Interview with three Nicaraguan heroes . . . 7 TH£ Senegal's working people face misery . . 10 Alabama fight against toxic waste dump 13

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKI"'G PEOPLE VOL. 50/NO. 42 NOVEMBER 7, 1986 75 CENTS Thousands across U.S. Vote Socialist protest war policies Workers! BY ERNEST HARSCH The 1986 election campaign is coming "CIA out of Nicaragua!" and "We say to an end, and many working people are no, stop the contra money flow!" were thinking about whom to support and vote among the more common chants at the na­ -for- that is, those who are not fed up with tionally coordinated antiwar demonstra­ the whole business. tions held in more than a dozen cities We think that the only candidates who across the country October 25. have told the plain truth about the scope of These actions - initiated by the Na­ the attacks coming down on workers and tional Actions for Peace, Jobs and Justice farmers are those of the Socialist Workers - were called to protest U.S. intervention Party. These 62 candidates from 23 states in Central America, U.S. ties to apartheid, and the District of Columbia have been nuclear weapons, and war spending. In talking to working people, participating in each of the cities where they were held, struggles, and offering proposals for how local coalitions had been formed to or­ to move toward ending once and for all the ganize the protests, involving student employers' grinding offensive. groups, Central America solidarity and The socialist candidates, most of whom anti-intervention organizations, anti-apart­ heid committees, and others. Besides the demonstrations held in 15 cities on October 25, three more are slated EDITORIAL to take place November 1 and 2 in Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle. are workers and unionists, and their sup­ Among the largest of the October 25 ac­ porters have been active campaigners. tions was the one in Washington, D.C., They have taken their ideas to plant gates which drew protesters from seven mid-At­ and rural districts, and to picket lines, an­ lantic states. Organizers estimated that tiwar demonstrations, anti-apartheid ac­ some 4,000 people participated in the tions, and other struggles. march and rally. Most working people know very well the Demonstrators in Washington demand end to funding of Nicaraguan contras The overwhelmingly young crowd in­ mounting problems. Real wages are being cluded many white, Black, and Latino stu­ driven down, and safety on the job is de­ dents from over a dozen college campuses chants. There was also a large anti-nu­ and other groups. Berkeley Mayor Gus teriorating. In the midst of a business up­ in the region. A large banner reading, "Say clear-weapons contingent, with many signs Newport also spoke. tum, unemployment remains high. No to the U.S. War on Nicaragua" led off and banners protesting the Reagan admin­ The New York City demonstration, The workers who are most vulnerable - the march. istration's "Star Wars" program. which drew nearly 2,000 protesters, was the unorganized, the undocumented immi­ The wide range of speakers included Speakers included representatives from led by a contingent of the "Great Peace grants, and the targets of racist and sexist representatives from the African National the San Francisco Freeze, the Nicaragua March for Global Nuclear Disarmament," discrimination - are taking many of the Congress (ANC) of South Africa; the Sal­ Information Center, the Farabundo Marti a group of some 900 peace marchers who biggest blows. vadoran trade union FENASTRAS; National Liberation Front-Revolutionary are crossing the United States to dramatize When workers are forced to strike to pre­ Yeshg'vul, an antiwar Israeli soldiers' or­ Democratic Front of El Salvador, the their opposition to nuclear weapons. New serve some of what they have won in past ganization; as well as Haitian, Palestinian, ANC, NOW, American Federation of York hospital workers were also prominent battles, the government helps the employ­ British, and other progressive and peace State, County and Municipal Employees, in the lead of the march. ers herd scabs, and cops toss unionists be­ organizations. the International Indian Treaty Council, Continued on Page 2 hind bars. Enthusiastic chants of "No pasanin!" Moreover, there has been no letup in (They shall not pass) greeted Estela Rocha, farm foreclosures as hundreds of working a Sandinista and trade union leader from farmers are driven off the land every week. Nicaragua, who is currently touring the Volumes of trial evidence in Medical care, housing, education, and United States. other basic necessities are getting harder Loud applause and chanting was the re­ for working people to come by. Yet ever sponse of rally participants to Rocha's re­ Nicaragua expose CIA r.ole more billions are poured into the weapons ference to the shooting down of a CIA budget. plane delivering arms to the contras inside BY HARVEY McARTHUR In the original indictment, Reyes said Just to take one example, the aircraft Nicaragua. MANAGUA, Nicaragua- Nicaragua's that he would show that Hasenfus was one carrier Theodore Roosevelt, launched Oc­ "We Nicaraguans think that your tax attorney general introduced volumes of of the "tools" of "the official policy of the tober 25 by the navy, cost upwards of $3 dollars, used to kill our free people, should evidence in the trial of CIA mercenary Government of the United States against billion. How many schools and hospitals, stay here to solve the problems here," Eugene Hasenfus here October 29. Hasen­ the Republic of Nicaragua." and how many homes and apartments for Rocha affirmed. "Why not use them to fus is the only surviving crew member of a Reyes charged Hasenfus with "actions the army of the homeless would that sum open the steel mills in Pennsylvania that CIA plane shot down October 5 while fly­ aimed at subjecting [Nicaragua] to foreign have provided? have. been closed, so that unemployed ing arms and ammunition to U.S.-backed control" and supporting "those who take up Washington has organized a mercenary steelworkers can go back to work?" mercenaries in southern Nicaragua. arms to attack the national government"; army to wage a war against the people of National Organization for Women The evidence included ID cards issued terrorism; and criminal association. Nicaragua. This war is being backed up by (NOW) Vice-president Sherry O'Dell also by the Salvadoran Air Force identifying Hasenfus' defense attorney is Enrique a steadily growing number of U.S. Green spoke. "We must again take to the streets Hasenfus and copilot Wallace Sawyer as Sotelo, a well-known member of the right- Berets, CIA agents, and soldiers and Na­ to stop the march to militarism. And the U.S. "advisers" with access to restricted tional Guard personnel. place to start is to stop this dirty war on areas of the Salvadoran Ilopango airbase. An interview with the three Nicaraguan The government and the owners of the Nicaragua," she said. Many of the supply flights to the mer­ soldiers who shot down the CIA plane broadcasting networks and newspapers try A number of speakers referred to the cenaries, or contras, originated from and captured Eugene Hasenfus appears to convince us that U.S. working people need to organize massive mobilizations in Ilopango. on page 7. benefit from a massive war budget and 1987 against Washington's escalating con­ Other ID cards identified the pilot, Wil­ from Washington's covert wars against tra war. liam Cooper, and copilot Sawyer as em­ Nicaragua, Angola, Vietnam, and other That was the theme of Griff Jones, who ployees of the Miami-based Southern Air ist "Sicilian faction" of the Conservative countries. They argue that it is in our "na­ spoke for the Washington Area Coalition to Transport, long known as a front for CIA Democratic Party here. Sotelo is working tional interests," as if workers and bosses Stop the U.S. War in Nicaragua, which or­ operations. Cooper also carried business closely with former U.S. Attorney General had the same interests to defend. ganized the demonstration. "We have cards from Robert Owen and P.J. Buech­ Griffin Bell who arrived in Nicaragua on Likewise, the bosses tell us that workers watched as Congress caved in under ler, both involved in channeling October 22. Bell claims he is working as a should support takebacks in this country Reagan's red-scare campaign," Jones said. "humanitarian aid" from the U.S. govern­ private lawyer hired by the Hasenfus fam­ "for the good of the company." And, of "We recognize [Congress] has failed to ment to the contras. ily, and has no connections with the U.S. course, what's good - that is, profitable represent the 62 percent of the American Other papers from the plane identified government. -for management will be good for work­ people who oppose this war. ... It's clear Max Gomez and Ramon Medina, two On October 23, Sotelo filed a brief in ers. that we have to build a mass movement in longtime CIA agents who run the contra court attempting to divert attention from The SWP candidates have challenged the streets that doesn't go away." supply operation from El Salvador, accord­ Hasenfus' crimes and the facts of illegal these lies. And they have supported and In San Francisco, about 2,000 people ing to Hasenfus. U.S. intervention in Nicaragua. At a sub­ participated in the struggles of working marched and rallied. Nicaraguan Attorney General Rodrigo sequent news conference, Sotelo admitted people who are attempting to fight back. The protest included a large contingent Reyes requested that the court review a that he had not shown the brief to Hasenfus The battle by meat-packers in Austin, in opposition to U.S. intervention in Cen­ video of the CBS 60 Minutes interview before submitting it. Minnesota, and elsewhere against Geo. A. tral America, involving Salvadoran and with Hasenfus - in which he admitted The brief denounced the Nicaraguan at­ Hormel & Co. is a powerful example. other solidarity groups. "CIA out of Nica-. working for the CIA - and that it inspect torney general for taking eight pages of his These workers are using their union to fight ragua!" and "Money for peace, not for war, the five tons of arms and ammunition indictment of Hasenfus to document the for their interests and to reach out across U.S. out of El Salvador!" were among the found in the plane. Continued on Page 7 Continued on Page 9 Thousands protest U.S. war in Nicaragua

Continued from front page In Miami, the local October 25 coalition There were numerous banners proclaim­ added two of its own demands to those ing opposition to U.S. intervention in Cen­ raised nationally: "Equal justice for Haitian tral America. Several of the speakers at the refugees, close Krome"- referring to the rally condemned U.S. intervention, includ­ notorious Haitian refugee detention center ing John Collins, a member of Witness for -and "No U.S. military aid to the Haitian Peace, who described the impact of the government." U.S. -backed contra war on Nicaraguan The crowd of 250 heard Shuping peasants. Coapoge, an ANC representative, and Nik­ Democratic Party politician Jesse Jack­ lak Butler of the Leonard Peltier Defense son stated, "The thought that we're now Committee. The two are on a national tour conducting a surrogate war out of the to demand freedom for Nelson Mandela White House by fascist murderers against and Leonard Peltier. Paul Swank from the Nicaragua is immoral, illegal, and wrong." Original Local P-9 of the United Food and To big applause from the crowd, he went Commercial Workers union in Austin, on, "We cannot rest while our money is Minnesota, and Jim Panaro from Irish used to kill people in Central America." Northern Aid also spoke. Traveling to Atlanta from Louisiana, 'To hell with your war' Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, and Despite a steady rain in Chicago, more throughout Georgia, some 200 people than 1,000 people turned out in that city. marched in the rain. They heard Neo There were many students, as well as trade Mnumzana of the ANC, Vernon Bellecourt unionists and others. Chants included, of the American Indian Movement, and "Money for farms, not arms," "Hey hey, Denny Mealy from the meat-packers strug­ ho ho, contra money has got to go," and gle in Minnesota. "Chicago divest, the ANC will do the The next day, representatives from the rest." The El Salvador Earthquake Relief various groups participating in the Atlanta Fund collected money during the action. action attended a conference, at which they More than 800 people marched and ral­ passed a resolution urging that a national Demonstrators in New York. Many students joined October 25 actions. lied in Austin, Texas, with participants antiwar demonstration be called for next coming from cities throughout the state. spring. The evening before, a send-off rally in Among the other demonstrations around Houston featured Ricardo Espinosa of the the country, some 350 people protested in Y. Nicaraguan embassy. Minneapolis, about 300 in Salt Lake City, Puerto Ricans in N. prison The crowd in Austin was young, includ­ and nearly 60 at an indoor meeting in Cin­ ing many students. A large number of cinnati. Actions were also held in Denver; press for right to bail Latinos participated. Portland, Oregon; San Diego; Providence, Antonio Cabral of Chicanos Against Rhode Island; and New Haven, Connec­ Military Intervention in Latin America ticut. BY SELVA NEBBIA spent at least two years in prison without (CAMILA) told the protesters, "This time NEW YORK- "Free Puerto Rico now! having been convicted of any crime. it is not going to take as long as it did in the Contributing to this report were Ike Nahem Free Nicaragua now! Free South Africa Anglada-L6pez said that even though Vietnam War. ... We will tell Reagan and in Washington, Steven Fuchs in San Fran­ now!" chanted a couple dozen protesters in some small improvements in the prison other warmongers, 'To hell with your cisco, Ed Berger in Miami, and Peter Seid­ front of the Metropolitan Correctional Cen­ conditions of the nine have been won, they war!'" man in Austin. ter in this city on October 26. are still subject to inhuman treatment at They and others gather here on the last MCC. Sunday of every month, holding lit He cited the example of Gonzalez sparklers so as to be seen by nine fighters Claudio who recently had the measles and Aluminum workers fight lockout for Puerto Rican independence held at was denied medical attention. He had to MCC. The inmates wave back through the suffer his illness while locked up in isola­ BALTIMORE - Members of the police and the local sheriffs department to thick glass windows of the prison. Many tion in the "hole." United Steelworkers of America (USW A) harass and intimidate pickets. · times the relatives of those detained join Earlier this year, Gonzalez Claudio was described the employers' attacks on their Kleidon said the threat of Chapter 11 the picket line. also beaten by prison guards because he re­ union in a panel discussion at the Militant federal bankruptcy is being used by The nine are victims of an FBI raid in fused to remove the Puerto Rican flag he Labor Forum here October 4. Bethlehem Steel to try to force through the Puerto Rico on Aug. 30, 1985. They have had sewn on his prison uniform. elimination of job categories at the Spar­ been imprisoned since then. They are ac­ Anglada-L6pez stressed that "the con­ Speaking on the panel were Bill Sagle, rows Point plant. cused of taking part in the robbery of $7.2 stitutional democratic rights of the inde­ assistant editor of Local 7886's newspaper A message was sent to the forum by million from a Wells Fargo depot in 1983. pendence fighters are being violated." at the Eastalco Aluminum Co.'s plant near John Shisler, president of USW A Local Seven others arrested under the same They are being denied their democratic Frederick, Maryland, and Joe Kleidon, a 1245 at the Eastern Stainless Steel plant in charges are free on bail. right to bail for allegedly being dangerous member of Local 2609 at the Bethlehem Baltimore.. The union membership there On October 21 a federal court of appeals and likely to flee, even though nobody was Steel Corp.'s Sparrows Point plant. recently had a harsh contract imposed on in New York City heard a request for bail injured or killed during the Wells Fargo Sagle detailed the background leading them. for Isaac Camacho Negron and Orlando heist they are charged with committing. up to Eastalco's lockout of the Steelwork­ "They're sitting back like a hungry lion, Gonzalez Claudio, two of the nine who are "We are fighting for such an elementary ers. The workers had accepted concessions waiting for us to fall. Then they're going to still in prison. and democratic right won by the masses in in previous contracts. Alumax Inc., Eas­ come in and pounce on us. They can pay a On October 24, the Militant talked to this country over the years as the right to talco's parent company, refused to grant an consultant $30,000 a month up front, but Rafael Anglada-L6pez, a member of the bail. I think this case is very important not extension of the Cl\rrent contract when it they can't pay us the 45 cents they've owed legal team defending the independence only for the independence of our nation, expired August l, even though two days us since February," Shisler said. fighters. but also for the struggle in the United earlier the company had agreed to a one­ A lively discussion followed the forum. Fourteen months after the arrests, no States," said the Puerto Rican lawyer. year contract extension at another plant on The antiwar activists encouraged those date for the trial has been set. According to For more information and contributions, the West Coast. present to participate in the October 25 pro­ Anglada-L6pez, the trial will not take place contact: Puerto Rican Committee Against Sagle said the company has been using test for "peace, jobs, and justice" to be held until mid 1987. By the time they are Repression, P.O. Box A-840, N.Y.C. private security guards along with the state in Washington, D. C. brought to trial, the defendants will have 10163, or call (212) 286-0924.

The Militant tells the truth Subscribe today! The Militant Closing news date: October 29, 1986 Coeditors: MARGARET JA YKO At the plant gates, mine portals, and and DOUG JENNESS picket lines; at antiwar actions and Circulation Director: MALIK MIAH demonstrations against apartheid in Nicaragua Bureau Director: CINDY JAQUITH South Africa; at schools, the Militant is Business Manager: JIM WHITE there, reporting the facts and partici­ Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein, Fred Feldman, Ernest pating in the struggles. Harsch, Arthur Hughes, Harvey McArthur (Nicaragua), Ruth Nebbia (Nicaragua), Harry Ring, Norton Sandler. The Militant is written in the inter­ Published weekly except one week in August and the last ests of workers and farmers. Every week of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 14 week it tells the truth about the war Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Washington and the employers are Office, (212) 243-6392; Business Office, (212) 929-3486. waging against working people at Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes of address should be addressed to The Militant Business home and abroad. It provides firsthand Office, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. coverage of important struggles in Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. POST­ other countries, such as Haiti, the MASTER: Send address changes to The Militant, 14 Charles Enclosed is Philippines, and Nicaragua. Regular Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Subscriptions: U.S., D $3.00 for 12 weeks on-the-scene reports come from its Canada, Latin America: for one-year subscription send Save $6 off the cover price Nicaragua Bureau. $24, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. By first-class AND (airmail), send $60. Britain, Ireland, Continental Europe, D for only 50(: more, get the pamphlet Take advantage of the special intro­ Africa: send £25 check or international money order made Name ... ductory subscription offer (good only out to Pathfinder Press and send to Pathfinder, 47 The Cut, Address until Nov. 15, 1986): 12 issues for $3. London SEI 8LL, England. Australia, Asia, Pacific: send City ~~ _ ~ State ~--~---- Zip _ ~------_ Australian $60 to Pathfinder Press, P.O. Box 37, Leichhardt, Plus for only 50¢ more you can get Telephone _ ~ Union/School/Organization Sydney, NSW 2040, Australia. New Zealand: Write to Pilot [l One yearfor $24.00 [J Six months for $15 the new pamphlet The 1985-86 Har­ Books, P.O. Box 8730, Auckland for prices. Send to THE MILITANT.14CharlesLane, New York, N.Y. 10014 mel Meat-Packers Strike in Austin, Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent Minnesota, by Fred Halstead. the Militant's views. These are expressed in editorials. ·

2 The Militant November 7, 1986 Rally for striking Iowa meat-packers draws broad support

BY BILL LONG we had to strike because the conditions are MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa - October so bad," a mechanic with 32 years in the 26 was a day of solidarity with 315 striking plant said. members of Local 50 of the National Twenty meat-packers and members of Brotherhood of Packinghouse and Industri­ the United Support Group from Austin, al Workers (NBPW). Minnesota, participated in the rally and Six hundred and fifty unionists and their brought a load of food down for Local 50. families from throughout the region Over 800 meat-packers who participated in gathered here to show support for the UFCW Local P-9's strike against Hormel NBPW members who have been on strike are fighting for reinstatement at the Austin at Swift Independent Packing Co. for four plant. weeks. Addressing the rally, Kathy Buck, a Members of the United Food and Com­ member of Local P-9's Executive Board mercial Workers union (UFCW) from before the local was put in trusteeship in Iowa and Minnesota, auto workers, fann­ June by the UFCW top officialdom, said ers, and other unionists brought food, do­ that the fight today is "not just in Iowa or in Militant/Janice Prescott nations, and messages of support to the meatpacking. It is a struggle against op­ Kathy Buck, a leader of Hormel meat-packers' struggle in Austin, Minnesota, strikers. The unionists participated in a pression. It is not just the minorities, the brought solidarity to meat-packers on strike in Marshalltown. She is shown here at rally and a march around the Swift plant. fanners, but the entire working class that is earlier protest against destruction of mural on side of Austin Labor Center. NBPW members are demanding that the oppressed and we must stand up against company withdraw its takeback demands it." Support Group helped draw us together and resented by Gary Janson. "They tried to tell and cease its union-busting attacks. withstand the pressure" in the struggle me I lost my farm in 1983 because I was a The mayor of Marshalltown has Unity is necessary against Hormel. She explained that in the failure. I didn't fail," he told the rally, "I mobilized state, county, and municipal Buck told the Militant that the delegation course of organizing support for the Hor­ was taken down by a political system that cops to herd strikebreakers into the plant from Austin had come to Marshalltown be­ mel workers' fight she had met "unionists is destroying farmers and little people." and to arrest union members on numerous cause "it is important for all working men from El Salvador who had been in jail for Janson said that the Iowa Farm Unity charges. Swift has brought 250 scabs into and women everywhere to unite together four years just for wanting a union." Coalition is urging fanners not to cross the plant. and support one another when they choose picket lines and not to sell hogs to plants on The company has obtained a court in­ to fight back against corporate greed and Support from auto workers strike. junction limiting the number of pickets to injustice. It is one way to practice what we NBPW members have gotten considera­ four at each gate. Members of the American Agriculture preach," she said. ble support from United Auto Workers Movement also attended the rally. The business agent from the UFCW-or­ Local 8-93 in Marshalltown. Focal point for meat-packers Several Democratic Party politicians ad­ ganized Swift plant in Worthington, Min­ A group of auto workers from the John The strike has become a focal point for dressed the gathering, urging the workers nesota, gave greetings and presented Local Deere plant in Waterloo chartered a bus to support their campaigns. other meat-packers in the area, who also 50 with a $500 check. and also came down for the day. face growing attacks from the packing­ A spirited march around the plant fol­ UFCW members from the Hormel plant The Iowa Farm Unity Coalition was rep- lowed the rally. house companies. in Ottumwa, Iowa, and the Wilson Foods NBPW Local 50 President Jim Aalfs and plant in Cherokee, Iowa, also participated. chief shop steward Ross Boyer explained Bill Cook gave greetings "from the Hor­ that at the last negotiating session the com­ mel workers in Ottumwa who honor picket any went back to its original "final offer." lines." Tours win solidarity for The company is trying to exclude new hires Over 200 workers there who honored from the pension program and is demand­ pickets sent out by Local P-9 earlier this ing the right to have a "permanent flexible year have not been allowed by Hormel to Gainers workers workweek." return to work. Swift is demanding a 19 percent cut in Cook recently explained the issues in the BY BEVERLY BERNARDO lin. He visited the eastern province of New wages on top of a whopping 39 percent cut Hormel fight to British workers during a EDMONTON, Alberta- Gainers pack­ Brunswick where 700 workers at a conven­ in pay in 1982. Many strikers explain that tour of that country. He said he had learned inghouse owner Peter Pocklington "is not tion of the Canadian Paperworkers Union speedup, harassment by management, and that the unions "aren't the officials, they getting anywhere in British Columbia." So voted to donate $60,000 to the strike fund. injuries on the job have all gotten worse are the rank and file." reported Lynn Sharon, a striking member "Throughout the province of Newfound­ since 1982. Austin United Support Group member of United Food and Commercial Workers land we never got less than 100 percent "It used to be an okay place to work, but Barbara Collette told the rally, "The United union Local 280P at Gainers, to a rally of support," Renee Peevey told the meeting. fellow strikers here October 22. Sharon Even in the town of Chamberlains, where it was informing this meeting of 500 cheering has been rumored that some layoffs could UFCW Local280P meat-packers about her occur because of the boycott's effective­ Hormel fighters speak to unionists recent visit to British Columbia to gain ness, the workers are supporting the Gain­ support for their strike. "If you had all been ers strike. BY NORTON SANDLER Swift Independent Packing Co. in Mar­ there with me you would have seen the tre­ Work to build support in the unions and Meat-packers from Austin, Minnesota, shalltown, Iowa. mendous support we have in the labor the NDP for UFCW Local 280P's fight are currently touring several cities urging Last summer the top officials of the movement," she said. continues. Gerry Beauchamp is still in unionists to support their struggle to win Quebec. In Halifax, the Nova Scotia Fed­ UFCW succeeded in having Local P-9 Prior to the beginning of the strike June their jobs back at Geo. A. Hormel & Co. eration of Labour's convention voted to placed in trusteeship. 1, Sharon was not very involved in her Cecil Cain, a coordinator of the tours, send $8,400. And in Regina, passing the Workers in Austin responded to the at­ union. But when she saw the treatment her told the Militant that two meat-packers had hat among delegates at the Saskatchewan tack by forming the North American Meat union brothers and sisters were receiving just participated in the two-day special con­ Federation of Labour's convention netted Packers Union (NAMPU). from the cops on the picket line, she de­ vention of the United Mine Workers of $1,600. cided she had to do something. She went America in Atlanta. Peter Kennedy from NAMPU told the UFCW 280P members also set up a table Militant that supporters of the new union on tour to organize support for the 1 ,080 at the NDP federal council here in Edmon­ Cain said other tours are under way in members of Local 280P. Gainesville, Florida; Birmingham, Ala­ had been to Marshalltown to "share our ex­ ton on October 26. Federal NDP leader Ed bama; Clarksburg, West Virginia; Los periences with them and try to be of what­ The message brought back by all the 19 Broadbent declared he was "pleased to be Angeles; San Jose; and Seattle. ever help we can." other touring strikers was the same as hers. here with a party and a leader [Alberta Tours are going to begin soon in Mil­ On October 8, the UFCW trustees began Those on tour had covered every one of NDP leader Ray Martin] who were front waukee, New York, and Detroit, and Cain sandblasting the mural on the wall of the Canada's 10 provinces to win support for and center with the Gainers strikers." explained that he hopes to get additional Austin Labor Center. Painted by Hormel the boycott of Gainers' and Swift's products Broadbent also said the Gainers strikers tours on the road soon. meat-packers and their supporters, the and to raise financial donations for the must by law have the right to return to their mural depicts international labor solidarity. strike fund. jobs. The touring workers are explaining that "Tremendous support for the Gainers Support for the strikers is also firm here 850 meat-packers were excluded from get­ It is dedicated to imprisoned African Na­ tional Congress leader Nelson Mandela. strike exists in the labor movement and in Alberta. The executive council of the ting their jobs back as part of the contract with this support we're going to win," said Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and Hormel was able to impose at the Austin After protesting the sandblasting, the Kelly Conroy who visited Ontario. "A lot representatives from most of the province's plant in September. meat-packers obtained a temporary re­ of people are looking to UFCW Local 280P major unions got a standing ovation when Members of United Food and Commer­ straining order preventing further destruc­ and you should be proud of that," he told they arrived in a show of support to the cial Workers (UFCW) Local P-9 went on tion of the mural. Austin United Support the assembled strikers. strikers at the October 22 meeting. strike there in August 1985 after years of Group member Pat Higgins explained that Conroy reported that the Canadian Auto The 40 Alberta union officials had been company attacks on the union. a hearing will be held November 12 to de­ Workers union had voted to hold a cross­ meeting in another room to discuss the next cide whether the trustees can continue with country plant-gate collection in the near fu­ stages in the AFL' s campaign to change the More than 200 meat-packers who hon­ the mural destruction. ture. province's repressive labor laws. The cam­ ored the picket lines P-9 set up at Hormel Support Group activists are working on a In the prairie province of Manitoba, Dan paign will culminate in a demonstration at plants in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Fremont, fundraising concert to be held at Orchestra McGee was able to meet with the New the provincial legislature on May l , 1987. Nebraska, have also not gotten their jobs Hall in Minneapolis November 20. The Democratic Party governmental caucus. AFL President Dave Werlin said that "the back. concert will feature singers Holly Near, (The NDP is Canada's union-based labor courageous Gainers strikers" had been key Packinghouse workers are under attack Arlo Guthrie, and John McCutcheon. Pro­ party.) Manitoba Prime Minister Howard in getting the whole labor movement to across North America. Meat-packers are ceeds will go toward stocking the Support Pawley sent out a letter to provincial in­ fight to change the "legislation or the legis­ currently on strike against company Group's Food Shelter. stitutions urging them not to order Gainers lators." take back demands at John Morrell's Ark Contributions to aid the Hormel workers products. On October 24 a crowd of 700 strikers City Packing plant in Arkansas City, Kan­ and their families should be directed to: "The support out there is unbelievable; and their supporters from many different sas; Gainers in Edmonton, Alberta, Hormel Rank & File Hardship Fund, P.O. it's enough to bring tears to your eyes, and unions celebrated at a sold-out fundraising Canada; FDL in Dubuque, Iowa; and at Box 903, Austin, Minn. 55912. in fact it did," explained striker Ron Rob- dance.

November 7, 1986 The Militant 3 Southern team: 'biggest success at plant gates'

BY KATY KARLIN ganized by unions and many that people went to the morning shape­ the Swift plant in Moultrie, Geor­ Alabama. were not. We found that in the up on the docks, where longshore­ gia, workers expressed their sol­ The sales team that recently We went to the plant at its rural sections of the South, plant men get their daily job assign­ traveled through southern Georgia idarity with the struggle against morning shift change and talked to gates were simply the only place ments. In protest against apart­ the Hormel Co. by buying the and Alabama had its biggest suc­ workers going in. Many workers where we could find a concentra­ heid, the Mobile longshoremen paper. "I need to read this," one cess at plant gates. Over the and management personnel alike tion of workers to talk to. h~ve refused to unload cargo from worker said. course of two weeks selling the assumed we were union organizers We took advantage of other op- South Africa. This has forced all At the nonunion Sunnyland Militant at 15 plants, we sold 273 or environmental protesters. "Un­ ships bearing South African goods meat-packing plant in Thomas­ less you're here to organize a ville, Georgia, two salespeople to redock at other ports. Of 25 union, I don't want to talk to you," SELLING OUR PRESS workers at the shape-up, 13 sold 35 Militants. Workers told one worker said. bought Militants. them how the company had closed AT THE PLANT GATE Also in Mobile the team sold 26 the plant and reopened under a dif­ But once we made clear who we Militants and I subscription to ferent name in order to bust the were and what the Militant is workers at the afternoon shift union. As at other plants where we papers, many pamphlets on the portunities too. In Albany, Geor­ about, we sold a paper to nearly change at the Scott Paper factory. sold, identification with the Hor­ everyone who passed through the Hormel meat-packers' struggle, gia, for example, we sold over 30 One worker said, "I'm a militant, mel meat-packers was high. and a few Militant subscriptions. Militants at a Stevie Wonder con­ gate. By the time the bosses de­ and I want that paper." Our greatest success was selling cided to chase us off, we had sold cert. We sold 68 Militants to meat­ at the Chemical Waste Manage­ 41 copies of the Militant at a plant We sold at plants that were or- In Mobile, Alabama, sales- packers at four different plants. At ment toxic dump site at Emelle, that has about 300 employees. Antiwar sales help bring subscription goal closer

BY MALIK MIAH other cities. - and several new sales teams hitting the Mike Alewitz told me he sold eight sub­ WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chanting Despite the drizzle, 91 Militant and PM road soon, prospects for significantly in­ scriptions on the bus from Tidewater, Vir­ "USA, CIA Out of Nicaragua" and subscriptions were sold. creasing the number of PM and Militant ginia. Tom Hedley, a railworker in D.C., "Boycott South Africa, Not Nicaragua," Combined with successful sales at other subscriptions are good. sold eight subscriptions (five PM, three several thousand people marched 20 blocks antiwar protests around the country and our If the response to our sales people at the Militant) at Malcolm X Park. Mike Pen­ from Malcolm X Park to Lafayette Park past week's sales, we have surpassed the march and rally here is any indication, a nock from Pittsburgh sold nine subscrip­ across the street from the White House. target of 1,500 new Perspectiva Mundial big push the final three weeks should give tions. Many people said they had recently The protest was one of 15 that occurred subscriptions, and are closing in on our na­ us the momentum to make the local and na­ purchased subscriptions, reflecting the ef­ October 25. (See news story on front tional goal of 10,000 as of November 15. tional goals. forts of local sales people. page.) Participants who bought the Militant and Several hundred copies of the papers and As the subscription scoreboard shows, PM at the protest were those who wanted hundreds of dollars of Pathfinder Press lit­ Among the demonstrators were dozens we now have 1,534 PM and 5,993 Militant it. erature were also sold. of Militant and Perspectiva Mundial sales subscriptions, for a total of 7,527. Most radical papers were being distri­ This good response to the Militant and people- from D.C.; Baltimore; Philadel­ The number of subscriptions received in PM and socialist literature was repeated in phia; Greensboro, North Carolina; Tidewa­ the business office this week was one of the buted free. Our advantage was the Mili­ tant's on-the-scene coverage from its full New York, Chicago, and other cities. An ter, Virginia; Charleston and Morgantown, highest of the drive. With the current na­ open house in Chicago was attended by West Virginia; Pittsburgh; and several tional sales target week - November 1-7 time Nicaragua bureau-including reports on the trial of CIA mercenary Eugene 200 of the 1,200 people who demonstrated. Hasenfus. Many subscriptions were sold A national sales team began selling in on the basis that in the following issue we Nebraska this past week. So far more than were running an interview with the three a dozen subscriptions have been sold, and young Nicaraguans who shot down the one student at the University of Nebraska­ U.S. mercenaries' plane. Lincoln asked to join the YSA. Other national sales teams in Iowa, Sales people reported that whether a sub­ Northern California, Virginia!N:lrth scription or single issue was sold, many Carolina, and Puerto Rico will be on the political discussions took place. As a re­ road soon. sult, a number of new readers joined a total You can still help out. Contact a distri­ of 130 people at an open house sponsored bution center listed in the directory on page by the Militant, PM, and the Young 12 or call the business office. The 10,000 Socialist Alliance after the demonstration. goal is clearly within reach. All out for the At least one person asked to join the YSA. final three weeks. Subscription expiring? Renew now!

BY MALIK MIAH go before your subscription expires, we are Many of you have been reading the Mil­ reminding you now about extending it. itant for the past six or more weeks, after This way, you won't have to worry about buying an introductory subscription. missing a single issue of the paper. We thank you for subscribing and hope To help you decide today, we're making you've enjoyed our coverage of national _a special offer. If you extend your sub­ MllltartuArthur Hughes and world events. scription by six or more months ($15 for Sales table at Washington, D.C., protest. Socialist literature sold well at antiwar ac­ Although you have a·few more weeks to six months and $24 for one year), we'll tions. send you any issue of New International, a magazine of Marxist theory and politics, free. A subscription to New International is Fall Subscription Scoreboard $12.00 for three issues. For only $10 a complete set of the five previous issues is Goals Sold Goals Sold available. That's a saving of over 50 per­ Perspectiva Perspectiva % Perspectiva Perspectiva % cent on the cover price of a single issue. Area Militant Mundial Militant Mundial Sold Area Militant Mundial Militant Mundial Sold All renewals to the Militant or the New Paltz, N.Y. 5 5 100 Toledo, Ohio 100 5 73 4 73 Spanish-language monthly Perspectiva Charleston, W.Va. 100 0 94 3 97 Miami 125 40 98 21 72 Mundial made between now and Columbus, Ohio 18 2 17 1 90 Cleveland 125 15 90 10 71 November 15 will be counted toward the Milwaukee 100 30 85 27 86 Louisville, Ky. 115 10 83 6 71 national subscription goal of 10,000. San Francisco 170 80 144 71 86 Seattle 200 35 144 23 71 Because several hundred introductory Morgantown, W.Va. 130 109 84 Kansas City 160 15 111 11 70 subscriptions expire by mid-November, we Philadelphia 175 50 166 24 84 Houston 290 60 207 31 68 urge supporters to consider recontacting Portland, Ore. 135 15 120 6 84 Chicago 300 50 172 62 67 these early subscribers about renewing New York 500 250 383 242 83 Salt Lake City 105 15 75 3 65 their subscriptions. Subscribers who are San Diego 100 60 81 51 83 Twin Cities, Minn. 250 20 165 11 65 political activists and coworkers on the job, San Jose, Calif. 200 100 164 84 83 Oakland, Calif. 200 30 111 32 62 especially, can be talked to before the na­ Boston 235 65 200 43 81 St. Louis 235 5 144 1 60 tional campaign is concluded. Newark, N.J. 375 125 250 149 80 Cincinnati 90 10 54 4 58 Baltimore 140 5 108 5 78 Dallas 225 75 115 49 55 We have already received unsolicited re­ Greensboro, N.C. 140 10 109 7 77 Des Moines, Iowa 200 103 52 newals from several subscribers. The Mili­ Los Angeles 300 200 228 155 77 Price, Utah 50 5 24 1 45 tant business office is beginning to directly Pittsburgh 100 5 73 s 77 Tidewater, Va. 60 5 29 0 45 appeal to readers to renew their subscrip­ Birmingham, Ala. 150 3 115 1 76 Omaha, Neb. 125 0 48 1 39 tions by sending them a series of letters. Capital District, N.Y. 125 10 90 12 76 Denver 135 10 46 4 34 Washington, D.C. 160 40 113 39 76 Austin, Minn. 125 17 14 The special offer on New International will, we hope, increase the long-term cir­ Atlanta 140 10 109 4 75 Indiana, Pa. 5 0 0 culation base of both publications. New Orleans 90 10 71 4 75 National teams 522 167 (i(i 75 Other 473 Phoenix 100 75 66 46 If you haven't done so yet, extend your Detroit 260 30 189 25 74 subscription today. Please fill out the Totals 8,500 1,500 5,993 1,534 75 coupon in the ad on page 6. Note the issue to be on schedule 5,950 1,050 70 of New International that you wish tore­ ceive free with your renewal.

4 The Militant November 7, 1986 Activists celebrate court victory in political rights defense case

NEW YORK- Leonard Boudin, noted another in an effort to force out the truth Boudin concluded by offering his thanks constitutional attorney and lawyer for the about the government's covert attacks to some of the groups without whom the Socialist Workers Party, told 60 people against the party, he said. As Judge fight could never have been conducted. He gathered here October 22 that "after a long, Griesa's decision records, the government singled out the SWP and YSA, who filed hard fight we have won a significant vic­ attempted at every stage to hide the scope the suit and participated in developing the tory for the constitutional rights of all those and character of its operation. strategy for it at each stage; the PRDF, who engage in political activity in this "One high point," Boudin pointed out, which organized political and financial country." "was when then attorney general Griffin support for the case; and the Bill of Rights Boudin was the featured guest at a Bell simply refused to tum over to the court Foundation, which played an important cocktail party sponsored by the Political 18 government informer files the judge or­ role in gathering the funds necessary to Rights Defense Fund (PRDF) to celebrate dered him to surrender. Judge Griesa held keep the lawsuit going. the victory won in Socialist Workers Party him in contempt. Bell appealed. This pro­ v. Attorney General. On August 25 Judge duced a kind of constitutional quandary, as Hearings to be held Thomas Griesa ruled that government spy­ the government official designated to see Studer outlined the next stages in the ing and disruption efforts aimed at the that the country's laws were obeyed was in legal and political battle to defend Judge party and the Young Socialist Alliance fact breaking the law." Griesa's decision. He pointed to the hear­ were illegal and unconstitutional. Boudin then pointed to three central ings to be held soon on the court injunc­ Militant/Holbrook Mahn The event drew together representatives gains won by the court decision. "First, tion. These, he said, will help determine of the two plaintiff organizations that Judge Griesa has found that the FBI's in­ Attorney Leonard Boudin told guests, the scope of the decision and win addi­ "After a long, hard fight we have won a brought the lawsuit; Leonard Boudin and formers, burglaries, and disruption pro­ tional protection for political activists other members of the legal team that has gram against the party were clearly uncon­ significant victory for all those who en­ whose names might appear in files gage in political activity." worked on the case since it was filed in stitutional," he said. "This ruling is of great gathered illegally by the government. 1973; longtime partisans of the case; and importance to all organizations that want to other political activists who came to lend engage in politics today. Once the injunction is issued, the deci­ Studer noted, is to sign up thousands of their support in the next stages of this legal "Second, the judge grants a damage sion will become final, and government ap­ unionists who have become active over the battle in defense of political rights. It was award against the government of more than peals can be expected. last five years due to the increasing an­ held at the home of actors Hal Studer and $250,000. Studer thanked those at the party for tilabor offensive of big business and the Billie Lou Watt. "Lastly," Boudin continued, "the ruling their past support, and explained that the government. Among those in attendance at the party includes an injunction against government PRDF has launched a new drive to gain As those present finished celebrating were George Harrison, who successfully use of any information contained in files il­ thousands of new supporters to help in the what had been accomplished, they picked defeated efforts to deport him back to Ire­ legally obtained or developed from ille­ next stage of the case. up piles of leaflets and sponsor cards on land to face victimization for his activities gally obtained activity." A special goal in this sponsor drive, their way out to help continue the fight. in defense of Irish freedom; Jim Houghton, leader of Harlem Fightback; Madnodje Mounouba'i, representing the Burkina Faso mission to the United Nations; Thiago de Origins ofFBI spying on socialists Mello, Brazilian musician and political ac­ tivist who testified for the SWP in the case; Ned Ryerson, board member of the PRDF The following is from the August 25 Due to the then existing system for ap­ of the capitalist state and the transfer of all from Cambridge, Massachusetts; and doz­ ruling by U.S. District Judge Thomas propriation of funds, it was arranged to or most economic activity to a "workers' ens of others. Griesa in the lawsuit against the FBI by have the president instruct the secretary of government." According to the study, the the Socialist Workers Party and the state to have the investigation carried out. SWP stood for "militant class struggle" and Champagne toast Young Socialist Alliance. Subheads are The secretary of state made a request for proposed to carry on part of this class The program at the event began with a by the Militant. the investigation to the attorney general, struggle within the labor union movement. champagne toast to those who had lent a who gave directions to the director of the The specific program of the SWP was hand in filing the suit, garnering publicity As far as the evidence in this case is con­ FBI. These steps were completed by Sept. said to involve fomenting strikes and other for it, and raising funds to help keep it in cerned, the history relating to the FBI's in­ 1, 1936. forms of work stoppages as well as the court and before the public, and to the legal vestigation of the SWP starts with a series On Sept. 6, 1939, President Roosevelt spreading of Marxist philosophy. It was team that argued it at each step of the case. of directives issued by President [Franklin] issued a public directive announcing that said that, beyond the trade union program, John Studer, executive director of the Roosevelt to J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI was the agency of the federal gov­ the SWP was committed to taking leader­ PRDF, singled out the attorneys present the FBI. Roosevelt met with Hoover on ernment in charge of investigative work in ship in all kinds of "progressive struggles," who had worked on the lawsuit: Leonard Aug. 24, 1936, and this meeting was re­ matters relating to espionage, sabotage, and was further committed to opposing Boudin; Margaret Winter, who handled the corded in a memorandum written by and violations of the neutrality regulations. United States involvement in World War arguments at trial; and Ed Copeland, who Hoover. According to the memorandum, All law enforcement officials in the coun­ II. The study stated that the position of the works in the Boudin firm on the case. Roosevelt "was desirous of discussing the try were requested to tum over to the FBI SWP was that it would not, under any cir­ Studer introduced Boudin, who question of the subversive activities in the matters relating to these subjects and also cumstances, support this country's war ef­ explained the significance of the court vic­ United States, particularly fascism and matters relating to "subversive activities." fort, but would "fight against it." tory, and traced the long struggle to communism." The president wished to A similar directive was issued by President On April 5, 1941 , a second report was achieve it. have an investigation which would obtain Roosevelt on Jan. 8, 1943. generated in the St. Paul office of the FBI, Boudin described several high points of "a broad picture of the general movement quoting several signed statements of the eight-year battle following the filing of and its activities as may affect the econom­ Succeeding presidents confirmed this in­ former members of the SWP in Minnesota the case and before it went to trial. This ic and political life of the country as a vestigative authority of the FBI. On July to the effect that the leaders of the SWP period was marked by one skirmish after whole." 24, 1950, President [Harry] Truman issued openly advocated the overthrow of the a directive reaffirming those of President United States Government by armed force. Roosevelt and characterlzing the FBI au­ The St. Paul office reports were given thority as relating to "espionage, sabotage, wide circulation within the FBI. subversive activities, and related matters." l)l{ Political Rights President Eisenhower issued a similar di­ Smith Act prosecutions rective on Dec. 15, 1953. In 1941, 18 SWP leaders were prose­ I) I~' President [John] Kennedy changed the cuted by the federal government for viola­ Defense Fund structure somewhat. In a directive dated tion of the Smith Act. The charge was that June 9, 1962, the attorney general was they advocated the violent overthrow of the Help us win more victories for democratic rights given overall responsibility for the investi­ government. They were convicted in De­ gation of espionage, sabotage, subversion, cember 1941, and the convictions were up­ Now that a federal judge has ruled that the FBI's spying against the and other related matters affecting internal held on appeal (Dunne v. United States). Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialist Alliance was illegal, the security. The FBI was to continue to con­ Following the convictions in the Dunne case is going back to court to determine what will happen to the mil­ duct the investigations but the supervisory case, the scope of the FBI investigation of lions of secret files the government spies accumulated. power of the attorney general was ex­ the SWP broadened. In December 1942 panded. Director Hoover sent instructions to the Every supporter of democratic rights has a stake in helping bring about Investigation began in 1940 various FBI field offices directing that im­ another victory against the FBI in the upcoming hearings. The Politi­ mediate inquiry should be made of confi­ cal Rights Defense Fund needs your endorsement arid your financial Plaintiffs contend that the investigation dential informants and confidential sources help to make the next stage in this battle a success. of the SWP, stemming from the Roosevelt to,determine if the SWP was active in vari­ directive to the FBI, commenced in 1940. ous parts of the country. The FBI files bear this out. In 1941 Direc­ D I want to be a sponsor of the Political Rights Defense Fund. FBI investigations are classified as tor Hoover wrote the New York office of either criminal investigations or national D Send me a copy of the federal court decision against the FBI. the FBI complaining about the lack of in­ security investigations. An FBI witness has Enclosed is $10. formation regarding the SWP and request­ stated that criminal investigation of the ing that every effort be made "to obtain SWP and its members for violation of cer­ D Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution to keep up the fight. from book shops, informants, and other $500 $1 00 $50 $10 other tain federal statutes continued into the early sources" whatever written materials 1950s. The statutes involved were the Name ______existed about the SWP. Smith Act and the Foreign Agents Regis­ Address ______In the early 1940s the St. Paul office of tration Act of 1938. However, there is no the FBI was investigating the SWP activ­ evidence of any relevant criminal prosecu­ City ______State ______Zip ______ities in the labor movement in that area. tion following the Dunne case. The St. Paul office generated a comprehen­ T clephone ______Organization ______It is safe to characterize the FBI investi­ sive report on the SWP dated March 10, gation of the SWP from the early 1950s on­ Signature------­ 1941, which reflects in many ways the wards as a national security investigation. views of the SWP held by the FBI during The FBI continued its investigation of the Send to: Political Rights Defense Fund, P.O. Box 649, Cooper Station, subsequent years. SWP until 1976. Attorney General [Ed­ New York, N.Y. 10003, According to this study, the SWP shared ward] Levi terminated the investigation of the well-known Marxist goals of overthrow the SWP on Sept. 9, 1976.

November 7, 1986 The Militant 5 Behind the CIA's 'contra' arms network Downed CIA plane reveals direct U.S. involvement in war against Nicaragua

BY ERNEST HARSCH these "company people" at 24 to 26, but From the day three young Nicaraguan later revised his estimate to 14. soldiers shot down a U.S. plane ferrying Hasenfus named the two U;S. citizens of supplies to the Nicaraguan counterrevolu­ Cuban origin as Max Gomez and Ramon tionaries and captured the surviving U.S. Medina. Reporters later established that mercenary on board, Washington has de­ their real names were Felix Rodriguez and nied any direct role in the affair. Luis Posada Carriles, respectively. Both But the wealth of revelations since then are veterans of the CIA-organized Bay of - from statements made by captured U.S. Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961. Both served mercenary Eugene Hasenfus, from the log with the U.S. military forces in Vietnam. books and other documents discovered on U.S. officials have admitted that Rod­ the downed plane, and from officials in the riguez worked for the CIA. Posada Carriles United States, El Salvador, and elsewhere was also identified as a CIA agent at the - have left the White House's denials time of his conviction in Venezuela of par­ hanging in thin air. ticipation in a 1976 bombing of a Cuban What has been exposed is a massive and airliner that killed 73 people. (He escaped intricate supply network for the Nicara­ from his Venezuelan prison in 1985.) guan contras, as the counterrevolutionaries Although some U.S. officials have ac­ are known. It operates out of Salvadoran knowledged that these and other U.S. citi­ and Honduran military bases, uses U.S. zens operating out of the Ilopango air base planes and pilots, and is directed by an have had CIA ties in the past, they claim array of U.S. personnel, virtually all of they no longer do. But individuals cannot whom are present or past employees of the gain access to the heavily guarded base CIA or other U.S. intelligence agencies. without identification cards issued with the As one unnamed official in El Salvador approval of the U.S. embassy in San Sal­ U.S. "advisers" at EI Salvador's llopango air base, where many of the CIA's arms told New York Times correspondent James vador. flights to Nicaraguan contras originate. LeMoyne, "If United States officials in Moreover, the ties between these per­ sonnel and higher-level U.S. officials are Washington are saying the U.S. govern­ a "private network established by Lt. Col. numerous. Salvadoran telephone records There are others within El Salvador itself. ment had nothing to do with this, they are Oliver L. North." show thousands of dollars worth of calls to But especially crucial have been those in wrong." But was North acting in a "private" ca­ key figures in Washington from clandes­ neighboring Honduras, where the main pacity, beyond his official duties on the 'Company people' at llopango tine "safe houses" in San Salvador used by contra forces are based near the Nicaraguan NSC? Responding to earlier such accusa­ Hasenfus and other contra supply opera­ border. According to Hasenfus and the In general, the Reagan administration tions about North, then National Security downed plane's log books, the Honduran has made little secret of its backing for the tives. Adviser Robert McFarlane said last year Among those figures is retired Maj. bases of Aguacate, Mocor6n, Palmerola contras. But a 1984 congressional bar on that whatever North's contacts with the Gen. Richard Secord, who was assistant and Rus Rus have been repeatedly used fo; direct CIA involvement - a prohibition contras, he was acting on instructions, ac­ supply flights. that has now been lifted - prompted it for secretary of defense in charge of Middle cording to the October 19 Washington Most of these airfields were hardened a time to try to camouflage the extent and East arms sales during the first years of the Post. Reagan administration. Secord has admit­ and smoothed by U.S. Army engineering nature of its continued role in directing the Other officials and institutions have also contra war. One way it did so was by using ted providing the contras with a plane, as units during U.S. military "exercises" in well as with "military guidance." been implicated. The two air companies Honduras. This confirms the key purpose various "private" right-wing organizations linked to the downed plane, Corporate Air to funnel money and arms to the contras. Another official who received calls from of such exercises - to prepare for further Services and Southern Air Transport, have aggression against Nicaragua. But as the Hasenfus affair has revealed, the "safe houses" is Lt. Col. Oliver North, currently with the National Security Coun­ extensive CIA ties. Both use the same ad­ Documents recovered from the plane's little changed in practice. The CIA is still dress in Miami, just across the street from running the show. cil (NSC). wrec~age also cited other countries used by A report prepared by the staff of Sen. an office of the contras' main political the pllots: Costa Rica, the Dominican Re­ According to Hasenfus himself, describ­ front. ing the contra supply operation at the John Kerry provided other evidence of public, Panama, and Puerto Rico. North's links to the contra supply opera­ On the bodies of the plane's pilot and In addition, the pilots flew to several Ilopango air base in El Salvador, "The copilot were the business cards of Robert tion. According to the report, more than 50 military bases in the United States itself, people I met in El Salvador, that I knew, Owen and P.J. Buechler. Owen is a former were all company [CIA] people .... They witnesses told about "an interlocking web according to the plane's log books. These of bank accounts, airstrips, planes, pilots, associate of Colonel North's, and both men included the McClellan Air Base in Sac­ consisted of flight crews, maintenance worked for the State Department's Nicara­ crews, drivers, and two Cuban and contra bases which have been used in ramento, California, and a base in Mer­ common by weapons smugglers, narcotics guan Humanitarian Affairs Office, which cury, Nevada. According to the New York nationalized Americans that worked for the was in charge of funneling "humanitarian" CIA that did most of the coordination of smugglers, the contras, and organizations Times, the Nevada base is "one of the most assisting the contras." assistance to the contras over the past year. highly classified test sites for military air­ these flights." . Vice-president George Bush, himself a Initially Hasenfus put the number of This system, it concluded, was linked to craft and nuclear weapons," adding that it former CIA director, has admitted being in "may be used for research on the Stealth touch with Felix Rodriguez, the CIA agent Bomber and 'Star Wars.'" Hasenfus named as the chief coordinator of Despite the overwhelming evidence of Special offer for 'New International' the arms flights from Ilopango. Bush called high-level U.S. government involvement him a "patriot." in the arms flights to the Nicaraguan con­ ifyou renew your 'Militant' subscription Bush also revealed that his national se­ tras, most members of the various congres­ curity adviser had recommended Rod­ sional committees set up to "investigate" If you renew your Militant sub­ Barnes and Doug Jenness riguez to the Salvadoran high command for the revelations have declared themselves "Land Reform and Cooperatives scription today, you'll receive free a job as a counterinsurgency "adviser." Be­ an issue of New International, a in Cuba" satisfied with the administration's denials. sides aiding Washington's mercenary war A few, such as Sen. Patrick Leahy and magazine of Marxist politics and • Vol. 2, No.2- Fall1985 against Nicaragua, the "Salvadoran military theory, published in New York. "The Coming Revolution in Rep. Lee Hamilton, have expressed con­ is seeking to crush a popular rebellion in El tinued skepticism, however. Or for only $10 you can receive South Africa" by Jack Barnes Salvador itself. In any case, direct CIA involvement all of the five issues of New Interna­ "The Future Belongs to the again becomes legal as part of the $100 tional that have appeared - a big Majority," Speech by Oliver Tambo From Honduras to Nevada million contra aid package recently enacted saving. "Cuba's Internationalist Volun­ Ilopango is only one of an entire network by Congress and put into effect October 23 The following is a partial listing teers in Angola," Speech by Fidel of military bases in the region used by by President Reagan. The CIA can now of the contents of the issues: Castro . Washington to ferry arms to the contras. discard its mask. • Vol. 1, No. 1 - Fall1983 Fill out the coupon below to re­ "Their Trotsky and Ours: Com­ ceive the special offers. Checks can munist Continuity Today" by Jack be made out to the Militant. Barnes "Lenin and the Colonial Ques­ Please send me: tion" by Carlos Raf~el Rodriguez • Vol. 1, No. 2 -Winter 1983- D One-year Militant renewal 84 subscription and free New "The Working-Class Road to International. (Specify NI Peace" by Brian Grogan Vol. __ No.__ de­ ''The Development of the Marxist sired.) $24. Position on the Aristocracy of D Six-month renewal and free Labor" by Steve Clark New International. (Specify "The Social Roots of Oppor­ Vol. __ No. __ ) $15. tunism" by Gregory Zinoviev D All five issues of New Interna­ • Vol. 1, No.3- Spring-Summer tional (without Militant re­ NICARAGUA 1984 newal). $10. "The Workers' and Farmers' D Subscription to New Interna­ Government: A Popular Revolu­ . tiona[. $12 for three issues. tionary Dictatorship" by Mary­ Current issue sent free. Alice Waters "Imperialism and Revolution in Name ______Latin America and the Caribbean" Address ______by_Manuel Pineiro City ------,,----- "The FSLN and the Nicaraguan State Zip _____ Revolution" by Tomas Borge • Vol. 2, No.1- Spring 1985 Clip and mail to the Militant, 14 "The Workers' and Farmers' Al­ Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. liance in the U.S.," articles by Jack 10014.

6 The Militant November 7, 1_986 Interview with young Nicaraguans who shot down U.S. plane From left to right: Raul Antonio Acevedo, Byron Montiel Salas, Jose Fernando Canales.

BY HARVEY McARTHUR the Costa Rican border and not far from the don't have cases of polio like we used to." "The contras don't have any way to get MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Several spot where they downed the CIA plane. He added that Nicaragua would have ad­ stronger here," he replied. "We dominate hundred workers and farmers filled the Byron volunteered for the army "to de­ vanced even more, were it not for the cost the territory and we have the support of the Sandinista Workers Federation meeting fend my country," he said. "The contras of the U.S. -organized war. people - that's the principal support that hall here October 18 for a national assem­ used to attack farm cooperatives and am­ we have. You can see this in this assembly, bly to promote unity in face of the U.S.­ bush vehicles [near San Carlos], killing From working-class families hear what the people have to say, see the backed war against Nicaragua. Suddenly, and kidnapping the peasants. Now, they All three are from working-class love they show for the soldiers fighting in they rose to their feet and began to applaud can't do that - they run into our troops families. Jose's father is a carpenter. the mountains. Really, even with the $100 as three young soldiers entered. first." Byron's father is a fisherman and artisan. million, the contras can't do anything His mother works as a maid. Before join­ here." These were the three soldiers who shot San Carlos was one of the poorest and most neglected parts of Nicaragua before ing the army five months ago, Jose and I asked if they had any message for down a CIA plane in southern Nicaragua Byron worked as stock clerks in the Minis­ youth in the United States. October 5, and captured CIA mercenary the 1979 revolution that overthrew the U.S. -backed Somoza dictatorship here. try of Health pharmacies in San Carlos. Eugene Hasenfus the next day. They im­ They continued their high school studies at "Tell U.S. young people not to support mediately became national heroes - sym­ The road connecting it to the rest of the the Reagan government's aid to the con­ country was rained out 10 months of the night. bols of Nicaragua's determination and abil­ Raul worked for the Ministry of Internal tras," said Raul. "Tell them that we're ity to defeat the U.S.-backed mercenaries year. There were no telephones, no radio, ready for the $100 million. We are armed and no hospital. Commerce and was a member of the San­ called contras. dinista Youth before joining the army and we'll give them hell- whether it's the Jose Fernando Canales addressed the as­ "The revolution brought us new hous­ Yankees or their puppets here." However, ing, health clinics, roads, and a land re­ nearly two years ago. His father worked as sembly. He described how he shot down a carpenter and farm worker. he added, "any Yankees that come here as the plane with a hand-held ground-to-air form that gives land to the peasants," friends will be well received." missile, and urged the workers and farmers Byron explained. Jose was especially All three said they planned to finish high Jose urged U.S. youth to visit Nicaragua to maintain the same unity and determina­ proud of the big African palm agro-indus­ school after their two-year military service. as tourists or on solidarity brigades. "They tion that the Sandinista soldiers fighting in trial project begun near San Carlos to pro­ Then, they plan to apply for scholarships to shouldn't support the Reagan government the mountains and jungles have. duce cooking oil for Nicaragua. study abroad, and return to work in Nicara­ in its interventions against Nicaragua," he The Militant was able to talk with the Raul, from the city of Carazo near the gua. concluded. "It is the Nicaraguan people three soldiers during breaks in the assem­ Pacific Coast, pointed out the important I asked Raul what the $100 million in who suffer from [this intervention]. But we bly - though we were frequently inter­ advances in health care. "Medicine is now U.S. aid to the mercenaries will mean for will defend our people no matter what it rupted by other participants who wanted to available for the people," he said. "We Nicaragua. costs." congratulate the young heroes. Typical of Nicaraguan youth The three are typical of the tens of Trial evidence exposes CIA role thousands of young Nicaraguans serving in the army, defending their country against the contras. Jose, 19 years old, and Byron Continued from front page The brief also claimed that Hasenfus court, and reviewed the documents, evi­ Montiel Salas, 17 years old, are an antiair­ long record of U.S. intervention against should not be tried before the People's dence, and court procedures in the Hasenfus craft team. Along with Raul Antonio Nicaragua and U.S. support for the con­ Anti-Somozaist Tribunals (TPAs) because trial. Acevedo, the 20-year-old infantryman who tras. "Somozaism doesn't exist any more." The In a meeting with reporters October 24, "This is the limit!" complained Sotelo's actually captured Hasenfus, they are part of U.S. -backed Somoza dictatorship ruled Clark pointed to U.S. pressures to make assistant, Luis Andara Ubeda. "These are the Gaspar Garcia Laviana light infantry Nicaragua for nearly 50 years until it was Hasenfus change his story and plead not accusations against a country with which battalion operating in Nicaragua's southern overthrown by the 1979 Sandinista revolu­ guilty. "He is obviously under a lot of pres­ Nicaragua has diplomatic relations!" jungles. tion. Ex-officers of Somoza's hated Na­ sure from his wife and through her, from Asked by reporters if he agreed that tional Guard are currently commanding the the U.S. consul," Clark said. "They're cer­ there were mercenaries attacking Nicara­ The -sandinista army had been aware of contra terrorist units. tainly telling him that if he wants to see the the CIA flights supplying the mercenaries, gua, Ubeda replied: "Mercenaries? It's not The brief presented by his lawyer also United States again, he had better do what and one of the goals of this battalion was to my job to go looking for mercenaries. I they say." try to shoot down the plane. don't go around looking for ghosts." argued that Hasenfus "is not a criminal but rather a worker for a legally constituted air­ "I think that the trial is being carried out "There used to be many attacks by the Ubeda ducked the question when asked fairly," Clark went on. "Accusations about if the U.S. embassy had helped prepare the line company." It said that his confessions contras in my region," said Byron. He and · the trial itself are not significant. They are Jose are from the town of San Carlos, near brief. were invalid since they were made while he was being held prisoner Gf the Ministry of red herrings, designed to divert attention the Interior. from the real issue, which is U.S. support for the contras." Millions of U.S. workers, however, saw Socialist candidate defends gains Hasenfus on the 60 Minutes television pro­ "We know that the contras have killed gram October 19, where he described the thousands of Nicaraguans, destroyed of Sandinista revolution CIA-run supply operation he worked for at farms, mined roads and raped women," length. Clark said. "The Hasenfus case is just one BOSTON - In the last weeks of the States won't let Nicaragua decide its own more piece of e¥idence linking the U.S. Even Griffin Bell told reporters here Oc­ campaign in the 8th Congressional District future." government to the contras." here, the Democratic and Republican can­ In a mock election, Hillson received tober 29 that Hasenfus "is certainly guilty. didates have been attacking the Nicaraguan 10. 5 percent of the students' votes. The de­ He was in the plane and it was carrying government. In contrast, Socialist Workers bate was televised twice in Watertown. arms. We're just trying to figure out what Honduran army attacks candidate Jon Hillson used his appearances The Arlington Advocate, the Watertown he should plead guilty to." to explain the gains of the Sandinista revo­ Sun, and the Winchester Star carried biog­ The court rejected Sotelo's brief on Oc­ across Nicaragua border lution and urge a big turnout for antiwar raphies and interviews with Abt, Hillson, tober 27. and Kennedy. MANAGUA, Nicaragua- In October, protests here November 1. That same day, Griffin Bell met with On October 22 Hillson urged 200 Boston the Honduran Army carried out a series of Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry and pro­ Hillson's Democratic rival, Joseph Ken­ University students "to march against this attacks on Sandinista troops stationed on posed that Hasenfus be exchanged for one nedy, termed himself "no friend of the San­ escalating war and the big lies used by Nicaraguan soil near the Honduran border. or more Nicaraguans being held in U.S. dinistas." While currently opposing mili­ Washington and Congress to cover it up, The attacks were designed to provoke a tary aid to the mercenary contra army, he prisons. He presented a list of 19 Nicara­ because your generation will pay with bigger military conflict that could justify an guan citizens being held on charges of drug favors military support to the Duarte re­ thousands of lives if that escalation is not escalation of the U.S.-sponsored aggres­ trafficking or other crimes. gime in El Salvador. stopped." sion against Nicaragua. Republican Clark Abt supports funding Nicaragua faces this war, Hillson an­ Bell's proposal was aimed at avoiding On October 11, Honduran soldiers fired for the CIA-trained killers in Nicaragua. swered one student, "because it, unlike the the public trial of Hasenfus, where evi­ at Sandinista soldiers in Lomas Las Mesas, But, Hillson said in a debate with Abt United States, gives land to the farmers dence of U.S. military intervention against about nine miles from the northern Nicara­ before nearly 300 students, faculty, and rather than taking it away from them; be~ Nicaragua will be presented and widely guan town of Jalapa. Three Sandinista sol­ staff of the Watertown, Massachusetts, cause health care is free; because the gov­ publicized. The Sandinista daily Barricada diers were killed. Hosmer East School, "the people of Nica­ ernment builds - rather than breaks - pointed out that although Bell claims he is On October 22, Honduran troops fired ragua, the children of Nicaragua, have no trade unions; because human needs come acting only as a private citizen, the offer he 14 rockets at Nicaraguan positions near the different aspirations than you. But they first; and because political power is in the made would have to be authorized by the town of Teotecacinte, just south of the must defend their country against a U.S.­ hands of workers and farmers, not the rich. U.S. government. Honduran border. backed invasion." Washington fears the spread of this exam­ On October 23, Honduran soldiers fired The students, who ranged from grades ple- above and below the Rio Grande." Real issue is U.S. contra war machine guns, rockets, and grenades at the four to eight, listened attentively as Hillson The socialist candidate, a textile worker Meanwhile, Ramsey Clark, also a Nicaraguan border post of Las Manos, explained, "Nearly 1 ,000 people your age and member of the International Ladies' former U.S. attorney general, arrived in about 12 miles north of the city of Ocotal. have been killed, and 10,000 left without Garment Workers' union, also spoke to Nicaragua October 23. He met with Attor­ No injuries were reported in the latter parents because the rich in the United students at Watertown High School. ney General Reyes and members of the two attacks.

November 7, 1986 The Militant 7 Socialists take stands on referendum issues

statements. federal funding for abortions. Socialist Workers Party candidates Jon AIDS initiative Sam Manuel, Matilde Zimmermann, Massachusetts is one of 14 states that Hillson, for congress in the 8th C.D., and and Greg Jackson, the Socialist Workers still offer Medicaid funding of abortion as Ellen Berman for governor participated in targets rights Party candidates for U.S. Senate, gover­ part of the state constitution. the march. nor, and lieutenant governor, have spoken The proposed amendment, Question I, BY PETER ANESTOS out frequently in opposition to Proposition would give the state legislature the power SAN FRANCISCO- Proposition 64, 64. to immediately stop all Medicaid funds for Oppose gov't money often referred to as the AIDS internment abortion and would also allow private in­ initiative, is on the general election ballot surers to refuse coverage. The legislature for church schools in California. It is a direct attack on con­ Vote no on English would also be able to place restrictions on stitutional rights. the provision of services or facilities for Ellen Berman, Socialist Workers Party The proposition was put forward by fol­ performing abortions. as state language candidate for governor of Massachusetts, lowers of ultrarightist Lyndon LaRouche. Proponents of a yes vote in this referen­ has called on voters to reject a proposed They garnered more than 600,000 signa­ dum are calling it a move to stop "govern­ "English is the official language of the amendment to the state constitution that tures on petitions to place the initiative on ment coercion of those whose tax dollars State of California," reads a proposed calls for allowing "the expenditure of pub­ the ballot. are used in part for abortion." amendment to the state constitution that is lic funds for private schools." The main Proposition 64 would add AIDS to the Demonstrators and speakers at the rally listed on the November 4 ballot as Propos­ beneficiary of the measure would be the list of contagious, communicable diseases answered this by stating that the real coer­ ition 63. Catholic school system. The amendment is maintained by the state's Department of cion is directed at women who would be Sylvia Zapata, the Socialist Workers listed on the ballot as Question 2. Health Services. It would designate car­ forced to bear unwanted children or possi­ Party candidate for U.S. Congress from the Berman told the Militant that the pro­ riers of the AIDS virus as being in a con­ bly die or be permanently maimed as a re­ 25th C.D., located in Los Angeles, is voic­ posed amendment "violates a democratic tagious and communicable condition. ing strong opposition to the measure. sult of an illegal and unsafe abortion. Under current law, this would mandate conquest written into the Bill of Rights - officials to quarantine people with AIDS or The amendment would bar passage of The march was led by activists carrying the separation of church and state. No one who test positive for the AIDS virus. any "law which diminishes or ignores the a banner that read "March for Women's prevents church officials from establishing All school employees, students, and air­ role of English." It gives any Californian or Lives." Hundreds of other banners and Catholic schools. But for state or local gov­ line flight attendants, and workers in ag­ person doing business in California "stand­ signs followed, identifying delegations ernments to use the taxpayers' money to ing to sue to enforce" the amendment. riculture, food processing, grocery stores, from throughout the state. fund religious schools is an attack on dem­ ocratic rights." bars, and restaurants would have to submit Proposition 63 advocate Stanley Dia­ Among them were contingents of union­ "Question 2 also undermines govern­ to testing for the virus. Workers and stu­ mond, head of the California English Cam­ ists from the Amalgamated Clothing and dents who test positive would be fired from paign, portrays the amendment as a way Textile Workers Union, International ment funding of the public school system," their jobs or removed from school. for voters to oppose the printing of ballots Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, United Berman said. "It is linked to the many cuts The LaRouche supporters set up Prevent in English and Spanish, bilingual educa­ Steelworkers of America, and the Interna­ that have been made in the most basic edu­ cational needs." AIDS Now Initiative Committee (PANIC). tion, the use of languages other than Eng­ tional Union of Electronic Workers. In the ballot argument submitted for publi­ lish on official signs, and immigration She charged that "racist arguments are cation by the state, the group hid the fact from Mexico. Among the speakers were Carol Doh­ sometimes used to justify these cuts, and to that AIDS cannot be transmitted casually. erty, chairperson of the statewide Cam­ justify funding private religious schools. "The aim of this proposition is to reen­ paign for Choice; Eleanor Smeal, president Since gay men are a majority of those force discrimination and prejudice against For instance, there is the erroneous claim known to have AIDS and who have tested of the National Organization for Women; that public schools are unworthy of support immigrant Latinos, Chinese, and other op­ and Carter Heyward of the Episcopal Di­ positive for the AIDS virus, their rights are pressed people," declared Zapata. "The because so many Black youth attend vinity School. them." immediately threatened by Proposition 64. SWP candidates in California are calling The California labor movement opposes on Californians to vote no on this an­ the measure. The San Francisco Labor tidemocratic measure." Council Executive Board said the initiative Candidates barred from Utah debates "aims at fueling ignorance and hysteria based on unscientific testing, guilt by as­ Medicaid should SALT LAKE CITY - Pickets marched Scott Breen and David Hurst for U.S. Con­ sociation, and suspicion." in front of the offices of KUED-TV, the gress from the 2nd and 3rd C.D.s. The 500 delegates to the state AFL-CIO pay for abortions University of Utah public broadcasting sta­ On the same day, the Daily Utah convention voted unanimously to cam­ tion here, October 8. They were protesting Chronicle, the university's student news­ paign against the initiative and urge a no BY MAGGIE PUCCI the decision of station management and the paper, published an editorial entitled, vote. "Open up debate!" AND MARK STEVENSON League of Women Voters to restrict cam­ Cesar Chavez, president of the United BOSTON - Some 5,000 abortion paign debates to Republican and Demo­ "Utahns have the right to hear the opin­ Farm Workers, said the union sees this pro­ rights supporters marched through the cratic candidates, thereby excluding the ions of all candidates running for public of­ fice. posal as "a threat to the job security and streets here October 18 calling for the de­ candidates of the Socialist Workers Party. public health of every Californian. Were­ feat of an antiabortion amendment to the League of Women Voters officials said "But in KUED's coverage of the politi­ solve to bury this initiative." Massachusetts constitution. A referendum the socialist candidates were barred be­ cal debates, the viewing audience will only The state's Catholic bishops also con­ on the amendment is to be voted statewide cause they had not received I 0 percent of be given access to the viewpoints of Tom demned the initiative. in the November 4 election. the vote in the last general election. Shimizu and Wayne Owens .... The Republican and Democratic candi­ The action also commemorated the The picket line was cosponsored by the "Political candidates, such as the dates for U. S. Senate and governor have death of Rosie Jimenez, the first woman to SWP and the Young Socialist Alliance. Socialist Workers Party's Scott Breen, are gone on record against the proposal, but die from a back-alley abortion following The party's candidates on the November 4 entitled to as much publicity and coverage the issue has been largely ignored in their the 1976 Hyde Amendment that cut off ballot are Mary Zins for U.S. Senator and as their mainstream party counterparts." : PATHFINDER BOOKS Cosmetics, Fashions, and the Teamster Rebellion, 192 pp., Exploitation of Women $6.95 Teamster Power, 255 pp., By Joseph Hansen and $7.95 Teamster Politics, 256 Evelyn Reed pp., $7.95 Teamster with an introduction by Bureaucracy, 304 pp., $7.95 Mary-Alice Waters By Farrell Dobbs How the cosmetics industry These four volumes recount plays on women's insecurities to the 1934 Minneapolis Teamster rake in profits; how the standards strikes and related labor of beauty are set in capitalist struggles. They tell the story of society; how women's growing how Minneapolis Teamsters took involvement in the labor force over their union and used it to has changed their self-image. extend union power in the Based on a lively 1954 debate, Midwest. The final volume these articles raise important describes how the top By Any Means Necessary questions for today's fighters for Fidel Castro: Nothing Can bureaucracy and the Roosevelt Socialism On Trial Stop the Course of History By Malcolm X By James P. Cannon women's rights. 144 pp., $4.95 administration conspired to These speeches and interviews Interview by Jeffrey M. Elliot destroy this example of militant A clear and simple explanation and Mervyn M. Dymally from Malcolm X's last year of the principles and aims of revo­ unionism. All four volumes - discuss the need for independent Topics include U.S.-Cuban $25.00 lutionary socialism. Testimony relations, revolution in Latin Black political organization, the from the 1941 "thought control" America, Cuban troops in Africa, roots of Black nationalism, and trial of28 SWP leaders and Team­ the 1988 Olympics, the U.S. the fight against the Klan and ster militants. 184 pp., $4.95 Cbsmetics, invasion of Grenada, and more. racist violence. 184 pp., $5.95 JUilfushions, 276 pp., $7.95 tla."&tclthe Nelson Mandela: The Struggle Nicaragua: The Sandinista Is My Life The Communist Manifesto Exploitation By Nelson Mandela By Marx and Engels People's Revolution of~ Speeches by Sandinista leaders Major speeches and writings This is Marx and Engels by the imprisoned leader of the program for the first Ubmenftl Daniel Ortega, Sergio Ramirez, Tomas Borge, Victor Tirado, and South African freedom struggle international association of spanning more than 40 years of workers. Written in popular others describe the U.S. war against Nicaragua, women's his activity in the African language, its description of the National Congress. 278 pp., $6.95 workers' struggle against rights, and problems of the oppression and exploitation Atlantic Coast. 412 pp., $8.95 *Please include$. 75 for postage. remains timely today. 45 pp., $.95 Pathfinder Press, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014 A~~~l~J])l~·•tlt·•·yo\tr~~··;~~~~r~~~t.,,(~~·~*~~~··~~Fl: ·... ·· ·.,,;~3~t~,§~·~~~\.·····.·.·· ; -';-~i::; ,-

8 The Militant November 7, 1986 SWP fields 62 candidates across United States Listed below are the candidates of the Roberta Scherr- governor; Mark Rahn UTAH Socialist Workers Party in the November 4 - lieutenant governor. Mary Zins- U.S. Senate* Scott Breen -U.S. Congress, 2nd C.D. (Salt Lake elections. OREGON City)* David Hurst-U.S. Congress, 3rd The asterisks indicate the candidates' Amy Husk- U.S. Senate. names that will appear on the printed bal­ C.D.* PENNSYLVANIA . lot. Others are write-in candidates. WASHINGTON Mike Carper - U.S. Senate; Clare Jill Fein- U.S. Senate* ALABAMA Fraenzl - governor; Mark Weddleton Andrea Baron - U.S. Senate; David -U.S. Congress, 14th C.D. (Pittsburgh)* WASHINGTON, D.C. FergusOn- governor; Martin Boyers­ Deborah Lazar- mayor* U.S. Congress, 6th C.D. (Birmingham)* TEXAS Willie Mae Reid - governor; Susan za­ WEST VIRGINIA Militan1t/Holbr·ook Mahn ARIZONA rate -lieutenant governor; Steven War­ Kathy MickeUs - U.S. Congress, 2nd Sam Manuel, Socialist Workers Party can­ David Zilly- U.S. Senate. shell- agriculture commissioner; Joanne C.D.;DavidSalner-U.S. Congress, 3rd C.D. didate for U.S. Senate from California. CALIFORNIA Kuniansky- U.S. Congress, 18th C.D. Sam Manuel - U.S. Senate; Matilde (Houston)* Patricia Smith- U.S. Con­ WISCONSIN Zimmermann - governor; Greg Jack­ gress, 24th C.D. (Dallas). Margo Storsteen - U.S. Senate* Vote Socialist son - lieutenant governor; Anibal Yanez - U.S. Congress, 5th C.D. (San Fran­ cisco); Miesa Patterson - U.S. Con­ Workers! gress, 8th C.D. (Oakland-Berkeley); Continued from front page Sandra Nelson - lJ.S. Congress, lOth the United States and in other countries for C.D. (San Jose); Sylvia Zapata- U.S. support from other workers and from farm­ Congress, 25th C.D. (Los Angeles); Allan ers. Grady- U.S. Congress, 44th C.D. (San Struggles such as the one in Austin will Diego). be repeated. And experience gained in such COLORADO battles will lead growing numbers to see Mike Chamberlain- U.S. Senate* that they are not just up against individual employers, but a class of employers that FLORIDA controls the entire ·government apparatus Stuart Singer - U.S. Senate; Martin and the Republican and Democratic par­ Anderson - governor. ties. GEORGIA Experience will convince workers that to Maceo Dixon- U.S. Senate. challenge the employers effectively a polit­ ical mpvement is necessary that can go KENTUCKY beyond the important but limited battles in Marilee Taylor - U.S. Senate; Jean­ each plant, industry, city, or sector of the nette Tracy - U.S. Congress, 3rd C.D. working class, a movement that would (Louisville). mobilize millions of working people to ILLINOIS fight their exploiters. The most likely ini­ Omari Musa- U.S. Senate* Diane Rol­ Militant Militant/Holbrook Mahn tial form for such a movement in the ing - governor* Jim Little - lieutenant Candidates Chris Brandlon for U.S. Congress, New Jersey; Willie Mae Reid for gov­ United States will be a labor party based on governor* Holly Harkness - secretary of ernor of Texas. the trade unions, which would champion state* Scott Dombeck - attorney gen­ the interests of all working people. eral* Jim Miles - state comptroller* Ste­ The SWP candidates have been the only ven Bloodworth>- University of Illinois ones advocating that workers shape their Board of Trustees* Cathleen Gutekanst own destiny by putting forward their own - University of Illinois Board of Trus­ Fund helps send 'MHitant,' leaders and their own organizations to fight tees* Pedro Vasquez- University of Il­ for their interests. linois Board of Trustees* Only this can lay the basis for a fight to 'PM' team to Puerto Rico oust the government of the small handful of MASSACHUSETTS ruling families and replace it with a gov­ Ellen Berman - governor; Jon Hillson BY MALIK MIAH public events. ernment of those who work for a living. - U.S. Congress, 8th C.D. (Boston-Cam­ Laura Garza, a national leader of the Editors and correspondents for the Mili­ As one of its first steps, a workers' and bridge). Young Socialist Alliance, is heading up a tant, PM, and Pathfinder Press will also be farmers' government would take the funds MICHIGAN four-person sales team traveling through speaking at many of the meetings. Larry now spent for armaments and launch a Kate Kaku - governor; Tim Craine --,:­ Puerto Rico, November 3-17. Seigle, who recently participated in the massive program to guarantee free and de­ lieutenant governor; Andrew Pulley - The team will be selling Militant and Havana, Cuba, bookfair for Pathfmder cent medical care for all, homes for the U.S. Congress, 1st C.D. (Detroit)* Perspectiva Mundial subscriptions to Press, is speaking at a November 15 fund homeless, and more schools. workers, farmers, and students in this U.S. event in Toledo, Ohio. Such a government would stop all farm MINNESOTA colony in tbe Caribbean. It will also be Margaret Jayko, coeditor of the Mili­ Tom Jaax- governor* August Nimtz­ foreclosures. Cheap credit would be pro­ selling Pathfinder Press literature. tant, is speaking at the November 8 vided to working farmers and a pricing sys­ lieutenant governor* We are able to finance this and the other Newark, New Jersey, meeting. Martin tem set up that guaranteed working farmers MISSOURI 11 teams that have beeu put on the road so Koppel, editor of Perspectiva Mundial, is a living income. Bob Miller- U.S. Senate. Alvino Car­ far this subscription drive because of your speaking in Albany, New York, November A workers' and farmers' government rillo- U.S. Congress, 5th C.D. (Kansas generous contributions to the Fall Publica­ 8. And, I, as the Militant's Circulation Di­ would also put a stop to the criminal war City). tions Fund. rector, will be speaking in Chicago, against Nicaragua, and to bullying other With two more weeks to go to reach the November 2; Atlanta, November 8; and NEW JERSEY countries. $100,000 goal, $85,000 has been pledged Philadelphia and Pittsburgh the weekend of Chris Brandlon- U.S. Congress, lOth Instead of trying to subject the peoples and $28,800 paid to the Fund. To make the November 15-16. C.D. (Newark)* of Asia, Africa, and Latin America to U.S. national goal on time, a big effort will.be domination, massive food shipments NEW YORK needed. would be sent to the hungry. And inter­ Mike Shur- U.S. Senate* Theresa Del­ The Publications Fund is very much con­ Fall Publications Fund nationalist volunteers- doctors, teachers, gadillo - governor; George Kontanis - nected to the Militant and Perspectiva $100,000 engineers, and skilled workers- would be lieutenant governor; Jim Callahan - Mundial's current campaign to win 10,000 I wish to offered to help the peoples of these conti­ U.S. Congress, 23rd C.D. (Capital Dis­ new readers. It is the fund that helps sub­ help the fund. nents oppressed for centuries by colonial­ trict)* sidize the inexpensive introductory sub­ pledged ism and imperialism. scription rates we offer. Enclosed is: $85,000 We think workers and farmers who sup­ NORTH CAROLINA The fund also makes it possible for the Rich Stuart- U.S. Senate. port these goals should endorse, support, Militant, PM and Pathfinder Press to pro­ $500 and vote for the Socialist Workers Party omo vide papers and literature to the traveling candidates in the November 4 elections. Kathleen Button - U.S. Senate; teams at cost. The teams use the money they raise through sales. of the literature to $100 collected help pay their fuel costs and other living $28,800 Socialist excluded from Wisconsin debate expenses. . $50 The first 10 sales teams cost about MILWAUKEE - "Citizens of Wiscon­ participate in the debate. $15,000- an average of$1,500 per team. $10 sin have a right to decide for themselves "The League's talk about 'seriousness' The Puerto Rican team will likely cost dou­ ble that amount because of plane fares to which candidate is a serious one," said is a smoke screen for preventing anyone Other$ Margo Storsteen. Storsteen, who is on the but the Republican and Democratic candi­ the island. ballot as the Socialist Workers Party candi­ dates from getting a hearing," said Stors­ But as in the case of the teams that have Name already traveled throughout the United date for U.S. Senator, was protesting her teen, who is a production worker at Artos Address exclusion from an October 10 debate Engineering in New Berlin. States - and four more to come - the among senatorial candidates, which was A number of protests were registered value of taking the Militant and PM and City sponsored by the League of Women Vot­ against the exclusion, including one by the English- and Spanish-language Pathfinder ers. UWM Post, published at the Milwaukee Press literature to working people and stu­ State Zip League officials stated that Storsteen campus of the University of Wisconsin. dents in Puerto Rico makes the expense Fall Publications Fund, 14 Charles had been barred because she was "not a The paper pointed out that the League of politically worthwhile. Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. serious candidate." Only Republican in­ Women Voters' policy would "stifle the To help in the final push to reach the Checks should be made out to the cumbent Robert Kasten and Democratic right of third parties to publicly express $100,000 goal, many supporters of the Publications Fund. candidate Edward Garvey were allowed to their views." fund around the country are organizing

November 7, 1986 The MiHtant 9 Senegal's peasants, workers face mounting misery Interview with Senegalese socialist

The following is an interview with ucts in general, and to sell food and fer­ Belo, a leader of the Socialist Workers tilizer to the peasants. Organization (OST), the section of the The state exploits the peasantry much Fourth International in the West Afri­ more than before. It buys agricultural prod­ can country of Senegal. It was obtained ucts at a very low price, and sells them at a by Ernest Harsch in New York City in higher price on the world market. The state late August. agricultural companies also serve to enrich a very small portion of the peasantry, com­ Question. How has Senegal changed posed of the marabouts [local religious fig­ since it won its independence from France ures] and the political clients of the ruling party. Extreme exploitation and drought have forced peasants to migrate to cities, where a quarter of a century ago, in 1960? they share fate of unemployed and workers living in poverty. So this overall agricultural policy has Answer. There's a saying that's popular fostered a differentiation among the among the peasants. "When is this inde­ peasantry, with a big majority of the peas­ Q. In response to Senegal's rising debt, party. pendence finally going to end?" they ask, ants being very poor and a tiny number the government imposed an austerity pol­ Our union members are raising the call weighed down as they are by the difficult being quite rich. It's very hard these days icy several years ago. What has been its for the CNTS to break with the ruling economic situation and the threat of to talk about a middle peasantry; the gap is goal, and what impact has it had on work­ party. They explain this simply, by point­ famine. quite large. ing people? ing out that the government is responsible That reflects somewhat the evolution of for the austerity policies, that the workers, Senegal went through a 10-year drought. A. First, it's necessary to explain some­ Senegal since independence. in order to defend themselves, have to con­ The government was in part responsible for thing, which is quite ridiculous. Until1968 What has happened is that a bourgeoisie front this policy of the government, and the drought's impact, since it had failed to the Senegalese bourgeoisie did not even has appeared since 1960, a Senegalese develop irrigation. that the CNTS' s affiliation to the ruling bourgeoisie. It has been formed particu­ know the amount of the debt. They called Because of the drought, a lot of the rural party is an obstacle to this struggle. larly out of the state apparatus through the upon accounting firms in Europe to find population could not survive. Many came stealing of public money, through bank out how much it was. So they don't even For 10 years the CNTS has been riding a to the cities, engaging in petty trades or fal­ loans, and through corruption. know for sure if they owe this money. crisis, which is expressed through local ling into extreme misery. They were simply told how much they strikes, held in defiance of the leadership. There is no plan for economic develop­ So, since 1960, Senegal has become owed. The hardest fought strikes were in the ment. Around 1973 the government poorer and poorer. phosphate mines. There have been dozens nourished some illusions that it could in­ But they decided to pay it anyway, off of strikes in the food industry. Six months dustrialize the country by the year 2000, Q. To what extent is Senegal still domi­ the backs of the workers, the peasants, the ago the transport workers went on strike, because the price of phosphate was rising nated by French interests? young, the women. paralyzing the whole country. The strike on the world market and Senegal is one of So the government reduced its social was harshly repressed, and the leaders are the big producers of phosphate. It started a A. There are 1 ,500 French troops sta­ tioned in Senegal, ready to intervene programs, education, health care, etc. It still in prison today. plan for an industrial free zone and thought lowered the people's buying power by rais­ foreign capital was going to come flowing throughout Africa. They were used in the war in Chad and against the Polisario fight­ ing the prices of basic necessities. And it Q. Finally, could you describe the anti­ in. But 10 years later there are only two in­ cut the number of workers in the state com­ apartheid movement in Senegal, what in­ dustrial units in the free zone. ers in Western Sahara. In the war between Britain and Argentina over the Malvinas Is­ panies. Unemployment is therefore grow­ itiatives it has taken? Nevertheless, since independence a ing. working class has also developed, a sub­ lands, France allowed British forces to use A. A year ago an alliance of five politi­ The government hoped. that these meas­ stantial one compared to many other Afri­ an air base in Senegal to go to the Mal­ cal parties, including ourselves, called an ures would enable it to pay the debt. Yet can countries. Even if capital didn't come vinas. anti-apartheid demonstration to denounce flowing in, a few sectors did develop, such Most Senegalese industries are in the today the debt is about $2 billion. In 1980 it the repression in South Africa. We re­ was less than $1 billion. This shows that as the food industry and, to an extent, the hands of French companies, 44 percent of quested permission to organize the demon­ the policies of the IMF [International Mon­ mines. the economy. There's also been a growing stration, but the government did not re­ American entry into the market over the etary Fund] are a failure. The austerity pol­ spond until two or three days before. It said Since 1960 the peasantry has been con­ past 10 years. There are other imperialists icies do not help governments pay their no. fronted with greater difficulties. This fol­ present as well, Germans, Japanese. But debts; they just get further into debt. By then we had already put up posters. lows an agrarian reform that benefited nothing approaches that of the French. On the other side, the masses are suffer­ So we demonstrated anyway. The police mainly the big peasants. Bureaucratic Senegal is part of the French monetary ing. Misery has spread to many families, came and repressed the demonstration very structures were set up to control the peas­ zone. Our currency, the CFA franc, is at a the peasantry, the working class, women, violently. They arrested about 15 protes­ ants, to introduce agricultural techniques fixed parity with the French franc. This . and the young. The risks of a real social ex­ ters. The court released all of them, saying favored by imperialism, to commercialize bleeds the Senegalese economy and in­ plosion are rising. that the charges were unfounded. the peanut industry and agricultural prod- creases the rate of the debt. What the crackdown on this demonstra­ Q. How have working people re­ tion showed is that while the governments sponded? of Africa make a lot of noise about apart­ Do you know someone who reads Spanish? heid, the African bourgeoisie is afraid of A. In the face of this situation, they are seeing the South African revolutionary El Salvador: 'Aid, not war' trying to react. But the workers' response movement deepen. They know what a is limited by the fact that the majority of the triumphant South African revolution can The earthquake that devas­ working class is organized in the National represent in Africa, for all the revolution­ Confederation of Senegalese Workers tated the capital ofEl Salvador hit PefspiCJii'O ary movements in Africa. (CNTS), which is controlled by the ruling The best way of exposing the govern­ a nation already ravaged by war, Mundial bourgeois party. repression, poverty, and U.S. ment's demagogy is to deepen the con­ struction of the solidarity movement with domination. The peasantry, despite its low state of . Gobierno South Africa. We have a real stake in An article in the new November aprueba~I: ·: ·.' .. organization, began a series of initiatives nueva ley :::. ' . building this movement among the work­ issue of Perspectiua M undial de­ antinmigrante . · . two years ago to sabotage the govern­ ment's peanut policy. They decided not to ing people of Senegal. It's a way of scribes the damage caused by the •:.!. strengthening the revolutionary process in quake, and explains that the gov­ sell to the regular markets or to the govern­ ment. They found ways of producing South Africa today. And it's a political ernment, rather than help or­ school for the Senegalese masses. ganize the relief, has stood in the peanut oil themselves, which they went to way, blocking aid shipments from sell in the markets in the towns. This relief agencies. brought more income to the peasants. 200 turn out in Dallas The U.S. government is sending The government was surprised by this movement. It resulted in the loss of a good aid, as it has in the past, in order to hear AN C official bit of the revenue that the state drew from to prop up the repressive regime this industry. BY JIM KENDRICK and its war against the Salvado­ DALLAS- Some 200 church members ran people, which has already cost Q. Could you go a little more into the and community activists gathered here on 60,000 lives and created hundreds situation in the trade union movement? October 12 at St. Luke's Community of thousands of refugees. Methodist Church to protest apartheid in Subscriptions: $7 for one year; A . On the one hand there are the rank­ The issue of PM also carries an $4 for six months; Introductory South Africa. The rally heard African Na­ interview with Alfredo Represa, and-file workers, who are confronted with offer, $2.00 for five months. the crisis, who are looking for political and tional Congress Deputy Representative to European representative of the 0 Begin my sub with current the United Nations Solly Simelane explain Salvadoran labor federation union solutions to their problems. On the issue. other hand, there's the union bureaucracy, why Blacks in South Africa call for U.S. FENASTRAS. sanctions against the minority apartheid re­ Name which is defending its interests and its pol­ Perspectiua M undial is the icy of class-collaboration with the govern­ gime. Spanish-language socialist maga­ Address ment. The union bureaucrats have ministe­ At the invitation of the church's Opera­ zine that every month brings you rial posts, positions in the National Assem­ tion Breadbasket program, Pathfinder City/State/Zip the truth about the struggles of bly, and posts in the embassies. Books set up a literature table for two Sun­ day services and the evening rally on Oc­ working people and the oppressed Clip and mail to PM, 408 West St., The deepening of the crisis shows one tober 12. Church members and others in the U.S. and around the world. New York, NY 10014. thing: the contradiction between the de­ bought I 0 subscriptions to the Militant and fense of the workers' interests and the $540 worth of literature, buttons, and T­ CNTS's continued affiliation to the ruling shirts.

10 The Militant November 7, 1986 British Labour Party debates strategy Conference delegates demand removal of U.S. nuclear bases from Britain

BY NORTON SANDLER U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Wein­ power plants intervened in some of the manding that Black Sections be granted the BLACKPOOL, England- Thousands berger blasted the Labour Party stand on meetings, arguing and shouting at oppo­ same affiliated status to the Labour Party as of delegates and observers gathered here nuclear weapons in a television interview nents of nuclear power. other organizations, including Labour September 28 to October 3 at the Annual that coincided with the opening of the con­ On the day the antinuclear resolution Party Young Socialists and the Labour Conference of the British Labour Party to ference. An antinuclear Labour govern­ came to a vote, the electricians staged a Women's Action Committee. debate what policies the party should adopt ment in Britain, he warned, could lead to pronuclear picket line outside the confer­ As part of its drive to the right, the Kin­ on nuclear weapons, nuclear power, U.S. the breakup of NATO. ence. nock leadership has launched a witch-hunt military bases in their country, economic Opposition to the U.S. military presence against the party's left wing. Members of issues, and other questions. in Britain has increased considerably in re­ Maintaining Tory policies the Liverpool City Council, who have been The prospect of elections sometime in cent months. Thatcher's decision to allow Kinnock succeeded in having the Labour in the forefront of opposition to Thatcher's the next year and a half was on the minds of the U.S. F-111 's that bombed Libya in Party endorse some of the economic poli­ attempt to slash social services, have been many delegates. The Labour Party has April to take off from bases in Britain cies initiated by Thatcher. Among them the main target. been leading both the ruling Conservative sparked an outcry up and down the coun­ was Thatcher's turning over to private Kinnock charged the Liverpool activists (Tory) Party and the Alliance (an electoral try. hands of some industries nationalized by with membership in the Militant Ten­ bloc between the Liberal and the Social Resolutions calling for the removal of all earlier Labour governments. dency, a grouping in the Labour Party cen­ Democratic parties) in the polls for over a U.S. conventional military bases and for Demands by many delegates to re­ tered around a newspaper of the same year. withdrawal from NATO were also submit­ nationalize these industries without com­ name. Since taking office in 1979, Prime ted to the conference. pensation for their private owners were re­ Eight Militant backers from Liverpool Minister Margaret Thatcher has led a sus­ In the discussion on the resolutions one jected. were expelled at the Blackpool conference tained attack on the rights and living stan­ delegate pointed out that there are 5,000 The Kinnock leadership and the trade and a mechanism was put in place to carry dards of British workers. U.S. troops stationed in Britain at over 100 union officialdom blocked against recog­ out further investigations of party activists. The strongest resistance to Thatcher's military installations. nizing the Labour Party Black Sections. Though Kinnock got his way on most is­ policies took place during the 1984-85 Moving to appease U.S. criticism of Black Sections have been organized in sues that came to the floor there was oppo­ strike by the National Union of Minewor­ Labour's stand against nuclear bases and recent years on an ad hoc basis. They arose sition to his general course. Forces grouped kers (NUM). weapons, the Labour Party leadership out of the specific demand of Britain's around Mineworkers' leader Scargill and Though they were eventually forced to pledged to keep Britain in NATO and build Blacks for increased political representa­ an organization of members of Parliament give up the strike, the miners won consid­ up Britain's conventional weapons sys­ tion to fight against discrimination in em­ called the Campaign Group ofMPs (whose erable support in the British working class tems. ployment, housing, and education, as well most prominent member is Tony Benn) and around the world. The resolutions calling for removal of all as against police brutality and racist vio­ were active throughout the conference pro­ Many Labour Party leaders and trade U.S. military bases and for withdrawal lence. jecting an alternative course to that of the union officials, however, refused to stand from NATO were defeated by a substantial Many Labour Party activists are de- party leadership. by the miners in the struggle. Since the end margin and a pro-NATO resolution sub­ of the strike, Labour Party leader Neil Kin­ mitted by the party's National Executive nock has tried to take the party in the direc­ Committee (NEC) passed overwhelm­ tion of avoiding conflicts with the bosses ingly. -· WORLD NEWS BRIEFS-- and their government. Instead he proposes Most trade unions are affiliated to the moderate policies that he hopes will attract Labour Party. The majority of trade union French public workers six-year $1.74 billion military aid pack­ middle-class voters. delegates at conferences come from the of­ age for Pakistan. The aid would begin in Meanwhile, Thatcher has pushed ahead ficialdom. They vote based on the size of stage one-day strike 1988. with the antilabor offensive. At least the membership of their organizations, so After two days of talks Weinberger 30,000 miners have lost their jobs through each trade union delegate casts votes for Millions of French public workers told journalists in the Pakistani capital of mine closures. Over 5,000 printers at News tens of thousands of union members. staged a 24-hour strike October 21 to pro­ Islamabad that the possibility of air pat­ International's W apping printing plant in The vote reaffirming Britain's commit­ test the decline in their real wages over the rols with U.S. crews had not been ruled London have been on strike since January ment to remain in NATO carried last four years and government plans to out, at least until Pakistan could obtain trying to force that company's owner to 5 ,417, 000 to 1 , 023,000, an indication that cut 17,000 civil service jobs in fiscal year its own air-warning system. recognize their unions. The company has the majority of the trade union officialdom 1987. In a separate news conference, Pakis­ been able to keep its new plant running by want to maintain the status quo in terms of The strike, called by four union federa­ tani Prime Minister Mohammad Khan having an army of police stationed at the Britain's foreign policy. tions, disrupted airline and train service, Junejo said that his government's first printing facility throughout the strike. Opposition to nuclear power has in­ schools, public transportation, postal ser­ priority in spending the military aid As the possibility of an election draws creased in Britain following the accident vices, and television and radio broadcasts. would be to buy AWACS, the Airborne near, the Kinnock leadership is trying to last spring at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor Some areas also experienced power cuts. Warning and Control System. demonstrate to Britain's ruling families in the Soviet Union. Each of the four union federations and their allies in Washington that they The conference reaffirmed Labour's staged rallies in Paris on the day of the have little to fear from a Labour victory. support for phasing out nuclear power strike. According to police estimates, Salvadoran rebels Thatcher must schedule an election by plants. A definite timetable for ending the 50,000 people participated in these ac­ June 1988, but can call one sooner if she use of nuclear power, however, was not in­ tions. call off truce thinks her chances of winning are better at corporated in the resolution that was The strike was the first protest or­ On October 21 the Farabundo Marti that time. adopted by the delegates. Kinnock claimed ganized by French unions since the March National Liberation Front (FMLN) and that it would take longer than the life of one 16 National Assembly elections in which Removal of U.S. nuclear bases the Revolutionary Democratic Front parliament to complete the task. the Socialist Party lost its majority and (FOR) called off the temporary truce In a decision that sparked controversy The Tories blasted the phase-out deci­ Jacques Chirac became prime minister at both in Britain and in Washington, the sion as a "sop" to Arthur Scargill, president the head of a bloc of rightist parties. Labour Party conference went on record of the NUM. The miners have been in the for the dismantling of Britain's nuclear forefront of the fight against nuclear weapons systems. As part of that policy, power. Polish opposition leader the delegates voted to commit the next Scargill and other NUM leaders spoke to Labour government to the removal of all many meetings during the conference opposes U.S. sanctions U.S. nuclear weapons and nuclear bases about the dangers of nuclear power. Lech Walesa, the leader of the out­ A group of pronuclear members of the from British soil within 12 months of tak­ lawed Solidarity trade union movement, electricians' union who work at nuclear ing office. was one of 10 well-known critics of the Polish government to sign an October 15 public statement calling on U.S. Presi­ dent Ronald Reagan to lift economic sanctions against Poland and help the country toward economic recovery. Reagan imposed sanctions when the Polish regime declared martial law and outlawed Solidarity in 1981. Martial law ended in 1983 and some of the sanctions were lifted in 1984. Jose Napoleon Duarte On September 11 the Polish govern­ ment declared an amnesty for 225 pris­ they had proclaimed October 10. The oners being held for their political views truce was called in the wake of an earth­ and activities. Among those released quake in El Salvador's capital city that were a number of Solidarity leaders. left at least 1,200 people dead and thousands more homeless. The FMLN and FOR called for inter­ national solidarity for those left home­ U.S. planes, crews to less. The rebels also warned that the patrol Afghan border? government of Jose Napoleon Duarte could use the need for aid in cleaning up Speaking on October 15, Pakistani after the earthquake as an excuse to call President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq de­ in U.S. troops. clared that his government may ask the On October 12 the Salvadoran gov­ U. S. Air Force to mount patrols along ernment had rejected the guerrillas' Pakistan's northern border with Af­ truce. "The constitution forbids us tone­ ghanistan using radar early warning air­ glect the country's security," Defense craft. Minister Gen. Eugenio Vides Casanova His statement came a day before the declared. "Therefore, we will not sus­ MilitantJNorton Sandler beginning of talks with U.S. Defense pend military actions throughout the na­ Members of electricians' union picket conference in support of nuclear power. Led by Secretary Caspar Weinberger about a tional territory." delegates from Mineworkers' union, Labour Party conference opposed nuclear power.

November 7, 1986 The Militant 11 -THE GREAT SOCIETY------

Miami gangbusters - "We ment-owned Hanford facility in Mounties get their man - However, ocicat breeders concede prez of Bergdorf Goodman, which have broken up a major interna­ the State of Washington, which Canadian Mounties guarding the that, unlike N-M, they don't offer features a Hermes boutique. tional bicycle smuggling ring." - produces plutonium for nuke homes of foreign ambassadors a silver dish for an extra $25. Hermes offers such items as men's bombs. Also, a news account have been stripped of the crocodile and leather shoes, $750, or a matching suede skirt and jack­ added, "Various plants here en­ semiautomatic rifles they were as­ Have a ball - Tired of those et, $4,000 plus. gage in practices that are unheard signed to combat possible ter­ BYOs? Have a blowout at the site of in the civilian nuclear industry, rorism. One Mountie sent a bullet of your choice - Grand Central including dumping liquids con­ through the roof of the security hut Station, Grand Canyon, etc. Peter Thought for the week - Harry taminated with radioisotopes into at the Turkish ambassador's. And Duchin will tinkle the ivories and "Since I980 the real median in­ the ground." a Mountie at the U.S. ambas­ Disney characters will serve come of the top I 0 percent of the Ring sador's shot himself in the thigh. champagne and caviar. Above, a population has risen by $7,130, Pardon the skepticism - We chopper, coated with "diamond while that of the bottom 40 percent don't doubt for a mipute that What's a cat without a plate dust," will tow a rhinestone ban­ has fallen by $236. More remarka­ Cori Zywotow, spokesperson for radioactive material is dumped - Neiman-Marcus is offering ner with a message of your choice. ble, these trends are taking place the Miami police department. into the ground at the Hanford what it describes as a rare new $I million. against a backdrop of already site. But the thought did pass breed, the California Spangled enormous inequality. . . . The Federal standards - Auditors through our mind: Are such prac­ Cat. $I ,400. But breeders claim richest I percent own more assets said that engineering work was tices really "unheard of' at pri­ it's simply a copy of the ocicat, Nice and tidy - "Kids no than the bottom 90 percent."- U. "out of control" at the govern- vately-owned nuke plants? which is available at half the price. longer want to be ragtag," says the of Mass. Prof. David Kotz. -CALENDAR------ARIZONA NEW YORK for Congress, 18th C.D.; Steve Warshell, can­ Donation: $5. Ausp: Socialist Workers '86 didate for agriculture commissioner. Sat., Nov. Campaign. For more information call (202) Phoenix Albany I, 7:30 p.m. 4806 Almeda. Donation: $2. 797-7699. Socialist Legality and Justice in Contempo­ Socialist Campaign Celebration. Speakers: Ausp: Socialist Workers Texas Campaign. For rary Cuba. Speaker: Marjorie Zatz, recently George Kontanis, Socialist Workers Party can­ more information call (713) 522-8054. WEST VIRGINIA visited Cuba to study its criminal justice sys­ didate for lieutenant governor; Jim Callahan, Celebrate 69 years of the Russian Revolu­ tem. Slideshow presentation. Sat., Nov. 8, 7 SWP candidate for Congress, 23rd C. D. Tue., Charleston tion. Speakers to be announced. Sat., Nov. 8, 8 Socialist Campaign Rally. Speaker: David p.m. 1809 W Indian School Rd. Donation: $2. Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. 114E Quail St. Ausp: p.m. 4806 Almeda. Donation: $2. Ausp: Mili­ Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ Socialist Workers '86 Campaign and Young Salner, Socialist Workers Party candidate for tant Forum. For more information call (713) Congress, 3rd C.D. Sat., Nov. 1, 7 p.m. 116 mation call (602) 279-5850. Socialist Alliance. For more information call 522-8054. (518) 434-3247. McFarland St. Donation: $2. Ausp: Socialist CALIFORNIA Socialist Publications Rally. Speakers: Martin UTAH Workers 1986 Campaign. For more information Koppel, editor of Perspectiva Mundial; others. call (304) 345-3040. Los Angeles Translation to Spanish. Sat., Nov. 8. Recep­ Salt Lake City Eyewitness Report from Southern Africa. Morgantown tion, 6:30p.m.; rally, 7:30p.m. 114E Quail St. The Struggle Against Apartheid in South Af· Speaker: Sam Manuel, Socialist Workers Party Socialist Campaign Rally. Speakers: Kathy Donation: $2. Ausp: Socialist Workers Party. rica. Video showing of Nelson and Winnie Mickells, Socialist Workers Party candidate for candidate for U.S. Senate. Translation to For more information call (518) 434-3247. Mandela. Speaker: Scott Breen, Socialist Congress, 2nd C. D.; Rev. Pat Meechem; repre­ Spanish. Sat., Nov. I. Open house and dinner, Workers Party candidate for Congress, 2nd 5 p.m.; program, 6 p.m. 2546 W Pico Blvd. Manhattan sentative of Young Socialist Alliance; others. C. D. Translation to Spanish. Sat., Nov. I, 7:30 Sat., Nov. I. Wine and cheese reception, 7 Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information Ten Days That Shook the World. Film on the p.m. 767 S State St. Donation: $2. Ausp: Mili­ p.m.; program, 8 p.m.; party to follow. 221 call (213) 380-9460. Russian revolution, followed by discussion. tant Forum. For more information call (80 I) Pleasant St. Donation: $2. Ausp: 1986 SWP Translation to Spanish. Fri., Nov. 7. Preforum 355-1124. dinner, 6:30p.m.; film, 7:30p.m. 79 Leonard Campaign Committee. For more information LOUISIANA Celebrate the Accomplishments of the call (304) 296-0055. St. Donation: film $3; dinner $3. Ausp: Militant Socialist Press. Speakers to be announced. New Orleans Labor Forum. For more information call (212) Translation to Spanish. Sat., Nov. 8, 7:30p.m.; More Taxes or More Cutbacks - Is There 219-3679. reception to follow. 767 S State, 3rd floor. Do­ WISCONSIN Another Solution for New Orleans? Speakers: nation: $2. Ausp: Pathfinder Books. For more Milwaukee A panel of unionists. Translation to Spanish. OHIO information call (80 I) 355-1124. Jobs Not War: Socialist Workers Campaign Sat., Nov. I, 7:30p.m. 3640 Magazine St. Do­ Cleveland Rally. Speaker: Margo Storsteen, Socialist nation: $2. Ausp: Militant Labor Forum. For 1986 Socialist Workers Campaign: Fighting WASHINGTON, D.C. Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate. Sat., more information call ( 504) 895-1961. in the Interests of Working People. Speakers: Open House and Campaign Brunch. Hear Nov. I. Reception, 6:30p.m.; rally, 7:30p.m. Kate Button, Socialist Workers Party candidate Deborah Lazar, Socialist Workers Party candi­ Gaslight East, 775 N Jackson. Donation: $2. MARYLAND for U.S. Senate; Roberta Scherr, SWP candi­ date for mayor. Translation to Spanish. Sun., Ausp: Storsteen for Senate Committee. For date for governor; Martha Petrie, participant in Nov. 2, 11 a.m. 3106 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. more information call (414) 445-2076. Baltimore recent Militant subscription team. Sat., Nov. 1, Why We Must Have Sanctions Against South 7:30 p.m. 2521 Market Ave. Donation: $2. Africa. A panel discussion. Sat., Nov. I, 7:30 Ausp: Young Socialist Alliance. For more in­ p.m. 2913 Greenmount Ave. Donation: $2. formation call (216) 861-6150. N.Y. dairy farmers use direct action Ausp: Young Socialist Alliance. For more in­ formation call (30 I) 235-0013. PENNSYLVANIA BY JIM CALLAHAN, ANDY COATES, bought all the milk off the shelves of a Pittsburgh AND JON TEITELBAUM grocery store. MASSACHUSETTS The Decline of the American Empire: What ALBANY, New York - Dairy farmers Strike activists point out that "collective Boston Does the Future Hold? Speaker: Mark Wed­ have held "Farm Crisis Awareness Meet­ bargaining without direct action is mean­ Campaign Open House following peace, jobs, dleton, Socialist Workers Party candidate for ings" all across New York in recent weeks ingless." and justice demonstration. Speakers: Ellen Ber­ Congress, 14th C. D. Sat., Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. to discuss the milk withholding action that Dairy farmers from Maine who have man, Socialist Workers Party candidate for gov­ 402 N Highland Ave. Donation: $2. Ausp: began September I. been attending some of the New York ernor; Jon Hillson, SWP candidate for Con­ Socialist Workers Party Campaign. For more meetings report that milk processing plants information call (412) 362-6767. gress, 8th C.D. Sat., Nov. I, 3-6 p.m. St. Protest actions have also been or­ in that state are virtually shut down. Milk ganized, including picket lines, tractor­ Paul's Cathedral basement, 138 Tremont St. TEXAS sold in Maine has had to be shipped in from (Park St. T). Ausp: Young Socialist Alliance. cades, public dumping of milk, and a na­ other states. In Maine, the strike began to For more information call (617) 787-0275. Dallas tionally coordinated milk giveaway. A be effective when one-third of the dairy Socialist Campaign Meeting. Speaker: Susan tractorcade was held in Malone, the site of farmers in the state joined the strike. MINNESOTA Zarate, Socialist Workers Party candidate for the largest "Farm Crisis" meeting. lieutenant governor. Translation to Spanish. The protest was sparked by the steady St. Paul Sat., Nov. I, 7:30p.m. 336 W Jefferson Blvd. Picket lines have been organized at sev­ decline in the prices farmers receive for Socialist Campaign Rally. Speakers: Tom Donation: $2. Ausp: North Texas Socialist eral milk processing plants, including in their milk when they market it. The strikers Jaax, Socialist Workers Party candidate for Workers 1986 Campaign. For more information South Edmeston, where 25 farmers pick­ point out that consumer prices in the super­ governor; August Nimtz, SWP candidate for call (214) 943-5195. eted a Breakstone plant owned by Kraft, market don't have to rise for them to get a lieutenant governor. Sun., Nov. 2. Social, 6:30 Inc. p.m.; rally, 7:30 p.m. 508 N Snelling Ave. Houston price high enough to make a living. Ausp: 1986 Minnesota Socialist Workers Cam­ Socialist Workers Party Texas Campaign In Albany, farmers were joined by Rather, they argue, processors and retail paign Committee. For more information call Rally. Speakers: Willie Mae Reid, SWP candi­ unionists at a picket line outside a Dairylea chains that are raking in big profits should (612) 644-6325. date for governor; Joanne Kuniansky, candidate plant. In Little Falls, strike supporters pay. -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP------Where to find the Socialist Workers Party, GEORGIA: Atlanta: SWP, YSA, 132 Cone NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, YSA, 141 Dallas: SWP, YSA, 336 W. Jefferson. Zip: Young Socialist Alliance, and Pathfinder St. NW, 2nd Floor. Zip: 30303. Tel: (404) 577- Halsey. Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. 75208. Tel: (214) 943-5195. Houston: SWP, bookstores. 4065. NEW YORK: Capital District (Albany): YSA, 4806 Almeda. Zip: 77004. Tel: (713) ILLINOIS: Chicago: SWP, YSA, 3455 S. SWP, YSA, 114E Quail St. Zip: 12206. Tel: 522-8054. ALABAMA: Birmingham: SWP, YSA, Michigan Ave. Zip: 60616. Tel: (312) 326- (518) 434-3247. New York: SWP, YSA, ~9 UTAH: Price: SWP, YSA, 23 S. Carbon 1306 I st Ave. N. Zip: 35203. Tel: (205) 323- 5853 or 326-5453. Leonard St. Zip: 10013. Tel: (212) 219-367C:,. or Ave., Suite 19, P.O. Box 758. Zip: 84501. Tel: 3079. KENTUCKY: Louisville: SWP, YSA, 809 925-1668. Socialist Books, 226-8445. (801) 637-6294. Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, YSA, 1809 W. E. Broadway. Zip: 40204. Tel: (502) 587-8418. NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: SWP, 767 S. State, 3rd floor. Zip: 84111. Tel: (801) Indian School Rd. Zip: 85015. Tel: (602) 279- LOUISIANA: New Orleans: SWP, YSA, YSA, 2219 E Market. Zip: 27401. Tel: (919) 355-1124. 5850. 3640 Magazine St. Zip: 70115. Tel: (504) 895- 272-5996. VIRGINIA: Tidewater Area (Newport CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, 1961. OIDO: Cincinnati: SWP, YSA, 4945 Pad­ News): SWP, YSA, 5412 Jefferson Ave. Zip 2546 W. Pico Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380- MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, dock Rd. Zip: 45237. Tel: (513) 242-7161. 23605. Tel: (804) 380-0133. 9460. Oakland: SWP, YSA, 3808 E 14th St. 2913 Greenmount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 2521 Market Ave. Zip: WASHINGTON, D.C.: SWP, YSA, 3106 Zip: 94601. Tel: (415) 261-3014. San Diego: 235-0013. 44113. Tel: (216) 861-6150. Columbus: YSA, Mt. Pleasant St. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) SWP, YSA, 2803 B St. Zip: 92102. Tel: (619) MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 02097. Zip: 43202. Toledo: SWP, 797-7699, 797-7021. 234-4630. San Francisco: SWP, YSA, 3284 107 Brighton Ave., 2nd floor, Allston. Zip: YSA, 1701 W Bancroft St. Zip: 43606. Tel: WASHINGTON: Seattle: SWP, YSA, 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. San 02134. Tel: (617) 787-0275. (419) 536-0383. 5517 Rainier Ave. South. Zip: 98118. Tel: Jose: SWP, YSA, 46'12 Race St. Zip: 95126. MICIDGAN: Detroit: SWP, YSA, 2135 OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, 2732 NE (206) 723-5330. Tel: (408) 998-4007. Woodward Ave. Zip:48201. Tel: (313)961-0395. Union. Zip: 97212. Tel: (503) 287-7416. WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: SWP, COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, 25 W. MINNESOTA: Twin Cities: SWP, YSA, PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: SWP, YSA, 116 McFarland St. Zip: 25301. Tel: (304) 3rd Ave. Zip: 80223. Tel: (303) 698-2550. 508 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: YSA, 2744GermantownAve. Zip: 19133. Tel: 345-3040. Morgantown: SWP, YSA, 221 FLORIDA: Miami: SWP, YSA, 137 NE (612) 644-6325. (215) 225-0213. Pittsburgh: SWP, YSA, 402 Pleasant St. Zip: 26505. Tel: (304) 296- 54th St. Mailing address: P.O. Box 370486. MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, N. Highland Ave. Zip: 15206. Tel: (412) 362- 0055. Zip: 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Tallahassee: 4725 Troost. Zip: 64110. Tel: (816) 753- 6767. WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, YSA, P.O. Box 20715. Zip: 32316. Tel: (904) 0404. St. Louis: SWP, YSA, 4907 Martin Luther · TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose, 7409 4707 W. Lisbon Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) 222-4434. King Dr. Zip: 63113. Tel: (314) 361-0250. Berkman Dr. Zip: 78752. Tel. (512) 452-3923. 445-2076.

12 The Militant November 7, 1986 Blacks, whites fight Alabama toxic dump

BY KA TY KARLIN hump and make people see it's not a racial SUMTER COUNTY, Ala. -This rural issue. Everybody's affected." county, which lies on the Mississippi­ Alabama border, is one of the most im­ "In our first year we set a date for a party poverished in the state. Seventy percent of when the dump would close," Kaye Kiker its residents are Black, 25 percent are out said. "We were pretty naive." of work, and over half the adults in the What ACE members found was that the county have not graduated from high county's "entire power structure" sided school. with ChemWaste. Illiteracy and infant mortality rates here Chern Waste donated enormous sums of are the highest in Alabama, which ranks money to local politicians, the industrial among the highest states in the country in board, the library, and civic organizations. both categories. Over one-third of the "Wendell [Paris] says that we're addicted population lives below the poverty level, to ChemWaste's money," Kaye Kiker and the farmers in this county, who have said. The editor of the local paper publicly been struggling to survive, were hard hit by refused to run letters protesting the dump. this year's southeast drought. The Public Board of Health refused to run Sumter County is also the site of Chem­ tests on the drinking water, claiming they ical Waste Management Inc.'s 2,400-acre "had never done it before." hazardous-waste landfill at Emelle, one of Nor could ACE find any assistance from the largest toxic dump sites in the country. the national or statewide level. The Kikers In its promotional material ChemWaste point out that the dump was started by describes the dump as the "Cadillac of all James Parsons, son-in-law of Alabama hazardous landfills." It explains, "Because Gov. George Wallace. Since Parsons sold of its unique geology, Sumter County was it to ChemWaste he has received royalties specifically recommended by the EPA [En­ that are expected to total $30 million by vironmental Protection Agency] in a 197 4 1990. Wallace's wife owns stock in Chem­ report to Congress as an ideal location for ical Waste Management. Karlin isolating hazardous wastes from the envi­ From left, Alabamians for a Clean Environment leaders Kaye and Doug Kiker and ronment." 'Sweetheart agreement' (holding child) Linda Munoz. ACE is coalition of Black and white environmentalists "They say it's got the best geology," The EPA has a "sweetheart agreement" and civil rights activists resisting ChemWaste landfill. said Doug Kiker of Alabamians for a Clean with ChemWaste, Kaye Kiker says. "The Environment (ACE), a local organization EPA gives the company waivers on all the the county. "They know the value of prop­ established to fight the dump. "There is no infractions." stay. We're going to fight this thing. erty is low here," he said. "They rent." good geology. It's political." The ChemWaste plant accepts waste "I've really grown personally," she This year, while seeking to expand its "They chose Sumter County because from 46 states and 6 foreign countries. It added. "I could never have spoken in pub­ membership on a statewide basis, ACE is they think the hicks here don't know any also holds the largest contract for accepting lic when we got started. I used to trust the trying to keep a giant toxic incinerator from better," said Linda Munoz, also of ACE. defense waste. gow.;_mment, and now I watch what it's "But we're not letting them get away with Thousands of trucks hauling toxic cargo being built on the site. They are also fight­ doing.' And I'm a better citizen for it." it." travel through Sumter County's rural roads ing to keep a permanent operation permit When asked how her Sumter County ACE's president, Kaye Kiker, explained monthly. Last year there were over 700 re­ from being issued; the facility is now neighbors reacted to her heading up the how the organization got started. "There ports of cargo leaks. One of ACE's cam­ operating on a temporary permit. county's first integrated organization, were two environmental organizations Kiker responded: "In the South, if you're paigns is to educate residents to watch for 'Set an example' here," she said. One was an all-white and report leaky trucks. white and your family goes way back, group and the other was the Minority In a creek a mile away from the facility, "We want to set an example for the rest you're in the in crowd. But now we're os­ People's Council, a Black organization ACE found PCB (polychlorinated of the country," Kaye Kiker said of the tracized. We're missing everything. But I fight against ChemWaste. "My family has headed by Black rights leader Wendell biphenyls) levels at 3.75 parts per million. don't care. I'm wiser now and I'm happy, Paris. The governmental standards top off at 2 been here for 150 years. And we intend to and I'd never go ba.ck." Black workers in the plant were going to parts per million. Paris with stories of faulty equipment, lack "People around here drink out of 20-foot of safety gear, rashes and sickness. "Wen­ wells," Kaye Kiker said. "They make a liv­ -10 AND 25 YEARS AGO--- dell later told us that some of the workers' ing out of fishing from that creek. The shoes were disintegrating from the acid at PCBs accumulate in the bass and catfish." "I haven't seen the material," Boudin the dump," Kaye Kiker said. Kiker recalls conducting a tour at the THE MILITANT said, " ... but I can tell Your Honor that Kaye Kiker became concerned about the plant in October 1985 and witnessing a A SOQAUST NEWSWEEKL Y'PUIIUSHED IN nE INTERESTS OF THE WOAKJNGfiEOPLE. 25C any espionage on the Socialist Workers dump in 1983 when a distant cousin who truck bearing acid cargo being mistakenly November 5, 1976 Party, any break-ins, any electronic opera­ was in the white environmental group told unloaded into an alkaline lagoon. There tions against the Socialist Workers Party by her about reports of cyanide dumping. "I'm was an explosion, she said, and an orange NEW YORK - At a court hearing here the CIA, cannot be subject to executive a Christian, and I prayed for two weeks," cloud hovered over the site, and eventually October 18 U.S. District Judge Thomas privilege." she said. After the two weeks she called the dissipated. Griesa ordered the CIA to give him a sec­ EPA. The next day two infants in different tion of its files on the Socialist Workers parts of the region died suddenly. It took Party, the Young Socialist Alliance, and THE The EPA, said Kiker, gave ChemWaste ADEM two days to come to the county to "a glowing report." Frustrated, she con­ the Fourth International. investigate and it concluded there was "no Griesa ordered the files brought to him tacted the Alabama Department for En­ cause for alarm." No autopsies were au­ MILITANT vironmental Management. "ADEM admit­ in New York. This was a reversal of his thorized. ted the company was dumping cyanide, but earlier agreement to examine the spy The big-business backers of the dump agency's files at the CIA headquarters in said it was at 'acceptable levels,'" Kiker site charge that ACE doesn't care about the said. "Well, they would accept anything Langley, Virginia. Gen. Maxwell Taylor, [President John] workers at the facility, who would lose Griesa will examine the files so that he Kennedy's special military adviser, has re­ out there." their jobs should the dump close. It became apparent to Kiker that "we can rule on whether they must be turned turned from Saigon with a request from the government of Ngo Dinh Diem for U.S. would have to rely on ourselves" to fight Workers' safety over to the socialists for their lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, and other govern­ combat units to be committed to the guer­ against Chern Waste's hazards, and that it "We care about their safety," Kiker ar­ would be impossible to do it with two sep­ ment agencies. rilla warfare in South Vietnam. gues. In fact, most of ACE's information is . CIA Director George Bush admitted in a The U.S. government has already sunk arate organizations. She contacted environ­ passed on from workers inside the plant. mental activists and civil rights leaders in sworn affidavit last summer that the spy $1.5 billion into Diem's government and Workers who refuse to take dangerous as­ agency had burglarized and wiretapped already has a group of U.S. military men the county to organize ACE, which is, she signments are routinely fired. They are proudly points out, Sumter County's first SWP and YSA members who had traveled "in the field" against the guerrillas. But asked to drive around open pits of toxins in overseas. But he refused to tum over CIA even the U.S. commercial press, which is biracial organization. trucks with faulty brakes. Workers have Doug Kiker said, "We have to get over the documents for the lawsuit, claiming they hell-bent for "saving" Vietnam from the suffered bums and fume inhalation. Some were state secrets. . VietCong peasant revolutionaries, cannot of the men in the plant are illiterate and not The CIA gave the judge a heavily cen­ conceal the fact that Diem's government is told what the labeling on the chemical con­ sored version of the records to examine in hated by the mass of the people of South New Jerseyans to march tainers says. private. The files had so many deletions, Vietnam. against apartheid ACE member Linda Munoz recalled a however, that Griesa felt more information The liberal New York Post writes: "Diem union organizing drive in the plant a couple was required. is well meaning, but he is insecure and in JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The November of years ago. "The company crushed it," When the judge demanded more com­ his insecurity he is oppressive. The peasant 8 statewide anti-apartheid march in Liberty she said. The worker who initiated the plete files, the CIA insisted that he is afraid because of this oppression, which State Park is expected to be the largest pro­ drive was bought off with a cash settle­ examine them at the agency's headquarters takes the form of secret police, unre­ test here in decades. ment, Munoz said, and quickly left town. in Virginia. strained conduct of troops, peremptory and The N.J. Anti-apartheid Mobilization In case the message wasn't clear to the At an October 8 court hearing, the unexplained government actions : .. " Coalition, coordinator of last year's other workers, a photo appeared on the socialists' attorney, Leonard Boudin, ob­ The conservative New York World Tele­ November 9 demonstration of 10,000 in front page of the local paper of the worker jected to the trip. "This would not be done gram writes: "Diem's rule, it is said by Newark, has joined forces with the Church receiving a check from a company repre­ in the case of my client, the Socialist anti-Communist critics, began as authorita­ World Service/CROP to mobilize a broader sentative. Workers Party, which I regard as having rian, and became by stages autocratic, per­ array of groups. Eight New Jersey Interna­ Doug Kiker points out that jobs have the same standing in this lawsuit as the sonal, clannish, and finally an old­ tional Ladies' Garment Workers' Union gotten scarcer since Chern Waste opened CIA," said Boudin. fashioned despotic Oriental government locals along with International Union of the dump. "There are no other jobs," he He scoffed at the CIA's claim that the compromised by corruption .... It is not Electronics Workers District 3, United Auto said. Most of the other factories in the files were so secret they could not leave the without significance that 'Diemocracy' in­ Workers Region 9, the New Jersey AFL­ county have shut down, and the county Langley offices: cludes 'political re-education' camps CIO, and its Council of Industrial Unions cannot attract any more industry. "For a "I do not believe· that anything that where about 25,000 'opponents' are con­ are participating. company to move here would mean some touches upon the CIA's violation of the fined." The Jersey City National Association for of the managers would have to live in the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs-that It is an outrage that U.S. soldiers should the Advancement of Colored People is help­ county," he said. "And no one wants to could be the only material that is given to be sent to risk their lives defending such a ing to organize a special Jersey City anti­ live near a waste dump." Even Chem­ Your Honor - any of that can possibly af­ regime against the justified wrath of the apartheid coalition. Waste's managers don't own property in fect national security. Vietnamese population.

November 7, 1986 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------When working people created Next steps in antiwar fight their first gov't

The thousands of antiwar protesters who took to the United States. BY DOUG JENNESS streets of more than a dozen cities across the country on All these actions can serve as stepping stones toward Sometimes in discussions coworkers will ask October 25 were just the tip of an iceberg. They reflect a the construction of a more massive, national movement socialists, "What you're saying about working people much deeper and broader sentiment among the U.S. against Washington's Central America war policies. getting rid of the capitalist government and setting up people in opposition to Washington~s war policies- in To mobilize this potential, it is necessary to organize their own government sounds real good, but can it ever particular to its ever more direct role in the terrorist ag­ more demonstrations. Such visible protests will in tum happen?" gression being waged against the people of Nicaragua. show others that they are not alone in opposing the war, The answer to that question is not only can it happen, Antiwar activists are discussing how to mobilize this helping convince them that they too should take action. it has happened - most recently in Nicaragua. sentiment into further action, how to build a movement The first time was in Russia 69 years ago. On that is broad enough and powerful enough to stay Wash­ Coming out of the October 25 and November 1 and 2 November 7, the anniversary of that revolution, tens of ington's hand. They are doing so at a time when more protests, antiwar activists are asking themselves, "What people are becoming concerned about the deepening next?" Many see the need for a broadly sponsored na­ U.S. intervention in the region. tional protest. Proposals for a national action in the The shooting down of a CIA plane over Nicaragua and spring are being discussed. Such an action could open the LEARNING ABOUT the capture of a U.S. mercenary there has revealed the way for broader endorsement and participation, includ­ existence of an extensive and elaborate CIA supply net­ ing by trade unions. SOCIALISM work for the Nicaraguan counterrevolutionaries, known Following the October 25 demonstration in Atlanta, as contras. Many of the past and present CIA employees many of the activists who helped organize that action at­ millions of workers throughout the world will participate now making the arms drops to the contras flew similar tended a conference the next day. The conference partic­ in some form of homage to it. missions over Vietnam, Kampuchea, and Laos just a lit­ ipants, who came from at least five southern states, unan­ Most workers in the United States don't yet celebrate tle more than a decade ago. And some were involved in imously adopted a resolution urging that a national an­ this event, and a great many are unfamiliar with it. This the CIA-organized Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba 25 years tiwar demonstration be called for the spring. They also revolution, however, deserves our regard for it registered ago. decided to take the resolution to various national organi­ an earthshaking gain for all working people, including in On top of this exposure, Congress' approval of $100 zations to win their backing for the proposal. North America. million more to the contras over the next year shows the This will also be a topic of discussion at a range of Before the 1917 Russian revolution, the question of extent of support for Washington's war moves among the other meetings planned over the next few weeks. These whether the exploited producers, the most downtrodden leaderships of both major parties, the Democrats and Re­ include: classes of a country, could remove their oppressors from publicans. • a mid-Atlantic meeting of the Nicaragua Network political power and establish their own government was November 8 in Baltimore; unresolved. The parallels with the early days of the Vietnam War • a National Mobilization for Survival conference that Revolutionary socialists -the most far-sighted sec­ are inescapable. Even Sen. David Durenberger, theRe­ same day in Minneapolis; tion of the working class internationally - had for 70 publican chairman of the Senate Select Committee on In­ • a November 23 meeting in Washington, D.C., of years been explaining that crises of the capitalist system telligence and a vocal supporter of the contra war, admit­ the coalition that built the October 25 action there, to would lead to opportunities for working people to take ted as much after the White House. began allocating the which all antiwar and solidarity groups in ·the Washing­ power. But their explanations had a hypothetical charac­ $100 million. "Regardless of what anyone says," Duren­ ton area are invited. ter to them until the Russian workers and peasants proved berger pointed out, "this is Vietnam." Similarly in Canada, the Toronto Anti-Intervention that it was possible. It is this realization among growing layers of the U.S. Coalition has called a conference for November 15-16, The Russian revolution began in February 1917 when people that has spurred actions like the one on October to be held at the University of Toronto. It has already a massive strike wave, primarily among industrial work­ 25, and the three related antiwar protests that will be held been endorsed by a broad range of organizations, and ers in Petrograd, brought down the centuries-old tsarist November 1 and 2 in Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle. will be the first such pan-Canadian anti-intervention con­ monarchy in less than a week. These actions mark an important success in the strug­ ference, involving activists from both English Canada This success greatly heightened the self-confidence of gle to build a broader, more massive antiwar movement. and Quebec. The conference will discuss the deepening the workers and whetted their appetite for further gains. They were the first such nationally coordinated demon­ U.S. intervention in Central America, as well as Cana­ Many of them refused to go back to work, for example, strations in a year and a half, giving some visibility to the dian government complicity with Washington's war until the work day was reduced to eight hours. During the course of this massive outpouring, workers domestic opposition to Washington's war policies. moves. It will also consider plans for educational and protest activities, including a major cross-Canada dem­ and soldiers (most of whom were peasants in uniform) set These actions were especially significant coming on onstration for the spring of 1987. up councils to organize their struggle. The councils the eve of the elections. In part because of the congres­ Building an antiwar movement in North America that (called soviets in Russian) were composed of delegates sional approval of the $100 million in contra aid, some of is able to help stop U.S. military intervention in Central elected from the factories, and from soldiers' and sailors' those who had previously focused on congressional lob­ America is a process that will take time and hard work. regiments. Delegates could be immediately recalled, and bying and electoral activities are now more open to the In their drive to crush the Nicaraguan revolution and elections were held frequently. As the revolutionary prospect of organizing and participating in mass street bring that country back under the U.S. thumb, the rulers wave swept through the countryside, peasant councils demonstrations. in Washington have a long-term perspective. They know were also established. The National Actions for Peace, Jobs and Justice have they cannot achieve their goal quickly, and they will not The soviets helped to unite all parts of the working not been the only recent antiwar protests. give up at the first setbacks. population in a way that even the unions were unable to Understanding this, the people of Nicaragua are dig­ qo. Soviet delegates, for example, included members of In August and September, there were demonstrations ging the trenches for a prolonged war in defense of their all the workers' political parties, unions, cooperatives, in Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C. From Sep­ revolution and their sovereignty. Antiwar activists in this and other working-class organizations. tember l to October 16, four veterans conducted a Fast country need a similar long-term outlook. They should A continuous debate took place in the soviets over how for Life to protest the U.S.-backed war in Nicaragua, concentrate their efforts on digging a domestic trench to get rid of all remnants of feudal medievalism and land­ winning considerable support from people across the against Washington's war. lordism, advance the fight for democratic rights, and begin carrying out social and economic measures that would benefit workers and peasants. At frrst the majority in the soviets supported the Provi­ sional Government that came to power after the fall of the tsar. This unstable regime, however, increasingly took Stop bullying Syria! the side of the employers and the landlords in conflicts with workers and peasants. The British government's announcement October 24 similar accusation of "state terrorism" to conduct a It attempted to forcibly prevent peasants from taking that it was breaking diplomatic relations with Syria has bombing raid against Libya that murdered dozens of chil­ over and distributing the lands of big landowners. And it opened a new round of aggressive moves and threats dren and other civilians. The British government allowed continued to carry out the predatory war aims of the pre­ against that Middle Eastern country. U.S. bases to be used for this attack. vious government. In solidarity with their London ally, the U.S. and The venomous campaign against "Syrian terrorism" is In August, some military officers attempted a coup. Canadian governments immediately pulled their ambas­ also being used to justify murderous attacks inside Syria. The government was impotent in the face of this threat, sadors out of Damascus. White House spokesman Larry "Terrorists have killed more people in Syria this year but the armed workers' movement rapidly mobilized to Speakes announced that Washington was weighing than in the Paris bombings, the Istanbul synagogue mas­ crush the coup attempt. moves aimed at isolating Syria "politically, diplomati­ sacre and the Karachi airline hijacking combined," re­ From this and other experiences, the majority of work­ cally, economically." ported Newsweek, conceding that at least some of these ing people concluded that the Provisional Government The British government also urged the European Eco­ incidents were engineered by imperialist intelligence should be replaced with a government of the soviets. nomic Community to adopt punitive sanctions against agencies. On November 7 (October 26 according to the calendar Syria and called on its 12 member countries to withdraw The magazine cited sources in French intelligence who used under the tsar), the Provisional Government was their ambassadors. Both these proposals were rejected, boasted of responsibility for a November 1981 car bomb overturned and replaced with a republic of soviets of however. explosion that killed 110 Syrians. workers', soldiers', and peasants' deputies. Moreover, Margaret Thatcher's government pressed The charges of "terrorism" against Syria are a cover The Bolshevik Party, which had already won a major­ the Soviet Union to publicly disassociate itself from the for London and Washington's real annoyance with Syria. ity of deputies in the workers' and soldiers' soviets, and kind of "state-supported terrorism" that Syria has been . And that is the Assad government's refusal to subordi­ the Left Social Revolutionary Party, which held a major­ accused of organizing. nate its policies to their dictates. ity in the peasant soviets, jointly became the leadership The pretext for London's attacks against Syria was the The Syrian government is under attack because it of the new government. conviction of Jordanian Nezar Hindawi in a British court won't change stands that are obstacles to the domination The new government had no interests other than those on charges of having plotted to place a bomb on an Israeli of the Middle East by U.S., British, Israeli, and other im­ of working people. airliner. British police testified that while in their cus­ perialist governments. It immediately signed a peace treaty pulling the coun­ tody, Hindawi had confessed and implicated Syrian offi­ Damascus refuses to accept Israeli occupation of the try out of the war being waged by the imperialist powers cials. In court, Hindawi repudiated the statements attri­ Golan Heights, Syrian territory that was seized by the Is­ for new territories and markets. buted to him. raeli rulers in 1967. It opposes Israeli occupation of It expropriated the landlords and launched a redistribu­ The Syrian government of Hafez al-Assad strongly de­ southern Lebanon, and allies itself with forces in Leba­ tion of the land to the poor peasants. nied the charges. It insists that the bombing plot was an non who oppose the unpopular imperialist-supported It recognized the right of self-determination for nations Israeli frame-up and responded to the British actions by government there. It also refused to line up against Iran oppressed in the former tsarist empire. closing Syrian airspace and waters to British planes and when that country was invaded by the Iraqi regime. And it sided with workers against their bosses. Within ships. Washington and London's attempts to bully and ter­ a year the workers had expropriated most of the employ­ Last spring, Washington, backed by London, used a rorize Syria should be stopped now. ing class.

14 The Militant November 7, 1986 Should unionists call for closing the border?

BY FRED FELDMAN such restrictions for well over a decade. They often claim with Mexico grew larger," complained the News editors. In a banner front-page headline the October 18 AFL­ that outlawing the employment of these workers will But from the standpoint of the interests of U.S. work­ C/0 News hailed the passage by Congress of the Immi­ rriean more jobs and higher wages for those with citizen­ ing people, the problem with the U.S. border is not that it gration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The paper's ship. There is no evidence to support this claim. Legally is "porous" but that it is not open. Workers should have editors declared it a victory for "key labor goals." barring undocumented workers from jobs is no more an the right to go anywhere they wish in search of employ­ The News wasn't referring to such goals as the right of answer to unemployment and low wages than it would be ment and a better life. The crime at the border is not com­ immigrant workers, regardless of legal status, to decent to legally bar Blacks, women, or any other group of mitted by the Mexicans and others who cross it, but by workers. the Border Patrol that arrests and brutalizes more than 1 Relief from these problems can only come when the million a year just for the crime of coming to the United labor movement unites workers to fight against the em­ States. AS I SEE IT ployers. The U.S. border is a weapon used by the employing Undocumented workers will continue to be part of the class to create a caste of "illegals," which it attempts to work force. The new immigration law, like its predeces­ divide from their brothers and sisters in the rest of the wages, safe working conditions, or the right to join sors, will not eliminate them nor is it intended to. Rather U.S. working class. umons. it reinforces the pariah status of this section of the work­ . One goal of the employing class is to make it more dif­ On the contrary, the main goal it cited was to "cut a· ing class, stripping it of the legal rights other workers ficult for undocumented workers to join unions and to flood of illegal immigration to a trickle" by "the cutoff of have. further weaken unions like the International Ladies' Gar­ work opportunities" for unauthorized immigrants. This. That makes these workers more subject to employer ment Workers' Union and the United Farm Workers that refers to provisions of the bill that forbid the hiring of superexploitation and police repression. And that deals a have undocumented immigrants among their members. workers who cannot produce documents proving their blow to the whole union movement. The new law will encourage the employers' expanding right to work in the United States. Employers who hire Such legalized discrimination strengthens the divisions use of homework - the parceling out of jobs to workers workers without requiring such proof will be subject to in the working class that are one of the employers' main who carry them out at home- to weaken the unions and fines and imprisonment. weapons. cut wages and benefits. The AFL-C/0 News portrays these provisions as "em­ The starting point of the AFL-CIO officials' stand is The stand of the top AFL-CIO officials adds to this ployer sanctions." But their main target is not the em­ that the U.S. workers and employers have a common in­ damage. They portray the labor federation not as a poten­ ployers but undocumented workers from other countries. terest in protecting the U.S. borders. "Each year the army tially powerful defender of the rights of the un­ The top officials of the AFL-CIO have been promoting of undocumented workers crossing the porous border documented, but as an ally of the Border Patrol.

----~~~~~~------r-Y-oV__ W_l-LL __ N_O_T-~-~--8-V-~-N-A __ V_\-~A----,r-~-o-u~--P-o-L-\T-IC-~-L------M-Y_f_o_LI_T_\C_A_L_, To ENTER lt\E L!N\1ED Sfi>CTES BEl lEt'S BELIEFS 7 Nonviolent action action would not be as likely to be censorship, and thus all fighters outlawed. for democratic rights, with por- \ ' ' Having been a reader of the Mil­ nographers. ~ itant off and on for more than 40 If violence is the superior force, years, I have appreciated your then nations will have to use it for Defenders of working peoples' willingness to print letters from defense. And modem war can lead civil liberties, including those who viewpoints that do not coincide to the extermination of human­ defend a woman's right to abor­ with yours. kind. But if nonviolence organized tion and who call for greater spending on education and more In the October 17 issue, your action can defend, we may be on student rights, thus become a coeditor, Doug Jenness, asked the the brink of a new era where non­ violence will overcome and hu­ threat to "our children" and question, "Do socialists advocate women. violence?" He then sketched the manity may live. systematic violence of the John McCartney "Antipom" is thus a smoke capitalist system. Detroit, Michigan screen designed to tighten controls As to whether socialists advo­ over the rights of working people. cate violence, he says, "the an­ Nicaragua's prisons That the federal government has backed up this effort only serves to swer is no." Socialists prefer "a I am a prisoner at the California doubly underscore the point. mass revolutionary movement of Institute for Women and would workers and farmers to overturn like a subscription to the Militant. By the way, I've really enjoyed capitalist political rule" peace­ (I'd also like a small bundle of the recent "Learning About fully. back issues to pass around the Socialism" columns. An excellent "But history shows that no yard.) and successful effort at presenting scribe the U.S. war against Nica­ socialist ideas in digestable form. continue doing so. propertied class gives up its power The Militant is still one of the Bywater said that the IUE Inter­ ragua does not seem too descrip­ to the exploited majority without a Kudos to the Militant staff and tive - it sounds like empty best papers for prisoners to get Doug Jenness! national could not get "involved in ferocious fight," he says. In other coverage of universal and interna­ the internal affairs of another in­ rhetoric. words, Jenness is really saying J.W. Is there a faster way to get sub­ tional struggles, including what's Indianapolis, Indiana ternational union." This is a cop­ that workers will defend them­ going on in the prisons. out if I ever heard one. When the scriptions to people? By the time selves with violence. internal affairs of another interna­ people receive the paper the news I'd appreciate an article on Nic­ Needs literature tional union are as flagrantly pro­ is two weeks old. The question I would raise for aragua's prisons, because my un­ I would like to bring to your at­ company and unjust as the The "Notes from Nicaragua" my Socialist Workers Party derstanding is they don't operate tention that I am a prisoner, and in UFCW's, it is time- in fact, way column is great. It helps me sell friends to consider is whether kill­ from a revenge or a punishment ing force is the most effective the position I am in at this time I past time - to take an interna­ here in San Francisco where many point of view. The prisoners do not have any money. But, as people consider themselves means today to defend the mass (mostly former Somoza guards) tional stand. history shows, the future changes. I think the IUE missed the friendly to Nicaragua. movement when attacked by run the prisons with the option of Your friends told me that you chance of a lifetime to support Despite my minor complaints, capitalist violence. spending weekends in town on an would help me out in finding UFCW Local P-9 on the interna­ you are doing a good job - espe­ honor system. No term is longer History has given us many ex­ books and other literature. If that tional level. cially considering your small staff. than 10 years. There is no death amples where nonviolent action by is so, I would like to ask for the I should think the IUE would D.B. penalty and no hopelessness to­ the people has overcome or­ Militant newspaper. have been honored to support such San Francisco, California ward any human being, regardless ganized violence. There was the a shining example as UFCW Local of his or her crime. May North I am studying, and sometimes defeat of the Kapp putsch in Ger­ P-9 in their fight for dignity. many in 1920, the teachers' resis­ America live to see that day! come to a point that is confusing 'War on drugs' and I don't know if I can get the Carol Rogers tance in Norway during the Nazi A prisoner Fairmont, West Virginia The Militant is not merely occupation, the Bulgarian and Frontera, California problem solved. But anyway, I'm another socialist weekly newspa­ Danish resistance to Hitler's de­ trying. per, but the most informative and mand for deportation of the Jews, I'm also trying to get a full Denied Social Security accurate of all. I would certainly Pornography commission I am incarcerated and 66 years the Czechoslovakian resistance in I have recently been thinking grasp on international issues. Can recommend it for all the working 1968-69, and many others. you direct me to someone who old. As you no doubt know, as of class and those who seek the truth about the Meese antipornography 1983 a law was passed barring any Currently we have seen the re­ (procensorship?) commission. could send me New International, about the necessity for social gov­ the magazine about Marxist poli­ prisoner convicted of a felony ernment to prevail over the present sistance to Marcos in the Philip­ In part, this is because of two from receiving Social Security pines and to "Baby Doc" in Haiti. books - one from the American tics? That would be appreciated a system. lot. benefits. What this has to do with I feel it necessary to comment When the capitalist state has Civil Liberties Union, Polluting a person working and contributing the Censorship Debate by ACLU A prisoner on your story "Government 'war such tremendous violent instru­ Lovelady, Texas for years (in my case, since 1936 on drugs' attacks Bill of Rights." ments to use, isn't it utopian to Legislative Counsel Barry Lynn, when it was first started) to the So­ and the other by journalists Philip (Militant, September 26). We think that workers, being less cial Security fund, I have no idea. need to rid society of the traffick­ well-armed, can fight on the same Nobile and Eric Nadler, United Support for P-9 The American Civil Liberties States of America vs. Sex. I was really angered when I read ing, sale, and use of illegal drugs, grounds and win? If workers were Union has a class-action suit true. However, this should be at trained in the techniques of the As well, I attended a debate be­ that William Bywater, president of against this law that is getting tween a local censor, John Price, the International Union of Elec­ the cost of those who have benefit­ general strike and massive nonvio­ nowhere fast. ed most from it - those promi­ lent resistance, there would be who also represents antiabortion tronic Workers (IUE), speaking at A prisoner pickets harassing local abortion the September 24-29 IUE conven­ nent figures in the capitalist power many killed, but not as many than Lucasville, Ohio structure. if they used violent action. And clinics, and Barry Lynn. tion in Miami, urged rejection of a Lynn led off the debate and resolution in support of United A prisoner there would be a better chance of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania winning. Price then attempted to smear him. Food and Commercial Workers Suggestions Similarly, members of the Meese Local P-9's strike against the Hor­ The Militant by featuring Furthermore, the use of nonvio­ commission had tried to smear mel Co. (Militant, October 17.) lence elicits support from people Mexico on the front cover a few The letters column is an open those who testified against the He reminded the delegates that weeks ago seemed like an error. It forum for all viewpoints on sub­ who would be alienated by the use commission's obvious censorship of killing force. they had passed a resolution op­ hurt sales. jects of general interest to our predilections. posing the felony riot charges An article on Daniloff and the readers. Please keep your letters Also, the organization of vio­ It became clear to me that these [against several P-9 members and expulsion of Soviet diplomats brief. Where necessary they will lence to defend the mass of work­ smear attempts reveal the deeper supporters] a couple of days be­ would have been nice. In my war be abridged. Please indicate if ers and farmers would require ex­ mission of anti porn "activists." tensive training. This would im­ fore and stressed that many IUE plant, seven of eight coworkers you prefer that your initials mediately result in the movement The smears are all of a pattern - locals had supported the Austin thought Daniloff was a spy. be used rather than your full being outlawed, while nonviolent they attempt to link all opposed to meat-packers and were free to Using the word "dirty" to de- name. November 7, 1986 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Contract proposal angers Machinists Lockheed attempts to cut workers' medical benefits

BY GREG NELSON lump-sum bonuses of 12 percent this year SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Members of and 5 percent the next two years in front of International Association of Machinists the workers. (lAM) District 508 voted to reject a con­ "We pay bills monthly. You try and tell tract offer by Lockheed Missiles and Space your bill collectors to wait till you get your Co. (LMSC) at a mass meeting October bonus and see what they say," District 19. President Ken Benda pointed out. A total of 57 percent of the valid votes "Even a 4 percent raise each year would cast also authorized a strike against LMSC. pay more over the life of the contract than lAM rules call for a 67 percent majority this bonus," he said. vote before a strike is authorized, however, On October 15, after most of the work­ and the district negotiating committee re­ ers had gone home, the company brought a turned to the bargaining table on October "clarification" of the contract to the union 21. hall. Union members were then told that The vote for a strike authorization was this clarification meant that for the first actually higher than the 57 percent re­ time ever they would begin co-payments ported, but a number of ballots were dis­ for any increases in the medical plan cover­ qualified because they had eraser marks age costs. and other changes on them. A number of Previously, all medical plan increases workers changed their ballots after listen­ were paid by the company. ing to the negotiating committee's presen­ This attack on the medical coverage and tation, which came two hours into the the underhanded way it was slipped in is meeting. what caused the negotiating committee to The negotiating committee reversed its reconsider its position and oppose the con­ previous position and recommended a vote tract. against the contract and for a strike. Over 50 percent of the 5,800 union members turned out for the vote on the Unlike the rest of the aerospace industry, Militant/Jim Levitt lAM District 508 bylaws require that the contract. Large aerospace companies are demanding new takebacks in current contract talks. company's contract proposals be distri­ Chaos ensued. Hundreds of unionists Above, Seattle Machinists at a meeting last month to discuss Boeing contract. buted to the members five days before a never made it into the union hall. After contract vote. On October 14 the members standing outside for over an hour and a half had the proposed agreement, 229 pages in many simply left. Like the union members November 2. fighting perspective the union can win all. The next day the negotiating committee who did not come to the meeting, those more than what the company has offered so Wide ranging discussions are taking far, including a pay increase and an adjust­ distributed its two-page summary of the that left knew nothing of the changes in the place in the plant about the union, the con­ document. medical coverage. ment of the two-tier set-up. tract, and the confusing course of the They have begun organizing the "vote The contract called for maintaining the Even with the confusion the strike senti­ negotiations. two-tier pay system that has weakened the ment was strong. no, vote strike" sentiment. union. Three days later the union officials re­ "Are we going on strike or not?" is the It also called for a wage freeze, even ported that the company had withdrawn the central question being asked. Greg Nelson is a member of JAM District though the company is reporting high prof­ proposed medical plan takeback. A new A number of activists from the district 508 at the LMSC plant in Sunnyvale, its. Instead of raises, the company dangled vote on the contract was scheduled for strike committee are convinced that with a California. McDonnell Douglas seeks to impose new takebacks

BY SUE SKINNER The company is also trying to force the plants told the Long Beach meeting on Oc­ been to reject the offer. Many workers are TORRANCE, Calif. - Contracts ex­ UA W members to work out of their job tober 17 that they were going to recom­ angry that despite huge profits the com­ pired at seven McDonnell Douglas aero­ classifications for 60 days at a time. mend a vote against the contract when they pany is still attempting to cut medical ben­ space plants in October. They include The rejected contract called for a wage returned home. efits and force us to work out of our job plants organized by the International As­ increase of 3 percent the first two years of Officials from lAM District 720 at the classifications. sociation of Machinists (lAM) in Torrance the contract and no wage increase the third Huntington Beach and Torrance plants ex­ All plants are still working under the and Huntington Beach, California, and year. The company proposal also con­ pect a similar offer to be put on the table by terms of the old contract while the negotia­ plants organized by the United Auto Work­ tained a lump-sum bonu~ of 2 percent of McDonnell Douglas. tions continue. ers (UA W) in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mel­ gross wages the first year, 2 percent the A mass meeting to discuss the contract bourne, Arkansas; and Long Beach, second year, and 4 percent the third year. will be held November 2 at the Anaheim Sue Skinner is a member of JAM District California. Representatives from the bargaining stadium. 720 and works at the Torrance McDonnell Workers at the McDonnell Douglas committees at the Arkansas and Oklahoma The sentiment at the Torrance plant has Douglas plant. plant in Canada, where the contract also expired, are represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union. The contract at the large lAM-organized Thousands of Quebec students strike plant in St. Louis, Missouri, expires next year. McDonnell Douglas' millionaire owners BY CAROLE CARON • Reform of the system of loans and a court injunction obtained by the univer­ were able to impose deep concessions on MONTREAL - "The children of the grants to better meet the needs of the sity prohibiting pickets from blocking ac­ the workers in negotiations in 1983. working class have the right to go to uni­ poorest students. cess to the university. Givebacks included a multi-tiered wage versity!" The Bourassa government has Since then, at least 10 students have system where newly hired workers could "Money for schools, not the corpora­ threatened to raise university fees and to been charged with contempt of court and be paid $2 an hour less than those working tions!" end free education in the community col­ will appear before the Quebec Superior alongside them, elimination of cost-of-liv­ These were, two of the slogans and ban­ leges. Court on October 29. ing payments for the lower labor grades, ners of students from more than 20 com­ The student action is the first mass Despite this intimidation, on October and a three-year wage freeze. munity colleges and universities who mobilization in Quebec since the 1983 24, students from 16 community colleges joined together October 27 in a Quebec­ Common Front of public service unions, joined the UQAM students and went out on The Long Beach UAW local waged an wide student strike. which fought to defend gains in health ser­ strike. 117-day strike against the cuts, but with the vices and education won by the Quebecois The strike movement, involving tens of Moreover, the teaching assistants' union threat of losing their jobs hanging over during the past 25 years. at UQAM is supporting the strike and has their heads, the workers were forced reluc­ thousands of students, is led by the Na­ Following a series of mobilizations last tional Association of Quebec Students condemned the cop violence on the picket tantly back to work under the terms of the spring, ANEQ continued to map out ac­ lines. concession contract. (ANEQ). It is the broadest and most impor­ tion. Over the fall, general assemblies were tant mobilization taking place against so­ The big-business media lost no time in Last month the 9,500-member UAW organized where thousands of students dis­ slandering the strike, charging it with being cial service cutbacks, which are being im­ cussed how to struggle against the Quebec Local 148 in Long Beach voted to reject plemented by the Liberal Party government led by a small minority of radicals. the company's offer by a 10-to-1 margin. government's attacks on education. In fact, the student struggle is showing of Prime Minister Robert Bourassa and by On October 21 , following a strike vote The entire negotiating committee, includ­ the employers. the way forward for the 300,000 public ser­ ing union President Bob Berghoff, urged by over 2,000 students at the University of vice unionists whose contract negotiations rejection of the contract. It objected to the The students are· raising three central de­ Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), some with the government are moving at a company's demands for significant cuts in mands: 15,000 liberal arts students there walked snail's pace. The student strike movement medical benefits that would have forced the • Maintenance of the current freeze on out. is part of the broad resistance to conces­ workers to make a weekly payment for university tuition fees; At a meeting on October 23, the students sions and cutbacks that is sweeping Canada their medical coverage and also pay an ad­ • Maintenance of free education at the reaffirmed the strike, despite police vio­ from Newfoundland, through Alberta, to ditional medical deductible. community college level; lence against their picket lines and despite British Columbia.

16 The Militant November 7, 1986 ·