FIRE THIS TIME The Newspaper of the Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice Issue 20/21 - December 2004 / January 2005 Double Issue www.fire-this-time.org FREE

What Solution for the ‘Crisis’ in Iraq? US-UK Out Now!

By Mike Krebs Iraq For the US government, which ‘It will be a lasting model of how seeks to use Iraq as a critical entry not to do things, and its imperial point for pursuing its economic, image has left a legacy that the strategic, and political goals US must distance itself from as throughout the Middle East in the soon as possible.’ – Anthony coming decades, the fact that Iraq Cordesman, of the Washington- presents a deep crisis is clear. The based think tank Center for question that this problem poses Strategic and International for the US ruling class is how to Studies, discussing the US strategy of ‘nation-building’ in Continued on page 2 Workers Struggles Justice for Emily Tang! By Nasim Sedaghat When Anita Bautista, a Metropolitan Hotel worker in Toronto learned that she had Iraqi children giving the thumbs down to US tanks in Baghdad, January 2005. tragically contracted cancer she was summoned to the International Struggles management office. She was presented with a document terminating her fourteen years’ employment in return for Keeping Afghanistan Divided: fourteen weeks severance pay. She was offered no chance to ‘Elections’, ‘Democracy’ and ‘Freedom’ US Style seek legal advice and she was even denied the opportunity to worker driven out of his job consult with fellow employees. at the Toronto Metropolitan By Shannon Bundock countrysides were less peaceful, Transitional Authority and all of Under this extreme duress, Hotel. He is a devout Muslim as Karzai was “approved” and the Afghan people on the result of she reluctantly signed the whose religious devotions “supported” with the brute force this historic vote.” document. were found “troubling” by On December 9th, Hamid Karzai of 26,000 armed soldiers from This election took place after Shahid Mahmood is another was inaugurated as the ‘elected’ Canada, the US, France and Continued on page 28 president of Afghanistan. Inside 3 years of war and occupation other nations involved in the and after Hamid Karzai had the Kabul ceremony, Karzai was occupation. Beyond Afghanistan, celebrated by his closest partners. already been in power in the half-way across the world, country since December 22nd Supportive gazes were laid Canadian Foreign minister Pierre upon him by US Vice President 2001, initially as Chairman of the Pettigrew joined in the rounds Transitional Administration, and Dick Cheney and Secretary of of applause, “On behalf of all Yes to War Resisters! Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who then as President of the Afghan Canadians, I would like to extend Transitional Authority. were in attendance. Outside the my heartfelt congratulations to ceremony, Afghan cities and President Karzai, the Afghanistan This election, far from bringing legitimacy to the occupation, No to Safe Streets Act! Also Inside actually opened a wound and exposed what this period in The Occupation of Iraq: ‘Song of Truth’ - Poem | 24 Afghanistan is all about. On every No to Apartheid Wall in Palestine! US Troops Out! | 3 Indigenous Poverty | 25 concrete level in Afghanistan the Brandon Hughey Interview | 4 Struggles in Canada: ‘election’ of Karzai will change MAWO War Resisters Campaign| 4 position against imperialism Defend Working Class Principles | 27 Vancouver & District nothing in the nation, other than and the forces of capitalist neo- International Struggles: Free Justin Goodman! | 27 generating more resentment and Interview with Dan Freeman-Maloy | 27 Labour Council liberalism. Individually or taken Israel Slaughters Palestinians | 5 frustration over the false picture Hands off Sudan | 5 Hotel Worker Emily Tang Speaks Out | 29 together, these resolutions are Who is Ruling Haiti? | 5 Vancouver Rallies for Emily Tang | 29 of a “liberated” Afghanistan Responds to Capitalist- important precedents for the Interview with ISM Activist Kole | 6 No to Racist Security Certificates! | 31 that Karzai has created. Karzai’s labour movement in Canada. Toronto Muslim Community Rally | 31 Imperialist Offensive Fidel Castro Speech Dec 2004 | 11 Afghanistan stands in stark They are an example of what Spanish: Discurso pronunciado por Toronto “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” | 32 Pivot Legal Society Report | 32 contrast to the brutal reality the position of unions must be in Castro | 12 of US and NATO arrests, By Ivan Drury the midst of reactionary attacks Langara 2 - Special Section: Organizing in Solidarity: torturing, killings, bombings on working, poor and oppressed MAWO After One Year | 35 Interview with Nicole Burton and Kira and raids that assault the people On November 16th the Vancouver Toronto June 30th Organizing people at home and abroad. Daley - on their Banning | 20 of Afghanistan every day. and District Labour Council Committee Interview | 35 The VDLC represents 120 Indigenous Struggles: (VDLC) passed three resolutions Reports on Local Events & The Haida Decision | 24 that put oppressed people in Continued on page 30 Struggles | 38-45 Continued on page 7 Canada and everywhere in a better The Occupation of Iraq Why the ‘Crisis’ in Iraq is getting worse for the US and UK

From page 1 in the eyes of the vast majority of in Iraq (FWCUI), which is not people in Iraq, and the majority of recognized. In November of solve it in a way that is in favour people throughout the world. The 2004, a governor of the ‘interim’ of imperialist countries, that puts US also hopes that the elections government in Baghdad issued them in a better position to find will divide Iraqis between those an order threatening to arrest solutions for the global economic who participate in them and those any labour activist who joins the crisis they face. This translates who do not. This is hoped to FWCUI. into how to best continue to promote internal conflict among With the failure of ‘reconstruction,’ suppress, and find new ways to the Iraqi people and also help set the US will only be faced with suppress, people in Iraq, people up an ‘elected’ government that more and more resistance by within imperialist countries, and is willing and able to participate working and unemployed Iraqis people all over the world. in the suppression of the Iraqi as they are pushed to take action So far, the numerous methods resistance, the massacre of Iraqi against the brutal conditions they tried by the US-led occupation people, and lay the groundwork are forced to endure under the forces not only to dig themselves for a sustained occupation in occupation. Only $1.7 Billion out of this crisis but also to find Iraq. of the $18.4 billion that the US alternatives to this crisis have Aside from leveling this much allocated for ‘reconstruction’ failed, and are continuing to fail. destruction on the people of has even been spent. This has The most recent strategy pursued Fallujah, for the US-led occupation mostly gone into ‘security’ costs, in Fallujah was not only a failure forces, virtually nothing was meaning that instead of facing in and of itself, but has served to accomplished with this assault. the ‘carrot’ of reconstruction deepen the numerous crises facing Outside of Fallujah, resistance and the ‘stick’ of brute military the US-led occupation. to the US-led occupation has repression, Iraqis face two sticks, regardless of which department existent or ineffective because human costs to the US military. of the US ruling class is paying it gives the US an alibi for Coupled with the inability to for it. sustaining its massive military build a government that is seen presence in Iraq (‘somebody has as legitimate by Iraqis, the US-led Elections? Why Bother? to police the country’), at the occupation forces have also been “How can we have a free election same time the US needs at least unable to build any Iraqi police under martial law? Instead of a moderately functioning Iraqi and military forces effective at ceasefire, they attack Fallujah. forces for political and military pacifying the Iraqi resistance. Are they sure that the aftermath reasons. On December 8th, the police will not be bloodier than Fallujah? US ruling class think-tanks and station in Samarra was overrun by The martial law is one of the nails their intellectuals have been Iraqis, who stormed the station, in the coffin of this regime. The pushing this ‘Iraqification’ of the seized its weapons, and blew up last pretext for democracy here occupation for several months the building. After this, as well is now buried. Their declaration as a way to combat the crisis of as having his home fired on by of martial law is a declaration of legitimacy the US faces in the rocket-propelled grenades, the moral bankruptcy.” – Dr. Wamidh eyes of Iraqis and people around police chief of Samarra resigned. Omar Nadhi, spokesman for the world, as well as a way to the Iraqi National Foundation ease the burden of financial and Continued on page 37 Congress US soldiers detaining Iraqi man in Fallujah, November 12th 2004. Very few people in Iraq actually believe that these elections Fallujah not diminished as a result of the are somehow a step towards a This is the newspaper of the The main imperialist objectives Fallujah assault. Throughout the legitimate government handed to Fire This Time Movement for first half of December the US them by the US-led occupation with the Fallujah offensive Social Justice in November 2004 were to faced an average 150 attacks per forces. Should anyone be surprised - ISSN 1712 -1817 - at least temporarily decrease day, including attacks on soldiers by this? After destroying all the momentum of the Iraqi and military targets, but also on oil previously existing political and www.fire-this-time.org pipelines and the police stations civil institutions in Iraq during the resistance by destroying one of December 2004/January 2005 Issue 20/21 the strongest forces of resistance, of Allawi’s puppet government. invasion of Iraq, what legitimacy while intimidating the rest of the In Mosul alone, there were does the US have to then replant Iraqi people with the example of five attempts in November and a colonial government on the Editorial Board: Shannon Bundock, Mike Krebs, Ali destruction displayed in Fallujah. December by resistance fighters charred ground that it left behind? Yerevani, Nasim Sedaghat, Ivan Drury, Tamara Hansen, This would buy time for the US to seize the main police station, What legitimacy does the US, or Brennan Luchsinger to then be able to implement each time involving hundreds of any imperialist power, have to Editor: Ali Yerevani the ‘elections’ in January with armed Iraqis. administer ‘democratic’ elections in a country that is occupied with Layout & Design: Mike Krebs a slightly greater degree of Iraqi Workers Organize Against Layout Assistants: Brennan Luchsinger, Shannon legitimacy. This is not because the Occupation over 160,000 troops? Bundock US really cares about the election A significant example of how this What legitimacy do these elections process, and it cares even less have, where several of the major Copy Editor: Tamara Hansen resistance is developing is the Spanish Language Editor: Carlos López about whether or not they are truly recent action taken by employees parties contesting the elections ‘democratic’ or ‘representative’. of the National Iraqi Railway were set up, trained and funded Publicity and Distribution Coordinator: Brennan Luchsinger The goal with these elections is Company. On November 9th, as by US ruling-class institutions to combat the crisis in legitimacy the US was in its initial stages like the International Republican Phone/Fax: (604) 322-1764 that the US –led occupation faces of destroying Fallujah, the Iraqi Institute and the Democratic Email: [email protected] railway workers announced that Institute for International Mail: PO Box 21607 Correction they would boycott supplies to US Affairs? How appealing is it for Vancouver BC troops or forces belonging to the Iraqis to participate in building V5L 5G3 The last issue of Fire This US-appointed Allawi government, a ‘democracy’ where the main Time, the 18/19 Double and threatened a national strike if presidential candidate, Allawi, One year subscription outside the Lower Mainland, Issue, contained the forced to do otherwise. was formerly on the CIA payroll? make cheques payable to “Fire This Time” wrong version of the article These elections are the ultimate (Canada $15, USA $20, International $30) ‘Revolution and Counter- Predictably, the response of the imperialist hypocrisy. It is with Revolution in Venezuela.’ US-led occupation forces and their the same deceitful voice that Distribution: For Fire This Time in your area; across BC, This version was a draft ‘interim’ government to such calls the US military now speaks of Canada and internationally please contact Publicity and has been increased suppression of still being edited, and as ‘reconstructing’ Fallujah after Distribution Coordinator Brennan Luchsinger the dynamic labour organizing a result contained many turning it into a virtual ghost Phone: (604) 338-9006 that has taken place in Iraq typos and edit marks [such town. Email: [email protected] since the occupation began. This as bracketed text]. The Fire includes continued harassment The Failure to Create an Iraqi- We welcome articles, letters, and This Time Editorial Board and arrests of union organizers administered Occupation Submissions: unsolicited submissions. However, we cannot promise would like to appologize to involved with both of the major The November assault on Fallujah our readers for this mistake, publication. Submissions can be made by email, fax, or mail. labour federations in Iraq: the also deepened the problem that Submissions will not be returned. and invite you to read the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions the US has had with setting up final version of this article, (IFTU), which is ‘recognized’ Iraqi police and military forces. The opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of the which is available online at by Allawi’s unrecognized Though the US government to authors, and do not necessarily represent those of Fire This Time. www.fire-this-time.org. government, and the Federation some extent intended that these This newspaper could not have been possible without the of Workers Councils and Unions forces would either be non- generous contributions from our supporters.

2 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 3 US Troop Morale is Shrinking in Iraq: “Our Best Prepared, Best Educated Troops Refuse To Fight…”

By Brennan Luchsinger pressure of being involved in Currently US government an occupation that is largely claim that War Resisters are not not supported by the American legitimate because they are not “There’s nothing good that can public, the willingness to fight fleeing a draft, and soldier signed come of it. We win, we lose. We is rapidly disappearing. Troops a contract to be in the army. lose, we lose.”- Anonymous Army are deserting the army, applying Change to: Of course, the question operations officer, on the possible for Conscientious Objector (CO) is not whether these soldiers outcomes of the battle for the status, and refusing to be called were drafted or have joined US Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq back to duty. The actions of these army by contract but instead the After 22 months of war and soldiers have created a new form heart of matter is that whether occupation in Iraq, the US army of resistance within the ranks of these soldiers were drafted or has come to face a deepening the US military. contracted, they are refusing to crisis. They are sinking into a “More and more Iraqi people want fight and kill Iraqi people because quagmire that constantly threatens us to go home. Believe me, we they are opposed to an unjustified, their position within Iraq, the want to go home.” - Army Private illegal and criminal war on people Middle East, and throughout the 1st Class Rachel Bosveld of Iraq. world. During the Vietnam era, As this new situation develops, Currently Jeremy Hinzman is the US faced a similar problem. awaiting the results of a Canadian The US frantically tried to rebuild more and more War Resisters are emerging. Soldiers like Jeremy Immigration and Refugee Board its forces in Vietnam but over hearing. Brian Goodman, the and over again came up with one Hinzman, Brandon Hughey, and David Saunders, have all fled from officer in charge of his case major block: you can’t fight a war has taken the argument that the without an army. the US army to Canada and are filing for refugee status. For many illegality of the war on Iraq is Right now the US is facing this other soldiers this is an initial step, “irrelevant”, a decision that same crisis in Iraq. While the war a test that will provide an example exposes the Canadian Government and occupation rages on, nothing for others who will soon refuse to and its reactionary policy. While has improved for the Iraqi people. serve the US in Iraq. they may claim that legality is Nothing has been rebuilt and “irrelevant” it means nothing to the conditions facing Iraq have At the same time that this is Hinzman’s case. Like the draft created a strong resistance to happening, others within the US dodgers of the Vietnam era, War occupation. When the occupation are refusing to return to combat. Resisters must be granted refugee began in 2003 the US military According to the pentagon over status based on their political saw up to 20 attacks a day by 5,500 soldiers have deserted the and moral opposition to war and the resistance. Now in 2004 the army since the war began. In an occupation. US faces up to 100 attacks a day. attempt to fill the gaps within the ranks of the army, the US has Dissident soldiers within the US Within Iraq and around the world, army will closely follow this first people are calling for an end called up 2,288 Individual Ready Reserve soldiers, over one-third of case, and the results could create to the occupation. In the midst the conditions for many more of this pressure troop morale is which did not show up to report for duty. During Vietnam the US War Resisters to join Hinzman in constantly diminishing. Many Canada. soldiers feel that their mission in also failed to rebuild their forces as Iraq is unclear, and that they are 1/3 of all troops called on failed to A Victory in Iraq is Victory for involved in an immoral military report for duty. All! occupation. Major battles in Iraq like those The progression of a War Resisters One of the major questions in Fallujah, and Najaf are having movement will be decisive in in Iraq is stability. As the a demoralizing effect on US determining the course of the occupation continues, stability troops. Much like the massacre occupation of Iraq. If the US is being destroyed, not only for that took place in Mai Lai during military cannot maintain its Iraqi people, but also for the US Vietnam where an entire village own troop levels then it will not military machine. The toll on was sentenced to death, US troops be able to maintain its position the US forces in Iraq has been are now confronted with the reality in Iraq, and will eventually be consistently on the rise since of their orders when they are sent driven out by the resistance. War the occupation began; currently on missions with the command resisters play an important role in over 1,300 US soldiers have died “search and destroy”. The US is determining who has the power in Iraq. While the statistics for losing these battles because they in Iraq. The rights of soldiers to American casualties in Iraq are cannot crush the Iraqis’ resistance refuse service must be defended often in the media, the numbers to the occupation of their in this context. They are changing of wounded soldiers are often country, but they can succeed in the balance of forces in Iraq in overlooked, however over 16,000 demoralizing their own soldiers. favour of Iraqis. As the resistance troops have been wounded in Iraq. Why we should welcome war in Iraq becomes more powerful, The majority of the wounded are resisters to Canada imperialism is weakened, and the oppressed nations of the world are unable to return to combat because As we see the development of a they are suffering from severe in a better position to fight against War Resisters movement grow, imperialism and oppression. injuries, such as missing limbs, we will see many more former paralysis, crippling psychological soldiers cross the border into War Resisters represent the disorders, and Post-Traumatic Canada. As poor, working and interests of the poor and oppressed Stress Disorder (PTSD). oppressed people, we need to see people of the world, and we in I want to go home! the importance of these people Canada must widely support their struggle to resist war and “I’m tired of every time we go and their resistance. In the very simplest form, we should support occupation in order to defeat out the gate, someone tries to kill imperialism in Iraq. me.” – Staff Sgt. Sheldon Rivers, them because they are opposed to Ramadi, Iraq imperialist war and occupation. DEFEND WAR RESISTERS! But they are important for many US/UK OUT OF IRAQ! For troops who are confronted other reasons. During the Vietnam with resistance daily, being told War, draft dodgers were a crucial BRING THE TROOPS HOME to “go home”, and feeling the part of the antiwar movement. NOW!

2 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 3 When a Soldier Becomes a Hero for Humanity An Interview with War Resister Brandon Hughey

By Alison Bodine humanity.” – Brandon Hughey, look at the support right before the www.brandonhughey.org. war was launched, it was almost unanimous as far as the American Every soldier who refuses to fight in FTT: Why did you ask for a discharge in 2003 and what people go. If you look at it now, Iraq weakens the occupation in favor the country is pretty much split, of the Iraqi people. As American was the response that you were given? so it is growing, and opposition War Resisters in Canada, Brandon is growing to the war in Iraq. As Hughey and other War Resisters Brandon: I asked in for a discharge more Americans continue to die, are an integral part of the antiwar because I disagreed with the war on I think that just as with Vietnam, movement. Brandon enlisted in the Iraq. Basically the answer I was Americans see the violence in Army in the summer of 2002 as a given was, “No, you are going to do Iraq isn’t ending and there is no way to pay for a college education. what we tell you whether you agree end in sight. I think that with that, He was in basic training as attacks with it or not,” that was it. opposition is going to grow. Two of on Iraq were taking place. Brandon FTT: And the war started while the big groups that formed around then fled to Canada, refusing to you were in training? opposition to the occupation of Iraq fight in an illegal and unjust war, are: Military Families Speak Out and now lives in Ontario. He is Brandon: It started a couple of (www.mfso.org) and Iraq Veterans now waiting for his day in court months before I went to training, so Against War (www.ivaw.net)- a with the immigration and refugee by the time I graduated it had been group of people who have actually judges who will decide his future going on for quite some time. been to Iraq, saw the truth behind status in Canada. Brandon recently FTT: You were just out of high it, came back and now they are traveled to Vancouver as part of school right? opposed to it. a cross Canada tour, giving talks against the occupation of Iraq and Brandon: I graduated high school FTT: What do you see as the explaining his reasons for coming in May of 2003 and left for training role of yourself, Jeremy Hinzman to Canada. We sat down with in July 2003. [another War Resister] and all Brandon to ask him some questions other American War Resisters in FTT: So they gave you no the antiwar movement? regarding his experiences, views on response when you first refused the war on Iraq and his advice for to go and fight in Iraq, they were Brandon: As far as our role the antiwar movement in Canada. just like, “This is how it is, you in the antiwar movement is “As time wore on, no weapons of registered.”? concerned I believe that it is just mass destruction could be found, letting people know that there is Brandon: Yeah, they were resistance growing within the US nor could any connection to unwilling to cooperate with me. terrorism. I was never informed military. It may not be as wide They actually didn’t tell me that spread as it was in Vietnam, but of any route I could take to leave there was a clause where I could the military, such as applying for there is some resistance growing apply for Conscientious Objector in the US military. I think that it is conscientious objector status. I (C.O.) status. had promised myself that under no important that people in the antiwar Brandon Hughey. circumstances would I allow myself FTT: Now that the deaths of movement to know that. I believe to become complicit in the illegal soldiers in Iraq had passed we sometimes get stereotyped in process of serving in the military now? 1000, do you think that there is the antiwar movement as killers occupation of Iraq. No contract we saw the light. You could say we Brandon: Right now it is kind of a growing antiwar sentiment in and murderers but we are basically or enlistment oath can be used as saw through all of the lies that we in limbo. I am an official refugee America? just people who signed up to better an excuse to participate in acts were told. claimant and I am waiting for my our lives financially. We had no of aggression or crimes against Brandon: I do, because if you hearing which is scheduled for other way to do so and through that FTT: Where is your case at right Nov 19th that is the day I will go in front of the immigration and refugee board and make a case for refugee status. (Since this interview Brandon’s court date had been pushed back until the results from MAWO Launches a Petition Campaign in the first trial, Jeremy Hinzman’s, are known.) FTT: You applied for a work permit, correct? Brandon: Yeah, I sent that in at the beginning of August and we Defense of American War Resisters in Canada are still waiting for a response from the Canadian Government on that, By Alison Bodine responsibility as a decent human petitioning as well as issuing a call certainly proves to the government but as soon as that comes in I will being to refuse orders that they for Unions, Students’ Unions and that students in Canada demand hopefully be able to find a job and feel to be wrong and criminal. any other antiwar or supporting that their peers be given refuge. be able to support myself. “The government is less welcoming. The government of Canada must groups or institutions to pass More and more soldiers are FTT: Do you have any advice or Despite Canada’s opposition to the be pressured into allowing War resolutions supporting American Iraq war, the government also is refusing to fight in Iraq. As more suggestions for people in Canada Resisters refugee status in Canada. War Resisters in Canada. MAWO and more look to Canada as a and the antiwar movement here? opposing the deserters’ refugee demands that the government applications, saying the soldiers Overwhelming support for the place where they can come and Brandon: As far as advice or petition and its demands shows make provisions for War Resisters receive sanctuary from the US are not persecuted. It is resisting to have sanctuary in Canada. It is suggestions go, the best way to help the argument that the Iraq war is that people in Canada support War Government. It is extremely us out is to bring awareness about Resisters and their basic democratic imperative that the campaign is important that Canada grants illegal.”- Doug Struck, Washington as intensive and wide-spread as this issue to elected representatives Post, referring to the difference in and human right to refuse to fight. them refugee status. First, in in government, such as MP’s, I The petition is addressed to those possible, as Jeremy Hinzman’s defense of their democratic and opinion between the Canadian hearing began December 6th. believe that is what they are called Government and the people of in the government of Canada who human right not to fight, second up here. There is also a petition on- Canada regarding American War will decide the fate of Jeremy The campaign has already received in recognition that any soldier line at www.resisters.ca, you can Resisters in Canada. Hinzman, Brandon Hughey, support from the Teachers Support who refuses to fight in Iraq is sign the on-line petition and there David Sanders, and any other War Staff Union (TSSU) at SFU and an important part of the antiwar Mobilization Against War and are also samples of letters you can Resisting soldiers who choose the Simon Fraser Student Society movement. Mobilization Against print out and send to your MP. We Occupation (MAWO) launched a to come to Canada. The petition (SFSS), both of which have passed War and Occupation (MAWO) will petition on October 18th demanding believe that the only way we are is an effective way to show the resolutions demanding that the continue its campaign to pressure going to be able to stay here is with that the government of Canada government of Canada how people government of Canada grant the Government of Canada into enough public support behind our grant refugee status to American in Canada feel about the decision refugee status to American War allowing War Resisters refugee cause, so public opinion is the key soldiers in Canada. The petition being made in their name. Resisters. The Capilano Student status. in this case. calls on the government of Canada Union (CSU) has also taken on to honour, not only the tradition Petitioning is also an important tool The petition is available on-line **For more information on Brandon, to educate and mobilize people on their own campaign supporting at www.mawovancouver.org. For it established during the Vietnam the demands of refuge for War go to www.brandonhughey.org. War era allowing War Resisters the issue of war and War Resisters. more information on American Mobilization Against War and It is also based on communication Resisters in Canada. Mobilization War Resisters in Canada visit: the sanctuary they demanded, Against War and Occupation’s Occupation (MAWO) has recently but also international law and the with people therefore it helps them www.brandonhughey.org, launched a petition campaign understand the growing amount of petition, after less than 7 weeks, www.jeremyhinzman.net, basic right of a soldier to refuse to has already received over 1,300 demanding that the government participate in an illegal and unjust discontent within the US military www.resisters.ca. of Canada grant refugee status forces about the US political signatures. There have been war. During the Nuremburg Trials successful petition drives at both END THE OCCUPATION OF to American War Resisters in and military quagmire in Iraq. Canada. The petition is available at following WWII it was established the University of British Columbia IRAQ RIGHT NOW! BRING Mobilization Against War and www.mawovanoucer.org**. that not only does a soldier have and Simon Fraser University. This ALL TROOPS HOME NOW! the right, but he or she also has the Occupation has taken on heavy

4 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 5 International Struggles This is What Disengagement Looks Like: Israel’s Slaughter of Palestinians Continues

By Mike Krebs West Bank, where there are almost 400,000 settlers. This plan is also intended to strengthen Israel’s “The occupation does not content stranglehold on Palestinians living itself with depriving us of the within Gaza. As Israel plans to primary conditions of freedom, but retain military control over the goes on to deprive us of the bare area’s borders and space, as well essentials of a dignified human as maintaining the ability of Israeli life, by declaring constant war on occupation forces to re-enter the our bodies, and our dreams, on the area ‘when needed.’ people and the homes and the trees, and by committing crimes of war. It Right now, the Israeli government does not promise us anything more is dealing with a very shaky than the apartheid system, and the relationship of forces between capacity of the sword to defeat itself and the Palestinian people the soul.” – Mahmoud Darwish, whose land it occupies. In Palestinian Poet addition, it is still suffering from the conflicts and crises within Ariel Sharon’s plan for Israel itself; which includes the ‘disengagement’ is a hoax. rickety coalition government that Since the Israeli Prime Minister must carry out the ‘disengagement’ announced the plan last March, plan amongst widespread Israeli what most Palestinians feared opposition. Finally, Israel must about ‘disengagement’ has been assert its position within an proven true: ‘Disengagement’ increasingly unstable balance of is only the newest stage of forces in the Middle East. Zionist Israel’s decades long war, occupation and colonization With its current attacks on the of Palestine. Each step involves Palestinian people, the Sharon killing, injuring, and displacing government intends to buy more and more Palestinians and more time to wait out the storm. moving towards the possibility of However, it is clear that the Israeli a complete displacement. government is deluding itself with visions of calmer waters that As we reported in previous issues are not yet on the horizon, and Palestinian children stare at an Israeli Defense Force Soldier. of Fire This Time, Ariel Sharon’s probably won’t be there for some ‘disengagement’ plan for Gaza time. calls for removing all Israeli the first two months of what many have been making pieces out of Israeli army. This has resulted settlements in Gaza. This involves Disengagement in Gaza: voices in the Israeli ruling class Palestinians in Gaza. This small in 3 to 10 Palestinians being moving 7,500 settlers, in order to More Palestinians Killed and have called a ‘new era for peace’ strip of land, home to 1.3 million killed every 24 hours, according focus on defending and expanding Displaced following the death of Yasser Palestinians, has been facing to Palestinian medical sources. its more valuable settlements in the Through November and December, Arafat, Israeli occupation forces daily and nightly assaults by the Continued on page 6 One Year After Imperialist Hands Off Sudan! Military Intervention: US Ruling Class Seeking Excuses Who is Ruling Haiti? to Intervene in East Africa By Andrew Malieni Sudan as “genocide.” The reason By Shannon Bundock for this is to legitimize any form of intervention taken in Sudan. “The Government of Sudan has In February 2004, the President not complied with UN Security Largely, the calls for intervention of Haiti, Jean Bertrand Aristide, Council resolutions, and has not are based on calling for African was removed from office respected the cease-fire which it Union forces to act as a proxy. At and forced out of Haiti in an signed. The rebels are also guilty the present time, it is difficult for organized coup by former death of cease-fire violations and failing the major imperialist countries squad leaders. According to to carry out past commitments. to directly send their own troops Black Commentator (a news It is clear that only outside because of the very large number source based in Jenkintown action can stop the killing. My of troops already being used PA) Colin Powell contacted government is seeking a new against the massive and growing Ron Dellums, a former US Security Council Resolution to resistance in Iraq, Afghanistan Congressman and lobbyist for authorize an expanded African and Haiti. Former Democratic the Aristide government, on the Union security force to prevent Presidential candidate John morning before the coup was further bloodshed.” – US Kerry, for example, said that in to take place. Powell warned President George W. Bush order to send US forces to Sudan, Dellums, “in no uncertain terms the US would first “have to be in a gunmen were coming to kill “We are very much committed to position in Iraq and Afghanistan” Aristide on Sunday morning. The strengthening the African Union’s to do so. African Union forces U.S., said Powell, would not lift operations in Sudan.” – Canadian are seen as a viable alternative a finger to stop them. When the Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew in the meantime. The African Americans come to call, Aristide The US and other imperialist Union forces can be considered must leave with them.” Paul Martin meets with Gerard Latortue, November 14th 2004. countries are calling for reliable proxies because they are intervention in Sudan, under sent by countries in neocolonial Today, Aristide is not residing in main players in the occupation, Canada, the US and France. The “humanitarian” pretexts. The relationships with the imperialist Haiti anymore and Haiti is under the nations that swooped down stated objectives of the United US Secretary of State, Colin countries. Additionally, the a UN-run occupation, established on Haiti immediately after the in June 2004 and virtually Powell, has referred to the violent removal of the President, are Continued on page 7 unparalleled in its brutality. The situation in the Darfur region of Continued on page 8

4 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 5 Eyewitness to Occupation, Eyewitness to Resistance Interview with an Organizer from the International Solidarity Movement

By Mike Krebs There’s also resistance activity signing something that will pretty like agricultural relief committees, much legitimate the continued which support an independent, Israeli expansion and dispossession The Zionist occupation of Palestine, autonomous Palestinian agricultural of Palestinian lands. which has now gone on for over sector. The Israelis have done a lot fifty years, has been marked by one FTT: The occupation of Palestine to flood the Palestinian market with has been going on for well over of the most important struggles in cheap commercial goods, cheap the world for self-determination 50 years, but now we’re in a new foodstuffs, and really undermine situation with the moves of the US and justice by the Palestinian the basis for agricultural production people. This struggle has not only and other imperialist countries and reproduction of basic nutrition into Afghanistan, and more exposed the strategies used against and everything. oppressed people for the purpose recently into Iraq. We have a new of pursuing imperialist interests; All these kinds of efforts tend era of war and occupation, and it has also inspired and educated towards some type of resistance, an attempt by these imperialist poor, working, and oppressed be it violent or non-violent, and countries to change the balance people all over the world about it depends who and what sectors of forces in their favour against the importance of solidarity with of the population are mobilized. people all across the region. What oppressed people and actively Sometimes women aren’t sort of impact do you think this resisting imperialist attacks. mobilized at all, sometimes they has on the occupation of Palestine are. In Nablus they had a prisoner’s and the resistance against it? Kole is one of these people. He is families committee which is very Kole: On Palestine, I think the a Toronto-based anti-imperialist effective and very active. You have activist who recently returned from balance of forces have not been Kole in front of a banner made by Palestinian children. these types of resistance activities in favour of self-determination Palestine, after spending almost that aren’t talked about in the a year there on a trip through the struggle for maybe 20-30 years Shield’ than were lost in Jenin. The FTT: What did you see within press, but they’re constant. Also, International Solidarity Movement now, since the early 80s, with the Israeli military has tried to prevent resistance and organizations, there’s the example of Budrus, (ISM). onslaught of Reagan and Thatcher, internationals from coming in. In as far as the composition of the near the wall, which has managed and the onset of neo-liberalism. In November of 2004, Fire This fact, you can’t cross the checkpoints people involved with them? to mobilize its entire population There is the erosion of national Time interviewed Kole about his to get into Nablus, you have to go to effectively resist, and at the sovereignty, which is actually one Kole: There are different types forefront of that were Palestinian experience in Palestine, and why through the mountains, and it’s the of resistance activities, so there’s of the gains of self-determination supporting the Palestinian struggle only city where you have to do that women, especially young women, struggles in the third world, with armed struggle, which is one form, little girls even, who came out full for self-determination is important in the West Bank. which is mainly dominated by the ability to kick out foreign for poor, working, and oppressed of energy and were totally standing FTT: In your experience, what young males. Then there’s medical oppressors and imperialists, and to people, in Canada and throughout in front of bulldozers, blocking did you see as far as the attitudes relief teams, for instance, who manage their own affairs. the world. them, inhaling tons of teargas, of people within Nablus and other work on providing medical relief in and keeping going. And that is a If you look at any human rights FTT: What were your reasons for areas, generally, towards the emergencies, but also take a more situation that has been going on instrument in international law, going to Palestine? occupation of their land, and how holistic approach to health and stuff, for months, the wall continues, but especially the convention on civil Kole: I became active with antiwar are people organizing against the including things like an analysis they’ve put an example of some and political rights, the universal stuff during the first Gulf War, occupation? of class and imperialism and kind of alternative. declaration of human rights, and colonialism, and how that impacts the convention on economic, when in elementary school. I had Kole: Most people will tell you This is why I think solidarity is a friend from Lebanon, so I was that the situation is difficult, it’s on the health of native populations. social, and cultural rights, the first And they’re very active in terms of really important. We need to step clause in all of them is the right kind of familiar with the politics. one of the most common refrains up our efforts in solidarity, because Since then I’ve been working with you hear. And the situation includes disobeying curfews and bringing to self-determination. That clause food to people under closure, to the plan that’s being proposed now is reproduced verbatim, and self- a lot of Palestine solidarity groups, the occupation, but it also includes is worse than Oslo. It’s worse than and other groups opposing imperial the disconnect that most people people who are holed up in their determination means not only the homes and things like that. the road map. I’m afraid that the policies. feel between what they want as Palestinians will be forced into Continued on page 10 My family is from Yugoslavia, a political settlement and what so I also saw the effects of great the elites within the Palestinian power interventions in third-world Authority and Al Fatah are offering countries. as a political settlement. Since university I’ve been involved What really came forward to me actively in the Arab Student was actually the class dynamics that exist in Palestine. Because ‘Disengagement’ in the West Bank: Collective and other Palestine solidarity groups as a natural often it’s presented as a national extension of this kind of activism. conflict, but what you really have I was really attracted to the work of is the Palestinian people who the ISM as kind of a direct action are 80% unemployed, massively impoverished, and so on, against More Palestinians Killed, Displaced approach, which kind of reminded me of the work that OCAP (Ontario the small Palestinian elite that is Coalition Against Poverty) does willing to cooperate with the United From page 5 in Toronto, who I’ve also done States and the Zionists project for work with. I wanted to see what Palestine. When you just walk These attacks and raids have been that was like, and also learn more through the refugee camps and the happening all over Gaza, with old city of Nablus, if you’re in areas about Palestine from a first-hand the Khan Yunus refugee camp, where there are poor people, you’ll perspective. located in southern Gaza, being see a lot of martyr posters on the FTT: What did you see as far walls, and you’ll see a lot of posters especially hard-hit in the last two as the daily conditions the of resistance fighters, because that’s months. Apparently as ‘retaliation’ Palestinian people under the where the resistance comes from. for mortar attacks launched from Israeli occupation? Khan Yunus on nearby Israeli What was impressive, in terms of settlements, the Israeli military Kole: Well, the daily conditions organizing at a grassroots level, has repeatedly assaulted the camp vary from place to place. Every was that the internal factional both before and after the attacks Palestinian city is faced with a kind differences don’t seem to matter. on the settlements. On December of unique situation. I was in Nablus It was just popular outpourings 18th, Israeli forces invaded Khan for most of the time, and Nablus is of support for martyrs against Yunus, killing 11 Palestinians, the only city that is still under full occupation. Fighting units are military closure in the West Bank. injuring 40 others, and bulldozing usually mixed between factions, it’s Israeli occupation soldiers threaten an unarmed Palestinian So in terms of military pressure, at least 40 homes. Four days later, mostly friends, it’s mostly people the Israeli occupation forces intensity, military operation, and from the same neighborhoods that demonstrator near the Aida refugee camp during a peaceful returned with over 50 armoured daily human rights abuses it is more are fighting together. protest, August 3rd 2004. similar to Gaza than it is to other vehicles, including bulldozers cities in the West Bank. So the differences on the ground and helicopter gunships, and a 13-year-old boy and a girl who Bank: More Palestinians Killed don’t make a difference, but at proceeded to flatten a medical is around the age of 10. This is the and Displaced There were very difficult conditions the political level, there’s all this clinic, raid the local school, and same camp where Israeli soldiers for the people there. People are very infighting. But on the ground level, While the Israeli government inflict another 9 casualties. admittedly killed a 13-year- is carrying out these repeated traumatized, not only by the stuff what was inspiring was to see the The Khan Yunus camp was then old boy ‘for fun’ last March by that’s going on now, but also by the unity among the people, and that assaults on Palestinians in Gaza, hit less than a week later by shooting him in the head 7 times it is continuing the expansion impact of the 2002 invasions, which one-direction demand to end to the tank shells fired into the camp while he was working with his were particularly brutal. Nablus lost of the Apartheid Wall through occupation, and for a meaningful by Israeli tanks, which injured father on their farm. more people during the Israeli form of self-determination, and also another 13 Palestinians, including Continued on page 9 military ‘Operation Defensive the right of return. Disengagement in the West

6 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 7 Afghan Life Under Occupation

From page 1 election observers participated in the elections, making any Elections: Legitimate reporting sparse and ineffective. Democracy? The biggest scandal of all The instability in Afghanistan and however, was not over indelible lack of ‘progress’ has not gone ink or ballot rigging. The biggest unnoticed by the international scandal stared the world in the community or by poor and face, and it was 26,000 troops working people the world over. strong. The foreign militaries The occupation forces have no that lined the streets across the plans for exiting Afghanistan country were a guarantee that any time soon, but they do feel no “free” and “democratic” pressure to legitimately remain election had the possibility of in Afghanistan for years to come, taking place, especially when and thusly began planning the those forces were campaigning Afghan federal election. for one specific candidate. And, “surprise!” their favorite won. After initially failing to register enough voters; after postponing Afghan Life Under Occupation the elections twice; and after “Today, three years after the worldwide calls for an end to the Taliban were ousted, armed occupation before any election groups controlled by warlords use was carried out, the Afghan violence and create fear against elections were held on October much of the Afghan population. 9th 2004. In previous administrations The elections were rife with some warlords even assumed scandal and criticism, from positions at highest levels of your A US Soldier searches Afghan women, December 2004. election fraud, to faulty government.” – Brad Adams to Hamid Karzai protesting to US Secretary of Defense continues to operate outside procedures and candidate Executive Director, Asia Division the conditions in Afghanistan, Donald Rumsfeld regarding US- the rule of law. The United boycotts. Candidates that opposed of Human Rights Watch, in Human Rights Watch, an administered detention facilities States continues to hold Afghan a letter to Hamid Karzai on the occupation were barred from rd international non-governmental in Afghanistan. In this letter, detainees in legal limbo and in running in the elections. Because December 3 organization (NGO) based out Human Rights Watch stated, “The many cases incommunicado, of the lack of security, under 400 Ten days after Adams wrote of New York City, wrote a letter detention system in Afghanistan in violation of U.S. obligations under the laws of armed conflict and applicable Afghan law.” They went on to cite numerous cases of Afghan people murdered while in custody of the US forces. Who’s Ruling Haiti? Beyond the abuse and murder highlighted by Human Rights Watch are the daily poverty, From page 5 homelessness, displacement, joblessness and desperation Nations “Stabilization Mission faced by Afghan people under in Haiti” (MINUSTAH), are to occupation. Women, in particular, “bring stability to the region”, have been served the biggest having determined that Haiti injustice of all. Operation “continues to constitute a threat to Enduring Freedom was partially international peace and security.” built on the justification of liberating women from inequality Clearly, this “threat to and gender-based persecution. international peace and security”, After the occupation began, is in no way about peace and Afghanistan enacted a new security for Haitian people. Since Constitution in January 2004. the MINUSTAH mission began, UN soldiers have been complicit in the mass killing of thousands Continued on page 9 of Haitians. Canadian troops, in particular, have been training the Haitian police forces that are carrying out some of the most the only path to freedom and violent acts. dignity for Haiti, which is the path of self-determination. Despite having a force of over 6,000 troops, the UN has been On November 29th 2004, the UN quite unable to secure and voted to extend the Haiti mission stabilize Haiti, which is essential until June 1st 2005, “with the for imperialist nations to secure intention to renew for further and protect their position within periods.” This decision further the Caribbean and Latin America. Aristide supporters rally in Port-Au-Prince, December 19th 2004. undermines and delays the primary demands of the Haitian With the quagmire in Iraq, the was preceded by decades for decades to come. The UN 2004. Since coming to power, people for self-determination and deteriorating conditions in Haiti of foreign intervention and makes claims that it is in Haiti to Latortue has repealed the recent only promises more resistance prior to the coup were leading to interference in the country. A protect democracy and security increase in minimum wage and crisis, as Haitian people fight pre-revolutionary developments, US imposed aid embargo in for Haitian civilians. The reality and abolished the Ministry of for their rightful sovereignty. which were too much for the 2001, froze humanitarian projects is that the UN is working directly Literacy. Additionally, Latortue US and its imperialist partners to undermining basic humanitarian to protect the “Transitional is in the process of reestablishing Life in Haiti Under Occupation handle. Removing Aristide and services in Haiti related to water, Government” and its president, relations with the International “The situation in Haiti is dire but imposing a discreet occupation housing and medical care. The Gerard Latortue, who was never Monetary Fund (IMF), including force was their best option for not yet at the level of concern as embargo, along with incredible, mandated by the Haitian people, recent talks to secure a major loan in Afghanistan, Iraq or Somalia, killing the uprising of poor and unrelieved national debt, has been has been protested constantly by to chain Haiti into a long-term working Haitians. The formula though Haiti clearly is heading in a major obstacle for bringing tens of thousands of Haitians and relationship with the IMF. that direction.” – From April 2004 did not come out as planned the country out of the ominous has been responsible for attacks however, and like Iraq itself, Gaining a clear understanding of FOCAL (Canadian Foundation poverty that cripples it. on the Haitian people for the past what Latortue means for Haiti is for the Americas) Report a combination of powerful nine months. anti-occupation resistance and Through the aforementioned not difficult. Beyond the sordid As for the UN goal to “protect increasing crisis and chaos has MINUSTAH mission, the UN, Following the ousting of details of implementing neo- civilians under imminent threat made Haiti a much more difficult along with Canada, France and the President Aristide and the rapid liberal measures and running a of physical violence”, the UN mission then it was projected to US are politically, economically establishment of the occupation, bloodthirsty police force, lies has failed miserably at this, with be. and militarily controlling the the next move was to install a one particular fact that makes violence only escalating and much nation. Currently, discussions are “transitional” (read: “puppet”) Latortue a completely illegitimate UN: One More Nation in of that violence being carried out underway to set up a long-term government. Latortue was living official. That is, he is steadfastly by their partners and themselves. A Deplorable History of force and designate Haiti as a in the US when he was selected supporting and directly Occupation UN “protectorate”. This would to become the new President of collaborating with the occupation This UN intervention in Haiti help to legitimize an occupation Haiti, and sworn in on March 12th forces and is thusly obstructing Continued on page 8 6 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 7 Life in Haiti Under Occupation

From page 7 a new fight, or one isolated to The government of Canada is this single Caribbean nation. deeply establishing its imperialist Since the September 30th 2004 Today the people of Iraq, the leadership role in this occupation. anti-occupation demonstration people of Palestine, the people As the government of Canada at which UN troops fired on of Afghanistan and Indigenous extends its imperialist ventures, unarmed protesters, the crisis in nations in Canada all carry this people living in Canada must be Haiti has escalated. Canadian demand against imperialist in the forefront of the opposition trained Haitian police killed occupation forces. For imperialist exposing the government of dozens of prisoners December 9th, nations, Haiti is an opening in Canada and the bankruptcy of carting the bodies out of the prison the Caribbean and into Latin their “peacekeeping” image. in wheelbarrows. According to a America for the expansion of th People who believe in the right of Reuters article on December 9 the era of war and occupation oppressed nations to sovereignty (“Rights groups say Haiti prison that is already raging in the and the right of oppressed people riot a massacre”) eyewitness Middle East. In response to this to freedom and dignity, must reports cite that over 60 prisoners expansion, we must expand the support the people of Haiti in were slaughtered. antiwar movement and join in action, and in the streets. We Arrests, detainments and solidarity with the calls for self- must increase awareness about imprisonments have skyrocketed, UN soldiers guarding gas station, December 2004. determination in Haiti. their struggle and we must join targeting many members of The occupation of Haiti is the demands: UN out of Haiti! US Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas Party. worthy of competing with France, broad and popular opposition. particularly important for out of Haiti! France out of Haiti! On October 2nd, the Oregon-based Germany and especially, with the The fight for sovereignty is not people in Canada to protest. CANADA OUT OF HAITI! Institute for Justice and Democracy US and UK. in Haiti reported, “On Saturday Early in December, Paul Martin October 02, 2004, Haitian police hosted a visit to Ottawa by forcibly entered Haiti’s Radio Latortue. Inside the meeting they Caraibe and arrested three former discussed the role of Canada parliamentarians from the Fanmi in developing the Haitian court Lavalas party who had criticized system. Canada has already Imperialists Hands Off Africa! the Interim Government during a supplied 100 RCMP officers to radio program.” The article goes train Haitian police. This new From page 5 and subsequently led to the atrocities. It is important to on to list the murders of sixteen discussion on the judicial process ethnic cleansing of Serbian and note, however, that it was first Lavalas members by Haitian will only cement the plans to majority of their funding comes Roma people in Kosovo. In Britain, the colonial ruler of police between September 30th remain in Haiti for a long period from the US and European effect, there is as much reason Sudan from 1896 to 1956 that and October 1st 2004. of time. As Fire This Time quoted Union. By January or February to believe that an invasion of imposed a division on Sudan, In addition to the violence in July 2004, Paul Martin has 2005, there are supposed to be Sudan would help or is intended based on the classic “divide and impacting Haiti, Haitian people already declared and defined his 3,320 African Union armed to help the Sudanese people as conquer” principle: again, it is face an economic crisis. Over commitment to the Haiti project, forces in Sudan. The Sudanese there is to believe that a hungry easier to rule a divided Sudan. 80% face unemployment, and “What you’ve got to do is get government initially allowed wolf would keep a chicken safe. Similar reasoning has been extremely limited access to basic a political agreement between some African Union forces in The official calls for aid implied to Iraq, with attempts by food staples. The price of rice the parties that will allow us to for “monitoring,” but is opposed workers in Sudan have purposes the occupying forces to create has doubled since the beginning not just send troops to maintain to the expansion. unrelated to genuine aid. There divisions between Shiite and of 2004, with 80% of it coming peace, but to establish a good The ongoing slaughter of is experience from elsewhere Sunni Muslims. In each case from the US, since the Haitian rice justice system, to set up a good unknown tens of thousands that verifies this. For example, the divisions are artificial. The market was flooded and destroyed. police force, and I have said that of Iraqi, Afghan, and Haitian in Yugoslavia in 1999, three interests of poor and working As well, Haitian people are still Canada will be very much there people testifies against any “humanitarian” aid workers from people in Iraq, Sudan, and facing the devastating impact of when that happens.” humanitarian concerns on the an international aid organization Canada with whatever ethnic the August tropical storm, which and religious divisions that exist Resistance, Sovereignty and part of the ruling classes in were found to be collecting resulted in over 3,000 deaths amongst them are the same. And Global Solidarity imperialist countries. There is and compiling information to and extensive destruction of also the case of the 1998 US assist NATO’s war against and for sure the common interests of infrastructure. After defeating the colonial French these oppressed people are very forces, Haiti made the incredible different from the interests of Imperialist Canada Exposed accomplishment of establishing the capitalist ruling classes of In April 2004, the Canadian the world’s first black republic in the US, Canada and Europe. Foundation for the Americas 1804. However, since then, Haiti There are two major reasons (FOCAL) prepared a report for the has become the poorest country for the interest of the US and House of Commons Committee on in the Western Hemisphere, other imperialist countries in Foreign Affairs and International has been plagued by political Sudan. Sudan has significant Trade. In the report they clearly violence and has suffered a history oil resources, which are largely stated the role that Canada should that is peppered with foreign being controlled by rival take in the occupation of Haiti. intervention and interference. This countries, particularly China. “The US will be the main donor, history, however, has consistently Sudan can also offer another but with other more pressing been met with resolve of the base to aid in the expansion of responsibilities and a troubled Haitian people, who have stood imperialist war and occupation history in Haiti, it appears to be up, time and again to fight for into resource-rich Africa. With actively seeking another nation their liberation. the internal political situation to assume leadership on Haiti. In recent months the people of in Sudan imperialists, especially Canada is a natural candidate. Haiti have escalated their battle the US ruling class, sees Brazil already has committed for freedom and dignity. With the invasion as an opportunity to troops to the planned long-term Sudanese refugee camp in Chad. September 30th demonstrations, extend its military intervention UN peacekeeping force. But, it is which drew tens of thousands of bombing of a major medicine bombing of Yugoslavia. There from the Middle East to East unlikely that Brazil would be able protesters to Cap Haitian and Port- factory in Sudan, which the US is a very convenient opportunity Africa. While France is trying to offer the political leadership Au-Prince, recent months have falsely accused of producing to use aid workers, who have to expand its presence from the to guide UN intervention. Again, brought increased resistance in the chemical weapons. The UN a unique position that enables Ivory Coast to other African Canada has the credentials.” streets and renewed calls for an Security Council’s threat of them to see and evaluate various nations, the US occupation of Even if one does not agree end to the occupation. Following sanctions against Sudan, the areas of a country, to pass on Liberia in August 2003 and now that Canada should take the the September 30th demonstrations effects of which were seen information and assessments with the military intervention “leadership” in this occupation, was a strike that paralyzed Port- in Iraq with the deaths of an to help in forming plans for in Sudan, US attempting to put it is hard to dispute FOCAL’s Au-Prince for nearly two weeks. estimated 1.5 million Iraqis is military invasion. Additionally, itself in a better position against argument. Canada does have the France and other imperialists for The people of Haiti who are further evidence. some different aid agencies credentials. Canada’s credentials plundering Africa. participating in the resistance, like The effects of so-called have called on the international for leading the occupation include the people of all oppressed nations “humanitarian interventions.” community to “take action” in It is vitally important to build the half a century of colonial war and that are resisting occupation, have or more correctly, imperialist Sudan, and can also have the movement in solidarity with the occupation on Indigenous territory been characterized as ‘rebels’ and invasions, have in the past role of legitimizing anything demands of the people of Iraq, in Canada, as well as the present ‘thugs’ by imperialist media. As been seen elsewhere as well. that imperialists do to Sudan. Afghanistan, Haiti, Palestine, establishment and commitment well, they have been pigeonholed The “humanitarian” invasion of The Sudanese government has and Indigenous Nations in of Canada to the occupation of as only “Aristide supporters” in Somalia by UN forces in 1993 itself tried to further divisions Canada for self-determination, Afghanistan. Taking the lead in an attempt to limit and discredit killed 7,000-10,000 Somalis. among Arab and African and to oppose the expansion of the occupation of Haiti is a huge the resistance. However, it is The NATO “humanitarian” Sudanese, and Christian imperialist war and occupation opportunity for Canada to further obvious as cities are listed off as bombing of Yugoslavia in and Muslim Sudanese and to other countries, including build its position on “the world “flashpoints of resistance”, that 1999 killed about 2,000 Serbs is responsible for various Sudan. Imperialists Hands Off stage” and prove that it is indeed the opposition to occupation is a Africa! US Hands Off Sudan!

8 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 9 Canadian Imperialism: ‘Committed to staying the course with Afghanistan’

From page 7 growing poverty; why has $430 million been spent on Canadian Article 22 guarantees men troops in Afghanistan this fiscal and women equal rights and year alone? duties before the law. Article As the US, Canada, and other 44 provides that the state must leading nations, face an impasse promote education for women. for solving their domestic Despite the legislative lip-service, problems internally, they have no for women Afghanistan in 2004 is choice but to extend themselves no different from Afghanistan in beyond their borders and begin 2000. securing and feeding off of the According to a broadcast by resources, people and clout that the Boston based radio show can be gained through direct “On Point” aired in April 2004, military occupation of oppressed reporter Amy Goodman said, “But nations. As each imperialist now, two and a half years later, nation raises the stakes, Canada Afghan women still suffer many must respond by tossing in its of the same human rights abuses, respective bets, one upping the and suicide rates among Afghan others, staying in the game, and women appear to be on the rise.” hopefully walking away with The suicides that Goodman is some loot in its purse. referring to are often horrific Canada began its 2nd mission with self-immolations, one of which ISAF last August, sending more took place when on October 9th, soldiers to Afghanistan than any 2004 (the day of the Presidential other region around the world. election in Afghanistan). Muska, There are nearly 1,000 troops a female election worker, who involved in this second rotation suffered an attempted rape while of Operation Athena that began returning home from work, went on August 9th 2004. In addition into her kitchen, covered herself to the armored reconnaissance in gasoline and then lit her body Geroge W Bush and Hamid Karzai, December 2004. squadron, Canada also sent a on fire. Canada’s Bloody Hands For many people, the occupation (ISAF) and has been in a position training cadre to help train the Life for women in Afghanistan, “Canada is committed to staying of Afghanistan opens up of leadership throughout its Afghan National Army. like life for the majority of the course with Afghanistan.” – questions on the role of Canada. mandate. So what is Canada From January 2004 until August Afghan people, has no chance Allan Rock, Canada’s Permanent Canada is one of the main doing in Afghanistan? As people 2004, Canadian Lieutenant- of improving as long as their Ambassador to the UN, Dec 8 occupation forces in Afghanistan living in Canada face the same General Rick Hiller commanded primary abusers are in control 2004. under NATO’s International economic crises as those in the of every political, economic and Security and Assistance Force US; unemployment, inflation and Continued on page 10 social aspect of the nation. Moves and Motives of the Occupiers: Divisions and Openings With the internal battles raging Stop the Killing of Palestinians! between various political factions in Afghanistan, the country remains deeply divided. This From page 6 of Israel to permanently confiscate country. Imperialist interests in standing on this field alongside division may be a potential this land from the Palestinians of the Middle East cannot afford any their brothers and sisters in Iraq, opening for the occupation the West Bank. This expansion Jayyous. provocations of the Palestinian and both people are mounting forces to maintain control of the is displacing more Palestinians, Other Palestinian towns and cities people that might lead to either strong resistance to the unbearable nation. Initially one may think confiscating more Palestinian land in the West Bank are also being increased resistance in Palestine conditions of imperialist “No, Afghanistan will be harder and farms, and redrawing a new strangled by the construction of or any outpouring of their anti- occupation. to control with each regional armistice line that consolidates the Apartheid Wall. So far, the imperialist sentiment into other Continued global economic commander creating stalls and even more Palestinian land into Israeli government intends to put countries in the region. The Israeli crisis forces the US, Israel, obstacles for the occupation Israel ‘proper.’ the residents of these towns in government, which relies on over and other imperialist countries forces”. However, it is possible to The Palestinian town of Jayyous a situation where they have two $4 billion dollars every year to deepen their attacks on the look at this situation in a different is one of many towns getting ‘options’: either give up their from the US to sustain its weak people of Palestine. With this light. strangled by the building of the homes and leave, or work under economy, must provide some the importance of the Palestinian Apartheid Wall. 75-85 % of horrible conditions in one of the stability in Palestine until a time struggle grows for poor, working, A divided Afghanistan is where the US and UK are able to effectively a weak Afghanistan. its agricultural land has been nearby Israeli industrial parks that and oppressed people all over the separated from the town by the are being constructed as part of find a solution to the quagmire in world. The current developments Hamid Karzai, and any other Iraq. leader in his position for that Apartheid Wall to make room for the West Bank settlements. in Palestine and the Middle East matter, has no choice but to give expanding the Israeli settlement With both of these two ‘options’, For the people of Palestine, this make this a crucial time to build all his loyalty to the occupation of Zufim. Though officially the it is clear that Sharon’s means the ‘stability’ of constant a strong movement in solidarity Israeli government ‘allows’ the war and daily violent assaults at with the people in Palestine forces in order to simply stay disengagement plan isn’t intended residents of Jayyous access to their the hands of Israeli forces. If Israel struggling against the brutal alive. Karzai is protected by to offer Palestinians anything farmland through a single gate in other than hardship or death. is able to buy time until conditions occupation of their country. This 200 US bodyguards and it costs the wall, there are ridiculous in the Middle East are slightly means taking advantage of an Washington $1.6 billion US restrictions that make access to Israel, the US, and the Quagmire better for imperialist plundering, additional pressure that the Israeli monthly to keep Karzai in power. this land virtually impossible. in Iraq Palestinians can expect even more government must deal with, and In addition to the deal with Karzai, These restrictions include: that killing, more displacement, and that is the increasing disgust the intervening forces are free To deal with the constant crisis Palestinians need work permits Israel faces as an economically eventually the mass expulsion of around the world amongst poor, to negotiate with other equally to pass, that the gate is only open the majority of Palestinians from working, and oppressed people weak regional commanders for weak settler state, Israel must for an hour twice a day, and that put itself in a better position their country. to Israel’s constant attacks on economic benefits, political men between the ages of 15 and against Palestinians to ensure the Palestinians. control and the cementing of a Why People all over the World 50 have been told by Israeli forces continued theft and consolidation long-term military occupation. must Oppose this Killings We must demand an end to that it will be almost impossible of Palestinian lands, resources, the killing of Palestinians and Operation Lightning Freedom, for them to attain permits. and labour power by ravaging For over fifty years, the occupation of Palestine has been one of demand an end to the occupation the next major offensive being While the Palestinian farmers of every last piece of Palestinian of their land. This is not only launched against the Afghan livelihood like a vulture. At the keys of imperialist strategy Jayyous are being denied access for controlling the Middle East necessary for the survival of people, will involve up to 18,000 the same time, it must also be to their farmlands, the Israeli for the purposes of imperialist the Palestinian people, but is an troops. According to Washington government is destroying these conscious of the balance of forces essential component of building within the entire Middle East that plundering. As a result of this it will “eliminate insurgents who farmlands in order to pave the way strategy to keep Palestinians and a movement for the survival of could threaten parliamentary for new and expanded settlements are increasingly unstable. With all people currently under attack the growing resistance movement other Arab people in a state of elections slated for the spring.” in the West Bank. On December perpetual war, the Palestinians by the same handful of imperialist th in Iraq Israel must be mindful of The effect of Operation Lighting 10 , 650 olive trees were uprooted have been forced to the front countries. We must demand: Freedom, beyond defending the from Jayyous farms and shipped the slow shift against imperialism that is developing. lines of the struggle against Stop the Killing of Palestinians! elections, is sending a strong and to Israeli farms. An Israeli imperialism, in the Middle East Dismantle the Apartheid wall! clear message to their opponents; development company currently With the quagmire that the and worldwide. No ‘Disengagement’ under “If you disagree with us, we can plans to build an Israeli housing US government faces with the With the US-led occupation of Occupation! End the Zionist negotiate, but if you fight against settlement right in front of the continued resistance of the Iraqi Occupation of Palestine! us, we will crush you.” gate, showing the clear intention people to the occupation of their Iraq, the Palestinians are now

8 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 9 Resistance from Iraq to Palestine

From page 6 determination? Kole: Ultimately, the way things ability to govern themselves, but are run right now, most working and also to govern and determine how poor people in Canada aren’t being the resources of that country will represented by the elites in power be used, how the soils will be used, right now. And the elites that are in how the airspace will be used. It power right now are the same ones means a comprehensive definition that are pushing for the Zionist and of self-determination that includes imperialist agenda in the Middle both the people and the use of the East. It’s really hard to see, with land. the cutbacks to social programs What we have in Palestine is and pumping more money into the an attempt to give some very military, how this war on terror, nominal and limited form of self- or war against the axis of evil, is determination to the people, but helping ordinary people. to deny them the right to actually I got back and found out that the have a say in how their land is used, Liberal government here in Ontario which is an absurdity. had taken a bunch of things off In terms of the current balance of our Ontario health insurance of forces, I think we’re having a plan, including optometrists, leveling out of the playing field in chiropractors, things like that. A terms of really making it clear where lot of people with disabilities, a the lines are being drawn. And those lot of people with problems with are between the imperialist powers eyesight, they are now having and local elites that enjoy very little greater difficulties, especially poor popular support, and the broad people. This is just a continuation of masses of people in the Arab world the policies we had in Ontario under and third world countries that are Harris, the previous premier. struggling against the neo-liberal But also we have those struggles agenda, remilitarization, and neo- Iraq, and you were in Palestine you saw a huge explosion of and them comparing the names here in Canada for self- imperialist policies pursued by the during the development of this, a popular demonstrations in support of places in Palestine and Iraq determination, because Canada is US and its allies. real deep crisis for the US and the of this resistance in Palestine. I that are the same. And you know also a settler colonial state, like The challenges are really big, as other countries that went in. As a remember many nights in Balaka how bad the situation is in Iraq if Israel, and its legitimacy to its we see from the experience of result of this huge resistance, did people marching in the streets, the Palestinians want to help out. territory needs to be challenged. Haiti, the experience currently in you notice anything as far as an and chanting in favour of the Really it showed me that the cause People in North America need to the Ivory Coast, in Colombia, in impact of the Iraqi resistance on resistance against US imperialists. of Arab unity, that anti-imperialist, reconceptualize the way they view the Philippines, in the Democratic the second intifada in Palestine? I remember the prevalence of pan-Arab perspective is still very Canada and the US. We should be Republic of the Congo, where Kole: It had a huge impact. I Iraqi flags at demonstrations, and present. It was something that gave asking ‘where is our interest served three million people have died. And would say that there was a huge a real sense among the people strength to the people in Palestine, in supporting the Palestinians,’ we nobody’s done anything, or they’ve confluence of events in April 2004 that the struggles were the same, and it was something that should should be asking ‘what is the right done everything to perpetuate that with Fallujah, Najaf, and Sadr it wasn’t just that they were alike, really be a source of inspiration for thing to do?’ genocide. It really shows the nature City, and with the assassinations but they were the same struggle. people fighting imperialism here in At the Friday sermons, we lived North America. If we want to avoid living in a world of the challenge, but it also shows in late March of (Hamas spiritual like the one that we’re increasingly that there is a way forward. leader) Ahmed Yassin. Basically near the mosque in Balaka, and FTT: Why do you think it’s you could always hear the words going towards, which is one of FTT: The really significant part what was happening in April while important for people in Canada unparalleled violence, continuous the offensives were going on in ’Iraq’ and ‘resistance’ and words to show strong support and of what you previously referred to like that thrown in as they talked war, and insecurity for everyone, we as the ‘second superpower’ is the Fallujah, Najaf and Sadr City, and solidarity with the struggle of need to step out of the framework the resistance was succeeding, about the situation in Palestine. the Palestinian people for self- resistance that has been waged in I remember sitting with people we’re currently working within and start reconceptualizing a different kind of world. I think the history of Palestine, and drawing from that experience, the mechanisms at work there, is a step in the right direction. So the sense that there is Self-Determination for Afghanistan! a broader community of solidarity to plug into is really important to maintain. Any work that we can do From page 9 all across the world that face to support those forces resisting in invasion, war and occupation. Palestine is crucial. There’s a lot of the entire ISAF forces. Canada Sovereignty for Afghanistan will pressure being pushed – through has also made it very clear that deal a heavy blow to the entire the media, through propaganda, Afghanistan is one of their major imperialist system and will have through psychological operations, and long-term interventions. an impact in favor of oppressed through military pressures, Afghanistan is Canada’s single nations everywhere. arrests, persecutions –a range of instruments that the Israelis and largest recipient of bilateral aid, As well, sovereignty for and the government of Canada Americans have at their disposal to Afghanistan is particularly disturb the resistance. has pledged $250 million to important for people in Canada be disbursed in Afghanistan to support. The government So anything we can do to help is between 2005 and 2009, for a of Canada is testing itself in really crucial because we need total of $616 million Canadian Afghanistan and developing to provide assistance as much as possible to those forces still dollars since 2001. its future of increased foreign resisting. Ultimately, if the cause “Canada is working with intervention, war and occupation. of Palestinian self-determination other countries, the UN, NATO A US soldier detains Afghan civilians, December 2004. People living in Canada must be is denied, it won’t just be a loss and various international on the forefront, in solidarity for Palestinians, it will be a loss organizations to provide the and “development programs”, lives. with Afghan people in opposing for all third world peoples, for all security and stability necessary and fighting against the inhuman people still fighting for their self- Canada is able to cement its In order to move towards a future for the implementation of position in the Middle East and and illegal acts of the government determination. multilateral and bilateral with dignity and the potential for of Canada. As well, through the stake out its territory against For me, looking at it not as a development programs in positive change, the Afghan occupation of Afghanistan, we other imperialist opponents. people need full control over Canadian, but as a person from Afghanistan to pursue systematic can expose the blood-soaked the Balkans¸ where our lands are reconstruction of the country and Sovereignty is the Only their country. After decades of history of the Canadian-state and Solution intervention and occupation, the divided, where our peoples are to rebuild its economic, political their 500-year old occupation of occupied, where our governments Afghan people have been robbed and judicial institutions.” – Afghanistan is a nation that has Indigenous territory in Canada. don’t reflect our own will, I Government of Canada Website, endured decades of occupation. of their right to naturally develop would see it as a big loss. Right their society and nation. Together with the Afghan Department of Foreign Affairs It is a nation that has a seven people, with occupied people now I think a lot of people in that and International Trade. thousand year history of For people everywhere, who of Haiti, Iraq, Palestine and region are drawing inspiration What “systematic civilization, progress and oppose war and occupation, Indigenous nations in Canada, from the resistance in Iraq, from the resistance in Palestine, and if reconstruction” means to Canada technological development. it is essential that we take up we can unite against a common that resistance continues and if it is a long-term relationship Foreign intervention has had a the calls for self-determination enemy and for a common goal: drastic impact of on the ability for Afghanistan. Not only achieves success that is visible, and the establishment of End destruction, killing and then people in other places in the Canada’s role in the future of for Afghan people to move because Afghanistan is illegally torture in Afghanistan! Canada/ forward and begin a process of occupied, but also because world will also hopefully step up Afghanistan. Through involving US/NATO troops out now! Self- their resistance and that’s the only rebuilding, in all areas of their Afghanistan is a symbol of itself deeply in “reconstruction” Determination for Afghanistan! way that we’ll be able to defeat this political, economic and cultural the fate of oppressed nations global enemy.

10 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 11 ‘Ideas are the Most Important Weapon in

Humanity’s Fight for its own Salvation’ - Fidel Castro

Speech given by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Republic of “In this ideological struggle, ideas “The Congress,” I added, “shows Cuba, at the closing session are our fundamental weapons; our that the YCL has become increasingly of the Young Communists most important ammunition are also strong and that it is better organized, th League 8 Congress, held in ideas. We have to arm our cadres has more experience, greater prestige the Havana Convention Center, with ideas so that they, in turn, can and influence than ever in key, truly 5 December 2004. pass these on to the young and to all strategic sectors of today’s society Dear delegates, guests and attendees of the people. and --even more so-- in tomorrow’s th to the Young Communists League 8 “This army knows the plan and the society, tomorrow’s Cuba. It is Congress: strategy; let the enemy learn what organized in the way these times, this historic moment, require! Communists: these are as it goes along. I am again comparing this struggle to a great “One of the extraordinary things Some of the concepts I will touch battle waged by a vanguard army, about our Revolution is that, ever upon today have already been an elite troop of the Revolution. I put since it came into being --and it could discussed and published; some have the Revolution and the Party first; be said that our Revolution’s ideas been developed in the heat of the they are, after all, one and the same were begotten on that university struggle; others refer to goals we have thing. hill-- the Revolution and our young attained; others are just reflections. “In a short meeting with the new people have been as closely bound Today, when you have invited me National Committee, I was able as identical, one could even say to address you, I shall try to explain to talk to you more freely as fewer Siamese, twins. I invite you to try and how and why this day is very special comrades were present, and we could find in any other country in the world for all of us. speak even more freely and take up a bond as strong as it has existed, exists and shall always exist in this Unfortunately, the responsibility more discussion and opinions at a profoundly revolutionary process. I have shouldered throughout this meeting with the National Bureau. Our Revolution is reborn each day, intense and difficult revolutionary “This 7th Congress”, I said then, “has because the ideas we stand for, the process and, in particular, my relation been an excellent congress, one where justice that we defend, the cause with the Battle of Ideas, oblige me to discussions covered the broadest we fight for, is today the cause, and make reference to my own speeches, range of topics, where nothing led there can be no cause other than that ideas and concepts, something which us to shy away from any issue; on the of the billions of people who live on in no way pleases me, so I beg your contrary, we were constantly urged this planet. indulgence in advance. to take up all of the issues, no matter “I say ideas because the struggle I have never believed that ideas orbit how thorny or complex, in order to we are speaking about will not, in around public figures; rather, it is make the most of this meeting, and I essence, be a war, but rather a battle the latter that ought to orbit around feel we have accomplished this. of ideas. The world’s problems shall ideas. “This has been possible, we must Fidel Castro. not be solved through the use of The fact that I dared to make so say this categorically, thanks to the nuclear weapons --this is impossible- many predictions that, today, people any other juncture --this being the must work like this and never extraordinary work that has been - nor through wars. What’s more, they are recognizing as irrefutable most difficult, the toughest of times- consider anyone a lost cause. done over the course of a year, shall not be solved through isolated truths stems exclusively from the under the leadership of the YCL’s revolutions that, within the order - I believe we must devote special “Based on the profoundest conviction experience I have accumulated. efforts to our young people and their National Bureau. In fact at this point, installed by neo-liberal globalization, I could have died young, as did that we are right and that we are where thanks are usually given, we can be crushed within a matter of education, because those who come defending what is fairest, most many other Cuban revolutionaries after this generation must be better. should sincerely and wholeheartedly days, weeks at the most. throughout our history. Yesterday’s beautiful, most human, we must acknowledge the comrades in the “We cannot, however, neglect defense and today’s enemies did everything “We want them to be fully conscious discuss things for as long as we Bureau and the numerous cadres for even a minute, because given the humanly possible to achieve this of their role, of what they can do for need to, explain things as many who, under Otto’s leadership, have unavoidable crises, a change of aim, but I had the privilege of their country, of what they can do for times as necessary, we must teach been working from the time the government, a fascist-like or far-right having struggled for many years, the Revolution, of what they can do and educate. Political work cannot congress was called up to this very party in power is all it will take to since early 1953, when we had the for their future”. be done in the abstract. We must minute. idea of seizing the Santiago de Cuba On October 10, 1997, in my remarks delve more deeply into knowledge, into ideas, into what happens here “All of us have learned something; Continued on page 13 Regiment’s weapons to initiate the about youths in the closing session not only you, we have learned too. struggle. The credit for this privilege of the Party’s 5th Congress, I pointed and in the world. We must be frank, is not mine; the true credit belongs to out: courageous, and truthful. those who stood by their beliefs and “We have the Party, we have our “There are 780, 000 Party members, were willing to sacrifice even their wonderful young people --yes, and then there are all of the lives for the aims we espoused. that’s what I said, wonderful young revolutionaries who are not Party Only three days ago, when some people-- whom we will of course ask members. It is everyone’s job to make congratulated me, reminding me of to do more and more political work, what is in many cases an exception the 48th anniversary of the Granma political work which is not the same the rule and our best experiences landing, my first reaction was one of as parroting a slogan. For a long the norm. How could we not achieve surprise. How much time has gone by this? What are we? What is our and how much has occurred! worth, if we cannot achieve it? Given everything we know today, and all of

Engrossed in our present duties, the possibilities open to us, we must some of us who took part in that We cannot do it. That would be the true victory

action have hardly a second to look of ideas”. back on the beginning of that long overlook the risk of march on which we were embarking On December 10, 1998, at the YCL’s “ th in the days of Moncada and Granma. a military invasion. 7 Congress, I said: I would describe it all as a long “ “We must meet, in the heat of battle, learning process; it is amazing how Today, the real with the leading cadres to discuss, ignorant we were when we set out on analyze, expand on and draft plans that unknown road. battle is the battle and strategies, to take up issues and Allow me to give you a concise of ideas. elaborate ideas, as when an army’s summary, often using quotes, of general staff meets. the essentials of what I expressed “We must use solid arguments to talk on three different occasions prior time, the Party was also, at times, to members and non-members, to to the Battle of Ideas, whose spirit simplistic and dogmatic, working speak to those who may be confused today reigns over the 8th Congress of with slogans instead of arguments. or even to discuss and debate with our prestigious Young Communists those holding positions contrary to “We must work directly with the League. those of the Revolution or who are people, on a one by one basis; this influenced by imperialist ideology On October 8, 1997, in the Central means more than the work done th in this great battle of ideas we have Report to the Party’s 5 Congress, through the press and television, been waging for years now, precisely I said: through conferences or political in order to carry out the heroic meetings. The work of convincing “It is obvious that we need to work deed of resisting against the most and persuading human beings, one more closely and intensely with our politically, militarily, economically, by one, is historic. Religions were youth organizations, as these times technologically and culturally created this way and have lasted and this Party need a continuous powerful empire that has ever thousands of years. influx of young cadres and members. existed. Young cadres must be well “Now more than ever, more than at “We revolutionaries must do the prepared for this task. 41st anniversary of the cuban Woman’s Federation (FMC), 2001. same. Our cadres and young people

10 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 11 ‘Las Ideas son el Arma Esencial en la Lucha de la Humanidad por su Propia Salvación’- Fidel Castro

Discurso pronunciado por Fidel de la juventud. humanos uno por uno es histórico. Castro Ruz, Presidente de la «Creo que más que nunca, más que Las religiones se crearon de esa República de Cuba, en la clausura en ninguna otra época, por ser esta la forma y han durado miles de años.» del VIII Congreso de la Unión de más difícil, la más dura, se requiere «Nosotros los revolucionarios Jóvenes Comunistas, Palacio de de un trabajo especial con la juventud tenemos que hacer lo mismo. las Convenciones, Ciudad de La y en la formación de nuestros jóvenes, Nuestros cuadros y los de la juventud Habana, 5 de diciembre de 2004. porque no puede ser que los que tienen que trabajar así, y nunca dar a Queridos delegados, invitados y vengan después de esta generación nadie por perdido. participantes en el VIII Congreso de dejen de ser mejores.» «A partir de la más profunda la Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas: convicción de que tenemos la razón Una parte de los conceptos que y defendemos lo más justo, lo más voy a expresar hoy han sido dichos hermoso, lo más humano, discutir y publicados; algunos se han todo el tiempo que haya que discutir, desarrollado más en medio de la No son las explicar todas las veces que haya que lucha; otros se refieren a las metas « explicar, enseñar, educar. No se puede alcanzadas; otros son reflexiones. armas; son las hacer trabajo político en abstracto. Un día como hoy, en que ustedes Profundizar en los conocimientos, me invitan a dirigirles la palabra, ideas las que van a en las ideas, en lo que pasa aquí y en trataré de explicarles cómo y por qué lo que pasa en el mundo. Ser francos, es un día muy especial para todos decidir esta lucha ser valientes, ser veraces.» nosotros. universal. Y no son «En el Partido hay 780 mil Lamentablemente la responsabilidad ciudadanos, y luego están todos que cayó sobre mí a lo largo de las ideas por sus los demás revolucionarios que no este intenso y difícil proceso son miembros del Partido. Es tarea revolucionario, y de modo particular valores intrínsecos, de todos la de convertir en regla lo Luisa Campos, Directora del Museo Nacional de Alfabetizacion mi relación con la Batalla de Ideas, que en muchos casos es excepción en Cuba, habla acerca de la primera campana de Alfabetizacion y la de generalizar nuestras mejores me obligan a referirme a discursos, sino por lo que tan el cual movilizo a mas de 10,000 estudiantes para erradicar el reflexiones y conceptos propios, lo experiencias. ¿Cómo sería posible cual no me agrada, y pido por ello e s t r e c h a m e n t e que no lo lográramos? ¿Qué somos? analfabetismo en Cuba. de antemano excusas. Siempre he ¿Qué valemos si no podemos? Con todo lo que conocemos hoy día, vez, las vayan transmitiendo a toda la ¡en estos tiempos históricos!» pensado que las ideas no giran en se ajustan a las juventud y a todo el pueblo.» torno a los hombres públicos, son con todas las posibilidades que «Una de las cosas extraordinarias estos quienes deben girar en torno a realidades objetivas tenemos, hay que hacerlo. Esa sería «Este ejército conoce su plan, conoce de nuestra Revolución es que desde las ideas. la verdadera victoria de las ideas.» su estrategia, y los enemigos que se que vino al mundo —y pudiera del mundo de vayan enterando sobre la marcha. decirse que las ideas de nuestra El grado en que me atreví a pronosticar El 10 de diciembre de 1998, en el VII Congreso de la UJC, afirmé: Vuelvo a asociar la idea de esta Revolución se engendraron en acontecimientos que hoy comienzan hoy. lucha a una gran batalla que libra un aquella colina universitaria— hubo a confirmarse como irrefutables » «Hay que reunirse, en medio de la ejército de vanguardia, una tropa élite estrecha vinculación de hermanos verdades, está asociado únicamente batalla, con la tropa élite para debatir, de la Revolución. Ubico en primer gemelos, y casi casi podría decirse de a la experiencia acumulada. Pude analizar, profundizar, trazar planes, lugar la Revolución y el Partido, que hermanos siameses, entre Revolución morir tempranamente, como otros «Queremos que tengan el máximo estrategias, abordar temas y elaborar son al fin y al cabo la misma cosa. y juventud. Vayan a buscarla en algún muchos revolucionarios cubanos de conciencia de su papel, de lo que ideas, como cuando se reúne el estado «En la breve reunión con el nuevo otro país del mundo en un grado tan a lo largo de nuestra historia. Los pueden hacer por su país, de lo que mayor de un ejército.» alto como el que existió, existe y adversarios de ayer y de hoy hicieron pueden hacer por la Revolución, de lo Comité Nacional pude hablarles «Utilizar sólidos argumentos existirá siempre en este profundo lo posible y lo imposible por lograrlo, que pueden hacer por su futuro.» con un poco más de libertad, por para hablar con los militantes y proceso revolucionario. Nuestra pero tuve el privilegio de haber ser un número más reducido de En mis palabras sobre la juventud con los que no son militantes; Revolución cada día renace, porque luchado durante muchos años, desde compañeros, y en una reunión con el Buró Nacional podríamos hablar las ideas que representamos, la que en los primeros meses de 1953 justicia que defendemos, la causa por concebimos la idea de ocupar las con mayor libertad todavía, más argumentos y elementos de juicio.» la que luchamos, es hoy la causa, y no armas del Regimiento de Santiago puede haber otra causa que la causa de Cuba para iniciar la lucha, y el «Este VII congreso —dije entonces— de miles de millones de personas en privilegio no constituye un mérito; ha sido un excelente congreso, uno de este planeta.» el mérito verdadero está en aquellos los congresos en que se ha discutido que creyeron y estuvieron dispuestos con más amplitud, en que bajo «Y digo ideas porque esta lucha a sacrificar hasta la vida por los ningún concepto se trató de rehuir de la que estamos hablando va objetivos que proclamábamos. uno solo de los temas; al contrario, a ser fundamentalmente una hubo una exhortación constante a lucha de ideas; no serán guerras. Cuando hace apenas tres días algunos Los problemas del mundo no se me felicitaban, recordándome que que se abordaran todos los temas por espinosos que fuesen, por resolverán con armas nucleares, es se cumplía el 48 Aniversario del imposible, ni se resolverán mediante desembarco del Granma, mi primera complejos que fuesen, precisamente para obtener de esta reunión todo el guerras; e incluso digo más, no se reacción fue de sorpresa. ¡Cuánto resolverán mediante revoluciones tiempo transcurrido y cuántos hechos provecho posible, y me parece que lo hemos logrado.» aisladas que, en el orden implantado acontecidos! Absorbidos por los con la globalización neoliberal, actuales deberes, algunos de nosotros «Ha sido posible, es necesario pueden ser aplastadas sencillamente que participamos en aquella acción expresarlo categóricamente, gracias en cuestión de días o cuando más de apenas disponemos de un segundo Estudiantes Cubanos protestan frente a la Oficina de Intereses de a un trabajo extraordinario que se ha semanas.» para recordar los inicios de la larga realizado a lo largo de un año, bajo la marcha que estábamos emprendiendo Estados Unidos en la Habana, Cuba; el 20 de Diciembre del 2004. dirección del Buró Nacional de la UJC. «No por ello, sin embargo, podemos en los días del Moncada y del Realmente aquí donde se han hecho descuidar la defensa ni un minuto, Granma. Yo lo definiría todo como un en la clausura del V Congreso del para hablar con los que pueden reconocimientos, hay que hacerles porque con las crisis inevitables, un largo aprendizaje en el que la propia Partido, el 10 de octubre de 1997, estar confundidos, o incluso para un reconocimiento muy sincero, muy cambio de administración, un grupo ignorancia con que iniciamos aquel señalé: discutir y polemizar con aquellos sentido a los compañeros del Buró y fascistoide o una extrema derecha en el poder, es suficiente para que el inédito camino nos asombra. «Tenemos el Partido, tenemos que tengan posiciones contrarias a los numerosos cuadros que, bajo la imperio vuelva a sus viejas andanzas. nuestra magnífica juventud —sí, a las posiciones de la Revolución, dirección de Otto, trabajaron desde Acudo al recurso de recordar, en Los peligros de agresiones militares así con esas palabras, ¡magnífica o porque estén influidos por la la convocatoria hasta este mismo apretadísima síntesis, utilizando no pueden descartarse. Hoy la batalla juventud!—, a la cual, desde luego, le ideología del imperialismo en esta minuto.» muchas veces frases textuales, real es batalla de ideas. pedimos y siempre le pediremos más, lucha tremenda de ideas que libramos lo esencial que expresé en tres desde hace años precisamente para «Hemos aprendido todos, no solo momentos que precedieron la Batalla y le pediremos más trabajo político; ustedes sino también nosotros.» «La Revolución pudo resistir porque trabajo político que no es lo mismo llevar a cabo la proeza de poder sembró ideas.» de Ideas que hoy preside el espíritu del resistir al más poderoso imperio en el VIII Congreso de nuestra prestigiosa que usar una consigna. El Partido «El congreso —les añadí— refleja un terreno político, militar, económico, creciente fortalecimiento de la UJC «Aceleradamente se globaliza el Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas. también, durante mucho tiempo, a mundo, aceleradamente se establece veces fue esquemático, dogmático, tecnológico y cultural que haya para llegar a disponer de experiencia El 8 de octubre de 1997, en el existido jamás. Los cuadros de y organización superiores a las que un orden económico mundial trabajó con consignas, no siempre insostenible e insoportable. Las ideas Informe Central al V Congreso del con argumentos.» la juventud tienen que estar bien haya tenido nunca, también de un Partido, expresé: preparados para esa tarea. prestigio y una influencia superiores son la materia prima con la que se forman conciencias, son la materia «Hay que trabajar con los ciudadanos a los que haya tenido nunca, y en «Es evidente la necesidad de un en concreto, uno a uno; no es solo el «En esta lucha de tipo ideológico prima por excelencia de la ideología. trabajo más fuerte, un trabajo más las armas fundamentales son las sectores claves, verdaderamente trabajo a través de la prensa y de la estratégicos de la sociedad de hoy y, Prefiero llamarlas materia prima de intenso en nuestras filas juveniles, televisión, o de las conferencias, o ideas, el arsenal de municiones más la conciencia para expresar que no puesto que estos tiempos y este importante es también el de las ideas. aun mayor, de la sociedad futura, del de los mítines políticos. El trabajo país futuro; de una organización como se trata de ideología estricta y rígida, Partido exigen seguir nutriéndose de de convencer y persuadir a los seres Tenemos que pertrechar de ideas a cuadros y de militantes procedentes nuestros cuadros, para que ellos, a su la que se requiere en estos tiempos, Continued on page 14

12 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 13 Fidel Castro December 5th Speech Continued

with his son. We have worked all this time to involvement and commitment develop a critical rather than self- from those cadres and workers “At every moment, I could see in his indulgent vision of our undertaking who participate in each and face the features of a noble, sincere and our historical objectives. We every one of the programs. and serious man. have put into practice revolutionary • To exercise criticism and “I told him that I was convinced concepts, which sweep away reflection wherever needed. that the boy would never be returned through legal procedures. This was • Every idea always leads a case in which the U.S. courts had to a new idea and this new absolutely no jurisdiction, and it Not weapons idea leads to more and more was the duty of the U.S. immigration ideas. A new idea, no matter authorities to proceed with the but ideas will how good it seems, must be immediate repatriation of his son. previously tested and undergo But, I was well aware of the arrogant, “decide this thorough experiments under real arbitrary, biased and conspiratorial conditions. behavior of the U.S. authorities with universal battle, • Discretion and regard to any misdeeds and crimes compartmentalization are

committed against our people. The and not because basic principles in program return of this boy could only be coordination and orientation.

accomplished through an intense of some intrinsic Programs shall be made public national and international political only after they have become battle of public opinion”. value, but because realities; this way, we shall The following day --as I said at of how closely “ avoid promises that cannot be that ceremony-- I spoke with other kept or that are kept and then Party leaders and, without wasting a they relate to the ignored, forgotten or cast aside. minute, I got in touch with leaders of • Participating companies the Young Communists League and objective reality of should neither make profits the University Student Federation. nor bear losses. Works must Young people and students would be today’s world be executed quickly, within in the vanguard of this struggle, with the budget, with quality and an the full support of all revolutionary optimal use of resources. forces. formalism and conformism and accelerate the transformation • Maintenance for equipment Forty-eight hours later, on a Sunday and facilities made available evening like today exactly five years processes needed for our country’s future. to these programs shall be ago, one thousand young people provided. Everything must from the Youth Technical Brigades Cuban student addressing July 26th Celebration in Some have been taken from the always be as good as new. who were just concluding a national very notes taken by YCL cadres Havana Cuba, 2003. conference took part in the first and by others who participate in our To this small sample of what protest march held outside the US meetings. They include: remained in the cadres’ minds, we From page 11 this cannot lead to anything but the Interests Section. could add hundreds of examples of victory of ideas, to the firm belief that • No youth should be what the cadres came up with when Thus began the epic struggle for abandoned and no person should faced with the need to act swiftly and return the empire to its adventuristic this Revolution shall not disappear Elián’s freedom. The battle for a ways of old. We cannot overlook the nor crumble, because it is firmly be left alone to face his fate. The guarantee success. We had to make child quickly became a battle for YCL must work with every up for all the time lost in routine, risk of a military invasion. Today, the planted in deeply rooted and ideas justice and the happiness of all our real battle is the battle of ideas. that are constantly evolving. youth. Behind every category simplistic thinking and other habits children and all of our people. and every percentage is a man, that hinder progress and frustrate the “The Revolution was able to hold out “Just ideas are invincible. Of them, Guided by the profoundest a woman, a child or senior objectives that only a truly socialist because it sowed ideas. Martí said: ‘Trenches made of ideas conviction, already expressed in citizen. system can achieve. are stronger than those made of “The world is rapidly being my closing remarks to the 7th Youth stones’ and ‘a just cause --even one • There is a solution to every One day, literally said: globalized; an unsustainable and Congress I mentioned above, that buried in the depths of a cave-- is problem; it is a question of intolerable world economic order ideas are the most important weapon “Notwithstanding the rights and mightier than an army’. finding alternatives. is rapidly being established. Ideas in humanity’s fight for its own guarantees offered to all citizens are the raw material from which “Ideas are not simply an instrument salvation, the battle we began was • Any coordination work of any race and background, the consciousness is forged; they are to build consciousness and lead not only one of thoughts, discussion, must be based on continuous Revolution has not been as successful the raw material of ideology par people to fight. Today, they have arguments and counter-arguments, analysis and up-to-date in its struggle to eradicate differences excellence. I prefer to call them the become the main weapon in the but also of concrete facts and actions information so that decisions in the social and economic status of raw material of consciousness to struggle, not a source of inspiration, as well. take precise account of the Cuba’s black population, even though emphasize that it is not a question of not a guide, not a directive, but the details; every action must be this sector plays an important role As part of the Battle of Ideas’ work thought through, one must in many highly significant areas, strict and rigid ideology, but rather main weapon of the struggle. group, the Young Communists of an advanced consciousness, that act quickly and never lose a including education and health”. “We are not dogmatic nor can we League has coordinated and spurred minute. is to say, a conviction that hundreds be dogmatic, we are to avoid any on nearly 200 revolutionary programs These were the very words I said of millions and billions of people on sort of dogmas, as we believe in that have been created as a result of • New coordination with no hesitation whatsoever, on this planet will inevitably arrive at, truly dialectical and flexible minds, this struggle. methods and mechanisms must February 7 last year, at the closing and that it will constitute, without a which does not mean to admit doubt, the best instrument to secure even the slightest opportunism or the victory of those ideas throughout pragmatism. the world. “We are flexible and dialectical “Not weapons but ideas will decide because of our most rigid adherence this universal battle, and not because to the principles and objectives of our of some intrinsic value, but because revolutionary process and the new of how closely they relate to the goals which we didn’t ask anybody objective reality of today’s world. for, which we didn’t hope or plan These ideas stem from the conviction for, but which life and the history of that, mathematically speaking, the these past decades have imposed on world has no other way out that our country and our revolutionaries. imperialism is unsustainable, that And, this being the case, we have the system that has been imposed no other option but to fight with all on the world leads to disaster, to an our strength, thinking not only of insurmountable crisis, and, I dare ourselves but also of the well-being say, sooner rather than later. that the fruits of our struggle might “It is based on these premises and bear for so many people around the these convictions that I evaluate what world”. we have analyzed and what we are As fate would have it, the colossal doing these days. It is not the only Battle of Ideas that our people has way of doing it, far from it, but it is been waging for exactly five years valuable because it is essential. today began just one year after those “This battle you are waging cannot words were spoken. be lost. Without the tasks you must On July 5, 2000, on bestowing the Billboard in Cuba commemorating July 26th, the date of the 1953 attacks on the Moncada complete, without the work you will “Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Order” garrison by Cuban revolutionaries. Photo by Ernie Daley carry out --and you will be totally on Miguel González, I looked back successful, I have no doubt of that- on how I had met him a year before, In these past few years, I have be found so that all bodies session of the International Pedagogy - we could not even speak of our on December 2 to be precise, and dreams, not only dreams for our devoted over seven thousand hours of and organizations participate Congress 2003, which took place how the battle for Elián’s return had fruitful and unforgettable labor to the with the understanding that in the heat of the Battle of Ideas. compatriots, but also for all of the begun. That day, I said: people in this world. tasks of exchanging ideas, analyzing the nation’s interests are This idea about the sad legacy of “I asked him a number of questions and giving guidance to this group, the over and above bureaucratic slavery, class society, capitalism and “Never before, or anywhere else, and, although he was obviously majority of whose members are YCL contradictions, cravings imperialism was something I had has a people done what the people of hurting and sad, he answered them leaders and workers’, students’ and for power and institutional been carrying inside me and wanted Cuba are doing today. And what it is with persuasive arguments and women’s representatives, as well as jealousy. to declare publicly. doing today with ideas, sowing ideas, CDR-members and peasants led by irrefutable proof of his affectionate, • Secure high levels of Continued on page 16 cultivating and developing ideas; faultless and steadfast relationship our Party.

12 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 13 Discurso de Fidel Castro Sobre 5 de Diciembre

From page 12 Había transcurrido un año exacto de estas las Brigadas Técnicas Juveniles que concluían • La labor de coordinación que últimas palabras cuando quiso el azar que se una conferencia nacional. se ejecuta debe contar con el estudio sino de una conciencia avanzada, es decir, desatara la colosal Batalla de Ideas que nuestro Así comenzó la épica lucha por la liberación de constante para la toma de decisiones, una convicción a la que van a ir arribando pueblo ha estado librando desde hace hoy Elián. Aquel combate por un niño se transformó información actualizada que tome en inevitablemente cientos de millones y miles de exactamente cinco años. rápidamente en una batalla por la justicia y la cuenta con toda precisión los detalles; millones de personas en este planeta, y que será El 5 de julio del año 2000, al condecorar a Juan felicidad de todos nuestros niños y todo nuestro meditar y pensar bien cada acción, actuar sin duda la mejor alternativa para que esas ideas Miguel González con la Orden “Carlos Manuel pueblo. con rapidez y no perder nunca un minuto. lleguen a triunfar en todo el mundo. de Céspedes”, recordaba cómo lo conocí un año Con la más profunda convicción, ya expresada • Encontrar nuevos métodos y «No son las armas; son las ideas las que van a antes, precisamente un 2 de diciembre, y cómo en mis palabras al clausurar el VII Congreso mecanismos de coordinación para que decidir esta lucha universal. Y no son las ideas comenzó la batalla por el regreso de Elián. de la Juventud que aquí recordaba, de que las todos los organismos y entidades participen por sus valores intrínsecos, sino por lo que Aquel día señalaba: ideas son el arma esencial en la lucha de la bajo el concepto de que la prioridad está tan estrechamente se ajustan a las realidades «Le hice numerosas preguntas que él, en humanidad por su propia salvación, la batalla en los intereses del país por encima de objetivas del mundo de hoy. Son ideas a partir medio de su visible dolor y tristeza, respondía que emprendimos fue de pensamiento, de contradicciones burocráticas, ansias de la convicción de que matemáticamente con argumentos persuasivos e incuestionables argumentos, de réplicas y contrarréplicas, pero protagónicas y celos institucionales. el mundo no tiene otra salida, de que el pruebas sobre su relación afectuosa, intachable también de hechos y realizaciones concretas. • Lograr una alta implicación y imperialismo no puede sostenerse, de que el y constante con el niño. En la coordinación y el impulso de alrededor compromiso de los cuadros y trabajadores sistema que han impuesto al mundo lo conduce que participan en cada uno de los a un desastre, a una crisis insalvable, y me programas. atrevería a decir que más temprano que tarde. • Aplicar la crítica y la reflexión «Es a partir de esas premisas y de esas oportunas. convicciones que valoro lo que hemos analizado y lo que estamos haciendo en estos días; no es • Cada idea nos conduce siempre a lo único ni mucho menos, pero tiene el valor de otra nueva y ésta a otras y otras. Una idea lo esencial.» nueva, por buena que parezca, debe ser sometida a pruebas y experimentos serios «Esta batalla que ustedes están librando no en condiciones reales. puede perderse. Sin las tareas que ustedes tienen que cumplir, sin el trabajo que ustedes • La discreción y compartimentación van a realizar —y lo van a realizar, no tengo la son principios básicos en la labor de menor duda, de forma absolutamente exitosa—, conducción y coordinación de los no se podría hablar de lo que soñamos, no solo programas. Sólo se divulgarán éstos para nuestros compatriotas sino para todos los cuando ya sean realidades; evitaremos habitantes de este planeta. así promesas que puedan no cumplirse o promesas cumplidas que luego se «Nunca, en ningún sitio, ningún pueblo hizo descuidan, olvidan y abandonan. lo que el pueblo de Cuba está haciendo hoy. Y lo que está haciendo hoy con ideas, sembrando • Las empresas que participan no ideas, cultivando ideas y desarrollando deben tener ninguna ganancia ni tampoco ideas, será imposible que pueda terminar de pérdidas. Las obras se deberán ejecutar de otra forma sino con la victoria de las ideas, manera rápida, al costo, con calidad y uso con la seguridad de que esta Revolución no óptimo de los recursos. desaparecerá ni se derrumbará, porque está • Se garantizará el mantenimiento de sedimentada sólidamente sobre ideas que se los equipos y de las instalaciones puestos profundizan y desarrollan. a disposición de los programas. Todo debe «Las ideas justas son invencibles. Y Martí estar siempre como el primer día. dijo de ellas: ‘Trincheras de ideas valen más A esta sencilla muestra de lo que quedaba en la que trincheras de piedras’; y ‘una causa justa mente de los cuadros se pueden añadir cientos desde el fondo de una cueva puede más que un de observaciones más ante la necesidad de ejército.’» actuar con urgencia y asegurar el éxito. Había «Las ideas no solo son un instrumento para crear que ganar todo el tiempo perdido por la rutina, conciencia para que los pueblos luchen, sino el esquematismo y otros hábitos que detienen que las ideas se han convertido en el principal los avances y objetivos que sólo un sistema instrumento de lucha en este momento; no en verdaderamente socialista puede alcanzar. una inspiración, no en una guía, no en una Un día expresé textualmente: orientación, sino en el principal instrumento de lucha.» «La Revolución, más allá de los derechos y garantías alcanzados para todos los ciudadanos «No somos ni podemos ser dogmáticos; sin de cualquier etnia y origen, no ha logrado dogmas de ninguna clase, con una mentalidad el mismo éxito en la lucha por erradicar las verdaderamente dialéctica y flexible, lo cual no diferencias en el status social y económico admite, ni en lo más mínimo, el oportunismo o de la población negra del país, aun cuando en el pragmatismo. numerosas áreas de gran transcendencia, entre ellas la educación y la salud, desempeñan un Estudiantes colocan la bandera Cubana en las esuela de Elian Gonzalez el 27 importante papel.» Nunca, en ningún de Junio en Cardenas, Cuba; el dia anterior a su re regreso a Cuba en el 2000. Las palabras de este párrafo en concreto fueron « Los jovenes estuvieron en la vanguardia de la principal campana masiva en pronunciadas por mí, sin vacilación alguna, el sitio, ningún pueblo hizo Cuba demandando que Elian regresara a vivir con su Padre despues de haber día 7 de febrero del pasado año en la clausura sido secuestrado por los Estados Unidos en Noviembre de 1999. del Congreso Internacional Pedagogía 2003, lo que el pueblo de Cuba que tuvo lugar en medio de la Batalla de Ideas. «En ningún instante dejé de percibir en su rostro de 200 programas de la Revolución puestos Era algo que llevaba por dentro y deseaba está haciendo hoy. Y lo los rasgos de un hombre noble, sincero y serio. en marcha como resultado de este combate, exclamarlo; triste herencia de la esclavitud, Le expresé mi convicción de que a través de ha laborado la Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas las sociedades de clases, el capitalismo y el que está haciendo hoy trámites judiciales jamás devolverían al niño. como parte del grupo de trabajo de la Batalla imperialismo. Se trataba de un caso en que los tribunales de de Ideas. Nunca existió en ninguna parte una verdadera con ideas, sembrando Estados Unidos no tenían jurisdicción alguna, A las tareas de intercambio, análisis y igualdad de oportunidades. La posibilidad y que solo correspondía a las autoridades orientaciones con ese grupo constituido en de estudiar, superarse y obtener un título ideas, cultivando ideas y de Inmigración de Estados Unidos el deber su mayoría por dirigentes de la Juventud universitario fue siempre patrimonio exclusivo de proceder a la inmediata devolución de Comunista y representantes de los trabajadores, desarrollando ideas, será su hijo; pero conocía suficientemente bien los estudiantes, lo cederitas, los campesinos cuán arrogantes, arbitrarias, parcializadas y y las mujeres, bajo la dirección de nuestro imposible que pueda cómplices se comportaban las autoridades Partido, he dedicado en estos años más de de Estados Unidos en todo lo relacionado siete mil horas de provechoso e inolvidable Trincheras de ideas terminar de otra forma con las fechorías y crímenes que se cometían « esfuerzo. contra nuestro pueblo. La devolución de ese valen mas que trincheras sino con la victoria de niño sólo podría lograrse mediante una intensa Se ha trabajado durante todo ese tiempo batalla política y de opinión pública nacional e profundizando en la visión crítica y no de piedras’; y ‘una causa las ideas internacional.» autocomplaciente de nuestra obra y de nuestros objetivos históricos. Se han puesto en práctica justa desde el fondo de » Al día siguiente —como comenté en aquel revolucionarios conceptos que barren con el «Somos flexibles y somos dialécticos a partir acto— intercambié con los compañeros de formalismo y el conformismo y aceleran los una cueva puede mas del más rígido apego a los principios y a los nuestra dirección, y sin perder un minuto me procesos de transformaciones necesarias para objetivos de nuestro proceso revolucionario, y a comuniqué con los dirigentes de la Unión el futuro del país. que un ejercito las nuevas metas que no le pedimos a nadie, que de Jóvenes Comunistas y de la Federación Entre ellos están algunos tomados de los propios no ambicionábamos, que no pretendíamos, sino Estudiantil Universitaria. Los jóvenes y » apuntes de los cuadros de la Juventud y de otros a las nuevas metas que la vida y la historia de los estudiantes serían la vanguardia en esa participantes en nuestras reuniones: lo ocurrido en estas décadas hizo recaer sobre lucha con el pleno apoyo de todas las fuerzas de los sectores que poseían más conocimientos nuestro país y sobre nuestros revolucionarios. Y revolucionarias. • Ningún joven debe quedar y recursos económicos. Sólo por excepción los si así ha sido, no nos queda otra alternativa que Cuarenta y ocho horas más tarde, un domingo abandonado y ningún ciudadano depender pobres escapaban de este fatalismo. luchar con todo el entusiasmo, pensando no solo por la noche —como hoy, hace exactamente de su suerte. Los enormes avances alcanzados por el en nosotros sino también en todo el bienestar cinco años—, se produjo la primera protesta • No hay problema sin solución, de lo socialismo habían creado las bases, pero faltaba que puedan significar para tantas personas en el ante la Oficina de Intereses de los Estados que se trata es de encontrar alternativas. mundo los frutos de nuestras luchas.» Unidos, en la que participaron mil jóvenes de Continued on page 15

14 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 15 Discurso de Fidel Castro Sobre 5 de Diciembre

en adelante, han estado también revolucionario de alcanzar una en el centro de estas profundas cultura general integral para todos los transformaciones. ciudadanos, con independencia del Se crearon las Escuelas de trabajo social que desempeñen. Trabajadores Sociales, que han Estos programas han dado lugar graduado ya a 21 mil 485 jóvenes, a que el país cuente hoy con la como un verdadero contingente de mayor matrícula de su historia apoyo y solidaridad social que actúa en la enseñanza superior, 380 mil en casi todos los Consejos Populares estudiantes; de ellos, 233 mil 11 se del país. Cada año se preparan otros 7 forman en las 938 sedes universitarias mil jóvenes con el empleo de nuevos existentes en los 169 municipios del conceptos pedagógicos, organizados país. no sólo en las escuelas destinadas a ese Respuesta decidida y comprometida objetivo, sino también en sus propios han dado los 65 mil 427 profesores municipios, ubicados en las llamadas y tutores que trabajan en la casas-escuelas, utilizando para ello Universalización, provenientes televisores, videos, computadoras, de la gran masa de más de 700 bajo la guía de experimentados mil profesionales formados por la profesores y vinculados directamente Revolución con que cuenta el país, a a las realidades sociales de sus pesar del constante robo de cerebros comunidades. Todos al graduarse de que son víctimas los países del tienen acceso directo a numerosas Tercer Mundo. carreras universitarias afines a su multifacética actividad. Nuestra aspiración de contar con centros de excelencia en la educación Se crearon los cursos de Superación superior dio lugar al surgimiento Integral para Jóvenes de 17 a 30 Una cartelera en Cuba contra el bloqueo. Foto: Ernie Daley. de la Universidad de las Ciencias años, que habiendo aprobado el Informáticas, primera institución de noveno grado, que ya es el nivel From page 14 de vida, que están recibiendo la Esta enseñanza cuenta ahora su tipo surgida en la Batalla de Ideas. general en esas edades, no estudiaban debida atención. con un profesor general integral ni trabajaban. En apenas dos años y tres meses dar el salto. Podemos afirmar que, Todas estas transformaciones han responsabilizado con la atención de inaugurada esa ya prestigiosa Esto ha permitido que más de 150 mil gracias a la Batalla de Ideas, la vida permitido tener un verdadero sistema de 15 alumnos, el cual imparte institución universitaria, estudian jóvenes se vinculen a los programas de los niños, los adolescentes, los de doble sesión de clases y han todas las materias excepto Inglés y allí más de 6 mil jóvenes de de superación integral recibiendo jóvenes y la familia cubana hoy no es posibilitado que nuestros niños de Educación Física. Es un tutor, un todos los municipios del país, un ingreso adecuado a su edad y igual a la de cinco años atrás. Primaria aprendan hoy 2,2 veces educador, un preceptor para cada bajo novedosas concepciones estudiante, quien se libra con ello necesidades. En la escuela primaria un maestro más en Matemática y 1,5 veces más y métodos revolucionarios de del excesivo número de profesores atiende en la actualidad a sólo 20 en Español que hace cuatro años, Los resultados obtenidos han trabajo, obteniendo rápidamente de diferentes asignaturas, con lo que niños, lo que permite una mejor cifras que deben crecer a medida que posibilitado que 48 mil 406 egresados significativos logros en la enseñanza no era posible lograr la integración instrucción, atención diferenciada a nuestro sistema educacional prosiga de estos cursos hayan ingresado ya y la actividad productiva. de los conocimientos y la influencia cada uno de los alumnos y su familia, el desarrollo programado. Se han en diferentes carreras universitarias, educativa necesaria en esta etapa El espíritu y los conceptos aplicados y una educación más integral. igualado las posibilidades reales de incluidas las Ciencias Médicas, con a la Universidad de las Ciencias conocimiento y oportunidades de decisiva de la vida. resultados altamente positivos. Cuentan con televisores, videos Informáticas debemos extenderlos a desarrollo físico y mental para todos Gracias a este paso la relación de la y laboratorios de computación, En el transcurso de la Batalla de los politécnicos de esta rama que en escuela con la familia ha mejorado instrumentos de increíble eficiencia Ideas se alcanzó un viejo sueño: la todo el país preparan a casi 40 mil cualitativamente, lo que permite su que, puestos en función de la universalización de la educación técnicos medios en Informática. más amplia cooperación e incluso enseñanza, permiten multiplicar los quizás lo más superior, abriendo el acceso a las cambios en las actitudes y el Este proyecto relacionado con los conocimientos de nuestros niños. Ni « universidades a todos los jóvenes tratamiento de muchos padres a sus Politécnicos de la Informática, un solo niño de Cuba ha quedado sin útil de nuestros egresados de los Programas de la hijos. acceso a estos modernos medios. Las escuelas que carecían de electricidad, modestos esfuerzos Las clases de Matemática, Español, hoy disponen de paneles solares para Historia, Inglés y Física las reciben a utilizar la computadora, el televisor y en la lucha por través de videos con clases elaboradas el video. por los más prestigiosos docentes del un mundo mejor país, lo que apoya considerablemente La computación comenzó a impartirse el esfuerzo de los profesores y eleva desde preescolar. Doce mil 958 será demostrar la calidad y profundidad de los profesores de computación básica contenidos que se imparten. formados en cursos emergentes cuánto se puede llegaron a las aulas y a su vez todos Se incrementó la frecuencia de los maestros de primaria recibieron hacer con tan clases en Matemática, Computación, cursos idóneos en esta materia. Español e Historia, con lo que los poco, si todos los alumnos reciben más contenido Los niños con necesidades educativas y multiplican sus conocimientos en especiales también han recibido recursos humanos estas materias. nuevos y modernos medios de enseñanza para su formación. Hace y materiales de la Los nuevos instructores de dos años inauguramos la primera arte también están en nuestras Escuela de Autismo, discapacidad sociedad se ponen Secundarias Básicas promoviendo olvidada en casi todos los países del la cultura y acercando a nuestros mundo. al servicio del adolescentes a las mejores tradiciones de Cuba y el mundo. Ahora los niños comienzan a pueblo. estudiar el idioma inglés desde tercer » Se programó que los estudiantes grado por video clases. Aprenden de Secundaria Básica recibieran masivamente el ajedrez en las merienda escolar o almuerzo, lo que escuelas y reciben la labor cultural los niños sin importar su lugar de les permite afrontar en adecuadas y de promoción artística a través de residencia, color de la piel y origen condiciones alimentarias la doble los primeros 3 mil 271 Instructores social. sesión de clases y ofrece una mayor de Arte graduados el pasado 20 de Los extraordinarios cambios que garantía de seguridad para los octubre, los que serán reforzados cada tienen lugar en la Primaria se han alumnos de este nivel, que no tienen año con una cifra similar o mayor de hecho con modestos recursos, que salir de sus escuelas hasta el final instructores que laborarán no sólo en utilizados con inteligencia y sentidos del horario docente. el sector educacional sino también en de igualdad y justicia, y por encima El pasado 2 de diciembre de 2004, el resto de las instituciones culturales de todo brindando las mismas 307 mil 339 alumnos y 38 mil y sociales de la comunidad. oportunidades a todos los niños del 246 trabajadores de 591 Escuelas Hemos logrado mejorar la país. Secundarias Básicas Urbanas alimentación en las escuelas que De igual forma se trabaja y estaban recibiendo ya gratuitamente tienen servicio de almuerzo escolar, continuará trabajando intensamente la Merienda Escolar. Faltan por que son ya la inmensa mayoría de las en el perfeccionamiento y desarrollo incorporar los estudiantes de 83 que lo requieren. de los demás niveles de enseñanza de estas escuelas, que recibirán los beneficios de este programa en los Se brinda atención sistemática a todos escolar. primeros tres meses del próximo los niños detectados con problemas En las escuelas Secundarias año. nutricionales cuando se aplicó el Básicas también se emprendieron primer programa para medir el peso transformaciones radicales, al Los estudiantes de las Escuelas de y la talla de todos los niños hasta 15 experimentar un modelo educativo Conducta cuentan con la atención de años, en el 2001. diferente que rompe con las viejas los trabajadores sociales, los cuales Revolución y a los trabajadores en acordado recientemente, pudiera son los encargados de organizar la general. calificarse como el último programa Hace poco concluyó un Estudio concepciones de enseñanza para acción de la sociedad para modificar de la Batalla de Ideas correspondiente Integral de toda la Población Infantil, niños y adolescentes de séptimo, Este programa ha significado las causas y condiciones que originan al período del 2000 al 2004. Para ello que evalúa aspectos como el estado octavo y noveno grados, que en posibilidades inéditas para jóvenes la desventaja social y los trastornos se asignarán los recursos materiales nutricional, la atención educativa, el resto de los países afrontan una y adultos que antes no podían llegar de conducta de estos adolescentes. el medio familiar y condiciones profunda crisis. jamás a la Educación Superior y Nuestros jóvenes, desde los 16 años ahora se incorporan al propósito Continued on page 17

14 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 15 Fidel Castro December 5th Speech Continued

From page 13 condition, schooling, family and workers working with the students. ceased to either study or work. The spirit and concepts applied living environment, which were These are responsible for organizing This has allowed more than 150,000 in the University of Information Nowhere has there ever existed measured in the study, are now being the way society can act to modify the youths to study in these secondary Sciences are those we must also equality of opportunities. The properly addressed. causes and conditions from which school upgrading programs and use in those polytechnics where this possibility of studying, obtaining All of these transformations have social disadvantage and behavioral receive an income appropriate to subject is taught. They are educating higher qualifications or a university allowed us to implement an authentic problems arise. their age and needs. almost 40,000 mid-level information degree was the exclusive privilege full-day study program and have These far reaching transformations science technicians throughout the of the more knowledgeable and The results obtained have meant that country, thus securing Cuba’s future made it possible for our children in have also targeted our young people, 48,406 graduates from these courses economically powerful sectors. It was primary school to learn 2.2 times from the age of 16 on. development --something that is only only the exception among the poor have already enrolled in various possible thanks to the vast human more Mathematics and 1.5 times We founded the social worker university programs --including that who was able to beat the system. more Spanish than they did four capital created by the Revolution schools from which more than 21,485 of medical science-- and achieved over more than four decades. The huge strides made by socialism years ago. These figures should grow youths have already graduated. These very positive results. had created the foundations, but as our educational system continues constitute a veritable detachment This recently approved project for we still had to take the great leap to develop as planned. Opportunities Throughout the Battle of Ideas Information Science Polytechnics is of social support and solidarity that we have made an old dream come forward. Thanks to the Battle of for learning and for physical and is now working with almost all of only the latest of the Battle of Ideas’ Ideas, we can today say that the lives intellectual development are equal for true: the universalization of higher programs for the 2000-2004 period. Cuba’s People’s Councils. Every education, thus making universities of children, teenagers, young people all children, regardless of where they year another 7,000 youths are trained We shall allocate the necessary and the Cuban family is not the same live, skin color or social background. accessible to all the young people material resources and equipment using new educational concepts, and who graduate from the Revolution’s as it was five years ago. The extraordinary changes that not only in the schools designed to it. The ministry of Education, the programs and to workers in general. ministry of Information Sciences Today, a primary school teacher are taking place in primary school for that purpose but also in their and Communication and the Young is responsible for only 20 pupils, education have been accomplished own municipalities, in what we call This program has given unheard of Communist League have already something which allows him or her with few resources cleverly used, Home-Schools, using television, opportunities to young people and received the relevant instructions. to provide better quality teaching, following concepts of equality and videos, and computers under the adults who were not previously differentiated attention to each of his justice and, above all, with a view to guidance of experienced teachers able to attend higher education The Battle of Ideas has done much for or her pupils and their families, thus, offering the same opportunities to all and in direct contact with the social institutes but who now can join in the Cuban family, for the safety and a more comprehensive education. children throughout the country. conditions in their own communities. the revolutionary aim of having the mental and physical development When they graduate, all have direct all citizens, regardless of the work of their children, without exceptions. They have television sets, VCRs and We shall continue to work just as access to many university degree they do, obtain a comprehensive computer labs at their disposal. These intensely toward improving and With regards to such an important programs related to their multifaceted education. are incredibly efficient instruments developing the other levels of field as healthcare, these families education. Radical transformations have also T r e n c h e s been made to junior high schools by implementing a different educational made of ideas model for children and adolescents in seventh, eighth and ninth grades

“are stronger than —which are facing a grave crisis in other countries. This model breaks those of stones’ with previous educational concepts.

and ’a just cause At this school level there is now a general all-round teacher who is --even one buried “ responsible for 15 students and who teaches all subjects except English in the depths of a and Physical Education. He or she is a tutor, an educator, a mentor for each cave-- is mightier student; this gets rid of the excessive number of teachers for the various than an army subjects under which system it was impossible to integrate the different branches of knowledge and the that, used as teaching tools, greatly educational influences needed at this expand our children’s knowledge. decisive stage of life. Not one child in Cuba is without Thanks to this step, the school’s access to these modern tools. Schools relationship with the family has with no electricity are equipped improved qualitatively which means today with solar panels that power they can cooperate more extensively computers, televisions and VCRs. and changes have even operated Computer science has begun to be in the way many parents behave taught at pre-school level. 12, 958 towards and treat their children. teachers of basic computer science Mathematics, Spanish, History, trained in intensive courses and English and Physics classes are assigned to teach in our classrooms taught using videos whose contents Students in Cuba. and all primary school teachers were have been designed by the most given specially designed courses in prestigious educational specialists in activity. The result of these programs is that benefit from the large amounts of the subject. the country. This gives considerable the country today has the highest money invested in our 444 polyclinics, reinforcement to the efforts made by We set up the secondary school Children with special educational number of students registered in 107 of which have been completely the teachers and increases the quality upgrading courses for young people needs have also been taught using higher education than at any other remodeled and 34 of which are in these new and modern educational and depth of the classes taught. aged 17 to 30 who, once they had completed ninth grade, which is time in its history: 380,000 students, the process of being remodeled. tools. The first School for Autistic The frequency of Mathematics, now the general level for these ages, of whom 233, 011 are being educated On top of this, reconstruction and Children, a group that has been Computing, Spanish and History in the 938 university chapters that modernization work is going on in overlooked in nearly every country classes has been raised, which means already exist in the country’s 169 27 hospitals, as part of a program that in the world, was inaugurated two the students receive more information municipalities. will affect all of them equally and years ago. and improve their knowledge of these The 65,427 teachers and tutors 217 physiotherapy wards are being subjects. Never before Today, children begin to study working in this universalization opened in the polyclinics, all of which English through audio-visual courses The new art instructors are also or anywhere else, program, who have given a will offer this service by the end of from the third grade on. They learn working in our junior high schools, committed, determined response to next year. 24 new facilities offering to play chess at school and receive promoting culture and bringing has a people done this call of the Revolution, are part hemodialysis have been opened, as cultural and artistic instruction “ have 88 offering optician services the best of Cuba and the world’s of more than 700,000 professionals from the first 3, 271 art instructors traditions to our adolescents. what the people educated by the Revolution who and 118 intensive therapy centers in who graduated this past October work in Cuba, despite the constant those municipalities which, because 20. A similar or greater number of There is a program to provide free of Cuba are doing they have no surgical hospitals, did school snacks or lunch to junior high brain drain which victimizes Third instructors shall graduate every year World countries. not have this extremely valuable and work not only in the educational school students. This allows them to today. And what medical resource which has already sector but also in cultural and social receive the nourishment needed to sit Our aspiration of having higher saved thousands of lives to date. institutions in the community. through the double session of classes it is doing today education centers for excellence and means the students of this level resulted in the creation of the The program of technical We have improved meals in schools are safer because they don’t have to with ideas, sowing University of Information Sciences, refurbishment now in full swing will that have a school lunch program; leave the school grounds until the end the first institution of this kind to be bring benefits to all of the primary these are now the immense majority of the school day. ideas, cultivating created during the Battle of Ideas. and secondary services we have of those that need this program. and will have the added benefit of

On December 2, 2004, 307,339 Just two years and three months bringing the most important and Systematic attention is accorded to and developing students and 38,246 workers in after it was opened, more than 6,000 highest quality medical services all children found to have nutritional 591 urban junior high schools were “ youths from every municipality in closer to the population’s homes and situations when the first program ideas; this cannot receiving free school snacks. The the country study in this already places of residence. designed to weigh and measure all students of 83 junior high schools lead to anything prestigious university where novel children aged 15 and under was still have to join the program; they concepts and revolutionary working In the same token, 1905 television conducted in 2001. will be receiving the benefits from methods are used; these have rooms have been opened in but the victory of isolated rural settlements having no Recently, a comprehensive study this program in the first three months obtained significant achievements in electricity, thus providing access of the entire infant population was of next year. ideas teaching and productive activity in a completed Aspects such as nutritional very short space of time. The Behavior School also has social Continued on page 18

16 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 17 Discurso de Fidel Castro Sobre 5 de Diciembre

From page 15 Las Ferias del Libro se han convertido Los estudios a personas discapacitadas en una gran fiesta de la familia cubana. han posibilitado resolver situaciones y equipos necesarios. El Ministerio Ampliada de su recinto tradicional en críticas de atención a estos de Educación, el Ministerio de la ciudadanos y sus familias. Han Informática y las Comunicaciones permitido alertar a éstas sobre riesgos y la Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas Baste decir de enfermedades hereditarias, y han han recibido ya las instrucciones « posibilitado que 6 mil 52 madres pertinentes. que en Haiti. el hayan podido dedicarse totalmente a la atención de sus hijos con graves Para todas las familias cubanas la discapacidades, recibiendo para ello Batalla de Ideas ha significado mucho pueblo mas pobre un salario. por las perspectivas de seguridad y desarrollo físico y mental que ofrece del hemisferio, Fueron estudiadas 366 mil 864 sin excepción alguna a sus hijos. personas con discapacidades físico- Cuba tiene motoras, sensoriales, orgánicas y En una esfera tan vital como la salud, otras, incluido el retraso mental. reciben el beneficio de importantes 450 medicos; Participaron en el estudio nacional inversiones, que abarcan la totalidad más de 30 mil profesionales de las de los 444 policlínicos, 107 de los paises ciencias y personal de dirección y ellos ya totalmente transformados y apoyo. 34 en ejecución. A esto se añaden industrializados las labores de reconstrucción y El 5 de agosto del 2003 se inauguró el modernización que se llevan a cabo no pueden enviar nuevo Centro Nacional de Genética en 27 hospitales, como parte de un 50 Médica. programa que abarcará igualmente Como resultado de este colosal a todos; la apertura de 217 salas de » esfuerzo por lograr el más alto nivel fisioterapia en los policlínicos, los la Capital a 19 ciudades del país en el de justicia para nuestro pueblo y que en su totalidad contarán con este 2002, y este año hasta 34 de ellas, ha propiciar la más plena igualdad de servicio a fines del próximo año; acogido en las últimas tres ediciones oportunidades para todos se han se han creado 24 nuevos servicios a 9 millones y medio de participantes creado en estos cinco años, fruto de de hemodiálisis, 88 ópticas y 118 y se han puesto a la venta más de 15 los Programas de la Revolución, más centros de terapia intensiva en millones de libros. de 380 mil empleos, que benefician los municipios que por carecer de mayoritariamente a los jóvenes. 1 de mayo del 2004, en Habana. hospitales quirúrgicos no disponían La Biblioteca Familiar contribuyó al de este valiosísimo recurso médico acceso de nuestro pueblo a lo mejor Según información recibida del con 5 mil 270 nuevas aulas para la de libros, tabloides, folletos y otras que ha salvado ya miles de vidas. de la literatura cubana y universal, Ministerio de Trabajo, se ha educación. producciones poligráficas para los a precios asequibles. Se produjeron reducido ya el desempleo, a fines del Se han producido más de 25 millones distintos programas y misiones. El programa de reequipamiento 100 mil colecciones de 25 títulos. presente año, a menos del 2%, algo tecnológico en plena marcha de casetes en apenas año y medio de De ellos: Está lista editorialmente una segunda absolutamente imposible en ningún labor y se edifica una nueva fábrica beneficia a la totalidad de los colección. país capitalista industrializado. 41 millones 25 mil 778 libros, servicios primarios y secundarios productora. tabloides y folletos para los programas con que cuenta el país, con la gran Dos nuevas y modernas imprentas Se han formado 44 mil 979 nuevos Los acuerdos que acabamos de de formación educacional. ventaja adicional de acercar los de gran capacidad han sido maestros y profesores en apenas suscribir con China garantizan la servicios médicos más importantes y adquiridas, una de ellas está en tres años, lo que equivale a once 15 millones 979 mil 198 libros para adquisición de 100 mil computadoras las Ferias del Libro de calidad a los hogares y lugares de pleno funcionamiento y la segunda graduaciones de los cursos regulares por año, que serán dedicadas residencia de la población. en proceso de inversión. Se diurnos de los Pedagógicos entre fundamentalmente a la docencia 35 millones 371 mil 157 tabloides asignaron recursos para la reparación 1988 y 2000. de niños, jóvenes y adultos y a la de las Mesas Redondas y Tribunas En los asentamientos campesinos y modernización de todas las Contamos, como ya se dijo, con 21 superación de la creciente masa de Abiertas. sin electricidad y con difícil instalaciones de la Unión Poligráfica mil 485 trabajadores sociales. En el técnicos y profesionales de nivel acceso, se han inaugurado mil 905 Nacional. 15 millones 905 mil 758 tabloides de salas de televisión, que permiten año 2000, cuando comenzó la Batalla superior en nuestro país. Universidad para Todos. la información, la recreación y el La Universidad para Todos, vinculada de Ideas, la Seguridad Social tenía También llegará el día de su uso En el año 1999 existían solo ocho masivo para dialogar con el mundo. escuelas de artes plásticas en el país. Ningún pueblo tiene más cosas que Hoy se ha extendido esta enseñanza informar ni preparación para hacerlo a todas las provincias existiendo mejor, tomando en consideración escuelas de ese tipo en 17 ciudades. su cultura política y el creciente esfuerzo por el dominio del Inglés y otros idiomas. H e m o s El primer millón de televisores « comprados a la República Popular China ha posibilitado que 827 mil conociado la 322 núcleos familiares del país tengan un televisor a color de 21 independencia pulgadas y excelente calidad, que consume 120 watts menos que el real y la verdadera televisor soviético en blanco y negro. libertad. ¡Jamas Esto tiene un profundo y masivo impacto en el nivel de información nos resignaremos y cultura de nuestro pueblo y sus posibilidades de recreación. El resto a vivir sin ella! de los televisores se ha dedicado a los programas de educación, salud » y otros de carácter social del país; ochenta mil de ellos se emplearon en La matrícula de la nueva Escuela la cooperación internacional; se están Nacional de Ballet con capacidad recibiendo también de China 300 mil para 300 alumnos se amplió a adicionales de 21 pulgadas. Varias estudiantes de todas las provincias. decenas de miles de 29 pulgadas, que están siendo ya usados en la docencia, Hoy 4 mil 21 niños de todos los son de otras procedencias. municipios de la capital acuden dos veces a la semana a los talleres Hugo Chavez, Presidente de Venezuela y Fidel Castro el 14 diciembre del 2004. En este El sistema educacional dispone en vocacionales que se desarrollan las aulas de 109 mil 117 televisores encuentro, Castro y Chavez firmaron un nuevo acuerdo al cual fortalece los lazos economicos en la Escuela Nacional de Ballet. y 40 mil 858 videos, convertidos Otras escuelas de danza realizan entre Cuba y Venezuela en excelentes medios de enseñanza. actividades similares. Han surgido dos nuevos canales Seis mil 789 bibliotecas públicas y acceso a los programas televisivos a la televisión, surgida el 2 de octubre sólo 795 trabajadores sociales en educativos que, junto a Cubavisión escolares recibieron colecciones de docentes a más de medio millón de del 2000, se ha convertido en la todo el país y Tele Rebelde, transmiten 394 horas enciclopedias, diccionarios, atlas y cubanos que residen en esos lugares, más masiva y variada Universidad Se han concluido hasta el 20 de semanales de programación otros libros con los que renovaron su los últimos que carecían de ella. del país. A través de ella se han noviembre labores de construcción, educativa; que representan el 62,7% fondo bibliográfico. La ampliación de los Joven Club impartido 43 cursos con mil 721 reconstrucción o ampliación en 5 del total de las transmisiones de Dos millones 365 mil 234 niños y hasta 300 centros ha permitido horas de contenido. En este momento mil 810 obras; de ellas, mil 732 de la Televisión Nacional. De ellas, jóvenes han recibido un libro de la formación de 436 mil 753 se transmiten seis cursos. Han la educación, mil 537 de la salud, 247 son destinadas a los planes de estímulo en su acto de graduación. compatriotas en técnicas de participado en los cursos impartidos 32 importantes instituciones de estudios. y en marcha 775 profesores, de los computación en los últimos cuatro la cultura, entre las cuales está Si cuando realizábamos el Unos 10 millones 900 mil años, desde principios de abril del cuales 265 son Doctores en Ciencias la reconstrucción capital y la compatriotas han participado en las y 134 son Másters. anterior Congreso de la Juventud 2001, cuando fueron inauguradas las ampliación del Instituto Superior de discutíamos con preocupación 161 Tribunas Abiertas realizadas. nuevas instalaciones, elevando hasta Los programas desarrollados para Arte, y 2 mil 508 de otros programas la baja producción de libros y Once millones 800 mil participantes 3 mil las computadoras asignadas. convertir las prisiones en escuelas de la Revolución. publicaciones para nuestros niños y han sumado las 18 Marchas efectuadas. Este excelente programa se está han tenido notable impacto en las Han recibido reparación capital jóvenes, hoy podemos decir que se ampliando con otros 300 centros familias, contribuyendo a fortalecer 913 escuelas. Se han construido han producido en estos cinco años adicionales, 100 de los cuales están la vinculación entre la familia y los 32 nuevas. La nación cuenta hoy 457 millones 840 mil 862 ejemplares ya concluidos. jóvenes sancionados. Continued on page 19

16 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 17 Fidel Castro December 5th Speech Continued

From page 16 receive a salary for doing so. Soviet black and white television. A total of 366,864 people with This has had a profound and to information, recreation and to physical and motor, sensory, widespread impact on our people’s educational television programs to organic and other disabilities, level of culture and information and more than half a million Cubans who on its recreational opportunities. The live in those areas and who were the rest of the television sets were given only ones who still did not have these to education, health and other of the services. Cuba has 450 country’s social programs; 80,000

of them were used for international Extending the Youth Clubs (Joven cooperation, and we will be getting Club) to 300 facilities has allowed doctors in Haiti,

another 300,000 21-inch television 436,753 Cubans to learn about sets from China. Several thousand computing, that is, since the the poorest country “ 29-inch televisions, which are now beginning of April 2001, when the “ being used in education, are not from new Youth Clubs were opened thus in the hemisphere; China. raising the number of computers the industrialized allocated to 3,000. This excellent Our educational system has 109,117 program is being expanded with countries cannot television sets and 40,858 VCRs in another 100 additional clubs already the classrooms; these have become completed, the aim being to double send even 50 excellent teaching aids. the existing 300 facilities. Two new educational channels have The Book Fairs have turned into a been established, which combined huge festivity for the Cuban family. including mental disabilities were with Cubavision and Tele Rebelde In 2002, they spread from their studied. More than 30, 000 science broadcast 394 hours of educational traditional home in Havana to 19 professionals and management and programming weekly. This is 62.7% other Cuban cities and this year they support staff took part in the nation- of the total hours broadcast by Cuban will extend to 34. Nine and a half wide study. television. 247 of these hours are million people visited the last three On August 5, 2003 the New National devoted to courses on the curricula. Fairs, with more than 15 million Center for Genetic Medicine was If at the last YCL Congress we books on sale. established. expressed our concern about the low The Family Library made the best of As a result of this huge effort to attain output of books and other publications Cuban and world literature available the highest possible level of justice for our children and youths, we can to our people at reasonable prices. for our people and to provide full today announce that 457, 840,862 100,000 copies of 25 titles were equality of opportunities for all, more copies of books, newsprint editions, produced, and a second collection is than 380,000 jobs have been created, pamphlets and other printed material ready to go to print. the outcome of the Revolution’s have been produced for our various programs and projects. Two new, modern, high capacity Programs, most of which basically printers have been bought, one of benefit the youths. These include: which is working to full capacity and According to information received 41, 025, 778 books, newsprint the other is being installed. Resources from the ministry of Labor, by the editions, and pamphlets for have been allocated to repair and end of this year unemployment had educational programs. Youth in Havana, Cuba. modernize all the equipment in the fallen to less than 2%, something the empire’s crude lies and perfidious Those chiefly responsible for these National Print Works. that is absolutely impossible in any 15, 979, 198 books for the Book Fairs. aggression against our people, while results have been the young cadre. The University for All, broadcast industrialized capitalist country. also discussing important aspects This battle has demanded that they on television, which went on air In only three years, more than 44,979 35,371,157 newsprint transcripts of of international politics, economics, increase their capacity for action and on October 2, 2000 has become the new primary and junior high school Round Tables and Open Forums. culture, sciences, sports and other their readiness and has obliged them teachers have been trained. This is 15,905,758 newsprint study materials issues of interest. to make a qualitative change in their equal to eleven years output from the for University for All. Since the Battle of Ideas is --as I working methods so that they may teacher training institutes’ regular day devote their attention to the internal perhaps the In 1999, there were only eight visual once said-- “the battle of humanism courses between 1988 and 2000. against dehumanization, the battle of functioning and daily work of the art schools in the country. Today this YCL and may also take up the new most useful of our As I already said, we have 21,485 type of education has spread to all the brotherhood and sisterhood against the most blatant form of selfishness tasks that stem from the Revolution’s social workers. In 2000, when the provinces, with visual art schools in programs. modest efforts in Battle of Ideas began, Social Security 17 cities. […] the battle of justice against the “ most brutal form of injustice, the The organization’s experience, had only 795 social workers in all of The registration in the new National the struggle for a Cuba. battle for our people and the battle perseverance and its achievements Ballet School that can take 300 for other peoples” we at this time have meant that it has been able to better world will be As of November 20, 5,810 building, students has been extended to have 23,413 doctors and health provide the Party with more cadres. rebuilding or expansion public works students from all provinces. technicians working on humane In the last two years, 215 YCL cadres had been completed; 1,732 of these to demonstrate how Today, 4,021 students from all of missions of solidarity in 66 countries. have become professional Party were for education, 1, 537 for health, the capital’s municipalities attend A very large number of them are workers. 32 for major cultural institutions, much can be done vocational workshops given in the working in the poorest neighborhoods including major rebuilding and What we have achieved to date is National Ballet School twice a week. in Simón Bolívar’s great homeland, with so little when expansion work on the Higher the result of our people’s and our

Other dance schools offer similar which is at this moment in the midst Institute of Art, and 2,508 for other wonderful youths’ heroic efforts. We courses. of revolutionary changes under all of society’s of the Revolution’s programs. 913 still have a lot left to do. You know

the leadership of an amazing new where the old and new problems are. human and schools have sustained capital repairs 6,789 public and school libraries political leader, a follower of Bolivar while 32 new schools have been have received encyclopedias, and Marti, a beloved friend of Cuba, We must ensure that the teachers material resources “ built. Our country has today 5,270 dictionaries, atlases and other books Hugo Chávez Frías. working in our classrooms today stay new classrooms. with which they have renovated their working there, we must add to their bibliographic stock. The impact of the Battle of Ideas, its reserves, jealously guard the young are placed at the Over 25 million cassettes have been principles and work methods have produced in about a year and a half 2,365,234 children and youths have human resources we have trained not only transformed our educational over the last few years, paying special service of the and another new cassette factory is been given a book as a prize in their system, and the lives of our people, under construction. graduation ceremonies. attention to their professionalism and people but have also strengthened and up-grading. We must continue to The agreements we have just signed About 10,900,000 Cubans have taken increased the prestige of the Young analyze the inescapable changes that with China mean we will be able part in the 161 Open Forums that Communist League, which, at the our technical professional and senior to acquire 100,000 computers moment this Congress is taking biggest university in the country, high school education must undergo; annually; these will be used mainly place, has the highest number of YCL the one offering the widest variety we must improve the way higher for the education of children, young members in the last decade: 557,298, of subjects. 43 courses with 1,721 We have education is made accessible to all people and adults and for retraining which is 104,692 more than at the 7th content hours have been taught and we must make sure that all of the our country’s growing number of Congress. using this resource. Six courses are known true country’s universities move forward university graduate technicians and being broadcast now. 775 professors, Today our youth organization has from this idea towards the academic professionals. independence and of whom 265 are PhDs and 134 “ 49,054 local chapters, 8,756 more and revolutionary excellence that the have Master’s degrees, have taught The day will also come when than in 1998. country demands from its university real freedom. We “ courses. computers will be widely used to If we criticized the YCL at the last students and professors. dialogue with the world. When one The programs developed to turn Party Congress for its weaknesses in We must do further more intensive takes into account this country’s shall never resign prisons into schools have had a grooming members for our vanguard political work with all of our health political education, the growing marked impact on the inmates’ party, we are today happy to see that workers, so that the quality of the efforts to give Cubans a good ourselves to living families by helping to strengthen the the attention they gave to this crucial services offered to the public are in command of English and other bonds between the young offenders matter and the growing strength of step with the investments in buildings languages, there is no other people without them! and their relatives. the organization itself have resulted and technology made in this sector which has more things to give in the YCL supplying the Party and with the prestige that Cuban Studies made of people with information about nor more training have taken place. with 63 of every 100 members who medicine has obtained by sending its disabilities have made it possible to to be able to do so in a better way. have come to their 30th birthday. So, doctors and technicians to other parts resolve some of the crises in the care The first million television sets we 11, 800,000 people have joined in the in total, if we count those young of the world in solidarity. offered to them and their families. bought from the People’s Republic 18 marches we have had. members who are under 30 who were They have allowed us to warn the We have to continue with the task of of China has meant that 827,322 1,030 Round Tables have been aired allowed to join under a special plan, families about hereditary diseases promoting healthy, enlightened and families in Cuba have a top quality to date. These have become a kind the YCL has strengthened the Party and have made it possible for 6,052 useful recreational opportunities for 21-inch color television which uses 20 of political university offering up- with 133,283 new members. This mothers to devote themselves full- our young people, which make use of watts less electricity than a LG color to-the-minute relevant information is their concrete response to the fair time to looking after their children television and 120 watts less than a and profound and truthful analyses of criticisms they received. with serious disabilities since they Continued on page 19

18 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 19 ‘Seguiremos Creando y Luchando’

From page 17 las necesarias transformaciones el trabajo de difusión masiva, las que con el ahorro en electricidad que derroche, de esa enfermedad congénita a que debe ser sometida la pueden y deben estar enteramente se logra durante los 8 años de e incurable no puede escapar. Baste Mil treinta mesas redondas se han enseñanza técnica profesional y el al servicio de los conocimientos, la amortización del crédito recibido. decir que en Haití, el pueblo más preuniversitario; perfeccionar el cultura, la recreación y la defensa de pobre del hemisferio, Cuba tiene 450 realizado hasta hoy. Éstas se han Cuando hacemos un recuento de lo proceso de universalización de la los valores e intereses más sagrados de médicos; los países industrializados convertido en una universidad que han sido estos años heroicos, de educación superior, y lograr que todas nuestro pueblo. no pueden enviar 50, poseen capital política, con información actualizada intenso trabajo y no pocos desafíos, las universidades del país transiten a financiero, pero carecen de capital y oportuna y análisis profundos y Hay mucho que reparar, edificar y tenemos que sentirnos orgullosos de partir de esta idea hacia esa excelencia humano. veraces sobre las groseras mentiras y mejorar todavía en todas nuestras nuestra juventud, de sus valores, de su académica y revolucionaria que el pérfidas agresiones del imperio contra instituciones sociales. Se ha estirpe, de su temple. Ni agresiones, ni bloqueos, ni acciones país demanda de sus estudiantes y nuestro pueblo, y sobre importantes demostrado que es posible. terroristas, ni desintegración del profesores universitarios. De ella surgen hombres como Juan temas de política internacional, campo socialista, ni dominio unipolar economía, cultura, ciencias, deportes Como ya señalé una vez “quizás Miguel, quien tan ejemplarmente ha Debemos intensificar y profundizar el del mundo, ni la toma del poder lo más útil de nuestros modestos cumplido sus deberes de padre y de y otros tópicos de interés. trabajo político con todo el personal en Estados Unidos por la extrema esfuerzos en la lucha por un mundo patriota. de la salud para que la calidad de los derecha que advertimos en 1998 como Por ser la Batalla de Ideas mejor será demostrar cuánto se como dijimos una vez “la servicios a la población se corresponda De nuestra juventud salieron nuestros algo posible y hasta probable, ni las batalla del humanismo contra la cinco héroes prisioneros del imperio, amenazas de exterminio, pudieron deshumanizacion, la batalla de la que, víctimas de la venganza y el odio, quebrantar el espíritu de lucha de hermandad y la fraternidad contra el sufren injusta y cruel prisión en las nuestro pueblo heroico. cárceles norteamericanas sin que su mas grosero egoismo la batalla de la Hemos conocido la independencia honor, su entereza y su lealtad a la justicia contra la mas brutal injusticia; real y la verdadera libertad. ¡Jamás Revolución y a nuestro pueblo hayan la batalla por nuestro pueblo y la batalla nos resignaremos a vivir sin ella! ¡Y por otros pueblos,” tenemos en estos podido ser quebrados. estamos dispuestos a pagar el precio momentos 23 mil 413 profesionales Ellos son símbolos e inspiración para necesario de que habló Martí! y técnicos de la salud cumpliendo los que harán cambiar el mundo. No Seguiremos creando y luchando. Ya humanas y solidarias misiones en descansaremos un segundo hasta que nadie tendrá jamás fuerzas para volver 66 países. Un elevado número de se haga justicia y sean devueltos a a encerrar en la botella el genio de un ellos desempeñan su actividad en los nuestra Patria. ¡Tarde o temprano, pueblo que escapó para siempre del barrios más pobres de la gran Patria de con el apoyo de los demás pueblos saqueo, la humillación y el oprobio. Simón Bolívar, actualmente en pleno del mundo, ganaremos también esa proceso de cambios revolucionarios, batalla! Como dijo Camilo Cienfuegos, bajo la conducción de un nuevo aquel extraordinario combatiente que Los datos contenidos en estas palabras y extraordinario líder político, aparece junto a Mella y el Che en el Los jovenes en Habana, Cuba. con que respondo a la invitación de bolivariano y martiano, amigo emblema de la Juventud Comunista de ustedes pueden producir asombro entrañable de Cuba: Hugo Chávez Cuba y que al morir tenía sólo 27 años, con el esfuerzo inversionista que puede hacer con tan poco, si todos a muchos, algunos ni siquiera Frías. en su último discurso el 26 de octubre desde el punto de vista constructivo y los recursos humanos y materiales de los creerán, otros los ignorarán de 1959: “De rodillas nos pondremos El impacto de la Batalla de Ideas, tecnológico se desarrolla en el sector, la sociedad se ponen al servicio del olímpicamente. sus principios, sus conceptos de y con el prestigio que ha alcanzado pueblo.” una vez y una vez inclinaremos nuestra trabajo, no sólo se han revertido en la medicina cubana con la presencia El imperio se enfurece y proclama con frente, y será el día que lleguemos a la Los gastos en divisas de la Batalla de la transformación de la educación y la solidaria de nuestros profesionales pasmoso cinismo que hay que liberar a tierra que guarda 20 mil cubanos para Ideas, incluidos las construcciones, vida de nuestro pueblo, sino también y técnicos en diversas partes del Cuba, traer la democracia a este pueblo decirles: ‘¡Hermanos, la Revolución los materiales de todo tipo, miles de en el fortalecimiento y el prestigio de mundo. esclavizado y enseñarlo además a está hecha, vuestra sangre no cayó la Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas, que equipos médicos, estomatológicos leer y a escribir, según proclaman en vano!’” Urge proseguir la tarea de propiciar y ópticos de alta calidad y en su programa de transición hacia arriba a este congreso con la mayor El pueblo de Cuba dijo hace rato una recreación sana, culta y útil para estandarizados, computadoras, videos, el capitalismo. Las masas, en parte cantidad de militantes de la UJC de la ¡Patria o Muerte! y llevará su nuestros jóvenes, en la que utilicemos incluyendo los pagos realizados todavía engañadas por el diluvio de última década: Batalla de Ideas hasta las últimas todas las posibilidades abiertas y los por el crédito para televisores que mentiras y calumnias que emanan de consecuencias. 557 mil 298, lo que representa 104 mil recursos con que hoy contamos gracias se destinaron a la población y a las los poderosos medios de divulgación 692 militantes más que los que tenían a los programas de la Revolución. instituciones, y otros pagos similares, imperialistas, nos creerán cada vez ¡Viva el pueblo que ha hecho frente en el VII Congreso. son inferiores al 2% del gasto total Deberemos continuar nuestro más más a medida que vayan despertando con honor al más poderoso imperio en divisas del país en los 5 años Hoy la organización juvenil cuenta decidido combate contra los casos de a las realidades que les esperan y que ha existido jamás! transcurridos. comprendan que la diferencia entre con 49 mil 54 organizaciones de base, corrupción, las indisciplinas sociales ¡Viva eternamente el ejemplo que hoy nuestro sistema y el que propugna el 8 mil 756 más que en 1998. y cualquier indicio de consumo de A esto hay que añadir, a modo de ofrece al mundo la juventud cubana! imperio es abismal. Si en el último Congreso del Partido drogas. ejemplo de racionalidad, que el costo del millón de televisores procedentes ¡Viva para siempre el socialismo! le señalamos críticamente a la Se requiere la mayor integración entre El capitalismo ha perdido toda esencia de China se compensa prácticamente Juventud sus debilidades en el aporte todas las instituciones implicadas en humanista, vive del derroche y para el de militantes a nuestra organización de vanguardia, hoy vemos con satisfacción que la atención que le han brindado a este vital asunto y el propio fortalecimiento de la organización ‘We shall continue to create and to struggle’ permiten que la UJC le esté aportando al Partido 63 de cada 100 militantes que cumplen 30 años, y que en total, From page 18 currency expenditure in the last five these remarks which are my reply heroic people’s spirit of struggle. incluyendo aquellos jóvenes militantes years. to your invitation may astound We have known true independence menores de esa edad que han sido all the opportunities and resources To this we must add, as an example many people, some might not even and real freedom. We shall never procesados de manera especial, la we have today thanks to the of the best use of scarce resources, believe them, others will totally resign ourselves to living without UJC haya fortalecido al Partido con Revolution’s programs. that the ignore them. them! We are willing to pay the 133 mil 283 nuevos militantes como We will have to continue to wage cost of the million Chinese television The empire will be furious and necessary price of which Martí respuesta concreta a aquellas justas our hard-fought battle against announce with incredible cynicism spoke. críticas recibidas. sets is almost completely offset by corruption, social indiscipline, and the saving in electricity that will be that Cuba must be liberated and We shall continue to create and to El sustento principal de estos resultados any surge in drug use. achieved in the 8 years needed to democracy brought to this enslaved struggle. No one now will ever be people and what is more, teach it han sido los cuadros juveniles, The highest possible integration of repay the credit obtained. strong enough to push back into the to read and write, as they announce para quienes la batalla ha exigido all the institutions involved in public bottle the genie of a people which When we look back on these heroic in their ‘program for the transition multiplicar su capacidad de acción broadcasting must take place. These has escaped for ever from plunder, y su preparación, y les ha obligado years of intense labor and not a few to capitalism’. The masses, still are the institutions, which can and humiliation and ignominy. a transformar cualitativamente sus challenges, we cannot help but feel partially deceived by the hail of must be completely at the service métodos de trabajo para mantener la proud of our youth, of its values, of lies and invectives coming from As Camilo Cienfuegos, that of knowledge, culture, recreation, atención a la vida interna y al accionar its caliber, of its mettle. the powerful imperialist media, will extraordinary fighter who is there and the most dearly held values and diario de la UJC, y a su vez responder believe us more and more, as they with Mella and Che on the Cuban interests of our people. Men like Juan Miguel, who has a las nuevas tareas emanadas de los discharged his duties as a father begin to awaken to what is in store YCL badge and who was only 27 programas de la Revolución. There is still a lot to repair, build and and a patriot in such an exemplary for them and to understand the huge when he died, said in his last speech improve in our social institutions. on October 26, 1959: “We shall La experiencia, estabilidad y manner, was a member of the YCL. difference between our system and We have proof that this is possible. kneel down once and we shall bow resultados de trabajo han permitido the one advocated by the empire. Our five heroes imprisoned by our heads once, and that will be on que la organización aporte más As I once said, “perhaps the most Capitalism has lost any humanist the empire were members of the the day when we reach the land that cuadros al Partido. En los dos últimos useful of our modest efforts in the YCL, they who are the victims essence; it lives from waste and watches over 20,000 Cubans and años 215 cuadros de la UJC han struggle for a better world will be to of vengeance and hate, who are to waste; it cannot escape from say to them, ‘Brothers and sisters, pasado al trabajo profesional del demonstrate how much can be done suffering through cruel and unjust that congenital, incurable disease. the Revolution is complete, your mismo. with so little when all of society’s prison terms in American jails Suffice it to say that Cuba has 450 blood was not shed in vain’”. Lo logrado hasta aquí es fruto del human and material resources are without letting anyone stain their doctors in Haiti, the poorest country Long ago, the Cuban people said esfuerzo heroico de nuestro pueblo placed at the service of the people”. honor, break their integrity and in the hemisphere; the industrialized Homeland or Death! And it will y de su magnífica juventud. Mucho The hard currency cost of the Battle loyalty to the Revolution and to our countries cannot send even 50, for carry on its Battle of Ideas to its aún nos queda por hacer. Ustedes of Ideas, including, the buildings, people. they have finance capital but lack saben dónde existen viejas y nuevas human capital. logical conclusion. materials of all kinds, the thousands They are symbols and serve as dificultades. of pieces of top quality, standardized inspiration to those who will change Neither aggression nor blockade, Long live the people that have faced Hay que mantener a los profesores medical, dental and optician’s the world. We shall not rest for a terrorist acts or the disintegration up honorably to the most powerful que hoy están en nuestras aulas, equipment, the computers and second until justice be done and they of the socialist block, unipolar empire ever to exist! e incrementar su reserva, cuidar videos, including payments made are returned to our country. Sooner dominion over the world or the Eternal life to the example the celosamente los recursos humanos for the credit to buy televisions for or later, with support from the rest of extreme right’s rise to power in the Cuban youths are setting for the jóvenes que hemos formado en estos the population and for institutions the world, we shall win that battle, United States which we, in 1998, world today! años, enfatizando en su profesionalidad and other similar payments is less warned was possible and in fact too! Long live socialism forever! y superación; continuar analizando that 2% of the country’s total hard likely, have been able to break our The information I have given in

18 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 19 Special Section The Case of the Langara Pages 20 - 23 2 Democratic Rights! Women’s Rights! Students’ Rights! Support the Case of the Langara 2 An interview with Kira Daley and Nicole Burton By Tamara Hansen

In October of this year Nicole Burton and Kira Daley, two young women (19 and 22 years old) activists and students, were banned from their Students’ Union property at Langara College. This banning took place after the two women had made a complaint of harassment to the Langara Students’ Union (LSU) about a member of their staff, Richard Bell. The banning also took place after the two students had been organizing with a very active antiwar committee on campus, the Peace and Social Issues Committee (PSI).

The women activists took on working with PSI in the summer of 2004 and in September along with other student activists at Langara and Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) -A Vancouver antiwar coalition- hosted the Student Week Against War and Occupation (SWAWO), which happened on 9 different campuses across the Lower Mainland and pulled out over two hundred Langara Students to different antiwar events. On October 25th, Kira and Nicole attended the LSU Executive meeting to bring the charges of harassment to them. However, instead of having their complaint heard, the Executive Board had six guest speakers come in to speak against MAWO and the two women. Most of these speakers each had their own political affiliation with groups and political tendencies who have a hostile and/or factional history with MAWO, Kira and Nicole. Each of these speakers had prepared a statement and spoke out against the women and their political organizing on campus. None of these speakers mentioned how they got involved with the LSU Executive in the character assassination of Kira and Nicole just after the issue of harassment became known on the Langara campus. It was clear that regardless of their opinions The Langara 2: Nicole Burton (left) and Kira Daley (right). and politics, from left to far-right, 2 Defense Committee” have been (PSI) which essentially dissolved Union property and not the The wording of the motion says that there was a mutual agreement actively organizing on campus organizing on campus around Students’ Union itself. Nicole that we represent a threat to amongst them to attack and bash demanding that the ban be lifted war, occupation and social just outlined what they said in students’ security or their general MAWO and the two young women and that there be an investigation justice issues. The second was the motion where they banned us well-being. This was said without activists. This leads to the clear into their claim of harassment. the physical banning of Kira and but in particular the dissolution any back up explanation such as, conclusion that most or all of FTT: On October 25th you were myself from the Students’ Union of the Peace and Social Issues where, when and how. them volunteered to participate property based on, “concerns of Committee and the banning of in this unprincipled campaign banned from your Students’ FTT: Were there any other Union, the LSU. There were defamation, general health and Mobilization Against War and motivations behind the against MAWO, Kira and Nicole. well-being”. The third aspect of Occupation clearly show that the At the meeting Kira and Nicole four stated reasons for the banning? banning. Could you outline the banning was the organizational motivation behind the banning were not given a chance to speak banning of Mobilization was more to suppress and to Kira: In the last part of the about the harassment case or in each reason for us and explain motion to ban us the Students’ their importance? Against War and Occupation silence the organizing that we’d defense of themselves, nor were (MAWO) from organizing on the been doing on campus and that Union Executive stated that they any of the other off-campus Nicole Burton: Well it wasn’t Langara Students’ Union (LSU) we’re apart of. were going to issue a press release groups who were attacked and that there were four different that explained their actions. They property. The fourth aspect of The physical banning of myself slandered during the meeting. reasons for the banning, there it was for the Langara Students’ refused to give us any explanation After this the LSU Executive were four different parts that and Nicole represents a very for their actions other than saying Union Executive Board, which clear example of what happens passed a motion to ban the two essentially attacked what Kira represents all students at Langara, that we should refer to the press women students along with and I represented in different to organizers for social justice release. The press release is to cease any sort of support for when particular institutions feel MAWO from the Students’ Union ways. One of them was the MAWO or groups that work entirely centred around their property. disbanding of the sub-committee threatened by their work and seek allegation of misappropriation of with it. to silence and slander honest and Since the banning the two women we worked in called the Peace and Social Issues Committee Kira Daley: Just to clarify we effective activists. Continued on page 21 and the newly formed “Langara were banned from Students’

20 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 21 Lift the Ban on the Langara 2!

From page 20 demoralization, he seems to have currently joined the SQL Students’ Union funds by us. That and maintains a low key sort of is one of the accusations they activity. Kinney Butterfield, the consistently bring up but can’t president of the Israeli Advocacy substantiate because essentially Club- a reactionary organization it’s being used to discredit us or that advocates for the brutal slander us and isn’t true. suppression of Palestinians by Nicole: Some of the language Israel and is a strong supporter within the press release really of the occupation of Palestine- reveals the true intentions of the then spoke. Like Mr. Brown Students’ Union Executive at this and other speakers, Butterfield time. This is something we can was very hostile to MAWO and not only see within the context PSI’s antiwar and anti-occupation of our organizing at Langara, but activities at Langara and on other in the larger context of organizing campuses. Finally Tanya West, around issues like war and a staff member of the Gleaner- occupation which have the ability Langara’s student newspaper- to really politicize students in a spoke. She too was hostile to short period of time. In the press MAWO’s activities at Langara statement Mobilization Against College from the very beginning War and Occupation is referred of our activity on the campus. to as an ‘extremist’ organization FTT: What was the main trend that the LSU would not agree between all of these people? to support. However, within the Kira: I think the main trend Executive Board meeting the that was common in all of these LSU aligned itself with pro- presentations was that they Langara 2 forum, November 4th 2004. The forum was moved outside to the front of Langara occupation groups such as the were all based on the political College after the original room booking was cancelled byLangara officials. Israeli Advocacy Club which differences between the speakers pro-imperialist status-quo and PSI, organized events in that generally the SQL, including advocates for the continued and Mobilization Against War (ISQ) Israeli Advocacy Club. In support of Palestinian rights Stopwar.ca, IS, Labour and the occupation of Palestine. This and Occupation (MAWO) or Vancouver, because organizations and against the Israeli apartheid NDP have made many policies shows that the banning itself the antiwar, anti-occupation was political in nature and was like IS are organizationally weak, regime- on campus. As a Jewish and campaigns that I agree with. an attack on antiwar organizing they act like henchman for bigger person and a social justice activist I have also supported, promoted on campus, especially with the The physical and more solid organizations like and specifically as someone who and participated in many actions reference to one of the most some Labour Unions or the NDP. has worked on campus against and events by these groups and active groups in the city, MAWO, banning of By giving lip service to those war and occupation in Iraq, Haiti, tendencies. I don’t have any as being extremist. organizations, these organizations Afghanistan, Palestine and many problems with them doing good, myself and Nicole beg for a little political space for other places under imperialist progressive, and healthy political FTT: At the meeting where the “ themselves in order to be able to domination, I found it quite ironic campaigns or any campaigns banning took place there were represents a very build their own organizations. It to be attacked on this front. at Langara or at any campus. It six speakers who were lined clear example is no wonder that they are very is very unfortunate and painful up together against you by the Also, this is somewhat related threatened by us and they are very to see that rather than uniting LSU. Can you tell us about this of what happens but I would like to urge activists, much hostile to us because we are with us against imperialist war grouping of people and what especially in Vancouver, to representing in my opinion an and occupation, these groups was said at the meeting? What to organizers read a book which I found to effective independent working follow their factionalism and I mean here exactly is what be a powerful and important for social justice class and poor people’s movement sectarianism against others, politics are really involved? tool to understand politics

when particular against war and occupation. and class struggle. It’s called especially us, MAWO, who Kira: When we arrived at the However, let me clarify that I’m SOLIDARITY-The Rise & Fall basically consist of young people

LSU meeting that night on the institutions feel not suggesting that these left of An Opposition in British and people of the third world. I agenda there was a point which groups or progressive individuals Columbia by Bryan D. Palmer. believe, like Che said, everyone included the six speakers. The threatened by their support the occupation of and every group can show who “ I believe every activist must first speaker was Bradley Hughes, work and seek to Palestine by Israel. My point read this book. Our problem in they are by setting examples for an instructor at Langara who is a is simply that because they are BC and in Vancouver is very others. Within the working class member of International Socialists silence and slander practicing factional and sectarian similar the problem existed in movement it is very unhealthy, (IS), Stopwar.ca (another antiwar politics they are willing to the Solidarity movement in the unprincipled and reactionary to coalition in Vancouver) and honest and effective position themselves united with early 1980’s. Of course there try to isolate other groups by very hostile to MAWO. He activists. ultra reactionary groups like are different peculiarities that framing them up and engaging was followed by Rick Gordon, Israeli Advocacy Club at Langara stem from the current class in a slander campaign or joining another instructor who works movement building tendency College. struggle in Canada and British a ruling class campaign against with Stopwar.ca and is hostile that we are a part of. The two Another main thread between Columbia. But I would like to say any organization who represents to MAWO. He was followed by small exceptions to this were these speakers was that their that these groups have become oppressed people. Jeniffer Vasco who was member Kinney Butterfield, who is ultra presentations were based on a insignificant in politics because I think generally what we saw in of the Peace and Social Issues reactionary and Mr. Brown, lot of slander and fabrication of they can’t organize independently the meeting was over 3 hours of Committee who was pressured by who we later found out has facts. We were not able to counter and effectively, that’s why they undemocratic process in which some LSU Executives to speak some problems with MAWO’s this slander because during a rely solely on Labour and NDP. the invited speakers essentially out against us. The remaining leadership like myself, Nicole presentation point on the agenda They try to maintain their low created an unprincipled alliance three speakers were Nic Brown and Shannon [Bundock]. people in the meeting are not key activity in the antiwar anti- with the purpose of crushing a who is a former Langara Basically he was upset that he allowed to defend themselves, occupation movement as the SQL certain political trend on campus. Students’ Union Executive, as was not recognized as a leader or bring up any new points or wishes, by organizing small and Also within this meeting there well someone who used to work main organizer in MAWO. speak. The only speaking that sporadic events in opposition to were two students, Kira and with MAWO during the first five can be done must be in the form war and occupation. Basically myself, who had come to the months after MAWO’s inception. The fact is that part of the status- of questions to the presenters with following SQL they seek meeting in order to deal with a After the military consolidation quo left (SQL) or part of the and after the presentations a better position in return.But I complaint of harassment, which of the US/UK in Iraq he was, progressive trends in this city, happened the time for the agenda must also say, regardless of our was never dealt with. like many other antiwar activists, like International Socialists and point had run out so there was differences- like on campaigning demoralized by the imperialist a section of Stopwar.ca, are very FTT: What did their no discussion. We were not on Missile Defense System and occupation of Iraq. He then factional and hostile to us. They opportunistic and unprincipled offered an opportunity to defend so on- we have always supported stopped working with MAWO are desperately trying to maintain alliance mean for your case? ourselves or even to present them in their actions and political without any explanation or any their political hegemony in evidence against the different work that we have found useful Kira: I think this alliance makes apparent political differences Vancouver in order to maintain slanderous and false claims that and valuable. We believe that it clear that although some of or hostility. Then suddenly and consolidate their political were made. we don’t need to fight with each the tendencies are different, he reappeared at our lynching agenda. They are truly against other or sabotage each others like Stopwar.ca or International in the LSU Executive Board any independent organizations Nicole: Another important aspect work, we need a united front Socialists versus the Israeli meeting with a written statement like MAWO. Because of was the opportunistic alliance against war and occupation based Advocacy Club, the point is that against us and MAWO, he was this sectarian attitude they with the Israeli Advocacy Club. on our common demands: Out these people and these tendencies basically saying to the status-quo unfortunately put themselves in a In the meeting Kinney Butterfield now! End the Occupation Now! were willing to compromise left (SQL) that he had switched situation where they spoke from (IAC) specifically said that we Bring the Troops Home Now! to their camp. Anyway, after a the same platform and united organize anti-Semitic events and such. I would like to say Continued on page 22 long period of inactivity and against us with the reactionary –because we, along with MAWO

20 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 21 Defend the Right to Organize! Defend the Langara 2!

From page 21 complaint? are public statements and documents and Bell’s attacks on us come from the fact that Nicole: On October 20th, the Peace and could be obtained from LSU. the PSI Committee, since becoming active their principals despite their fundamental Social Issues Committee was holding its Kira: This was also the first meeting the again in July, had begun to show itself as differences to unite against us. This is weekly meeting. When members of the Peace and Social Issues Committee had quite a force on campus. PSI was mobilizing because they both recognized that the committee arrived at the Langara Students’ held in the LSU office and was the first students, getting them out to events, and work of the Peace and Social Issues Union office to hold the meeting, we were meeting Richard Bell had attended. At this having very productive and important Committee was essentially a reflection essentially told by an LSU staff person meeting when he assumed both the position debates on issues that affect students like of the radicalization and politicization of named Richard Bell, that the meeting of chair and minute-taker he excluded our students on and off campus. was under his control and he was going agenda by putting his own points first, Nicole: I think what we also see is that this to be chairing and taking minutes for denied us any opportunity to put forward ...[It’s] important to movement building on campus and in the the meeting. For the last three months a motion that someone else chair the city, as Kira mentioned, showed itself to be the Peace and Social Issues Committee meeting or that someone else take minutes, know how the dynamics a significant threat to the leadership of what has been a committee of students. PSI his response to this was ‘stop doing that, be of defending and we refer to as the status-quo left (SQL). In meetings have been chaired and facilitated quiet’. He then proceeded to ask students’ “ the past what has been considered the norm by myself and Kira, two women students, in the room as to whether or not they were consolidating democratic for student organizing was challenged by as well as the majority of the organizing by members of Mobilization Against War and a large amount of activities that the Peace the committee was done by students and by Occupation (MAWO) without explaining and human rights can and Social Issues Committee was doing at young people. his motivations or reasons were for that be used as an avenue

Langara. At this meeting when Richard Bell, who line of questioning and carrying out what Kira: Also, I think this shows the is not a student, was questioned for his was essentially political intimidation and to expand them. Every harassment. Also, as a staff person he corruption of some of the Langara Students’ unilateral and draconian take over of victory for oppressed “ Union Executives and the six speakers the committee he intentionally used his didn’t have the authority to take over the and tendencies involved, because they presence as an older male staff person committee or direct what happened at the people puts them in a were willing to line up with a reactionary speaking to young students and young meeting. LSU staff can act as a resource tendency like the Israeli Advocacy Club women to silence them. He did this coordinator or help for students when they better position to drive for with the end goal of attempting to eliminate by shouting people down, physically need it. the next stage... this movement building tendency [MAWO] intimidating them and at certain points Throughout the meeting Bell’s response from the campus. This opportunistic and telling us to “shut up”. to points we brought up about procedure ugly alliance of the speakers against us Based on the Langara Students’ Union’s or when we questioned his motivations war and occupation around the world. exposed them as being unprincipled and policy manual Kira and I saw this behavior for interrogating people was to shout at In this I think we posed a threat to the corrupt, both in their tactics and in being as harassment and also saw this behavior as people and to intimidate them verbally and politically slow moving LSU Executive’s so-called antiwar and anti-occupation sexist behavior. In the context of the society eventually he told us to ‘shut up’ several leadership. Because historically Students’ activists. In this case, they were so we live in where women are systemically times. This incident of harassment and Unions have often become a voice and an desperate to eliminate us as an alternative oppressed, Richard Bell used his position verbal abuse violates the LSU’s Code of organizer for students which advocates for student and women led leadership that they as a staff person in the LSU and as an older Conduct in terms of members treating students’ rights and other social issues and were willing to work together with a major adult and man to dominate and suppress each other with due respect and creating an the LSU was not doing this. I must add advocate for the occupation of Palestine, the committee’s student members and environment of trust and accountability. that unfortunately LSU is not a member the Israeli Advocacy Club. Interestingly the meeting that was being led by young FTT: What were the motivations of Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) these political tendencies and individuals, women. I must add that we are not the only behind Richard Bell and, from what I therefore they don’t feel that they are through correspondence, connections, ones who witnessed this and documented it. understand, other LSU Executives, for accountable to any student movement or or putting pressure on Students’ Unions, Four other participants in the PSI meeting attacking you both during this meeting any student institution . When the PSI with slander campaigns and witch hunts wrote statements in opposition to what and while you were members of the Committee organized the Student Week against us are trying to sabotage our effort they saw and experienced in that meeting. Peace and Social Issues Committee? Against War and Occupation (SWAWO) to broaden the antiwar, anti-occupation on campus and saw quite a jump in its They documented it and then they sent Kira: The motivation behind some of the movement. This is despite the fact that membership it posed the threat of an them to LSU Executive. These statements LSU Executives’ attacks on us and Richard many of them claim to be representing the alternative student leadership to the LSU at interests of working people and the antiwar Langara although that was not the intention and anti-occupation movement. of its organizers. They saw and clearly FTT: Despite not being mentioned in the feared that the new initiative by us and motion for the banning, different LSU PSI could not be controlled or pressured by Executives have since claimed that you them like before. There was also a fear that were banned for misuse of LSU funds. the Peace and Social Issues Committee, and What can you tell us about this? especially MAWO members of PSI, would put more pressure on LSU Executives to Kira: Specifically to the question of get more active with antiwar activities as misappropriation of funds the main thing well as put more pressure on them to cut that the LSU has alleged is that Nicole their ties with reactionary campus groups and myself were involved in funneling like the Israeli Advocacy Club. Students’ Union funds from the Students’ Union to our off-campus organization There is one more issue though, Richard which is Mobilization Against War and Bell and some LSU Executives are very Occupation. The question is not whether much concerned with us becoming a voice or not the LSU ever gave MAWO any on campus because there seems to be money. In the past the LSU did donate some unresolved issues in the LSU around money to MAWO when the composition of misuse of funds or some missing money Executive was different, and the donations or unnecessary expenses which have were entirely of the LSU’s own initiative. been discussed throughout the campus However, specifically the question is and student body for sometime now. We around certain buttons that were made would like to investigate these issues and to hand out at the Student Week Against would like the LSU to be accountable War and Occupation 2004 events. Initially and transparent. This is key to finding out Nicole paid for the buttons and did submit why Richard Bell and some of the LSU a requisition form to the LSU, the LSU did Executives are so protective and secretive not reimburse her for the buttons. Nicole about these mentioned issues. We don’t then made a requisition for reimbursement know for sure why or how these issues to MAWO and MAWO reimbursed her. So have come up, but many students and the question of who the buttons belong to some former LSU Executive members or whether or not the LSU outsourced any have brought it to our attention. These funds for the Student Week Against War missing funds have also been mentioned and Occupation is simply that no money in the Voice, the college’s journalism left the budget of the Peace and Social students’ newspaper. Basically, whatever Issues Committee while we were on it and has happened, all students should learn no money left the LSU. why this information and discussion has been going around for sometime now and FTT: I’d like to go back a little bit to if there is any merit to it. the issue of harassment. You originally went to the Langara Students’ Union Nicole: I would like to go back to the Executive Board meeting on October level of pressure that was coming on 25th to make a complaint of harassment the Executive Board based on the Peace against staff person Richard Bell. Social Issues Committee’s organizing. Can you tell us about the incident Nicole Burton leads chanting against war and occupation, October 23 2004. of harassment that gave rise to the Continued on page 23

22 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 23 Democratic Rights! Students’ Rights! Women’s Rights!

From page 22 the activities that you have organized in the last six months We believe this pressure led at Langara? to what was some Executives’ Nicole: As Kira outlined, the decision, or at least Richard Bell’s PSI Committee on campus has decision, that the only manner in essentially been the most active which to confront this growing committee within the Students’ force on campus was to use a Union within the last couple certain amount of intimidation of years. In two months beside and a certain amount of regular and routine tabling every harassment. This was in order to week, we organized five different not deal with any sort of political events on campus four of which differences on a level playing were part of the Student Week field, but to use all out political Against War and Occupation and organizational intimidation (SWAWO). SWAWO was a major and discrimination to intimidate event that went to 9 different and silence what was a growing campuses around the Lower presence on campus. Mainland and was co-organized From that time to when we with MAWO, along with other organized our last event, before student groups, and Students’ the committee was dissolved by Unions. After SWAWO, we the LSU Executive, people on held a forum and discussion on the PSI Committee faced almost Cuba. At the forum we presented daily interrogations by some and led discussion around the members of the Executive or ongoing blockade on Cuba and Victor Finberg, Langara College staff member; Kasia Machelak, Kwantlen College student and Richard Bell in the hallways or essentially what our role is as Nicole Burton, Langara 2; speaking at a forum against the banning in November 2004. in the Students’ Union Building students and young people in about what our activities were leading a movement in solidarity This was also the meeting where also women’s rights. We’ve also positive. Especially around or who our membership was and with oppressed nations around we were banned. Since that started a petition campaign on the issue of this being a case were always questioning whether the world. Our group’s organizing time different LSU Executives campus asking students to sign a about basic human rights, free or not we were actually students attracted hundreds of students to have mentioned things about an petition which has two demands: speech and even just the right to at the college. Ultimately what these activities. investigation into the case of 1) That the ban be lifted and 2) assembly which are three things harassment but there has been that the complaint of harassment that students fundamentally this culminated in was the attack FTT: So far, how has the issue by Richard Bell. This attack was no official communication by be investigated. The way we have identify with. As well as the of harassment be dealt with by the LSU to Nicole or myself been approaching our case with demand of having the harassment intended to shut down our work the Langara Students’ Union? and to intimidate us into stopping about an investigation. Also, we students has been to discuss it as investigated, students feel there have no information explaining much as possible with as many is no case where there should the investigation process, such students as possible. This is in be some pre-judgment on the as which codes or policies an order to expand the understanding validity of the claim and that the investigation would fall under or of this issue as one that affects all complaint should be investigated how investigation processes are students on campus and that it is accountably in all cases. outlined by the Students’ Union. not isolated to just the two of us. FTT: You have also received FTT: You’ve both been actively FTT: What has been the support from a couple of other organizing at Langara College response of students? Do they Students’ Unions how do you since the ban. What are you feel connected to the case and feel this strengthens your case? currently demanding of the your demands on the Students’ Kira: We’ve made presentations Langara Students’ Union? Union? to several Students’ Unions Nicole: Right now our demands Nicole: I think the response to the across the Lower Mainland to are quite clear. They are around case has been very very positive. inform them about the case. The a defense campaign in objection As Kira mentioned the petition support that we have received to the attacks that have been campaign has been something is really important especially waged against myself and Kira. that we have launched for the because this is also an issue of The first of the demands has been last month and it has received an maintaining the integrity of all to lift the ban against myself and overwhelming amount of support Students’ Unions. Especially in Kira immediately, which is a from both students on campus as an environment where students’ violation of the Langara Students’ well as different faculty members rights are continuously under Union’s own mandate and policy within the college. There are attack, with the increases in in advocating and defending two different reasons students tuition fees, issues around student students. We are still members have shown support and felt a loans and cuts to funding for of the Students’ Union in good connection with the campaign: grants. I think that having support standing, and we both pay our First, is the aspect of defending from other Students’ Unions Students’ Union fees so we are women’s rights and defending strengthens our case because: demanding that this ban be lifted their right to raise their voices First, we are not isolated in our and that we have access to our in defense of themselves for demands and that along with Students’ Union. their safety against harassment Langara students, students at The other demand is that the and abuse. The other is the issue other universities and colleges charges of harassment that Kira of democratic rights, students’ understand this. Second, that they and I filed be investigated. By that rights and basic human rights in too must see this case as an issue we are asking for accountability. terms of being able to organize of basic democratic rights and We are asking that Richard Bell, on campus. In response to the students’ rights. Third, this is also who has a documented history petition campaign specifically a case where we have to push for of harassing and intimidating we’ve received over 500 accountability and set a precedent students and especially women signatures. With the three forums where Students’ Unions will be students, be held accountable. that we have held on campus we accountable to their members have brought out around 100 and also uphold the historic FTT: How have you been students to discuss the case and importance of Students’ Unions raising awareness about this discuss how it relates to larger in advocating for students’ rights campaign and about these issues of women’s rights and and in organizing for students. demands? students’ rights. Generally the The other thing I wanted to Kira: The way that we have response from students has been mention, especially around been popularizing this campaign one of either disbelief or outrage Kira Daley address the protest at an antiwar demonstration, having support from other on campus has been through that a Students’ Union (that is Students’ Unions and being August 28 2004 handing out newsletters, facts supposedly advocating students’ connected to students themselves sheets, leaflets and talking with rights) would ban two of its own is that, as Nicole mentioned, our organizing by showing us Kira: At the Executive meeting students. We’ve also held three very active members and then the number of signatures we’ve th that if we did continue our work on October 25 , we went to public forums on campus so proceed with a slander campaign gotten for the petition is over on campus this was the kind of present our complaint to the LSU far where we have presented against them. 500, which is actually more opposition we would face. and ask that they strike a Code of an outline of the case and why Kira: Yeah, students’ responses FTT: Can you tell us about Conduct committee to investigate we think this is an issue of have been overwhelmingly Continued on page 47 the complaint of harassment. democratic rights for students and

22 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 23 Indigenous Struggles The Haida Decision: A Case of Lies and Theft by the Colonialist Government of Canada

By Mike Krebs have been fighting with the provincial government to determine what will and will not happen on their land for over 100 On November 18th 2004, the Supreme Court years. For this Indigenous community of Canada issued its ruling on the Haida plagued by conditions of poverty, drug Case (Council of the Haida Nation et al abuse, and humiliation at the hands of v. Minister of Forests and Weyerhaeuser). Canadian colonialism, the battle over In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that Weyerhaeuser’s logging of Haida forests the provincial government has ‘a duty to is significant. An estimated 80 billion consult with and accommodate the Haida’ cubic meters of timber have been taken around the continued logging of an area from Haida Gwaii since 1961, with a total designated by the provincial government estimated value of $8 Billion. To this day as Block 6. the cedar in these forests is highly valuable, Block 6 is a forested area of Haida Gwaii, economically and culturally, for the Haida or the Queen Charlotte Islands, which is the people, who use cedar in the production of traditional territory of the Haida Nation. their world famous totem poles, canoes, and other amazing works of art. A license to harvest lumber from Block 6, known as the Tree Farm License 39, The Haida Case is the latest in a series of was originally given by the provincial court battles that the Haida people have government in 1961 to Macmillan Bloedel. been pushed into as a way to block the Since this time, the provincial government criminal theft of their land and resources, renewed the license 3 times, including in which is carried out by Canadian and 2000. In 1999, the license was transferred American capitalists and administered ‘Spirit of the Earth’ march and rally hosted by the Council of the Haida Nation. to Weyerhaeuser, an international logging through the federal and provincial Vancouver, November 25th 2004. company based in Washington State, governments. when the company took over Macmillan How the government of Canada justifies Bloedel. its colonial policies people. from? Are they actually recent arrivals from the moon?! The Haida never gave consent for this The legal arguments made by the BC The provincial government’s lawyers logging of their resources, have never government in the Haida Case are a painful argued that because the Haida’s title There is vast historical and anthropological signed a treaty with any government giving reminder of this government’s long- to their land has yet to be ‘proven’ and evidence, from both Haida and non-Haida up their sovereignty over these lands, and standing racist policies towards Indigenous recognized formally by the provincial sources, which point to the presence of government or court, that they have no Haida people and their rich culture on right to consult with or accommodate the what is now called the ‘Queen Charlottes’ Haida Nation. They also argued that the going back hundreds (if not thousands) of government of BC can continue granting years. Is this all a big complicated hoax? access to Haida lands and resources to Maybe Indigenous people and the majority Weyerhaeuser until some unspecified time of people in BC forced to live under this in the future, when the Haida ‘proves’ to provincial government need to take these the provincial government that they have government officials and lawyers to a Song of Truth title to this land. Essentially the same doctor to ‘prove’ whether or not they have arguments were put forward by the other brains. interveners in the case, which included Certainly when it comes to their treatment Blood is on the ground, the Federal government, 6 of the 10 other of Indigenous people, the provincial red on red, provincial governments, and the Business and federal governments are racist, Council of BC. and in many ways stupid. But they are there can be no denial, Previous to the Delgamuukw decision of not stupid enough to actually believe 1997, where the Supreme Court ruled that the racist arguments they made in the death has been delivered Aboriginal Title exists throughout virtually Haida Case. The real crime lies in the the entire province of BC (97%), the fact that whichever specific arguments by a white hand, provincial government argued that this title these colonialist governments use when elders and children with eyes closed, did not exist at all, and therefore had no justifying their theft of Indigenous lands reason to consult with Indigenous people and resources, the Haida, or any Indigenous future generations murdered in rage, because they had no rights to the lands that people, are forced to go into court to prove dream for their voice on the survivor’s tongue, are now BC. ANYTHING to the provincial government With both cases, the arguments made concerning their land. would anyone wipe this from memory, by the provincial government and its What legitimacy does the government associates lead to one ridiculous question: of BC have to determine whether or not erase the pain of loss, Did Indigenous people exist in BC prior to the Haida have a ‘legitimate’ claim to its formation as a province? The majority their land? Even by the admission of its smile on the killers, of Indigenous nations in BC never gave own courts, 97% of the land in British bow in thanks, their right to self-determination over to any Columbia is unceded, and was stolen from other government. The only way then that Indigenous people without their consent. be silent to this slaughter the provincial government could argue that Given this fact, what legitimacy does the these rights don’t exist now is if they never government of BC have at all? and others to come, existed in the first place. Buying time, not paying for anything there will be no silence, With the Haida Case, the nonsense else arguments of the provincial government The strategy that the provincial government no drinking of genocide, were only slightly more refined: ‘Until is pursuing against the Haida is the same the speaker must cry a truth, the Haida ‘prove’ in the provincial one it has been using for decades, and is a government’s court that they inhabited common trick of colonialist and imperialist that knife will be met with knife, their territory before it was taken by that governments around the world- When same provincial government, how does people under occupation take action against that the generations will be protected anyone really know if that land belonged the theft of their lands and resources, offer to anyone or not?’ to negotiate on ridiculous terms for some with the sharpness of love. Some basic questions need to be asked ‘future’ settlement. Then continue to steal by intelligent human beings about the from them, watch the negotiations fail, and - By Phil Goldvarg, R.I.P. 2004 provincial government’s reasoning: If start the whole charade over again. Haida Gwaii was not the territory of the Haida people, where did the Haida come Continued on page 26

24 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 25 Colonization, Indigenous People and Poverty in Canada

By Aaron Mercredi According to the 2004 ‘Report the plight of Indigenous children Card on Child Poverty’, issued by committing suicide in the 1990s, Campaign 2000 (a cross-Canada when it was discovered that of “Once I was in Victoria, and I saw organization that builds awareness the 169 Innu children living in a very large house. They told me about the Canadian government’s the isolated community of Davis it was a bank and that white men resolution to end child poverty by Inlet, 80 of them were chronically place their money there to be taken the year 2000), the child poverty addicted to sniffing gasoline, and care of, and that by and by they got rate was 40% among the Native the town began to have one of it back with interest.” children living off-reserve, which the highest suicide rates in the “We are Indians and we have is more than double the average world. The conditions that the no such bank; but when we have for all children in Canada. Despite Innu were living under were a plenty of money or blankets, we the growing Native population in direct result of being displaced give them away to other chiefs and urban centres, few supports are from their traditional territory people, and by and by they return available for Aboriginal families and culture. The Government of them with interest, and our hearts who live in the cities. The report Canada established Davis Inlet in feel good. Our way of giving is our also found that Aboriginal people 1967 for the nomadic Innu people. bank.” are still less likely to be employed With promises of comfortable than non-Native workers and when homes, indoor plumbing and a - Chief Maquinna, Nootka they are employed, they have decent standard of living, the Like every Indigenous nation that the lowest average employment Innu settled there. The promises, has existed within the borders of earnings of all workers. of course, were never kept and what is now Canada, the history Housing conditions that as a result of living in third world of the Nootka from first contact Indigenous people live under conditions, without running with European colonizers is a are also drastically affected by water or a proper sewage system, story of theft, war and genocide. the poverty that is so entrenched and being displaced from their In fact, the land that the British in everyday life. According to traditional livelihoods, alcoholism, acquired from the Nootka, on Statistics Canada, Aboriginal drug abuse and tuberculosis began the South-East tip of Vancouver people were more than twice as to run rampant. Island, is what enabled them to likely to live in homes requiring Chief Maquinna’s observations on solution to hundreds of years of to fight back. Whether it is the begin to lay claim to all of the major repairs than non-Indigenous the difference between the values poverty current struggle of the Secwepemc Western coast of North America. people living in Canada, and the of generous Indigenous nations “The dominant society teaches us people against the expansion of The clashing of two cultures with homes of all Aboriginal people that inhabit North America and Sun Peaks ski resort on to more opposing economic needs and aims to be in front, be aggressive...Our were more crowded than those of the values of European colonizers culture teaches us not to compete of their unceded territory, or the led to the destruction of communal all other Canadians throughout the ring true when looking at cases like continuing fight for Mi’kmaq Indigenous society and has brought but to cooperate with each other, country. Davis Inlet, the high concentration to find balance [and] unity. We fishing rights at Burnt Church, with it the state of poverty and of Indigenous people in the foundation of these struggles displacement that exists among Through these conditions of go as fast as the slowest person. Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, The warriors need to lead from is deeply rooted in the history and them today. poverty, the health and well being relationship that has always existed of Indigenous people is severely and the position of the majority of the back. ” – Phillip Whiteman, The impact of colonization is still Indigenous people within Canada. Northern Cheyenne between the Canadian ruling class affected. Campaign 2000 reported and Indigenous people here. felt by every Indigenous person that Aboriginal children were The very core of this problem living in Canada, because the war is that in order to establish a As Canada was consolidating itself four times as likely to go hungry and figuring out how to deal with As the Canadian ruling class of extermination and destruction as non-Aboriginal children. The settler state on top of the backs of continues to try to solve its that began with first contact has Indigenous nations, the destruction the ‘Indian problem,’ the solutions desperation felt by this hardship that it has come up with have economic crisis by plundering never ended. Indigenous people are is represented by the high level of those nations and suppression third world countries like kept poor and displaced within a of their development and their been in the form of different Acts of alcoholism, drug abuse and and Bills. All of this legislation Afghanistan and Haiti, and as it country rich in land and resources. suicides that run rampant from communal economies became the continues to steal more Indigenous first criminal choice for European was designed to exterminate Indigenous people’s inherent rights land in Canada, it also continues and to suppress any independent its attacks on all oppressed people governance that existed among within its borders. Whether it is the different nations. Through the the cuts to welfare and minimum White Paper, and more recently, wage, or attacks on unionized and the First Nations Governance non-unionized labour, poverty Act, the Government of Canada is on the rise among all working is not actually interested in and oppressed people. The shaky Indigenous people having full self- and destructive system that is determination, but rather in further exploiting all people in Canada entrenching the Government of benefits from the divisions created Canada’s interference in these among different oppressed layers affairs. of our society. When Mi’kmaq at Burnt Church were asserting their As long as the Government of rights to fish for lobster in their Canada maintains its grip on waters, the Canadian government suppressing Indigenous nations and the Department of Fisheries from developing their own and Oceans clouded the actual governance, and from having issue of the Mi’kmaq’s rights by control over their own land and pitting non-Indigenous fishermen, resources, Indigenous people will who also depended on the lobster, be kept poor. In order for Indigenous against them. people to pull themselves out of the depths of hunger and homelessness Overcoming the divisions created that Canada has plunged them into, and fuelled by the Canadian ruling Indigenous people need to regain class is essential for any gains to their self-determination. be made by oppressed people on this land. By overcoming these The ‘Indigenous Problem:’ not divisions, Indigenous people and just a problem for Indigenous non-Indigenous people can work Indian Reserve house with missing windows on Guilford Island, BC. people together, as we each have a lot to For as long as the Canadian ruling offer. Just as the government of Of the many ways that Indigenous North to South, and East to West settlers. This trend enforced and Canada makes attacks on workers people fare much worse than the along Indigenous communities. accelerated stealing more land class has been suppressing the self-determination of Indigenous and Indigenous people alike, average person in Canada, one of According to Statistics Canada, and resources from Indigenous both have the ability to defend the most blatant examples is the Indigenous people are three times nations. As a result of the hundreds people, and trampling their inherent rights to the land themselves on their own front. level of poverty that exists among more likely to commit suicide than of years of war that ravaged Looking at the waves of solidarity Indigenous people. Through the general Canadian population, Indigenous nations, most have and resources, resistance to colonization has existed. Just as that come any time Indigenous research that has been collected with the highest rate being among been displaced from their original people assert their rights on this over the last decade, Statistics women between the ages of 15 territories and cut off from their millions of Indigenous people lost their lives fighting for their land, or looking at the huge blow Canada reported in 1995 that and 24, who are overwhelmingly traditional economies, forced on to the functioning of every day life 55.6 percent of Aboriginal people 8 times more likely to commit to small parcels of land through the dignity and livelihood throughout the beginning of the conquest of that can be caused when workers living in cities were living in suicide than the general Canadian reservation system. Every problem strike against unfair wages and poverty, compared to 24 percent population. facing Indigenous people today is a this land, resistance continues today. Looking at what hundreds unsafe working conditions, we can of non-Aboriginal people. Since Colonization: the Source of direct result of the theft of land and see that allying ourselves together then, the economic conditions resources by the colonial forces. of years of colonization has done Indigenous poverty to Indigenous people, they have is key to achieving any justice on that Indigenous people have Self-Determination: the only this land. lived under have not changed. World attention was brought to continually been put in the position

24 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 25 The Haida Case and the Indigenous Struggle for Self-Determination

From page 24 Part of the decision in the people. It is a reminder of how Haida Case actually clarified much these governments have In BC, this strategy has a long and the capitalists’ division of taken, and continue to take, from criminal history, where in many tasks for future pillaging of the original inhabitants of what situations Indigenous people Indigenous resources. The court is now Canada, a first-world have spent decades fighting the did this by ruling that the prime country which tries to force same court case over something responsibility for ‘consulting with Indigenous people to live as as basic as title to their land. and accommodating’ Indigenous beggars on their own land. This ‘Government’ interests and people lies with the government, is the continued theft, not only of ‘Industry’ interests: Two limbs NOT with Weyerhaeuser. This Indigenous lands and resources, of the same beast puts the heat on the provincial but the theft of hopes and dreams. and federal governments to do a So long as the government of The Haida Case highlights better job of ensuring access to Canada continues to suppress another historical aspect of BC, Indigenous lands and resources the right of Indigenous people which is the relationship between without disruption, while the to self-determination, its rotten the companies that pillage companies that pull in the bulk foundation will only cause more Indigenous lands and resources, of the profits from these deals suffering for Indigenous people. and the provincial and federal are unlikely to ever have to cough governments that administer this. The pillaging of Indigenous up in the event that Indigenous lands and resources is a Before the region that is now people successfully assert fundamental characteristic of British Columbia was established their rights and challenge the the Canadian government, and as a Canadian province, it was legitimacy of these deals. its capitalist economy requires it. The Canadian ruling class cannot afford to have Indigenous people assert their right to self- determination: its economy is in crisis (even with the free ride it gets at the expense of Indigenous people) and any success of Indigenous people in ending this colonial relationship would strike the very foundations of Canadian exploitation. For this reason, it is important for all poor, working, and oppressed people in Canada to support Indigenous people when they are struggling against attacks by Canadian colonialism. This Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, lawyer representing the Council includes the struggle of the of the Haida Nation in the Haida case, speaking at press Haida for the right to control conference about the case in Vancouver, November 18th their forests, the struggle of the Mi’kmaq people in Burnt Church 2004. to harvest their lobster resources, and the struggle of residential made up of two British colonies, Indigenous people respond to school survivors to seek a just British Columbia and Vancouver the Haida Case solution and compensation Island. James Douglas was the 1st With all this in mind, the for generations of abuse and governor of the BC colony and announcement of the Haida Case destruction at the hands of the the 2nd governor of Vancouver decision aroused a lot of interest Canadian ‘Education’ system. Island. A high-ranking and among Indigenous and non- These struggles of Indigenous wealthy businessman with the Indigenous people in Vancouver, people for self-determination Hudson’s Bay Company, Douglas in BC, and across Canada. A directly challenge the same lobbied the British government to press conference called by the governments that are currently establish these colonies, and then Council of the Haida Nation in attacking all poor, working, and used his position as governor Vancouver on November 18th oppressed people in Canada. They to establish a monopoly for the drew out over 300 people, mostly also awaken people to their need Hudson’s Bay Company over Indigenous, who gathered to the lands, resources, and trading to defend their rights against the find out about the case and the refugee rights, and the right to on any section of poor, oppressed, market in these colonies. Essential Canadian ruling class whenever analysis of it by representatives decent healthcare and education, and working people in Canada. to the success of Douglas’ plan it is seeking to reap even more from the Haida Council, the First all of these must be fought for and As part of this program, the was expropriating this land from profits through the suppression of Nations Summit, and lawyers defended, and we must recognize demand of self-determination for several Indigenous nations, while our basic rights. Workers’ rights, with EAGLE, an Indigenous the necessity of a united program Indigenous people is absolutely refusing to negotiate or recognize women’s rights, immigrant and legal society that brought the that can effectively defeat attacks essential. these nations. Haida Case to court on behalf of This same approach continues the Haida Nation. with the way that the provincial This press conference was and federal governments ‘grant’ followed by a march and rally access to Indigenous lands to through downtown Vancouver companies like Weyerhaeuser, on November 18th called ‘Spirit which rely on the government of the Earth’. Hosted by the to keep Indigenous people, the Council of the Haida Nation to poorest section of people living draw attention to the Haida Case in Canada, from acting to stop and what it means for Indigenous billions of dollars in resources people in Canada. The rally from being sucked out of their drew out over 600 mostly communities. Indigenous people. The Haida As with the Haida, this often Case has also fueled discussion means attacks through the among Indigenous people in courts and filibustering with their communities about what ‘negotiations,’ but it also includes the Haida Case means for them, the use of more explicitly violent and how it fits into the overall arms of the government such as struggle of Indigenous people for the RCMP and military. In the last self-determination. two decades alone, Indigenous Indigenous people have an people asserting their rights were interest in the Haida Case because violently suppressed by these it is only the latest example of arms of the government 3 times, the dishonest and treacherous in Oka, Gustafson Lake, and ways that provincial and federal Burnt Church. governments suppress Indigenous

26 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 27 Struggles in Canada EDITORIAL

In Defense of the Principles of Working Class Struggle: Against Violence in the Working Class Movement

By Fire This Time Sedaghat, who also works at the 2003. Elsewhere in this issue of same store, and called her, “Rat! Fire This Time we have called for Editorial Board Police Agent! Informer! Scum! Justin’s release from prison for Authoritarian...” these charges. However, no matter On December 2nd 2004 a mob what he has done elsewhere, Even in the months prior to nd of six people marched into the these attacks on the Fire This Justin’s actions on December 2 workplace of Fire This Time Time newspaper and its Editorial stand alone and must be opposed editorial board member and well- Board, people associated with this by all progressive minded people known political organizer Ivan mob had attacked Fire This Time and organizations as police-like Drury. Justin Goodman, Brad political editor Ali Yerevani. On tactics that are a destructive force Taylor, two people we know as many occasions in 2003 and in the progressive movement. ‘Altona’ and ‘Leon’ and two 2004 one of these people, Mike While it is possible to understand people we could not identify Seale, approached Ali, a refugee from their few words that these rushed into the back of the claimant at the time, and told him people have political differences grocery store, surrounded Ivan he wished he would be deported with Fire This Time, the form of and threatened him with raised from Canada. Other people their attacks on us are not political fists, asking if he was prepared to associated with Mike Seale - at least they are not rooted in die. They circled him and yelled, have also called Ali an agent of any politics of the struggles of “Rat! Authoritarian! Agent! CSIS and the CIA in person and working or oppressed people in Totalitarian! Leninist...” and said, Fire This Time Organizer Ivan Drury speaking at rally during over email lists and postings on this world. “Fire This Time is an authoritarian Woodward’s squat in Vancouver, September 23rd 2002. websites. paper that is the friend of agents Terms of Struggle in the like Kelly White.” One of these attackers, Justin Working Class Movement in up to with this same grouping them into the street. As they left Goodman, has recently been 2005 When Ivan picked up a phone of people stealing the stack of they yelled at Fire This Time thrown in jail for his involvement to call the police the mob left, Fire This Time newspapers kept Editorial Board member Nasim in a protest at the beginning of horking gobs of spit on him and in the store. In groups of two Continued on page 32 saying, “We’ll get you later,” and, they went into the store every “We’ll see you again, Rat.” day or two to take the stack of This police-like attack was led papers by the door and throw Student Rights, Democratic Free Justin Goodman! Rights Under Attack: Defend the Rights Fighting the Expulsion of Social Justice Activist of Immigrants and Dan Freeman-Maloy by York University Refugees in Canada! By Shannon Bundock By Ivan Drury airport lobby and into the middle of the crowd of protestors. Kobra In April 2004, Dan Freeman- and the guard were surrounded th Maloy was expelled from York On Friday January 17 2003 and Kobra broke free. She ran University in relation to his Kobra and Hassan went in to out of the airport and escaped participation and organizing what they thought was a routine the custody of the immigration of actions in solidarity with interview at Immigration Canada. officers. Palestine. Dan became well- At this interview they were Security guards and police known on campuses across arrested and put in detention. Canada as he fought York’s For Kobra Nateghi and her 21- officers scrambled to arrest and detain the activists who remained illegitimate proceedings and year-old son Hassan Esmat, who attack on his democratic rights. had both been refused refugee behind. Among these detained activists, who were fighting for The expulsion of Dan was status and issued an overnight eventually repealed with the deportation order to Iran, this the rights of refugees, was Justin Goodman, a 19-year-old man support of people across Canada arrest meant a personal crisis and and after a public fight against a fight for their lives. who had gone to the airport to oppose the deportation and was the York administration. st On Tuesday January 21 around amongst the crowd that Kobra This fall, Fire This Time spoke Dan Freeman-Maloy debating with zionist at York, 30 people gathered at the had run through. with Dan Freeman-Maloy in March 16th 2003. Vancouver airport to protest the Toronto, Ontario, where he lives. Refugee rights on trial: deportation. Hassan, having been We discussed his case, the fight activities. How this is playing in line with the interests of the denied medication for the past Justin Goodman’s 12-member to build solidarity with Palestine out at York specifically relates to school’s increasingly influential three days in jail, suffered an jury trial started on November and the need for students and all a set of very sharp contradictions corporate backers, including epileptic seizure when handcuffed 15th. Although video evidence people in Canada to defend their that exist on campus. On the many with deep ties to the Israeli to a seat on the plane. The police showed Justin merely standing rights to organize. one hand, progressive politics apartheid government. Further, have historically been quite a right-wing movement has put him in a headlock, his mother in the crowd and not directly FTT: Can you give us some strong on campus, and dynamic emerged within the student body yelled for him to be released and involved in Kobra’s escape, the background on your expulsion antiwar and solidarity activism itself, with what its activists the pilot refused to fly with them prosecution’s case rested entirely case, why you were expelled galvanized the campus around the would call “Israel advocacy” on the plane, protesting to the on the testimony of the security from York University and with 2003 invasion of Iraq. At York as a principal focus, but with police that their agitated presence guard who had held Kobra what reason? put other passengers in jeopardy. Nateghi. He claimed that he was as elsewhere, this movement has a much broader reactionary “95% to 97%” sure that Justin Dan: I was expelled from York as integrated Palestine solidarity agenda. My expulsion is best They were taken off the plane in part of a broad trend of Canadian quite centrally into its politics understood in this context. plastic handcuffs and Kobra was had been involved in Kobra’s escape. On November 18th Justin university administrations and its focus. On the other led, alone with a single security seeking to assert increasing hand, York’s administration is guard, through the middle of the Continued on page 30 control over student political eager to reshape the campus Continued on page 30

26 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 27 Justice for Metropolitan Hotels Workers! Justice for Emily Tang! How Racism & Discrimination Affect Immigrant Workers An Interview with Emily Tang and John Clarke in Toronto

By Ivan Drury him. He went to the union and asked for assistance and got no help at all. He sent several letters Emily Tang and John Clarke are to the president asking for help members of both the Metropolitan and nothing happened. Finally, he Hotel Workers Committee was very scared that they would (MHWC) and organizers with the set him up on criminal charges Ontario Coalition Against Poverty because he had access to the hotel (OCAP). Emily, a long-time worker rooms, so against the advice of at the hotel, founded the MHWC Carlos who was still working in January of 2004 because of there, he quit his job. the mounting grievances from the workers at the hotel that the union Even under capitalist legal codes, - HERE UNITE! - was unable to that’s regarded as constructive address. OCAP got involved as dismissal. After that, the head of supporters of the MHWC and the security sent an e-mail out to all two groups have worked together the hotels saying, “You don’t want for justice for workers at the to hire this guy, we put pressure on hotel against the exploitation and him and he quit.” discrimination of the owners and The union reluctantly asked management ever since. the company about it and the Since the majority of the workers company said, “Well, it’s true are immigrants and women, that the e-mail was sent” but the particularly in the kitchen, where head of security, even though he Emily works, the struggle for signed it ‘head of security’ was not justice at the Metropolitan Hotel actually functioning as the head of is really a struggle in defense of security at the time. The union the most vulnerable workers in said, ok, well nothing can be done. Canada. The MHWC faces great So Saheed remains fired. challenges because of this and Emily Tang: This same security because it is also a struggle for guard that harassed Saheed and immigrant rights and women’s another worker named Mohammed rights. In October Fire This Time harassed Pedro too. They knew had a chance to sit down with Emily Tang speaking at a Metropolitan Hotel Workers Committee rally, October 2004. that Pedro was using a recorder Emily and John in Toronto and to prove that the harassment was discuss this struggle. His situation is really bad because didn’t want to have him back at They made an agreement with happening. This security guard FTT: What was the reason that he had been fighting with the the hotel because he was the one Pedro that they would provide pretended that she was concerned you formed the Metropolitan management for years about who fought for the rights of the representation, but the next day about his injury and approached Hotel Workers Committee? unfair treatment, about scheduling workers since he started to work they told him that there’s nothing him three or four times one and harassment, but at the end there - he’s been working there for that can be done. That’s why the night when he was working and Emily Tang: The Metropolitan he just collapsed. He fell to the eight years. committee has become necessary. walked him to the elevator. She Hotel Workers Committee formed held his arm and said, “Pedro, floor while he was working, John Clarke: In the Ontario Also, after 9-11, the latest victims at the beginning of January 2004, Pedro what do you have? Do during a reception. They called an Labour Relations Act section 74 have been Muslim. One example because there had been a lot of you have a knife or something?” ambulance and they wouldn’t take is the piece of legislation where was around a worker named grievances from the workers and she reached into his jacket him back because he collapsed. you file for non-representation Saheed. Because he was a devout against the Metropolitan Hotel, and pulled out his recorder. but I don’t know what the union He had to try to prove his case, the which is a pretty forlorn piece of Muslim he was praying during did with the grievances, they just company was supposed to modify legislation. his breaks and the security had disappeared. his duties but he didn’t get it. They targeted him and were harassing Continued on page 29 FTT: What was the nature of the grievances themselves? Emily Tang: Well the nature of the grievances were harassment, seniority, and the management. Metropolitan Hotel Targets Oppressed Workers I’ve been working there for eight years and nine out of ten times, From page 1 the language that we speak at the One worker at the Metropolitan, employment and likelihood of when we ask for a lunch or dinner hotel.” Emily Tang, remains suspended being taken advantage of. First break we get the time deducted management. After being found for being publicly critical of her of all, most are immigrants and from our cheques, when we are The Metropolitan Hotel has praying during his break, he was employer. people of color, some living not supposed to. It’s basically like targeted many Muslim workers accused of improper conduct. a full day worked for free on each and has also denied black Now, the Hotel has adopted a without full status in Canada and cheque. The harassment reached a level workers food serving positions. new policy, dated October 15, under constant threat of detention where, in a state of extreme Housekeeping workers have 2004, that places all Metropolitan and deportation. Second of all, FTT: Can you tell us a story emotional stress, he was forced for many English is not their about one of the cases? had to use dangerous chemicals workers under the same threat to offer his resignation. without proper training or should they dare to speak out first language and therefore they Emily Tang: Well, one of the cases Pedro Vanegas also worked protection. It has been common against employer abuses and have language barriers, as well was with one of my co-workers at the Metropolitan Hotel and practice for managers to deny oppressive working conditions. as foreign accents. Thirdly, they named Pedro, he was given a suffered under management’s legal meal and rest breaks to are part of the lowest paid, most warning for speaking Spanish to “The Hotel will formally warn, exploited layer of the working abuse. Pedro was disciplined workers. One supervisor harassed discipline and terminate if another co-worker in the kitchen. for speaking Spanish to another employees to the point that he class in Canada. He worked in the same department necessary, an employee who worker. Jeremy Roncoroni, the stood waiting for them outside the participates directly or indirectly Many workers in this sector as me, the banquet department. Metropolitan’s general manager, door when they went to use the do not know much about their There’s a lot of unfair treatment. in activities or actions designed commented saying he expects washroom. Injured workers have to harm the Hotel”. democratic rights in Canada. It’s discrimination between people staff to speak the same language been denied modified duties and An overwhelming majority of who speak Spanish and other as hotel guests, in accordance have had their injuries intensify. All of the workers who have had the Metropolitan workers have workers. Pedro tried to file a with hotel policy. “It’s extremely Those who have spoken out have their democratic rights attacked not only been exploited by the grievance and the union wouldn’t rude if I was talking to somebody been victimized and driven from by the Metropolitan Hotel take it up. in a different language other than employment. have some things in common which increase their barriers to Continued on page 29 28 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 29 Vancouver Activists in Action to Defend Emily Tang

By Noah Fine and of Latino workers for speaking Spanish. greeted by hostile but nervous employees Her speech that night was in “violation” of a and management. A formal letter directed written warning issued by the Metropolitan to Henry Wu (the owner of both branches of Defend Emily Tang! On Thursday October 18th a contingency that if she spoke out in public against the the Metropolitan) and Judy Ahola (manager of people erupted in downtown Vancouver hotel she would be fired. of Public Relations at the Vancouver hotel) From page 28 in solidarity with hotel workers in Toronto. th was handed out to the employees and management of the Metropolitan, but This protest took place in light of attacks by On October 9 Emily reported in for work. also face oppression at the hands of She was then called into the office at the management, as well as customers. One of the Metropolitan Hotel in Toronto directed the Canadian government. On top of hotel for a meeting with management and the managers became visibly aggressive and at the employees of that branch. Members the violations of their rights in the was issued an immediate suspension. Since insisted that the contingent exit the building; of Fire This Time Movement For Social workplace, they are victims of systemic Emily’s suspension employees at the Toronto however Shannon Bundock coordinator of Justice, Youth 3rd World Alliance, No One the Fire This Time Movement for Social discrimination, racism, increased threat is Illegal, and other independent people hotel still face attacks by the management in the form of letters being dropped in the Justice on behalf of the protesters demanded of deportation, threat of detention and came together to protest the numerous cases that they be allowed to give the letter attacks which have escalated after of harassment by the management at the workers mailboxes. The letters were aimed at organizers with the Metropolitan Hotel directly to Judy Ahola. They were then September 11, 2001 against Middle- Metropolitan Hotel in Toronto and against told that Judy had already left for the day. Eastern people, Moslems and people of the suspension of an employee there. Workers Committee and Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP). It was then made it clear by the protesters color. rd to hotel management that they would be In Toronto, on September 23 Emily Tang, a Given the oppressed demographics attacks Based on the growing attacks on the back until this protest is heard, justice at worker at the Metropolitan Hotel in Toronto on the democratic rights of Metropolitan Metropolitan workers in Toronto Fire the Metropolitan Hotel is restored, and and a central organizer with the Metropolitan hotel workers must be recognized This Time organized a protest around Emily Tang is fully reinstated. The protest Hotel Workers Committee (MHWC) and the as part of the “war at home” being Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), the entrance of the Metropolitan Hotel in then moved outside to protest and formed a Vancouver. At the beginning of protest Ivan picket in front of the hotel with chants led by waged by imperialist nations, including spoke at the opening of a film presentation Canada. These attacks are not isolated about immigrant workers’ rights. In her talk Drury (organizer with Fire This Time) spoke Tamara Hansen organizer with Youth Third about the injustice that had taken place. The World Alliance, demanding “Justice for occurrences, they are the products of a she spoke about the attacks and harassment carefully constructed climate of fear and by the Metropolitan Hotel’s management group then marched into the hotel and Emily Tang,” and “Reinstate Emily Tang.” proceeded to occupy the lobby. They were repression. This climate is a far-reaching of Muslim workers at the hotel for praying continuation of Canada’s foreign policy which is typified in their occupations of Haiti and Afghanistan. This is a policy of full-out war and occupation, killing and suppressing people abroad. When Emily Tang is speaking out as a representative of oppressed workers, she is a symbol of resistance to these unjust conditions. She is a figure of struggle against the repeated attacks on different immigrants and poor workers at the Metropolitan hotel in Canada, while at the same time a figure of struggle against all Canada’s repressive measures which have put people of color and immigrants in such an oppressed position. In this recent case working people must defend Emily because she is voicing immigrant workers’ interest and defending their rights. Through defending herself, and the most exploited layer of the working class, Emily is on the front lines of a fight to improve the position of all poor and working people against their bosses. As people of color, as immigrants, as women and most of all, as workers, we must demand that Emily Tang be reinstated immediately and that all the laws which remove workers democratic rights from work places be eliminated. For more information and support please visit www.metropolitanhotelsworkers.org.

attending the pickets and we have meetings Rally in Vancouver supporting workers under attack by the Metropolitan Hotel in Toronto, Otober 18th 2004. every second Wednesday to see what we can do to help the workers. We have had a lot of support from these people. We are also going to go for support from the Toronto District Labour Council, we are going to bring one of the warning letters that Pedro got for Interview with Emily Tang and John Clarke Continued speaking Spanish. FTT: Is there anything people in HERE-UNITE, the union, has said nothing. with management and the union rep and said Vancouver can do to help? From page 28 We have tried, for the last 2 or 3 months, to to them, “I’m about to lose my housing and have pickets every Friday. They have done be homeless.” The union rep said, in front of Emily Tang: There is a Metropolitan Hotel She said, “Oh, I’m going to keep this.” When nothing. The hotel even organized a picket management, “You should like that, you’re in Vancouver. The owner is Henry Wu as he finished his shift he asked for his recorder line against us. They distributed this letter in OCAP, they’re all homeless.” well and it is non-union. People could take back and thought that she was nice, he didn’t against us and against OCAP, and even our demands to the Hotel in Vancouver as FTT: What are the demands of the well and can get more information from the even tell me that it happened. printed it in Chinese because there are a big committee at this point? number of Chinese workers at the hotel. MHWC website at www.metropolitanhotels Two days later he was called in for a meeting Emily Tang: About the chemicals that the workers.org. and was given a warning for carrying a FTT: What has Henry Wu and the housekeeping workers have to use, about FTT: Emily and John, thank-you for your recorder. Then he realized that he had been Metropolitan Hotel’s response to the conditions, and the main thing is for Pedro to set up. committee been so far? time and for your commitment to the get his job back. struggle for the rights of workers at the FTT: What actions has the MHWC taken Emily Tang: I was given a letter saying that FTT: What are the next actions of the Metropolitan Hotel. in pursuit of justice for workers at the I couldn’t speak out or I’d be fired. MHWC? Metropolitan Hotel? * In September Emily received a warning John Clarke: We delivered a letter to the Emily Tang: We will be targeting the other from her bosses that if she continued to Emily Tang: Actually, our first rally was in president of the union that in the event that businesses owned by Henry Wu, the owner speak out publicly against the conditions front of the hotel in February of 2004 with our Emily’s free speech is stifled then the union of the Metropolitan Hotel. at the Metropolitan then she would be fired. demands. We also had about 50 supporters has the responsibility to defend it. They’ve This threat was followed through when Emily go up to the union office to demand they file even defended pedophiles and Nazis, so FTT: What can people who are not was suspended on October 9th. See the report the grievances and also accountability to the certainly Emily qualifies. There has been no workers in the hotel but are supporters of in this issue of Fire This Time on the action workers, that was in March, and we have had response from the union. the MHWC do in order to support you? that FTT organized to demand, “Reinstate no response from the union. Also, Pedro was in a meeting the other day Emily Tang: There are many people Emily Tang!”

28 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 29 Defend Students Democratic Rights!

From page 27 The second demonstration was to facilitate Israeli expansionism. planned as a simple theatrical Recently, Canadian officials have In late April 2004, I received a depiction of a checkpoint in a indicated that they are attempting letter from York President Lorna central space on campus, after to move towards lending greater Marsden notifying me that if I set which we paid a visit to a nearby diplomatic cover to Israeli foot on campus for the three years office of Caterpillar (the company policies by voting with them following May 1, 2004, I would that produces the bulldozers against resolutions in defense of be issued a trespass notice. The with which Palestinian homes Palestinian rights at the United letter justified this punishment are routinely demolished). This Nations. with reference to my use of a demonstration was timed to mark FTT: Since the repeal of the megaphone at two on-campus the first anniversary of the death of expulsion you have launched a demonstrations, the first on International Solidarity Movement second stage in this fight, can October 16, 2003, and the second (ISM) activist Rachel Corrie, who you explain what you are doing on March 16, 2004. was run over and killed by a to take this to the next level? Caterpillar bulldozer while trying The first of these demonstrations Dan: On one hand, we’re doing was titled “Israeli Defense Forces to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home in Rafah, in the all we can to continue to press for (IDF) Appreciation Day,” and our rights to dissent on campus, featured the mayor of an illegal Gaza Strip. This demonstration, in which some 30-40 activists especially in the face of renewed Israeli settlement in the West administration attacks. The case Bank speaking through a sound participated, was met with an aggressive militarist response by of David Noble, for example, a system to militarist activists York professor who was publicly who had congregated sporting some 150 right-wing activists who chanted down, spat on, and attacked for handing out literature IDF paraphernalia. A counter- drawing attention to the links demonstration, which was quite in some instances physically attacked our demonstration. between York’s administration tame, given the circumstances, and prominent Canadian “Israel was organized in which anti- Other activities I have been advocates”, highlights the militarist and Palestine solidarity involved in seeking to support, problems that we continue to activists, including myself, the Metropolitan Hotel Workers face. distributed literature and spoke out Committee, a rank and file Regarding my case specifically, against this sick and provocative organization struggling against Dan Freeman-Maloy. event. It should be noted that this management abuses at a downtown though, we are suing the event was held on a campus where Toronto hotel owned by a York administration for misfeasance in many students or their families financial backer [Henry Wu], were FTT: With growing sympathy More specifically, the capacity public office, conspiracy to injure, have been directly affected by the also cited later in the summer and solidarity for Palestine we of the Israeli state to sustain its defamation, abuse of power, and a IDF’s policies of ethnic cleansing by the administration to justify see an increase in attacks against repression of the Palestinian variety of other things for which and repression. In this same my expulsion. However, the activists who are working to uprising relies most crucially on we may be able to hold them month, October 2003, President administration’s firm conviction to defend Palestine. Although this U.S. support, but also on support legally accountable. This is still in Marsden introduced an acting crack down on Palestine solidarity attack against you is a severe and from allies like Canada. Israel its early stages, but will hopefully Likud minister that was speaking activism, even when doing so significant case, it is also a part is the only country in the region be another means of eroding their on campus [Natan Sharansky] as a means appearing to side with of a larger fight, specifically to to enjoy a free trade agreement authority and creating constraints “champion of human rights”. quite actively militarist Zionists, shut down the antiwar movement, with Canada, from which it has upon the administration’s political is at the root of this issue. which is growing on campuses profited to the tune of billions conduct so as to free up space to and among students and is allied of dollars. Canadian companies continue organizing and pressing with the Palestinian struggle for such as Nortel, the Canadian our demands on campus. sovereignty. In BC, we are seeing Infrastructure Corporation, CAE, the attacks increase against pro- and SNC Tech provide military FTT: Dan, thank you for the VDLC Resolutions Continued Palestine activists, in particular and transportation infrastructure interview. with the case of the ‘Langara 2’, in which two antiwar activists From page 1 law; and Kira Daley and Nicole Burton Whereas: Any US solider who were banned from the Langara local affiliated public and has the courage and honor to Students’ Union building by the private sector trade unions. On refuse to participate in an illegal students’ union executive board, many occasion in the history of war deserves our full support; a case which you are also aware Free Justin Goodman! labour struggle the VDLC has now of. Can you give us an assessment stood on the side of working of what this increased polarization people in Canada, such as calling Therefore be it resolved: That means and why it is important for the Vancouver and District From page 27 herself back in to immigration. Canada’s first general strike in people in Canada, in particular In order to intimidate and scare 1918. Almost 90 years later, Labour Council, through the students, to organize in defense CLC, demand that the Canadian Goodman was convicted of refugees throughout Canada and with more than 60,000 workers of Palestine as well as our “assault on a peace officer” and to try to suppress their dignified behind them, the VDLC’s three government demonstrate its fundamental right to organize on “assisting escape from lawful resistance Immigration Canada resolutions on November 16th commitment to international law campuses? custody.” On December 7th he deported her and her son the show that the council is an and the treaties to which it is a was sentenced to 90 days in jail. very next day. effective and important tool of signatory, by making provision Dan: For people who want to build the labour movement in Canada. for War Resisters to have a social movement against the In the flight of Kobra Nateghi With Justin Goodman in his sanctuary in Canada; and patterns of conquest, domination Immigration Canada saw jail cell and with refugees in Yes to War Resisters and exploitation that more and the faces of the ten thousand detention centres across the Be it further resolved: That the more people are beginning to Showing leadership on a national Vancouver and District Labour refugees that they deported in country all working, poor and level, the VDLC passed a motion describe as empire, the strength of 2003 and in Justin Goodman oppressed people must stand Council support War Resisters Palestine solidarity movements is in defense of US soldiers who they saw an example to be made. against these intimidation such as Jeremy Hinzman, central. The Palestinian struggle have fled the US army and are In the judge’s pronouncement tactics. We must fight against Brandon Hughey, Dave Sanders has long been a reference point for seeking refuge in Canada. This condemning Justin to 90-days the criminalization of protest and others seeking refuge in movements against colonialism resolution directly supports in jail he cited “deterrence and dissent and defend the right Canada. and imperialism across the world the cases of three former US- and denunciation” as the main of immigrants, refugees and all soldiers who have made refugee No to the Safe Streets Act – this is most obviously the case in the Arab world, but can also justification for the sentence. working and oppressed people to claims in Canada in order The second resolution dealt with be seen in the orientation of Just what did he mean to deter organize for their rights against to avoid participating in the the rights of poor people in BC (for example) the South African and denounce by this decision? the reactionary attacks of the occupation of Iraq. These three under the BC Liberal government. anti-apartheid movement and the There has been no rash of government of Canada. Today, War Resisters are just the visible The “Safe Streets Act”, passed Sandinistas in Nicaragua to the dramatic escapes of refugees in defense of these fundamental crest of the wave of dissent that in the fall of 2004, takes aim Palestine Liberation Organization, from airports since Kobra broke rights, we must demand: FREE is building within the US army at some of the most vulnerable as against the Israeli state’s free in 2003. In fact, there has not JUSTIN GOODMAN! against the occupation of Iraq. people in BC. It criminalizes alliance with Apartheid South been one single repetition of this This resolution in support of panhandling, ‘squeegeeing’ and Send a letter of protest to Africa, dictator Somoza and later means of avoiding deportation War Resisters demonstrates an even ‘trespassing’ in parking lots demand ‘Free Justin Goodman’ the US backed reactionary military anywhere in Canada. internationalist sentiment that is in a desperate attempt to displace to: Attorney General Geoff force of the Nicaraguan Contras. essential to the labour movement. poor and homeless people within It is not the individual escape Plante, PO Box 9044 STN This pattern extends quite readily The resolution reads: cities and towns throughout BC. of any single refugee that the PROV GOVT, Victoria BC; to the present and this is natural. In With their resolution against this judge was seeking to deter V8W 9E2 Whereas: The people of Iraq Palestine, we see colonialism in its act, the VDLC recognizes that and denounce, it is the dignity, have never constituted a threat crudest form and with the starkest Send a letter of support to Justin attacks on poor and homeless resistance, confidence and against the people of the US or contrasts, as a dispossessed, Goodman at: Justin Raymond people by Gordon Campbell are organization of refugees and Canada; and stateless nation sustains fierce Goodman (CS# 05645338) c/o attacks on all of the working oppressed people that the judge resistance against one of the Fraser Regional Correctional Whereas: The US invasion and class in BC. The resolution reads: sought to strike down. The night occupation of Iraq is immoral world’s major military powers in Centre (Unit 1D); PO Box 1500 of her escape with the advice of Maple Ridge BC V2X 7G3 and illegal under international Continued on page 45 the face of overwhelming odds. her legal council Kobra turned

30 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 31 Security Certificates: The Government’s Racist Witch-Hunt War in Canada

By Ivan Drury Middle Eastern countries, all sources and double and triple refugees or permanent residents hearsay -- sloppy evidence that in Canada, all have been arrested would be flatly rejected under “[Security Certificates are on ‘Security Certificates’ and all regular rules of law. Without constitutional] in terms of are undergoing secret trials in a fair and vigorous chance to striking the right balance the name of Canadian ‘national cross-examine, a fair trial is between national security and security’ based on the accusation impossible.” -Montreal Gazette, human rights.” - Anne McLellan, that they are involved or May 28th 2003 Minister of Public Safety, associated with ‘terrorism.’ The December 10th 2004 Security Certificate legislation, arrest and continued detention embedded in the Immigration Right now Mohammad of these five men is significant and Refugee Protection Act, is a Mahjoub (June 2000 to present), because of two very key points: blank cheque for the Canadian Mohammad Jabbalah (August First, because of who they are Security Intelligence Service 2001 to present), Hassan Almrei - Arab and Muslim men. (CSIS) to arrest and detain any (October 2001 to present), Second, because of how they non-citizen in Canada on the Mohammad Harkat (December suspicion that they are involved 2002 to present) and Adil have been attacked - through the absolute loss of their rights in or associated with ‘terrorism.’ Charkaoui (May 2003 to present) The certificates are unilaterally are sitting in jails in Ontario because of who they are. approved by the Minister of Human Rights Day demonstration in Toronto, without charges, evidence or What is a Security Certificate? Public Safety and Emergency December 10th 2004. the right of appeal. Why do we “Past cases have revealed that Preparedness, Anne McLellan mention all these men together the security pretext has been and are not accountable to charges or complete allegations presented to a CSIS-selected here? What do these five men used to justify withholding parliamentary oversight. CSIS is against the person who has been judge behind closed doors. The have in common? They are newspaper clippings, shadowy not required to provide evidence, arrested and secret evidence is defendant’s lawyer does not all Muslim, all from Arab or have the right to cross examine any witness or counter evidence presented. The judge only requires ‘reasonable grounds’ to believe that the ‘facts’ presented Toronto Muslims Say No might exist. There is no right to appeal. On December 10th - International To Racial Profiling! Human Rights Day - one of the Secret Trial Five, Adil Charkaoui, brought his case before the Federal Court of Appeal to Excerpts From a Press Conference argue that his arrest made on a Security Certificate breaches the Canadian Charter of Rights Against Racial Profiling in Canada and Freedoms. The three-judge panel upheld the December 2003 decision of the Federal Court of ByBy Ivan Ivan Drury Drury citizenship, because there are certain actions we can’t do. We can’t take Canada that Security Certificates certain courses, we can’t get certain are constitutional. The 87-page On October 3rd, a hundred training, we can’t walk on the beach ruling stated; “the appellant has Muslims from the Saleh Al-Deen in the morning, and we can’t take been unable to demonstrate that Mosque gathered outside the CSIS pictures of the CN Tower or some the procedures for reviewing the headquarters in downtown Toronto landmark... now it’s become like reasonableness of the security and marched to the CN Tower to take some legislation just for us. certificate issued against him... pictures and film the world famous do not meet the requirements ‘tallest tower in the world’. Fire This Time: Can you please explain how this case of the CN of the Charter of Rights and This seemingly everyday act was Tower arrest is not isolated but is Freedoms.” a protest organized by the Saleh part of a bigger problem of racial Al-Deen Mosque against the racial profiling in Canada? This decision was made despite profiling and arrest of Kassim the absolute deprivation of Mohammed Haleem, member Mohamed. Kassim Mohamed is a Charkaoui’s rights as guaranteed Muslim man who was arrested as a of Saleh Al-Deen Mosque: We shouldn’t deny that there is a under the Charter because his suspected ‘terrorist’ by the RCMP status is only that of a permanent and then released to the police in problem now. Some people look with suspicious eyes on anyone who resident of Canada. The Federal Egypt, where he was held in prison Court of Appeal upheld this for 2 weeks while his home in Cairo has a Muslim name or comes from the Middle East. We have to be frank decision to deny these rights to was raided, all for taking pictures Human Rights Day demonstration in Toronto, of the tower. Swarmed by a media enough to face the problem and see it Charkaoui and all non-citizens in in the open. You can’t hide it. circus, Kassim Mohamed and others December 10th 2004. order to strengthen the Canadian from the Saleh Al-Deen Mosque Fire This Time: What can non- ruling class’ establishment of were taking pictures of the CN join them. This should not only be a legal, political and economic explained why they were there and Tower? a rally for Toronto or for Canada, Muslims do to support Muslims why the arrest of Kassim Mohamed the whole world should join them. against racial profiling? apartheid in Canada. This is is significant for Muslims and for all Kassim Mohamed, arrestee: Like apartheid because there is one set anybody else, my family wanted to They say ‘zero tolerance for terrorist Mohammed Haleem: I think we poor, working and oppressed people attacks,’ there should be zero live in the same country. If they of laws and rights for Canadian in Canada. see the CN Tower, the greatest tower citizens and another lesser set for in the world. They had not seen tolerance for Muslim abuse. I think violate one community’s rights Fire This Time was there to stand Toronto in a long time and wanted to that should be a law in Canada and in now, they can violate yours next. immigrants and refugees. the world. It is not fair what Muslims with Kassim Mohamed and the Saleh see the improvements, like anybody If you’re talking democracy, talk Where did Security Certificates Al-Deen Mosque in defiance of racial are going through, we are not real democracy, not the customized else. They wanted to punish me, it come from? profiling, the racist arrest and the was not right. terrorists, Muslims are not terrorists, democracy or a fabricated one. A continuing harassment of Muslims Islam is a religion where we believe person is innocent until he is proven Security Certificate legislation by the imperialist government of News reporter: What does it mean in one god, not in killing. Islam was guilty. Now a certain category of was originally introduced in Canada. The following comments to you to have all these people out brought for justice in the world. a certain people are guilty until 1991, into the Immigration Act here today supporting you? were taken from different members News reporter: It wasn’t actually proven innocent. Is our democracy of that time. The government’s of the Mosque in the media scrum in that fragile to collapse just like that? Kassim Mohamed: I don’t feel like the videotaping, the reason he was reasons for introducing security front of the CSIS headquarters and they are supporting me, I feel like stopped? He doesn’t know why, Everybody, Muslim or non-Muslim, at the base of the CN Tower. These it is of no relevance here, should certificates then were very similar they are supporting human rights. he said. to their continued use today. brief comments shed some light on Someone has been abused, then keep democracy and keep it working. the sort of harassment that Muslims someone should stand up and say Dr. Ali Hindi, President of Saleh Al- Otherwise it is a dictatorship and we The end of the 1980’s saw the in Canada suffer. It also shows that that. What they are doing is not in Deen Mosque: Actually the RCMP are no better than Saddam Hussein said that it was the videotaping. crest of a rising recession in active solidarity with Muslims is support of me, it is in support of himself. Everybody is happy that Canada. The government of needed from all poor, working and human rights. When you say something is illegal, he is in jail, everybody, including people in Canada. it is illegal because the law says it is his people. But let’s not do whatever Canada charted a “sharp jump News reporter: What message do illegal. There is a disparity for us as he used to do before. Let’s all take in unemployment between 1989 News reporter: Mr. Mohammed, you want our viewers to take away Muslims. We will end up with two a stand; Muslims and non-Muslims, and 1991” that they forecasted I know this is a sensitive issue for from the demonstration today? kinds of citizenship, the Muslim you but can you tell us why you rights and correctness should be Continued on page 46 Kassim Mohamed: They should citizenship will be like a second class prevalent everywhere.

30 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 31 “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” In Defense of Immigrant and Refugee Rights Interview with Lena Olin, An organizer with the Toronto DADT Campaign

By Shannon Bundock status. Other services that often Tell” policy in Toronto support require individuals to disclose regularization of all non- their immigration status include status people living within FTT: What is the Don’t shelters, many health centres, Canada and work towards that Ask Don’t Tell Campaign schools, social housing and end. However, what we’ve in Toronto, what are the food banks. The ability to seen since September 11th is a objectives? access these types of very basic drastic increase in the numbers services without fear is vital to of people filling detention Lena: In Toronto, the Don’t non-status communities, and centres and being deported Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) thus all communities city wide. into situations where their Campaign is made up of a FTT: Since September 11th, lives are at risk, sometimes loose, and growing, collection as a direct result of being of individuals, groups and there has been regressive legislation in Canada attacking targeted by Canadian officials organizations that would like for deportation. People have to see the city instate a “Don’t ‘non-status’ people, refugees and immigrants, with Bill more reason than ever to live in Ask, Don’t Tell” policy for fear of their immigration status all city workers. This policy C-18, Bill C-11 and increased arrests, detainments and being found out. All concerned would prohibit city workers members of the community from inquiring about people’s deportations. What role does the DADT campaign have for need to take action to ensure that immigration status, and would all members of our communities also prevent them from passing fighting against these attacks and building solidarity with can access services that meet on any information regarding their basic human needs. immigration status should they ‘non-status’ communities? learn it. Federal immigration enroll their kids in school. A kind of services are we talking Lena: Many people working Continued on page 34 authorities currently rely “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy about? towards a “Don’t Ask, Don’t heavily on city workers, such would not stop the obscene and Lena: By far the highest as police and people that work shameful practices of detention numbers of reports by city at shelters, medical centres and deportation, however it is workers to CIC about people’s and schools to report people the hope of supporters of the status come from the police. without status to Citizenship campaign that such a policy Whether it is due to a situation Violent Attacks on and Immigration Canada (CIC). will improve the lives of people of attempting to get protection What this effectively does is living in Toronto without status from a violent situation, or prevent people from being able through the ability to access city simply due to getting stopped to access city services for fear services that meet basic human while driving down the street, needs as well as helping to Organizers are Attacks of deportation and/or detention. prohibiting the exchange of Circumstances arise regularly diminish the number of people information about immigration such as women facing domestic who are detained and deported. status between the Toronto violence being deported after FTT: How does denying Police and Citizenship and going to the police for help, on all Oppressed People Municipal services impact Immigration will be key for the and families being reported ‘non-status’ people? What safety of people living without to CIC upon attempting to From page 27 American History Throughout history in North The decisive factor in the America, whenever oppressed survival strategy of all people have faced heavy imperialist countries today is attacks under imperialism, they war and occupation, resulting have organized themselves in in an international rampage response, just as we must today. of destruction and plunder. However, just as these people Therefore the decisive focus have gained experience and The Daily Fight Against Police of progressive movements for begun to learn how to effectively social justice today must be organize themselves based on against the division of oppressed their own mistakes, they have Brutality in the Downtown Eastside: people along the lines of been cut down. In many cases country, race, religion, gender activists, organizers and leaders Introducing Fire This Time’s Monthly Report or anything else that gets in the of these movements have been on the PIVOT Legal society way of our unity against these cut down directly by the US and attacks on all of us. Canadian ruling classes - like the It is not some idealized and Canadian army in Oka against The daily fight against police Drug Users’ (VANDU) needle We believe that the work of abstract organizational “unity the Mohawk Warrior’s Society, brutality in the Downtown exchange. They have launched a Pivot in defense of poor people’s of the left” that is needed but the GOON Squads and the FBI Eastside: ‘rights card’ campaign to inform rights against police brutality an international political unity in Wounded Knee against the Introducing Fire This Time’s people victimized by police and harassment is of interest to brutality on what their rights are, all poor, working and oppressed of oppressed people against American Indian Movement monthly report on the PIVOT the all-too-common destructive (AIM), the FBI and US police Legal society and have taken legal action against people and is an important part the police to strengthen and of the movement for social justice forces of imperialism. The chief forces against the Black Panther The Pivot legal society formed in empower oppressed people and to in Canada. Recognizing the responsibility of progressive Party (BPP) and many other the fall of 2000 with the mandate uphold their rights when they are importance of the day-to-day work people at this time is to fight instances. “to advance the interests and abused by the police. of Pivot for poor, working and against the racist and chauvinist However these cases have improve the lives of marginalized divisions that are being driven Through this work Pivot has made oppressed people in Vancouver, not had the same long-term people through the use of law between us by ruling classes in enemies as well as friends. Cops as especially when faced with direct destructive effect upon these reform, legal education and attack by the VPD themselves, every imperialist country. To do strategic legal action.” high up as Vancouver Police Chief movements as has violence Jamie Graham have attacked Pivot Fire This Time will be running a this we must fight to open space directed against oppressed “Pivot Report” in every issue to Since then, this team of volunteer and its executive director, John for oppressed people to organize, people in these movements follow the ongoing work of the lawyers and law students has Richardson with complaints to the gain experiences from this by other oppressed people. made a name for themselves with police board, the media, the law Pivot legal society. We encourage organizing, learn from successes all progressive-minded people Violence within the working oppressed people in Vancouver’s society of BC and directly through and mistakes, and grow. class movement has a shameful Downtown Eastside as a group harassment and arrest. to support Pivot and continue the fight against police brutality The use of violence against and destructive history and has that can be depended upon in oppressed people within this almost always served to destroy the daily fight against police In December, John Richardson and for justice for all people in development is alien to this that movement. The ruling class brutality and for justice. Their took the Vancouver Police Canada. work has included an anti-police Department (VPD) to court, process, is strictly against also knows this to be true and charging them with wrongful For more information on progress and, by silencing the have successfully used oppressed brutality affidavit campaign, the Pivot legal society, visit: arrest for his arrest at the voices of oppressed people, is people against each other to collecting and publishing 50 www.pivotlegal.org and see the affidavits chronicling cases of Woodwards Squat in 2002 and a reactionary attack against all manufacture our own destruction for ongoing slander, defamation interview with John Richardson police brutality and harassment, in Fire This Time issue #2 (March oppressed people. on many tragic occasions: advocating and winning the ‘Health of character and harassment. The decision of the court will be heard 2003). The Destruction of Oppressed Contact Centre’, and defending People’s Movements in North the Vancouver Area Network of in February. Continued on page 33

32 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 33 The Destruction of Oppressed People’s Movements in North America

From page 32 the Panthers. By the mid-1970’s of oppressed people. Successes the party was so discredited were visible in AIM’s numerous The Black Panthers (1969) within the Black community and actions, from The Trail of Broken “In order to fully capitalize on the leadership was either dead, Treaties march on Washington to upon BPP and United Slaves imprisoned or so wrenched apart the 19 month long occupation of Incorporated (USI) differences by fear and paranoia that the party Alcatraz Island. The attacks from as well as to exploit all avenues disappeared altogether and left the ruling class could be seen in of creating further dissention in only a legend in its wake. the ‘climate of fear’ that almost the ranks of the BPP, recipient The American Indian all AIM members recount when offices are instructed to submit Movement and Anna Mae talking or writing about those imaginative and hard-hitting Pictou-Aquash (1975) early days. counterintelligence measures “Those who executed Anna Mae This climate of fear was inserted aimed at crippling the BPP.” – Aquash have no place within the in AIM by the FBI’s Cointelpro Memo from FBI Director Hoover American Indian Movement and program. It was especially to 14 field officers as part of the neither do those who conspired prevalent in South Dakota where famed ‘Cointelpro’ program, with them. By their cowardly and the Wounded Knee standoff and November 1968 disgusting actions they threaten the Pine Ridge shootout took The Black Panther Party for to subvert all of the good work place. The Attorney General of Self Defense (BPP) formed in we, as grassroots members of South Dakota, William Janklow Oakland in 1966 amidst the racist the American Indian Movement, said in 1975, “The only way to suppression of black people by have toiled for, and we should not deal with the Indian problem in the US ruling class. Through the allow this handful of individuals South Dakota is to put a gun to following years the BPP rose to tarnish all that we have AIM leaders’ heads and pull the into the immediate vacuum of achieved and continue to struggle trigger.” Through direct targeting leadership in the Black liberation for.” – Tim Lame Woman, leader and attacks by the state, federal movement following the murder of Montana AIM, September 25, police and the FBI sponsored of Malcolm X by members of the 2003 and armed “GOON” squads, AIM organizers in South Dakota Nation of Islam in 1965 (another The American Indian Movement example of how destructive faced the very real constant threat (AIM) formed in response of death. This led to an intense violence amongst oppressed to the need for Indigenous people can be). climate of fear and a paranoia people to organize for their and distrust between organizers Within two years the BPP had self-determination against the in AIM. expanded into a national party Members of the Black Panther Party, circa 1968. racist-colonialist US ruling class It was in this constant climate of and was suffering from heavy and ultimately against each other, the Southern California chapter in 1968. Because of the vacuum fear that Anna Mae Aquash was persecution by the FBI in every was more responsible for that. of the BPP were killed in a shoot- in leadership or organization part of the country they were for indigenous people, AIM ‘bad jacketed’ by Cointelpro (the Violent rivalries and deadly out with USI and the chapter all established. However, it was chapters spread rapidly through FBI spread a rumour through AIM shootouts between the but collapsed. This rivalry swiftly not only the shooting and mass the country. that she was an informer). At the Panthers and the United Slaves spread throughout the entire BPP imprisonment of Panther leaders end of 1975 she was shot through Incorporated (USI) in San Diego like a cancer. Along with the success of AIM that led to the collapse of the party. the back of the head, execution- and smoldering rivalries between The inter-movement violence in its early years of fighting The FBI’s counter intelligence style, and thrown from a cliff by the Panthers and the Blackstone opened up space, not for Black for dignity and justice for program (Cointelpro) that sought members of AIM. Anna Mae had Rangers in Chicago led to people to gain experience and Indigenous people, came the to turn Panthers against other been a widely respected emerging internal rivalries of a similar organize, but for the FBI to severe repression of the US Black liberation organizations grassroots leader of AIM and her intensity. In 1969 two leaders of further infiltrate and intervene in ruling class against the uprising cold-blooded murder shook the foundations of the Indigenous movement throughout North America. It was not only Anna Mae who was thrown from a cliff in 1975. Jumbo Glacier Resort, Democracy & Globalization With the death of Anna Mae, democracy and openness in AIM completely gave way to a climate How BC Liberals are Destroying the Environment for Profit of fear and paranoia engineered by the US ruling class and carried out by AIM organizers. Today By D’Arcy McRae mention countless other species, term economic gain. The BC investors. They have also seen the murder of Anna Mae is still are threatened. Liberals fulfilled their end of the government’s dedication to unsolved and unresolved and still the bargain and protected their the pursuit of short-term profit weighs heavily on the capacity of The Jumbo Glacier Resort I live in Golden, BC and recently attended a regional relationship with the proponents and disregard for human and the American Indian Movement (JGR) proposal for those who while passing the buck on to the environmental concerns. and Indigenous people to organize haven’t heard about it is a tourism conference. Local MLA Wendy McMahon’s opening Regional District. In a democracy the role of against colonialism, racism and controversial four season ski capitalism. resort development project that address focused on partnerships Globalization is the government is to be accountable has sparked heightened debate in between local communities implementation of public and listen to the public. In The Students for a Democratic the Kootenay Region of British and government. In her address policies and international the case of Jumbo that hasn’t Society Split (1969) Columbia. McMahon mentioned that the agreements that provide greater happened. If the Regional Mt. Mackenzie Resort proposal safeguards for investors and District approves the zoning, By the end of the 1960’s, Students The BC Liberals recently gave was supported by the community private property. It does this JGR will make a few resort for a Democratic Society (SDS) JGR environmental approval of Revelstoke. Unfortunately, while removing restraints to the developers rich. This will come had been in the forefront of after 13 years of deliberation McMahon didn’t talk much free movement of goods, money, at the cost of local recreation a growing student movement with different provincial about the BC Liberal’s decision and corporations in search of values, existing resorts and against the Vietnam war for governments, local stakeholders to give the Jumbo Glacier Resort economic opportunities on a RK Heli-skiing, a company half a decade. At their annual and environmental groups. If (JGR) project Environmental worldwide scale. (1) Jumbo that has been around for 30 + convention in 1960, the national the East Kootenay Regional approval, only stating that, “It’s Glacier Resort is a microcosm of years and employs 60 people. organization with a membership District approves the zoning in far from over”. All over the Economic Globalization. In an interview with CBC, Tom of thousands split into two the last step of the process the politically hostile factions. Kootenays there is opposition, in JGR proponents did their best Brinkerhoff owner of RK stated, BC Liberal’s environmental particular Invermere where 90% “80% of our commercial use is The convention ended with the thumbs up will have paved to convince residents that the of residents oppose the resort. communities of the region concentrated in the Jumbo Valley “Armed Struggle” faction rising the way for tax dollars to be Has McMahon represented her where the proposed development up and walking out of the hall, spent on building a highway would benefit from ‘trickle constituents in conveying to down’ economic growth. They will be. Close proximity to our declaring themselves the “real” to Jumbo. The highway will Gordon Campbell our region’s base at Panorama makes it our SDS. The faction that stayed cross 33 avalanche paths and distributed glossy brochures in dissent regarding JGR? an attempt to legitimize their only bad weather option, without behind declared the same. will cost more than the budget this crucial part of our tenure we Why did Gordon Campbell right to be in the Jumbo valley. For almost the entire following for avalanche control at Rogers will be forced out of business”. Pass in Glacier National Park. ignore huge public outcry Where the proponents of JGR year the two sides fought each All of this effort and impact will in the form of thousands of envision a vibrant economy Globalization hits hardest in other in the streets with baseball allow Pheidias Ltd. to develop letters, phone calls and e-mails? and mitigated environmental debt-ridden developing nations. bats and chains and raided each and ‘start from scratch’ 55 kms Why did he ignore scientists factors, citizen’s movements In Bolivia a mass movement other’s meetings with the same from Invermere (closest town representing both sides of the like the Jumbo Conservation of peasants and workers weapons. In the course of the to Jumbo) in prime grizzly debate? The answer is obvious. Society have seen the power protested the privatization of brutal factional fight, the Armed habitat where 45-60 bears, not to The BC Liberals support to make decisions shifted away foreign investment for short from the community to foreign Continued on page 47 Continued on page 34

32 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 33 Towards a Unified, Dignified and Effective Movement

From page 33 Vancouver and all around the The December 2nd attacks on world, the dawn of 2005 has Ivan Drury, the Fire This Time Struggle faction split into the great significance. The beginning newspaper and its editorial “Revolutionary Youth Movement” of the 21st century has not only board are a terrible reminder of and then the “Revolutionary brought a new era of imperialist the mistakes that have led to the Youth Movement II” and then war and occupation, this era has destruction of movements that into small underground cells also brought opportunity for all have come before us. The fall of calling themselves the “Weather oppressed people to experience a the Panthers, AIM and SDS must Underground.” What remained of higher level of class struggle and serve as beacons of warning for the other half of SDS also quietly to learn from it. oppressed people today. With our dwindled away into the early The great booming antiwar eyes fixed on the stars, we must 1970’s. movement of 2003 and the near- absorb these mistakes, learn from By the time the mass antiwar general-strike position of the them and apply them to the work movement erupted in the mid- Hospital Employees Union strike that must be done today to build 1970’s SDS was gone. Unable or in May of 2004 are both examples a movement against the war on unwilling to work out or discuss of flash points in movements oppressed people at home and their differences in democratic that oppressed people must abroad. To build this movement ways, SDS degenerated into learn from. In both instances, effectively, the principles of small, hard cliques that would a more experienced and battle working class struggle must be not tolerate the existence of any hardened working class, with a upheld and defended, firmly and other groups. During the sharpest stronger and more representative uncompromisingly. We are fighting escalation of the war in Vietnam leadership, would have been able for the unity of all working, poor and the corresponding sharpest to carry those mass movements and oppressed people in the world rise in antiwar sentiment amongst of working people much further and against all methods that divide young people and all working against capitalism and against and weaken oppressed people’s people in the US, young people the imperialist and neo-liberal expression and growth in this in the movement attacked other agenda of the Canadian ruling movement. young people in the movement class. However, lacking these We must be free to publish violently. This violence amongst critical elements of experience and distribute our ideas and oppressed people shut the doors and independent working class to argue and debate with each of the movement to tens of leadership, these movements were other politically when we have thousands of young people (at the stopped short. differences. We must fight for time almost a third of all college But these opportunities are not the right of all oppressed people students in the US self-identified lost forever to the past. The era to voice their ideas, thoughts, as ‘revolutionary’ in some way), of international capitalist crisis programs of action and dreams. and diminished and destroyed the is only deepening and attacks on The freedom to organize and movement. The experience and principle; we are not proposing movement. It is the fundamental publish these ideas is fundamental to take up that discussion here. task of organizers at this time, as oppressed people internationally hard won lessons of a decade of (like in Iraq) and on oppressed to the right to organize ourselves antiwar organizing was lost, torn In fact, we believe that when in all examples laid out above, to effectively as an entire community oppressed people are attacked with broaden the movement by opening people at home (like with the Students for a Democratic Society Poster from the lives and struggles of hospital workers) are bound to of progressive people that must thousands of young people who violence, whether by the ruling space for oppressed people to get stand united against reactionary class directly or by anyone, it is involved, gain experience and continue. With these attacks, were demoralized or driven out of further mass scale conflicts are attacks. the movement. necessary to defend ourselves by learn how to effectively organize any means necessary as Malcolm ourselves to win the battle against equally bound to arise. The most Towards a unified, dignified and Violent Attacks on Organizers X said. But when violence is used the tyranny of global capitalism important and decisive factor for effective movement and against are Attacks on all Oppressed against oppressed people and and imperialism. oppressed people is to learn from the harassment, assault and People their organizations, historically the successes and failures of these degradation of all poor, working In Defense of the Principles of movements that we have directly and oppressed people in the The Black Panther Party, the it has the effect of limiting Working Class Struggle (2005) American Indian Movement and ultimately destroying the experienced and apply these world... we will win! and Students for a Democratic movement by terrorizing the very For the movement of oppressed, lessons to politically prepare for Society were all organizations people who must actively lead the working and poor people in the coming battles. of oppressed people dedicated to fighting against the oppression these communities face under capitalism and specifically under the US ruling class. Historically DADT: Defending Refugee & Immigrants Rights these communities of oppressed people have been voiceless and From page 32 Toronto DADT campaign is drive the campaign as much where individual city councilors held down under capitalism. The planning a public launch on as possible. A large number are supporting the proposed development of these oppressed th people’s organizations opened FTT: According to the January 14 , what have you of talks, smaller discussions policy, and it is our hope that up new and critical space for literature put out by Toronto done to bring the campaign and presentations have taken before the year is out the city oppressed people to organize DADT, there have been cities to this point and how has place in various areas of the council will have passed a themselves and gain experience to across the US that have your initial organizing been city with a wide variety of motion to put the policy into become leading participants in the implemented DADT policies received? different interested groups and practice. overall class struggle in the US. on one level or another. What Lena: Yes, there is a large organizations around Toronto FTT: Any final comments? The destruction of these signing on. A complete list of will the impact be on both “social event” planned for Lena: I have been very excited movements, while engineered ‘non-status’ people living in January 14th here in Toronto at current organizations that are by the ruling class by all means endorsing the campaign is on to hear about the possibility of a Toronto and the governments which information about the similar campaign in Vancouver! in all cases, did not come about provincially and federally if policy will be presented and the campaign website at http: just through direct attacks by the //www.dadttoronto.org. Regardless of which city does it this policy is implemented in all of the various community first, the setting of a Canadian ruling class and their institutions. Toronto? members that have been FTT: After January 14th, As we have seen in the examples precedent for this policy will listed above, violent attacks on Lena: Government reports supporting the campaign can what is the strategy for help in a huge way towards organizers and oppressed people cite that as many as 200,000 come together and celebrate Toronto DADT, how close are having such a policy standard within the working class movement people across Canada may the official launch. The “Don’t you to bringing the question practice in all cities in Canada. - by other oppressed people in be living without status, and Ask, Don’t Tell” campaign to Toronto City Council? If anyone has any questions the movement - were amongst given the source I figure that arose out of a list of ten demands Lena: We are looking at about the campaign or if you the most damaging ingredients the number is likely far higher to the city of Toronto which this campaign as a long term know people in Toronto that in the reactionary campaigns than that. If Toronto can set a was developed by the Ontario project. It is very important would be interested in taking launched against these oppressed national precedent by instating Coalition Against Poverty last that it not be presented to city part in organizing and/or people’s movements. By turning spring. Since that time we have oppressed people against each this policy, then hopefully other council prematurely, before endorsing the campaign, I cities will be able to follow suit. been working solidly to develop there is enough community would encourage people to other in such destructive ways, a strong community base for the the ruling class was able to close This policy has the potential support behind it and before go to the website at http: to directly impact the lives campaign with the ultimate goal details and any complications //www.dadttoronto.org or send the space necessary for debate and of bringing it to present to city discussion within the movement of a substantial percentage can be worked out. As support email to [email protected]. council for approval during the and shut the doors of experience of the Canadian population, for the campaign has been We will have access to city that had been previously open to and I can only see the greater course of the next year. Our growing, various concerns have services without fear! oppressed people. impact as being beneficial focus has been on garnering been addressed, and details of support in various communities Thank you Lena and we wish This is why we call these attacks both economically and in the final ways that a DADT you a great campaign and building stronger and healthier around the city, and having policy can be implemented ‘police-like tactics’ and ‘methods people that will be directly success. that are alien to the working class communities. are becoming more and more affected by such a policy movement.’ It is not a matter FTT: As far as I know the refined. We are now at a place of being against violence in 34 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 35 Organizing in Solidarity Mobilization Against War and Occupation: Year One What We Have Accomplished and What Tasks Lie Ahead

By Kira Koshelanyk for ALL oppressed nations, there This international solidarity in is a two-fold gain. Firstly we our demands and opposition are making a link between poor to imperialism puts oppressed In September 2003 a new force and working people, indigenous people worldwide in a stronger emerged in the antiwar movement: people, immigrants, refugees, position to fight together against a powerful, consolidated and non-status people, people living it. united resistance from the Iraqi under war and occupation, and people against the US/UK Internationalism not International people from the third world. Occupation occupation of their country. With In doing this, we break down this rise in active and united barriers and become closer to During 2004, as the US/UK opposition to the occupation came unity in our action against war occupation slipped deeper and a renewed energy and inspiration and occupation. As Che Guevara deeper into crisis, there were cries for the antiwar movement around said, “There are no boundaries from some layers of the antiwar the world. The movement in this struggle to the death. We movement and imperialists alike began to reorganize itself. cannot be indifferent to what for an “internationalization” Vancouver was no exception to happens anywhere in the world, and “legitimization” of the this worldwide rejuvenation. for a victory by any country over occupation of Iraq. That is Out of the momentum of the imperialism is our victory; just as to say a UN occupation. The Lower Mainland-wide Student any country’s defeat is a defeat for advocates of this approach in Week Against War 2003 came all of us.” From Cheam, to Kabul, the antiwar movement argued Mobilization Against War and to Gaza, a victory for the Iraqi Mobilization Against War and Occupation, March 20 2004. that a UN occupation would be Occupation (MAWO), an antiwar, resistance is a gain for all of us the commonality between these war and oppression we achieve anti-occupation coalition of over against imperialism. In showing Continued on page 36 50 endorsing groups including different situations of imperialist a level of internationalism. Indigenous groups, third world groups, women’s organizations and Students’ Unions. While the resistance to occupation in Iraq has continued to grow over the Fighting Canadian last year, MAWO and the antiwar movement in Vancouver have also developed to become a real Imperialism in the Financial force organizing in solidarity with the struggle of the people of Iraq and with people in struggle the world over. In thirteen Heart of Canada months MAWO has organized 3 major conferences, 2 antiwar film festivals, 13 rallies and over An Interview with Mostafa Henaway and Liisa Schofield 75 forums, film showings and campus events. By Shannon Bundock MAWO’s Action Program and Strategic Demands & Ivan Drury The backbone of MAWO’s activity has been the development Mostafa Henaway and Liisa of a strategic action program. To Schofield are founding members th effectively extend people’s unity of the June 30 Organizing along with their opposition to Committee in Toronto. Like many war and occupation, MAWO’s of the new generation antiwar / actions have all taken place under anti-occupation organizers, they the banner and demand: “Self- started organizing against war Determination for All Oppressed and occupation on a university Nations!” campus during the US-war-drive leading up to the bombing of Iraq The right to self-determination, in 2003. or the right of oppressed nations They were two of the main to have complete control over antiwar organizers on the York their destiny, is an inalienable University campus and were and basic human right. This behind the student walk-out demand also has a major strategic against the war that shut that significance for all working and campus down. poor people. This is because In the spring of 2004, they were the main thing that all oppressed part of forming the June 30th people have in common under Organizing Committee (J30) to imperialist occupation is that organize a demonstration against they suffer from the lack of self- the so-called ‘handover of power’ determination. In demanding self- in Iraq. On September 28th, J30 Mostafa Henaway speaking at Toronto June 30th Organizing Committee Rally. determination for all oppressed held their second demonstration nations we are showing oppressed and Fire This Time attended, Committee to form at this occupations. very significant day, in terms of people that since the forces which marching with hundreds of young time? The only way to move forward the supposed handover of Iraq. oppress us have the same root, people and people from the Mostafa: I guess the initial was to talk about Canada’s role. We saw it as a day that should then each fight for freedom is third world through the streets reason for the formation of the And also to emphasize Canada’s be demonstrated against, to connected and each victory is a of downtown Toronto. While June 30th Organizing Committee economic foreign policy which continue to highlight that there victory for all This demand takes in Toronto this fall, we had the (J30) was frustration with the was the heart behind Canada’s is an occupation, not even a the solidarity that millions of opportunity to sit down with mainstream antiwar movement position in Iraq, not sending puppet government really, but a people around the world feel with them to talk about the antiwar and the direction of the antiwar troops but sending the fourth continuation of the occupation. the Iraqi people and extends that movement in Toronto, the state of movement. This movement largest amount of weapons of That’s why we called it “the to show that if we feel solidarity war and occupation in Iraq and was collapsing due to reasons any country to Iraq, for the day America hands Iraq over to and sympathy with them than we Palestine and the work they are of not focusing on Canadian occupation forces. There was a America.” can also connect with the struggle doing today with the June 30th imperialism or Canada’s role real frustration and a need for a Liisa: I think mostly a lot of the of Palestinians and Afghans and Organizing Committee. in the occupation of Iraq and coalition or organizing committee mainstream antiwar coalitions Indigenous people…and so on. FTT: Why was it necessary Palestine. It’s the assumption that to come together. In demanding self-determination for the June 30th Organizing Canada is not complicit in these Also, we saw June 30th itself as a Continued on page 36

34 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 35 MAWO in Action: Active Solidarity

From page 35 mainly youth, women, people of backgrounds and beliefs to unite imperialist war and occupation is understanding of imperialism. colour. What has really developed against war and occupation. And not confined to Iraq. Further, the campaign against a softer occupation, a “nicer” has been the leadership of those further, decision-making power is In advancing and developing the Canadian imperialism has led to occupation for the Iraqi people. who are most marginalized by equally distributed in our hands. politics of the antiwar movement, a more popular understanding So they were not even arguing society and then again in status- In MAWO, this takes place in the we have seen the movement’s of the Indigenous “question”. for an end to the occupation but quo political organizing. These form of truly democratic decision- modest grow and radicalization. Indigenous people in Canada have for a different occupation. This are the voices of youth, students, making, wherein each person who For MAWO this has been because fought for their right to sovereignty approach comes from the false people of colour, Indigenous attends the meeting has the right of a method of organizing and over their affairs, resources and impression that the UN is not a people, women, immigrants and to vote upon attending. In order educating that has been very land for over 500 years and so body of competing imperialists refugees. These are the voices of to carry out the building of an successful in connecting with a exposing the Canadian state’s all waiting to get their hands in colonial foundation is essential in the well of Iraq’s resources. This demanding an end to occupations line plays directly into the hands internationally. of imperialists because a UN or a MAWO’s method of movement “multinational” occupation is not building has been based sovereignty for the Iraqi people. on maintaining dynamic A multinational occupation mobilizations and frequent means that there are simply more educational and cultural events. imperialist countries sharing the In this period of lower momentum spoils of war. It means that there for the antiwar movement, would simply be more countries MAWO is focused on political dividing up the wealth of Iraq and preparation. This preparation carrying it out the door. means spending this period to Recognizing that occupation work on expanding education is occupation, by any name or through forums, campaigns, by any soldier or any force, has and events on campuses while been an important step for the maintaining strong and consistent Vancouver antiwar movement. mobilizations. It is when we are Along with demands of “No US/ in motion and when we are in the UK Occupation!” came demand: streets that people realize their “No UN Occupation!” In January power and so regular rallies and of 2004, MAWO organized a demonstrations are necessary to demonstration with exactly this activate and extend this feeling of political focus and has integrated active unity. it into our work. This demand is While MAWO has worked on based on internationalism and broadening the anti-imperialist solidarity with the Iraqi people MAWO demonstration, January 24th 2004. character of the antiwar for whom there is no difference movement, there is still the between occupation forces with those who are strongly impeded effective, united front against war broad layer of people on issues that understanding that imperialism is different colour tanks or uniforms mainly focused on the occupation occupation is occupation. by the war at home, such as and occupation, the establishment are most commonly supported. cuts to social services, tuition of open and inclusive membership In adopting campaigns, such as of Iraq and whether or not the Building a Healthy, Inclusive, increases, etc. This leadership and making space for the most Operation: CANADA OUT! and US is able to stabilize it in the Militant Organization challenges not only imperialist marginalized voices to lead, must Defending War Resisters, we are face of the Iraqi resistance. By Building Mobilization Against war and occupation, but all status- continue. approaching people with issues maintaining our focus there, where anti-imperialist forces are War and Occupation has primarily quo definitions and norms of Building an Effective Movement that they can relate to directly and involved carrying out an action political activists and organizers. see their connection to in relation the strongest, we put imperialists Against Imperialist War and in a weaker position which in program for the unity and full Leadership must reflect the Occupation to their opposition to the Iraq war. sovereignty for oppressed nations, composition of a movement Today, more than 7,000 signatures turn puts all oppressed people in through campaigns, mobilizations and also the composition of the The role of the global antiwar have been collected against a better position. and cultural events. In order to movement that is to be built. In movement today, with its the government of Canada’s MAWO in Action: Active forge this new movement, a new the mass antiwar movement in foundations in the movement imperialist role in the occupations Solidarity the Spring of 2003 and still today, against the invasion of Afghanistan of Haiti and Afghanistan. This leadership and organization had What MAWO has established to emerge. with the conscious elements and then Iraq is central to the is an important development still working, the composition advancement of oppressed people in recognizing that Canada is in one year is a solid foundation MAWO has been built on the is mainly of oppressed people, worldwide against imperialist also an imperialist country, from which to build an effective, principles of inclusion, democratic willing to fight despite all odds. oppression and destruction. While now jockeying for its position militant movement against the process and affirmative action, the highest point of people’s alongside the US and others. The most dangerous threat to the especially in developing its The membership of AWO, understanding of imperialism is people of the world and the most remains open to those of all result of these campaigns has political organizers which are around the occupation of Iraq, been an expansion of people’s destructive force in the world: imperialist war and occupation. By fighting against this and organizing directly against the US/UK occupation of Iraq, we Interview with Mostafa Henaway and Liisa Schofield are able to expand people’s understanding of imperialism and self-determination. Over the past From page 35 which has been involved in terms significant day because it was Mostafa: I think that there has year, MAWO has maintained a of being a middle man to the a very boisterous, very angry, been a positive reception by focus which attracts the broadest were turning everybody’s energy US military and does all of the very energetic demonstration that people in Toronto especially in and most diverse sector of the towards the elections, and towards contracting between Canadian also targeted Canada’s role in terms of youth, and people of population and can unite them in supporting the NDP as a peace military firms and the US over the occupation of Palestine, like color. I think that there’s still a lot action: “US/UK Out of Iraq!” With loving party, but without talking $100 thousand. So through the the Canadian-Israeli Free Trade of education that needs to happen, this strategy for active opposition about Afghanistan because CCC, Canada became the fourth Agreement (CIFTA). This focus and I think that’s part of the work MAWO will continue building th clearly ‘we belong in there.’ largest arms supplier to the is something very new, something of June 30 and direct action is a broader and larger movement Until then all of those energies, occupation of Iraq. that hasn’t happened yet in terms actually a form of education it’s a against war and occupation and including the energy of young Then the most recent action of the anti-occupation movement form of popular education. for self-determination. people, were just being funneled we had was on September 28th, here in Canada. So I think that’s also something into the elections and there was the fourth anniversary of the Liisa: It’s also important that we that we are trying to achieve, and US/UK Out of Iraq! | All Power no space left to organize on the Intifada. It was a day of action took the call from Palestine and the reception is good. At first it’s to the Iraqi People! | Self street or so it seemed. in solidarity with the people of from Iraq, as opposed to taking a little shocking to people, “Oh Determination Now! | Bring the So we started thinking about Iraq and Palestine. What made it from the Coalition to Stop the Canada’s doing this? Canada’s Troops Home Now! organizing for June 30th. We it significant was that there was War, in London, England, or doing that? Canada’s occupying Self-Determination for wanted to make space for it and a callout from Mumbai resistance from International ANSWER in Haiti?” Oppressed Nation!)) build upon people’s energy, and and by Palestinian organizations the US. We were actually taking I think that all these occupations Kira Koshelanyk is a co-chair of build people’s capacity. to make it a day of action in the call from groups in Palestine can be rallied around and I think MAWO and also the coordinator FTT: What actions have you solidarity with the people of Iraq. as a day of action. This was a people are beginning to rally of Youth Third World Alliance taken since forming? So, one occupied people were significant shift in terms of where around these occupations. So I (Y3WA). She is a worker and Mostafa: On June 30th we calling an international day of we were coming from. think there is a great reception the second year student at the organized two pickets in the action in solidarity with another FTT: How have people in outside the NDP left, but at the Langara College in Vancouver. afternoon against 2 particular occupied people, and that made it Toronto responded to the focus same time I think that groups corporations, Canada very significant. and organizing of the June 30th Commercial Corporation (CCC) Also for us it was a very Committee? Continued on page 37

36 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 37 June 30th Organizing Committee Interview Cont.

From page 36 and tanks out of their back yard, what are we talking about like Block the Empire [Montreal weapons in space for? I think Quebec], Mobilization Against that’s why. War and Occupation [Vancouver Liisa: I think people in general BC], and June 30th [Toronto] are hungry for that real analysis, have been actually pushing the for those real politics to come out social democratic left and I think when things for so long have been that slowly but surely people’s watered down and wishy-washy. lives are actually being forced to The anti-American sentiment change around Canada’s role in that doesn’t really connect to imperialism, and Canada’s role in our everyday lives here. When all of these occupations. you actually come out and draw FTT: Why do you think it is the links with immigration and primarily young people and poverty and with things that are people from the third world who happening in our faces every are organizing with the June day, I think that’s what brings the 30th Organizing Committee? vibrancy, the diversity and the Mostafa: I see the mainstream creativity of young people and movement gearing their politics people from the third world. towards the NDP and trying to FTT: Why is it important for vote the NDP into power. In the people in Canada, and people in states we see the same with “Bush Toronto in particular, to build out, Kerry in” type of politics. I solidarity with the resistance in think the only way forward, in Iraq, resistance in Afghanistan, June 30th Organizing Committee demonstration, September 8th 2004. terms of being disillusioned with resistance in Haiti, and the electoral politics, is actually being resistance of Indigenous solidarity, they’re the ones who the rumors of Bush coming future, Iraq is not going to go a movement on the streets. I think Nations in Canada fighting for are fighting our government, to town, at organizing solid away, Haiti is only getting worse, that youth are frustrated with that. sovereignty? fighting the people that make so resistance to that under the it’s clear that the elections in Youth see the only real vehicle for Mostafa: If you look at it from many people’s lives shit, fighting banner of “not welcome”. Other Afghanistan were a complete change is on the streets. the bigger picture, it’s the same that denial of justice and fighting than that, hopefully we’ll be sham, at the same time I’d just In terms of people from the battle, just different fronts. It’s those divisions between people. doing a really broad range of like to echo what Liisa said. It’s third world, we’re talking about the same government that’s They are the ones who are on the educational events across the a lot of educational, a lot of dirty occupations that matter, making attacking poor people here, it’s front lines of that battle. Of our city and really building a base day-to-day work to try to build links between the situation of the same government that’s battle, so it’s absolutely necessary of support throughout different people’s capacity and break the immigrants here, and relating attacking immigrants here, it’s to stand side by side with all neighborhoods and different silence of Bay street [the main that back to occupation. It’s the same government that’s those people who are fighting our areas of the city. Going into high street in Toronto’s financial relating the real struggles that occupying native land here, and government because we need to schools and going into different district] to actually put it out in are happening on the ground, Israel, South Africa, all of these be fighting our government. colleges, and in the spring to the mainstream, so whether that FTT: What do you see as be targeting some of those be through action or whether talking about the right of return are based on Canada’s model th for Palestinians, talking about of racist colonialism. It’s based the future of the June 30 corporations again in a different through education. occupations, it’s not just talking on this project that is North Organizing Committee in way that we haven’t done before. FTT: Do you have anything about weapons in space... People America. Toronto? Mostafa: I think in terms of you’d like to add, any final in the third world can’t get guns So in terms of standing up in Liisa: Well, we’re looking, with what’s coming up in the near comments? Mostafa: I guess in terms of the state of Iraq, I think that with Bush’s re-election the people in positions of power within imperialism are getting bolder. I think now you’re even going Troops Out Now! to see a bolder regime around immigration in Europe, as well as North America, with more From page 2 In addition to the US army being is clear to the people of Iraq is that none of integrated border control and overstretched materially in Iraq, the morale these solutions will serve their interests, in the ‘safe third country act’. This Similarly, in Mosul the police chief recently of the people from the US who have been the short or long term. All paths of the US- act is essentially going to keep resigned after the vast majority of the city’s recruited to maintain the occupation is led occupation mean death and destruction immigrants from getting into 5000 police deserted following increased also being overstretched. At the same time for Iraqis, alongside the pillaging of their Canada because they will no attacks during the assault on Fallujah. To that the US government is requiring more land, resources, labour, and markets. longer be able to get here from date no more than 1000 of these police have US soldiers to spend longer tours in Iraq, The only solution that will benefit the people the US, or any other indirect returned to their posts. Clearly the US cannot the number of soldiers deserting in Iraq is in Iraq and give them the space to rebuild path. This is one of the most rely on Iraqis to police themselves under increasing, while consistently US military their country, their lives, and their dignity is racist pieces of legislation occupation, and this ‘Iraqification’ so far recruiters fail to meet their targets for finding an end to the occupation. For people all over around immigration that has been provides no solution for the quagmire that fresh blood to serve in Iraq. A recent report the world under attack by the same handful proposed in along time. However, the US-led occupation faces. that over 5000 US troops have deserted of advanced capitalist countries, who will in the past it was proposed and their posts in Iraq since the beginning of the it was defeated. Not by the left, Military Solution? do whatever it takes to reverse the global occupation highlights the increasing severity economic crisis that they are facing, self- but by the mainstream people “It’s interesting…if you think about it, you of this problem for US imperialism. determination for the people of Iraq is the thinking that is was crazy, and can have all the armor in the world on a This decrease in morale, combined with only solution. that it’s completely outrageous tank and a tank can be blown up. And you and racist. So I think that the the overstretch of military resources and The resistance in Iraq that is creating so can have an up-armored humvee and it can continued Iraqi resistance to the occupation, state of war and occupation is be blown up.” – Defense Secretary Donald many problems for a force as mighty as going to deepen and slowly get will either lead to one of two scenarios: the US imperialism is only in its infant stages. Rumsfeld, addressing US soldiers in Kuwait, first is a qualitative jump in the rate of US worse as the economic crisis gets th Solidarity around the world with this December 8 2004 casualties, which averaged at least two killed worse. resistance must also grow. It is necessary Gold just went up three dollars On December 8th, Rumsfeld came under and fifteen injured per day during the first for all poor, working, and oppressed people two days ago. The fact that surprising scrutiny by US soldiers in Kuwait half of December. The second is that the US in Canada to recognize our own interest in people are no longer willing over the quality of their gear. This included dramatically increases military funding and fighting for the self-determination of Iraq. In to accept American dollars is a their need to regularly rely on substandard troop levels for the occupation. Either of an era where imperialist rivalry guarantees small insight into what’s going spare parts off of already destroyed military these scenarios will come at an immense cost decades of war and occupation throughout to happen in the future. So I think vehicles, such as replacement doors for for the US government in terms of support the world, building an international that we need to continue, with vehicles riddled with bullet holes. A week for the occupation at home, and will feed the movement for the self-determination of that in mind, to build a movement before this exchange, the Australian defense already growing opposition within the US to oppress people now will prepare us for the against war and occupation. Now minister was stranded at the Baghdad the continued occupation of Iraq, which was task of decisively challenging and defeating more than any other moment, airport because no helicopter was available recently highlighted in a poll of people in the the forces that are currently destroying the I think it’s critical that we are at the time to safely transport the minister US where 56% stated that they believed the lives of people all over the world. We can, committed to that and we are to the Australian embassy. This issue of US-led war on Iraq was ‘not worth it.’ and must, make this our solution. serious about it because the inadequate military resources for sustaining What’s the Solution? Troops Out Now! challenges towards us are only the occupation in Iraq has brought Rumsfeld End the Occupation of Iraq! going to get deeper in the near under heavy criticism, not only from US Regardless of what solutions the US US/UK Out! future. soldiers, but from high ranking military government tries in order to avoid suffering Bring the Troops Home Now! FTT: Liisa and Mostafa, thank officials and key advisors to the Bush a setback in Iraq, and whether or not any of you for your time. administration. these ‘solutions’ for the quagmire in Iraq eventually work for US imperialism, what

36 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 37 Reports on Local Events & Struggles Iraq, Quagmire for US/UK MAWO Conference on War and Occupation, A Major Success

By Tamara Hansen and politics in Vancouver. imperialism period.” Councilor Tim Louis’ talk was followed by & Kasia Machelak In the morning session, conference MC, Kasia Machelak, a one hour discussion. [You can an organizer with MAWO and read an excerpt from Tim Louis’ On November 27th 2004 the coordinator of the Kwantlen talk in this issue of Fire This Time, Mobilization Against War and Students Against War and on the next page.] Occupation (MAWO) held its Occupation Club (KSAWO), To open the second section, Raya third conference at the Britannia opened the conference. Machelak Sami’s second film ‘Baghdad: City Community Centre entitled, “Iraq, spoke about how the conference after One Year of Occupation’ was Quagmire for US/UK: Is there an presented an opportunity for shown. The film documents the Alternative to Imperialist War and people in Vancouver to discuss living situation for Iraqis after one Occupation?” Through out the the issues of war and occupation year of occupation and their hopes day the conference was attended and get involved in building and for their country and their people. by more than 90 people. The organizing. conference looked at the global After the film Ali Yerevani, antiwar movement in the context The program opened with a locally the political editor of Fire This of the current era of war and produced film by Raya Sami called Time newspaper, opened his talk occupation, and building effective “Orphanage”. The film documents speaking about the US’ promise antiwar/anti-occupation actions the producer’s recent travels to to bring democracy to Iraq. He said, “Occupation essentially and Mobilization Against War & Occupation’s 3rd conference, fundamentally enforces power November 27th, 2004. by suppression by direct military operation. Everything under a Iraq, where she met with orphans American Century’. “When the military occupation is ultimately Kwantlen Students Against and learned about their situation American army is defeated in Iraq decided by the top military under occupation. it will be a great victory not just command and their bosses in War and Occupation says: The first speaker was Tim Louis, a for Iraq, it will be a victory for all the imperialist governments. Vancouver City Councilor. Louis’ of us. It will be a defeat not just for Interim governments, civilian talk entitled, “Bush’s Election America in Iraq, but much more governments, all are pure & the Era of Endless Wars and importantly, it will be a defeat for nonsense. The simple counter Occupations” addressed the America worldwide, and it will DEFEND WAR not just be a defeat for American document, ‘Project for a New Continued on page 45 RESISTERS! imperialism, it will be a defeat for

By Tamara Hansen The outcome of these cases will set a precedent which & Kasia Machelak will possibly give more war Mobilization Against War resisting US soldiers the option Kwantlen Students Against War of coming to Canada without and Occupation (KSAWO) is a fear of deportation back to the new club at Kwantlen College. US army or prison. The first of and Occupation Celebrates With strong support from the the refugee review hearings was th student body KSAWO formed set for December 6 2004 for US in October of 2004, in order War Resister Jeremy Hinzman. to bring antiwar organizing Because of this KSAWO set opportunities to Kwantlen up an afternoon long petition 1 Year Anniversary students. Since historically drive at the end of October to students have been central in raise awareness on the issue organizing around social justice and open discussion around By Nicole Burton issues, Kwantlen College is an War Resisters on campus. During this petition drive we important place to encourage On October 31st 2004, Mobilization collected over 148 signatures people’s politicization. Against War and Occupation in support of defending US (MAWO) celebrated its first year in Kwantlen students also soldiers’ democratic rights and represent a variety of different existence as an antiwar coalition in were able to engage in valuable the Lower Mainland and as a part elements in the struggle of poor discussions with students on the and oppressed people as many of the global antiwar movement issues of war, occupation and the with a cultural night and fundraiser. are from third world nations or anti-war movement. To a packed house of antiwar are ESL students who are being activists, students, people of colour, exploited with the high costs The first of the three forums was held on Tuesday November 2nd immigrants and refugees; speakers of post-secondary education. and performers led the evening Also, there are many students at the Kwantlen Surrey campus with song, dance, and the politics at Kwantlen who are presently in the Fishbowl Café. Over of war, occupation, and resistance. in the Canadian Armed Forces. the course of the forum, many These are the politics that MAWO Because of the diversity of people who had come to the has been organizing around since Kwantlen, and how it relates café to study became engaged the coalition’s formation on to the situation of war and in the forum. Alexis Moore, a October 29th 2003. first year student and organizer occupation at home and abroad, Midway through the night, the KSAWO decided that the War with KSAWO, the next speaker festivities calmed down for three Vancouver hip-hop crew P.O.S. performing at MAWO Resisters Campaign would be was Kasia Machelak, Kwantlen speakers to talk about MAWO’s fundraiser, November 27th 2004 a good way to begin the club’s student and coordinator of formation, its successes and KSAWO, during her talk with her talk entitled, “What is indigenous organizations, student political organizing on campus. establishments, and its future MAWO?” Bundock gave a brief and labour unions. From this Kira she outlined the cases of in organizing against war and background and history of the Koshelanyk, also the co-chair of War Resisters are American Brandon Hughey and Jeremy occupation. Shannon Bundock, soldiers seeking refugee status coalition, and illustrated the need MAWO and a student at Langara co-chair of Mobilization Against for effective antiwar movement in Canada. At present we are War and Occupation, opened Continued on page 39 aware of three separate cases. Continued on page 40 building by youth, women,

38 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 39 MAWO Emergency Rally Against the Attacks on Fallujah

By Alison Bodine Kwantlen College and a member of the Kwantlen Students Against & Noah Fine War And Occupation (KSAWO), spoke about the importance of On November 20th, Mobilization student organizing in the antiwar Against War and Occupation movement and the successes at (MAWO) held an emergency Kwantlen and other campuses in the demonstration in response to the US Lower Mainland. Marysol Torres occupation forces direct military an organizer with the Vancouver attacks on Fallujah. With the Internationalist Bolivarian Circle demands: Stop Attacks on Fallujah spoke about failed and erroneous Now! Bring The Troops Home US interventions in Venezuela. Now! Self Determination for Iraq, The Korean Students Network Palestine, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Against War (KSNAW) performed Indigenous Nations in Canada! This a number of powerful dances used demonstration successfully brought to motivate the masses in Korea and the struggles of oppressed people showed Vancouver another form of into the streets of Vancouver. protest. Starting Monday, November 8th Aaron Mercredi an organizer with the US unleashed a brutal assault Mobilization Against War and on the city and people of Fallujah. Occupation (MAWO) then led us They bombed homes, hospitals and into the march with an energizing mosques with complete disregard and motivating speech about the for human life. The US is digging devastation occurring in Fallujah itself into a deeper and deeper hole and its connection to the Indigenous in Iraq and increased the attacks on struggle in Canada. Fallujah as an attempt to control All through downtown Vancouver resistance. This attack is only the chants demanding US/UK Out of beginning of what we are going to Iraq! echoed off of buildings and see throughout cities all over Iraq. buses. As the sun was setting, the The intensity of the assault required protesters in the streets of Vancouver the antiwar movement to respond MAWO rally in Vancouver against the US-led assault on Falluja, November 20th 2004. were connected with oppressed quickly and effectively. The march those under attack at home and rally went well beyond the sidewalk Afshar from the United Muslim people around the world by this and rally did just this, echoing the abroad. There was a large number surrounding the Art Gallery, filling Alliance spoke as a Muslim living united march for self-determination demands of not only the people of of Muslims and students in all of downtown Vancouver. in Vancouver. Other members and against occupation. Fallujah and the rest of Iraq, but attendance. Over 350 people came Kelly White opened, welcoming of the Muslim community also Bring The Troops Home Now! those of oppressed people around out in the freezing cold demanding spoke, demanding an end to the the world. our demonstration to Coast Salish Self Determination for Iraq, an end to the occupation of Iraq. territory and setting the powerful occupation. Among other speakers, Palestine, Afghanistan, Haiti, and The composition of the rally was The demands and chants of the tone of our entire rally. Khosro Alexis Moore, an activist at Indigenous Nations in Canada! dynamic and representative of

MAWO 1st Year Free the Cuban Five Committee – Courtenay Anniversary From page 38 College, spoke about, “What has Expands Solidarity with Successful Forum MAWO established?” Koshelanyk outlined the coalition’s expansion onto college campuses and out of By Sophie Ziner around the world. Cuba provides a with a slideshow of a trip he had and demoralize them, the Cuban Vancouver proper into Surrey, New positive example for communities organized with local students to Five have remained determined Westminster, Richmond, Victoria, & Thomas Davies everywhere of people uniting Cuba. He detailed Cuba’s unique in their fight for justice, and were and beyond. Lastly, Nicole Burton, around common interests to build and exceptional education system awarded an appeal at the Atlanta a Langara student and MAWO nd a more just future. The network and society amidst the over 40 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in organizer, spoke on, “Where is On Friday October 22 , the MAWO going?” Burton addressed first event organized by the of Cuban 5 solidarity committees year old blockade. March of 2003 - the verdict of the importance of continuing to Free the Cuban Five Committee also provides an important The Committee then showed a which is still eagerly awaited. organize educational events and - Courtenay took place with opportunity to be involved in film of Leonard Weinglass, an The forum organized by the mass mobilizations. MAWO an interested and enthusiastic an international movement for attorney for one of the Cuban Free the Cuban Five Committee expands and develops as a major audience in the Stan Hagen justice, and connect with people Five, addressing the United - Courtenay was another positive antiwar coalition in Canada. In Theatre at Comox Valley’s nationally and internationally States National Lawyers Guild step in creating awareness and just one year since its inception North Island College. The Free with similar objectives. Convention. His thorough exposé action everywhere around the on October 29, 2004 MAWO has the Cuban Five Committee The forum was opened by one brings to light the history of the injustices committed against the organized over 100 events in the - Vancouver participated in Lower Mainland. of the organizers, Abby Rolston, Cuban Five. Cuban Five and Cuban poeple. the event and wholeheartedly who outlined the history of US This success indicates the good The evening featured a variety of endorses this new initiative. This The information presented in the intervention in Cuba since the film was continued by Thomas potential for further work in culture and festivities, and reflected can be seen as indicative of the 19th Century. This suppression Courtney, as well everywhere the basis of Mobilization Against overall growth in Cuba solidarity Davies of the Free the Cuban led to the successful revolt 5 Committee - Vancouver. His else in Canada, in communities of War and Occupation’s ongoing organizing and awareness around and overthrow of the United all different sizes. Internationally and consistent work within the the case of the five Cuban presentation addressed new city of Vancouver and beyond. It States imposed dictator General developments in the case of the Cuba and the Cuban Five represent political prisoners held in U.S Fulgencio Batista in 1959 by the for people the possibilities of also reflected our goal of building jails. Cuban 5 form a strong Cuban Five- who have now been a movement of oppressed people mass uprising of people of Cuba. separated and incarcerated for struggle for humanity. This makes who celebrate the resistance in and public resistance against Since then, the United States has international and expanding imperialist attacks, their defense the past six years. Their families Iraq as our common struggle with a continued to attack the island, are often outright denied visiting campaigns all the more possible common goal: to end the occupation is of particular importance to through the creation and financing and necessary. People worldwide anyone working for social justice visas on grounds of “national and fight for self-determination. On of terrorist organizations, and a 43 security”, and even René united in the common interest of st and imperialist aggression. The October 31 antiwar activists and year old blockade of Cuba- which Gonzalez’ 6 year old daughter, self-determination, and led by the supporters celebrated MAWO’s 1st case is important for all people intends to strangle the people into Ivette, has been continually examples of Cuba and the Cuban anniversary, another important step interested exposing the hypocrisy submission. 5, create a powerful front in the in this ongoing struggle to defeat of the offensives against people prevented from seeing her father Retired high school teacher and as the U.S. government continues international endeavor for true war, occupation and imperialism who are defending their right to freedom and dignity. – for the right of self-determination dignity and self-determination all long time community activist, to refuse a visa to her mother. for all oppressed nations. Neil Crouch continued the event Despite these attempts to isolate

38 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 39 Breaking Down The Blockade VCSC Campaigns Against US Blockade of Cuba

By Noah Fine Cuba, stating that, “It promotes anti-racist views.” October 16th witnessed the The next speaker was Tamara unraveling of the blockade in Hansen, the coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba’s (VCSC) Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC). forum entitled “Cuba Under She gave the history of US the US Blockade for over 43 intervention in Cuba starting years: What’s next?” The forum with before the Revolution and took place at the Collingwood brought us through to today Neighborhood House on Joyce with the increasing US attacks St. and attracted over 45 people on Cuba, aimed at breaking to attend. down the revolutionary Cuban government. The presentation began with the MC Noah Fine, an organizer The next film called Desafio. with VCSC, introducing the Desafio is a film created by art organization “We came together students in Cuba and illustrates around Cuba in May of this year the harsh reality of the blockade due to an increase in hostility but also talks about the gains from the United States towards made through 43 years under the government and people of the blockade. The film shows Cuba.” He also spoke about large demonstrations of people different events put on by VCSC in Cuba, the unity of this country, in the past. and also depicts the support of the people towards their President After the introduction one of the Fidel Castro. VCSC organizer Colleen addresses the crowd at Vancouver Communities in Solidarity two movies that were planned for the evening was shown. It was After the discussion the two with Cuba forum, October 16th 2004. called, “Tuning with the Enemy”. speakers were asked if they It described how the US is not would like to close discussion. only trying to cut off medicine Marcel Hatch expanded on and food from the Cuban people, how important it is to confront but how the blockade is also an imperialism with Cuba as Join Fight Against US attempt to silence their music and a leading example. Tamara culture. The film documented the Hansen closed by talking about actions of a group in the US that the importance of solidarity puts together cargoes of used work with Cuba and encouraged Yankee in Solidarity with pianos to send to Cuba. It also everyone to get involved in showed how Cubans have no way organizing around Cuba. of replacing old instruments and This was another very successful parts under the lockdown of the forum built by VCSC and shows in Cuba! Join VCSC brutal blockade. the consistency and substance of The forum then proceeded their work. By Tamara Hansen the José Martí Anti-Imperialist students and young people are with the two speakers. The first If you are interested in Cuba Tribune, across from the US working together to educate, speaker was Marcel Hatch, an Solidarity work please contact Interests Section in Havana organize and mobilize people Around the world students and organizer with Cuba Education Vancouver Communities in to protest US intervention in across Greater Vancouver in young people have traditionally Tours. Marcel gave an outline of Solidarity with Cuba: cubacomm their country. The rally was support of Cuba. the effects and reasons for the US been a major force in movements nd [email protected]; in celebration of the 82 With a current campaign to ‘Lift blockade on Cuba. He also talked for social justice. This December anniversary of the Federation the Blockade Against Cuba’ about the gains of socialism in 778-882-5223 in Cuba this proud history for of University Students (FEU) VCSC has been organizing young people is being pushed and was a direct condemnation into the forefront once again forums and petition days to of the US’ hostility towards open more discussion around with students and youth joining Cuban independence and in together to emphasize their the subject of Cuba throughout defense of Cuba’s right to self- British-Columbia. Currently excitement and dedication to determination. making change. the group has collected 600 At this rally the president signatures for its petition to lift Defend War Resisters! nd On Dec.2 the Young of the FEU Carlos Lage the blockade, and is planning to From page 38 the Korean Students Network Communist League (UJC) Codorniú, emphasized how US collect many more during this Against War (KSNAW) who opened its eighth congress intervention in Cuba impacts long-term campaign. Hinzman, two War Resisters, spoke about the case of a Korean in Cuba. The Cuban group, resistance to US hegemony. and related their experience to conscientious objector. which has over half a million People of the world must “Every machination by the listen when Fidel Castro the antiwar movement. Noah On Wednesday November 10th members, met to discuss the role Northern power makes us Fine who is an organizer with of young people in building the said, “Neither aggression nor Richmond KSAWO held their prouder and stronger.” blockade, terrorist acts or the Mobilization Against War and third War Resisters forum. over 170 new social programs Occupation (MAWO) spoke currently starting in Cuba. The Later, Hassan Perez, the Second disintegration of the socialist Throughout the discussion many Secretary of the National block, or the extreme right’s next about resistance in Iraq topics were discussed from the congress was attended by 1,200 and the demoralization of US delegates and 300 guests. It Committee of the UJC stated, rise to power in the United war in Iraq, to the occupation th “Washington does not have States… have been able to troops in Iraq. There was a lot of Afghanistan, to reasons that was closed on Dec 5 with an of participation from the students address by Comandante Fidel the moral or legal authority break our heroic people’s spirit students should defend War to condemn Cuba. With of struggle.” who came out to this event and Resisters and how these events Castro. Castro urged young everyone was encouraged to get people to learn and spread our achievements in health, Because of the heroic fight by relate to each other in the context education, culture, and the involved in the War Resisters of imperialism and US foreign their knowledge. “In this the Cuban people, especially campaign. ideological struggle, ideas are social sector in general, we are youth and students, Vancouver policy. the ones who have much to th our fundamental weapons; our Communities in Solidarity with On Tuesday November 9 , the Through KSAWO the War show to those who are today second of the series of forums most important ammunition is Cuba is committed to standing Resisters campaign has been also ideas. We have to arm our slandering and threatening us.” in solidarity with them. Together was held in Langley. This event brought to the attention of brought out many interested cadres with ideas so that they, The fight of the Cuban people, we must fight for Cuba’s right hundreds of people at Kwantlen in turn, can pass these on to the in defense of Cuba’s gains since to self-determination and the students. The first speaker at College, whether through signing this event was Allison Bodine, young and to all of the people.” the revolution and against US advancements made since the the petition or attending a forum attacks and the blockade, are not Cuban revolution. president of the Coalition Against the importance of opening the Students and young people’s the War On the People of Iraq work in Cuba has not only going unnoticed here in Canada. If you are interested in boarders to War Resisters. We Vancouver Communities in and Internationally (CAWOPII must defend and protect their right been focused on advancing the doing Cuban Solidarity - a UBC club), who spoke about Cuban revolution within Cuba. Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC), work please contact: to refuse to fight in imperialist th an organization made up of the resistance to the occupation illegal and criminal wars. On Dec. 20 2004, 5,000 Cuban [email protected] | in Iraq. The second speaker was students gathered together at women, people of the third 778-882-5223 Kay Kim, an organizer with world and predominantly

40 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 41 ‘We Stand Firmly With Cuban People Against US Criminal Blockade’

A Speech By exploitation was a result of US Tamara Hansen intervention in their country. During this time Cuba was ruled by a series of US supported or US On October 16th Vancouver imposed dictators. In 1952 a new Communities in Solidarity with US imposed dictator, Batista, took Cuba (VCSC) held a film and power. Batista was however the forum night at Collingwood last US sponsored puppet leader Neighbourhood House entitled, in Cuba and was over thrown by a “Cuba under the US Blockade popular revolution in 1959. for 43 years: What’s Next?”. There were two speakers on the In 1959, when the Cuban people panel, one of which was Tamara took back their country, US Hansen, the coordinator of VCSC. companies and pleasure seekers Below is her talk outlining the were forced off the island, along US’ blockade against Cuba and with much of the Cuban elite. VCSC’s new campaign to “Lift This led to the US trying to the Blockade Against Cuba”. reclaim its stakes in Cuba with the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Short history of US This invasion was heavily US Intervention backed, but despite being out First, I want to begin with a numbered against an expertly history of US intervention in trained and funded army, the Cuba. Before the revolution Cuban militia was able to beat from the 1890’s to 1959 the back the imperialist invaders. United States used Cuba as a After the defeat of the Bay of VCSC Coordinator Tamara Hansen (middle) speaking at Vancouver Communities in Solidarity military base, a playground for Pigs invasion the United States with Cuba forum, October 16th 2004. Marcel Hatch (right) spoke on behalf of the Cuba rich and famous Americans, and moved to more diplomatic means for plundering resources and to try and silence Cuba’s new Education Committee, and Noah Fine (left) was the MC. labour to create products such revolutionary government. For as cheap sugar. During this time this they established an economic trade with the USSR. This was Why the Blockade? being pushing forward, making the Cuban people grew more blockade on Cuba in 1962. At the case until the USSR fell in the What are the motives behind the major economic and social aware of who was profiting off that time the blockade stopped 1980’s at which point the already blockade? The blockade is an gains for its people and country. of their exploitation and how Cuba’s sugar exportation to the desperate situation- caused by the attempt by the US administration Today, Cuba is the best country their deepening poverty and US, however Cuba was able to blockade, got worse. to create poor conditions for in Latin America in terms of life people in Cuba in hopes that expectancy, literacy, doctors and they will loose faith in their infant mortality rate. Cuba has government. This will then leave been able to accomplish these space for the US to implement gains through mass literacy its dominance over Cuba. The campaigns, sending doctors Bush’s Election & the Era of Endless free of charge to other Latin blockade has been modified and reinforced many times since its American nations, free healthcare creation in 1962, and still exists and education (including Wars and Occupations today. post-secondary), agrarian reform and land redistribution. In 1992, it was reinforced with These advances are all major the Torrecelli Act or ‘Cuban accomplishments, especially A Speech by Vancouver City Councilor Democracy Act’, under this act considering they are under the any ships from any nations that blockade and that before the have docked or have transported revolution 70% of Cuba’s land Cuban goods cannot dock in US belonged to US companies. These Tim Louis in MAWO conference ports for 160 days afterwards. gains have reinforced the Cuban This act limits Cuba’s access people’s determination to support to food and medicine as well their government and fight for Transcribed and that bring about change or always had a very clear and well- as attempts to prevent other their rights. organizations with a clear well- thought out political analysis. First countries from trading with Many of these gains have been Edited by thought out political analysis. I wanted to start by saying that I Cuba. think it’s great you are organizing made through mobilizations, By Tamara Hansen It doesn’t really matter the size In 1996, the blockade was voluntary work and of the group, what does matter events like this, it is important that strengthened again with the you have a clear political analysis internationalism. There have been On November 27th Mobilization is the clear political analysis Helms-Burton Act which forbade many marches and rallies against and the internal democracy of of world events that you view. Against War and Occupation Today we are talking about Iraq any US company from trading the blockade, especially after the that organization. So far as the th held its third conference at the and we are talking about Bush. with Cuba and attempted to May 6 announcement when over Britannia Community Centre antiwar movement is concerned punish other countries for trading a million people marched through in Vancouver. The conference’s in Vancouver, the newspaper Fire with Cuba as well. the streets of Cuba demanding an This Time and your group have Continued on page 42 first section was opened by Then again on May 6th 2004, the end to the blockade. Voluntary Vancouver City Councilor Tim United States announced that it work has also helped to achieve Louis. Louis spoke on “Bush’s was putting $59 million towards much of the new construction in Election & the Era of Endless Cuba, from hospitals to schools Wars and Occupations”. Below new attacks on Cuba. This money will be spent towards radio to housing. The Cuban people’s is the excerpt of his inspiring talk dedication to voluntarily building about US imperialism and the and TV signals to be broadcast their country has lead to major importance of the heroic Iraqi in Cuba against the Cuban resistance. government, mercenaries in Cuba gains for Cubans’ education and and limiting Cuban-Americans healthcare. Good morning what a beautiful travel to Cuba to once every day. I wanted to preface my Internationalism is another gain three years and only for a two talk today by sharing with you not only for giving Cubans a a few brief observations about week period. This is a renewed strong world perspective, but also Mobilization Against War and attempt by the US administration for third world solidarity. Cuba Occupation. I’ve been on City to turn Cuba towards the world has sent doctors free of charge Council for five years now, but bank, privatization and is directly to other third world countries I’ve considered myself political against the gains of the Cuban such as Haiti and Venezuela. since I was about 19. I’ve been revolution. Currently, there are 450 Cuban observing City Hall for about 20- Cuba’s Gains and Response to doctors working free of charge 25 years now and I can tell you these Renewed Attacks throughout Haiti. with absolute certainty that over time I’ve witnessed organizations Tim Louis speaking at MAWO antiwar, anti-occupation Since the revolution Cuba has conference, November 27th, 2004 Continued on page 42 40 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 41 ‘It is Possible for any People, Anywhere, to Defeat any Imperialist Occupiers’

From page 41 machine. What that does mean, is branching out, it means building coalitions with other organizations, In the late 1800’s during the even if those organizations aren’t invasion of the Philippines, quite as clear in their political hundreds of thousands of analysis as we are. It means urging Philippine’s citizens were organized labour unions to strike. murdered by the American military As an example the Iraqi railway and before that the occupation workers recently refused, they of what we now refer to as the put down their tools and went on United-States, and the slaughter a strike. They refused to transport of millions of First Nations people. any supplies, even food, to the So he [Bush] is perhaps not yet the American military. If the Iraqi most blood thirsty president, but he railway workers can do that, would is most definitely surrounded by it not be possible for the Canadian people who are the most rightwing. working class to selectively strike For those of you that have not heard supplies that support the American of “Project for a New American war machine? Century”, I would encourage you to go look up this document. It was I am very very ashamed of the written when Clinton was still in fact that one of the contractors to power and was authored by 30 or 40 re-supply the American military of the most rightwing reactionary machine with bullets is a Canadian individuals to ever hold power. A company. They are also, by the handful of them went on to become way, the company selected by cabinet ministers in Bush junior’s Translink, the misadministrators cabinet. In that document they talk of Greater Vancouver Transit – the about their dream (their so-called people that want to shuttle 2 billion dream, for them a dream for the of our tax dollars out to a public- rest of us a nightmare). It’s a very private partnership. If there was lengthily document and its spells just one significant work stoppage out in detail exactly what they’ve here in Canada on the issue of the planned for the coming century, VCSC organizer Stan addressing the crowd at Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with American war, I have no doubt that the century we are now in. One of Cuba forum, October 16th 2004. that would be a spark in a cinder the things that they said was that five nations of the world combined, military establishment and the neo- little resources and little arms, like box and that it would then give a the American military needs to in terms of the military. It is now, in cons in the Bush administration Iraq, to defeat America. And show moral booster and courage to other be powerful enough that it could my mind, no longer whether or not, are so concerned) it will be a that it is possible for any people, unions that are thinking of doing simultaneously wage battles in at it’s no longer ‘if’ the Americans are defeat for America worldwide, anywhere to defeat any imperialist the same thing people that work leased two different theatres (that is defeated, but ‘when’ the Americans and it will not just be a defeat for occupiers. in ports, people that work in the how the military refer to wars). are defeated. When the American American imperialism, it will be shipping industry. It is impossible What we need to do, and we need at the end of the day for Rumsfeld This is something that the US army is defeated in Iraq it will be a defeat for imperialism period. It to do it urgently because every to prosecute the war, Rumsfeld military has never done before a great victory not just for Iraq, it will be a major major defeat for day there are more innocent Iraqi couldn’t pick up a gun if his next and that is why when they invaded will be a victory for all of us. It will imperialism, in this day of highly civilians killed in the most tragic retirement cheque depended on it. Iraq why Rumsfield did not accept be a defeat not just for America in sophisticated and incredibly well- of circumstances, we need to Wars are only ever fought because the advice from the American Iraq, but much more importantly funded American military machine, think creatively about ways to the working class are tricked and military. The American military (and this is why the American that it is possible for a nation with put pressure on the American war fooled into supporting the people in wanted to invade with American leadership positions, the ownership troop numbers far larger than the class. We acquiesce and cooperate number they did invade with. and build and produce and ship, Rumsfeld contends that with the and if we, in all of our numbers, high tech warfare that the American can get the working class here in military now possesses, the high ‘Cuba Needs Political Solidarity’ Canada to stop supporting the war tech military machine they now machine, the war will come to a have, that they could do it with a much quicker end. That’s only one relatively small number and that From page 41 Cuba has existed since 1962, it two countries are dedicating idea, there may be many, many would demonstrate to the world has become more relevant in the themselves to making social, others. that it is possible for America to Why is the US afraid of Cuba? last couple of years. The reason economic and political wage war in two theatres at the for this is only in part because of advancements for their people. There was a decision made, a same time. To the rest of Latin America the US’ new aggression towards The international relationship tactical decision, of strategic Cuba represents an alternative to Cuba. To better understand the between these two third world importance, not to have Bush speak I thought it would be absolutely US intervention and US backed to parliament (when Mulroney impossible for a nation that had importance of the US blockade countries directly counters regimes. The US is determined to was Prime Minister he had Regan endured some of the most severe today we must look at the attempts by the United States to over throw Cuba’s revolutionary speak to parliament) it wasn’t economic sanctions ever imposed international context in which impose its hegemony and shows government in order to insure just a scheduling nicety it was a on a nation, I thought it would Cub and the United States find that when people are united they tactical decision, because Martin be very difficult for that nation that other countries do not themselves. can beat back imperialism. and Bush knew that there would that had already lost hundreds of follow Cuba’s example towards The US’ international context is Organizing in Vancouver be tens of thousands of Canadians thousands of children as a result better social programs and one of economic and moral crisis. demonstrating against the war of those economic sanctions, away from the World Bank Vancouver Communities in This can be seen most clearly in criminal. So let’s today come up very difficult for a nations whose and privatization. Despite this, Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) the failing occupation of Iraq and with as many ideas as we can let’s military was literally no longer in the blockade has been a failed is aiming to increase discussion the recent ‘democratic’ elections today begin to develop the schedule existence having been destroyed in attempt at a coup d’état in Cuba around Cuba in Vancouver, in Afghanistan. Both of these for implementing those plans, the first Iraqi war, very difficult for for the last 43 years and Cuba’s across BC and around Canada. situations represent a major moral let’s today commit to working a nation that didn’t really have the influence has been spreading. We are asking people to take a with as broad an array of other support of other Arab nations which failure for the United States with stance in favor of Cuba and its This can be seen right now in organizations as possible, no matter co-opted and were purchased by the thousands dead, and two illegal right to self-determination. Our Venezuela where the Bolivarian where they sit, so long as they are West, very difficult for that nation occupations in sovereign nations. Revolution is continuing to make petition to ‘Lift the Blockade opposed to war and so long as they to put up a meaningful fight. I was These situations also represent against Cuba’ has already support the peace movement. not very optimistic, but what I’d social gains, similar to those of the major economic crisis the Cuba, and is becoming a larger collected over 200 signatures forgotten is what people like Che US is facing, which is forcing in one week, and I encourage I’m off, and I apologize for that but Guevara taught us decades ago, threat to US hegemony and US them to compete with other I’m leaving in just a few minutes to interests in Latin America. everyone to sign it after the what Ho Chi Min taught us decades imperialist nations for control forum. go out to UBC to the preparatory ago and what all of us should never Cuba’s internationalism and over resources and labour in conference for a Peace Conference forget, and what I’d forgotten and international work, both with third world countries. In its fight against imperialism, that will be held in 2006. I believe Cuba needs political solidarity. that some Mobilization Against that is that people by the tens of Venezuela and other countries, Cuba represents a very important thousands even poorly armed, will This does not mean just sending War and Occupation members is perhaps the most threatening strategical and political block to always defeat the military empire, aid, but also standing up with will be there. Keep up the great and effective element of US hegemony in Latin America. there can never be any doubt about Cuba’s strategy. This is because Cuba against the blockade and work. Keep up your clear political This is becoming more important analysis and your very democratic that. international work prevents against US intervention. Using as the US faces increasing attacks decision making process on What we’ve been witnessing forums, discussion, the petition isolation and is what the US is in the Middle East and continues Wednesday evenings. I wish you in the last couple of months is and other tools to educate and most afraid of: The creation of to rely on Latin America for all the very best of success not just an absolutely heroic battle, an organize North Americans on more Cubas. resources and labour power. for us, because at the end of the day absolutely courageous battle, by Cuba, Vancouver Communities our struggles are nothing but for the the citizens of Iraq against the Working in Vancouver: What Cuba’s international context can in Solidarity with Cuba is ready Iraqi citizens, who are dying by the occupiers and the worlds most is our international context? be seen within its growing ties to take this task on. thousands as we speak. Thank-you powerful military machine, with a with Venezuela. Together these Although the US blockade on Thank-you. very much. budget that is larger than the next

42 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 43 MAWO Student Week Against War and Occupation A Step Forward for Antiwar Movement in Lower Mainland

By Nicole Burton (SWAWO) bringing the Canada’s role as an imperialist banner of “Educate, Organize, and colonialist nation. At both Mobilize!” to 9 different Langara College and Simon During the antiwar movement’s campuses in 10 days. MAWO Fraser University, rallies preparatory actions against the along with Students’ Unions and against war and occupation approaching invasion of Iraq student antiwar organizations were held with guest speakers in 2002/2003, students and from Langley to the University from the Langara Students’ youth across the world became of British Columbia co- Union and the Simon Fraser a frontline force leading the organized 24 events from Students’ Society, along with movement into the streets. September 13th - 24th. Over other antiwar speakers, singers, Through the coordination of 1,500 students participated and hip hop artists. Wrapping student strikes, sit-ins, walk- in the discussions, debates, up the week, all-day mini film outs and marches, young people and plans for action during festivals were organized with developed as an essential part SWAWO, with the objective films on the occupations of of a growing and long-term of building an effective antiwar Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, movement against imperialist anti-occupation movement. Indigenous Nations in Canada, war and aggression. Since this and the struggle of people in initial stage, with the transition With the development of major anti-occupation resistance in Latin America in the era of war of the antiwar movement to and occupation. an anti-occupation movement, Iraq and the US/UK’s resulting students have increased their quagmire as an occupation Since the Student Week has organizing against war and force, campuses kick-started ended, dynamic antiwar occupation in their high schools, the week with in-depth forums organizing has continued on colleges and universities. and discussion on the ongoing Jin , an organizer with MAWO and the Korean Student Network campuses with different on- occupation of Iraq. Next, Against War, speaking at Student Week Against War forum at campus antiwar clubs such In the first month of the 2004 fall students organized and held as, Coalition Against the War Langara, September 13th 2004. semester, Mobilization Against forums on Canada’s role in war on the People of Iraq and War and Occupation (MAWO), and occupation, demanding ongoing MAWO campaign ‘Canadian troops out of Haiti’. Internationally (COWAPI- co-organized the Student Week CANADA OUT! These forums demanding: ‘Canadian troops Participants at the forums tackled UBC), Mobilization Against Against War and Occupation were organized as part of an out of Afghanistan’ and important questions around War and Occupation (MAWO- SFU), and Kwantlen Students Against War and Occupation (KSAWO-Kwantlen). These groups are important for the student movement as a whole, MAWO Shares Antiwar Movement Lessons and as students and young people in the antiwar movement are developing as an organized and coordinated force. As a result, Visions with Social Justice Activists in Toronto: students in 2004 are emerging not only in the frontlines, but as an organized leadership of the antiwar and anti-occupation Toronto forum on war and the antiwar movement a success movement. Colleges and universities are a By Ivan Drury The forum was chaired by The last two speakers were both and walking in a circle and being Mostafa Henaway of the June from the June 30th Organizing a participant, but a very passive battleground of ideas, in which 30th Organizing Committee (J30) Committee, a new antiwar participant. is no longer what the the energy and vision of young On Thursday October 7th at the in Toronto. The first speaker coalition in Toronto organizing movement is. We need to build people, first seen in the streets University of Toronto, thirty was Ivan Drury, an organizer against the occupations of Iraq people’s capacity to organize 2 years ago, has emerged again. young people and people from with Fire This Time Movement and Palestine and committed themselves and actually learn As a presence that is growing the third world got together at for Social Justice (FTT) and to fighting against Canadian how the world functions, if we and developing, students are a forum called, “Organizing Mobilization Against War imperialism. Mostafa Henaway, want to seriously challenge a unique and ultimately vital Against Imperialism and and Occupation (MAWO) in also an organizer with the the imperialist system and the component in today’s global Occupation: Lessons from the Vancouver. Palestinian Right to Return capitalist system.” antiwar movement. Past, Visions for the Future”. Christina Fernandez, an organizer Group, Al Awda, focused on The discussion at the end of The participants in the forum the importance of the antiwar Students and youth on every emerged from the tumultuous with the Coalition Against War the forum was challenging and campus and in every city and Racism continued this point, movement in Canada to focus on dynamic with all participants 2002-2003 antiwar movement, Canadian imperialism. “When have proven to be a powerful from histories of organizing explaining the terrible impact bringing their own perspectives imperialism has on people living people think about imperialism on what the movement is and and militant element against on campuses and in the streets and empire, they think of the the aggression of imperialist and attending demonstrations in occupied countries. Ahmad what it has to become. These Shokr, an organizer with the red, white and blue, not about people, bridging the East powers who are wrecking ranging from tens to tens of Canada and Canada’s imperialist havoc on oppressed nations thousands of people. These Arab Students’ Collective at the and West coasts of Canada, University of Toronto and with agenda. This is one reason the represented the many visions and today. The significance of the activists, organizers and June 30th Committee formed.” oppressed people came together the anti-racist, immigrant rights hopes that lie in the new antiwar Student Week Against War and to discuss what had gone right group, Project Threadbare, Liisa Schofield, also an organizer movement in Canada. What they Occupation (SWAWO) 2004 with the antiwar movement, brought this point home. He with NEWS in Iraq and Grass all shared is what MAWO, J30 has been in the foundation what had gone wrong and where outlined the need for the antiwar Roots Anti-Imperialist Network, and a growing number of young, created for the growing student to go from here. movement to tackle the racist both at York University, closed oppressed, poor and working movement against war and attacks on Arabs and Muslims the panel presentation with a people and their organizations The most significant element within Canada. He said that vision of what is needed to build all across Canada share. This is occupation that will continue of this forum was that it was this has to be done by fighting an effective antiwar movement. the desire and the will to build from this establishment in the the first time since millions of against these reactionary attacks “What our main goals should an effective movement to fight weeks, months, and years to people took to the streets against but also that the movement be in the movement are to build to end the occupations of Iraq, come. the war in Iraq in February “needs to build community an anti-imperialist movement, Palestine, Afghanistan, Haiti and Students and Youth: EDUCATE, 2003, that young anti-imperialist involvement in the movement so to build people’s capacity and Indigenous Nations in Canada organizers from Vancouver ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE that people from Arab-Muslim people’s actual consciousness. and for the self-determination Against War and Occupation! and Toronto shared a forum to communities can take steps to Just going out and having the of all oppressed nations in the discuss the state of the antiwar lead the movement.” numbers there at a demonstration world. movement. 42 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 43 MAWO in Vancouver Mobilizes and Demands: End the Occupations! Self-Determination!

By Nicole Burton & Shannon Bundock

September 2004: On September 13th 2004, over 100 Iraqis were killed as US helicopter gunships showered bombs and bullets from the skies above Fallujah, Sadr City, Ramadi, Tal Afar and Samarra. All the while the US government told the world, “We aren’t worried, these cities are isolated pockets of resistance that will be beaten in no time.” What wasn’t mentioned is that September 2004 brought an average of 84 attacks against occupation forces every day. By September 2004, the label ‘isolated pocket of resistance’ had long become an ironic and ridiculous term, as the US government was attempting to claim that the majority of Iraqi people substantiated an easily crushed and ‘isolated pocket of resistance’. As battles for freedom, dignity and sovereignty raged on in the streets of Iraq, people around the world, especially young people, were deepening their understanding of the fight against occupation and for self- determination. Throughout the fall of 2004, the Lower Mainland of BC was flooded with antiwar organizing. Forums, rallies, concerts and film showings were happening on campuses and in communities across the region. With the culmination of the Student Week Against War and Occupation (SWAWO MAWO rally against war and occupation, September 25th 2004. – See Page XX) Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO) held a demonstration lives, their homes, their nation and their demands in a unified and powerful rally. Time Movement for Social Justice Editorial calling for “Students & Youth, Organize, dignity against the Zionist settler-state of October 2004 Board, then rallied people for the march and Educate, Mobilize! End the Occupation! Israel”. Beside these young people, stood denounced imperialist war and occupation Self-Determination for Iraq!” Khosro Afshar of United Muslim Alliance, Over 250 people participated in the rally from Iraq, to Palestine, to Afghanistan, to David Dewert of the Christian community, and march on October 23rd, including a large Haiti, to Indigenous territory in Canada. September 25th was a dynamic and energetic and Kelly White a Coast Salish Elder and number of young people, people from the mobilization and was also the anniversary of Noah Fine, MAWO organizer, began the 2nd media activist. All of the speakers joined Muslim community, immigrants, refugees the second Palestinian Intifada. This was due half of the rally by speaking about MAWO’s in the calls to end imperialist war and and people of colour. Groups came from mainly to the number of young people and Canada Out! Campaign. He condemned the occupation. neighbouring cities, including the Sunshine students who had been involved in antiwar Coast Peace Group, who raised their voices moves of Canadian imperialism against the organizing over the previous two weeks and Hip-hop artists Ndidi Cascade and Deanna and marched with their banner. oppressed nations of Haiti and Afghanistan the growing awareness about what is taking performed songs of resistance, women’s and exposed the colonial history of the place in occupied nations around the world. strength and leadership and guitarist and The program began with a tone of unity Canadian imperialist state. singer, Ramon Flores brought songs of Latin and brotherhood and sisterhood, as Khosro Gisele DaSilva and David Fleming- Ska7cis, a young Secwepemc organizer with American struggles. Afshar opened up the rally. Following him, Saracenco, with the Simon Fraser Student’s So-hee, a Korean activist and organizer with the Skwek’wekwelt nation took the stage to Society, both stood up at the mic to condemn The diversity presented from the stage the National Campaign for Eradication of further expose Canada’s illegal occupation the US-led war and occupation of Iraq. Tamara reflected the unifying capacity that young Crimes by US Troops in Korea, spoke about of Indigenous nations. He also related the Hansen, a student activist and organizer with people have when they organize. This her experiences as an organizer within and government’s encroachment and occupation MAWO, “We stand here today, on the fourth demonstration, far from being exclusive, outside of Vancouver, and on the role of youth of Indigenous land to the US/UK occupation anniversary of the second Intifada, we stand actually opened space for young people to and women’s leadership. Mike Krebs, an of Iraq. as youth, while the youth of Palestine stand engage with over 300 people from other Indigenous activist and member of Fire This The final speaker, who tied the day together, half-way across the world, defending their oppressed communities that shared their was Kasia Machelak – MAWO founding member and coordinator of Kwantlen Students Against War and Occupation. Kasia closed by saying, “We’ve come together today as people in struggle. We come as OPERATION: CANADA OUT! youth, students, women, people of colour, people from the third world and Indigenous people, to show our solidarity with oppressed people that are struggling right now in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Palestine, in Haiti, and right here in the occupied Indigenous nations JOIN US! in Canada. We’re here to show that this is one struggle, by one people against one enemy signatures from the people of Greater its involvement in the leadership and – Victory for Oppressed Nations Against War By Nicole Burton and Occupation! End the Occupations! Self- Vancouver. In addition, the petition has execution of large-scale occupations on Determination!” gained national recognition as the first oppressed nations, combined with the Since January 2004, Mobilization of its kind pinpointing Canada as an continued occupation and displacement of The demonstrations on September 25th and Against War and Occupation (MAWO) imperialist and colonialist nation, with Indigenous people on their native land and October 23rd are not only rallies to intervene has organized for a long-term campaign concrete demands that the Canadian territories. Meanwhile, the government in imperialist aggression and oppose war against Canada’s role as an imperialist occupations of Afghanistan and Haiti end is also making major preparations for and occupation. They also act as political occupier. This campaign is in response now. larger roles in military aggressions for preparation for the months and years ahead, to the Canadian government’s stated future years. As a campaign challenging wherein the enemies of poor and working interest in “building Canada’s presence The expansion of this campaign has led to people will increase their attacks. Through petition drives on every major college and this imperialist and colonialist legacy, educating, organizing and coming together on the world stage”. The concrete result Operation: CANADA OUT! seeks of this interest has been Canada’s role university campus in the Lower Mainland, with other poor and working communities we to further expand this fight for poor can take one more step forward in the long as a leader of the NATO-occupation of as well as at the University of Victoria on and working people in all corners of battle for human freedom and dignity. All Afghanistan, and the invasion, occupation, Vancouver Island. In recent months, the petition has visited different corners of Canada. Please join us in this important poor and working people, all freedom-loving and plundering of Haiti as of March campaign to continue building towards people, must be mobilized and organized 2004. MAWO’s campaign Operation: Greater Vancouver, from North Vancouver to Richmond and Surrey a mass movement of people opposed if we are to put an end to the destruction, CANADA OUT! exposes this interest to imperialist Canada’s suppression of devastation and assaults that are torturing while demanding the immediate removal Mobilization Against War and oppressed nations – at home and abroad. and slaughtering our brothers and sisters of Canadian troops from Afghanistan Occupation’s CANADA OUT! campaign everywhere. and Haiti. The campaign takes form in has become one of the most significant Canadian Troops of Afghanistan! NO TO THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ! educational forums and discussions, long-term campaigns for the antiwar, Canadian Troops Out of Haiti! Brings The Troops Home Now! SELF-DETERMINATION FOR ALL with a major focus on a massive petition anti-occupation movement in Canada. OPPRESSED NATIONS! drive that has now collected nearly 8,000 The government of Canada is increasing

44 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 45 Long Live International Solidarity!

From page 30 work to dismantle it, and Whereas: July 21, 2004 the Whereas: The Gordon Campbell U.N. General Assembly voted government has recently enacted 150-6, with 10 abstentions, a questionable piece of legislation including Canada’s, to endorse called the “Safe Streets Act”; and the International Court of Justice Whereas: This act further decision, victimizes the poor and fails to Therefore be it resolved: That the address the root causes of crime Vancouver and District Labour such as poverty, homelessness, Council through the BC Federation addiction and unemployment; and of Labour and the Canadian Whereas: The provincial Labour Congress demand that government itself has contributed the Canadian government uphold to this problem through massive international law and enforce the program cuts; now International Court of Justice Therefore be it resolved: That decision by taking every measure the VDLC go on record in within its power to dismantle the opposition to the “Safe Streets Israeli separation wall in the West Act” and extend our support to Bank. organizations opposing the “Safe Long Live International Streets Act”; and Solidarity! Be it finally resolved: That the With these resolutions the trade VDLC reiterate our position that union movement in Vancouver the best way to make streets safe and district has demonstrated is for the provincial government solidarity with poor and homeless to rescind welfare cuts, provide An Israeli military checkpoint along the Apartheid Wall in West Bank, Palestine. people in Canada, with refugees proper levels of mental health - and particularly with American care, addiction services, and to War Resisters - and with the take other concrete steps to end Zionism, against racism and together around the world of Justice in the Hague ruled July struggle of the Iraqi and Palestinian poverty, create decent paying against Canadian imperialism. against our common enemies of 2, 2004 that the separation wall people against imperialist war and jobs, and provide safe affordable This resolution is against the imperialism and capitalism. The Israel is constructing in occupied occupation. These motions are housing for the citizens of British Israeli apartheid, “separation resolution reads: Palestinian territory is illegal and important as a declaration of unity Columbia. wall” that has cut through Whereas: The trade union that the wall makes it impossible between the rights of oppressed Palestinian land, separating for Palestinians to exercise their people internationally and the No the Apartheid Wall movement recognizes that peaceful farmers from their fields, families resolution of international disputes right of self-determination, and rights and struggle of working Finally, in a third motion passed from their homes and workers people and unions in Canada. th requires respect for international Whereas: The Court ruled that no on November 16 , the VDLC from their jobs. It is through this law, and state should recognize this illegal The VDLC has declared that the took a stand in solidarity with example of international solidarity wall and that every state should rights and struggles of oppressed the Palestinian people against that oppressed people can stand Whereas: The International Court people around the world are the rights and struggles of trade unionists in Vancouver. Fire This Time recognizes and applauds the passing of these resolutions and proudly stands beside the MAWO November 27th Conference Coverage Continued VDLC and the labour movement in demanding: From page 38 a worse place to live. Poverty, choose, so that in the long run, the ultimately our destiny is one. We REFUGEE STATUS FOR homelessness, prostitution, relationship of forces is changed need to unite in order to win. This BRANDON HUGHEY, JEREMY argument is that if they could human displacement, pollution, in our favor? Fundamentally the is what connects the Indigenous HINZMAN AND ALL WAR have a civilian government, environmental degradation, immediate confrontation is not struggle in this country to the RESISTERS! a democratic government, a AIDS, war and occupation. They on agenda. The most important struggle of Palestinians, Afghans NO “SAFE STREETS” government with diplomacy then have left no dignity for human issue is political preparation and especially Iraqi people THROUGH CAMPBELLS why did they start this war and kind. Because of the nature by organizing, educating and today.” Ali Yerevani ended his CUTS! CUT THE “SAFE occupation to begin with. War and of capitalism and imperialism, agitating. Political preparation talk by emphasizing that, “The STREETS ACT”! occupation is the next stage after imperialist countries are in fierce is key, so that gradually we will antiwar movement today in order ending and exhausting all civilian competition for new markets and make ourselves prepared not only to be able to expand and become THE WALL MUST FALL! END talks and processes. When you new resources and competition for the small changes now, but powerful and effective has to ISRAELI APARTHEID! have suppression and military is the root of these wars and also for the big decisive changes have three fundamental political tyranny you cannot talk about occupations. For this they have to later.” demands: End the Imperialist War, voluntarily going to elections find new resources by plundering One of the most essential issues End the Imperialist Occupation, for democracy. So we can’t other countries and nations using that Yerevani argued was that, and Self-Determination for have an imperialist occupation old ways or new tricks. Oppressed Nations. Everything movement.” She added that “Since the question is Occupation, through supporting “working and democratic process that He also made it clear that, “It’s the answer must be Liberation. else stems from these demands.” is a fact. Military occupation and poor people within both not neo-colonialism any more, And the only way today, in Within the discussion after imperialist and third world nations, is fundamentally, structurally, it’s direct colonialism. You don’t this time of imperialist war Yerevani’s talk the importance institutionally, politically, the expansion of this movement install a puppet government to and occupation, for liberation of long-term movement building into an anti-capitalist movement functionally and pracically in make sure that the flow of money, to manifest itself is through to with concrete demands was direct opposition with democratic – a movement that targets the root capital and profit is coming to you. fight for the self-determination strongly established. of imperialist war and occupation institutions and civilian If they could do that they would. of oppressed people, oppressed government. All this big noised MAWO co-chair, Shannon - also has the potential to become But today they are re-enforcing nations and nations under Bundock began the third section a reality.” around ‘Liberation’, ‘Democracy’, the old colonial strategy. You go imperialist domination and ‘Civilian government’, ‘Elected of the conference by outlining Bundock’s talk concluded by there directly because nobody occupation.” He then explained, the global antiwar movement government’ and ‘Democratic else can do the job for you. This “The strategy that we in Fire identifying the fact that, “the election’ is about buying enough in the last two years. First interest of imperialism is directly is what they are going to do in This Time introduced and have speaking on the conversion of the time for US/UK to keep people the next 20-30 years. This is hammered down on now for more opposed to the interest of the hopeful and wishful thinking. They antiwar movement into an anti- majority of the people in the very important for us, the antiwar than two years –although this is occupation movement, Bundock do this in order to grab enough movement, because if we do not not a new idea or strategy- which world. It is through establishing time to establish and consolidate said, “Despite the downturn in demands that are independent understand this we loose our has also been picked up by some momentum globally when Bush their military rule by demoralizing patience and perspective for our other politically active groups in from imperialist interests and people and suppressing the declared the war was ‘over’, the that don’t make concessions or struggle to defeat them.” Vancouver and in Canada is the Iraqi resistance was slowly gaining resistance movement.” clear, important and powerful bend to imperialist pressure, that Ali discussed the importance of strength. As a result, the fall of we can solidify a movement that Ali Yerevani added to this by working towards change. “We are strategy of UNITY OF PEOPLE 2003 brought a rejuvenation of identifying the fundamental AND NATIONS UNDER is EFFECTIVE, BROAD and witnessing a very difficult time the antiwar movement in the form LONG-TERM.” reasons for this era of war and in the history of humanity. The IMPERIALIST OCCUPATION of increased consciousness. This occupation. “Imperialists have question is: Are we just going to AGAINST IMPERIALIST increased consciousness brought The conference concluded with a deep rooted economic problems analyze, explain and comment the COUNTRIES. Whoever is with it a stronger movement from discussion around how we need world wide. From market to capital current imperialist trend and their suffering from imperialist the perspective of awareness and to continue to build momentum to investment to the average rate of actions or are we going to change occupation needs to unite and politics.” by taking on all opportunities to profit and production, every basic support other oppressed nations organize, educate and mobilize it with resistance and struggle? Bundock then clearly outlined element of capitalism is in crisis. The relationship of forces always with active solidarity or by joining around the issues of war and In order to tackle these problems them directly. Our problem is one, the importance of developing, occupation. dictates who rules and who “a worldwide anti-imperialist imperialists have made our earth obeys. What strategy can we therefore our cause is one, and

44 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 45 End Secret Trials and Security Certificates!

From page 31 The war on oppressed people in Canada in the era of war and occupation to continue as the “recession broadened and Many of the same factors that brought about deepened between 1990 and 1992” (HRSDC the introduction of the Security Certificate - Government of Canada, ‘History of by the Canadian ruling class keeps it in Unemployment’). As always, this recession use today. Since 9-11 however, reactionary brought increased attacks on workers in attacks on immigrants and refugees Canada and a drive from the ruling class for have taken on an even higher strategic increased racist division between workers. importance for the ruling class in Canada, One of their main tactics in this strategy the US and other imperialist countries. was to attack the new, growing and most vulnerable layer of the working class: Alongside Canada’s new imperialist immigrants and refugees. adventures in Afghanistan and Haiti, the suppression of the democratic, legal, After declining yearly between 1974 and economic and political rights of immigrants 1985, immigration levels had hit a steady and refugees is necessary for the survival increase of between 12% and 53% a year and expansion of Canadian capital. Every between 1986 and 1991. This increase time a government official speaks of the included a rise in refugee claims resulting 2002 Immigrant and Refugee Protection from an international capitalist crisis Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, the December marked by imperialist war (such as the first 2003 Public Safety Act or Security US-war on Iraq in 1991) and in 1989 led Certificates directly, they speak of them in the government to bring in the Immigrant terms of “national security.” The question and Refugee Board (IRB). This tribunal through the province in defense of the rights sentiment of the RCMP following the Oka they never answer is, national security for of workers and oppressed people, the ruling crisis of 1990. She said, “We live in a world system of refugee determination, justified who? through the racist attacks on Sikh and Tamil class said that the union was ‘holding the of heightened vigilance, both here and in refugees that landed in Nova Scotia in the The phrase “national security” coming from province hostage’ and called the strikers a the US. Information sharing, collection and late 1980’s, set the stage for continued the mouths of government officials is meant threat to the security of BC. dissemination is key to fighting terrorism.” reactionary restrictions on refugee and to confuse working people about where Today, while the ministry of labour With Security Certificates remaining immigrant applicants. their security lies. However, this phrase recognizes that the shrinking population entrenched in the Immigrant and Refugee refers only to the security of the Canadian It was based on these factors that Security in Canada spells out a greater dependence Protection Act and the Secret Trial Five ruling class, a security completely separate on immigrant labour, the ruling class’ worst remain in jails, waiting for working, poor Certificates were introduced with the purpose and hostile to the security of working, poor of terrifying the growing communities of ‘threat to national security’ are immigrants and oppressed people in Canada to stand and oppressed people. In 1990, the RCMP themselves - specifically those immigrants together and say, “Enough! Racist terror new immigrants and refugees and to control referred to the Mohawk nation as a threat to them as a cheap, desperate and exploitable who are most vulnerable and under attack against Muslims and Middle Eastern national security, Quebecois sovereigntists by imperialism internationally, Arabs, immigrants and refugees has nothing to do labour force. But that was not all. The have been a threat to national security, and reason the Canadian ruling class does not Muslims and everyone from the Middle with my security!” so have working people when they have East or South Asia. want a super-exploited community to grow organized themselves for decent wages NO SECURITY CERTIFICATES! NO without being terrorized by the police, CSIS and conditions. How did the BC Liberal End Secret Trials and Security SECRET TRIALS! FREE THE SECRET or the immigration board is because of the government refer to Hospital Employee Certificates! TRIAL FIVE! very real danger that the oppressed people Union workers during the strike of May On CBC television, Anne McLellan, the will organize themselves and fight back. 2004? When the strike threatened to spread Minister of Public Safety repeated the Le Mouvement Fire This Time pour Movimiento Fire This Time Por l’Équité Sociale: L’Union fait la Force! Justicia Social - Bases de Unidad Hoy en día la humanidad es amenazada por guerras, comportamientos que humillen y degraden creando L’humanité est incessament menacée de guerre, Notre objectif est de bâtir une base politique hambre, crisis económicas, crimen y pobreza: hostilidad y división entre nosotros. famine, crises économiques, pauvreté et crime, diverse et de mettre le Parti Libéral de la males creados por el capitalismo y su incesante La meta del Movimiento Fire This Time por Justicia suscités par les capitalistes et leur recherche du Colombie-Britannique en déroute. Nous forgeons búsqueda por maximizar sus beneficios a expensas Social es construir un amplio movimiento de base, profit au détriment de tous les peuples du monde. les outils qui démanteleront l’abominable monstre de todos los pueblos del mundo. Para combatir estos fuerte y eficaz para derrotar al gobierno Liberal de Afin de combattre ces crimes contre l’humanité, Libéral! De plus, ce Mouvement s’intégrera dans crímenes contra la humanidad, debemos concentrar C. B., y aunque nos enfoquemos principalmente nous devons concentrer nos efforts sur la création une lutte révolutionaire internationale contre todos nuestros esfuerzos en construir los cimientos en la lucha política local, nuestro movimiento se et l’avance d’une lutte contre le capitalisme et le capitalisme et l’impérialisme – quoique para avanzar en una amplia lucha contra el capital integra en el amplio contexto revolucionario de les autorités locales capitalistes, dans le but de l’essentiel de nos engagements politiques est internacional, sus herramientas de división de la la lucha internacionalista contra el capitalismo e détruire les instruments qui divisent le prolétariat. au niveau local, l’envergure de notre entreprise clase obrera y sus instituciones locales. Les principes fondamentaux du Mouvement Fire est internationaliste. Par force de soutenir la imperialismo. El apoyo a las luchas populares en This Time pour l’Équité Sociale sont la solidarité lutte internationale contre la classe dirigeante, Los principios fundamentales del Movimiento Fire otros países debilita la hegemonía y el poder de la et l’unification des pauvres et des ouvrier(ère)s nous affaiblissons l’hégémonie des capitalistes This Time por Justicia Social son la unidad y la clase capitalista en otras tierras, debilitando a la vez aux niveaux local et international. Il faut bien en Afrique, Asie, au Moyen-Orient, etc., et par solidaridad activa de todos los pobres y la clase su poder local, y por consecuencia esto apoya las comprendre que ces principes sont denués de conséquent nous rendons vulnérable leur autorité trabajadora, local e internacionalmente. Estos luchas populares en Canadá. Además, la práctica de sens sans une lutte active concomitante, car les ici aussi, au Canada. En outre, l’existence d’un principios no tienen sentido sin una lucha activa la solidaridad internacional solidifica la cooperación capitalistes ne nous donnerons pas la victoire mouvement internationaliste pour l’équité sociale y tenaz, pues en sí estos principios se oponen esencial en la construcción de un movimiento sur un plateau d’argent – la poursuite de nos exige la solidarité et le soutien de nos camarades rotundamente a los intereses de la clase dominante, mundial por justicia social. La agenda del Gobierno objectifs est à l’encontre des intérêts capitalistes à l’étranger. Les objectifs du Parti Libéral font la cual utilizará todos los medios a su disposición Liberal es parte de un programa de reestructuración et ils utiliseront les moyens les plus grossiers partie intégrante d’un projet mondial économique para mantenernos divididos y hostíles entre nosotros global conocido como neo-liberalismo. La lucha dans le but de nous vaincre. Alors la solidarité connu sous le nom de néolibéralisme. La lutte mismos. contra el Partido Liberal de Colombia Británica es por lo tanto una lucha contra el neo-liberalismo y s’impose! contre le Parti Libéral de la Colombie-Britannique Fire This Time es una organización política est donc aussi la lutte contre le néolibéralisme capitalismo global. Le Mouvement Fire This Time est une organisation basada en la acción y comprometida en construir et le capitalisme mondialisé. Nous tenons à politique activiste qui s’engage aussi à édifier le el poder social y político de los trabajadores/as y Debemos ampliarnos implícita y explícitamente y préciser que nous resistons au capitalisme bras pouvoir politique des pauvres et des ouvrier(ère)s los pobres de Colombia Británica. Creemos que la hacer las conexiones relevantes a nuestras luchas de la Colombie-Britannique. Nous avons tout dessus bras dessous avec des millions d’autres única manera de desafiar eficazmente y amenazar locales diarias, para poder superar las divisiones lieu de croire que la seule façon de contester le ouvrier(ère)s et démuni(e)s dans le monde al gobierno y su agenda corporativa es con la geográficas, y dejar claro que no estamos solos, entier. Dans l’enceinte de la mondialisation gouvernement et ses ambitions politiques est par organización de masas en lugares de trabajo y en que luchamos junto a millones de personas de une résistance organisée dans la rue et dans nos capitaliste et impérialiste, les luttes régionales et las calles. Nos dedicamos a movilizar y a unificar a la clase obrera y pobres del mundo entero. En la lieux de travail. Nous nous engageons à mobiliser locales font immanquablement partie de la lutte la clase obrera para combatir al Gobierno Liberal, y globalización capitalista - imperialista no hay lucha et à unifier les ouvrier(ère)s et les démuni(e)s des internationale. sus legislaciones y políticas en contra de los pobres local que no tenga un carácter internacional. y trabajadores/as. communautés les plus exploitées de la région Le Mouvement Fire This Time pour l’Équité El Movimiento Fire This Time por Justicia Social métropolitaine de Vancouver et au-delà. Tous Sociale appuyera et s’unira aux autres Nos comprometemos a organizarnos junto apoyará y trabajará con otros movimientos y luchas et toutes contre le gouvernement Libéral et ses mouvements progressistes pour leurs/nos con la gente pobre y los trabajadores/as de las progresistas ya sea por demandas inmediatas o a politiques anti-pauvres et anti-ouvrières!: les revendications immédiates et à long terme, soit comunidades más atacadas y explotadas de largo plazo a nivel local, nacional, e internacional. personnes de couleur, immigrant(e)s, réfugié(e)s, aux niveaux municipal, national ou international. la región metropolitana de Vancouver y sus Nuestra meta principal es abolir la pobreza e “illégaux(ales)”, les économiquement faibles, Notre but essentiel est de mettre fin à la pauvreté alrededores: con las comunidades de gente injusticia por medio de la educación, la participación handicapé(e)s, trans/bi/homosexuel(le)s, et aux injustices par l’entremise de l’éducation, la de color, inmigrantes, refugiados, “illegales”, y la acción directa. Intentamos llegar a un nivel de peuples autochtones et chômeur(euse)s. Nous coopération et l’action directe. Nous envisageons trabajadores/as de bajos ingresos, lisiados/as, conciencia colectivo que permita a las personas y nous opposons à tout genre d’oppression et une conscience collective qui permettra aux trans/bi/homosexuales, comunidades indígenas, pueblos oprimidos, pensar socialmente y actuar d’exploitation: sexisme, racisme, colonialisme, personnes et peuples opprimé(e)s de penser et y desempleados/as. Nos oponemos a todas las políticamente para así poder alcanzar la justicia homophobie et tous les institutions, crédos, actes d’agir politiquement et par la suite, d’atteindre formas de opresión y de explotación: sexismo, social por los medios que sean necesarios. et comportements qui nous avilissent et nous l’équité sociale, à tout prix. racismo, homofobia, colonialismo y a todas las -Translated by Claudio Ekdahl divisent. instituciones, pensamientos, creencias, acciones y -Translated by Eric Lamoureux

46 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 47 Fire This Time Movement for Jumbo Ski Resort Social Justice Basis of Unity From page 33 life and attempts to homogenize cultures to serve corporate interests. its water supply. On the brink of revolution The big question now is… If the Liberals Humanity today is threatened by war, economic for Social Justice is to build a broad the Bolivian government finally cancelled get away with Jumbo. What’s next? If crises, starvation, poverty and crime: all based movement to defeat the BC Liberal its agreement with Bechtel (a Dutch democracy hasn’t been served in this created by the drive of capitalists to maximize Government. Our work is to provide the corporation), only to be sued by them their profits at the expense of the people of the tools necessary to unify and activate the case, what will happen when a resource under the laws of a free trade agreement like water – a common heritage basic world. To oppose each of these crimes against working class in BC to build a strong and between Bolivia and the Netherlands, humanity, we must focus all our work and effective broad-based movement to oppose to survival – is up for sale on the global action to build a foundation for and advance the BC Liberals and their attacks on poor similar to NAFTA. Bolivia is an example market place? the interest of an overall struggle against and working people. This movement must be of a government who ignored the common international capital, its tools of working integrated in the wider revolutionary context needs of its people and their opinions. It Ask people in the Kootenays and Invermere class division and its local institutions. The of international struggle against capitalism did this in the name of shortterm economic what they want! fundamental principle of the Fire This Time and imperialism; although we are mainly gain for stake holders and the government Sources: Alternatives of Economic Movement for Social Justice is the unity engaged in local politics, in essence the scope itself. Sound familiar? Globalization (A Better World is Possible) and active solidarity of all poor and working of our work is internationalist. Supporting the Every part of the world has its own cultures A report of The International Forum on people, locally and internationally. We must struggles of oppressed people abroad weakens Globalization (1) recognize that this principle is meaningless the hegemony and power of the capitalist class and traditions essential to its sovereignty. without active struggle because the pursuit of in other lands and consequently weakens their Globalization erodes these unique ways of this principle goes sharply against the interest rule at home, therefore aiding the battles of of the ruling class and they will use whatever oppressed people in Canada. In addition, the means they have at their disposal to keep us practice of international solidarity solidifies divided and hostile amongst ourselves. the co-operation essential in building a Fire This Time is a politically based action world movement for social justice. The organization committed to building the Liberal Government’s agenda is part of a social and political power of poor and global restructuring program known as “neo- working people in BC. We believe the only liberalism”. To fight the BC Liberals is to fight way to effectively challenge and threaten neo-liberalism and global capitalism. We must the government and their corporate agenda expand on this both implicitly and explicitly to is through the organization of masses of make the connections relevant to peoples daily people in motion in workplaces and in the domestic struggle, to overcome geographic streets. We are dedicated to mobilizing and division, and to make it clear that when we unifying poor and working people against engage in struggle we do not struggle alone the Liberal Government and their anti- but alongside millions of working and poor poor, anti-working people legislations and people around the world. Within capitalist policies. We are committed to organizing and imperialist globalisation there is no local with working and poor people from the most struggle that does not have an international attacked and exploited communities in the character. Every international is local and lower mainland and beyond: communities of every local is international. colour, immigrants, refugees, “illegals”, low- The Fire This Time Movement for Social wage workers, disabled people, queer people, Justice will support and engage with other indigenous communities, unemployed people progressive movements and struggles whether and low-income families. We oppose all forms for immediate or long-term demands, locally, of oppression and exploitation: from sexism to nationally and internationally. Our main goal is racism, from homophobia to colonialism and to end poverty and injustice through education, all other institutions, thought, beliefs, actions participation and direct action. We seek to and behaviours that humiliate and demean reach a collective level of consciousness that people to bring hostility and division amongst allows oppressed people to think socially and us. act politically to achieve social justice by any The goal of the Fire This Time Movement means necessary. remember that these rights were fought has already begun it some ways, and it for by our brothers and sisters over the is to expand the campaign off-campus last 100 years through mass movements, and into the city of Vancouver where we labour movements, and by progressive and will be able to reach students from other revolutionary organizations. If we choose colleges and universities and the general not to defend these gains we aren’t going to public. Because this case is firstly, about Support the Langara 2! be in a position to make gains in the future. democratic rights, students’ rights and In other words, to expand democratic women’s rights and secondly, about the rights or any rights is impossible if we importance of antiwar organizing today. From page 47 because of it. don’t defend and maintain the ones that we I think that a way that other people can have right now. Nicole: I think the support we have get involved in the campaign or to support than the number of students who voted in gotten off-campus has shown the level It is also important to know how the us is by helping make this case known the last election of the Langara Students’ of importance of the case, not only dynamics of defending and consolidating as broadly as possible. This can be done Union (LSU), which was a little bit more for the student movement but also for democratic and human rights can be used by getting in touch with us about getting than 220 votes. So I think that this shows larger movements that exists across the as an avenue to expand them. Every victory materials or one of our newsletters and how effective organizing and mobilizing country right now, especially the antiwar for oppressed people puts them in a better sending it to other people. Also, getting students can be. Also, if we want to movement. That is where we have received position to drive for the next stage since other groups or individuals to send letters strengthen the position of Students’ a lot of our support across the country as every stage of struggle is a transitional in support of us to the LSU demanding that Unions and other groups who advocate for two antiwar activists who were banned period for the next one and political the ban be lifted and that the harassment students’ rights it is exactly through this essentially for antiwar organizing. preparation is the key for each stage and the complaint be properly investigated. method of campaigning and mobilizing next stage and so on. We believe in mass Nicole: A major aspect of the campaign that more students can become involved. Kira: I was going to mention that movements, and in defending democratic someone we have gotten support from is the letter writing to the LSU. At the Nicole: Our approach to this campaign and rights and human rights. We do not believe Langara campus especially we are hoping is Dan Freeman-Maloy who is a student in defending these rights just because they students on and off the Langara campus activist and was banned and expelled by to expand of the campaign to reach almost has been not only defense work for myself promote human vales, the growth of human all 8, 000 students. This expansion is to the administration of York University. He morale or the fundamental right of humans and Kira as individuals but defense work was banned last year for protesting Israel’s develop discussions about the campaign for students as a force. It’s within that to enjoy a decent and joyful life. We in the context of our larger struggle as suppression of Palestinians. I think this too believe in defending these rights because light that this campaign has gone forward shows the broadness of our campaign and students within a student movement for and has been able to effectively mobilize in this stage of human life which is mainly democratic rights and for students’ rights. how it really is an issue for students from miserable and unfair under capitalism students, it’s because it is bringing the all corners of the country and also that Whether the attacks we face are coming very issue of students’ rights and students’ and imperialism, defending democratic from the provincial government in the it is politically motivated. Like our case rights and humans rights is also a strategy advocacy to people’s classrooms and onto the stated reasons for his banning were form of increasing tuition fees or if the people’s campuses. and tactic to advance the struggle. The attacks are on antiwar organizers from not openly saying ‘this is political’ but as importance of this is for opening more FTT: You have also received support within both cases the issues of Israel and their own Students’ Union, it is the duty space for working, poor and oppressed of all students to be able to defend their from off-campus groups and individuals. Palestine and antiwar work were very people to connect with each other in order Could you tell us about that? much the motivating factor. collective rights by organizing in defense to be able to organize themselves against of those who are under attack. Kira: We sent information and have FTT: Why do you think it is important the ruling class offensive. Defending these spoken to several women’s groups as well for people concerned about democratic rights also allows people to get involved FTT: Thank Kira, thank you NicoleTo and different prominent individuals about rights to support this issue? in determining their own destiny using get involved with the campaign please collective decision-making and collective contact the Langara 2 Defense Committee: the campaign. Contacting off-campus Kira: I think that freedom of speech and women’s organizations for support has actions to defend their rights and make [email protected] | 778-881-6156 freedom to organize are both basic rights change. been very important. Especially with this that exist in our society. However flawed Tamara Hansen is a second year student at being a women’s rights issue, because we may see our society as it runs today we FTT: What’s next for the defense the Simon Fraser University, is a worker there has been a complaint of harassment have a responsibility that when these rights campaign and how can people help you and also the copy editor of the Fire This that was filed and then not properly dealt that we have right now come under attack, fight this campaign? Time. with by the Students’ Union. Instead we we must adamantly defend them. We must have been characterized and slandered Kira: The next step in the campaign

46 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE December 2004 / January 2005 December 2004 / January 2005 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 47 PEOPLE IN MOTION, IN STRUGGLE...

MAWO in Action Action in Toronto

A Day To Mark The First Anniversary Of The Invasion Of Haiti A Day“Don’t To Mark The First Ask Anniversary Of The InvasionAfghanistan! Of Haiti OCAP To International Day of Action! TheInternational Governments Day of of Action! the TheDon’t Governments Tell” ofMonday, the January 17, Retake The City On the Day of Bush’s Inauguration, Demand On the Day of Bush’s Inauguration, Demand Campaign 2005 Owned 590 SELF-DETERMINATION FOR IRAQ, PALESTINE, US/UK/ISRAELSELF-DETERMINATION FOR IRAQ, are PALESTINE, the US/UK/ISRAEL are the AFGHANISTAN, HAITI, and INDIGENOUS AFGHANISTAN, HAITI, and INDIGENOUS Launch Rally, Street Theatre and Jarvis Building NATIONS IN CANADA! NATIONSAXIS IN OFCANADA! EVIL! Friday JanuaryAXIS 14th OF EVIL!Nonviolent Direct Action rd END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ! END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ! 9 PM at The 360 SNC-Lavalin Corporate February 3 at city hall Organized by OCAP, 326 Queen St. West Headquarters, 2200 End the Occupations of Iraq, Palestine, End the Occupations of Iraq, Palestine,Lakeshore Blvd. West (at Contact: (416) 925-6939 BRING THE TROOPS BRINGAfghanistan, THE Haiti, TROOPSand Indigenous MarkingAfghanistan, the official Haiti, launch and IndigenousPark Lawn) [email protected] Nations in Canada! of the don’t ask don’t Nationstell in Canada! campaign, and raising funds Vehicles leave downtown HOME NOW! HOME NOW! Toronto at 11 am sharp Toronto’s first th th and awareness about the situation of immigrants and (location TBA) Prisoners’ March March refugees that are forced into Organized by 26 26

Justice Film & Rally Speakers to Include: & Rally Speakers to Include: the margins of municipality. Homes not Bombs, Hazem Jamjoum Hazem Jamjoum Featuring performers and www.homesnotbombs.ca Festival Thursday Speaking from Al-Awda-Toronto Thursday Speaking from Al-Awda-Toronto Al-Awda is an international Al-Awda is an international Palestinian Right of Return Rally & MarchPalestinian Right of Return speakers.Rally & March Thursday January 20th coalition JANUARY20 JANUARY20 coalition 6:30-9:30pm; 2:30pm Mostafa Henawi 2:30pm Mostafapm Henawi Organized by Don’t Ask pmAll Out on Vancouver Art Gallery Speaking from the June 30th 2:00Speaking from the June 30th 2:00 Saturday January 22nd Organizing Committee-Toronto Vancouver Art Gallery Organizing Committee-Toronto Don’t Tell, Contact: January Georgia St. @ Howe and Al-Awda-Toronto and Al-Awda-Toronto GeorgiaVancouver St. @ Howe Art Gallery www.dadttoronto.orgVancouver Art Gallery th 4:00-10:00pm; Georgia st. @ Howe St. Georgia st. @ Howe St.20 ! Action Liisa Schofield Iraqi youths throwing stones at US tanks Liisa Schofield [email protected] youths throwing stones at US tanks SAT FEBRUARY SAT SAT FEBRUARY SAT Sunday January 23rd Speaking from the June 30th Speaking from the June 30th Against Bush Organizing Committee-Toronto Organizing Committee-Toronto 4:00-10:00pm; Inauguration Mobilization Against War & Occupation Mobilization Mobilization Against Against War War & Occupation& Occupation MobilizationStop SNC- Against War & Occupation Innis Town Hall - www.mawovancouver.org | [email protected] | 604-322-1764 www.mawovancouver.org | [email protected] | 604-322-1764 www.mawovancouver.org | [email protected] | 604-322-1764 www.mawovancouver.org | [email protected] | 604-322-1764 Lavalin’s January 20th at 4pm University of Toronto Part of the International Days of Action on the Part of the International Days of Action on the US Consulate Second Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq Second Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq participation Organized by the Prisoners’ All Day Anti-War Anti-Occupation Conference in War Crimes 360 University Ave. Justice Action Committee FREE YES to SELF-DETERMINATION! in Iraq and Organized by Coalition EVENT Against War and Racism The 21st Century: NO to OCCUPATION of IRAQ! Bring the Troops Home Now!

The Century of War, No to Occupation of Palestine! Occupation, and Resistance No to Occupation of Afghanistan! Action in Vancouver No to Occupation of Haiti! Building the No to Occupation of Indigenous Anti-War Movement: Nations in Canada! Why There is No Other Option PROTEST A CANADIAN RESIST 2010! RALLY & MARCH ISRAELI WAR REFUGEE BOYCOTT CRIMES! CAMP DELTA HOTELS! 2:00 PM PROTEST RACIST ISRAELI Saturday February 5th, 2005 Saturday Feburary 12th ������ Starts at Noon, rally at 1 PM Gather at Victory Square at SATURDAY AMBASSADOR! Vancouver Art Gallery 1 pm � TH March to Oppenheimer Park ����� ���� MARCH 19 Organized by No One Is Wednesday, January 12th at Organized by No One Is 12-5pm Vancouver Art Gallery 6:30pm Illegal Vancouver, Contact: Britannia Community Centre (Georgia st @ Howe st - Vancouver) Illegal Vancouver, Contact: (1661 Napier st. & Commercial Dr - Vancouver) Jewish Community Centre [email protected] | 778- Mobilization Against War & Occupation Wosk Auditorium 885-0040 | www.noii- [email protected] | 778- Mobilization Against War & Occupation 950 - 41st Avenue West, van.resist.ca 552-2099 | www.noii- www.mawovancouver.org|[email protected]|604-322-1764 www.mawovancouver.org | [email protected] | 604-322-1764 Vancouver van.resist.ca Part of the International Days of Action on the Part of the International Days of Action on the The New Israeli Ambassador Second Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq SATURDAYSecond Anniversary JAN. of the 29TH, US Invasion 2005 of Iraq DEMO THE LEGISLATURE! All Day Anti-War Anti-Occupation Conference to Canada, Alan Baker, will be holding a town FREE YES to SELF-DETERMINATION! hall meeting at the Jewish EVENT Music of Community Centre in The 21st Century: NO to OCCUPATION of IRAQ! Vancouver on January 12, ResistanceBring the Troops Home Now! 2005. We call on you to The Century of War, join us in protesting his MAWONo Monthly to Occupation Cultural of NightPalestine! Occupation, and Resistance No to Occupation of Afghanistan! visit and demonstrating andNo Fundraiser to Occupation of Haiti! your dissention with the Building the Doors 8:30pmNo to Occupation Show @ of9pm Indigenous Martin government initiating Anti-War Movement: Nations in Canada! Why There is No Other Option El Cocal (1037 Commercial Drive) changes in Canada’s Israel Updates:RALLY www.mawovancouver.org & MARCH policy. Imperialism, War, Occupation: www.palestinecommunityce What we learn from the ntre.com occupations2:00 PM of Indigenous Nations in Canada, Palestine, FARE STRIKE! Tuesday, February 15th 2005 Victoria, BC ������ Iraq, SATURDAYAfghanistan and Haiti Monday January 24th, 2005 Friday January On Tuesday, February 15th 2005, the Liberals make their ���������� FreeMARCH Forum & Discussion 19 TH Speech from the Throne and APC will be there! 14th 12:30pm 604-682-2726 [email protected] http://apc.resist.ca 12-5pm SUBVancouver Lounge, Maple Art GalleryBuilding, Capilano College Britannia Community Centre (Georgia st @ Howe st - Vancouver) (1661 Napier st. & Commercial Dr - Vancouver) Speaking: Mostafa Henawi, Al-Awda Toronto, In response to TransLink’s June 30th Organizing Committee January 1st fare hike, 11th Annual Rock For Choice Mobilization Against War & Occupation EndorsedMobilization by Capilano Against Student’s War Union & Occupation the Bus Riders Union is Festival www.mawovancouver.org|[email protected]|604-322-1764 Organizedwww.mawovancouver.org by:MAWO | [email protected] | 604-322-1764 organizing a FARE STRIKE for January 14th, 2005. On January 26th through February Israeli Occupation Campaign this day, BRU organizers as 5th at various venues. and Palestinian Self- Monday January 24th, 2005 well as allies and activists Rock for Choice determination at Kwantlen College Surrey Campus “Welcome conference & Film Week” will be riding the buses Why Students Should Festival (featuring a Support Palestinian Organized byKwantlen Students Against War and throughout the region Occupation (KSAWO) encouraging bus riders to special screening of Sovreignty Avi lewis & not pay fares. Monday January 24th, 2005 Naomi Klein’s Free Forum and Discussion Democratic Rights, Women’s 1:30pm Rights and Students Rights Organized by the Bus Riders “The Take”) Saturday January the Forum Chambers @ Simon Fraser University Why Students Should Union, contact: 604 215 29th at SFU Harbor Speaking:Hazem Jamjoum, Al-Awda Toronto Support the Langara 2 2775 or [email protected] Organized by Mobilization Against War and Centre, by donation** Monday January 24th, 2005 Occupation (MAWO) Club-SFU Back to school teach-in @ Langara College Speaking: Liisa Schofield, Anti War Activist with Anti War Tabling and the June 30th Organizing Committee, Toronto www.rockforchoicevancouver.com Petitioning for Canada Out! Organized by the Langara 2 Defense Committee Info Line: 604-682-3269 Box 8471 Campaign and War Resisters

484 FIRE THIS TIME MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE DecemberDecember 2004 2004/January / January 2005