from the port ICE detainees. G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc., Yet in June 2019, due to campaigns by im/migrant solidar- historic divestment movement that weakened apartheid notorious for brutality in occupied Palestine and against ity activists targeting their funders, stock values plunged in South Africa and the current Boycott, Divestment and Standing Rock anti-DAPL Water Protectors, received nearly 30 percent. Sanctions movement against Israeli apartheid, activists over $17 million to transport detained im/migrants. CXW and GEO operate as Real Estate Investment Trusts will likely call on union members to demand divestment Harris Corporation received a $4.8 million ICE con- (REITs), which raise money from investors in exchange for from these companies. tract for air tracking equipment. Telco Solutions got providing access to real estate. REITs are exempt from cor- Legislation is pending in New York state that would around $2.8 million for business accounting software. porate income tax, an arrangement which has encouraged ban state-regulated banks from owning prison stock. (Miami New Times, July 5) ICE contractors also include private prison expansion for over two decades. However, Comcast, Aramark, Lockheed Martin and Greyhound. as REITs, they are legally required to distribute at least Workers, activists demand: Stop ties with ICE In July, several hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, 90 percent of their income to investors, which limits cash Increasingly there are signs that workers—​unionized Choice Hotels, Best Western, Wyndham, Hyatt, IHG and they have on hand. Thus, CXW and GEO depend on short- and unorganized—are​ uniting against Wall Street corpo- MGM Resorts, released statements claiming they did not term loans and lines of credit, making them vulnerable to rations that profit off the suffering of im/migrant workers. want their facilities used to detain migrants in transit to pressure on their investors and financiers. Palantir Technologies, a surveillance company that detention centers. The hotels were bowing to pressure Knowing this, activists attacked the industry where it makes millions in profits from ICE, has come under from their employees’ unions, as well as customers. hurts the most—​pressuring banks, investment firms and increased pressure from tech workers and activists in CREDO Action gathered over 120,000 petition signa- pension funds to divest. JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo several cities to stop profiteering from asylum seekers’ tures for this effort, while launching a phone campaign halted current and future financing to for-profit prisons in suffering. Workers at Microsoft and Amazon have pro- to call the corporate headquarters of Best Western, Red March 2019. In June and July, Bank of America, SunTrust tested their companies’ ties with ICE. Roof Inn and Radisson, which have yet to respond. The Bank, BNP Paribas and Fifth Third Bancorp followed suit, Pressure from employees at public relations giant petition is available at #nohotelsforice. while agreeing to meet loan obligations until maturity. Edelman resulted in the company cancelling a contract In a Teen Vogue op-ed published May 13, Natasha PNC Bank, Barclays and U.S. Bank have yet to publicly to boost GEO’s public image in Florida. Work had been Uhlmann called on young people to get educated about commit to divestment. scheduled to start in July. As one of the world’s leading ICE, in particular its impact on Black migrants. She urged CXW and GEO stand to lose 72 percent of private public relations firms, Edelman feared risking a public them to become activists, push back against ICE tactics financing (estimated at $1.9 billion) as banks divest relations crisis. and boycott corporations that profit from ICE contracts. due to pressure from anti-ICE (U.S. Immigration and Hundreds of workers at Wayfair headquarters in Uhlmann notes that young im/migrants are “paving the Customs Enforcement) activists, according to the Center Boston walked off the job June 26 in protest of their way through bold acts of resistance.” Her important for Popular Democracy. (Truthout, July 23) company’s contract to furnish a Texas migrant youth message should resonate with all generations. ☐ Greyhound feeling FIRE for collusion with ICE By Makasi Motema are a sign of the growing police state. People should be free As momentum builds in this struggle, so will its to travel without jackbooted thugs stopping them to check organizing capacity. Any company that takes part in The state is waging war on migrants and refugees. As their papers. FIRE will inform passengers of their rights, deporting migrants or running concentration camps they flee from violence, political instability and the grow- while building momentum for future actions. should be the focus of direct action. These corpora- ing climate crisis, the U.S. is doubling down on a cruel, By focusing on the logistics of the detention and depor- tions, which include Palantir that does data-mining, white supremacist policy of exclusion. Immigration and tation machine, im/migrant rights activists can weaken its Amazon that provides facial recognition technology Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol ability to operate. ICE and CBP searches must be stopped. and Enterprise that supplies ICE vehicles, should be agents are rounding up migrants, placing them in deten- Holding children in detention centers must end. All depor- the focus of direct action. There should be no material tion centers with horrible conditions and deporting them tations must be halted. Greyhound is only a first step. support for ICE and CBP. back to countries where they may face death. Im/migrants and refugees must also be All people with a conscience must rise up informed of their rights. “Know Your Rights” and oppose the state’s vast detention and trainings have already led to migrants and deportation machine. their allies fighting back against ICE raids. ICE This machinery of devastation is not run by agents have been turned away from apartment the state alone. Corporations that seek to turn complexes by residents who refused warrant- a profit from human misery have joined hands less searches. Across the country, ICE and CBP with ICE and CBP. Private companies run are being pushed back. the horrific detention centers, sell the weap- ons and equipment used by ICE and CBP, and Working-class solidarity key charter flights to deport migrants. In Nashville, Tenn., neighbors formed a mul- If activists are to put an end to the detention tinational human chain around a migrant fam- and deportation machine, they must use direct ily that was being harassed by ICE agents. This action against both the public and private facili- was a heroic action that should be repeated tators of this oppression. They must focus on the everywhere im/migrants are endangered. logistics of detention and deportation and make The demands of the racist Trump regime it impossible for the government and companies have put a strain on ICE and CBP resources. to continue these racist policies. Already, there As the movement to #closethecamps grows have been incredible acts of resistance, such as stronger, the fascistic ICE and CBP will grow the walkout on June 24 by hundreds of Wayfair weaker. This is how people’s movements will workers who were protesting their company’s abolish these vile agencies. sales to these concentration camps. As the tide of white supremacist terror rises, it shows how necessary it is that an even Rally at NYC’s Port Authority on Aug. 23! greater surge of working-class solidarity meet A major campaign begins on Aug. 23. Fight this threat. Now is the time for our class to for Im/migrants and Refugees Everywhere unite and build for the future. The power of (FIRE), the Laundry Workers Center (LWC) the people must not be underestimated. and the People’s Power Assemblies/New The working class is rising. From Hawaii York (PPA/NY) will hold a rally in New York’s to Puerto Rico, mass movements are disrupt- Port Authority Bus Terminal to demand that ing the repressive power of the state. A better Greyhound kick ICE and CBP off their buses. New York City world is possible. Concentrated people’s power All over the U.S., Border Patrol agents stop can close the camps, open the borders and and board buses where they racially profile pas- abolish ICE! Join with FIRE, LWC and PPA/ sengers looking for undocumented im/migrants. NY on Aug. 23. Then the revolutionary work These unconstitutional searches and seizures will begin. ☐ Page 8 Aug. 8, 2019 workers.org From New York to Baltimore Why racism breeds resistance

way. The sentiment of what he says would probably not up a protest. This is hardly the stuff that should make suffer much if he said “Martians” or the N-word. national news, but the ruling class is just as aware as we Now Trump is not completely wrong that Cummings are that their system is in trouble. has been an ineffective advocate for Baltimore, but he All charges against these youths are bogus and should is not, as Trump claims, a racist with primary responsi- be dropped. Killer cops running around in our city are a bility for the degradation of west Baltimore. U.S. politi- far greater danger to us. The police do not deserve our cians on the national level are not usually advocates for respect; they do not serve us. the communities that they supposedly represent, but are In New York, we currently have another local presi- instead beholden to the ruling-class interests that fund dential candidate. In his famous song, “Love me, I’m a their campaigns and provide lucrative jobs when they liberal,” Phil Ochs says that liberals are 10 degrees right leave office. of center on issues that affect them personally. Bill de Places like Baltimore, Md.; Flint, Mich.; and Erie, Pa., Blasio demonstrated this truth by joining in the demo- have all suffered from the flight of capital from once-vi- nization of the youth after Trump dissed him. This was brant manufacturing centers that had attracted large actually a better time to tell how he has raised a Black populations of Black people. In these situations, the son, but he is a spineless liberal. Yes, liberals are a shady Richard Kossally poorest people also lack the means to move somewhere bunch indeed. else, so they stay as long as they can. They suffer as blight Contrast Trump’s condemnation of Black peo- increases and property values plummet. ple, immigrants, refugees and women with his tweet Based on a talk titled “White supremacy over the about the mass shooting at the garlic festival: “Law White House: Why racism breeds resistance” by Trump prompts NYPD dragnet Enforcement is at the scene of shootings in Gilroy, Richard Kossally at a Workers World Party Aug. 1 against young Black men California. Reports are that shooter has not yet been forum in New York City. Trump has heavily influenced the current dragnet apprehended. Be careful and safe!” Some words seem to that the New York Police Department unleashed against be missing in his tweet: white supremacist, murderer, Donald Trump has been at it hard this past week or young Black men here in New York over a few cops get- terrorist and maybe some others. In his mind, white peo- so. He has always been a horrible human being. He has ting wet. The water thrown on cops did not come from ple can’t be any of these things. After all, there were “fine been especially so for the entirety of his candidacy for water cannons, like the ones that cops used against the people on both sides” in Charlottesville, Va. and tenure as the president of the United States. We Civil Rights Movement or at Standing Rock, N.D. But His targets are primarily Black and Brown popula- have become so familiar with and expect his offensive Trump’s responses and those of the police unions and tions, his hatred of women being somewhat of an excep- behavior that sometimes it passes with barely a com- the corporate media would make you think their very tion. His personal victims have been primarily, if not ment or just becomes the butt of jokes on social media lives were put at risk. exclusively, white women. and content in internet memes—​most of which is not It’s been a hot summer in New York, and many res- These assaults against segments of our class by Trump helpful at all, because a lot of this stuff concentrates on idents here can’t afford to artificially keep their dwell- come from every direction. Racism continues to be the his appearance. ings cool, so we spend a lot of time outside during the biggest barrier to unity in the U.S. and Trump has tapped There is, however, real pain, suffering and death daytime hours. Water from fire hydrants is sometimes into this. It comes naturally to him. caused by his words and policies. used to stay cool. The fire department used to provide With all his cruelty, hatred and disgusting behavior, Much of the harm that he has caused isn’t even sprinkler caps for this purpose; they might still do so. Donald Trump is actually pointing the way. The ruling quantifiable. The occupying forces of the NYPD will use any pretext class is its own gravedigger. He is telling us that he and As a landlord, his racist housing policies caused such to demonize Black people or to distract us. Just a couple his class hate us—​all of us. As a class we need to hate harm. of weeks ago, the feds declined to prosecute the mur- them back. His words and deeds as they relate to the case of the derer of Eric Garner. Their reason was flimsy. Movement More important than this hatred, however, is the flip Central Park Five caused immeasurable harm, and he people here have responded and have visited Daniel side of the coin. The flip side is love and unity within has doubled down on that issue even since these young Pantaleo [the chokehold cop] at his home a few times. the working class. Concentration camps for migrants men have been vindicated. They were just boys when There are calls to fire him. and refugees, along with the concentration of so many they were persecuted. Creating a distraction to obscure this development Black and Brown people in prisons, is a basis for Black/ His sexual assaults against women, both physical might be what’s behind the decision to raid communities Brown unity. and verbal, are disgusting. The trauma caused by such for using water to cool down during a heatwave and for The formation of FIRE [Fight for Im/migrants and behavior is undoubtedly everlasting in some cases. the subsequent dragnet. The charges against the youth Refugees Everywhere] and the Workers’ Solidarity Day His administration has continued racist colonial pol- are also revealing. They are some of the same charges Coalition are two of our recent endeavors that will be icies against Puerto Rico. He has the blood of many brought against activists when we are in the streets—​ helpful in building unity in this period. Puerto Ricans on his hands due to his response—​o r [obstructing governmental administration, criminal We are indeed living in dark times, but it is always rather nonresponse—​to Hurricane Maria, and he has mischief, harassment, disorderly conduct]. These are the darkest before the dawn. As a pastor from Baltimore made vile statements against Puerto Rico’s brave resis- default charges that the cops lean on when they don’t likes to say, “We are all we got, but we are all we need.” ☐ tance to austerity. The Junta there was put in place to have any good reason to arrest anyone but want to break suck Puerto Rico dry, but repression always breeds resis- tance. Viva Puerto Rico! His administration has put children and adults in separate concentration camps with inadequate food and hygiene. Asylum seekers have to spend months at Biden his time the border waiting for a hearing. Some turn back toward what they were fleeing. The commander in chief boasts By Mumia Abu-Jamal Delaware, and as such, has involved himself in hun- about this as success in “protecting the border.” dreds, if not thousands, of issues. Back in April a report by Mark Weisbrot and Jeffrey This column by politi- We will only address a few here. Sachs estimated that 40,000 people had died as a result cal prisoner and journal- Biden voted to support the notorious Crime Bill of of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela. That number is not ist Mumia Abu-Jamal the ’90s, which sprouted prisons across the nation’s static. was posted on Prison landscape. He supported a remarkable bankruptcy I will skip many other issues that could be a part of Radio.com on July 24. bill that disallowed discharge of college debt. He sup- this presentation. Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, Haiti and ported the disastrous Iraq War. more. The candidacy of Now, people can make mistakes, as all humans do, In the past week, the president’s anti-Blackness has Joseph R. Biden Jr. for and Biden has said, if elected, he’ll straighten out some been front and center. President of the United of these errors. None of Trump’s comments about Baltimore are due States has caused multi- But isn’t a presidential election essentially a pro- to any real concern for the people of that city. ple reactions across the land. Biden, who enters his motion? And isn’t the time for wisdom and foresight In my estimation [U.S. Congress­member] Elijah 77th year of life, draws warm feelings from Blacks for before one votes, not after? Cummings is not a sympathetic figure, but Trump is his relationship and partnership with the nation’s first Biden’s senatorial career is chock-full of examples using him to attack Baltimore, and by Baltimore I mean Black President Barack Hussein Obama. of serving the rich and the powerful at the expense Black people. A statement like “Nobody wants to live While this casts a warm glow over the eight years of the poor and the oppressed. His positions now are there” or descriptions like “drug infested” are racist dog of the Obama Administration, it ignores Biden’s long fueled by ambition and Democratic desperation to whistles. Trump cannot even hide his contempt for Black years as a U.S Senator. trounce Trump. people when he makes ridiculous claims that he has been That long period, which has consumed most of It ain’t about the people; it’s about one good for us. Biden’s life, should give us reason to support, or cau- person—Biden.​ He doesn’t seem to have the ability to say “Black tion to avoid, a Biden presidency. Do you elect someone who has failed you for people.” He always uses some variation of “the African Biden spent over 30 years as a senator from decades, again, again—and​ again? ☐ Americans,” which comes off his tongue in an awkward workers.org Aug. 8, 2019 Page 9 Defend righteous rebellions against racist NYPD! Drop all charges! No more arrests and roundups!

expressions of opposition to the police residents. Not having air conditioning weather emergency, humanitarian excep- occupation of oppressed neighborhoods. only intensified the crisis. tions should be made by the city gov- Meanwhile, no basis could be found to The heat index ran over 110 degrees. ernment and the NYPD—​open up the even charge a white cop, Daniel Pantaleo, With no help from corrupt institutions hydrants and give people an immediate, statement for putting Eric Garner, a Black man, to such as NYC Housing Authority, Con Ed life-saving way to cool off! But that kind death with an outlawed chokehold—​a or the Metropolitan Transit Authority—​ of compassion doesn’t occur to city offi- The New York Police Department is killing the whole world witnessed in hor- whose trains stopped running during cials and the NYPD whose job it is to pro- using instances of justified rebellious ror on video July 17, 2014. rush hour on Friday, July 25—​affected mote capitalist law and order. actions as an excuse to mount a racist, It’s not surprising that “liberal” Mayor neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Harlem and Under capitalism the police are incapa- Central Park Five-style roundup of any Bill de Blasio has joined arch-racists for- the Bronx took it upon themselves to deal ble of learning lessons. They exist solely and all suspects, as long as they’re Black mer NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and with this dangerous situation. to protect the rich by fomenting racism and poor. Donald Trump in the hypocritical chorus Facing heat strokes and dehydration, and attacking workers and the poor. If the In the wake of a media wave of reac- of outrage against Black and Latinx pro- neighborhood residents should have got- pundits are concerned about anarchy and tionary indignation—​incredibly, at testers. In addition to ramping up rac- ten help. Instead they got harassment chaos, they should be calling for people’s people resisting harassing cops—​local ism, this media furor over “disrespecting and stepped-up stop-and-frisk from the solutions for the rampant homelessness, news is assisting the NYPD by run- police” opportunistically pushed the out- vicious NYPD. joblessness and lack of health care that ning photos on TV of 15 people—​all rage and protests over killer-cop Pantaleo The Netflix sensation, “When They See plague New York. African American—​“wanted” by the being exonerated out of the headlines. Us,” about the Central Park Five perfectly That’s why we say: police for dousing cops with water in the What were the cops, whom the com- dramatized the attitude of the police • Stop the Racist Occupation of Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y., munities clearly want out, doing when being played out now with the NYPD’s Black, Latinx & All Oppressed and in Harlem, N.Y., on July 20. As of mini-rebellions broke out in the midst stated intention of arresting 15 more peo- Neighborhoods, from Brooklyn to July 31, three young African-American of soaring heat and humidity on July ple after already arresting three. Thirty Harlem to the Bronx! men have been arrested. 20? Breaking up crowds of people who years after the frameup of the Central • Our Communities Need Services, The mass incarceration system is had opened hydrants trying to get relief Park Five, there’s another racist dragnet Jobs, Health Care, Not Racist throwing out a flurry of charges—​ during a record heat wave. This was the where arrests of any Black or Brown per- Police in the Streets or the “obstructing governmental conduct,” same weekend that thousands of people son will do. Subways! “criminal mischief,” “harassment,” were also without electricity as Con Ed When working and oppressed people • Drop All Charges! No More “disorderly conduct”—​for righteous shut off power to thousands of Brooklyn are suffering during a life-threatening Arrests! ☐ Feds to resume racist death penalty

By Gloria Rubac The other 25 states still have the death penalty on their books, but the major- Attorney General William Barr is mov- ity rarely use it. The 10 state executions ing the United States backward. He is that have occurred so far in 2019 have taking hard-fought civil rights gains to been carried out in the Southern states of the dumpster. Just like President Donald Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Trump, he has nothing but racist con- Alabama. tempt for people caught up in the so-called According to the Death Penalty criminal justice system. Information Center: “The federal death Barr suddenly announced in a penalty is authorized for a variety of Department of Justice press release on crimes that directly implicate federal July 25 that the federal government will interests, including terrorism and espio- resume executions. It stated that the DOJ nage. However, none of the prisoners who directed the federal Bureau of Prisons to are the subjects of the five warrants were set three execution dates in a five-day span charged with such crimes, and only one between Dec. 9 and 13, with two others on of the 62 people on federal death row has PHOTO: TEXAS DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION MOVEMENT Jan. 13 and 15. Notably, the last date will been convicted of terrorism. No one on As the time of an execution nears, the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement demonstrates mark the 90th anniversary of the Rev. Dr. death row has been sentenced to death for April 24 outside the “death house,” the Huntsville Unit which is the location of the state’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. a crime involving treason or espionage.” execution chamber. The five men to be executed have all (deathpenaltyinfo.org, July 25) been convicted of murdering children. There are 62 people on federal in 1989 calling for the execution of the penalty in America is a failed, expensive This is a horrific act considered by most death row, with over half—​35—​from Central Park Five, the Black and Latinx policy defined by bias and error. It is a people to be among the worst crimes. It oppressed communities: 26 are African youth falsely convicted of rape. His ads, direct descendant of lynching. More than is no accident that these prisoners were American, seven are Latinx, one is Asian which ran soon after the incident, played eight in ten American lynchings between chosen—​in order to elicit public support and one is Indigenous. a key role in shaping public opinion about 1889 and 1918 occurred in the South, and for their executions. The federal death penalty mirrors the case. more than eight in ten of the 1500 exe- Since the federal death penalty was use of this policy in the states. No mat- The five men were later exonerated cutions carried out in this country since reauthorized in 1988, only three people ter where applied, it is a racist, anti- by DNA evidence and the real rapist’s 1976 have been in the South.” (eji.org) have been executed. There has been an poor weapon, disproportionately used confession. Yet Trump has never with- Stevenson and his staff have won rever- informal moratorium since the last federal against African-American, Latinx, Asian drawn his remarks or apologized. There sals, relief or release from prison for over execution in 2003. Apparently neither and Indigenous people. Many prisoners is the very real possibility that the exon- 135 wrongly condemned prisoners on Barr nor Trump have learned anything receive inadequate legal representation erations would have come too late if New death row and won relief for hundreds during the 16-year hiatus. in biased courts where injustice prevails. York had implemented the death penalty of others wrongly convicted or unfairly at that time. sentenced. Support wanes for executions Death penalty: ‘Racist, vile policy’ Andrea Lyon, a Chicago defense attor- The Trump administration’s decision Barr’s directive comes as public sup- On July 26, one day after Barr’s edict, ney who specializes in capital cases, com- to return to federal executions is partly port for capital punishment has ebbed, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of mented to The Atlantic magazine on July to bolster his reelection bid among racist down from nearly 80 percent in 1996 to Massachusetts introduced a bill that 29: “Since Trump took office, those of us supporters who love his “Make America less than 50 percent in 2016. Three major would reverse the DOJ’s plans and abol- in the capital-defense community have White Again” programs—​and to inten- factors contribute to the drop in support: ish the death penalty altogether. She is seen a sharp spike in capital prosecutions sify state repression against the working Research has debunked the reactionary a member of “The Squad”—​four pro- of state crimes by the federal govern- class and oppressed. premise that the death penalty is a deter- gressive congresswomen of color who ment, and there is a shortage of coun- Activists in Texas, which has executed rent to crime; publication of the fact that are directly challenging the Trump sel qualified to represent defendants in 561 people since 1982, have strongly pro- 166 innocent people on state death rows administration. death-penalty cases. States that are per- tested the reinstatement of the federal have been exonerated and released; and Pressley, who is African American, fectly capable of prosecuting cases are death penalty. charges of racism have been confirmed in tweeted the same day: “The same racist having jurisdiction taken from them by Delia Perez Meyer’s brother, Louis the application of the death penalty. rhetoric coming from the occupant of the the federal government.” Castro Perez, is on Texas’ death row New Hampshire legislators voted to White House, who called for the execution despite evidence of innocence. She told abolish the death penalty on May 30, of the #exonerated5 [Central Park Five], is Stop legal lynching! Workers World on Aug. 3: “When I making it the 21st state to ban execu- what led to this racist, vile policy.” Bryan Stevenson, founder and execu- heard that federal executions were being tions. In four other states, governors have Trump notoriously spent $85,000 on tive director of the Equal Justice Initiative resumed, I was really appalled. The U.S. imposed moratoriums on executions. full-page ads in New York newspapers in Montgomery, Ala., stated: “The death Continued on page 10 Page 10 Aug. 8, 2019 workers.org

Ominous escalation of war drive editorial

Washington has taken another step to as short as 6 to 11 minutes. Such a short Korea, Okinawa, Thailand and Australia current resident of the White House and inflame international relations and raise time for reaction would make nuclear war that are within the intermediate-range dis- his party, the aggression against China the risk of war. On Aug. 2, Washington more likely than at any time since the INF tance of cities in China and the Democratic and Russia is bipartisan and backed by pulled out of the Intermediate-Range and other similar disarmament treaties People’s Republic of Korea. There is no way most U.S. ruling-class strategists. Nuclear Forces agreement, known as the were signed. to interpret this U.S. plan to deploy these This anti-INF offensive started in 2014 INF treaty. Back in 1987, Ronald Reagan The Russians, for simple self-defense, missiles as anything other than a direct under the Barack Obama administration, and Mikhael Gorbachev had signed the have no choice but to aim their own inter- threat to the peoples of the region, includ- which accused Russia of testing a cruise treaty in a move supposed to signal a relax- mediate-range missiles at countries har- ing those residing near U.S. bases. missile prohibited by the treaty. No evi- ation of the Cold War. The INF treaty elim- boring ground-based U.S. missiles. This A New York Times article on Aug. 4 dence of Russian violations was pre- inated the deployment of missiles capable new U.S. deployment thus puts East and explained it this way: “Such a move would sented. In 2015, still under the Democrats, of delivering weapons to a range between West Europeans, as well as Russians, at be likely to anger China and North Korea, the U.S. announced it was considering 310 and 3,417 miles (500 to 5,500 km). risk from intermediate-range missiles. two countries that have long opposed the deployment of ground-based missiles in Besides abandoning this treaty, the And it’s not just Russia. On Aug. 3, deployment of U.S. military hardware Europe. Trump seconded these decisions, U.S. military is now moving to deploy U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper anywhere near their borders, and would and then, in 2018, Congress authorized such shorter-range missiles in areas that said he was in favor of the U.S. deploy- most likely prompt further consternation new research to produce cruise missiles. directly challenge Russia and China. ing ground-based missiles in Asia. That from allies that Washington was veering Thus an effective movement to stop The U.S. has announced plans to would threaten People’s China, a country dangerously close to a new arms race.” the war threats will have to remain deploy these weapons in the NATO coun- with a much smaller nuclear arsenal than It should be noted that while much independent of both big capitalist par- tries of Europe, including those close to the U.S. or Russia. China has a reported of Washington’s reactionary domestic ties and hold them and the Pentagon the Russian border. This means that the 290 nuclear devices, even fewer than the policies and rhetoric—​especially the war machine responsible for putting the time from launch to striking a Russian French military. overt racism, xenophobia, misogyny and lives of hundreds of millions of people in target with one of these missiles could be The U.S. has bases in Japan, South homophobia—​can be blamed on the danger. ☐ Smash white supremacy! Down with imperialism!

Continued from page 1 the truth that Jewish anti-ICE demon- Up with Workers World! strators have proclaimed: “Never Again The U.S. has been the world’s No. Charleston, S.C., church in 2015. Fifty is Now!” Now is the time to organize and 1 imperialist bully for years. That fact mostly Latinx, mostly LGBTQ2S+ people be in the streets to demand a stop to the has been carefully covered up with were killed at an Orlando, Fla., nightclub deadly attacks on Black and Brown peo- self-righteous bourgeois language in 2016. Eleven people were shot to death ple and im/migrants—and​ the hate-filled by the corporate media. Now, led by in a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018. And rhetoric that inspires them. emperor-wannabe Trump, the soft- on and on. Every action in solidarity with people sell bullying has become in-your-face This is the deeply murderous U.S. sys- of color and with immigrants is import- ultimatums, with Venezuela, Cuba and tem we live in. And those are only a few ant—​no matter how small. Wear a but- Iran the latest targets. of the mass shooting deaths here. That ton that says: “Come out against racism” The New York Times and other doesn’t count the millions U.S. wars have and strengthen everyone who sees you. big business media are not reporting killed. Organize a town rally or neighborhood on criminal U.S. sanctions as out- gathering in support of im/migrants and right attempts at regime change via What will it take to end this? create a place for anti-racists to gather. a ruling-class imposter in Venezuela. co-conspirators in covering up the real The most moderate elements in the Let’s reach out to those we work with, Rather, they are cheering U.S. plots to threat—U.S.​ imperialism. Democratic Party are too timid to even to members of our union and other take over Venezuela’s oil deposits, val- We know you read Workers World impeach Trump. Progressives unsuc- unions, to our neighborhood and commu- ued as the world’s largest. to get the real story, free of imperial- cessfully proposed impeachment for rac- nity groups, and form coalitions to defend Trump is using his bully pulpit ist lies and crimes. But Workers World ism after his violent tweets against four the im/migrants in our lives. against Cuba, this year celebrating 60 needs your help to do our job. Congresswomen of color. Watch for local actions by FIRE years of socialist power. Not only has Join the WW Supporter Program, But impeachment alone would not do (Fight for Im/migrants and Refugees Trump set up tough restrictions on U.S. founded 42 years ago to help build the justice to the victims of these horrific mas- Everywhere) and join in. (facebook. visits to Cuba, he has authorized U.S. only revolutionary socialist weekly in sacres. Legal formalities now supposedly com/fightformigrants/) Follow the companies, whose imperialist holdings the U.S. that’s printed, as well as on bar the arrest of a sitting president. But International Workers’ Solidarity were nationalized after the revolution, the web. murder is murder! The mounting wave Network (workersolidarity.net) which is to sue Cuba for “reparations.” There’s For a donation of at least $75 a of resistance against white supremacy in building working-class consciousness and no corporate media coverage of what year—much​ more if possible—​mem- the U.S. wants to see Trump brought to collectivity. Let’s make Labor Day 2019 a socialist Cuba has accomplished to bers receive a year’s subscription, a justice. day of solidarity with im/migrants! uplift its people in 60 years. monthly letter about timely issues and Why would we look to the Democratic If we find our strength together now, Trump ordered this year’s five free subscriptions to give to friends. Party to save us? Look at the history of that is another step toward breaking the super-militarized July 4th celebra- Write checks, either monthly or once the U.S. Nothing has ever moved the rul- bloody grip of oppression, to ending the tion of the origins of the genocidal, a year, to Workers World and mail ing parties in power, whatever name they murders caused by white-supremacist, enslaving, white-supremacist capital- them, with your name and address, to pass under, except independent mass patriarchal capitalism. We can begin to ist U.S., while at the same time using 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, mobilization by the people. Let’s impeach build the long but hopeful road to revolu- the U.S. Armed Forces to threaten NY 10011. Or sign up to donate online the capitalist system instead! tionary socialism where “the earth shall Iran striving to maintain its indepen- at workers.org. We’re grateful for your The question is no longer the hypo- rise on new foundations.” dence surrounded by global capital- help in building Workers World—​ thetical: “What if they came for (fill in “Solidarity Forever” begins with soli- ism. The corporate media are willing sign up today! ☐ the blank)?” The massacres underscore darity today. ☐ Feds to resume racist death penalty

Continued from page 9 he finally died after two hours of agony. told WW: “My problem with the one-drug on a gurney being executed say, ‘I feel my “After about nine minutes, his mouth lethal injection is that all lethal injections whole body burning.’ This rush to execute is taking gigantic steps backward. The opened wide, his head moved up against have been proven to be the least humane has nothing to do with following the law. many states now moving toward abolition the restraints, he bucked up against method for execution so far. There is no Ultimately people will be tortured with an could now have second thoughts.” the straps and he started gulping and humane way to execute people. The idea untested drug.” That has already happened in Arizona gasping,” said his attorney Dale Baich. that lethal injection is a humane clinical Joanne Gavin, a founding member where state Attorney General Mark (KVOA.com, Aug. 2) procedure is a lie.” of the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Brnovich wrote a public letter to Gov. Hughes continued: “There have been Movement, stressed that this latest move Doug Ducey asking that their state fol- No humane executions more botched executions using lethal by Trump and the DOJ is “just one more low Washington’s lead and resume Activist Lily Hughes is a leader of the injection than any other execution attack on working-class people and an executions. campaign to stop the November execution method. They do not even know where intensification of state repression and In 2014, Joseph Wood was the last per- of Rodney Reed, an African-American the pentobarbital is going to come from. racist oppression. But our job is to stop son executed in Arizona. He was injected man whose only crime was having a rela- Is it going to be FDA [Food and Drug these new executions before they even 15 times with death-causing drugs before tionship with a white woman. Hughes Administration] approved? People laying begin.” ☐ workers.org Aug. 8, 2019 Page 11 Algeria Police, army allow thousands to march in protest

By G. Dunkel proportionately more women, dressed in instruments of repression themselves.” a wide range of styles, marched in Oran Djabi is referring to the soldiers in the For the 24th consecutive Friday, than in Algiers. In Oran, some of the all-volunteer army who might turn their Algerians all over this vast country women carried signs reading: “No, no and guns around rather than fire on their marched Aug. 2 to demand that the no to violence against women and chil- brothers and sisters in the streets. interim president, prime minister and dren.” The general sentiment was that Djabi is one of the 13 people whom head of the State Council resign. They they would march again next week “while the protest movement has accepted as a chanted: “No to a military state!” and the system is still around.” negotiator to represent them and set up “The people want it—​now.” The cops and the army have not ground rules with the current regime for Some demonstrators raised chants attacked the protests with the forces they elections of a new government. promoting civil disobedience—​likely Algerians march for “power to the people.” have available. They have made dozens “It’s a question of the balance of power,” referring to calls for limited general of arrests, mainly of Tamazigh (called said Mohcine Belabbas, head of the oppo- strikes—​while others chant: “The army Saida, Ain Temouchent and Tissemsilt. Berber, though they reject that term) sition Rally for Culture and Democracy, a and the people are brothers.” But they In some of the cities, protests took place activists like Lakhdar Bouregaa, a hero party with its base in the Tamazigh areas also call General Ahmed Gaïd Salah, who even though the temperature was in the of Algeria’s 1954-62 war of independence of Algeria. “And for now, the strength is is head of the army and effectively the high 90s. against French imperialism, or youth on the side of those who want constitu- ruler of Algeria, a “traitor.” In Algiers, the capital and largest city activists. The Friday protests have also tional change in this country.” Tout sur l’Algérie (TSA), the major in Algeria, armored personnel carriers been raising demands to stop and reverse The people in the streets have rejected Francophone news site for Algeria, from the army and the cops lined and these arrests. the last two proposals for elections drawn reported protests on Aug. 2 in the fol- restricted the route of march. In contrast Nacer Djabi, a sociology professor at up by the current regime, which then with- lowing Algerian cities: Algiers, Oran, in Oran, a seaside town in western Algeria the University of Algiers and a major drew them. If the people manage to con- Constantine, Tlemcen, Annaba, Tizi and Algeria’s second largest city, no cops figure in the opposition, told the July tinue protesting through the hottest part Ouzou Bejaia, Bouira, Setif, Jijel, were visible along 4 kilometers of the 25 New York Times, “It would be very of the year and last until September, this Mostaganem, Mascara, Sidi Bel Abbes, march. risky for them” to pull the trigger on the will put intense pressure on the regime to Chlef, Tébessa, Khenchela, Tipaza, Djelfa, According to Huff Post Maghreb, protesters. “They can’t be certain of the make acceptable concessions. ☐ ‘Hard-leave’ Brexit conservative selected to lead Britain

By G. Dunkel minister, Theresa May, spent two years serve European finance capital, especially Not just Brexit negotiating “soft” exit plans with the EU. All the banks based in Germany and France. Boris Johnson has been compared to Boris Johnson—​whose lies and show- her proposals were rejected by the British EU rules have imposed wage auster- Donald Trump. Both come from rich, manship were highly influential in having Parliament. Frustrated by these rejections, ity and budget cuts, dismantled social elite backgrounds but pretend to be men the “leave” option adopted in the Brexit she resigned and the Conservative Party protections and insisted on deregulation of the people, and both are quick to use referendum three years ago—​won the elected Johnson as the new prime minister. throughout Europe—​without input from the dog whistles of flagrant racism and election July 23 to become Britain’s next The major sticking point for the or consultation with the people these homophobia. prime minister replacing Theresa May. He British ruling class is the 300-mile bor- changes seriously affect. Throughout In a column he wrote for the Daily got 92,153 votes to his opponent’s 46,656. der between the Republic of Ireland and Europe the EU bureaucracy has facilitated Telegraph, a major right-wing paper Voting was restricted to 159,320 the six counties in the northeast that the the increased exploitation of the working in England, Johnson claimed that the dues-paying members of the center-right British state still controls. This border class. The rules hit hardest where the rul- problem with Africa was that the British Conservative Party. Great Britain is a has been completely open since 1998. ing bourgeoisie is relatively weak or the “are not in charge anymore.” On a visit country with over 64 million people, but Closing it would be a tremendous disrup- workers’ movement relatively strong—​for to Libya, when he was foreign minister, as Johnson’s election shows, the big deci- tion to the economy of both the Republic example, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy. Johnson claimed that the only thing get- sions are often in the hands of an elite few. of Ireland and the six counties. The British ruling class was able to ting in the way of an economic recovery Brexit is the term for the process of Johnson has pledged to take Britain impose its own austerity rules on the after its civil war was “clearing the dead Britain leaving the European Union. out of the EU on Oct. 31, whether or not workers inside its territory, without rely- bodies.” Brexit has been a contentious issue. it has a deal with the EU. He says that this ing on the EU bureaucracy. British cap- Johnson has proposed a way of cutting Currently all the major British parties removal would restore the population’s italists have successfully reduced the taxes for the rich in England, Wales and are themselves split between a “soft” faith in democracy. standard of living for large sectors of the the six occupied Irish counties by sharply faction which promotes Britain keeping working class. In addition, sectors of the Characterization of the EU increasing taxes in Scotland. (tinyurl.com/ some formal links with the EU, a “hard” British ruling class undoubtedly resent y2twtfom) faction that demands rigorous checks of The European Union is a free trade zone Germany’s dominance of the EU. The three million non-British EU cit- people and goods at all border crossings and also a single market. This allows both On the other hand, under Brexit, izens working in Great Britain face an and a third faction called “remainers,” the free flow of capital and “the free flow British capitalists will face a disruption uncertain future. As do the million British who want Britain to stay in the EU. of labor.” An unelected bureaucracy based of trade and capital flows after 40 years citizens working in the EU. ☐ The previous Conservative prime in Brussels makes economic decisions that of integration in the EU. Doce días sacuden al imperio Continua de página 12 “Solo una presencia masiva de la poli- en esos estados, Estados Unidos obligó acosado por el sexismo y la homofobia, cía, algunos manifestantes dijeron que a Puerto Rico a conformarse con solo $9 sino por la deuda predatoria y la bru- golpe de estado fiscal. El pueblo de Puerto triplicaba su número, permitieron la millones en el mismo período de tiempo. tal austeridad, el desastre climático y el Rico aprovechó la ocasión para expresar entrada de algunas personas. … [L] a tác- En cada etapa, la destrucción de la vida capitalismo del desastre, el imperialismo su descontento. Como Workers World/ tica tuvo tanto éxito que menos de 200 puertorriqueña y la estabilidad econó- insensible y el colonialismo humillante. Mundo Obrero informó en ese momento: personas asistieron a la reunión de nego- mica ha sido planificada y exacerbada por Las llamas del descontento habían estado “Después de enterarse, en vísperas de cios, según informes de los medios de el gobierno de los Estados Unidos. ardiendo durante años antes de que esta- la protesta, que la policía planeaba evitar comunicación”. (Tinyurl.com/yy56jgse) Entonces, ¿qué mostraron realmente llaran para envolver a la administración que llegaran los manifestantes, los mani- Este fue un ensayo general para la insu- los mensajes de texto de Rosselló? Más colonial de la isla. festantes comenzaron a llegar al sitio rrección de la semana pasada. allá de su fanatismo e insensibilidad, se La lucha en Puerto Rico es una lucha antes del amanecer de ese día y rodearon reveló al mundo que el dinero, destinado contra el imperialismo, y es probable que todas las entradas al hotel. La represión genera resistencia a ayudar a la recuperación después del no termine ahora que Rosselló ha renun- “Los manifestantes estaban decididos La devastación física pronto siguió a huracán María, se desvió a abogados y ciado. Al emprender esta lucha, el pue- a evitar la conferencia a toda costa ... la ruina financiera. En el otoño de 2017, consultores corporativos. La informa- blo puertorriqueño ha dado el ejemplo a los manifestantes bloquearon la avenida los huracanes Irma y María azotaron a ción confidencial sobre los contratos del todos los que luchan contra la opresión. que conduce al hotel. Aunque no fue una Puerto Rico. Aunque las cifras de vícti- gobierno se compartió con los amigos de El poder del pueblo es extraordinario, manifestación masiva, los manifestantes mas fueron inicialmente minimizadas, el Rosselló en el sector privado. Y solo tres y cuando se concentra, ningún imperio tuvieron suficiente presencia para blo- creciente número de muertos y desapa- días antes de las filtraciones, el ex secre- puede resistir su fuerza. quear con éxito el camino para aquellos recidos se volvió demasiado grande para tario de educación de Rosselló fue arres- que intentaban llegar a la conferencia. esconderse. Un estudio de 2018 en el New tado por lavado de dinero. Este artículo, de un activista afro- “Los manifestantes se sentaron en England Journal of Medicine calculó el La secretaria Julia Keleher, republi- puertorriqueño, se basa en una charla medio de la avenida y construyeron barri- número total de muertes en una abruma- cana de Filadelfia, fue una figura clave en la reunión del Workers World Party/ cadas con piedras. Rodearon a quienes dora 4.645 personas. en la ejecución de los brutales recortes Partido Mundo Obrero el 25 de julio en intentaron asistir a la conferencia y tra- La respuesta al huracán de los Estados de educación de PROMESA. Incluso las la ciudad de Nueva York que abordó el taron de desanimarlos. Mucha gente se Unidos fue insensible. Mientras que esta- escuelas para discapacitados no esta- tema “Lucha contra el racismo y la sobe- dio la vuelta. Los manifestantes también dos como Texas y Florida recibieron más ban a salvo de su política de austeridad ranía nacional”. arrojaron agua a algunas personas para de $100 millones en las primeras dos implacable. desalentarlos de participar. semanas después de severos huracanes El pueblo de Puerto Rico no solo estaba Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 61 Núm. 32 8 de agosto 2019 $1 FOTO: GREEN PARTY ALLIANCE OF PUERTO RICO FACEBOOK San Juan, Puerto Rico, 23 de julio. Huelga de Puerto Rico Doce días sacuden al imperio

Por Makasi Motema multitudes crecieron rápidamente de Fundamentos de la sublevación actual Lo peor es que la crisis de deuda de miles a cientos de miles. Rosselló intentó La Ley de Gestión, Supervisión y Puerto Rico se debió por completo a las 30 de julio—Miles​ de personas se api- la reconciliación, prometiendo permane- Estabilidad Económica de Puerto Rico, maquinaciones de Wall Street. La eco- ñaron frente a la mansión del goberna- cer en el cargo pero renunciando a una o PROMESA, se promulgó en el 2016. nomía puertorriqueña recibió un golpe dor, La Fortaleza, a la vez que policías campaña de reelección. No fue suficiente. PROMESA fue diseñada por la ley federal fatal cuando el sector manufacturero se antidisturbios, armados hasta los dien- El 22 de julio, después de 10 días de de los EE.UU. para reestructurar la deuda retiró de la isla en busca de salarios más tes unieron sus escudos cerrados. “La agitación, los puertorriqueños lanzaron adquirida por el gobierno puertorriqueño bajos. Los bancos ingresaron y compra- Fortaleza” estaba bajo asedio. Aquí y allá, una huelga general. en las últimas décadas. El plan era sim- ron bonos del gobierno puertorriqueño el cielo nocturno brillaba con la luz ámbar Millones cerraron la carretera principal ple: implacable austeridad. que se vendieron para cubrir el déficit de las llamas distantes. Durante 12 días, que atraviesa San Juan. Dos días después, Los miembros de la junta de PROMESA presupuestario y proporcionar servicios los manifestantes asaltaron barricadas y Rosselló anunció su renuncia. ¿Cómo no elegidos implementaron un plan de esenciales a la gente. se enfrentaron valientemente a balas de pudo el pueblo de Puerto Rico derrocar recortes presupuestarios aplastantes. Se Pero la economía nunca se recuperó y la goma, gases lacrimógenos y granadas de al gobernador en menos de quince días? cerraron casi 200 escuelas, se redujo el deuda continuó acumulándose. Esto no era destello. ¿Por qué? Su demanda fue la ¿Y qué los impulsó? gasto en pensiones y atención médica, y asunto de Wall Street. La ley de los Estados abdicación inmediata del gobernador de Los medios corporativos se han cen- el salario mínimo por hora para los tra- Unidos exige que su propiedad colonial no Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló. trado en Rosselló y sus comentarios des- bajadores menores de 25 años se redujo pueda declararse en bancarrota como lo Esta última conflagración fue provocada preciables, por conveniencia. Atribuir a $4,25 (comparado con $7,25 en el hacen los municipios del continente. En por la publicación de mensajes de texto la culpa de la actual agitación a la desa- continente). Estaba claro lo que se pro- cambio, la ley federal obliga a Puerto Rico confidenciales entre el gobernador y sus gradable falta de carácter de un hombre metía, y se entregaba, al pueblo puertorri- a cumplir con sus obligaciones de deuda aliados. Sus mensajes estaban cargados de es conveniente para los intereses cor- queño: la humillación se montada sobre antes de pagar los servicios esenciales. Una lenguaje homofóbico y sexista y de “bro- porativos. Oscurece el papel del capital la indignidad. política horrible para la gente, pero exce- mas” insensibles sobre el creciente número financiero para estimular el dolor y la Ningún pueblo podría soportar esa lente para los traders de bonos. de muertos tras el huracán María. EZso fue ira del pueblo puertorriqueño. Cualquier degradación indefinidamente, ni podrían El 31 de agosto de 2016, la clase capi- la gota que derramó el vaso. recuento exacto de la crisis actual debe sobrevivir a tales dificultades. En estas talista lanzó una conferencia en el hotel Se hicieron repetidos intentos para comenzar al menos desde el 2016. condiciones, la rebelión era inevitable. Condado Plaza Hilton para celebrar su asaltar la mansión del gobernador, y las Continua a página 11 ¡Defiende rebeliones justas contra la policía de Nueva York racista! ¡Desestimación de todos los cargos! ¡No más arrestos ni redadas!

Declaración WWP-PMO empujó de manera oportunista la indig- particular afro-estadounidenses o latinxs. trabajadores y a los pobres. Si las autori- nación y las protestas por la exoneración Cuando las personas trabajadoras y dades están preocupadas por la anarquía El Departamento de Policía de Nueva del policía asesino Pantaleo fuera de los oprimidas sufren durante una emergen- y el caos, deberían otorgar soluciones a York está utilizando instancias de accio- titulares. cia climática que pone en peligro la vida, las personas para la indigencia, el des- nes rebeldes justificadas como una excusa ¿Qué estaban haciendo los policías, a el gobierno de la ciudad y la policía de empleo y la falta de atención médica que para organizar una redada racista al estilo quienes las comunidades claramente quie- Nueva York deben hacer excepciones azotan a Nueva York. de la de los Cinco de Central Park de todos/ ren fuera, cuando estallaron mini rebelio- humanitarias: ¡abran los hidrantes y den Por eso decimos: as y cada uno/a de los/as sospechosos/as, nes en medio del calor y la humedad el 20 a las personas una forma inmediata para • ¡Detener la ocupación racista de los siempre que sean afroamericanos y pobres. de julio? Rompiendo multitudes de perso- refrescarse y salvar vidas! Pero ese tipo barrios negros, latinxs y todos los A raíz de una ola mediática de indig- nas que habían abierto hidrantes de agua de compasión no se le ocurre a los fun- oprimidos, desde Brooklyn hasta nación reaccionaria - increíblemente, en tratando de obtener alivio durante una ola cionarios de la ciudad y al Departamento Harlem y el Bronx! contra de las personas que se resisten de calor récord. Este fue el mismo fin de de Policía de Nueva York, cuyo trabajo es • ¡Nuestras comunidades necesi- a acosar a los policías - las noticias loca- semana en que miles de personas tampoco promover la ley y el orden capitalistas. tan servicios, trabajos, atención les están ayudando a la policía de Nueva tenían electricidad cuando Con Ed cortó el Bajo el capitalismo, la policía es inca- médica, no policías racistas en las York publicando fotos en la televisión de suministro eléctrico a miles de residentes paz de aprender lecciones. Existen calles o en el metro! 15 personas, todas afroamericanas, “busca- de Brooklyn. No tener aire acondicionado únicamente para proteger a los ricos • ¡Desestimen todos los cargos! ¡No das” por la policía por rociar a los policías solo intensificó la crisis. fomentando el racismo y atacando a los más arrestos! ☐ con agua en la sección de Brownsville de El índice de calor superó los 110 grados. Brooklyn, Nueva York, y en Harlem, Nueva Sin la ayuda de instituciones corruptas York, el 20 de julio. Al 31 de julio, tres jóve- como la Autoridad de Vivienda de Nueva nes afroamericanos han sido arrestados. York, Con Ed o la Autoridad Metropolitana ‘Exigimos la renuncia de Pedro El sistema de encarcelamiento masivo de Tránsito, cuyos trenes dejaron de fun- está lanzando una serie de cargos: “obs- cionar durante la hora pico el viernes trucción de la conducta gubernamental”, 19 de julio, los vecindarios afectados en Pierluisi y la junta dictatorial’ “travesuras criminales”, “hostigamiento”, Brooklyn, Harlem y el Bronx se encarga- 4 de agosto de 2019—El colectivo A Call Puertorriqueños en el archipiélago y la “conducta desordenada”, por expresiones ron de lidiar con esta situación peligrosa. to Action on Puerto Rico / Un Llamado a diáspora, de todos los sectores del pueblo, justas de oposición a la ocupación policial Enfrentando golpes de calor y deshi- la Acción por Puerto Rico, desde la diás- dejaron sus reclamos claros en las calles. de los barrios oprimidos. dratación, los residentes del vecindario pora rebelde, celebramos la renuncia de Dijeron claramente que no aceptarán nin- Mientras tanto, ni siquiera se encon- deberían haber recibido ayuda. En cam- Ricardo Roselló. Es el triunfo de un pue- gún gobierno de blanquitos, corruptos e tró ninguna base para acusar a un poli- bio, fueron hostigados y aumentaron las blo ya harto de los abusos políticos, eco- inescrupulosos, junto con la junta dicta- cía blanco, Daniel Pantaleo, por matar detenciones y registros de la policía feroz nómicos y sociales perpetuados por los torial impuesta por los Estados Unidos. a Eric Garner, un hombre negro con un de Nueva York. estados unidos y sus lacayos de patio en No habrá paz para el imperio ni para sus estrangulamiento ilegal: un asesinato que La sensacional serie de Netflix, “When contra del pueblo puertorriqueño. lacayos. Es hora para la descolonización. el mundo entero presenció con horror en They See Us” (Cuando nos ven), acerca de Nuestro pueblo exige el fin del coloniaje ¡Es hora para un Puerto Rico Libre! video el 17 de julio de 2014. los cinco Central Park escenificó perfec- y la destitución de todos los representan- #Rossellórenuncia # Telegramgate No sorprende que el alcalde “liberal” tamente la actitud de la policía que está tes del imperio colonial. Entendemos que #IndependenciaparaPuerto Rico #esa- Bill De Blasio se haya unido al ultra- jugando ahora con la intención declarada la rápida sustitución de Pedro Pierluisi deudanoesnuestra #cancelthedebt racista ex alcalde de Nueva York Rudolph de la policía de Nueva York de arrestar como gobernador colonial es un atento #ACalltoActiononPuertoRico Giuliani y Donald Trump en el coro hipó- a 15 personas más después de arrestar a de la metrópoli por medio de su Junta Contáctenos: [email protected]. crita de indignación contra los mani- tres. Treinta años después del complot Dictatorial de Control Fiscal de tratar Página de Facebook: A Call to Action festantes negros y latinos. Además de orquestado contra los cinco de Central de reestablecer su control, apaciguar la on Puerto Rico. aumentar el racismo, este furor mediá- Park, hay otra red racista donde se pla- justa indignación del pueblo y mantener Instagram: prcalltoaction. tico por la “falta de respeto a la policía” nean arrestos de cualquier persona en el orden colonial.