AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.00 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE U.S. rulers, imperialist allies mount ‘unprecedented pressure’ on Iran — PAGE 7 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 75/no. 43 November 28, 2011 All out for Greek steel Locked-out workers final days of strikers take demand jobless pay subscription on boss, gov’t North Dakota gov’t backs sugar bosses campaign! austerity BY jim carson By Natasha Terlexis November 15—With six days left ATHENS, Greece, November to go in the seven-week international 12—“Not a single sacrifice for the drive to win 2,200 new and renewed plutocracy!” reads the large banner subscribers to the Militant, we stand over the front entrance to the Elliniki at 1,862, or 85 percent of our goal. We Halivourgia steel mill in Aspropyr- urge all our distributors to use every gos outside Athens, where workers remaining day of the drive to bring have been on strike for 13 days. Four this effort to a successful conclusion. hundred workers are employed at the All subscriptions received in the mill. Militant Business Office by 9 p.m. Mill bosses gave up trying to run Wednesday, November 23, will be the plant three days into the strike, counted in the drive. Because of the according to workers. “Management Militant’s Thanksgiving holiday, the does not even show up any more. final scoreboard will be printed in the Our people must guard the plant 24/7 following issue, dated December 5. to make sure no harm comes to the Harry D’Agostino from New Paltz, equipment,” Nikolaos Harokopos, N.Y., reports that a team of socialist vice president of the Workers and Em- AP/Dale Wetzel workers and youth from four cities ployees Union of Elliniki Halivourgia, Locked-out sugar workers and supporters rally inside North Dakota’s capitol in Bismarck Continued on page 4 told the Militant. November 9 demanding legislature reverse decision to deny them unemployment benefits. The Militant spoke with pickets

Fall ‘Militant’ in front of the steel mill’s gate today BY FRANK FORRESTAL in the Red River Valley of North Da- around two barrels of burning wood More than 100 locked-out Ameri- kota and northwestern Minnesota subscription campaign with temperatures close to zero de- can Crystal Sugar workers and their traveled to Bismarck to protest at the Oct. 1–Nov. 20 (week 6) grees Celsius (32oF). supporters rallied in Bismarck, the “special session” of the state legisla- The company “went to its other capital of North Dakota, November ture. Many came by bus. They were Country quota sold % 2,200 plant in Volos and asked for a five- 9, to press the state government to Continued on page 9 UNITED STATES hour workday, which means a 40 reverse its decision denying them un- percent cut in pay. The union there employment benefits. Muscoda, WI† 3 3 100% Continued on page 7 Workers from five locked-out plants San Francisco* 170 154 91% Cops move to should Seattle* 175 157 90% be evict Oakland, Los Angeles 150 132 88% Alabama actions for immigrant Des Moines* 165 145 88% 1,862 other ‘Occupy’ Boston* 60 52 87% rights inspired by Black struggle Lincoln* 30 26 87% BY sam manuel began by placing flowers on the grave encampments Atlanta* 170 144 85% BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Some 125 of Fred Shuttlesworth and a march to BY BETSEY STONE Twin Cities 140 113 81% mostly Latino workers and their fami- Kelly Ingram Park, an historic site OAKLAND, Calif.—In the early Houston* 90 72 80% lies marched and rallied here Novem- marking the 1963 battle against Jim morning of November 14, hundreds of cops in riot gear descended on the Washington 60 48 80% ber 12 to protest the state’s anti-im- Crow racial segregation of which migrant law. About 200 marched the Shuttlesworth was a central leader. Occupy Oakland campers, destroying Chicago* 165 127 77% same day in Huntsville, according to “We are here in this very important their tents and removing them from Miami 90 64 71% the Huntsville Times. site of the struggle for human rights the park in front of City Hall where New York* 260 175 67% In Birmingham, the day’s activities Continued on page 4 many have been for over a month. Un- New Paltz† 15 10 67% like an earlier raid on October 25, no injuries were reported. Philadelphia 90 56 62% Cops have moved to shut down Oc- Cincinnati† 4 2 50% cupy encampments in a number of Albuquerque† 3 1 33% cities, including New York; Portland, Bloomington† 5 1 20% Ore.; Salt Lake City and Denver. Sim- Continued on page 6 Pittsburgh† 4 0 0% Total U.S. 1,849 1,482 80% UNITED KINGDOM Also Inside: Manchester 60 56 93% London protest demands London 120 118 98% end to ‘deaths in custody’ 2 Total U.K. 180 174 97% CANADA* 85 78 92% Referendums in Ohio reject antilabor law, ‘Obamacare’ 4 NEW ZEALAND 80 66 83% Locked-out workers picket AUSTRALIA 65 62 95% meat plant in New Zealand 5 Total 2,259 1,862 85% Jefferson County, Alabama, Should be 2,200 1,886 86% Militant/Sam Manuel November 12 protest in Birmingham, Ala., against anti-immigrant law. In middle is José Antonio files for bankruptcy 6 † * Raised goal First time on scoreboard Castro of La Jefa radio station; Anthony Johnson of NAACP is at right holding banner. London protest demands end to ‘deaths in custody’ BY TONY HUNT the young Brazilian worker who was London—Demanding “No more shot on a train in July 2005, also spoke, deaths in custody!” hundreds marched as did the family of Jimmy Mubenga, here October 29. The organizers, the who died in October 2010 while being United Families and Friends Campaign, deported to Angola. “The police are have worked to expose the fact that 3,180 there to protect—not you and me—but people have died in the United Kingdom the establishment,” said Rupert Sylves- since 1969 while in custody of police, or ter, whose son Roger died in 1999. in prisons, psychiatric units, immigra- Michelle Kelly from Birmingham tion jails, or while being deported. There came with the friends and family of Mi- were 225 such deaths reported last year. chael Powell, who died in 2003. “The “We have to take to the streets and police laid Mikey down in a van like a stand with other families. The police dog,” she told the Militant. need to be accountable,” stated Marcia “We want some answers not just for Rigg, UFFC joint chair, at the rally close my cousin but for all the others,” said to Prime Minister David Cameron’s res- Paulette Burrell-Ennever in an inter- idence. Her brother Sean Rigg died in view. She is the cousin of Kingsley London in 2008 after being restrained Burrell, who died this past March in Militant/Debra Jacobs Protest in London October 29 against deaths while in cops’ custody. Last year 225 such deaths by cops. Rigg said the Independent Po- Birmingham. “We have always told our were reported. “Police need to be held accountable,” said Marcia Rigg, a march organizer. lice Complaints Commission, which in- children if they are in trouble ‘go to the vestigates such deaths, was “biased to- police,’” added Vicky Burrell, another tions, which go on for years in order to of the IPCC . . . by a ‘truly’ indepen- wards the police.” Since 1969 only two cousin. “Now, I can’t trust them.” wear families down. We have relent- dent body,” immediate suspension and officers have ever been convicted. A letter delivered to the prime min- lessly used the judicial process system interrogation of all cops and officials in- “The police think they can control ister charged the government with “a to no avail.” It contained a list of eight volved in a custody death, and “full dis- everybody and act above the law,” Roy strategy of long drawn out investiga- demands, including the “replacement closure of information to the families.” Senkali, a 16-year-old supermarket worker from London, told the Militant as the march assembled. “We need to stand firm, be strong, the ‘Militant’ makes changes to volunteer staff fight goes on,” said Patricia Coker at the BY seth galinsky party pushed back attempts by city of- Defense Fund. Founded in 1973, PRDF rally. Her son Paul died in 2005. As part of moves to strengthen the ficials to keep him off the ballot. From organized support for the SWP and Floyd Jarrett’s mother Cynthia was Militant, John Studer is joining the 1998 to 2003 he volunteered in the print YSA lawsuit against the FBI and other killed in the Tottenham neighborhood of volunteer editorial staff and a business shop that produced the Militant and government agencies for wiretapping, London in 1985 when police burst into manager, Lea Sherman, is being added books on revolutionary working-class burglary, bombing, and other harass- her house. The killing sparked an anti- to the masthead. Doug Nelson is now politics by Pathfinder Press. ment against members and supporters police riot. “Twenty-six years later they the managing editor. In 2004-2005 Nelson was an editorial of the communist movement. kill Mark Duggan. You people will be Nelson, 35, joined the communist volunteer for the Militant and worked Sherman, 63, joined the Socialist brought to justice,” Jarrett said. Duggan movement in 1995 in Minneapolis. in the SWP National Office. In 2007 he Workers Party in 1977 in Dallas, where was shot dead by cops in Tottenham in The following year he was the Socialist moved from Washington, D.C., where she was a leader of the National Organi- August, which also sparked protests and Workers Party candidate for Minnesota he was working in a meatpacking plant, zation for Women chapter. After mov- riots in the area. state assembly in District 63-A. In 1997 to volunteer again for the paper. Ear- ing to Birmingham, Ala., Sherman was A cousin of Jean Charles de Menezes, he ran for mayor of Atlanta, where the lier this year he was part of a Militant one of five women hired at Ingalls Iron reporting team at the Havana Interna- Works in 1981 as a result of an antidis- tional Book Fair. crimination lawsuit. Studer, 65, has moved to New York Sherman has been an SWP candidate from Philadelphia, where he worked at for public office numerous times, most a Hyundai-Rotem rail car plant. He has recently running for San Francisco may- been active in politics ever since high or in the November elections. Before school when he joined the Congress of becoming business manager she was ‘Workers must all stand up and be heard’ Racial Equality in Freeport, N.Y. organizer of the executive committee As a student at Antioch College in of the party’s San Francisco branch and “I knew unions and the Ohio, Studer was chair of the campus worked at an airline catering company. working class were strug- chapter of the Student Mobilization As the worldwide economic crisis gling in our country. But the Committee to End the War in Vietnam. deepens, the Militant will be organizing ‘Militant’ made me aware There he joined the Young Socialist Al- more systematic coverage from outside that the struggles are world- liance and in 1968 joined the SWP. the United States, including Canada, the From 1981 to 2007, Studer was ex- United Kingdom and elsewhere in Eu- wide and that we must all ecutive director of the Political Rights rope, and the Pacific. stand up and be heard.” —Kari Sorenson one year send $35 to above address. locked-out sugar worker The Militant Latin America, Caribbean: For one year Fargo, North Dakota Militant/Frank Forrestal Vol. 75/No. 43 send $85, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. Closing news date: November 16, 2011 Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For one Editor: Steve Clark year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above Managing editor: Doug Nelson address. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Business manager: Lea Sherman Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 to Editorial volunteers: Róger Calero, Jim the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Montreal, Carson, Naomi Craine, Harry D’Agostino, Quebec H2S 2S5. Seth Galinsky, John Hawkins, Emma United Kingdom: Send £26 for one year by NEW READERS NAME Johnson, Jacob Perasso, John Studer, Brian check or international money order made out Williams, Rebecca Williamson. to CL London, First Floor, 120 Bethnal Green Published weekly except for one week in Road (Entrance in Brick Lane), London, E2 q.$5 for 12 issues ADDRESS January, two weeks in June, and two weeks 6DG, England. in August. Republic of Ireland and Continental RENEWAL CITY STATE ZIP The Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 306 W. 37th Europe: Send £85 for one year by check or Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10018. international money order made out to CL Telephone: (212) 244-4899 London at above address. q.$10 for 12 weeks PHONE e-mail Fax: (212) 244-4947 France: Send 76 euros for one year to E-mail: [email protected] Diffusion du Militant, P.O. Box 175, 23 rue Website: www.themilitant.com Lecourbe, 75015 Paris. q.$20 for 6 months UNION/SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION Correspondence concerning subscriptions or New Zealand: Send NZ$50 for one year to changes of address should be addressed to the P.O. Box 3025, Auckland 1140, New Zealand. q.$35 for 1 year Clip and mail to the militant, Militant, 306 W. 37th Street, 10th floor, New Australia: Send A$50 for one year to P.O. 306 W. 37th st., 10th Floor new york, ny 10018. York, NY 10018. Box 164 Campsie, NSW 2194, Australia. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY. 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2 The Militant November 28, 2011 Quebec students reject steep increase in tuition BY BEVERLY BERNARDO of the Alliance of Montreal Teachers, MONTREAL—Chanting, “We was there as part of his union’s con- want education; we don’t want to be tingent. “I don’t like the government’s indebted,” more than 20,000 students position that the user should pay. It and their supporters from across Que- turns education into a commodity bec marched downtown through the like any other,” he said. rain here November 10 to protest the On the eve of the action Quebec Quebec government’s plan to raise Prime Minister Jean Charest said he tuition fees by $325 each year for the won’t back down and will raise aver- next five years. age annual tuition to $3,793 by 2016, The demonstration was part of a up from the current average of about one-day boycott of classes voted on $2,168. Even with the increase, he ar- by some 200,000 university and cegep gued, Quebec students would still be students. Widely referred to as col- paying the lowest fees in Canada. Av- leges, cegeps provide pre-university erage tuition fees in the country are public education in Quebec. On many $5,138. campuses students picketed and ral- More than 20,000 students and supporters participated in November 10 Quebec-wide lied before getting on buses to come Katy LeRougetel and John Steele con- demonstration in Montreal in opposition to a sharp increase of university tuition fees to the Quebec-wide protest here. tributed to this article over the next five years being implemented by the Quebec Liberal Party government. “We organized three buses to come,” Antoine Rail, an executive member of the cegep student associa- With Libya war, Ottawa seeks foothold in Africa tion in Jonquière, told the Militant. “Vanier College and Collège St- by Katy LeRougetel eral damage estimate,” said Maj. Scott Ottawa has plans to establish two Op- Laurent put our differences aside to MONTREAL—“Canada once Hale, Deputy CP 140 Aurora Flight erational Hubs in Africa, part of an in- fight for the same cause,” said Debo- again punched above its weight as part Commander. “Collateral damage” is ternational network of seven through- rah Otter, a second year student at of an international coalition,” boast- a common euphemism coined by U.S. out the world, according to Montreal Vanier, an English-language cegep. ed Canadian Defence Minister Peter military brass to describe civilian ca- daily Le Devoir. Negotiations are St-Laurent is a French-language one MacKay November 4, as he confirmed sualties. under way with Senegal and Kenya, next to it. withdrawal of Canada’s military per- As part of the reinforcement and marking the first time Canada would “I came out of solidarity and also sonnel from the attack force on Libya. transformation of Canada’s military, have bases on the continent. because I have a son who will soon be The military mission conducted under starting university and these tuition the NATO flag—in which the U.S., fee hikes will be an issue for him too,” France and Britain played a dominant ‘Keep the change for your said Marie-Claude Bélanger, who role—was commanded by Canada’s marched with her daughter, a student Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard. at the University of Montreal. Six hundred and thirty Canadian organization,’ say workers Although the marchers were over- forces were deployed in the imperial- By Omari Musa members of the party branch raised whelmingly students, there were ists’ Libya campaign. One task force Members of the Socialist Workers their goal from $8,000 to $10,200. placards from the Quebec Federa- patrolled the Mediterranean in naval Party were told to “keep the change for Joel Britton reports from San Fran- tion of Labor and the Confederation frigates enforcing the blockade of your organization,” by two members cisco that two immigrant rights activ- of National Trade Unions. About a Libya. The other, based in Italy, helped of the International Longshore and ists contributed $5 and $20 to the fund dozen members of Parti Québécois in lead aerial surveillance and assaults on Warehouse Union picketing outside after an appeal by Gerardo Sánchez, the National Assembly attended the Libyan territory. EGT Development’s grain terminal in SWP candidate for San Francisco action as did Amir Khadir, Québec From March to October of this year, Longview, Wash. County Sheriff in the November elec- Solidaire’s member of the legislature. Canadian fighter jets conducted 946 They had each bought a subscription tions. Many members of the McGill Uni- sorties, 10 percent of all NATO strikes, to the Militant along with a copy of “On numerous occasions individu- versity Non-Academic Certified As- and dropped 696 bombs on Libyan Teamster Rebellion and gave $5 to the als buying the Militant have pitched sociation on strike since September soil. party’s annual fund drive. “We appre- in a dollar or two ‘to help the cause’ 1, took part. “The students have sup- The mission tested and served to ciate your support, the newspaper and as some put it,” Britton said. “We have ported us,” said MUNACA striker improve the capacities and skills of the books, and you use the money for blasted through our initial goal of Tara Alward. “We were students and the Canadian rulers’ armed forces. your organization to keep doing this,” $14,000 and are confident we will go we know what it’s like.” The Department of National Defence one of them, Mike Wilcox, said. over $15,000.” Jean-Luc Arseneau, vice-president touted a series of “firsts” for its Aurora The union is engaged in a fight Sergio Zambrana, a 21-year-old stu- long-range patrol aircraft. “The benefit against unionbusting by EGT, which dent at Montgomery College in Rock- of the Aurora . . . is that we can sit over has refused to honor an agreement ville, Md., was unable to attend the an area for a long time and build an ac- with the Port of Longview to hire fund event in Washington, D.C., but militant curate picture of activities and pattern ILWU labor. sent a note to the meeting featuring of life, which allows better target iden- Another indication of support for Ma’mud Shirvani, a longtime party labor tification and a more precise collat- the fund comes from Atlanta, where leader. “I send cheerful greetings to forums Ma’mud, my friends in the SWP and minnesota Party-Building Fund everyone else attending tonight’s fo- calendar rum. Every time I make donations to Minneapolis week 5 of 7 Crisis of Capitalism in Europe: Instabil- the funds or put time into activities and ity, Harsh Austerity and Workers Resis- greece Area Quota Collected % trips organized by the party, I know it tance. Fri., Dec. 2, 8 p.m. 1311 1/2 E. Lake Athens San Francisco $14,000 $12,310 88% will not go to waste. . . . This is a disci- St., 2nd floor. Tel.: (612) 729-1205. Book Launch of Socialism and Man in Los Angeles $8,500 $6,900 81% Cuba by Ernesto Che Guevara. Sun., plined, politically strong and dedicated Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Speakers: Luis Prado, Seattle $9,000 $7,148 79% party that I support and look forward new york ambassador of Cuba; Nikos Karandrea, Lincoln $200 $155 78% to working with in the future.” Manhattan president of the Greek-Cuban Friendship Atlanta* $10,200 $7,904 77% How the Conquests of the 1950s-60s Civil Association; Costas Isihos, former vice Zambrana contributed $20 to the Rights Movement Strengthen the Work- president of the Athens Labor Center; Boston* $4,100 $3,055 75% fund and took a personal goal of rais- ing Class. Speaker: John Studer, Socialist Natasha Terlexis, Diethnes Vima publish- Des Moines* $3,200 $2,219 69% ing $80 more. Workers Party. Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. ing house. Sponsors: Cuban Embassy in European Union Frays Under Lash of Athens and Diethnes Vima. Greek-Cuban Miami $3,200 $1,963 61% “I didn’t know what to expect when Capitalist Crisis. Speaker: Anita Olsson, Friendship Association Hall, Boubouli- New York $20,000 $11,982 60% I came. It wasn’t a lecture, but a dis- Socialist Workers Party. Fri., Dec. 2, 7:30 nas 28. Houston $4,000 $2,224 56% cussion on why we need to fight for a p.m. Both events at 307 W. 36th St., 10th floor. Tel.: (212) 629-6649. Twin Cities $6,000 $3,361 56% revolution,” said Mathew Gravenor, a united kingdom Chicago $10,000 $5,144 51% freshman at Hood College in Freder- London Washington $7,500 $2,910 39% ick, Md., who came to the meeting and united kingdom Free the Cuban 5 protest. Thurs., Dec. Philadelphia $3,700 $1,125 30% contributed $8. London 1, 6 p.m. With participation of mothers of The Party-Building Fund ends No- European Union Begins to Unravel. three of the five: Mirta Rodríguez, Irma Other $850 Speaker: Tony Hunt, Communist League. Schwerert and Magali Llort. Organized Total $103,600 $69,251 69% vember 20. Contributions should be Fri., Nov. 25, 7 p.m. Donation: £3. First floor, by Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Outside Should Be $100,000 $71,429 71% sent to the SWP unit listed in the chart 120 Bethnal Green Road (entrance in Brick the U.S. Embassy, Grosvenor Square. on this page. Let’s bring the fund home Lane), E2 6DG. Tel.: (020) 7613 2466. Tel.: (020) 8800-0155. * Raised goal and on time! The Militant November 28, 2011 3 ‘Militant’ subscriptions Continued from the front page tions and one renewal,” Linda Harris across the U.S. sold six subscriptions writes from Sydney, Australia. in the coal mining area of southern Il- “A young worker at Occupy Mel- linois during the weekend of Novem- bourne,” she says, “bought a sub- ber 12-13. scription and told us about a picket “One of these subscriptions was line at the Baiada chicken processing sold at the portal of an American plant. We went there and sold eight Coal mine in Galatia, Ill., to Justin subscriptions, including to two young Gibbons, a miner working at the Pat- women workers from Vietnam and tiki Coal Mine in White County, Ill.,” Ethiopia, who are leading the strike, D’Agostino says. “He was also quick and three to young union organizers, to buy Teamster Rebellion by Farrell one of whom also got Teamster Rebel- Dobbs,” one of five books offered at lion. One of the volunteer picketers a reduced price during the drive. (See also bought Malcolm X, Black Libera- ad below.) tion, and the Road to Workers Power. From Washington, D.C., Janice We sold four more subscriptions go- Lynn writes that over the course of ing door to door in a working-class the weekend members of the Socialist neighborhood nearby.” Because of the special Thanksgiv- Workers Party sold 21 subscriptions Militant/Jacob Perasso and 33 single copies of the socialist ing schedule, send your next sales re- Coal miner Justin Gibbons, second from left, bought Militant subscription along with copy newsweekly in Birmingham, Ala. ports by 8 a.m., New York time, Mon- of Teamster Rebellion by Farrell Dobbs from Alyson Kennedy and Max Bontrager, both “Ten of the subscriptions were sold to day, November 21. standing, November 12 outside mine portal owned by American Coal in Galatia, Ill. participants at an event of 125 protest- ing the state anti-immigrant law. The rest were sold to workers who signed Immigrant rights demonstrations in Alabama up in trailer parks, apartments and in Continued from front page “Whatever happens we must con- fight against HB 56 is very difficult a Mexican restaurant.” and justice,” said José Antonio Cas- tinue to fight for our rights,” Celso because many people don’t have pa- From Los Angeles, Norton Sandler tro, program director for La Jefa, a Rivera, a construction worker on the pers. reports that he just sold his fourth sub- popular Spanish-language radio sta- march, told the rally. Rivera said he Castro responded that when young scription on the job. “My coworkers tion throughout the state. Castro, was six months into paying for a house Blacks attempted to enter restaurants are especially attracted to the short ar- along with radio announcer Orlando when the bill was passed. He has had and other places that were segregated ticles that analyze the economic crisis Rosa, arrived in the city that is the to stop payments and lost what he had the law was against them. “The law is and the real situation of the working seventh stop in their “14 days, 14 cit- already paid. His two children are the law. Like those young people did, class: the actual unemployment rate, ies” walk to campaign for the repeal afraid to attend school. we must also confront it,” said Cas- low salaries and working conditions. of the “Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen “Jim Crow may be dead but his tro. They also read the On the Picket Line Protection Act.” cousins are very much alive,” said The “14 Days, 14 Cities” tour start- column very carefully.” Known as HB 56, the act, like re- Anthony Johnson to the crowd’s ap- ed in Athens. Next was Huntsville, From Auckland, New Zealand, cent laws in Arizona, Georgia and plause. Johnson spoke on behalf of followed by Cullman, Albertville, George Fyson writes that members other states, builds on existing fed- the Birmingham National Associa- Oneonta and Gardendale. After Bir- of the Communist League visited the eral law. Its provisions include in- tion for the Advancement of Colored mingham will be Tuscaloosa, Cent- picket line of locked-out meat workers structing police to “determine the cit- People. “Your battle today is part of reville, Clanton, Selma, Prattville and at the Canterbury Meat Packers plant izenship and immigration status” of the battle to continue the fight for civil Wetumpka. The tour ends November in Marton for a second time. (See ar- anyone they stop and banning many rights.” Johnson led rally participants 19 with a rally in Montgomery, the ticle on page 5.) contracts and business transactions on a walking tour of the park’s plaza, state capital. “One worker bought a subscription with undocumented immigrants, in- which also includes the 16th Street A rally is also planned November 21 on the spot, another picked up a copy cluding rental and home ownership Baptist Church and the Birmingham here at the 16th Street Baptist Church. of Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and agreements. Civil Rights Institute. Among the announced speakers are the Road to Workers Power by Jack One aspect of the legislation requir- On Sept. 15, 1963, during Sun- Democratic Congress members Terri Barnes, and several others gave their ing schools to determine if each stu- day service, a bomb exploded at the Sewell, John Lewis and Luis Gutier- names so we could follow up with dent is a legal U.S. resident “or is the church, killing four young Black girls. rez; Rev. Arthur Price Jr., the church’s them later,” reports Fyson. child of an alien not lawfully present” Twenty-three other people were also pastor; Bernard Simelton, president of “This week members of the Com- was temporarily blocked by a federal hurt in the blast. the Alabama NAACP; Hillary Shel- munist League sold 13 new subscrip- court. At the entrance to the civil rights ton, director of NAACP, Washington institute Castro was approached by bureau; and Mitch Ackerman, execu- several workers who had attended the tive vice president of the Service Em- Special offers with Militant subscription rally. One of them explained that the ployees International Union. Teamster Rebellion by Farrell Dobbs $19 $10 with subscription The story of the strikes and union organizing drive the men and women of Referendum votes in Ohio reject Teamsters Local 574 carried out in Minnesota in 1934, paving the way for the continent-wide rise of the Congress of Industrial Organizations as a antilabor law and ‘Obamacare’ fighting social movement. BY john studer Gov. John Kasich, the law took aim In one of the most closely watched at public employees’ unions repre- Malcolm X, Black Liberation, votes this November, a far-reaching senting 360,000 workers. It would and the Road to Workers Power antilabor law was overturned in Ohio have replaced wage raises based on by Jack Barnes $20 $10 with subscription in a statewide referendum. seniority with a “merit” system, end This book helps us understand why it is the revolutionary conquest of In the same election, Ohio vot- the right to bargain on benefits and power by the working class that will make possible the final battle for ers adopted by an even larger mar- pensions, impose a ban on strikes, in- Black freedom—and open the way to a world based not on exploitation, gin a referendum opposing President crease workers’ health care costs and violence, and racism, but human solidarity. A socialist world. Barack Obama’s health care law. cut pensions. “The people of Ohio thoroughly re- The bill was heralded by the Wall The Changing Face of U.S. Politics jected blaming public employees for Street Journal, saying it was “about Working-Class Politics and the Unions the economic troubles in the state,” political resolve, which is the only by Jack Barnes $24 $10 with subscription Zach Schiller, research director for way to modernize government amid A handbook for those seeking the road toward effective action to overturn the exploitative system of Policy Matters Ohio, one of the groups opposition from the usual pro-spend- capitalism and join in reconstructing the world on new, socialist foundations. that championed the campaign against ing constituencies.” the antilabor law, told the Militant. While the law was being debated Is Socialist Revolution in the U.S. Possible? “The defeat was resounding, and not in the legislature, tens of thousands of by Mary-Alice Waters $7 $5 with subscription just in areas traditionally expected to workers rallied at the state capitol and support workers.” across the state. The Working Class and the Transformation of Learning The measure was defeated 61 to The Ohio law was similar to one by Jack Barnes $3 $2 with subscription 39 percent, losing in virtually every enacted in Wisconsin and already on county in the state, in cities and coun- the books in Indiana. tryside. The rejection of the antilabor bill Contact distributors on page 8—subscription rates on page 2 Pathfinder Introduced last March and cham- highlights the big challenge Repub- Press pioned by newly elected Republican Continued on page 9 4 The Militant November 28, 2011 Locked-out workers picket meat plant in New Zealand BY FELICITY COGGAN it was forced to fly meat inspectors in MARTON, New Zealand—Some by helicopter when the plant’s inspec- 100 locked-out meat workers are pick- tors refused to work. eting along the country’s main highway Police, present every day, are prevent- here every weekday from 4 a.m. The ing picketers from stopping traffic in workers, members of the Meatworkers and out of the plant. Picketers are hand- Union, were locked out October 19 by ing out leaflets in English and Samoan their employer, Canterbury Meat Pack- to workers going in, urging them to join ers Rangitikei, after refusing to sign a the union’s fight for a better contract. contract that includes large cuts in pay They have also leafleted a local farmers’ and allowances. market and letterboxes in nearby towns. Canterbury Meat Packers Rangitikei, “I have never been on a picket line which slaughters lamb, is one of five and am learning things,” said Lovey large meat plants in the country owned Jonathan, 59, a butcher at the Canter- by ANZCO Foods Ltd., which also owns bury Meat Packers plant for six years. smaller plants and a cattle feedlot. Everyone here is very staunch. I want to The rejected contract, according to be staunch as well because I don’t want union organizer Robbie Magee, included to work my guts out for less money.” Militant/Baskaran Appu pay cuts of 20 to 30 percent, shift chang- Donations of food and money are Workers locked out by Canterbury Meat Packers Rangitikei company in Marton, New Zealand, on the picket line, November 7. Unionists rejected contract demanding large pay cuts. es that lengthen the workweek, elimina- coming in, including $1,000 from a tion of allowances for cleaning gear at fund-raising concert in Auckland. for these. do the same to them, and if that happens breaks and for night shift, a reduction While this reporter was at the picket of pay during mechanical breakdowns, On November 10 union members vot- I’ll be on their picket line.” line, a large tray of hot pies and bottles and cuts in severance payments. ed 100 percent to reject a slightly revised Donations to the locked-out workers of flavored milk were dropped off by a “Workers have been incredibly gener- company offer. Talks with the company can be made by online transfer to ac- local milk vendor. ous in their offer—they are prepared to are continuing. count number: 38-9007-0894028-08, Workers locked out in New Zealand take a 10 percent pay cut,” said a press “We’re not just fighting for ourselves, account name: Disputes Fund. are eligible for emergency welfare pay- release from the New Zealand Council we’re fighting for the other little plants of Trade Unions. ments, but many spoke of the red tape around here,” said Terangi Wroe, 37, a Baskaran Appu contributed to this “I believe the company planned this and snooping they face when applying laborer on the slaughter floor. “They’ll article. from the beginning of the year,” said Trevor Collis, a 53-year-old butcher who stands to lose 30 percent in take home Canada: 3rd miner killed in Vale nickel mines pay and was also told he had to change BY JOHN STEELE 3,000 foot level of Vale’s Stobie nickel the miners to the investigation. his shift. “I don’t think they anticipated MONTREAL—In the last five mine near Sudbury, Ontario. In this Vale, based in Brazil, is the second us staying out this long or getting this months, three miners have been killed case, USW Local 6500 decided to con- largest mining company in the world, kind of support.” in Canadian nickel mines owned by duct its own investigation. operating in 38 countries with more The company told the union in March Vale. According to Local 6500 officials, the than 126,000 employees and contract that it wanted concessions, according to Greg Leason, 51, died October 19 company impeded the union investiga- workers. So far this year, along with the Magee. On October 3, just after the old from injuries received 12 days earlier tion by ordering two of five union com- deaths in Sudbury and Thompson, nine contract had expired, and after weeks at Vale’s nickel mine in Thompson, mittee members back to work on the Vale workers have died on the job, in- of short pay due to the annual low pro- Manitoba. Leason was operating a pretext that they were taking too long. cluding one in Colombia, three in Brazil duction season, workers were told they scooptram at the 3,500 foot level of the “We don’t have a time frame. What and one in Guinea. would be locked out if they did not sign T-3 underground mine October 7. The we are concentrating on is to find out Meanwhile, the case of eight work- the new agreement, he said. ore moving machine fell more than the result, find out what happened that ers framed up and fired last year by Leading up to the lockout company 100 feet to the level below while Lea- killed two of our members,” Local 6500 Vale for allegedly threatening scabs representatives visited workers at home son was inside. President Rick Bertrand told the Sud- and company-hired guards is finally and held meetings to pressure them to Manitoba Workplace Safety and bury Star. It has taken months to clear scheduled to be taken up by the On- sign, said Magee. Night shift workers Health officials are investigating his the site, finally allowing investigators tario Labour Relations Board Decem- laid off over the slow season were of- death. A joint investigation is also being access to the area. ber 8. The workers were fired during fered day shifts at higher wages for sign- conducted by United Steelworkers Lo- “Some of our team are still investigat- a one-year strike by 3,000 members ing. cal 6166 and Vale officials. Leason had ing the site where our two brothers were of USW Local 6500 in Sudbury that After contacting Canterbury Meat worked in the mine for 23 years. killed,” Bertrand told the Militant. ended in July 2010. Packers Rangitikei for a statement, a re- On June 8 two other Vale miners, Local 6500 filed a complaint with the ceptionist referred the Militant to a com- Jordan Fram, 26, and Jason Chenier, 35, Ontario Labour Relations Board, which Katy LeRougetel contributed to this ar- pany press release issued November 14. died under tons of broken rock at the in mid-October ordered Vale to return ticle. “We are asking employees to take these cuts now so that we can ensure the vi- ability of the plant and not have any job 25, 50, and 75 years ago losses,” it said. About 190 workers have individually signed the contract, but so far the com- pany has only been able to operate one shift. In New Zealand, nonunion work- ers can sign contracts as individuals November 28, 1986 November 27, 1961 December, 26, 1936 outside of collective agreements with a The catastrophic release of millions of The apparent decision of the Justice A unity convention of the Minne- union. On the second day of the lockout, gallons of poisoned water into the Rhine Department to move with “deliberate sota locals of the Workers’ Alliance of River, one of Europe’s most important speed” in its prosecution of the Com- America was held Dec. 12 and 13 in St. The 1985-86 Hormel waterways, was the direct result of cor- munist Party does not lessen the danger Paul. An attempt of Communist Party Meat-Packers Strike porate greed. to democratic rights inherent in this first elements to provoke a split in the con- The huge spill, November 1, resulted attempt in the nation’s history to outlaw vention failed. in Austin, Minnesota from a fire that destroyed two ware- a political party. If the Kennedy admin- The organized unemployed in Minne- by Fred Halstead houses at the Sandoz chemical com- istration succeeds in forcing dissolution sota have been divided into two groups. The hard-fought strike against pany in Basel, Switzerland. Fire fighters of the Communist Party, a precedent First from point of view of size and ef- Hormel opened a dumped millions of gallons of water on will exist which could ultimately lead fectiveness has been the Federal Work- round of battles by the blaze. Combining with tons of lethal to the suppression of all political opposi- ers Section of Local 544. This organiza- packinghouse workers chemical, this water then poured into tion. tion, sponsored, financed and organized that—together with The Justice Department had given by the General Drivers Union Local strikes by paper the Rhine. The river runs through Swit- workers, cannery zerland, West Germany, France, and the Communist Party until Nov. 20 544, has been in existence ever since the workers and western the Netherlands, where it flows into the to turn over its membership lists, fi- 1934 drivers’ strikes in Minneapolis. coal miners—marked North Sea. nancial records, etc. The demand was Because the F.W.S. has this tie-up with a break in the rout of The destroyed warehouses lacked the based on a ruling, approved by the Su- the organized union movement, workers the U.S. unions that began with the 1981-82 recession. $6 most elementary fire safeguards. The preme Court, that the party must reg- in this area obtained probably the high- Pathfinderpress.com buildings where the fire erupted were ister under the Internal Security Act as est relief and work relief standards in the originally built to house machinery. a “foreign agent.” United States.

The Militant November 28, 2011 5 ‘Occupy’ protesters evicted Continued from front page ition. A “Strike and Day of Action” has ilar moves are being pursued in more been called for college and university than a dozen other cities, including Lon- students on November 15 to continue don. the fight against the rising cost of educa- In all of these places, city officials tion and cutbacks, as well as to protest have used issues like crime, cleanliness police brutality. and safety as a pretext for the removals. In Oakland, in response to the Octo- In Los Angeles, police spokespeople ber 25 attack, many thousands turned warned they will shut down the camp out for a day of protest November 2. on City Hall grounds because “they’ve Dubbed a “general strike” by the orga- destroyed the lawn” and are “becoming nizers, the protest attracted youth, work- detrimental to the trees.” ers and middle class people hard hit by Over the past few weeks, mayors and the economic crisis from throughout the other officials from dozens of cities have Bay Area and beyond. conferred on how to move against Oc- Rallies were organized throughout cupy encampments in national confer- the day, as well as marches on down- ence calls organized by the U.S. Confer- town banks. More than 10,000 marched ence of Mayors and the Police Executive at nightfall on the Port of Oakland, shut- Research Forum. ting it down. Militant/Eric Simpson Three days before the Oakland raid, Thousands of protesters shut down operations at Port of Oakland November 2 in action Among the largely young crowd that called by Occupy Oakland and endorsed by the Alameda County Central Labor Council. the city’s Police Officers Association marched to the port was Jacob Davis, issued an open letter to participants in 24, a veteran of the Iraq war. He told the part of that,” she said. planned, almost military-style opera- Occupy Oakland, urging them to leave Militant he opposed the war and was Socialist Workers Party members and tion.” Practice runs were conducted, the camp for their own health and safety, marching “because of what happened to supporters joined the discussions during based on “disorder training” and coun- citing a fatal shooting near the camp that Scott Olsen.” the day of protest, stressing the need for terterrorism plans, and honed over the occupiers have explained they had Many longshore workers did not show working people to organize indepen- weeks. nothing to do with. up for work. Others left when they saw dently of the two parties that represent The raid began at 1 a.m., when the After the predawn raid on the camp the marchers. The Militant spoke with the propertied rulers, whose govern- fewest people were present. Arrests October 25, when protesters attempted port drivers whose trucks were sur- ment is organizing assaults on working were made with a minimum of vio- to reoccupy the area, police fired tear rounded by the demonstration. Most of people to make them pay for the crisis of lence, unlike earlier assaults on protests gas, bean bag rounds and flash-bang the drivers supported the action. the capitalist system. with pepper spray and physical attacks, grenades, critically wounding Scott Ol- After nightfall on November 2, a small Articles in the Militant sparked dis- showing cop violence can be turned on sen, a Marine veteran of the Iraq war grouping of individuals built fires in the cussion of how the cops are used by the and off when needed. and member of Iraq Veterans Against street, broke windows and spray painted bosses against workers in union strug- Complaints of abuse came from re- the War. Outrage spread when video stores in the downtown area near the gles, as has been the case with longshore porters, who were systematically barred footage was released showing the cops Occupy Oakland camp. The next day workers fighting union-busting in the from the park. “I’m press,” Rosie Gray, tossing a projectile directly at those who participants in Occupy Oakland decided port of Longview, Washington. a writer for the Village Voice, told a cop came to the aid of Olsen. to dissociate their movement from the Annie, an unemployed construction who blocked her from covering the op- Under pressure of the widespread op- vandalism, with some pitching in to help worker who did not want to give her last eration. He responded, “not tonight,” position to the attack, Oakland Mayor in the cleanup. During one of the pro- name, was one of those who turned out she said. Jean Quan withdrew the heavy police tests, demonstrators physically forced November 13, the night before the raid, Adbusters, the Canadian anarchist presence from the immediate area of other marchers to stop trashing a Whole to show support for the camp. When magazine that originally proposed the the camp and the tents were allowed to Foods store. learning that the Militant builds soli- encampments, said November 14 that return. Andrina Huxey, who was present darity with union struggles, she bought protesters should “declare victory” and Then on November 9 cops at the Uni- October 25 when the cops attacked, a copy and said, “Union busting has to head indoors. Others said they were versity of California, Berkeley campus told the Militant that before seeing the stop! That’s a quote to put in the paper.” considering supporting “like-minded” attacked students with clubs as they police brutality she had been thinking The November 15 move by New York political candidates. tried to defend the tents they had set up of using her eight years in the Navy police to clear our Zuccotti Park, the site as part of “Occupy Cal.” as experience to help her get a job as of Occupy Wall Street, was described Eric Simpson contributed to this ar- Videos showing the cops advancing a cop. “Now I know I don’t want to be by the New York Times as a “minutely ticle. on a peaceful line of students with arms linked led to condemnation of the cops, including by the student government. “A lot of the students had never seen Jefferson County, Alabama, files for bankruptcy anything like that before,” Jessica Vott, BY brian williams ferson County to repair and rebuild its million, reported the Wall Street Jour- a Latin American studies major who Unable to meet payments on a $4.1 sewer system, which was polluting wa- nal, “and is considering $40 million witnessed the beatings, told the Mili- billion debt, Jefferson County, Ala., filed terways in the region. Over the next sev- more in budget cuts in December.” tant. “They saw what can happen if you for bankruptcy November 9. It’s the larg- eral years the county began massively County officials have also sought to question society.” est bankruptcy filing for a municipality borrowing funds through issuing bonds. raise funds through an occupational tax, The cop attack came the same day as in U.S. history and a harbinger of what Many of these loans were refinanced in which has been challenged in the state a demonstration of hundreds on campus the propertied owners and their govern- 2002-2003 with speculative bets on de- legislature and in court. protesting a threatened increase in tu- ment have in store for working people rivatives and the city’s payments to the In September, the Jefferson County as the crisis of their economic and social bondholders became linked to their per- Commission approved sewer rate in- system unfolds. formance. “No other local government creases of more than 8 percent a year New International The county is the largest in the state has as great reliance on such derivatives and called for bondholders to write Magazine of Marxist Politics and Theory and includes Birmingham, the state’s as Jefferson County,” noted the Birming- off about $1 billion in debt, reported Issue no.10 includes: biggest city. ham News. the Washington Post. But the munici- The filing surpasses the previous The county has been teetering on the pal bond owners rejected the deal. “Imperialism’s March municipal bankruptcy record set in brink of bankruptcy since 2008 when Under bankruptcy, holders of munici- Toward Fascism and War” 1994 by Orange County, Calif., with the accelerating financial crisis sunk the pal bonds, just like U.S. Treasury bills, —by Jack Barnes a $1.7 billion debt. In both cases local county’s debt to junk bond status. Inter- are always at the front of the line to be governments and those that loaned est rates then rose rapidly to as high as paid, with funds for hospitals, schools, “What the them money blew up a giant balloon 10 percent on the sewer debt, which is roads, sewers, and workers jobs’ first in 1987 Stock of debt through use of complex de- now up to $3.2 billion. line for cuts. Market rivatives and other speculative bets. To pay the bondholders, county offi- Jefferson County is the fourth lo- Crash As long as paper values continued cials have laid off hundreds of workers, cal government to file for municipal to rise, the counties could count on and cut work hours and social services. bankruptcy so far this year, according Foretold” low interest rates as the bondholders In 2009 the county ordered budget cuts to Associated Press. The others include —Resolution raked in profits. But when the paper of 33 percent with hundreds of layoffs Harrisburg, Pa.,; Central Falls, R.I.; and adopted by values of these debt “instruments” be- as well as furloughs and 32-hour work- Boise County, Idaho. A judge rejected 1988 Socialist gan to deflate, as they did throughout weeks. Last June county officials put Boise County’s filing. Harrisburg’s is $16 Workers Party the United States several years ago, 547 workers on administrative leave over a $300 million debt from a trash convention the counties’ interest rates shot up and without pay. incinerator. The mayor and state offi- their debts became unpayable. Jefferson County has slashed its bud- cials have challenged this filing, which a In 1996 a federal judge ordered Jef- get for this fiscal year by almost $100 judge will rule on November 23. PathfinderPress.com

6 The Militant November 28, 2011 Greece steel mill strike Continued from front page this attitude was. If they can fire pub- buckled and accepted it. We in Aspro- lic workers, they can fire you!” pyrgos said no, and 34 workers were The night before hundreds of area fired,” explained union President unionists attended a solidarity benefit Giorgos Sifonios. “How can you live concert at the steel mill’s gates. on 500 euros [$677] a month?” asked The Elliniki Halivourgia strikers Harokopos. also led the march of thousands in cen- “We are fighting to be able to raise our tral Athens November 10, organized families with basic human dignity and by the All Workers Militant Front we have won tremendous support from (PAME) union federation. This was people and unions in the area and be- the first union march in opposition to yond,” said Sifonios. “All the steel boss- the new “national unity” government es are looking at what happens here.” and its mandate for a new round of The workers will not return to work or austerity measures aimed at working negotiate with the company until the 34 people. “We will continue our fight; are hired back, he emphasized. we won’t be turned into slaves,” Sifo- At the start of this round of auster- nios told rally participants. ity in Greece “many workers watched the attacks on the public sector work- New government of ‘technocrats’ Militant/Natasha Terlexis ers and said, ‘They deserve it,’” Sifo- The rulers of Greece—under pres- “No to the firings, No to intimidation,” reads banner directly behind strikers at Elliniki Halivourgia steel mill outside Athens, Greece, November 12. From left, Nikolaos Harokopos, nios said. “Now you see how foolish sure from their main creditors and union vice president; Giorgos Sifonios, president; and Dimitris Diakos, treasurer. strongest imperialist powers in the eurozone, to protect the solvency of their banks, army to shore up their class rule. Berlin and Paris—have deeply leveraged in investments in Greece’s gross domestic product cobbled together a new Greek and Italian bonds, and defend has contracted for six consecutive government touted as a their faltering economies, dependent quarters. Official unemployment hit “technocratic” regime on exports to the rest of the European a record high of 18.4 percent in Au- of “national unity.” Its Union. This unfolds as countries in gust, according to recent government overriding function is to the eurozone, those that use the euro figures. Youth unemployment stands implement further auster- as a common currency, are lurching at 43.5 percent. ity measures to slash jobs, into recession. The workers in Greece continue to wages, social services and Under the pressure of these devel- seek ways to defend themselves. Trade living conditions of the opments, the European Union is be- unions have threatened a new round country’s working class. ginning to unravel, as the crisis and of strikes. A mass protest is scheduled Similar moves are under increasing interstate conflicts mount for Athens November 17. German Chancellor Angela Merkel lectures Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou while French President way in Italy. pressure on the individual capitalist Nicolas Sarkozy looks on at G20 summit in Cannes, France, The governments of states to break away and rely on their Georges Mehrabian in Athens con- November 2. Papandreou resigned the following week. Germany and France seek own currency, their borders and their tributed to this article. Washington, allies mount ‘unprecedented pressure’ on Iran BY jim carson body’s mind he must ready himself to social justice sweeping North Africa back its program. On November 8 the U.N. Internation- receive a strong slap and an iron fist,” and the Middle East, including Israel. Imperialism’s deep hostility to- al Atomic Energy Agency released a re- said Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali And they anticipate that Washington’s ward Iran began with the 1979 revo- port presenting evidence of Iranian re- Khamenei, recently announced withdrawal of its lution when workers and peasants search designed to further knowledge of The U.N. report attests that Teh- troops from Iraq by the end of the year overthrew the monarchy, a key ally nuclear weapons technology. Washing- ran has not used any of its enriched will strengthen Iran’s influence in the of Washington. Shortly afterwards, ton and its imperialists allies have seized uranium for military purposes since region. a counterrevolutionary bourgeois re- on this as an opportunity to deepen their the Iranian government’s nuclear pro- While supporting a new round of gime was established through repres- two-decade campaign of aggression to gram was officially halted under im- harsh sanctions against Iran, Tel Aviv sion of workers and peasants. At the force Tehran to abandon its nuclear pro- perialist pressure in 2003. The IAEA has not publicly ruled out the possibility same time the Iranian government has gram altogether. also offered no evidence that Tehran of a military attack. In 1981 and 2007 consistently refused to simply bow to Washington, London and Paris are was actively trying to build a weapon Israeli airplanes destroyed nuclear reac- imperialism’s diktats. pressing for stiffer trade sanctions on at this time. tors in Iraq and Syria. The Wall Street Journal reported Iran. Beginning with what is reported as What is new in the U.N. report is November 11 that, in the context of a press leak earlier this month, sections its statement that, among other things, Campaign of sabotage, assassination withdrawing its troops from Iraq, of the Israeli government have main- Tehran has built a steel container at its Through the U.N. or individually, Washington is selling thousands of tained threats to bomb Iranian nuclear Parchin military facility that can be Washington and its imperialist allies advanced “bunker-buster” bombs and facilities. used for testing explosions capable of have already imposed four rounds other munitions to the United Arab Iranian officials say the U.N. report is triggering a nuclear reaction; is creating of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s Emirates as part of a stepped-up effort a fabrication dictated by Washington and computer models for a nuclear warhead; economy by significantly reducing to pull together a regional coalition vow to retaliate against any military ac- and has stocked enriched uranium. its access to international financial against Iran involving other monar- tion. “If the thought of invasion against Tehran has maintained for years institutions, making trade more ex- chial regional allies in Saudi Arabia, the Islamic republic of Iran crosses any- that its nuclear program is not mili- pensive. They have also targeted its Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. tary, aimed above all at increasing the nuclear program with sabotage and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta country’s power production. It did not assassinations, particularly of scien- November 10 warned that military directly respond to claims contained in tists involved in the development of actions against Iran could have “unin- Our History Is the IAEA report. nuclear technology. tended consequences” in the region. Even before the release of the IAEA On November 12 one of the top Stratfor, a U.S.-based private in- Still Being Written report, Washington had made clear it commanders in Iran’s ballistic missile telligence and news analysis service, The Story of Three Chinese-Cuban intended to impose “unprecedented program, Brig. Gen. Hasan Moghad- said that after U.S. troops depart form Generals in the Cuban Revolution pressure,” as President Barack Obama dam, was killed along with 16 other Iraq U.S. State Department personnel Book Presentation put it, on the Iranian government. In Revolutionary Guards members in an and “contractors” will be more vul- Speakers: Dr. Raquel Ribeiro, a joint statement, Paris and London explosion that Tehran said was acci- nerable. It also pointed out that “Iran’s Univ. of Nottingham; Jonathan “made clear their determination to seek dental at the Bidganeh military center ballistic missiles arsenal can target Silberman, Pathfinder Books;Dr. new powerful sanctions if Iran refuses” for missile development and storage. both American and Israeli targets Aaron Moore, Univ. of Manchester to submit to imperialists’ demands. Speculation has since spread that this across the region.” Adding, “Iran has In the weeks leading up to the U.N. was an Israeli intelligence operation. for decades cultivated the ability to Fri., Nov. 25, 5-7 p.m. report, Israeli Prime Minister Benja- In recent days, the Iranian govern- essentially conduct guerrilla warfare Samuel Alexander Bldg, Rm A101 min Netanyahu had pressed his cabinet ment also said its computer systems in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Oxford Road, Manchester to launch a military airstrike against have been attacked by a new virus Hormuz. . . . No one can manage the Info: [email protected] Iran’s nuclear facilities. A section of called Duqu. Its nuclear facilities had markets’ reaction to even the hint of [email protected] Israel’s rulers sees as a threat the mass already been damaged by another disruption to 40 percent of the world’s popular movements for democracy and cyberweapon called Stuxnet, setting sea-borne crude.”

The Militant November 28, 2011 7 Miners were pillar of support for Che’s guerrilla in Bolivia Below is an excerpt from Fertile On June 24 there was supposed to Ground: Che Guevara and Bolivia by be an expanded meeting of the miners Rodolfo Saldaña, one of Pathfinder’s federation, that is, union leaders from Books of the Month for November. all the country’s mines were coming Saldaña (1932-2000) was a Bolivian to Siglo XX. Representatives of the revolutionary who in 1966-67 helped teachers and university students were recruit fighters and provided logistical also coming. In addition, this meeting support to the ultimately unsuccessful at Siglo XX was to serve as a vehicle to guerrilla campaign organized in Bolivia discuss some general questions deal- by Ernesto Che Guevara, a leader of the ing with the workers’ demands, and Cuban Revolution. Guevara’s campaign certainly it would have taken up sup- sought to forge a revolutionary move- port to the guerrillas. ment of workers, peasants and youth During the night of June 23 into to overthrow the military dictatorship the dawn hours on June 24, the army in Bolivia and open the road to social- entered the mining camp shooting, ist revolution in South America. He was throwing grenades at the homes of the eventually captured and murdered by miners while they slept. This is why the Bolivian army in a CIA-organized many women and children were among operation. those killed. That was the Noche de Saldaña was interviewed in April San Juan massacre. The only place the 1997 by Mary-Alice Waters, president of troops encountered armed resistance Pathfinder, and Michael Taber. Copy- was at the union hall, where Rosen- right © 1997 by Pathfinder Press. Re- Courtesy Gladys Brizuela do García was, together with the few printed by permission. Ernesto Che Guevara, left, with Rodolfo Saldaña in Bolivia, 1966. Saldaña, himself a former tin who were able to respond to the call miner, worked to garner support among miners in Bolivia for revolutionary movement led by Guevara that sought to overthrow dictatorship and extend socialist revolution in region. of the mine’s siren. The union’s siren would be sounded in the mornings so Books of should use to address the people. We mine]. I built the Communist Party there the workers would get to work; it’s like knew the decision rested with Che and in the 1950s. So I knew the party mem- an alarm clock. But the siren was also the guerrilla group. That was where our bers, many of whom I had recruited. used to summon people to assemblies the month command was. But we needed to say I went to Siglo XX, it must have been and as a warning about some danger. something to the people in some way, to in February 1967. I spoke with Rosen- That night the siren was sounded. Question: What was the popular re- explain somehow what was happening. do García Maismán, who in those days Immediately the workers knew— sponse within Bolivia on learning of This was the document we used to was general secretary of the union, of since it wasn’t time to go to work it Che’s guerrilla? begin to work in the mines, with which the miners of Siglo XX, and a leader of had to be something else, some emer- Saldaña: After the first clash between we began to work in the city, explaining the party there. He was an intelligent gency, or an assembly. Something was the army and Che’s forces occurred on more or less what the guerrilla struggle comrade, a very capable and coura- happening. March 23, I drafted a manifesto, and we meant. geous comrade. Without entering into With a few rifles, they confronted distributed it in the cities. We did not yet Question: Without mentioning Che? details, I informed him that a decision the army. A number of people were have a name, so we were posed with the Saldaña: Correct. Under those con- had to be made soon. Later, after the killed there at the union hall, includ- decision of what name the organization ditions, we had to do our work without first battle, he and I met on a number ing Rosendo García Maismán, the cen- mentioning Che. The enemy already of occasions. By then he was already tral leader of the workers at Siglo XX. knew there were guerrillas, and it had one of us, and he began to form two Many others died in their homes from NovemberBooks to have known that groups were work- groups. One of these groups was to machine-gun fire. of the Month ing to support the guerrillas. We were join the guerrilla column, and the oth- The delegates who had arrived for the telling them nothing they didn’t know. er was to carry out support tasks. meeting hid out in the mines, and later PATHFINDER There were individuals among the peo- As to the miners’ commitment to in different ways they secretly left the READERS CLUB 25% ple, among the workers, however, seek- the struggle, we have the testimony of area, which was occupied by the army. discount SPECIALS ing ways to make contact with the guer- Rosendo García’s widow. . . . The miners This was the highest expression of rillas, seeking that possibility. These registered their support to the guerrillas support the guerrillas received, but this Fertile Ground: Che Guevara were the reasons for what we did, and at general assemblies. They decided that doesn’t mean it was the only one. There and Bolivia by Rodolfo Saldaña the conditions under which we did it. each worker would donate one day’s pay were other demonstrations of support, Firsthand account of Che Question: What was happening to help the guerrillas. Their commitment although none reached this level. . . . Guevara’s effort to build a revo- among the tin miners? shows us that there was generalized sup- This is in response to those who say lutionary movement in Bolivia. Saldaña: The support received from port among the workers. It’s possible, of there was no support among the Boliv- $11. Special price: $8.25 the miners is one of the things that gives course, that there were some who were ian people, that Che was isolated. That the lie to charges that the Bolivian work- not in agreement. But the miners unani- is not true. The guerrilla events after Malcolm X on ers and peasants were indifferent to the mously made this decision at their as- March 23 stirred the people as a whole, Afro-American History by Malcolm X struggle Che initiated. sembly. . . . This was at the end of May the population as a whole, in all their $11. Special price: $8.25 I had been a miner at Siglo XX [tin or at the beginning of June. different social layers. The Lesser Evil? Debates on the Democratic Party and Independent Working-Class Politics if you like this paper, look us up by Jack Barnes Where to find distributors of the ton. Zip: 02128. Tel: (617) 569-9169. address: P.O. Box 164, Campsie, NSW 2194. $16. Special price: $12 Militant, New International, and a full E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (02) 9718 9698. E-mail: cl_australia@ display of Pathfinder books. optusnet.com.au Labor’s Giant Step MINNESOTA: Minneapolis: 1311 1/2 The First Twenty Years of the UNITED STATES E. Lake St. Zip: 55407. Tel: (612) 729-1205. 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8 The Militant November 28, 2011 Editorial Sugar workers Continued from front page joined by union members from the North Dakota The dictatorship of capital Education Association and the North Dakota Pub- This week, city officials and their cops in dozens interstate conflicts and spreading war. lic Employee Association. of cities across the country moved to evict campers at The problem is not “greedy” bankers or “fat cats.” Earlier in the week, the legislature’s Delayed Occupy Wall Street actions. It cannot be touched by raising taxes on the wealthy, Bills Committee rejected a bill that would have pro- The Militant, like millions of working people, de- revenue extracted from the capitalists’ surplus to be vided unemployment compensation for more than fends the rights of these protesters, demands freedom used by their government to balance their budgets, 400 workers locked out by American Crystal in of speech and assembly, and condemns police brutal- pay the bondholders—including themselves—fight Drayton and Hillsboro, both small towns in eastern ity. their wars, and whatever else they decide. North Dakota. The propertied capitalists rulers—owners of the Pointing blame at greedy banks with demagogic Locked-out workers at American Crystal’s three factories, mines, mills, all means of production, as well appeals to “tax the rich” serves to obfuscate the real plants in northern Minnesota and two smaller pro- as masters of finance capital, one and the same—hold problem and the class enemy. It is advanced today by cessing plants in Chaska, Minn., and Mason City, the reins of the U.S. imperialist state. The Democratic supporters of the Democratic Party, aimed at bringing Iowa, do receive unemployment compensation. and Republican parties are their parties, a two-party into office the very same politicians who are advanc- American Crystal spokesman Brian Ingulsrud told system of capitalist rule. ing an assault on working people on a scale not seen Associated Press November 9 that he doesn’t support The owners of American Crystal Sugar, who have for many decades. changing the North Dakota law. The company did not locked out 1,300 workers in the Upper Midwest, know We are only at the opening stages of the crisis that return calls from the Militant. they can count on support from politicians of both par- in coming decades will look much more like the Great Workers for American Crystal, represented by ties. In North Dakota they adopted company-backed Depression of the 1930s when shacks built in parks the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and laws to deny unemployment compensation to work- and other locations became shelter for hundreds of Grain Millers union, rejected the company’s con- ers, a cold-blooded move to starve them into submis- thousands of desperate workers forced onto the streets. cession contract proposal by 96 percent on July 30. sion and, they hope, foster divisions among those These makeshift communities, called Hoovervilles, Two days later bosses locked out 1,300 workers who don’t receive benefits and those who get them in were brutally attacked by cops and the U.S. military. at its seven facilities. American Crystal has been Minnesota. And the bosses are assured of continued The only force that can stay this catastrophe will running its factories with nearly 1,000 scabs ever backing from the cops and courts, for injunctions and grow out of working-class resistance. Combatants in since. strict enforcement to limit picketing, allowing scabs these struggles come to see more clearly that what On November 1 the union membership voted down to work. they face is not just one ruthless boss, some “bad ap- a slightly different company offer by 90 percent. The dictatorship of capital and the worldwide un- ple” cops, a few corrupt politicians, but the rule of a In his speech to the 62nd Legislative Assembly No- solvable crisis of that system is what working people conscious social class, intent on using all its resources vember 7, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple confront. This is the source of unfolding social crises, to hang on to its profits and power. did not say one word about the locked-out workers, rising unemployment, attacks on unions and wages, Above all, this is what the Socialist Workers Party but sang praises of how North Dakota is the “best lockouts from the Upper Midwest to New Zealand, explains as it participates in these fights. This is what economy in the nation,” where “progress can be seen austerity measures and layoffs from Alabama’s Jef- is decisive for workers to be able to size up the rela- in all our major cities, in our small towns, and on our ferson County to Greece, cop brutality, intensifying tionship of class forces and chart the road forward. farms.” In Hillsboro and Drayton, towns of 1,500 and 700, many of the locked-out workers are falling behind on mortgage payments and are seeking assistance for heating bills, rent, food and medical assistance. Ohio votes reject antilabor law, ‘Obamacare’ During a visit to the Hillsboro union hall, Jeanie Continued from page 4 that his law was just “too much too soon.” He said Covert, who has worked for American Crystal for lican politicians face in appealing to working peo- that the result of the election would be deeper cuts four years, said, “Many of us have had to sell furni- ple hit hard by the capitalist economic crisis. This by state and local governments. “Let me be clear, ture and other personal items to get by. You should see reality reflects a real crisis for Republicans, partic- there is no bailout coming,” he added. the number of listings on Craigslist from Hillsboro.” ularly when you consider the fact that the Obama Republican state House Speaker William Batchel- Many businesses in the two towns are also hurting administration and other Democratic politicians der told the press “to expect pieces of the 300-page from the cutoff in income from the main employer in have likewise done nothing to alleviate effects of law to reemerge early next year,” according to the the area. the crisis, while protecting interests of capitalist Cleveland Plain Dealer. owners, banks and bondholders and imposing bud- Two days after the vote, a coalition was formed to Cold shoulder from politicians get cuts and other antilabor measures. launch a campaign to make Ohio a “right to work” Sugar workers have gotten the cold shoulder from Democratic politicians have proposed restrictions state. Bryan Williams, director of government af- elected politicians, said Jerry Burdeski, who is locked on unions like those in Ohio and Wisconsin in both fairs for the Ohio Association of Building Contrac- out from the plant in Moorhead, Minn. “The politi- New York and California. tors, called the effort “long overdue.” cians have been horrendous, especially [Democratic In an editorial on the defeat of the law, the lib- Minnesota Senator] Al Franken, who goes around Distrust ‘big government’ eral Plain Dealer urged the legislature to focus on saying he is pro-labor. He should be ashamed of him- The even larger rejection of “Obamacare” under- “needed changes in merit pay, mandatory benefit self. He has been mostly silent and doesn’t deserve scores the fact that many workers have a healthy dis- contributions and imbalanced seniority restrictions reelection.” trust of “big government” and resent being treated in layoffs.” Doyle Heden, who recently retired after 21 years with contempt by government bureaucrats when Former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland said at the plant, dismissed the politicians who claim to be seeking unemployment compensation, government- getting rid of some sections of the law would open not taking sides. “By not doing anything they are sid- funded health care, and other aid—or just want to the door to workers making sacrifices. When he ing with Crystal Sugar,” he told the Militant. “That’s renew their driver’s license. was governor, Strickland explained, public work- how a lot of us see it.” After passage of the antilabor law, unions and oth- ers’ unions agreed to take 20 days off work with- After 21 years at American Crystal Heden receives er groups launched a campaign to put the measure to out pay and a pay freeze to “help him balance the a monthly pension of $436. The company has mis- a vote, gathering just short of 1 million signatures— budget.” judged the workers, he said. “When they locked us the most ever for a referendum in the history of the Some top labor officials echoed the sentiment that out, they thought we would back down or vanish into state—in a successful effort to overturn it. in “tough times” workers must give up hard-fought society. We aren’t going anywhere.” Heden then ex- Within days of the defeat, both Republican and gains. plained he was going to Menards to pick up some Democratic politicians predicted that attacks on “There has always been room to talk,” Bill supplies to help winterize the picket shack in front of state workers and their unions would continue. Leibensperger, vice president of the Ohio Education the Hillsboro plant. On election night Governor Kasich told the press Association, told the Columbus Dispatch. “American Crystal thought it could pour boiling water on us, and make us melt away,” said Jeanie Col- vert, who was a member of the International Brother- letters hood of Electrical Workers for 30 years before get- ting hired at American Crystal. “I’ve never seen the Occupy Wall Street I question. The Militant will return workers’ struggles. What is interest- amount of solidarity generated by the lockout, from With the “Occupy” actions to both the “tax the rich” and “flat ing is the mutual support of strikers within the union and from other unions. We didn’t spreading across the country and tax” demagogic appeals coming and the Occupy movement. realize what we have.” the globe, we are seeing the slogan from the two capitalist parties, and Jim Lambrecht of “tax the rich” become very popu- a working-class approach to the Davenport, Florida. lar. Can the Militant explain why question of taxes in a subsequent The letters column is an open Correction this does not advance the working issue. The subhead of the lead article in the No- forum for all viewpoints on sub- vember 21 issue, “Sugar workers reject contract class movement? jects of interest to working peo- Occupy Wall Street II for 3rd time,” was inaccurate. On November 1 Andy Winger ple. Please keep your letters brief. members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Chicago I do not agree with the criticism Where necessary they will be Workers and Grain Millers union rejected Amer- from a reader in the October 31 is- abridged. Please indicate if you ican Crystal Sugar’s concession contract offer for Editor’s note: This week’s edito- sue about the Militant paying too prefer that your initials be used the second time. rial gives some explanation of this much attention to strikes and other rather than your full name.

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