Washington's Third World THE debt plan an empty promise PageS

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 53/NO. 21 JUNE9, 1989 $1.00 China Trump pushes to weaken officials begin to Eastern strikers' unions Negotiations with Machinists continue

arrest BY SUSAN LaMONT NEW YORK- Striking Eastern Airlines Machinists, flight attendants, and pilots pre­ paring to go to workforthe new Trump Shuttle protesters are being pressed to go along with wage and benefit cuts, work rule changes, job combina­ BY FRED FELDMAN tions, and other givebacks as final prepara­ As the massive sit-in led by students in tions are made to begin flying under the new Beijing's Tiananmen Square thinned out to ownership. The company is also threatening about 10,000, the Chinese government to force Machinists to start working without moved to arrest some of those involved. The a contract. Trump personnel have spelled out protesters demand freedom of the press and some of what they are demanding at a series other democratic rights, an end to corruption, of "orientation" sessions for Eastern strikers and other political changes. who will be working for the Trump Shuttle. Several student leaders announced May On May 24 the federal bankruptcy court 27 that they would propose ending the sit-in, gave fmal approval to the sale of Eastern which began in China's capital city on May Airlines' New York-Boston-Washington 13. They cited insufficient food supplies and shuttle -Eastern's most profitable compo­ deteriorating hygiene conditions in the nent-to New York real estate and gambling square. casino speculator Donald Trump for $365 On May 28, some 100,000 people partici­ million. pated in a march called by student leaders to The deal to sell the shuttle to Trump was support the demands for democratic rights. first made last October, before the strike by But the numbers participating in recent ac­ nearly 18,000 Machinists, flight attendants, tions blocking enforcement of martial law and pilots at Eastern began. had gone as high as 1 million. In particular, At that time, Eastern workers were sent the number of workers involved has declined. letters asking them to apply to work for On May 30, the sit-in demonstrators re­ Trump. Those whose applications were ac­ Militant/Larry I ·""'"""'" jected the proposal to end the protest. cepted have been invited to the current orien­ Miami International Airport. Eastern's operations have been paralyzed since strike The downturn in the protests was also sig­ tation sessions. Hiring was done according to began March 4. naled by the end of a bus drivers' strike in seniority at Eastern. J3eijing. The size of demonstrations in other Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local cities, such as Shanghai, has also dropped. 553, which represents the flight attendants, flights, clean planes, load baggage, or per­ they expect the Machinists to begin working form other work not normally part of their when the shuttle is ready to fly -and under About 1,000 students and workers gath­ and the Air Line Pilots Association have al­ jobs, and for longer hours. conditions laid down by Trump - whether ered outside police headquarters May 30 to ready reached agreements with Trump. The In addition, flight attendants at the orienta­ final agreement on a new contract has been denounce the arrest of several individuals terms are similar to their previous contracts tion sessions were asked to volunteer for one reached yet or not. who had proclaimed the Workers Autono­ under Eastern. However, members of both or two days without pay to help get the shuttle mous Association. The group was described unions are being asked to go along with a terminals refurbished, planes readied, and so 'State of shock' as independent of the officially sponsored All "relaxation" of work rules for the first 90 days on. One orientation session for about 80 East­ China Federation of Trade Unions, the only after the airline starts up. Although TWU members were told by em Machinists took place May 23 at the legal union body. Pilots, whose work rules are more strictly Trump personnel at one of their orientation Bulova Corporate Center near La Guardia On May 30 the New China News Agency governed by federal regulations, won't be as meetings to "put the past behind them," they Airport. Most of those who attended were announced the arrest of 11 members of a deeply affected by such "relaxation" as flight were also informed that Eastern workers' per­ from International Association of Machinists Continued on Page 10 attendants, who could be forced to work extra sonnel records would be transferred over to Local 10 18 at La Guardia. A few were from the new shuttle. locals at Kennedy Airport and Miami Inter­ The Machinists' union is still negotiating national Airport. with Trump management. Talks will continue At Local 1018's strike headquarters near Striking Eastern Machinists, until a new agreement is reached. the airport, Yvonne· Perez-Grajales, an air­ coal miners kick off 12-day tour Trump personnel, however, have said that Continued on Page 13 Philippines union leader urges int'l solidarity on U.S. tour

BY DEB SHNOOKAL In this spirit of international solidarity. NEW YORK- "Many U.S. workers Ortaliz joined the picket lines at Eastern believe that workers of Third World and Airlines in Boston and New York. "It's fine developing countries have been stealing to see and hear the strikers talk about jobs away from them. This is not true. As a what' s happening," he commented. He class, their interests are the same. The real noted that some of the strikers have been enemy is corporate America." This was the relatively well paid and would find it easy main message Roberto Ortaliz, secretary to find another job. "But being exposed to general of the May 1 Movement (KMU) of this kind of strike and picketing, many of the Philippines brought to the United States them have done some rethinking," Ortaliz during a tour in May. Ortaliz was invited to remarked. "For me this is encouraging and the country to speak at the Detroit Labor inspiring," he continued, "because some of Notes Conference. those I spoke with referred to themselves as 'born-again trade unionists' committed to "One of the purposes of my coming is to really fighting for their unions." develop bilateral links with trade unions in this country," he explained in an interview Ortaliz also visited the picket line of res­ here on May 26. "Some unions in the taurant workers at the Tavern on the Green United States are already supporting KMU in New York. CHARLESTON, W.Va.- A 12-day tour by striking Eastern Airlines workers organizers in the Philippines. And some are and United Mine Workers members on strike at Pittston and New Beckley coal supporting the families of detained or mur­ More confident of links companies was opened at a news conference here May 30. (See pages 9 and 11 dered union leaders or educational pro­ The trade union leader explained that he for articles on coal strikes.) Strikers will visit West Virginia and parts of Virginia grams of the KMU," Ortaliz said. "But," he was more confident than ever before that and eastern Kentucky. "The theme of the tour is labor solidarity," said West emphasized, "the KMU believes that soli­ links can be built between U.S. and Filipino Virginia Labor Solidarity Committee spokesman Norman Ferguson (above). darity is bilateral, or could even be multi­ workers, "based on the objective conditions Mine Workers District 17 President Bob Phalen and striking Eastern Machinist lateral. We see that international solidarity in .the Philippines and the growing senti­ Paul Bascich from Washington, D.C.'s National Airport also spoke at conference. has no borders. And we believe that 'An ments in the U.S. labor movement." It injury to one is an injury to all."' Continued on Page 7 Detroit Machinists host striking coal miners The International Association May 17, some 125 members of Ma- controllers' strike. "We will re- About 75 applicants showed up. walk the picket line. of Machinists struck Eastern chinists Local 141 turned out for a member the support you have given In addition to the pickets outside, The Machinists have picketed Airlines March 4 in an effort to second shift union meeting to hear us and are proud that our union sent strikers were stationed in the hotel two hiring sessions for flight atten- block the company's drive to the miners. Local 141 represents us up here. All of our unions have lobby. They took applicants up to dants, in Greensboro and nearby break the unions and impose workers of all airlines in Detroit. to stay together. That's the main ALPA 's offices, where flight atten- massive concessions on workers. The Pittston strikers - James thing- solidarity." dants and other strikers talked with Winston-Salem. At the Winston- Salem session, a picket line of Backed by the 5,900 flight at- Gibbs, Mark Kennedy, and Clint The miners raised more than them. The strikers explained the is- tendants and 3,400 pilots at East- Owens - were introduced to hun- $3,000 during their brief stay, in- sues in their fight, and directed ap- about 25 unionists included Eastern dreds of workers at meetings of the eluding nearly $1,000 from the Ma- plicants to other airline jobs. flight attendants, pilots, and Ma- United Auto Workers, Teamsters, chinists and the Eastern strikers. After talking with pickets and chinists, and lAM members who SUPPORT and other unions. The miners also receiving leaflets, only about 15 of work at Piedmont Airlines. spent two days at the Michigan • those who came went through with AFL-CIO convention, where they Eastern Airlines has organized the interview. Even some of these • EASTERN "open houses" in cities around the and the Eastern strikers were given sl,lid they were just going in to get On May 21 more than 600 peo- country to recruit scab flight atten- a warm welcome. Hundreds of dol- the other side of the story. ple from dozens of unions attended dants. On April 25 they scheduled STRIKERS Iars were collected at the gathering an Eastern strike solidarity rally at for both striking unions. one at the Quality Inn in Philadel- • White Stadium in East Boston. The ern, the strike by 8,500 Machin- The miners picketed with East- phia, where the Air Line Pilots As- In Greensboro, North Carolina, event was sponsored by the Massa- ists has crippled the airline's op- em workers at Detroit Metro Air- sociation (ALPA) has its strike there are 18 members of the Ma- erations since then. It has also port, as well as walking the picket headquarters. chinists who work for Eastern at chusetts AFL-CIO, the state Build- won broad support from work- line at a local Auto Workers' strike. Striking flight attendants from Piedmont International Airport. ing Trades Council, the Machinists, ing people in the United States They were interviewed by the the Transport Workers Union pre- Since the strike began, the union and the pilots' and flight and Canada. Readers - espe- local media and union press. pared for the event by producing has sent speakers to a number of attendants' unions. Some 200 East- cially Eastern strikers- are en- A meeting of Eastern Machinists hundreds of educational leaflets union meetings in the area and to em strikers in uniform marched in couraged to send news of strike and their families with the Pittston about the Eastern strike for those meetings of the Central Labor formation in front of the crowd. solidarity activities to this col- strikers was a highlight of the tour. who came to apply. Union. umn. "These companies have brought On the day of the open house, Machinists' local President Tom us together," said miner James about 70 people picketed outside Crutchfield spoke before members Eastern striker Josefina Otero from From May 16 to 20, striking Gibbs at the Machinists' offices at the inn, including officers and of Amalgamated Clothing and /AM Local 1776 in Philadelphia Eastern workers in Detroit hosted a the end of the tour. "We are not members of rail, communications, Textile Workers Local 2532, a contributed to this column, along tour for three United Mine Workers going to look the other way, as we garment, electrical, and postal recently organized local at Bates with Mark Friedman from Detroit, union members from Virginia on did with PATCO," he said, in ref- unions, as well as the three striking Nitewear. Afterward, two ACTWU Kip Hedges from Boston, and strike at Pittston Coal company. On erence to the 1981 air traffic Eastern unions. m~mbers went out to the airport to Yvonne Hayes from Greensboro. Miami strike HQ: round-the-clock organizing center BY ZENA McFADDEN food is kept frozen, ready for distribution line with the strikers. try through the special fund set up by the MIAMI - The International Associa­ by the food bank. On most days, workers AFL-CIO. On one wall, names of local in­ tion of Machinists' headquarters for the are cleaning off jars and cans of food that Picket duty desk dividuals, unions, churches, and other strike against Eastern Airlines here is in Local 702 buys from food distribution cen­ At the front of the union hall is a long groups who have donated food and money lAM Local 702' s union hall, right across ters at discount prices because they have desk staffed by shop stewards who coordi­ are listed. from the main entrance for Eastern's han­ been damaged in some way during trans­ nate pickets. The strike coordinators send gars and main corporate office buildings. port. about 50 pickets per shift to the various News and information Out of the strike headquarters, members of At the entrance door, notices of meetings spots where the union has picket lines. Throughout the union hall, the walls are the Machinists', flight attendants', and and events are posted. Once inside, there is Picket duty is once a week, for four hours. filled with information and newspaper arti­ pilots' unions gather to be taken to the a table on the right that has bulletins and Next to the lAM picket desk is the flight cles from around the country. There are picket lines at the terminal, fuel farm, air other leaflets put out by the local, giving attendants' check-in table where strike T­ pictures of Miami Dolphins' quarterback freight site, computer reservation center, updates on the status of the bankruptcy shirts, buttons, hats, and posters are for Dan Marino distributing food at the food and all of Eastern's main entrance gates. Of hearings. (Eastern Airlines filed for Chap­ sale. The money goes to striking flight at­ bank; of the sock-hop hosted by American the 8,500 Machinists on strike at Eastern, ter ll bankruptcy on March 9, five days tendants based on need. The Air Line Pilots Federation of State, County and Municipal 3,900 are members of Local 702. after the strike started.) Association also has a check-in table in the Workers Local 1907 to raise funds for the The strike headquarters is open 24 hours In the back ofthe hall is the food kitchen, union hall. flight attendants; of a fund-raising picnic a day, seven days a week. At any one time, staffed mostly by lAM members who can't Just outside the main room, two large sponsored by the Transport Workers there will be from 25 to 100 people in the do picket duty outside because of physical storage rooms have been converted into the Union; and of scabs working on the ramp. union hall -talking, watching television, problems. They contribute to the strike by food bank. The food bank was started by a There are also notices put up by restaurants, bringing food, or carrying out some other preparing food that the union buys, or dis­ Machinist, a flight attendant, and the wife bars, and companies around the city that strike activity. On Sundays and Mondays, tributing contributions that come in from of an lAM member and her friend, in con­ give discounts to strikers. when Machinists who complete picket duty local restaurants or other strike supporters. junction with local officials. At first it was One wall is filled with notices of job pick up their strike benefits, hundreds of the place where food contributed from var­ openings. There are other signs posted people come in and out of the hall. Some of the food kitchen volunteers in­ ious organizations and individuals was dis­ around the headquarters, such as "Haircuts clude nonunion Eastern employees such as tributed. here every Wednesday- money goes to ticket agents and reservation clerks, who In the first few weeks of the walkout, needy flight attendants," and phone num­ were laid off after the strike began. Since only a few strikers came there for food. It Food bank bers for the Suicide Hot Line and Financial they aren't union members, most don't has now grown into an operation that serves Help Hot Line. Walking toward the strike headquarter's picket because of possible victimization by an average of 100 per day. On a recent main entrance in the back of the building, the company. A number of non-union Monday, 400 bags of groceries were given Zena McFadden is a member of /AM Local the first thing one sees is a large refriger­ workers have gotten letters informing them out. Most of the food was purchased with 702 . She worked as an Eastern aircraft ser­ ated storage truck parked in the lot. Here that they were fired for walking the picket funds donated by unions around the coun- vicer before the strike began. THE MILITANT TELLS THE TRUTH The Militant Closing news date: May 31, 1989 Coeditors: MARGARET JA YKO and DOUG JENNESS Circulation Director: NORTON SANDLER Nicaragua Bureau Director: LARRY SEIGLE Introductory subscription oner Business Manager: JIM WHITE Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein, Fred Feldman, Seth Galinsky (Nicaragua), Arthur Hugbes, Cindy Jaquith, Susan LaMont, 12 weeks for $4.00 for new readers - an $8.00 savings Sam Manuel, Selva Nebbia, Harry Ring, Judy White (Nica­ ragua). Published weekly except one week in August and the last The Militant carries firsthand coverage of • Reports on advances in Cuba week of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 the Eastern Machinists' strike and other West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Of­ labor battles. It features news and analysis • On-the-scene coverage from our fice, (212) 243-6392; Fax 727-0150; Telex, 497-4278; Busi­ of the developing capitalist economic cri­ bureau in Managua, Nicaragua ness Office, (212) 929-3486. Nicaragua Bureau, Apartado sis, and resistance by workers and farmers 2222, Managua. Telephone 24845. to employer and government attacks - Corr~pondence concerning subscriptions or changes Enclosed is of address should be addressed to The Militant Business from the U.S. to the Philippines, Britain to Office, 410 West St., New York, N.Y.10014. 0 $4 for 12 weeks, new readers 0 $9 for 12 weeks, South Africa. renewals Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. and at addi­ 0 $17 for 6 months 0 $30 for 1 year 0 $55 for 2 tional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Militant, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Sub­ years scriptions: U.S., Canada, Latin America: for one~year sub­ 0 $1.00 for Action Program to Confront the Coming scription send $30, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. Economic Crisis, a Pathfinder pamphlet. By first-class (airmail), send $65. Britain, Ireland, Continen­ Name ______tal Europe, Africa: £22 for one year, £12 for six months, or Addr~s ______£6 for three-month renewal. Send check or international City State___ Zip ______money order made out to Pathfinder Press and send to Path­ Phone ___Union/Schooi/Organization _____ finder, 47 The Cut, London SEt 8LL, England. Australia, Asia, Pacific: send Australian $60 to Pathfinder Press, P.O. Send to THE MILITANT, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014 Box 153, Glebe, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia. Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent the Militant's views. These are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant June 9,1989 Los Angeles teachers win Nine-day strike of 32,000 gained wide support

BY NELSON BLAC~STOCK Education. They chanted, "Settle the strike, Newton pointed out that the big job of LOS ANGELES - Public schoolteach­ pay the salaries." fighting for better education still lies ahead. ers here have won a big victory as the result At Los Angeles High School, students "Our union needs to take up the fight for of a nine-day strike that ended May 26. A produced fliers supporting the strike on the bilingual education, for smaller classes, for big majority of the city's 32,000 teachers school mimeo, and hundreds marched more money for the schools," she said. "We participated in the strike, which won a 24 around the school chanting, "UTLA all the should also fight for parents and students to percent pay raise over the next three years. way" and "No pay, no teachers, no school." have a greater say." The victory was won by the daily militant Belmont High students appeared at strike Ann Wilcox said after going through the mobilization of teachers at tallies and on the rallies with a 20-foot sign declaring them­ strike she thought teachers should be organ­ picket lines, backed by strong support for selves to be a "scab patrol." ized to take part in the June 17Iabor rally in the strike from parents and students. Parent support was much stronger than in Los Angeles in support of the Eastern strike. "The militancy of the teachers was a re­ the last teachers' strike 18 years ago. "My "The teachers now know the import~nce of sult of anger and frustration built up over school is almost 100 percent Spanish-speak­ solidarity," she said. "Most teachers had years," striking teacher Karen Newton ex­ ing," striking teacher Ann Wilcox ex­ never been on strike before. Many didn't plained. "Teachers are tired of low pay, plained. "Usually a lot of parents help in the know whether they would go out that first crowded classrooms, decaying buildings, classroom, but none came in during the day until that morning, much less stay out inadequate supplies, and the arrogance of strike despite the principal's efforts to get to the end. But they gained confidence, es­ school administrators." them to come." pecially after they saw the support from the Plans to keep the schools functioning dur- "In past strikes, administrators have been public. And now many will want to show able to tum the J1Ublic against teachers-to support for others." Teachers mobilized daily on picket lines make them appear greedy," Wilcox said. Rallies of 10,000 "This time it hasn't worked." filled Los Angeles Along with the pay raise, teachers won more time for class preparation and a clause Socialist harassed by Sports Arena. stipulating that there will be no retaliation against school employees, parents, stu­ dents, or others who supported the strike. A Canadian customs agents ing the strike with substitute teachers fizzled sizable minority of teachers voted against when less than 2,000 responded to a widely the contract on the basis that the teachers did BY JOHN STEELE The agent, whose badge number was advertised scab-recruiting campaign. In not get back pay, which had been docked VANCOUVER, Canada- Canadian 5003, began asking Jaquith questions about desperation, administrators raised daily sub­ because of previous job actions. customs officials detained James Harris for Harris. Jaquith declined to answer the ques­ stitute pay from less than $100 to well over An important part of the settlement was more than an hour at the Vancouver Inter­ tions about Harris, but answered standard $300. the setting up of councils at all schools, with national Airport May 26 and interrogated customs and immigrations queries. There were several teacher rallies of more half composed of teachers and half of par­ him about his political affiliations. Harris is The officer said if she did not answer than 10,000, which filled the Los Angeles ents and administrators. These councils will the Socialist Workers Party candidate for questions about Harris she would be "ob­ Sports Arena. The union, the United Teach­ make decisions previously made by school mayor of New York. structing a customs officer." ers of Los Angeles (UTLA), also organized administrators alone, regarding school cur­ Harris was the only Black on his flight to The agent then searched Jaquith's bags rallies each day of thousands. riculum, activities, use of school equip­ Vancouver and the only person to be and took her driver's license to run through Eastern Airlines striker Greg Amodei re­ ment, and discipline. stopped for inspection when passengers the computer, saying he had to verify if she ceived an enthusiastic response at a May 19 Many teachers expressed the view that from the flight passed through the customs or Harris had broken any laws and whether rally of 7,000 when he voiced solidarity winning the councils was the biggest gain area. there were warrants out for their arrest. with the striking teachers. of the strike. But several teachers said they The socialist candidate had come to Van­ When Jaquith still declined to answer Many students also joined the fight. Karla were concerned about getting teachers more couver to speak at a May 27-28 socialist questions about Harris, the agent brought Peiia reported that she and other students involved in disciplining students in a situa­ educational conference sponsored by sup- over two female officers and told Jaquith, from her high school went to a prostrike tion where many students are alienated by . porters of the Militant newspaper. On the "these two officers are going to take you picket line of 50 students at the Board of underfunded schools. same plane wj~ him was Militant reporter into that room and conduct a body search Cindy Jaquith, also a scheduled speaker at for contraband. Your clothes will be left on the conference. but they will go over your whole body." After passing through the immigration At about this time, however, conference Nicaraguan teachers demand booth at the airport, Harris and Jaquith pro­ organizers waiting in the airport lobby for ceeded to the customs area. When Jaquith Harris and Jaquith telephoned the customs and other passengers handed in their immi­ office. They inquired about the where­ higher wages in work stoppage gration cards, customs agents waved them abouts of the two. The customs officials through without asking to look in their then quickly told Harris and Jaquith they mands of the education workers." BY SETH GALINSKY bags. But Harris was immediately told to could leave. They had been detained for MANAGUA, Nicaragua- Thousands of On May 25 President Ortega charged that step into the inspection area to have his more than an hour. the teachers engaged in the strike were being teachers began a work stoppage here May 22 bags checked. to demand higher wages and improved ben­ manipulated to "destabilize" the revolution. Vancouver's largest daily, the Sun, ran a A customs agent started going through story May 29 on the harassment of Harris, efits. The strikers are members of the pro­ He ordered two U.S. embassy employees ex­ Harris' briefcase. The officer pulled out a government National Association of Nicara­ pelled from the country, charging that they headlined "Detention racist, socialist collection of pamphlets, including the Ac­ claims." guan Teachers (ANDEN). were supporting the strike. The two had at­ tion Program to Confront the Coming Eco­ tended a meeting of 400 striking teachers in "It's clear to me the only reason they While most of the country's 36,000 teach­ nomic Crisis, the basic platform of Harris' Chinandega. stopped me was because I was black," the ers are not participating in the action, the campaign for mayor. article quoted Harris as saying. It went on stoppage has received widespread sympathy Many teachers were upset at the charge to report that Harris "was questioned about from teachers. Teachers' wages are low, even that they were being manipulated. "The only Interrogation his participation in socialist organizations." by Nicaraguan standards, and the effects of thing manipulating us is hunger," said Or­ After examining the other pamphlets In addition to interviewing Harris about inflation have driven their real income down lando Delgado during a meeting at the closely, the agent asked Harris, "Do you the incident, the Sun interviewed Canada sharply. Rigoberto L6pez Institute in Managua. belong to an organization?" Since this Customs traffic supervisor Gerry Duffy. The strike is strongest in Chinandega, in Teachers at Rigoberto L6pez did not join the question was not relevant to customs mat­ According to the Sun, "Duffy denied northwest Nicaragua, and in San Rafael del work stoppage. ters, Harris did not reply. Harris' allegation and said officials are al­ Sur, which is southwest of Managua. The The agent proceeded to read Harris' per­ "We are for the revolution, but we felt we lowed to ask any visitor about their political striking teachers show up at school, but have had no choice but to go on strike," one teacher sonal papers and notes. He came across an and social affiliations if it is relevant to not been conducting classes. in Chinandega told the Militant. SWP constitution and asked Harris, "Are customs work." Teachers at several of Managua's largest Other teachers, however, think the strike is you a member of the SWP?" Harris did not public schools stopped work for a day and a As to the singling out of Harris from a mistake. "It is the children who suffer," said reply. half. They agreed to end their protest with the other passengers, Duffy told the Sun, "He Luis Delgado, an English teacher. The agent also went through Harris' suit­ understanding that their demands for higher case, searching through all his clothing. He may have been the only black person on the wages, transportation subsidies, and free Government representatives have told the removed two U.S. license plates from the plane and for some reason we had to check medicine would be considered in the next few teachers they should try to solve their prob­ suitcase. The plates were being delivered him, but I don't think he could take it one days. lems by visiting area factories and agricul­ by Harris to a friend in Seattle, where Har­ step further and say that is why." Before the strike began, President Daniel tural enterprises to ask for donations of food, ris was going after his visit to Vancouver. On May 30, the president of the British Ortega said that there would be no wage other products, and even money. They could All the proper registration papers were with Columbia New Democratic Party, Elaine increase even though the teachers' demands also organize fund-raising activities, officials the license plates. Bernard, sent a letter condemning "the rac­ were justified. If teachers got a raise, he said, suggested. Harris was told to step into a room, ist harassment of James Harris" to other workers would also have a right to an ''This is the first time since the triumph of where the officer had him empty his pock­ Canada's minister of employment and im­ increase. Raising teachers' wages would fuel the revolution that teachers have gone on ets and examined the contents. At one point migration. inflation, Ortega argued. strike," said Ricardo Jimenez, a teacher at the Harris asked why he was being treated this "The singling out of a black person for The day the teachers began their action, Maestro Gabriel Institute, one of the schools way. The agent said it was his duty to check this kind of treatment cannot be tolerated," Lucio Jimenez, president of the Sandinista in Managua that stopped work for a day and for "smugglers, criminals, 'and terrorist ac­ Bernard wrote. "I strongly recommend that Workers Federation (CST), told a meeting of a half. He was elected to a committee set up tivities," asserting that the license plates those responsible be reprimanded and an unionists, "The enemies of the revolution to represent the teachers in their fight for were cause for suspicion. immediate apology be issued to Mr. Harris." must understand they cannot take advantage higher wages. Supporters of the right to travel are urg­ of the just demands of the teachers. There are "We are confident that the government will Jaquith called in ing that messages protesting the racist and sectors that want to manipulate this problem." respond to our demands, because it is our Jaquith was waiting in the customs area political harassment of Harris be sent to Sergio Martinez, ANDEN president, told government," Jimenez said. "But if it does while Harris was being interrogated. A sec­ Barbara MacDougall, Minister of Employ­ the meeting, "We condemn the strike and not, we are prepared to return to the work ond customs agent asked Harris if Jaquith ment and Immigration, House of Com­ those who promote it because we have to be stoppage." was traveling with him. He replied yes and mons, Ottawa, Ontario KIA OA6 Canada; clear that there are grouplets of right-wing, President Ortega was scheduled to meet the agent told Jaquith to enter the inspec­ and to Gerry Duffy, Traffic Supervisor, proimperialist pseudoleaders who want to with ANDEN representatives from around tion area with her bags, even though she Canada Customs, Vancouver International gain a political benefit from these just de- the country May 31 to hear their proposals. had already been cleared by customs. Airport, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

June 9,1989 The Militant 3 Des Moines rights leader hits prison censorship Mark Curtis is a unionist and anyone that they pose no safety or mittee is asking everybody to write support for the Cuban and Nicara­ workers' rights at Swift that was political activist from Des security risks to anyone. I have also to the warden urging that he: guan revolutions. my real 'crime.' The police said I Moines, Iowa, who is serving a found out that other Spanish-lan­ • Reverse the undemocratic Kim Fellner, executive director, was a 'Mexican-lover' and a 'col­ 25-year jail term on frame-up guage materials are available ban on Spanish and other non-En­ National Writers Union. ored-lover' and that I probably had charges of rape and burglary. through the prison library. Why are glish language literature sent to Lucius Walker, leader of the AIDS as well. ... The Mark Curtis Defense Com­ not those materials considered Mark Curtis. Interreligious Foundation for Com­ "This lawsuit is about the right of mittee is leading an international safety and security risks?" Alvarez • Extend to all prisoners the munity Organization. workers to defend themselves political campaign to fight for asked. right to receive non-English lan­ Moneta Jacob, former editor of against pay cuts, dangerous condi­ justice for Curtis. To contact the "Mark Curtis is obviously being guage material of their choice. Metal/, biweekly paper of I.G. tions on the job, and not be victim­ committee, write Box 1048, Des singled out from other prisoners in • End restrictions on prisoners' Metall, the 2.5-million member ized because of it," Curtis Moines, Iowa 50311. Telephone your facility. If translation of those rights to share literature with each union in Germany that led a fight explained. (515) 246-1695. materials are a problem, then other. for a shorter workweek. I. G. Metall Sammye Roberts, Alabama please call upon a state agency that · The protests should be ad­ organizes auto workers, steelwork­ president ofthe National Organiza­ Alfredo Alvarez, chairperson of already exists for such assistance: dressed to: John A. Thalacker, ers, and others. tion for Women; and Lorenzo Iowa State Men's Reformatory, Ervin, former political prisoner and Anamosa, Iowa 52205. Copies • a leader of Concerned Citizens for DEFEND MARK CURTIS! should be sent to: Attorney General Attorneys William Kutmus and Justice in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Thomas J. Miller, Hoover State Of­ George Eichhorn filed a civil rights also attended the news conference. fice Building, Des Moines, Iowa suit in Des Moines May ll, on be­ The filing of the suit was re­ the Des Moines Human Rights the Spanish Speaking Peoples 50319. half of Curtis, against the city and ported on all three local television Commission and an endorser of the Commission. I am sure that they The defense committee would members of its police department. stations. The Des Moines Register, Mark Curtis Defense Committee, is would entertain some type of assis­ like to receive copies of messages, After filing the suit with the U.S. the city's only daily, reported for one of the dozens of people around tance not only in Mark Curtis' case along with any response from Iowa District Court for the Southern Dis­ the first time that the cops yelled the world who have written letters but also other Spanish-speaking in­ officials. trict of Iowa, Kutmus told report­ racist epithets as they beat Curtis of protest to John Thalacker, the dividuals as well. ers, "Mark is very optimistic, and and that testimony on the beating warden at the Iowa State Men's "Prisoners in a correctional facil­ • he's looking forward to this law­ had been excluded from his Sep­ Reformatory in Anamosa, protest­ ity have human rights just like ev­ The international effort to win suit." tember 1988 trial. ing the decision to deny Curtis and eryone else. Mark Curtis should not new endorsers of the Mark Curtis Curtis is asking for $300,000 in other prisoners the right to receive be denied to expand his own work­ Defense Committee proceeds actual and punitive damages and Police Chief William Moulder written materials in languages ing knowledge of the Spanish lan­ apace. Among those who have re­ holds the city responsible for the declined to comment on the suit. other than English and their "pri­ guage. Any infringement of his or cently added their names to the list severe beating he received at the But city attorney Ivan Webber said, mary" language. anyone else's search for knowledge are: hands of the cops following his "The city intends to defend the suit Noting that Curtis had been de­ can clearly be labeled for what it Ed Asner, actor and political ac­ March 4, 1988, arrest. After beat­ and defend it vigorously." nied access to a Spanish-English really is: unwarranted censorship. tivist. He signed up while walking ing Curtis the cops charged him An investigation by the police dictionary and a book of Spanish "I respectfully request that you a picket line in New York in sup­ with assaulting the police. They department's Internal Review verbs, as well as being forced to and your facility allow Mark Curtis port of the Eastern Airlines strikers. dropped those charges right before Board last year cleared the cops of cancel his subscriptions to the access to those materials in ques­ Hugo Blanco, a peasant and the case was supposed to come to any wrongdoing in relation to the Spanish-language magazine Per­ tion. In addition, I request that you worker organizer in Peru who bas trial. beating of Curtis. And the city's spectiva Mundial and the French­ desist from any further unwar­ been in prison many times because Mark Curtis Defense Committee Human Rights Commission re­ language Lutte ouvriere, Alvarez ranted actions against Mark and of his political activities. Coordinator Stu Singer read a state­ fused to investigate the case after wrote: quit any further dehumanizing ac­ Geir Gunnarsson, member of ment from Curtis. "Arrested on being instructed by city attorney "I am appalled that such materi­ tions toward him." Parliament, Iceland. false charges, beaten unconscious, Webber that it could not investigate als are considered safety and secu­ Margaret Randall, writer, poet, and later railroaded to prison, the another city agency. rity problems. Even a glimpse of • and teacher, whom Washington has cops let me know that it was my The city has 40 days to respond those materials would indicate to The Mark Curtis Defense Com- been trying to deport because of her actions in support of immigrant to the suit. Curtis: inmates face restrictions on expression

BY MARGARET JAYKO includes technical books, said Curtis. It re­ (Second of two parts) ceives a newspaper, the Prison Mirror, that is ANAMOSA, Iowa - After telling the published in the state penitentiary in Stillwa­ story of the prison authorities' denial of non­ ter, Minnesota. Someone who works in the English language literature to himself and center told Curtis that an article about his case other prisoners whose "primary" language is appeared in the Mirror. English, Curtis discussed the highly publi­ The article was written by an endorser of cized court decision last year that pornogra­ the Mark Curtis Defense Committee after phy should be available in Iowa prisons. talking to Curtis supporters in Minnesota. U.S. District Judge Harold Vietor had ruled Thai prisoner fights for rights that prisoners should have the right to read the Five days after the Militant's interview with Curtis, he wrote a letter describing fur­ ther discussions with fellow prisoners about INTERVIEW the fight against the censorship of non-En­ glish language literature at Anamosa. same books and magazines that anyone else "The impact of this fight has been felt in Iowa can. immediately inside the prison," he wrote. The interview with Curtis took place May Curtis referred to an article in the May 19 15 at the Iowa State Men's Reformatory here. Cedar Rapids Gazette reporting the interna­ A unionist and political activist, Curtis has tional protest campaign against the restric­ been incarcerated in Anamosa since Decem­ tions. ber 1988, serving a 25-year sentence on "Cedar Rapids is 24 miles from Anamosa," he continued. "It's the second-largest city in frame-up charges of rape and burglary. anetPost Most prisoners supported Vietor's ruling, Iowa, and many guards and civilian employ­ May 19 news conference opens campaign against prison restriction against "contra­ ees who staff the prison live there. said Curtis. In order to skirt the judge's deci­ band," that is, materials not in English. Chairing is Stu Singer, coordinator of the Mark sion, however, Anamosa officials set up a "The article was brought to my attention Curtis Defense Committee; seated are Hazel Zimmerman, a leader of the committee, by Carnhn TrongVahn, another inmate here. pornography reading room - in the guards' and Melvin Wilk, an associate professor at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. office. A prisoner must make an appointment Camhn and I didn't know each other, but he to sit in the office with a guard assigned to sought me out in the yard after reading the watch him while he reads magazines deemed mains. "One of the things that helped the prisoners about the fight against his frame-up, article. He was very excited about the article to be pornographic. The lack of privacy discussion," said Curtis, was that people were said Curtis. because he is denied the right to send and means that very few prisoners use the room. able to read a book he had donated to the He described a fellow inmate from Des receive letters in his native language," wrote Inmates are resentful of this arrangement, organization's library on the case of framed­ Moines, who, like Curtis, had filed a civil Curtis. TrongVahn is from Thailand. said Curtis. They see it as yet another trick to up Indian rights fighter Leonard Peltier. The rights suit against the Des Moines police for "His three-and-a-half year battle for the violate their rights. With the recent Supreme group has placed an order with the New York­ brutality. The prisoner had worked at the right to correspond and read in Thai started Court decision giving wardens virtually un­ based Pathfinder publishers for revolutionary Swift/Monfort meat-packing plant there at the first day he was transferred to Anamosa," limited powers of censorship, Iowa Gov. literature, including titles in Spanish. the same time Curtis had and was fired by the continued Curtis. "Prison officials told him he Terry Branstad immediately announced he A planned program on May 5 to celebrate same supervisor who fired Curtis. "He under­ had to send his Thai-English dictionary out. will take steps to circumvent the previous the Mexican national holiday Cinco de Mayo stands what I'm fighting for, and he supports He told them, 'No way you're getting this. I ruling that allows publications considered to was canceled by prison authorities at the last me," said Curtis. need it too much.' be pornographic in Iowa's prisons. minute. They said they didn't have enough (In December 1987, Curtis had suffered a "At that time Camhn spoke little English. staff to sit in on the event. back injury and left the production line to He and his family came to Storm Lake, Iowa, Martin Luther King Organization The MLK Organization is appealing to seek medical help. He was frred but subse­ from Thailand in 198 1. A former mechanic Curtis is the secretary of the Martin Luther activists in the Iowa area to get in touch with quently won his job back as a result of a fight for Peterson Motors, he's spent six of the last King Organization at the prison. The group them and provide speakers for their pro­ involving the union and his coworkers.) nine years in this country locked up. Camhn has grown a lot since the beginning of the grams. "Outside speakers are very impor­ Another former Swift/Monfort worker at spent hours every night in his cell studying year, he said, involving up to a hundred pris­ tant," Curtis stressed. The group can be con­ Anamosa, who was still working there during his dictionary to improve his English." oners in its programs. tacted at the Iowa State Men's Reformatory, Curtis' highly publicized trial in Des Moines But, Curtis pointed out, TrongVahn still Since both the Native American and Mex­ Martin Luther King Organization, Box B, last September, has been very supportive and .writ es to his parents in Thai. "A thing as ican prisoners have been denied the right to Anamosa, Iowa 52205. has introduced Curtis to other prisoners. simple as writing a letter home has been made form their own organizations, the MLK Or­ Anamosa prison has a Learning Center, complicated and intrusive," Curtis explained. ganization has offered its resources to them. Winning support against frame-up where a few classes are held for prisoners. It After he writes the letter, "the institution The last meeting, for example, was de­ The fight over non-English language liter­ is connected to Kirkwood Community Col­ sends it to Des Moines to be translated. The voted to a discussion of abuse of Indian re- ature has given him an impetus to talk to more lege. The center has a library that mainly Continued on Page 13

4 The Militant June 9,1989 How banks took away Iowa farmer's land Harold Dunkelberger tells of cops occupying his farm, seizing his property

still waiting, a year and a half after he won action against farmers has been going on for a court claim to get back either his ma­ more than a decade. The banks and loan chinery or the cost of it." institutions have "increased their loan vol­ Along with thousands of other farmers, ume. These loan officers are paid commis­ Dunkelberger was hit by the farm crisis in sions for foreclosing on people like me." the early 1980s. "Before 1985 I had I ,200 The farmer hired an attorney and began acres here and I ,200 acres in Arkansas. I negotiations for repayment of the loans due. was growing com and beans. I am the third In 1984 he lost his trucks and trailers in an generation on the farm here. attempt to raise money to pay off loans. In "With the 1983 budget and loan renewal, the 1985 replevin action, the court awarded the setup began," Dunkelberger explained. the PCA Dunkelberger's grain crop and ma­ "It was the end of May after the season. After chinery. In the spring of 1985 he lost his 17 years of doing business, I alway!; dealt entire 1984 grain crop after the PCA moved [with the banks and PCA] in faith and trust. to seize it. The PCA should have drawn up the loan At the same time the PCA had moved to papers in November, but they purposely let it seize his grain and machinery, the Federal go until May. Land Grant Bank was proceeding with fore­ "Then they came to the house, got my closure on his land. He's now down to 640 wife down to the field, and demanded that acres: 200 free and clear, 440 mortgaged their papers be signed. 'I've got to get it through the Federal Land Grant Bank. done,' the PCA agent insisted. 'The credi­ "Since 1984 I have had no right to farm my tors are hollering. Sign the papers, and then land. I can't sell any of my property," I'll prepare them.' Dunkelberger said. "They are bleeding us "I was really busy and didn't have time with legal fees and trying to break any at­ to really think about it," Dunkelberger said. tempt we are making to survive." So he and his wife signed a stock of blank But he is not about to give up the fight. papers, with the trust they always offered ''I'm suing the PCA and the Federal Land Militant/Marian Carr the PCA. Bank." He also sees this fight as more than Harold Dunkelberger on his farm. Like thousands of other farmers he was hit by farm just his own. "I picketed, shot hogs, and crisis in early 1980s. Defrauded raised hell with the National Farm Organi­ Later Dunkelberger found out that the zation. We had a strong membership in this BY PRISCILLA SCHENK son's tractor hooked up, ready to take it," papers he signed were fraudulently filled area. Then I joined the American Agricul­ PILOT MOUND, Iowa- Police and Dunkelberger said. "When I told them they out to put his son's farm lands on his secu­ ture Movement and am still an active mem­ agents of the Production Credit Association had no right to take my son's equipment, rities list. This tied his son's lands to his ber. occupied Harold Dunkelberger's farm in [PCA agent] Stanton said, 'I'm in charge PCA loan, making it vulnerable to foreclo­ "Farmers sometimes have a reluctance to April, seizing all his farm equipment. It was here. It's on the list. We're taking it."' sure. "It was a setup. I called my lawyer. He fight," the farmer said. "We have a lot to the final act of a 1985 court ruling authorizing After two phone calls to his attorney, said it was 'deceit and fraud.' He called the lose. We have to deal with the banks, and the PCA to seize Dunkelberger's grain crops Dunkelberger convinced the sheriff to order PCA and was told, 'If you don't pay your they whiplash us into backing down. The and fann equipment to pay debts. that his son's equipment remain on the farm. debt down in six months, we're going to majority have given up and voluntarily fore­ The farmer explained that he had to fight drive you out.' closed. They like to keep that quiet. ... Since March 1985 the farmer was barred to have his son's equipment stay on the farm "So in all the paper-signing, they went "But I still can't believe their hatred," by the court, in what is called a replevin because he knows of "other farmers who after my two farms that were not mortgaged, Dunkelberger said. "When they came to get hearing, from hiding, selling, or destroying have lost equipment illegally. They have that I owned free and clear. And they also my equipment, they treated me like a crim­ any of the equipment listed for PCA seizure. sued to get it back, have gotten a reversal, mortgaged my son's farms." inal. If anybody should have hatred, it And for the past four years he knew the PCA and then waited. I have a friend in Jefferson Dunkelberger explained that this kind of should be my hatred for the PCA." could show up without notice to haul away his equipment. What he could not have pre­ pared for was the treatment he got on April 3. "I was hauling com for a friend that morn­ Sales of revolutionary books are up ing. I took the first load in shortly after 7:00 a.m. I stopped by Grand Junction and visited BY DEB SHNOOKAL around 4,000 copies of each title had already dors, especially in New York's Black com­ at the feed store and returned home at about NEW YORK- Growing interest in rev­ been sold in 1989. munities, carrying Pathfinder titles by Mal­ 9:15a.m.," Dunkelberger recalled. "When I olutionary ideas is evident in the increased colm X and Mandela's The Struggle is My arrived at my driveway there were two pa­ sales of Pathfinder books both in the United International sales Life. trol cars at the entrance. Then I saw two States and around the world. Contributing to this rise in sales is the Also popular on the streets of New York patrol cars in the yard, four county cars, four Sales in 1988 were 23 percent higher than increased distribution of Pathfinder titles are Maurice Bishop Speaks and Thomas semis and short trucks and pickups. About in 1987. And in the first three months of internationally. Invoice sales for the first Sankara Speaks. Bishop was murdered in a 15 to 20 guys were in the yard. 1989, they are up 40 percent over the same quarter of 1989 internationally were counterrevolutionary coup in 1983 that top­ "Two deputies came up to my truck. One quarter last year. $20,000 - more than double the figure pled the Grenada revolution. Sankara was had a hand on a side arm. The other had a Pathfinder is aNew York-based publishing from the same quarter in 1988 and 29 per­ the leader of the 1983-87 revolution in the shotgun. They ordered me out of my truck. house that publishes the writings and cent more than last year 's total for this cat­ West African country of Burkina Faso. 'Get your arms up,' one said. 'We want to speeches of international revolutionary lead­ egory of sales. Pathfinder is expecting a good response search you and your truck.' He then leveled ers. Pathfinder authors include Fidel Castro, Particularly significant was increased to its forthcoming books, Malcolm X: The the shotgun at me . Emesto Che Guevara, Nelson Mandela, sales in Canada, where a newly established Last Speeches, which will be available in "They searched the truck and found an Thomas Sankara, Maurice Bishop and Mal­ Pathfinder distributorship sold $23,000 in June, and a new hard cover edition of Mal­ old, rusty axe," Dunkelberger said. "They colm X. It also publishes works by Karl its first nine months of operation. colm X Speaks, which will be available at a seized that and then told me : 'We found a Marx, Frederick Engels, Rosa Luxemburg, as reduced price over the previous hard cover bunch of weapons, and we 'll keep them well as by V. I. Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and other The Pathfinder Bookshop that opened in until after the replevin.'" leaders of the Communist International. London last September, sales to other com­ edition. mercial bookstores in Britain, and street A striking feature of this trend is the rise in stalls featuring Pathfinder literature New titles Take son's equipment interest in books by Malcolm X. For example The court order specified that only throughout the country accounted for Another new title published by Path­ annual sales of By Any Means Necessary by finder/Pacific and Asia this month, Che Dunkelberger's equipment would be taken, Malcolm X rose from 3,500 copies in 1986 to $10,000 - half the increased international even though he was storing his son Dave's sales in the first quarter. Guevara: Economics and Politics in the 6,500 in 1988, and sales of Malcolm X on Transition to Socialism is the first English­ equipment on his farm. Afro-American History increased from 5,000 In addition to these international sales, "I then looked and saw that they had my. language edition of this book by Cuban to 7,900 in the same period. As of mid-May, Pathfinder was able to participate with great author Carlos Tablada and was warmly re­ success at the Bookfair Manila held in the ceived at a conference on "The Cuban Re­ Philippines in February, selling nearly ality After 30 Years," held in Washington, 2,000 books and pamphlets. Best sellers at D.C., in April. New York judge denies new the bookfair included Fidel Castro's Cuba Will Never Adopt Capitalist Methods; So­ Also just off the press is Fidel Castro: In cialism and Man in Cuba, by Che Guevara; Defense of Socialism, which includes trial for Black activist The Struggle Is My Life by imprisoned Castro's four major speeches on the 30th NEW YORK - A Queens County Guyana until he returned here voluntarily South African revolutionary leader Nelson anniversary of the revolution given in De­ judge refused May I 0 to set aside the con­ in April and began serving a term of three­ Mandela; the Communist Manifesto by cember 1988 and January 1989. viction of Herman Ferguson and open the and-a-half to seven years. Marx and Engels; Thomas Sankara Speaks; Pathfinder's increased sales in the first way for a new trial for the 1960s Black He came back, he explained, because and a range of books by Leon Trotsky. quarter are especially significant consider­ rights activist. new evidence gave him the opportunity to Pathfinder titles are also now being car­ ing that they were sales of titles that have Ferguson and Arthur Harris were con­ establish that his prosecution had been ried by more of the major U.S. paperback been in print for a while. The publisher is victed in 1968 on trumped-up charges of prompted by the FBI as part of its drive to wholesalers. Sales to these distributors have about to launch a new sales and promotion conspiring to murder Roy Wilkins of the disrupt the Black rights movement. He said more than doubled from $10,000 in the first effort with the new titles that will take its National Association for the Advancement FBI files on him, obtained in the case of quarter of 1988 to $22,000 in 1989. There representatives to a growing number of of Colored People and Whitney Young of another frame-up victim, established this. has also been a significant growth in Path­ bookstores across the United States. the Urban League. At the time, Ferguson In denying Ferguson's appeal for a new finder sales to bookstores and other retail was a leading activist in the fight by New trial, the judge offered sympathy, but added outlets here, with a 50 percent increase in York Blacks to win control of the schools that he could not permit "emotion" to cloud This publication is available the first three months of this year. in microform from University in their communities. his judgment. Microfilms International. After exhausting all legal appeals, Fer­ Ferguson's attorney, Colin Moore, said Street vendor sales Ca ll toll-free 800-521-3044 Or maal anquary to Umvers1ty M1crof11ms international. 300 North guson and Harris fled the country in 1970. the issue would now be taken to the state Some of these increased retail sales are Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106. Ferguson, now 68, lived and worked in supreme court. due to the growing number of street ven-

June 9,1989 The Militant s Cleveland candidate backs abortion rights protests Expressing his support for support the strikers. Tom Fiske, 45, a presser and chaired by Bob Livesey, national Other speakers that evening in­ women's right to safe, legal abor­ "Their struggle is an example of ILGWU member, is the Socialist coordinator of Veteran's Peace cluded Neil Callender, a member of tion, David Marshall announced the kind of unity working people Workers candidate for Manhattan Convoy. the Young Socialist Alliance and his candidacy for mayor of Cleve­ will need to display in the face of borough president. Patty Iiyama, J' Anthony condemned recent antiracist activist at Brown Univer­ land on the Socialist Workers Party worsening economic conditions 44, a cleaner employed by Trans U.S. war moves against Panama sity; Lauren Berly, a social worker; ticket at a May 22 news conference and employer assaults," explained World Airlines and a member of and defended the right of Panama­ Meg Livesey, coordinator of the at the Board of Elections. Marshall. the International Association of nians to determine their future free Women's Peace Convoy, which "As a participant in the abortion The nonpartisan Cleveland pri­ Machinists, is running for Brook­ of U.S. intervention. grew out of the Veterans' Peace rights demonstration of a half-mil­ mary will be held October 3. lyn borough president. Soares explained, "It is in the Convoy, and Ziggy Herrmann, a lion people in Washington, D.C., National secretary of the Young context of the overall attacks on member of the United Auto Work­ on April 9 for women's lives and • Socialist Alliance, Greg McCartan, public education for working-class ers union and a campaign sup­ women's equality," Marshall told Seven SWP candidates for mu- 32, is the socialist candidate for youth, such as school closings, porter. Manhattan district attorney. Jon cutbacks in special education pro­ Hillson, 39, a garment worker and grams, and the dismantling of bilin­ Speaking of rising unemploy­ CAMPAIGNING FOR SOCIALISM member of the ILGWU, is running gual education, that the most recent ment, Herrmann said, "Where are for city council in the 6th District. attack on desegregation of public we going to go if we don't have jobs. Like some of my friends, we the press, "I applaud the stance nicipal office in New York City The news conference was cov­ schools fits." ered by several media outlets, and The School Committee candi­ can join the military or join the taken by prochoice people who re-. were announced May 9 at a news ranks of the homeless. cently mobilized in Cleveland to conference on the steps of City the citywide candidates were an­ date was referring to the school-as­ nounced in an article in the New defend abortion clinics against an Hall. signment plan recently adopted in "I don't like the prospect of ei­ assault by so-called right-to-lifers, York Times. Supporters of the cam­ Boston. It would divide the city into ther being out in the streets or Mayoral candidate James Harris paign will petition to put the candi­ three zones. Parents would choose who want to send women back to reported the socialist slate. forced to shoot at workers in other back-alley abortions." dates on the ballot this summer. The among all the schools in each zone countries trying to make a living It includes Jerry Freiwirth, 38, a elections will be on November 7. by order of preference. Marshall, 35, is a production like myself." packinghouse worker and member The plan was adopted over the worker at the LTV steel mill here. of the United Food and Commer­ objections of many in the Boston He works in the coke plant and is a • The Boston elections take place cial Workers Union, for city coun­ More than 40 people attended a Black community, including the member of the United Steelworkers September6 cil president, and Vivian Sahner, rally on May 13 to kick off the four Black members of the School union. 41, a sewing-machine operator and campaign of Nels J' Anthony and Committee of 13. This plan would Marty Pettit from Cleveland, Jon The socialist candidate, who has member of the International Betsy Soares, SWP candidates for run counter to the desegregation Hillson from New York, and Kate joined Eastern Airline strikers on Ladies' Garment Workers' Union Boston City Council and for School plan fought for and won in the Button from Boston, contributed to their picket lines, urged others to for comptroller. Committee. The meeting was 1970's in Boston. this column. Eastern strike, other battles spur 'Militant' sales

BY NORTON SANDLER lines was the biggest factor spurrihg sales. Boise-Cascade paper mill in Rumford, stepped up their efforts to meet workers Militant supporters are reporting that it is The fight to defend a woman's right to Maine. whose first language is French. The final easier to sell socialist publications to work­ choose an abortion and the strike by coal push was boosted by a special LO supple­ ing people today than it's been in several miners at Pittston Coal Group mines in Vir­ ' Perspectiva Mundial' sales ment explaining the stakes in the Eastern years. ginia and West Virginia were among the Perspectiva Mundial sales were spurred Airlines strike. From the Pacific Northwest to Appala­ other political battles that also helped boost by the same growing interest in politics. Montreal distributors led the way selling chia, from Wisconsin to Texas, this is how interest in the publications. Several dozen PM subscriptions were sold nearly 50 Lutte ouvriere subscriptions dur­ distributors are explaining their success in Highlights of the increased receptivity to farm workers in California's San Joaquin ing that final stretch. the just-concluded circulation drive. A key among working people include: Valley and in the Yakima Valley in Wash­ Plant-gate and mine sales part of this, they say, is increased receptiv­ • Nearly 200 members of the Interna­ ington state. ity to socialist publications at factory gates tional Association of Machinists purchased Distributors emphasize that it was also These examples from the circulation and mine portals. or renewed subscriptions during the drive. easier this time around selling on the streets drive point to the importance of focusing Between March 25 and May 20, support­ Many indicated on the subscription blank to workers whose first language is Spanish sales in the coming weeks in the coalfields, ers internationally won 9,290 new readers that they are on strike at Eastern. and at the plant gates in cities from Phoenix at the Eastern picket lines, and at the plant to the Militant, the Spanish-language Per­ and Los Angeles to Des Moines, New gates. • A one-week team sold 101 subscrip­ spectiva Mundial, the French-language York, and Miami. Plant-gate, portal, mill, and rail yard sales tions to coal miners and their supporters in Lutte ouvriere and Marxist magazines New Ground was gained during the drive on are essential in meeting and talking politics southwest Virginia, the area where the larg­ International and Nouvelle lnternationale. introducing the Marxist magazines New In­ with trade unionists with the aim of estab­ est concentration of Pittston mines are That is 116 percent of the goal of 8,000 set ternational and Nouvelle lnternationale to lishing a long-term readership in key basic being struck by the United Mine Workers at the beginning of the drive. working people. Examples of New Interna­ industries. of America. Nearly 1,700 new readers, or 18 percent tional sales taken from the wrap-up reports Distributors will be combining sales of of the total, were won outside the United • An international team that traveled include three copies sold to workers in oil the Action Program to Confront the Com­ States. Supporters in Australia, Britain, through Canada's Maritime Provinces and refineries in Houston, five to auto workers ing Economic Crisis pamphlet with those Canada, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and New England sold dozens of papers at the at General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler of the periodicals. This Pathfinder pam­ Sweden all went over their targets. gates of big shipyards in St. John, New plants in St. Louis, four to rail workers in phlet focuses on the steps necessary to unite Distributors say the strike at Eastern Air- Brunswick, and Bath, Maine, and at the New Jersey, and a couple to members of working people internationally in the face the Steelworkers union in Miami. of employer and government attacks that Distributors internationally ended up will mount with the next recession. selling 88 percent of the Lutte ouvriere goal Following up on the success of the sub­ 'Lutte ouvriere' fund drive - a major accomplishment since this is scription drive with well-organized plant­ the first time most had taken on the chal­ gate and portal sales over the summer lenge of selling the French-language publi­ months involving all our supporters, can cation. lead to winning growing numbers of work­ to raise $20,000 by June 15 Nearly half the LO subscriptions were ers in industry to the perspectives advanced sold in the last two weeks as distributors in the publications. "Lutte ouvriere is an effective tool for the ries many of the articles that appear in the political education of all activists. I don't Militant. It has run articles on the strike of the have the space in this letter to explain how Eastern Airlines workers and the historic much the magazine interests me. I guarantee abortion rights demonstration in Washington, you that I will make sure other fighters in the D.C., on April 9. With new preface revolutionary struggle read it." It has also explained how the arguments This quote from a reader, a student in Port­ waged by the leaderships of the trade unions by 'Militant' au-Prince, Haiti, begins a recent fund-raising and the New Democratic Party in Canada appeal for the French-language magazine against the Canada-U.S. free-trade pact has editor Lutte ouvriere. The monthly has been coming seriously weakened the unity of the working out since November. The fund campaign, class. Doug Jenness which began on May 15, seeks to collect Over the past months, Lutte ouvriere has $20,000 by June 15. published several speeches by Cuban Presi­ English or Spanish pamphlet $1 each, This letter reflects a growing interest in the dent Fidel Castro explaining the process of with a 50% discount on orders of 10 or magazine among French-reading activists in rectification in Cuba, as well as articles deal­ more. In French, in Nov. '88 , Lutte Canada and among fighters for social justice ing with the devastating impact of the foreign ouvriere, $2 each. (Free for prisoners. En­ in Haiti and in African countries such as debt on workers and peasants in the Third glish-language edition only has new preface.) Burkina Faso and Senegal. World. Interest is also reflected in growing sales "Funds are needed to continue to publish Pathfinder, 410 West St. , New York, and subscriptions to Lutte ouvriere in the the magazine and to contribute to the cost of N.Y. 10014. moving Lutte ouvriere's offices to a more Haitian communities and others who read Send_ 100 _ 50_ 1Q. _ _ _ _ French in cities acroSs the United States and central location in Montreal," explained its elsewhere. editor Michel Prairie. How many in English?_ Span ish? __ Lutte ouvriere, published in Montreal, car- Lutte ouvriere is an essential tool for those French? ______who fight for social justice and whose first Enclose·d is$ ______language is French, said Prairie. "Whether Name ______'Militant' Prisoner Fund you read French or not, though, you will want The Militant's special prisone r fund to make a contribution to this magazine," he Address ______makes it possible to send reduced-rate added "so that it can continue to report the City State. _ _ _ _ subscriptions to prisone rs who need truth about the struggle of working people help paying for the pape r. Please send around the world." Zip/Postal Code ______your contribution to: Militant Prisone r Send checks to Lutte ouvriere, C.P. 280, Country ______Subscription Fund, 410 West St., New succ. de Lorimier, Montreal, Quebec. H2H York, N.Y. 10014. 2N7.

6 The Militant June 9,1989 Meeting in Boston celebrates life of communist activist BY JON HILLSON face the physical roadblocks imposed by he­ BOSTON - The accomplishments and Cahalane was a mophilia and the consequences of the AIDS example of a conscious political life were virus he had contracted. celebrated by a standing-room-only gather­ "footloose rebel" "Dave was a victim of a form of genocide ing of friends, family, and political collabora­ ready to meet new for profit by the owners of big U.S. compa­ tors of Dave Cahalane on May 19. nies that trade in blood products," Warren They filled the Pathfinder Bookstore on challenges anywhere. said. Massachusetts Avenue. The bookstore's rec­ Concentrated blood clotting factors dis­ ognition by area activists as a center for rev­ covered in 1965 were made widely available olutionary literature and political discussion leap from $4,000 to $10,000 in the Boston to hemophiliacs by the early 1970s. This les­ was in part a fruit of Cahalane's labor. bookstore's yearly sales. sened permanent joint damage, enabling A member of the Socialist Workers Party In tribute to this example, the gathering more physical activity, as well as increasing since 1973, Cahalane died on May 3 after a responded to an appeal by Meyers, raising the number of years that hemophiliacs could long fight against AIDS. He contracted the more than $1,000 to help sustain Pathfinder expect to live, Warren noted. But the blood virus from blood transfusions required in the Press. merchants refused to test their products as treatment of hemophilia, from which he suf­ Mac Warren, the SWP's national organiza­ more of country's blood supply became con­ tion secretary, discussed Cahalane 's contri­ fered. He was 33 years old. taminated with the AIDS virus. . Militant An activist in the movement against the butions to building a communist organization It was not until 1985 that standardized in the context of the SWP's history, particu­ Dave Cahalane, who joined the socialist Vietnam War at Belmont High School in blood testing was adopted. And even then the movement in 1973. suburban Boston, he "awoke to politics" in larly the fight for school desegregation in blood banks for profit and Red Cross blood the fight against U.S. intervention in South­ Boston. banks were allowed to keep their existing east Asia, Boston SWP leader Russell Davis The big combat challenges to the party, and products on the market until they were used for example, of the big fight being waged by told the meeting. Davis, at the time a Newton its conduct in that fight, contributed to the up. But by then, evidence showed that up to Eastern Airlines workers against union-bust­ High School antiwar fighter, worked with development of members capable of taking 90 percent of hemophiliacs considered to ing concessions demands. Cahalane in the Young Socialist Alliance in on general leadership responsibilities in the have severe cases - about half the total "In a certain sense," Warren noted, refer­ Boston. party, including a layer of fighters who are number - had been exposed to the AIDS ring to the Eastern strike, "we face the same Cahalane joined the YSA in the summer of Black and had been recruited, educated, and virus, Warren explained. challenge we confronted in 1974, '75, and '76 1973 after graduating from high school and assimilated in the SWP in the fight to deseg­ According to 1988 figures, of the esti­ in Boston and throughout the country" in soon after joined the Socialist Workers Party. regate Boston's schools, Warren said. mated 15,000 hemophiliacs living in the winning support for Boston's embattled He was the youngest of four brothers; the In this sense, Cahalane, and others like United States, 652 had AIDS, Warren said, Black community. others had previously made the same decision. him, Warren said, "played a decisive role in and 386 had died. Among them was "We're now challenged to respond to a the fight for the transformation of the Social­ Cahalane 's brother John, who died in 1988. fight, to meet new forces, new fighters, layers School desegregation ist Workers Party. of which can and will decide," Warren ex­ As a student at the University of Massa­ "Dave embraced this fight, and as a result These grim statistics, he noted, are an "in­ plained, "what they think about us, our orga­ chusetts in Boston and a political activist, of embracing it, as result of going into this dictment of 'medicine for profit' as practiced nization, on the basis of how we conduct Cahalane participated in the fight to defend fight, he transformed himself, we trans­ in the capitalist world" and Cahalane "never ourselves in relationship to this battle." court-ordered desegregation in the Boston formed ourselves, and in the process we forgot this, never lost sight of this and what it As in the busing struggle, our goal, he said, school system, which erupted in the fall of transformed our organization. meant." should be to "convince these strikers of what He never "lost his world view, never con­ 1974. The struggle continued for two years "Seeing how those members responded, Dave and others did back then: that we live until Black community-led-mobilizations how the membership in general responded to centrated on AIDS as his problem, but under­ for the challenge of going into combat in forced city rulers to enforce busing to achieve a fight, how it became a part of it and didn't stood it and its solution as part of a worldwide defense of working people here and around struggle of which he was a conscious, integral an integrated school system. run from it," Warren explained, "meant we the world." Cahalane was a "footloose rebel," Betsy could build a different kind of organization in part." This will convince some of these working­ this country." class fighters to join the SWP and Young Soares, Socialist Workers Party candidate for Eastern Airlines strike Boston School Committee, told the meeting. Socialist Alliance. Genocide for profit Despite the increasing debilitation caused He was ready to meet new challenges in other Those who do so, Warren said, will have cities. It was this conscious axis of his function­ by the disease, ,Cahalane continued to closely the same "response Dave did: you will never, His party-building commitment took him ing, Warren said, that enabled Cahalane to follow political developments. He kept track, ever regret the decision." to St. Louis, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Portland, and back to Boston. He fulfilled a wide range of responsibilities in these SWP units. Caha­ lane served on branch executive committees, Filipino unionist urges solidarity devoted himself to organizing socialist edu­ cational programs, and paid particular atten­ Continued from front page This repression is "more blatant now," Or­ tion to both winning young fighters to the seems there is a "growing militancy in the 42 to 45 percent of the taliz said, "with the formation of so many YSA and talking politics with them once they trade unions here, especially among the vigilante groups. People are arrested ille­ had joined. rank and file," he said. "And it is not con­ national budget goes to gally, detained, and tortured. Some just in­ Boston YSA member Elizabeth Kealy ex­ fined to strikers such as those I have been voluntarily disappear. Some are 'salvaged' plained how Cahalane showed interest in her pay the foreign debt. able to speak with." [summarily executed]. This is escalating. It "own political experience and interests" is ironic that some of those, such as "The basic issue confronting workers in when she first came in contact with the SWP Rolando Olalia,late chairman of the KMU, the Philippines today is wages," Ortaliz ex­ erations in the Philippines are united and YSA in 1988. "He conveyed his confi­ and other leaders of people's organizations plained. "As you know, wages in the Phil­ around this demand," Ortaliz said. dence in my ability as a political person to who survived the repression during Marcos ippines are very low. This is imposed by the grasp the ideas he introduced to me," she said, have been killed during the so-called dem­ IMF [International Monetary Fund] and particularly the literature sold in the party's Minimum wage not enforced ocratic government of Aquino." bookstore. World Bank as a result of the huge loans As it is, Ortaliz estimated that "from 75 borrowed by the government," he contin­ Drive and initiative to 85 percent of businesses in the Philip­ Fight at Atlas copper mine ued. The Philippine foreign debt now pines do not even implement the so-called One of the most protracted and bitter Physical limitations imposed by his dis­ stands at $28.5 billion. minimum wage. The minimum wage for labor battles fought in the Philippines in ease made it impossible for Cahalane to join industrial workers is about $3.30, and for According to Rigoberto Tiglao, writing recent years took place at the Atlas copper hundreds of members of his generation in the agricultural workers, $2.20," Ortaliz ex­ in the May 4 Far Eastern Economic Re­ mine on the island of Cebu. About 10,000 SWP as they began to get jobs in basic indus­ plained. "But the official poverty threshold view, "Low wage rates remain the main workers are employed at the mine, which try in the late 1970s, taking advantage of new for an average Filipino family of six is attraction for foreign investors in the Phil­ for 22 years had been organized by a local opportunities for political activity in the in­ about $8 per day. So the minimum wage is ippines. Tiglao reported the results of a union connected with the Trade Union dustrial working class. a starvation wage," he concluded. But these limitations failed to dampen Swiss bank's survey on comparative wages Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), a pro­ Cahalane's drive and initiative. of construction workers in Southeast Asia, Other impositions of the IMF and World Marcos union federation. A written greeting from Phoenix SWP which found that "last year estimated an­ Bank are also hitting Filipino working peo­ Ortaliz explained that four years ago the leader Danny Booher explained how Caha­ nual gross salaries in Manila for construc­ ple hard, Ortaliz explained. "The latest is KMU won a certification election, and lane ensured that regular midnight shift plant­ tion workers [were] US$1,000, compared the increase in the price of rice, the staple things began to change. gate sales of the socialist press were a main­ with Singapore, US$8,100; Bangkok, food of Filipinos," he explained, along with "Because of the changes made by the stay of the Indianapolis branch, in which they US$2,600; Hong Kong, US$13,900; and "increases in the price of energy, light and KMU, the management wanted to ease out were both members. Kuala Lumpur, US$5,100." water, transportation, and oil, plus new tax­ the new union, leading up to a new certifi­ Portland SWP leader Janet Post noted in a ation and possible devaluation of the peso. The KMU is presently campaigning for cation election held last March," he said. message how Cahalane set a similar example So that even if the government gives the an increase in the minimum wage. The last "In the process of the election campaign, II with such participation in textile mill sales $1.50 increase we demand, by next month rise in the minimum wage was in Novem­ members of the Atlas mines were killed by teams. it will be eaten up by the soaring prices of ber 1987. "The present minimum wage is vigilantes. The management, in connivance In Boston, he helped "turn our bookstore basic commodities." about $3.37 per day. The workers are now with the TUCP and the city government, outward," SWP candidate Soares noted. "If Ortaliz pointed out that from 42 to 45 demanding an increase of about $1.50 per formed a union composed of vigilantes," he saw someone standing outside the book­ percent of the Philippine national budget is day," Ortaliz said. "The government's an­ Ortaliz continued, who claimed the election store window looking in, he'd open the door, being used to service the foreign debt. "So swer has varied," he continued. "Some was "no longer about purely union matters, invite them in, talk with them, not just have what kind of recovery can we have?" he have said they are amenable to a 20-peso but between communism and the so-called them 'browse."' asked. "The KMU has been calling for the [US$1] increase in Metro Manila and a I 0- democratic forces." repudiation of all these onerous loans from peso [US$.50] across-the-board increase in Leap in sales the IMF and World Bank since before the Despite this, the KMU won a resounding the regions and provinces. This is a kind of Cahalane was confident that the ideas in overthrow of President Marcos and now victory in the March 21 vote. "But only two wage regionalization that would again di­ the books sold there would reach a wider with the Aquino government," Ortaliz said. weeks after the election," Ortaliz reported, vide the labor movement in the country." audience. National Pathfinder Press repre­ The KMU leader expressed his fear that "another two leaders were killed by the vig­ sentative Helen Meyers told the gathering "If the demand for a 30-peso across-the­ the recently signed Labor Code, Republic ilantes. So the Atlas workers won the battle that as part of a team that put a lot of time into board increase is not met, there will be a Act 6715, would further increase repres­ - for the recognition of the union - but the bookstore, Cahalane played a role in the nationwide strike on June I. All labor fed- sion against trade unions in the Philippines. have not yet won the war," he concluded.

June 9,1989 The Militant 7 Washington's Third World debt plan an empty promise

BY LARRY SEIGLE MANAGUA, Nicaragua-Three months Chains of after the Bush administration's so-called debt reduction plan for the Third World was un­ debt-slavery veiled, the ballyhoo surrounding it has died down and what remains is the hard reality: the tighter than ever. chains of debt-slavery are tighter than ever. The plan was announced March 10 by Some of these debt conversion schemes Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas Brady. It have already begun to appear in Latin Ainer­ was widely presented in the U.S. capitalist ica. For example, several years ago, the Mex­ press as a significant shift in policy. ican government began "privatizing" govern­ Those who hailed the scheme hoped it ment-owned businesses and selling them to would help defuse mounting pressure among foreign banks in return for a reduction in working people for united action by Latin outstanding loans. Because of public opposi­ American and Caribbean governments tion, the practice was halted in 1987, at least against the debt. But as details of the Baker officially. plan have emerged, even its supporters have However the imperialist bankers are put­ had to concede how little the imperialist pow­ ting heavy pressure on the government to ers are really offering in terms of debt reduc­ reinstitute it. This, in fact, is one of the de­ tion. mands of the bankers in the negotiations now "Perhaps most disturbing to officials of the under way with the Mexican government debtor countries," wrote a New York Times over a new package of loans. correspondent from Washington April 9, "is The Mexican government has also used that once the oratory is stripped away, the some of its currency reserves to buy back its amount of debt relief apparently being con­ own debt on the secondary market. templated ... does not appear to be nearly enough to have any impact on the problem." With such steps, Mexico was able to re­ duce its foreign debt by about $5 billion in Meeting early in April, the International 1988. Several other Latin American countries Child playing in Brazil. Children are chief victims of decline in spending for health Monetary Fund and the World Bank said they and education, and of growing malnutrition in Latin American and Caribbean took similar measures. Brazil's total foreign would make $25 billion available over a debt dropped by nearly $7 billion. Chile and countries. three-year period worldwide to support the Bolivia also reduced their total debt. Baker plan. But this amounts to less than 2 In fact, taking Latin America and the for most products, this meant a jump of al­ This is translated by the local capitalist percent of the total debt of $1.3 trillion owed Caribbean as a whole, the total foreign debt most 15 percent in the total value of goods governments and employers into falling real by the countries of the Third World to impe­ fell from $410 billion in 1987 to $401 billion exported. income for workers and peasants, and sharp rialist banks and governments. in 1988, according to the United Nations But the increased earnings from exports reductions in social services such as educa­ Ensuring banks' profits Economic Commission for Latin America didn't lead to any increased investment. In­ tion and health care. It also means the spread­ and the Caribbean. stead, as the United Nations Economic Com­ ing of environmental disasters and increas­ Moreover, the $25 billion will be allocated mission for Latin America and the Caribbean ingly dangerous and unhealthy working in ways that will do more to guarantee the Payments on debt increase _ put it, 'The bulk of it was used to finance the conditions on farms and in factories. But this small reduction in the total amount increase in the transfer of resources out of the owed to the imperialist banks and govern­ region." Worldwide increase in malnutrition Semicolonial countries ments did not mean an easing of the actual The net outflow of capital from the region On a world scale, this intensifying exploi­ pressed to put own assets debt burden. In fact, last ye~.'s payments on to the imperialist ruling families in 1988 was tation is exacting a horrifying toll. According the debt actually increased''by 10 percent $28:9 billion, up 7 4 percent over the previous to a 1989 report by UNICEF, a United Na- · on auction block. compared to 1987. year. This is one of the highest totals since the tions agency, "In many countries for which This jump was due primarily to the rise in outbreak of the debt crisis in 1982. data are available there has been an increase interest rates. According to the World Bank, Before 1982 there was a net inflow of in malnutrition among children." Average continued profits of commercial banks in the every increase of 1 percent in interest rates in capital into Latin America and the Caribbean. weight in relation to age, a basic indicator of United States and elsewhere than to benefit the United States means adding $3.4 billion a child's healthy growth, has been declining the debtor countries. to Latin America's debt burden. in many countries. One facet of the Brady plan is to encourage The case of Mexico offers an illustration of Increase in And in the 37 poorest countries, according Third World countries to buy back some of what this represents. Despite the reduction in to UNICEF, "spending per head on health has their debts in the so-called secondary market, the country's total foreign debt in 1988, pay­ malnutrition been reduced by 50 percent, and on education where risky loans are bought and sold at a ment for debt service grew as a percentage of among children. by 25 percent, over the last few years." discount. This means direct hard currency the country's gross national product, rising The overall picture, according to the re­ transfers from the debtor countries to the from 5.5 percent in 1987 to 6.4 percent in port, is one of"spreading hardship and human banks, often to be fmanced by new loans. 1988. That is, more money arrived in the form of misery on a scale and of a severity unprece­ In addition, the plan envisions Third World In other words, using the mechanism of the loans and investments from North America, dented in the post-war era." countries issuing secured government bonds debt, the imperialists collected in tribute a Europe, and Japan than was taken out as Debt-slavery to "swap" for their debts. There is also to be higher percentage of the value produced by profits and debt service. conversion of old loans into new ones at a Mexico's toilers than they had the year be­ But since 1982 there has been a net outflow The defenders of the current international discount, with payment on the new debts to fore. of capital every year. The total over seven economic order speak about the Third World be guaranteed in various ways. years is $179 billion, equalling 45 percent of debt as though in itself the debt is a thing Another mechanism favored by the plan is Increase in exports the region's total current debt. possessing some power that society must re­ the trading of loans for shares of corporations Last year also saw an increase in exports In 1988 the net capital outflow from Latin spond to. But the debt is not a thing, it is in the debtor countries. This will give the from Latin America and the Caribbean. But America and the Caribbean was the equiva­ simply a reflection of current social relation­ imperialist banks part or complete ownership the increased earnings were grabbed up by lent of 24 percent of all exports of goods and ships between classes, including classes in of profitable businesses, many of them for­ the imperialists in the form of more interest services of the region. In 1987, the corre­ different countries. merly government-owned. Thus, the semico­ payments and more profits taken out of the SPonding figure was 15 percent. In a similar way, defenders of chattel slav­ lonial countries are being pressed to put their region. What these figures add up to is an intensi­ ery in the United States saw the slaveowners' own assets on the auction block, turning over Overall, the volume of Latin American and fication of the rate of exploitation of Latin property rights as an objective thing with even more of their resources to direct control Caribbean exports grew by 10 percent com­ America and the Caribbean by the ruling power that had to be acknowledged. But the by foreign capital. pared to 1987. Combined with higher prices families in the imperialist countries. right to own another human being simply reflected contemporary social relations - relations that, it should be added, were bound to be transformed. UNICEF development index ranks Cuba first In the course of the U.S. Civil War, these property rights vanished as new relations be­ MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Socialist which makes statistics such as per capita in­ expectancy, it is necessary for the majority of tween social classes were established. Cuba ranks first among all the countries of come unreliable indicators of social reality. the population to benefit from social ad­ The 19th century struggle to abolish chattel Latin America and the Caribbean in an index Where there are big class differentiations, vances that make such changes possible." slavery in the United States drew on the par­ that most accurately represents overall eco­ figures showing average income conceal Cuba heads the countries of Latin America ticipation of the most clear-sighted working nomic and social development, according to rather than illuminate the reality. They lump and the Caribbean, with 98.1 percent of all people in North America and internationally. UNICEF, a United Nations agency. together the income of a handful of very live births surviving to the age of five. It is They entered the battle because justice de­ The scale chosen by UNICEF as "the best wealthy with the earnings of the great major­ followed by Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Trini­ manded it, and because their own class inter­ single indicator" of a country's overall devel­ ity of workers and peasants. The result is that dad and Tobago. ests required it. opment is the mortality rate for children under the "average income" is substantially higher Bolivia is at the bottom of the scale, with The debt-slavery of the Third World poses five years of age. According to the agency's than most people earn. only 82.4 percent of all infants born alive a similar challenge today. The fight must be report on "The State of the World's Children, But, UNICEF's report points out, "while reaching the age of five. Next to the bottom joined to transform the relations that perpet­ 1989," this statistic "measures directly the some people can have an income a thousand are Haiti, Peru, and Honduras. uate the enchainment of the semicolonial health of mothers and children, and reflects times higher than others, nature does not per­ Taking the Third World as a whole, Cuba world by a handful of capitalist families in the other factors such as income and availability mit them to live a thousand times longer or ranks second, behind Singapore. imperialist countries. of food, access to drinkable water, effective their children to enjoy a life expectancy a In addition, Cuba is one of the top 10 sewage disposal, literacy levels, and social thousand times higher. countries in the world - including the The future of the struggle of the toilers in services." "Therefore, in order to achieve a signifi­ advanced capitalist countries - in the the imperialist countries as well as in the In addition, according to UNICEF, this cant decline in the mortality rate for children rate of improvement in this index since semicolonial world depends on it. index avoids the "fallacy of the average," under five or an increase in the average life 1960. - L.S. And justice demands it.

8 The Militant June 9,1989 'Resistance Conspiracy' case to go to trial Interview with Marilyn Buck, one of six defendants in D.C. jail

BY KATHRYN CROWDER double jeopardy. In 1981 Buck was targeted by the FBI for would start coming to our cells anyway. Even AND NANCY BROWN For the past year the defendants have been her alleged role in a Brink's armored car if it was just to say, 'Who are you? Why are WASHINGTON, D.C.-Six political ac­ held in the D.C. Detention Facility. robbery. She was arrested in 1985, denied they doing this to you?'" tivists are scheduled to· go on trial here this In March, the Militant spoke with Marilyn bail, and in 1987 was tried and convicted 'They tried to inspire fear on the prisoner year. The six - Alan Berkman, Timothy Buck. Although the defendants fought for and along with Mutulu Shakur. She is now serv­ level," Buck said. "We couldn't come out Blunk, Marilyn Buck, Linda Evans, Susan won the right to visitors, including the press, ing sentences totaling 70 years in prison. when anyone else was out, and when we did," Rosenberg, and Laura Whitehorn - are it took the Militant more than three weeks to When Buck and the other defendants ar­ she said, "we were chained and shackled." known as the "Resistance Conspiracy Case" be allowed inside the prison. rived at the D.C. jail they were put under In November prison officials were finally defendants. These activists are in prison for Buck has been a political activist since "special handling." They were in lockdown forced to do away with some of the restric­ their political views and activities. tions. On May II, 1988, they were indicted on "The jail officials then created the category conspiracy charges by the U.S. government. of 'modified special handling,"' explained They are accused of bombing the U.S. Capi­ Buck. "We're no longer under 23 and a half tol and other military buildings in 1983 fol­ hours lockdown, but we can't go anywhere lowing the U.S. invasion of Grenada. off our unit. We still haven't been outside for According to Mary O'Melveny, attorney nearly a year. I don't know if it's sunny or for Susan Rosenberg, "The government does snowing, or if there's a hurricane. I don't not know who carried out the bombings and know if it's day or night." has no evidence that any of the six were Buck gets only eight hours' visiting time directly involved in them." each month. She continued, "We can't go off the units 'Preventive detention' except for legal meetings and social visits. So Five of the six defendants are already serv­ even if anyone wanted to go to church, you ing long prison terms on previous charges. can't go to church. You can't go to the law They were brought to Washington from var­ library. We can't see each other except at our ious prisons around the country following the legal meetings." indictment. The sixth defendant, Laura Whitehorn, has been incarcerated for four Right to work years awaiting trial. She has been convicted For months the defendants were denied the of no crime, but continues to be held under right to work. "preventive detention," without bail. "I finally got a job washing women's In the federal courtroom where the six will clothes two week ago," Buck told us. "I go on trial, the government has erected a fought for it. Part of the reason is that I like to three-inch-thick bulletproof wall to separate work. I think that part of being in prison is to the defendants from supporters and friends. really demean a person's labor. A lot of the Surveillance cameras have been installed on isolation is about lack of productivity. The the walls to record actions of defendants and thing I've really understood about being in a visitors in the court. situation like this is that part of our social value and also part of our own self-esteem During the pretrial hearings, which began comes from our level of productivity and in March, visitors passed through metal de­ socialization within society." tectors and were searched twice. Inside the Work details include laundry, painting, courtroom, nine federal marshals sat inside cleaning, and secretarial work for the admin­ the Plexiglas wall. Other government agents Marilyn Buck. She is already serving a 70-year sentence. istration. sat on the other side of the wall. "It's all extremely exploitative," Buck The Washington Area Committee for Po­ 1967. She has been a participant in women's for 23 and a half hours each day. said. "It's ll cents an hour." litical Prisoners Rights, which is organizing rights struggles, and in solidarity with the Before the defendants' arrival, prison offi­ Curtis frame-up and humatn .rights support for the Resistance Conspiracy defen­ Vi~tnamese revolution, Palestinian struggle, cials tried to insure their isolation by telling dants, has built picket lines and meetings to and the fight to overthrow the shah of Iran. other prisoners the six were "terrorists." Buck talked about her support for Mark protest the bulletproof wall and cameras as She was a leader of Students for a Democratic "One story," Buck explained, "was that we Curtis, the packinghouse worker and political "prejudicial." Society (SDS), and coeditor of their newspa­ were here for plotting to assassinate Jesse activist who was convicted on phony rape and In April, Judge Harold Greene ruled that per, New Left Notes, when she was 20. Jackson. Another was that we were Ku Klux burglary charges in Iowa. She's been follow­ the wall and cameras would stay. Because of her support to the struggle of Klan people." ing the case in the Militant. In the pretrial hearings, the defense attor­ Blacks fighting for their liberation, Buck be­ More than 95 percent of the prisoners at the "I definitely have been supporting him," neys argued against the government's attempt came a target of the FBI's Counterintelli­ jail are Black. The six defendants are white. Buck told us. "I've written several letters to to use evidence from earlier trials of three gence Program (COINTELPRO) in the "The reaction of the prisoners was differ­ the support committee. Because I'm a politi­ defendants to convict them again. Last 1970s. In 1973 she was arrested and con­ ent than what the government wanted," ex­ cal prisoner, I want to talk with him." month, Judge Greene dismissed the charges victed of buying two boxes of ammunition plained Buck. Even though "they ordered "I'm outraged," she continued. "It's clear against Berkman, Blunk, and Rosenberg, with false identification. She was sentenced people not to come around because they from just looking at his history that he's a real stating that to try them with the same evi­ to I 0 years in prison - the longest sentence would get a disciplinary report and they dedicated comrade and someone to be con­ dence used to convict them earlier would be ever given for such an offense at that time. would go to the hole for 14 days, prisoners tended with. It's part of the political repres­ sion that they have to target some people to scare other people away from doing the same types of things. "The issue of immigration and the whole Coal output slowed by miners' strike attack on the so-called illegal immigrants and undocumented workers is bad right now. BY MAGGIE McCRAW hit and injured picketers. He pointed to one been running a series of major ads in news­ "I think international conditions are chang­ CHARLESTON, W.Va. -The eight­ case where 21 miners are charged with papers of the coalfields area. ing, to be able to focus on human rights and, week-old strike by the United Mine Workers "conspiracy to throw one rock" and have One set accuses the union of violating a of course, political prisoners," Buck said. has cut Pittston Coal Group's production by had high bonds set. sweeping federal injunction issued after the "Although the United States is still strong­ 60 percent, the May 27 Charleston Gazette Under pressure to fill orders for coal, UMWA's 1984-85 selective strike against man, king of the mountain, in terms of power reported. Some I,700 miners are on strike at Pittston has stepped up its legal assault and A. T. Massey Coal Co. worldwide, it is eroding." Pittston's Virginia and West Virginia mines. slander campaign against the union. She talked about how differently these Demand for coal is higher than last year, This injunction orders the United Mine questions are approached in Cuba. and Pittston President Michael Odom ad­ On May 16 a federaljudgefined the union Workers to refrain from "mass picketing "Look at the fact that Cuba would let peo­ mits the strike is preventing the company $218,000 for contempt of an injunction lim­ which is coercive," to refrain from blocking ple from this country go look at the prisons from getting its share of the expanding mar­ iting the number of pickets at Pittston's Vir­ entry to mines, or threatening employees of there, but [the U.S. government] wouldn't ket. ginia mines. The company's attorneys had Massey. The terms of the injunction also allow the Cuban people to come look at the Mass picket lines in Virginia and West asked the judge to fine the union $1 22 mil­ apply to any other coal industry employer prisons here. Cuba has released some of their Virginia are continuing. Hundreds of min­ lion (the amount in the union's selective involved in a labor dispute in the states of political prisoners. They don't talk about po­ West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. ers, standing shoulder to shoulder, have kept strike fund), and to jail union officials. litical prisoners here." It holds local, district, and international scabs and coal trucks out of Pittston's West Mine Workers spokesman Joseph Corco­ In Cuba, she added, "you don't have peo­ Virginia mines in Slab Fork Hollow. Be­ union officials responsible for enforcing the ple rising up. Nobody is homeless. People go ran said the judge refused to jail union rep­ injunction. cause both the pickets and the trucks are on resentatives and limited the fines because he to school. The youth of Cuba are much better private CSX railroad property - and the felt the union had been sincere in its efforts Some of the ads accuse miners of stoning educated than us. Cubans are educated with railroad hasn't objected - there have been to discourage violence. The union is consid­ coal trucks, arson, using gunfire, death more of a world view. no arrests there so far. ering appealing the fines. threats, endangering the life of a pregnant "I love Cuba. I love the Cuban people," However, in southwest Virginia, 200 woman, and use of explosives. Buck said. "They are such an amazing coun­ miners were arrested on May 18 and May Pittston also filed suit in West Virginia to Other ads try to portray Pittston as a try, such a small country. They have been able 26. They were charged with obstructing ve­ have the union held in contempt of an earlier civic-minded, prounion company that is of­ to live the politics, to put the theory into hicles. injunction that ordered pickets to stop fering a better contract than other coal op­ practice and not just say that everything is Special prosecutors in Virginia have blocking mine entrances at Slab Fork Hol­ erators. great in Cuba. There are problems I'm sure, begun hearings on the cases of more than low. Pittston is demanding that miners be On May 21 the United Mine Workers but the fact of the constant struggle forward 2,000 miners arrested earlier. Thirty cases arrested and removed from that picket line, sponsored a full-page ad in the Charleston and being internationalist is so important. To were dismissed on May 23 for lack of evi­ despite CSX's position allowing them on Gazette. It was signed by 90 prominent re­ me it's the future of the world, the kind of dence. railroad property. The hearings in this case ligious leaders in the Greenwich, Connect­ internationalism the Cuban people have." UMWA attorney Frank Kilgore told the are continuing. icut, area, where Pittston is headquartered. For more information on the case and how press that while massive numbers of war­ UMWA officials in both states say union The ad supports the miners' effort to gain a to contact the defendants, write: Washington rants have been issued against miners, the members will continue to peacefully block fair contract, points to the company's record Area Committee for Political Prisoners union has had a difficult time bringing coal from moving, despite court rulings. earnings, and calls on Pittston to "act Rights, P.O. Box 28191, Washington, D.C. charges against scab coal haulers who have For more than two weeks, Pittston has justly". 20038-8191.

June 9, 1989, The Militant 9 Decades of struggle led to victory of Chinese revolution

BY FRED FELDMAN world. Famines and epidemics of cholera party was Mao Tse-tung. (First of a series) and other diseases periodically took a At the end of World War II, shortly after The current upheaval in China takes heavy toll in lives. Democratic rights were the Japanese defeat, the rebel forces had place in a country that was transformed denied to all sectors of the population. seized areas of the Chinese countryside en­ several decades ago by one of the most Women were doubly oppressed, toiling compassing nearly 150 million people. The profound social revolutions in human his­ in silk production, processing grain, carry­ CP regime in these areas gained support by tory. ing fuel and water, and performing house­ advocating and implementing measures Beginning with the opening stages of hold tasks. As children, they could be that reflected many of the aspirations of World War II and extending into the mid- bought and sold as prostitutes or concu­ peasants, workers, students, and others op­ 1950s, Chinese workers and peasants bines. Among the upper classes, women's posed to Chiang. feet were often bound so as to deform them Mao and other leaders (who included -supposedly for beautification but actu­ Deng Xiaoping, the current leader of the ally as a symbol of subjugation. government) sought first of all, however, to BEHIND CRISIS guard the interests of an increasingly privi­ According to a 1927 survey, 30 percent leged stratum in the governing bureau­ of the rural population owned no land, and cracy, a stratum that included the hierarchy IN CHINA another 25 percent held title to only part of Chinese peasants burn the land deeds of of both the party and the army. their land. They were required to pay up to former landlords during agrarian reform After the breakdown of efforts to reach waged battles that toppled the dictatorship half of their crop as rent. More than 20 in 1951. agreement with Chiang on a coalition be­ of Chiang Kai-shek, ended imperialist percent owned land, but held less than 1. 7 tween Chiang's forces and those led by domination, abolished landlordism, estab­ acres. A 1936 survey found that those own­ lished a unified national state, and over­ Mao, full-scale civil war broke out in 1947 . . talist cliques, and army warlords was bro­ ing 1. 7 acres or less had increased to 60 ken. For the first time, China had a central­ turned capitalist property relations. percent of the population. About 20 million To win broader support, the CP-led In 1949, when the Chinese Communist ized, national government that was lived as vagabonds, with no fixed dwelling forces had begun in 1946 to undertake independent of the imperialists and based Party and its peasant-based army came to place. large-scale redistribution to the peasants of on the support of the oppressed and ex­ power, China was a country of some 450 The emperor had been overturned and a land held by relatively big landowners in million people. (There are 1.1 billion now.) ploited. republic established in 1911, but competing liberated areas. During the next three years, The U.S. government and other imperial­ More than 85 percent lived in rural areas, warlords linked to imperialist powers es­ 178 million peasants obtained land. ist powers reacted with fierce hostility to with the overwhelming majority barely tablished their power in various regions of This, combined with mounting outrage eking out a living as peasants and agricul­ the 1949 revolution. the country. A big revolutionary upheaval against imperialist domination and the Washington withdrew all diplomatic tural workers. of workers and peasants took place from Chiang regime's corruption and repression, personnel from China in January 1950 and, For many centuries, the country had 1925 to 1927, but was defeated, and the fueled a revolutionary upsurge. until 1979, recognized Chiang's forces as been ruled by a semifeudal landed aristoc­ dictatorship of Chiang Kai-shek was estab­ At the end of World War II, Washington the government. Chiang's forces had fled to racy that was thoroughly intertwined with lished. had landed 50,000 troops in China to help the island of Taiwan. Chiang's regime con­ the military-bureaucratic machine headed In 1931 the Japanese imperialists in­ prop up Chiang. But when U.S. soldiers tinued to represent China in the United Na­ by the emperor. vaded. They set up a puppet regime in began being shifted to Asia from Europe tions General Assembly and Security Manchuria under the former emperor. In instead of being demobilized, protests Council until 1971. Plundered peasantry 1937 they launched a drive to seize the broke out among the Gls and spread When war broke out between North and In a series of wars in the 19th century, whole country. throughout the forces in Europe and Asia. South Korea in 1950, the United States, China was virtually stripped of its indepen­ Chiang Kai-shek's regime put up inef­ Washington was forced to send them home, Britain, and other imperialist powers sent dence by Britain, Japan, the United States, fective resistance to the Japanese drive to and intervention in China on a larger scale troops to attack North Korea, which was Germany, and other imperialist powers. colonize China. He initially prohibited anti­ was blocked. In 1946, the U.S. government allied to China. The U.S. 7th Fleet was sent Capitalist exploitation became intertwined Japanese demonstrations and sought peace sent a team of military advisors to try to to the Taiwan Straits, and Congress barred with traditional forms, a brutally exploited with the occupiers, insisting that the first salvage Chiang's regime. all trade with China. industrial working class began to emerge in priority had to be wiping out rebel peasant The CP-led army, however, defeated As U.S.-led forces pressed toward the cities such as Shanghai, and the conditions armies that operated in parts of the country­ Chiang and won control of the major cities. Chinese border, Chinese troops poured into of the peasants deteriorated further. side led by the Communist Party. In October 1949, the People's Republic of Korea, forcing U.S. .and allied forces tore­ Peasants were plundered by the imperial­ · ~ . China was proclaimed, with Beijing as the treat. A stalemate ensued, and Washington ists, local capitalists, landlords, merchants, War and civil war capital. had to accept a truce along the 38th paral­ marauding warlords, and tax collectors and The national resistance to the Japanese lel, the former demarcation line between other government bureaucrats. imperialists was spearheaded by the peas­ Social revolution the two parts of Korea. The mass of peasants lived in hunger, ant-based army that was forged by the The political and military machine that The imperialist assault heightened pres­ illiteracy, and isolation from the rest of the Communist Party. The central leader of the had represented the landlords, corrupt capi- sures on the Mao government to institute further social changes. A sweeping agrar­ ian reform continued, eradicating landlord­ ism throughout the Chinese countryside. China gov't begins to arrest protesters In the later stages of the Korean War, as the Chinese capitalists attempted to sabo­ Continued from front page Washington Post, Zhao's allies in the party as well as allowing more space for political tage the economy, the regime expropriated motorcycle club, who had played a role in "began actively joining the demonstrations, dissent. them. The great bulk of industry, banking, informing the protest leaders in the square presumably with Zhao's explicit support." The wing of the party machine headed by and commerce was nationalized, and a about troop movements and other develop­ Li and Deng were reported to have ob­ Deng and Li has now reportedly drawn up planned economy was established. ments in the city. tained majorities in meetings of the party charges against General Secretary Zhao in The government also seized on the Political Bureau and a Central Working Con­ preparation for ousting him from his post. Big advances students' installation on the square of a 27- ference of I 00 party officials. According to these accounts, he has refused This social transformation made possible foot statue modeled on the U.S. Statue of Radio Beijing carried a message from the to resign. other important advances. Expanded medi­ Liberty as a pretext for stepping up a counter­ army high command May 25 denouncing a cal care largely wiped out diphtheria, tuber­ The charges are said to include that he offensive. The protesters named the statue the "small group of people" for creating "chaos." culosis, polio, tetanus, and other diseases headed an "antiparty clique," incited the stu­ "Goddess of Democracy and Freedom." The message called on soldiers to follow the that had been rampant in the past. (In 1948, dent demonstrations, was the top corrupt of­ A government radio announcer declared orders of the military commission headed by a total of 18 percent of the students at one ficial in the country, fostered splits in the May 30 that the statue was "an insult to our Deng. Beijing university were suffering from tu­ military, and released national secrets by re­ national dignity." On May 25 the state radio claimed that 27 berculosis.) out of 30 provincial governments had given vealing that the Central Committee had voted The percentage of children receiving pri­ On May 31 backers of the government of to consult Deng on all important questions. their support to martial law. mary schooling grew from 22.5 percent to Premier Li Peng staged a counterdemonstra­ Up to 200,000 troops are now reported to A May 28 dispatch in the New York Times 60 percent between 1950 and 1958. Illiter­ tion in Beijing supporting the authorities - be on the outskirts of Beijing. quoted from a copy of a speech said to have acy was sharply reduced. the first such demonstration in the capital The Supreme People's Court, the top judi­ been given by China's President Yang The production of electrical power in­ since the current wave of protests began. Shangkun that may also shed light on the cial body, announced May 29 that the state creased 400 percent, coal by 300 percent, clashes in the top party leadership. The talk The government has not yet enforced the would "severely punish" those found guilty textiles by more than 100 percent, and steel reportedly was given May 24 to high military May 20 decree proclaiming martial law in of causing disturbances. by more than 1, 100 percent. commanders. parts of Beijing, in part because of the mas­ These steps dealt blows to the confidence These gains were better than those being sive outpouring of support for the Tiananmen of many student leaders, who had been count­ Yang denounced Zhao for refusing to sup­ scored in those years by semicolonial coun­ protest that the decree evoked and because of ing on the demonstration to pressure the party port the decision to crack down on the pro­ tries, such as India, that had recently won divisions within the military command struc­ into reforming its leadership and practices. tests, charging that he refused to carry out the their independence, but remained under ture. A core of organizers, Fox Butterfield re­ assignment to give a speech May 20 declaring capitalist rule. ported in the May 24 New York Times, were martial law. This forced Li to make the an­ In the wake of these events, however, the Deng gains in fight students in the Party History Department at nouncement instead, the president claimed. Mao government stepped up efforts to sta­ But the protests began to lose steam as People's University in Beijing. This is the "The movement started among the stu­ bilize the privileges and power of the bu­ evidence mounted that Premier Li Peng and only department at any Chinese university dents, but the root cause is inside the party," reaucratic caste. From the beginning, the Deng Xiaoping, the dominant figure in the devoted to studying the history of the Com­ Yang stated. "There are two different voices regime had resisted demands for institu­ government, had the upper hand for the time munist Party, and many of the students are in the Politburo's standing committee. Mr. tionalizing even the most elementary dem­ being in the faction fight being waged in the sons and daughters of high party officials. Zhao exposed to the students the fact that ocratic rights - freedom of speech, press, government and ruling Communist Party. Students from the Party History Depart­ there were different opinions in the standing assembly, and others. The student protesters had demanded that ment organized the first public events honor­ committee, and this incited the students." Efforts to stabilize the regime and con­ Li resign and Deng step down. They voiced ing Hu Yaobang, when he died on April 15. The protests demanding democratic rights trol mass unrest led to a pattern of bitter support for party General Secretary Zhao He was ousted as head of the party in 1987. and the crisis in the regime take place in the factional struggles and sharp zigzags in Ziyang, who was reportedly stripped of his These actions opened the current wave of midst of worsening economic problems that policy that has continued to this day. authority by Deng before the martial law demonstrations. confront China's workers, farmers, and other The next article in this series will take up decree was made public. Hu had advocated expanding the regime's toilers. These include high inflation rates and the economic and social policies that the At about this time, reported Daniel reliance on capitalist commodity production stagnant or declining production of food Mao Tse-tung leadership called the "great Southerland from Beijing i~ the May 26 and market relations to develop the economy, grains. leap forward."

10 The Militant June 9,1989 Haitian union continues fight to organize

BY LINDA JOYCE "The growers took all our land," ex­ PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti- Since the plained union leader Mysteur Rampono fall of former dictator Jean-Claude Duval­ Camilus. "Now they pay us the equivalent ier in February 1986, May Day here has of $1 a day to work up to 12 hours in the become a popular national holiday. Work­ fields. It's worse than slavery- at least ers, peasants, and students around the coun­ slaves got taken care of." try organize meetings and events in the "We have no electricity, running water, week leading up to May 1. indoor toilets, schools, or medical care of I visited Haiti this May Day and traveled any kind," explained Baunaro Charles, the with leaders of the Independent Federation union's vice-president. "We organize our of Haitian Workers (CATH) on several or­ own schools, with volunteer teachers." ganizing trips to meet with workers and The peasants explained their long-stand­ peasants. CATH is Haiti's leading union ing demands to end the contraband impor­ federation. tation of rice that undercuts the national On April 28 our first stop was the large rice industry, and for the government to flour mill, Minoterie d'Haiti, outside this make good on their promise to return the hardy "creole" pig, which was eradicated in 1983. They are also calling for an end to REPORTER'S corruption and repression by local police chiefs. NOTEBOOK Return to city for May Day Back in Port-au-Prince, many workers capital city. While we were there more than Militant/Linda Joyce waved at the CATH jeep as we wound Independent Federation of Haitian Workers (CATH) headquarters in Port-au-Prince. 250 members of the Union of Flour Mill through the city's tiny alleys. We stopped Workers- a CATH affiliate- held a and talked to Jude Oreste, president of the meeting where they confronted the boss CATH-affiliated union in an undergarment At a press conference during the meet­ of the countryside. "The bosses only pro­ over wage disparities, production norms factory. He told us that the 350 sewing-ma­ ing, CATH Executive Secretary Jean-Au­ vide electricity for industry, and for their and incentives, and health and safety condi­ chine operators at the Chancreilles Manu­ guste Mesyeux denounced the recent arrest luxurious neighborhoods. They· have no tions. Outside the meeting, and in the facturing Co. are paid $3.50 a day- $.70 of 23 members of the Neighborhood Secu­ concern for the workers." workers' cafeteria at lunchtime, police and of which goes for transportation to and rity Committee of Cite Soleil and de­ Two other union federations- the Or­ army personnel patrolled. from work. Oreste described the militant manded their release. Cite Soleil is one of ganized Workers Federation and Union Secretary-General Placid Jean sitdown strike the workers had waged two the poorest working-class sections of Port­ CATH/CLAT, which is dominated by the Robert described to us the workers' strikes years ago. He said they are now pushing for au-Prince. Christian Democrats - organized May last year, which won dismissal of the mill a workers' cafeteria and sanitary bath­ Later, the Union of Electrical Workers of Day meetings and participated in the offi­ manager. Afterward, the union had to fight rooms. Haiti organized a cultural event to celebrate cial government function at the National to regain the jobs of the workers - includ­ the third anniversary of its founding. The Palace. CATH had also been invited to go, On May Day more than 300 workers and ing himself. union president explained that the Electri­ but declined, refusing to be associated with peasants - including some who had made cal Workers are demanding electrification the military government. Visit with farm workers' union the long ride from L' Artibonite- filled We then drove to the rice-growing re­ the Taxi Drivers Union hall for a day of gion of L' Artibonite. Some 30 members of discussions. More than 17 worker and peas­ the Union of Farm Workers of Boudette ant unions were represented at the CATH­ -WORLD NEWS BRIEFS Petit Place, also part of CATH, greeted us. sponsored event. They took us to a thatched meeting area, During the meeting, workers called for tied and mixed with other sediment. which serves as a school and church as an end to the regime of Gen. Prosper Avril; S. Africa condemns Some I 0,000 people participated in a well. for the uprooting of remaining Duvalierists May 15 protest rally on Okinawa, 200 The peasants talked with the CATH and their thugs, the Tontons Macoutes; and 14 Blacks to death miles from where the bomb was lost. leaders about the problems of their young for a workers' and peasants' alliance to A South African judge handed down Opposition to nuclear weapons is very union, especially the lack of funds and the press for a popular, democratic govern­ death sentences against 14 Blacks on strong in Japan. In August 1945 the U.S. long distances that must be traveled by ment. Peasants raised demands for land, May 26 charged with killing a Black po­ government ordered A-bombs dropped foot. CATH hopes to provide them with a and women workers spoke about the spe­ liceman. Another defendant is expected on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and motorscooter to aid their organizing efforts. cial problems they face. to be sentenced on the lesser charge of Nagasaki. attempted murder. Judge Jan Basson will Weapons designers concluded that the make a second ruling on the cases of 11 bomb's shell would have burst under other Blacks who together with the 15 pressure of the 16,000-foot depth of the Miners hit with injunctions have become known as the Upington 26. On Nov. 13, 1985, police attacked a Pacific at the point where the bomb was lost. The Pentagon added that there was demonstration of several thousand no chance of the bomb exploding because Blacks who were protesting living condi­ the sea water would corrode the in West Virginia strike tions in Pabellelo, a segregated township detona­ adjacent to Upington. Hundreds of tor. The Pentagon also claimed that the plutonium would dissolve in a "relatively BY LIZ SOMMERS "fill every vacancy" at the mine. On Febru­ Blacks converged on the home of a Black short time." Plutonium-239, often used in CHARLESTON, W.Va.- Some 130 ary 19 NBM informed the mine union that policeman, Jetta Lucas Sethwala. The weapons, has a radioactive half-life of members of United Mine Workers of Mahon Enterprises had been hired to sup­ cop fired from his house into the crowd 24,000 years. America (UMWA) Local 1895 have been ply the mine with a work force. wounding a child. When Sethwala at­ on strike against New Beckley Mining On February 22 more than 100 strike tempted to flee he was captured and Corp. since January 23 at the company's supporters staged a protest at a Beckley killed. Torture in Sri Lanka by mine south of here in Glen Daniel. The motel where Mahon employees were being The court found that only one defen­ strikers are seeking a union contract with housed. After the demonstration, the scabs dant, Justice Bekebeke, delivered the Indian troops reported the new mine owner. checked out and were housed at the mine blows killing the cop, but all 26 defen­ Two recently completed reports On May 1 a Raleigh County judge added site. dants were convicted under the doctrine charge that Indian troops have beaten, new restrictions to a strike injunction that Local 1895's fight to win a contract is of "common purpose." Six Blacks from tortured, and killed Tamil militants and had been issued March 28. The amended getting wide support. The union hall has the town of Sharpeville were previously their supporters in northern and eastern injunction lowers union pickets allowed at three blackboards filled with the names of convicted under the same doctrine, which Sri Lanka. Tamils are an oppressed mi­ the mine at any time from 21 to 12. The individuals and organizations that have do­ holds that if a member of the South Afri­ nority in Sri Lanka. Since 1983 Tamil judge also set a limit of 12 company secu­ nated food and money to the miners. An can security forces is killed during a pro­ guerrillas have fought for an independent rity guards. active auxiliary of miners' widows and test all those participating in the protest homeland. The reports are done by Am­ strikers' family members is organizing sup­ are guilty by "common purpose." The nesty International and the Jaffna Univer­ At the same time the judge ordered the port. Local 1895 retirees are also involved. Sharpeville Six were granted a reprieve sity Teachers for Human Rights. county sheriff to increase patrols at the Several coalfield newspapers have carried from execution after international pro­ The reports charge that prisoners de­ mine site, and to keep written records of the an ad by a local doctor urging support to the tests. They are now serving life senten­ surveillance of union pickets. The union tained by Indian troops have been tor­ strikers. ces. tured with electric shock treatments or and company are required to keep duty ros­ The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Among the 14 Upington defendants ters and make them available to the court. had their bones broken. They also charge and Firearms and state cops have been sentenced to hang are 60-year-old Indian forces with random retaliatory at­ The original injunction said structures called in to investigate company allegations Evelina de Bruin and 61-year-old Gideon tacks on civilian neighborhoods follow­ used to shelter pickets must allow clear vi­ that NBM equipment, buildings, and vehi­ Madlongolwane. Defense lawyers are ing encounters with armed Tamil sion from all sides. It also prohibits loiter­ cles at the mine have been damaged in re­ preparing appeals of the convictions, a guerrillas. ing and carrying any weapons - from cent weeks. The company also filed a com­ process that they say may take several There are about 45,000 Indian troops guns to slingshots - anywhere within 1.5 plaint against the union for the February 22 years. miles of the mine .. in Sri Lanka under a July 1987 agreement protest at the motel. between New Delhi and the Sri Lankan New Beckley Mining (NBM) bought the UMWA Local 1895 President Joe Carter Nuclear bomb lost off government to disarm the Tamil guerril­ mine last year from bankrupt Beckley Min­ told the Beckley Register-Herald May 5 las. More than 900 Indian troops have ing for $100 and a promise to hire off Beck­ that the scabs are "tearing up the equip­ Japan leaked plutonium been killed and thousands of others ley Mining's seniority list, if the UMWA ment" in the mine. "We could see them The United States has told Japan that a wounded in battles with fighters of the would give up the back pay and benefits running a little bit of coal for a while," he Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. owed its members. The deal went through said, "but lately they've just been doing hydrogen bomb lost overboard from a An Indian official in New Delhi said the courts, and about 130 miners were repairs and stuff like that." He cited a series U.S. aircraft carrier 24 years ago almost certainly burst under intense water pres­ their troops have a "difficult and demand­ eventually recalled. of equipment failures at the mine, ranging ing role." He admitted to a handful of Stalled negotiations for a new contract from a burst water line that flooded part of sure and spread radioactive plutonium on of U.S. weap­ instances of misbehavior by Indian troops brought the miners out in January, after the mine, to a burned up coal dryer that the ocean floor. But a team but added that in such instances soldiers working about four months without an basically idled the coal preparation plant. ons designers claim the plutonium leak would have "no environmental impact" have been "immediately court­ agreement. because the dense material probably set- martialed." Two weeks after the strike began, NBM Liz Sommers is a member of UMWA Local said that they had begun job interviews to 2271 .

June 9; 1989 The Militant 11 -CALENDAR------CALIFORNIA U.S. and Canadian letter carriers, clerks, and mailhandlers. Tour and meet with postal-tele­ U.S. Hands Off Pana01a! Los Angeles communications union of Nicaragua, and with Ten Years After the Grenada Revolution: other labor, women's, neighborhood, farmer, nation: $2. For more information call (612) The Caribbean and Central America Today. FLORIDA and youth groups; work alongside Nicaraguan Miami 644-6325. Speaker: Don Rojas: secretary for propaganda postal workers to help reconstruct war- and hur­ Speaker: Thabo Ntweng, 1989 Socialist and information, Anti-Imperialist Organizations ricane-damaged facilities; join celebration of Workers mayoral candidate. Translation to OREGON of the Caribbean and Central America; former lOth anniversary of July 19, 1979, overthrow of Spanish and French. Sat., June 10, 7:30p.m. press secretary to Grenada's assassinated prime Somoza dictatorship. July 11-20. Cost: $900 Portland 37 NE 54th St. Donation: $2. For more in­ minister Maurice Bishop. Translation to Span­ from Miami (includes airfare, hotel, two Panel of speakers including Martin formation call (305) 756-1020. ish. Fri., June 2, 8 p.m. Our Lady Queen of meals/day, guide translator). For more informa­ Gonzalez, director of Central America Out­ Angels Church (La Placita), I 00 W Sunset Blvd. tion contact Postal Workers for Peace, P.O. Box reach for American Friends Service Commit­ For more information call (213) 380-9460. 37-0135, Miami, Fla. 33137; (305) 435-0392. IOWA tee; Robin Cash, Socialist Workers Party, ac­ Oakland Des Moines tivist in Central America solidarity movement. Sat., June 3, 7:30p.m. 2730 NE Nicaragua, Cuba, and Revolutionary Per­ Speakers to be announced. Translation to Martin Luther King, Jr. (formerly Union). spectives Today. A discussion series for work­ Spanish. Sat., June 3, 7:30p.m. 2105 Forest GEORGIA Ave. Donation: $2. For more information Donation: $2. For more information call ers and activists held every Monday 6-8 p.m. (503) 287-7416. and Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in June. 3702 Atlanta call (515) 246-1695. Telegraph Ave. Sponsor: Pathfinder Bookstore. Free Mark Curtis. End the Frame-up. De­ For more information call (415) 420-1165. fend Prisoners' Right to Read! Speakers: MINNESOTA TEXAS Medicine for Profit or Human Need?: The Ellen Whitt, Steering Committee, Mark Curtis Houston Growing Crisis in Health Care. Speakers: Defense Committee, member United Food and Austin Sat., June 17,7:30 p.m. 4806 Almeda. Dona­ Mary Henry, union representative, Hospital Commercial Workers Local 431 , coworker of Speaker: Dean Peoples, Socialist Workers tion: $2. For more information call (713) Workers Union 250; AI Steinback, M.D., repre­ Curtis; Sammye Roberts, president, Alabama Party, member United Food and Commer­ sentative Physicians for a National Health Plan; State National Organization for Women; Hollis cial Workers Local P-6. Sat., June 10, 7 522-8054. Everado Hernandez, family mental health edu­ Watkins, longtime activist in Mississippi, board p.m. 407 1f2 N Main St. Donation: $2. For cator, counselor, La Clfnica de Ia Raza; Paul member, Foundation for Children and Youth; more information call (507) 433-3461. • Montauk, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., June 10, Maxine Cousin, Concerned Citizens for Justice, 7:30p.m. 3702 Telegraph Ave., Donation: $3. Chattanooga, Tennessee; Linda Riggins, presi­ St. Paul SWEDEN Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ dent, Service Employees .International Union Speakers: Alan Dale, Nicaragua Solidarity Stockholm mation call (415) 420-1165. Local 679, Justice for Janitors; Robin Singer, Committee; Erica Lepp, community activist; Speaker: Maria Hamberg. Sat., June 17, Atlanta Committee on Latin America; others. San Francisco representative Socialist Workers Party. Sat., 15.00. Folkets Hus, room 614 (entrance Sat., June 3. Reception 7:30 p.m.; rally 8 p.m. June 3, 7:30p.m. 508 N Snelling Ave. Do- Bamhusgatan 12). Cancion del Pueblo: A Benefit for Teacher M.L.K. Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Brigades to Nicaragua. With Claudia G6mez, Change, 449 Auburn Ave., Rooms 261-2. Dona­ All events sponsored by the Militant Labor Forums. Venezuelan and Colombian music; Galo Paz, tion: $3. Sponsor: Georgia Supporters of Mark Andean music; K' Antu Trio, Latin American Curtis Defense Committee. For more informa­ Nuevo Canci6n; Rene Ariza and Michael Ruiz, tion call (404) 577-4065. poetry and performance. Sat., June 3, 7 p.m. The Drug Trade: A Highly Profitable Capi­ Namibia! Speakers from African National Con­ Houston Housing Concern; Joanne Kuniansky, Dolores Street Baptist Church, 15th and Dolo­ talist Business. Sat., June 10, 7:30 p.m. 132 gress of South Africa and South West Africa Socialist Workers Party. Sat., June 3, 7:30p.m. res. Tickets: $7, available at Modem Times Cone St. NW, 2nd floor. Donation: $2.50. Spon­ People's Organisation of Namibia. Cultural pre­ 4806 Almeda. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Bookstore, La Peiia, Pathfinder. Sponsor: Mae­ sor: Militant Labor Forum. For more informa­ sentations by the ANC Sechaba Singers and Labor Forum/Foro Perspectiva Mundial. For stros porIa Paz. For more information call (415) tion call (404) 577-4065. Dinizulu Drum and Dance Ensemble. Fri., June more information call (713) 522-8054. 282-9071 or 893-0173. 16, 3 p.m. Picket at Sen. Alphonse D'Amato's The Eastern Strike: What's at Stake for Salsa for Palestine. A Benefit for Palestine office, I Penn Plaza, 7th Ave. between 30 and Working People. Speakers: Greg Rosenberg, Solidarity Committee and the Latino Task 31 sts.; rally at Mobil Oil headquarters, 150 E member International Association of Machin­ Force of PSC. With Conjunto Cespedes. MC: MINNESOTA 42nd St., between 3rd and Lexington aves. Cul­ ists, Socialist Workers Party candidate for "Chuy" Varela, KPFA. Sat., June 10,8 p.m. to 1 Minneapolis tural presentations begin at 4 p.m. Sponsor: The mayor. Sat., June 10, 7:30 p.m. 4806 Almeda. a.m. Capp St. Center, 362 Capp St. Donation: Victory Rally for Embassy Suites Five. Sat., Northeast Region Southern Africa Solidarity Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor $7-$10. For more information call Palestine June 10, 7 p.m. Oak Park Community Center, Network. For more information call (212) 870- Forum/Foro Perspectiva MundiaL For more in­ Solidarity Committee, (415) 861-1552. North Minneapolis. For more information call 2928 or 962-1210. formation call (713) 522-8054. Challenging Washington's War on Nicara­ (612) 625-0045. China: Behind the Demonstrations. Speaker: gua. Special guest speaker: Holly Sklar, author Terry Hardy, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., June of Washington's War on Nicaragua. Sat., June OREGON 24, 7:30 p.m. 4806 Almeda. Donation: $2. 24, 7:30p.m. The Women's Building, 3543 18th NEW YORK Portland Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum/Foro Per­ St. Sponsor: Barricada lntemacional Support Cuba Now: A Report from Recent Visitors. spectiva Mundial. For more information call Committee. For more information call (415) Manhattan Speakers: Steve Craine, participant in April trip (713) 522-8054. 863-6955. A Night of Food, Dance, and Solidarity. Ben­ to Cuba with the Venceremos Brigade; others. efit for Nicaragua Solidarity Network. Sat., June Sat., June 10, 7:30p.m. 2730 NE Martin Luther FLORIDA 3, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 63 W 92nd St. Donation: $7. King, Jr. (formerly Union). Donation: $2. Spon­ Miami Protest Iowa Prison Ban on Non-English Lit­ WASHINGTON sor: Militant Forum. For more information call Seattle Postal Workers Brigade to Nicaragua. Join erature for Mark Curtis. Benefit for the Mark (503) 287-7416. China: Behind the Demonstrations. Speakers Curtis Defense Committee. Poetry reading with The Battle Against AIDS. Speaker: Peter to be announced. Sat., June 10, 7:30p.m. 5517 Piri Thomas, Rich Lesnick on flute. Sun., June Thierjung, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., June 4, 4:30 p.m. Local 802 Musicians Union Hall. 17, 7:30p.m. 2730 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Rainier Ave. S. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more information call (206) 330 W 42 St. Donation: $10. Sponsor: Support­ (formerly Union). Donation: $2. Sponsor: Mili­ PATHFINDER ers of the Mark Curtis Defense Committee. For tant Forum. For more information call (503) 723-5330. The Battle Against AIDS. Speakers: Peter more information call (212) 675-6740. 287-7416. Thierjung, Socialist Workers Party; representa­ catalog available Women to Women Struggling for Peace and Timber Monopolies vs. Working People­ Justice in El Salvador. A recital of women's The Fight to Protect Jobs and the Environ­ tive of ACT-UP. Fri., June 16, 7:30p.m. 55 17 Pathfinder carries a broad range Rainier Ave. S. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant poetry, video, music, and reception, with Sonia ment. A panel discussion on the log-export ref­ ofbooks on revolutionary and so­ Labor Forum. For more information call (206) Sanchez, poet; Pura Fe, an Indian women's erendum, fight to protect old forests, and how to cialist history and theory. It pub­ group; Flordel Valle, Salvadoran musician. Fri., 723-5330. lishes a wide selection of titles on defend jobs of workers in wood industry. Sat., June 9, 7 p.m. Local 11 99, 310 W 43rd St. June 24, 7:30 p.m. 2730 NE Martin Luther the Black, women's, labor, Latin Donation: $10 to Salvadoran Women's Health King, Jr. (formerly Union). Donation: $2. Spon­ American, and international Project. Sponsors: MADRE, WREE, Women's sor: Militant Forum. For more information call • struggles. The current catalog is Workshop for the Americas, Somos Hermanas, (503) 287-7416. available upon request from your Union of Palestinian Women Association in BRITAIN local Pathfinder bookstore or U.S., Organization of Asian Women, others. For TEXAS London write: Pathfinder, 410 West St., more information call (212) 255-3559. The Attack on Democratic Rights. Public New York, N.Y. 10014. Sanctions Now!: March and Rally- Soweto Houston meeting. Tues., June 20, 6:30p.m. Unity House, Day, a Celebration of the Uprising of South The Housing Crisis. Speakers: Gladys House, Euston Rd. Sponsor: London Transport District African Youth. Mobil Out of South Africa and Freedman's Town Association; Joan Dinckler, Council of National Union of Railwaymen. -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP------

Where to find Pathfinder books and distrib­ 50311. Tel: (515) 246-1695. Market. Zip 27401. Tel: (919) 272-5996. ney NSW 2037. Tel: 02-660 1673. utors of the Militant, Perspectiva M undial, New KENTUCKY: Louisville: P.O. Box 4103. OHIO: Cleveland: 2521 Market Ave. Zip: International, Nouvelle lntemationale, and Zip: 40204-4103. 441 13. Tel: (216) 861-6150. Columbus: P.O. BRITAIN Lune ouvmre. LOUISIANA: New Orleans: P.O. Box Box 02097. Zip: 43202. London: 47 The Cut, SEt 8LL. Tel: 01 -401 53224. Zip: 70153. Tel: (504) 484-6418. OREGON: Portland: 2730 NE Union. Zip: 2293 . UNITED STATES MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2913 Greenmount 97212. Tel: (503) 287-7416. ALABAMA: Birmingham: 1306 1st Ave. N. Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 9 E. CANADA Mailing address: P.O. Box 11963. Zip: 35202. MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 605 Massa­ Chelten Ave. Zip: 19144. Tel: (215) 848-5044. Montreal: 4274 Papineau, Suite 302, H2H Tel: (205) 323-3079. chusetts Ave. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. Pittsburgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: 1S9. Tel: (5 14) 524-7992. ARIZONA: Phoenix: 1809 W. Indian MICHIGAN: Detroit: 50191;2 Woodward (412) 362-6767. Toronto: 410 Adelaide St. W., Suite 400, School Rd. Zip: 85015. Tel: (602) 279-5850. Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 831 -11 77. TEXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Z ip: M5V 1S8. Tel: (416) 861-1399. Tucson: c/o Ursula Kolb, P.O. Box 853. Zip: MINNESOTA: Austin: 407 \12 N. Main. Zip: 77004. Tel: (713) 522-8054. Vancouver: P.O. Box 69742, Station K, V5K 85702-0852. Tel: (602) 795-2146. 55912. Tel: (507) 433-3461. Twin Cities: 508 N. UTAH: Price: 253 E. Main St. Mailing ad­ 4Y7. Tel: (604) 873-8898. CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: dress: P.O. Box 758. Zip: 84501. Tel: (801) Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Oak­ (61 2)644-6325. 637-6294. Salt Lake City: 147 E 900 South. Zip: ICELAND land: 3702TelegraphAve.Zip94609. Tel: (415) MISSOURI: Kansas City: 5534 Troost Ave. 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Reykjavik: Klapparstfg 26. Mailing address: 420-1165. San Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: Zip: 64110. Tel: (816)444-7880.St.Louis: 4907 WASHINGTON, D.C.: 3165 Mt. Pleasant P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. Seaside: c/o Brian Martin Luther King Dr. Zip: 63113. Tel: (314) St. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) 797-7699, 797- Olewude, 1790 Havana St. Zip: 93955. Tel: 361-0250. 7021. NEW ZEALAND (408) 394-7948. NEBRASKA: Omaha: 140 S. 40th St. Zip: WASHINGTON: Seattle: 55 17 Rainier Auckland: 157a Symonds St. Postal Address: FLORIDA: Miami: 137 NE 54th St. Zip: 681 31. Tel: (402) 553-0245. Ave. South. Zip: 98118. Tel: (206) 723-5330. P.O. Box 3025. Tel: (9) 793-075. 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Tallahassee: P.O. NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Zip: WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: 116 Mc­ Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (upstairs). Box 20715. Zip: 32316. Tel: (904) 877-9338. 07102. Tel: (201 ) 643-3341. New Brunswick: Farland St. Zip: 25301 . Tel: (304) 345-3040. Postal address: P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 656- GEORGIA: Atlanta: 132 Cone St. NW, 2nd c/o Keith Jordan, 149 Somerset St. Zip: 08903. Morgantown: 221 Pleasant St. Zip: 26505. Tel: 055. Floor. Zip: 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. Tel: (201) 828-1874. (304) 296-0055. Wellington: 23 Majoribanks St., Courtenay ILLINOIS: Chicago: 6826 S. Stony Island NEW YORK: Brooklyn: 464 Bergen St. Zip: WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: 4707 W. Lisbon Pl. Postal address: P.O. Box 9092. Tel: (4) 844- Ave. Zip: 60649. Tel: (312) 363-7322. 11 217. Tel: (718) 398-6983. Mid-Hudson: Box Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) 445-2076. 205. INDIANA: Muncie: c/o Brian Johnson, 1042, Annandale. Zip: 12504. Tel: (914) 758- 6191,--2 N. Dill St. Zip: 47303. Tel: (317) 747- 0408. New York: 191 7th Ave. Zip: 10011 . Tel: AUSTRALIA SWEDEN 8543. (212) 675-6740. Sydney: 181 Glebe Point Rd., 2nd floor, Stockholm: P.O. Box 5024, S-12505 Alvsjo. IOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. Zip: NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2219E Glebe. Postal address: P.O. Box 153 Glebe, Syd- Tel: (08) 722-9342.

12 The Militant June 9,1989 -THE GREAT SOCIETY------Speedyburger, anyone?- A em Airline strikers are being brain­ Franz Kafka's novel, The Trial, the Doubledose burgers - Soviet ticides, fungicides and other toxic new Department of Agriculture washed by union propaganda, says accused never finds out what he is packinghouse workers refused to chemicals, a 10-fold increase since "Streamlined Inspection System" Eastern's Frank Lorenzo. "What is charged with. In the West Bank handle beef contaminated. by fall­ World War II"- News item. gives inspectors all of 12 seconds being put in their heads," he said, village of Dhahiyeh, owners of out from the Chemobyl nuke blow­ to examine slaughtered cattle as "gets them excited about giving up out. Officials did say the meat some 350 acres of farmland were They measure your feet and their jobs." He said he had "a bunch shouldn't be served to children. A notified by Israeli authorities that wallet- An old-fashioned New of psychiatrists and psychoana­ they had 45 days to file objection government disease control agency York shop offers what the New lysts" studying the union material. to the confiscation of their land. No assured that soaking the beef in salt water rendered it harmless. York Times describes as "sensible" reason was given for the confisca­ custom-made shoes. Women's The just society- To comply tion. Harry with a court order to make lawyers With an up-to-date price tag sensibly priced at $700, men's available to prisoners, the North -"The simplicity and esthetics of $800. Ring Carolina legislature moved to Major credit cards accepted a bygone age are charmingly dis­ choke off prison law libraries. Ten -With Britain's water supply played in a French rocking horse lawyers will be hired for 18,000 about to be privatized, the folk who for children 3 and up, $650." - Quaylespeak - "I mean, they whiz by. Officials say this prisoners. Funding will come from are taking it over want to know who Ad in Montreal Magazine. you're the second most important makes inspection more "scien­ money allocated to buy law books will pay for the water used by fire political figure in the country and tific," and, they add, it can give and hire a prison law library super­ fighters. That's simple. Privatize Bon appetit!- "The nation's yet people don't even want to think production a 40 percent boost. visor. fire-fighting. People shouldn't crops are soaked, sprayed, and about you." - The vice-president have fires if they can't pay to have powdered each year with about 1 on why he finds his job "awk­ Lorenzo's loony toon -East- Due process, Israeli style - In them put out. billion pounds of herbicides, in sec- ward." Trump Shuttle demands union-weakening contracts

Continued from front page and park aircraft. Workers in aircraft service viously, seniority for bidding was determined with Texas Air, Perez-Grajales explained. For craft servicer, described what the workers clean, service, and resupply the planes be­ by how long they'd been in a given job clas­ example, while travel benefits for workers at were told at the orientation session. Perez­ tween flights. Aeet service workers would do sification. the shuttle will be more limited than at East­ Grajales has worked at Eastern for nearly 17 both jobs, which will reduce the number of "When I came out of orientation, I was em, two of the airlines they can use will be years. She is a shop steward and member of jobs at the shuttle in the future. disappointed, because we'd been told one Continental and Eastern. The shuttle will also the local's strike committee. "The thing that hit everyone hardest was thing last fall, and now it's another," said honor frequent-flyer miles accumulated by She recalled that it had been a difficult that workers in the new 'fleet service' classi­ Perez-Grajales. passengers on Continental and Eastern, both decision to apply with Trump last fall. Basi­ fication would make a maximum of $12.04 of which are owned by Texas Air. cally, she hoped the shuttle would provide an hour," Perez-Grajales said. Many of the workers who applied for the more job security and a better work schedule. shuttle last fall were high-seniority workers "We were in a temporary state of shock For an aircraft servicer with as many years who thought that by making the move to Threat to lAM as Perez-Grajales, this would mean a pay cut after the orientation session," Perez-Grajales Trump they would be able to bid onto a better There is growing concern among the lAM of $4 to $5 an hour. Trump has said that the said. Lower wages, fewer job classifications, shift or have more desirable days off. Now it's members who have been hired by Trump that highest wages for most Machinists would be and reduced vacations are some of what clear seniority won't be arranged that way, no agreement with the union has yet been what those with eight years' seniority at East­ Trump is demanding from the Machinists. and it's too late for workers to back out and reached. The lAM represents mechanics, workers in em made-and no higher. Mechanics, how­ remain at Eastern. One mechanic, who was also in the strike ever, will continue to receive basically the ramp service and aircraft service, facility "At the meeting, they talked a lot about headquarters with Perez-Grajales, said he same wages they did at Eastern. cleaners, and stock clerks. trust and integrity," Perez-Grajales said. "I've thought that union officials might reach a Part of Trump's proposal is to combine two The seniority setup will also change. In been hearing that for 16 years." temporary agreement with Trump to return to job classifications - ramp service and air­ bidding for jobs and shifts, workers coming Trump also plans to cut the maximum work while negotiations continue. craft service - into one: fleet service. Now, from Eastern will have their seniority deter­ number of weeks' vacation from seven to "No lAM member is going to go back to ramp service workers load and unload bag­ mined by "company time"- that is, the total five. For airline workers, who often spend work without a contract," said Perez­ gage, freight, and mail; set up the "jetways"; time they were employed by Eastern. Pre- years working every holiday and weekend, Grajales. "It would be defeating our purpose with days off only during the week, and who and what we've been fighting for to do that." work odd shifts, "vacation time is precious," Perez-Grajales is also concerned about said Perez-Grajales. Trump is also demand­ what the start-up of the shuttle will mean for Prison rules limit expression ing that workers pay for some of their health, the Eastern strike as a whole. "It's hard to dental, and life inSurance costs. consider going back to work when the rest of The Trump Shuttle will contract out some my brothers and sisters are still out on strike." Continued from Page 4 of a class he was taking he kept an entire spiral of the maintenance work now performed by In an interview several days later, Local translation and original are sent back to the notebook with his thoughts, drawings, and Eastern mechanics, the workers were told at I 0 18 member Ernest Mailhot said, "Return­ prison to be read by the censor. If approved, satirical comments about U.S. justice and the orientation session. Companies in Aorida ing to work without a contract would pose a the original is sent on to his parents. An democracy. After his cell was shaken down, and Texas have been lined up to perform serious threat to all three unions." Mailhot is incoming letter gets the same treatment," re­ a guard confiscated the notebook. engine overhauls and some of the routine also a member of the local's strike committee. ported Curtis. "He complained to the school, asked who checks required by the Federal Aviation Ad­ "For Machinists to begin working for Trump took it, and demanded that it be returned. The "Camhn filed a grievance protesting this ministration. Trump mechanics will perform under imposed conditions would open the guards wouldn't say which one took it, but harassment, but he was ruled against. Now, maintenance and repairs that can be done "on door to the same kind of union-busting we've they did say it had been destroyed." he wants to file a lawsuit. 'I don't care about line" - that is, that don't require a hangar. been fighting against at Eastern. Curtis also pointed out that the routine winning money,' he says, 'but they can't do About 1,000 workers are expected to be "We need to maintain the same unity we've scrutiny and censorship of mail at Anamosa this to me.' Camhn believes that his lawsuit hired for the shuttle altogether, Perez­ had during the strike," Mailhot continued. is applied more harshly against letters that are would be very much to my benefit too. 'When Grajales said. Some 168 pilots, 240 flight "We shouldn't return to work for Trump until not in English. I win, you win too,' he explained. attendants, and 250 Machinists will come all the workers at the shuttle have a contract As each prisoner "grasps the importance of "He plans to send information on his case from Eastern workers who have already been they can support. This means a contract for the fight" against the restrictions on receiving to the reporter from the Gazette to show that hired; a few of these are workers who crossed the lAM and defending the flight attendants and circulating literature at Anamosa, "more the warden's statements to the newspaper that the picket lines. The rest will be hired off the and pilots against pressure by Trump to weight is added to my side," concluded Cur­ the prison doesn't stop people from getting street. Machinists were told they would start 'relax' the work rules they've fought so hard tis. "Excitement is being generated as we see letters in any language is completely untrue," working two weeks after the sale is finalized, for. We've learned from our months on the what we're capable of." Curtis continued. which is expected to be soon. picket line that we're strong enough to resist To write to Curtis, address letters to: Mark The Trump Shuttle will maintain some ties this kind of pressure if we stick together." "Camhn has experienced other restrictions S. Curtis, No. 805338A, Box B, Anamosa, on his freedom of expression as well. As part Iowa 52205. -10AND25 YEARSAGO-- Soviet congress strengthens Gorbachev THE MILITANT Continued from back page differences around the question of oppressed ASIOCWJST~YPUBLJSt£01NnENTEFESTSOfn£'M:H

June 9, 1989 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------Will U.S. abide by Panama Canal No to death penalty in New York treaties? Every defender of democratic rights should speak out by real estate and financial speculator Donald Trump. against the drive under way in New York State to reinsti­ "Bring back the death penalty," Trump proclaimed. BY DOUG JENNESS tute capital punishment. "Bring back our police!" "Criminals must be told," he In the recent barrage of media coverage on Panama, The New York State legislature is weighing a proposal continued, "that their CIVIL LIBERTIES END WHEN there's one date that is rarely mentioned. By Jan. 1, 1990, to override Gov. Mario Cuomo's March 20 veto of a death AN ATTACK ON OUR SAFETY BEGINS." (capitals in the U.S. Senate must confirm a Panamanian nominated penalty measure. The last execution in New York State, original) by the Panamanian government to be the administrator of one of 13 states where there is no death penalty, took "Unshackle" the police, he demanded, "from the con­ the canal commission. This body was set up under provis­ place in 1963. stant chant of 'police brutality' .... We must cease ... ions of the canal treaties signed by the U.S. and Panama­ The current bill calls for a maximum sentence of death pandering to the criminal population of this city." nian governments in 1977. for those convicted of killing for hire or killing police, When this billionaire rip-off artist talks about the These agreements replaced the Panama Canal Co., ex­ prison guards, or alleged witnesses to crimes. It also pro­ "criminal population of this city," he means workers, clusively controlled by the U.S. government, with a nine- vides for possible capital punishment for individuals con­ young people, and anyone else who resists exploitation victed of murder who are already serving life sentences or and oppression. who have been previously convicted of murder. That includes the workers on the picket lines at Eastern This is the 13th time that the state legislature has ap­ Airlines in New York City, who are demanding that LEARNING ABOUT proved capital punishment legislation. Each time the mea­ Trump or any other potential owner recognize union sure was vetoed by Cuomo or by his predecessor Hugh rights and conditions. SOCIALISM Carey. As far as the rulers are concerned, "civil liberties end" Now President George Bush, police organizations, - or ought to- when workers and farmers fight back. rightist groups, and many newspapers and capitalist poli­ member commission - five from the United States and Working people, however, need every inch of elbow room four from Panama - all of whom must be approved by ticians have thrown their weight behind a stepped-up in which to carry on the battle for our rights. That means push to gain the two-thirds votes in both houses to over­ the U.S. government. fighting for freedom of speech, press, and assembly; for Since 1979, when the commission began functioning, ride the veto. The effort has included rallies and marches the right of bail and the thoroughgoing enforcement of the its head has been from the United States, but according to in some areas. rights of people charged with crimes in the courts; and the treaties, the chief administrator must be a Panamanian To gain more support, they have manipulated wide­ against savage punishments such as the death penalty. spread concern about the drug trade and the many killings after the end of this year. This is part of the transition that is supposed to tum full operation of the canal over to associated with it and the outrage over the rape and beat­ Capital punishment is a weapon of intimidation and Panama and dismantle 13 U.S. military bases in the canal ing of a young woman in Central Park in April. But drug terror in the hands of the exploiters. New York should zone by the year 2000. peddling and antisocial violence isn't something these follow the lead of the Nicaraguan government, which When the first phase of the treaties was implemented in forces care about. They want the death penalty as a outlawed the death penalty 10 years ago when it came to October 1979, Panamanian laws became applicable for weapon against working people. power as the result of a popular revolution. The death the first time in the 10-mile-wide strip that divides the The antidemocratic character of the campaign was cap­ penalty should be abolished everywhere and not rein­ country. Since 1903 the canal zone had been run directly tured in a May 1 advertisement in New York newspapers stated in New York State or anywhere else. by the U.S. government. On Oct. I, 1979, a rally was held in the canal zone to celebrate the first steps in implementing the treaties. Some 100,000 people cheered when they heard Panama­ nian President Aristides Royo proclaim, "The canal zone Defend the right to travel will be erased from the map. All that has been off limits to us since 1903 has begun to be ours." Do customs officials have the right to single out travel­ single them out for discriminatory treatment. But in the last 10 years, there has been ample evidence ers for special harassment if they are Black or hold certain Each time customs and immigration authorities get that significant sectors of the U.S. ruling circles don't political views? This is at issue in Canada, where customs away with this kind of abuse, they are emboldened to want to see this happen. The strategic military role of the agents at the Vancouver International Airport detained further restrict the right to travel, especially for workers, canal, the U.S. military .bases in the canal zone, and the James Harris on May 26 and threatened to deny him entry and Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, and Asian workers in multimillionaire-dollar annual canal revenues are too im­ into the country. particular. portant to give up without further resistance. Harris is the Socialist Workers Party candidate for What happened to Harris is not new in Canada. It is However, Washington can't easily abrogate the trea­ mayor of New York. He explains that the harassment similar to the racist and political harassment suffered by ties. These were won through years of massive protests by began because he was Black and then escalated when James Warren in September 1987 when he sought to enter the Panamanian people and were widely acclaimed customs officials saw socialist literature in his briefcase. Canada. Warren, an SWP leader who was the party's throughout Latin America. If Washington unilaterally The charge rings true to many leaders and activists in candidate for U.S. president in 1988, is Black. He too was backed out ofthe treaties now, it would pay a high politi­ the labor movement, Black struggle, and immigrant rights stopped when he went through Canadian customs. When cal price throughout the region. While a few voices in groups. They are all too familiar with abuse by customs socialist literature was found in his bags, customs officials Congress have called for immediately canceling the trea­ officials on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the bor­ demanded that he answer questions about his political ties, most Democratic and Republican politicians prefer der. Elaine Bernard, president of the British Columbia affiliations. Warren, like Harris, declined to do so. not bearing this cost. New Democratic Party in Vancouver, has already written That's what the campaign begun by the U.S. govern­ Warren was held for five hours, subjected to a strip Canada's immigration minister demanding that "an im­ ment in 1986 to drive Gen. Manuel Noriega out of Pan­ search, and then deported on a plane to the United States. mediate apology be issued to Mr. Harris." More such ama is all about. Noriega, who heads Panama's Defense A U.S. cop falsely suggested to other passengers on the protests are needed. Forces, has demonstrated that he doesn't intend to obedi­ plane that Warren was a suspected drug dealer. The largest daily in Vancouver, the Sun, ran a story on ently follow orders from the U.S. capital. As long as the incident headlined "Detention racist, socialist claims." By waging a protest campaign against this outrage, Noriega and his supporters don't knuckle under, Wash­ In addition to interviewing Harris about the harassment, Warren forced the Canadian government to allow him to ington is haunted by the specter of formally abiding by the Sun spoke to Canada Customs traffic supervisor Gerry reenter the country within a week. The campaign also the schedule outlined in the treaties without having a Duffy. He "denied Harris' allegations and said officials helped bring to light the many other cases of visitors and compliant regime in place. are allowed to ask any visitor about their political and permanent immigrants to Canada who were being denied The prospect of confirming a Panamanian nominated social affiliations if it is relevant to customs work," the their rights because of race, national origin, or political by the current Panamanian government to head the Pan­ paper reported. affiliations. ama Canal Commission is very unpalatable to the law­ Duffy's statement should not go unanswered by sup­ By publicizing such violations as widely as possible makers in Washington. It's highly dubious that such a porters of democratic rights. Political and social affilia­ the border cops can be pushed back. All supporters of nominee would be approved by the Senate. tions have nothing to do with the right of travelers to visit democratic rights should strongly denounce the attack on Perhaps Washington will try to get around this dilemma Canada. Nor should the color of a person's skin be used to Harris' right to travel. by asking Eric Arturo Delvalle to name someone to head the commission. Delvalle was president of Panama until he tried to fire Noriega last year and the National Assem­ bly removed him instead. The U.S. government still rec­ ognizes Delvalle as the head of Panama's government. Debt sets off social explosions But there's a thistle in the way here too. Delvalle's term as president expires in September. U.S. officials base their recognition of him on his being the "legitimately" elected In spite of growing repression and a state of emergency, country's foreign creditors at the expense of the living and constitutional president of the country. State Depart­ Argentine working people unable to pay inflated prices are standards of working people. ment officials admit, however, that there's no way the storming supermarkets for food. In Venezuela, workers successfully paralyzed the coun­ Panamanian constitution can be interpreted to allow con­ Argentina -one of the world's largest exporters of try on May 18 during a 12-hour general strike called to tinued recognition after September. To continue recogniz­ food - is a victim of the foreign debt trap set up through protest the government's antilabor policies. Two months ing Delvalle, Washington will have to change the basis it the banks of the ruling rich families in the United States before, Venezuela was the scene of actions similar to those uses for attempting to legitimatize his presidency. and other imperialist countries. The Third World foreign taking place today in Argentina. It's no wonder then that U.S. officials are so persistent debt is $1.3 trillion. Argentina alone owes the imperialist There have been 13 general strikes in Argentina in the in trying to force Noriega out as soon as they can, includ­ banks $59.6 billion. past five and a half years to protest government measures ing imposing sanctions and threatening to use U.S. troops. The crisis in this Southern Cone country is part of the that have resulted in worsening living conditions for work­ They scream that Noriega is involved in the drug trade generalized economic, political, and social crisis sweeping ingpeople. and is repressive. In light of the U.S. government's back­ Latin America. Half of the region's savings and a third of ing of military dictators such as Gen. Augusto Pinochet in its export income go to pay the foreign debt. The road forward for the peoples of Latin America, Chile and the drug-running counterrevolutionary guerril­ As the crisis deepens, the region's toilers have stepped Asia, and Africa burdened by the foreign debt has been las in Afghanistan, however, these accusations are hypo­ up efforts to defend themselves. In Brazil, the largest pointed to by Cuban President Fidel Castro. Castro points critical in the extreme. debtor nation among the semicolonial countries, tens of out that the debt is immoral, illegal, and unpayable, and The charges against Noriega have nothing to do with thousands of workers walked off the job in a two-day strike must be canceled. why Washington wants to get rid of him. Rather, they are in March protesting the government's belt-tightening mea­ Working people in the United States and other imperi­ aimed at attempting to win acceptance in the United sures. The strike was led by the steelworkers and transit alist countries should support the demand to cancel the States and other countries for this drive and to prepare unions. debt owed by the semicolonial countries. Doing so is a step public opinion for the possible use of U.S. troops. On April 6, thousands of workers in the sugar industry toward unifying workers around the world in the face of Washington can't accept permitting Panama to wield in Guyana stopped work to protest debt payments to that the sharpening capitalist economic and social crisis. sovereignty over the canal zone and the canal. That's the issue in this conflict.

14 The Militant June 9,1989 New pamphlet is a useful tool in CUrtis defense The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis: A Packinghouse immediate response to the arrest and frame-up, by those who concessions in wages and work rules at ·its Dakota City, Worker's Fight for Justice, by Margaret Jayko. Path­ worked closely with Curtis as a socialist political activist, Nebraska, plant and defeated a strike by the United Food and finder, New York, 1989,71 pp. and of those who knew him as a union fighter at the Swift Commercial Workers local there." plant where he worked, as well as members of his family. Workers throughout the industry were forced to give back BY SELVA NEBBIA Margaret Jayko, the author, introduces the reader to the many of the gains they had won in the past. By 1985, wages "I've learned a great deal in this fight. Any illusions I people who, in the course of the international defense in the packing industry were slashed, plants shut down and might have held in the so-called justice system have been effort, were won over to defend Curtis against the cop speedup imposed, leaving thousands out of work. shattered, and that's to the good. Through this fightback, frame-up. We are introduced to fighters such as long-time I will leave here a stronger, more conscious fighter. Those civil rights activist Edna Griffith and farmer activist Har­ The attack against meat-packers was part of a generalized who fight along with me will also become stronger and old Dunkelberger. offensive by those who own the wealth in this country against those who produce that wealth. One characteristic of more conscious." We find out about Robert and Nellie Berry, who first These are the words of Mark Curtis. They appear in the heard of the frame-up case at a March 17 demonstration the offensive in the first half of the 1980s was the fact that preface he wrote from prison to the new Pathfinder pam- against U.S. intervention in Nicaragua, a couple of weeks workers took the blows without fighting back. after Curtis was arrested. Jayko describes how this trend began to change as a layer "The Berrys were both born in Kansas; Nellie in 1918 and of workers began to resist the takebacks. IN REVIEW. Robert in 1912," explains Jayko. "Her parents were farmers "This shift was symbolized by the 1985-86 strike of and his were workers. They moved to Des Moines in 1948." packinghouse workers, members of United Food and Com­ phlet The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis. Curtis, a political "The more they found out about Curtis and the defense mercial Workers Local P-9, at the Hormel plant in Austin, activist, was a packinghouse.worker in Des Moines. He campaign," the author points out, "the more committed the Minnesota," she explains. Berrys became, especially when they learned about Curtis' was convicted on trumped-up rape and burglary charges Although the P-9 strike was defeated, it helped inspire active involvement in the struggles of immigrant workers." last September and is serving a 25-year sentence at the a wave of strikes throughout the Midwest. These struggles Curtis was arrested, beaten, and framed up while he was Iowa State Men's Reformatory in Anamosa. also helped set the framework for the current battle against in the midst of a fight to defend 17 Latino immigrant This pamphlet tells the story of his frame-up. It is based Eastern Airlines. coworkers who were being victimized by U.S. immigration on a 12-part series that appeared in the Militant from Oct. 7, It was this increasing fightback that brought Mark Curtis. 1988, to Jan. 20, 1989. The articles have been edited to cops and by Swift's owners. The pamphlet puts the case of this political activist to Des Moines in November 1986. He began to work in the , eliminate repetition and new material has been added as meat industry and became a member of the UFCW. He well, including a chronology of the case. within the context of that fight, as part of what has been taking place during the past decade in the political and joined the battles that were developing in Iowa. It was these Having this material compiled in one piece of literature economic life of working people in Iowa. It goes over the actions that led the Iowa cops to frame him up. and reading it as a whole is a refreshing experience, both for bosses' assault on the living and working conditions of The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis is an invaluable tool for ·· those familiar with the Mark Curtis case and for those who meat-packing workers and on working farmers. "Agricul­ those who wish to understand this case and for those who know little or nothing about it. ture and related industries are the economic and political want to win others to the campaign to defend this fighter. This pamphlet goes over every detail of the case. It covers heart of Iowa," explains Jayko. Special efforts were made to make this a lasting and attrac­ the events leading up to the frame-up, and Curtis' arrest and "In the meat-packing industry, the [bosses'] assault tive tool. Its cover is especially sturdy so that it will hold up beating by the Des Moines police. It vividly describes the opened in 1982 when Iowa Beef Processors demanded big to a lot of use. It also includes a number of photographs. -LETTERS------Prochoice march· who are challenging the un­ ton was doubled, from 45 to 90. port staff at the university, but only pulled over and went up to talk with democratic election laws in the Janet Victoria about 16 percent of the bargaining them. When I came back from the United States. We should have a Wellington, New Zealand unit belongs to the union. The workers are on strike against April9 March for Women's Equal­ right to vote in the primaries as well Mary Lou Montauk LeFebure Corp. because the com­ ity/Women's Lives, I did feel more as general elections even if we're UC Berkeley strike Berkeley, California pany is paying this small electron• confident about talking about what third parties or independent! All the major entrances to the ics assembly plant's female work I had done to the people around me Gary Mcintire force around $5 an hour. Their ben­ where I work as a janitor. University of California at Berke­ Panama St. Paris, Ohio ley were picketed by some 2,000 efits are minimal. Meanwhile, at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marines I have gotten to be good friends graduate students and their sup­ LeFebure's other plant of majority base, is located in southeastern with one person who said, "Oh, I Editor's reply: porters May 3 and 4 during a two­ male workers in Cedar Rapids, the North Carolina. Some of the 2,000 used to go to demonstrations all the The Libertarian Party was on the day strike demanding recognition pay is from $10 to $12 an hour. The troops recently deployed in Pan­ time. That's great that you went!" ballot in 1988 in every state except of their union. The graduate student company refuses to bring the An­ ama were sent from this base. I His union is the Communications West Virginia. instructors and research assistants · amosa plant wages up to $6 even went to Camp Lejeune as part of a Workers of America, and they had are members of the Association of after five years of plant service. team of Militant distributors to talk Eastern strike support leaflets on New Zealand subs Graduate Student Employees One of the strikers said the com­ with soldiers about what they think their bulletin boards. (AGSE), an affiliate of United Auto pany counted on "dumb farmers" A feature of theMilitant circula­ about Panama. Because he is active in the anti­ Workers District 65. and "dumb women" to accept low tion campaign in the Wellington The reactions we got ran the nuclear movement, he received an The walkout was an outstanding pay and nonunion working condi­ region has been the number of sub­ gamut. One soldier was convinced announcement of a demonstration · success, with up to 70 percent of tions. But these rural women work­ scriptions sold to university stu­ of "the need to keep America against nuclear power June 3, from classes canceled. Seventy-one pro­ ers fought to organize the union and dents. Fifteen Militant subscrip­ strong" and "to defend our interests win a first contract. noon to 5:00 p.m. at Hampton tions and one to Perspectiva fessors signed a letter to the chan­ there.;, A few others said they were Beach State Park, within sight of cellor calling on the university to Mundial have been sold at prowar and anticommunist. Just before the contract expired the Seabrook, New Hampshire, nu­ negotiate with AGSE. Wellington's university. Twenty­ The most common reaction we in May, the company laid off 20 of clear reactor. two have been sold at the university More than half of undergraduate encountered was soldiers and their the 50 workers in an effort to intim­ I think this will be the first Clam­ in Palmerston North. teaching here is handled by gradu­ families who said they hoped not to idate them. shell Alliance demonstration since This is on top of the 27 sold ate students. Their average wage is have to go. The Anamosa strikers are getting the Exxon oil spill, and they hope it before the campaign's start to stu­ $1,000 a month. Although they A couple were against the send­ solidarity from the workers at the will be big. We can't go, but put this dents enrolling for their new year's must pay state and federal taxes, ing of troops to intervene. One Cedar Rapids plant. They came in your paper so other people may courses. they receive no health benefits as woman said her husband thought it down to picket with the strikers in come. do other university employees. A number of those buying sub­ would be another Vietnam. A sol­ Anamosa - "to get in shape for Denis Hoppe In 1987 the Public Employees scriptions were students from dier who bought a subscription to next February" when the Cedar Dearborn, Michigan Relations Board ruled that graduate neighboring Pacific Islands who the Militant strongly protested Rapids contract expires. student instructors were employees had come to New Zealand to study. against going but said if he was I told them about Mark Curtis and as such entitled to collective West Virginia ballot sent, he'd have to go. and his fight against a frame-up for The Militant is sold weekly at bargaining rights. But in April of Bill Caffey his political and union activities. In the May 26 Militant there was two plant gates in Wellington - this year, the board reversed itself, Sherrie Love The strikers eagerly took copies of an article on West Virginia's ballot the meat works and the major car stating that they are not employees Jacksonville, North Carolina defense committee material and the access suit. It states that the New plant, Mitsubishi. Six Militant sub­ but students and therefore cannot pamphlet on his story and said Alliance Party was the only third scriptions have been sold as part of be recognized as members of a they'd let everyone know about the party to get on the ballot in West these plant-gate sales during the union. Anamosa strike case. Virginia in 1988. I heard that the campaign. While waiting for Militant editor The university offered to discuss Ellen Haywood Libertarian candidate was on the Margaret Jayko to interview pris­ Several subscriptions have also their demands but not negotiate Anamosa, Iowa ballot in all 50 states. So which is oner Mark Curtis at the Iowa State true? been sold at political events held in with them as a bargaining unit. this city. The highlight of these was Men's Reformatory, I drove down I think any laws that prohibit The graduate students' success The letters column is an open the meeting for a leader of the Co­ has led to a big discussion among Main Street in the small town of forum for all viewpoints on sub­ people from voting in the primary Anamosa where the prison is lo­ of their choice, in order to vote for madres organization of EI Salva­ members of other unions on cam­ jects of general interest to our dor, where two Perspectiva Mund­ pus, including within my union, cated. readers. Please keep your letters an independent candidate in the Just the other side of downtown general election, is unconstitu­ ial subscriptions and three to the American Federation of State, brief. Where necessary they will Militant were sold. tional. County and Municipal Employees I passed three women holding up be abridged. Please indicate if As a result of these successes, the Local3211, UC Berkeley. We rep­ picket signs reading, "United Auto you prefer that your initials be I'm glad to see there are people target for Militant sales in Welling- resent about 2,400 of the 5,600 sup- Workers on strike for equity." I used rather than your full name.

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June 9,1989 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT State of siege declared in Argentina Rise in food prices fuels angry protests in major cities

BY SELVA NEBBIA know what to do." At least 12 people have been killed and The head of the Peronist party in Santa Fe dozens wounded by police and government said that some I 0,000 people participated in troops in several Argentine cities since May the actions. 27. Hundreds have been arrested. On May 29 Raw Alfonsfn, Argentina's State of seige president, declared a 30-day state of siege to Under the state of siege all constitutional attempt to control a massive and widespread liberties are suspended. The authorities are wave of popular actions in the country's allowed to arrest people without a court order major cities. and to move prisoners to other parts of the Hundreds of city dwellers, mostly women country. The government also has the power and children and many from what in Argen­ to limit freedom of the press and of assembly. tina are called villas miseria (towns of mis­ The state of emergency, however, did not ery), broke into supermarkets and other stores dampen the actions. and emptied the shelves of food. Government figures blame the popular ac­ In Rosario, a city of 1 million in the prov­ tions on "elements of the extreme left." ince of Santa Fe, where the rebellion was most massive, at least 50 food stores were Argentina's economic crisis emptied as groups of people went through the shelves. At least seven were killed and hun­ At the root of the protests is the severe dreds wounded. More than 1,000 were ar­ . economic situation facing working people rested. and the additional belt-tightening measures imposed by the Alfonsfn government in re­ In the city of Mendoza, 40 women accom­ cent weeks. panied by children broke supermarket win­ dows and took food items on May 27. "Not only will we implement a war econ­ omy, but we will have a crisis government," Similar actions occurred in the city of said Alfonsfn on May 20. "We are going to Cordoba. In San Miguel, a working-class suburb of outside the capital city, Buenos carry out a socially conscious policy, but Aires, at least five were killed. nevertheless it will be hard, as everybody can imagine." Militant/Mary-Alice Waters 'Out of desperation' Alfonsfn was referring to the transitional Demonstration in Buenos Aires in 1988 against privatization of state shipping firm. government he is setting up between now and "The sackings are out of desperation," said Handing over state firms to private owners is an issue In current protests. Norma Zaragoza, a Buenos Aires slum December 10, when he will tum over his dweller. She said she could not afford to keep office to Carlos Menem, the Peronist candi­ up with the prices of staples such as bread and date for president who was elected in the May the cost of public transportation. It is esti­ monthly minimum wage from $23 to $57, yet rice to feed her husband and six children. 14 elections. mated that May's rate of inflation will be it is estimated that it costs around $150 a "I had a shotgun and prepared a system to Alfonsfn offered to tum over power before more than 70 percent. On May 28 Alfonsfn month to feed a family. electrify the doors," said Pablo Davola, a the date set by the constitution. Menem announced further cuts in public spending Rosario storeowner. "But there were many turned the offer down. and the handing over to private ownership of Prices up 100 percent people I knew, people from the neighborhood In the week before the actions the govern­ publicly owned radio and television stations. Over the past several weeks, the prices of who used to come and buy things. I didn't ment had announced a 40 percent increase in On May 30 the government raised the basic foodstuffs rose by more than 100 per­ cent, through markups sometimes as often as twice a day. In February Argentina's currency, the aus­ tral, was 17 to the U.S. dollar. By May 26 it Gorbachev gets boost from congress, was valued at 210 to the dollar. Argentina is about $3.6 billion behind in its interest pay­ ments on its $59.6 billion foreign debt. calls for enforcing law and order As Alfonsfn was announcing his new "cri­ sis cabinet" on May 26, several hundred housewives held a demonstration in Buenos BY SELVA NEBBIA youth, union, and artistic organizations. The when he told Gorbachev, "I compare you not Aires' Plaza de Mayo to protest the economic The first gathering of the new Congress of congress meets once a year. to Lenin or Stalin, but to the great Napoleon, situation. Another protest demonstration a People's Deputies in the Soviet Union The newly elected Supreme Soviet will who, fearing neither bullets nor death, led the few days earlier drew 3,000. showed how the wider electoral competition, take up legislative and administrative mat­ nation to victory, but owing to sycophants and Supporters of the United Left, a coalition debates, and criticism now permitted in that ters. It will hold spring and autumn sessions, his wife transformed the republic into an em­ of the Communist Party, the Movement for country have been utilized by Communist each running for three or four months. pire." Socialism (MAS), and other organizations, Party head Mikhail Gorbachev to bolster his have been organizing "demonstrations authority and power within the Soviet gov­ Congress is nationally televised Delegates also questioned Gorbachev against hunger" in the capital and in other ernment. In line with Gorbachev's current policy of Continued on Page 13 cities around the country. The party leader clearly dominated the glasnost, that is, openness, the congress was meeting and kept control of it at all times. televised live nationally. The Moscow City Criticisms leveled against him were generally Council agreed to open up an area near in the framework of backing his economic Luzhniki sports stadium for public assembly Caribbean meeting condemns restructuring proposals and permitting him while the congress was in session. more formal powers. Some delegates vented differences, in­ When the congress elected Gorbachev to cluding criticisms of Gorbachev. Before cast­ book banning in Grenada the post of president, it gave him broader ing her vote for the presidency, for example, powers in legislation, foreign policy initia­ Mruju Lauristen, a delegate from Estonia and BYALDUNCAN which necessarily includes respect for and tives, and military matters than the presi­ leader of the Estonian Popular Front, de­ CHRISTCHURCH, Barbados - The protection of human rights." dency previously had. manded to know when members of the Com­ Caribbean Studies Association (CSA), Caribbean Contact, the CCC's widely In. his inaugural address on May 30, munist Party Politburo had learned of plans meeting here in its annual conference May circulated monthly newspaper, devoted the Gorbachev made a strong appeal for law and to send troops against Georgian demonstra­ 23-26, condemned the recent banning of back page of its May issue to a detailed order. In condemning the "current state of tors last month, which resulted in the death of 86 political books by the government of account of the Grenadian government's sei­ discipline and order," he said, "I have in mind 21 demonstrators. Grenada. zure of "banned" books. It placed the action attempts by isolated persons and groups to She asked what Gorbachev thought of This is "a violation of the rights of in the context of rising police brutality and attain their own personal or group objectives using troops to break up domestic protest Grenadians and an affront to writers, pub­ increasing attacks on the democratic rights by organizing mass disorders and provoking demonstrations. lishers, and all concerned with the unfet­ of public workers and opposition political acts of violence." Andrei Sakharov, a physicist and Nobel tered circulation of ideas," said the associa­ groups under the U.S.-imposed regime of One of the most debated and publicized Prize-winner, was the first speaker recog­ tion. The CSA represents 700 scholars. Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. actions of the congress was electing the Su­ An interview with Pathfinder spokesper­ nized by Gorbachev, who chaired the first Rev. Allan F. Kirton, general secretary preme Soviet, a new 542-member parliamen­ session of the congress. Sakharov, who took son Helen Meyers was broadcast through­ tary body. The proposal to establish the Con­ of the Caribbean Conference of Churches out the region May 30 by the Caribbean the floor several times, said that while he (CCC), issued a statement May 27 con­ gress of People's Deputies was adopted at a supported Gorbachev for president, the Com­ News Agency radio service. Other inter­ Communist Party conference held last July, demning the Grenadian government's ac­ views were conducted by EC News, a major munist Party head should deliver a "self-crit­ tion. as part ofGorbachev's proposal for reorgan­ ical review" for his four years in power and regional weekly published here, and the izing the government. present his future platform. "In October 1983 we were told that Gre­ Barbados Advocate. Of the congress' 2,250 members, 1,500 are nada was being invaded so as 'to make the Pathfinder, publisher of many of the elected from territorial and national districts Caribbean safe for democracy,"' Kirton banned books, is participating in a book Gorbachev compared to Napoleon and 750 from governing bodies of the party said. "The authorities in Grenada have no exhibition in Barbados connected with the and other organizations it controls, such as Leonid Sukhov stirred some controversy choice other than to practice democracy, CSA meeting.

16 The Militant June 9,1989