Worker www.socialist.caSocialist $2 no. 554 July 2013 WORLD IN REVOLT

FROM TURKEY, to Brazil, to Egypt, imposing the same austerity: in Turkey it streets and ousted the new president Morsi. and the Egyptian military and police who people are rising up against austerity— comes from the right-wing Islamist AKP, This is a huge development from just one continue to attack resistance. But ongoing no matter which government is imposing while in Brazil it is delivered from the year ago, when Egyptians voted for the strikes and protests drove a wedge into the it—and demanding a better world. left-wing secular Workers’ Party (PT). Muslim Brotherhood (MB)—the largest MB, isolated Morsi and forced the military The trigger for the protests is clearly not opposition group—out of hope it would to remove him for fear of a general strike. From spark to revolt Islamism, as Western media claim, but cap- provide an alternative to neoliberalism and As Sameh Naguib wrote after the fall At the end of May, a small protest in italism. The PT in Brazil have joined other imperialism. of Morsi, “It opens the horizons to new Turkey to defend trees and stop gentrifica- social democratic governments around As Egyptian socialist Sameh Naguib forms of popular power which dwarf the tion in Gezi Park mushroomed into a mass the world—such as the British Labour wrote last year, “It was natural that a large temporary democracy of the ballot boxes, movement against government repression. Party, South African ANC, and PASOK section of the masses would elect Islamists which results in nothing but the sustaining While the immediate issue was the park, in Greece—in cutting jobs and services, after the revolution. The masses do not leap of bourgeois rule with its different wings… the protests galvanized broader struggles. backed up by police violence. to an integrated revolutionary conscious- The Egyptian masses have managed to Opposition to police brutality intertwined ness all of a sudden. But the election of overthrow two presidents in thirty months. with Kurdish solidarity, and when the gov- From revolt to revolution the Brotherhood and the more hard-line This mighty power is not reflected only in ernment tried to stop all demonstrations, But there is growing confidence to resist. Salafists is not the end of the story. It is a million-strong protests, but also in the sub- including Pride, tens of thousands marched. June saw not only mass movements transitional phase…It requires an intense sequent waves of labour strikes and popular Shortly after Turkey, protests exploded emerge in Turkey and Greece, but also and patient struggle to win the majority to demonstrations. For political confidence across Brazil in June—triggered by public general strikes in Costa Rica on June 25 our revolutionary project and to the neces- will transform into confidence in the social transit fare hikes, in the context of the and Portugal on June 27, and rolling strikes sity of a second Egyptian revolution.” and economic struggle, and vice versa.” government using the World Cup to dis- by US fast food workers demanding a $15/ We need to take the inspiration from place poor people while giving millions to hr wage and the right to unionization. New horizons the ongoing Egyptian revolution and corporations. The protests also tapped into Meanwhile the Egyptian revolu- While the MB’s base includes millions of build social and economic movements of longstanding anger about inequality and tion—whose outbreak in January 2011 poor and working class people, its leader- resistance, alongside a similar intense and inadequate public services. sparked the ongoing mood of global ship is committed to the capitalist state. patient struggle to win the majority to the One of the frustrations is that govern- revolt—entered a new stage on July 3, So Morsi supported Israeli apartheid, IMF necessity of revolutionary transformation ments across the political spectrum are when millions of Egyptians took to the loans and resulting austerity measures, not only in Egypt but the world over. The fight for LGBT liberation

CPMA No. 58554253-99 pages 4, 6 & 7 ISSN No. 0836-7094 Walking to heal the fossil fuel sickness

by JOHN BELL BEGINNING JULY 5, First Nations and Métis people will welcome anyone who wants to witness the environmental damage done by the Tar Sands to join them on the fourth annual Healing Walk. Indigenous communities have led opposition to tar sands extraction and development, from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation fighting tar sands production in Alberta, the Aamjiwnaang First Nation op- posing local refineries in Ontario, and the Coastal First Nations opposing pipelines through BC. This has galvanized a movement that now spreads along the pipe- Photo: joernrohde.com line routes—from last year’s sit- in against the Northern Gateway pipeline through BC, this year’s mass demonstration against the Metro Keystone XL pipeline in the US, Kinder Morgan: more pipelines, more resistance and growing opposition against by ANNA ROIK and 21 storage tanks over the In April this year, Tsleil- green jobs that will sustain Line 9 through Ontario and Vancouver four terminals, and more. Waututh Chief Maureen our world for the future, not Quebec. KINDER MORGAN wants Where the new pipeline seg- Thomas signed the destroy it. Recently Alberta has been to capitalize on the BC ments will go remains a ques- International Treaty to Protect the scene of extreme flooding opposes Liberal election victory by tion, as Kinder Morgan has the Sacred from tar sands Update and major pipeline spills, call- forcing through a pipeline filed only a project description projects. The treaty was cre- In June there were two leaks ing attention to global warming expansion, but it can be with the NEB. Later in 2013 it ated by the Yankton Sioux from the existing Trans and violence against the en- coal port stopped. will file a facilities application and Pawnee Nations, who are Mountain pipeline. Early in vironment. The Healing Walk During the BC election that will contain details about working to block development June, a “small oil spill” of is organized by Keepers of the ANNA ROIK by the proposed Kinder Morgan the route. of the Keystone XL pipeline 12 barrels of crude oil—ap- Athabasca. Organizer Jesse pipeline expansion became an Since the pipeline was built between Alberta and US Gulf proximately 861 litres—was Cardinal told the Guardian ON JUNE 14, Metro important issue when the NDP in the 1950s, much of the area Coast refineries. Locally, the noted by maintenance work- newspaper, “The land is sick Vancouver held a announced they were opposed nearest to the pipeline in BC’s Communications, Energy and ers checking sections of the here. The people are sick from version of a public to the plan. There have been Lower Mainland has been Paperworkers Union along Trans Mountain pipeline near polluted air, water and food.” hearing where members few details on the proposed built up with residences and with the cities of Vancouver, Merritt, BC. The pipeline was In an online petition, organizers of the local community pipeline, which will expand businesses. Kinder Morgan Burnaby and West Vancouver immediately shut down so re- are calling on federal Minister were invited to speak the Trans Mountain pipeline has said that it plans to follow support this treaty. pairs could be completed and of Natural Resources Joe Oliver on the proposed to double in size and triple in existing rights-of-way, which As the Kinder Morgan pipe- the soil cleaned up. and Alberta Premier Alison thermal coal terminal capacity. The existing pipe- has led to fear that property line is an expansion project, While this was the small- Redford to join them: “Minister at Fraser Surrey Docks. line travels through residential may be expropriated. it is not confirmed whether est oil spill of the 79 recorded Joe Oliver has claimed that tail- The proposed new coal neighbourhoods in Burnaby, There are also environ- it would be a designated spills along the Trans Mountain ing ponds at the tar sands are terminal could ship Coquitlam and Surrey. mental concerns related to project under the Canadian pipeline in its 60-year lifespan, being cleaned up to the point upwards of 4 million A few weeks after the elec- the extraction, transport and Environmental Assessment a Kinder Morgan spokesman where ‘you’d be able to drink metric tonnes of coal tion victory for the pipeline use of tar sands oil. In 2012, Act (CEAA). Recognizing admitted that the public is from them’ so we want to in- yearly to Asia. In the supporting Liberals, Kinder Vancouver and Burnaby an- the potential opposition to becoming more skeptical and vite the Minister to join us for end, Metro Vancouver Morgan filed a project descrip- nounced opposition to the the project, Kinder Morgan less forgiving about spills. the Healing Walk. We would voted 21 to 4 to tion with the National Energy proposed expansion, as did is requesting that the Trans This especially in light of its like him, and Alberta Premier oppose coal shipments Board (NEB). In an interview the provincial NDP in the 2013 Mountain pipeline be sub- own Trans Mountain pipeline Redford, to walk 16 km in our at Fraser Surrey Docks in the Globe and Mail, Kinder election. No one wants to see ject to environmental review twinning proposal as well as shoes and see the devastated and within the Fraser Morgan Canada president Ian the region turning into an oil under both the NEB and Enbridge’s Northern Gateway land, breathe the dirty air, and River estuary, the Anderson described the elec- exporting port with the inher- CEAA. Theoretically the pro- pipeline, which could move see the toxic tailings ponds. We existing Roberts Bank tion outcome as “pro-econ- ent risk of spills. posal must also meet the BC Alberta’s tar sands oil across believe that if enough people ask coal port aside. omy, jobs and investment in Several environmental Liberals “five conditions” for remote areas of northern BC him, he will have to come.” In its rejection Metro B.C.” and citizens groups, such as oil pipeline approval, as stated to Kitimat. The Healing Walk will at- Vancouver cited informa- Kinder Morgan plans to in- Burnaby Residents Opposing in their 2013 election platform. In the last few days of June tract activists like Naomi Klein, tion it wished to see from vest about $5.4 billion to twin Kinder Morgan Expansion The mass movement another spill—this time just Brigette DePape, Winona Fraser Surrey Docks and the pipeline as it attempts to (BROKE), are actively op- against the Enbridge Northen outside of Hope—released LaDuke and Bill McKibben of Port Metro Vancouver, cash in on the increased de- posing the expansion, as is Gateway pipeline has forced between 20 and 25 barrels of 350.org but there will be no pro- namely a health impact mand for the bitumen-rich the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Liberals to sound as if oil, or up to 4,000 litres. tests, signs or speeches. As the assessment. Supporters Alberta tar sands oil on the on whose traditional land the they will stop it from being Despite the relatively low walkers pass the destroyed land- of the expansion were world market. The expansion pipeline will cross and end. built. We need to keep building volume compared to what it scapes of the region, there will those who stood to earn would include constructing The Tsleil-Waututh are known and expanding that movement could have been, these spills be drumming, songs and pray- money, or represented 973km of new 36-inch pipe- as “People of the Inlet”, and to make sure neither pipeline once again demonstrate that ers to heal the land, water and the potential 50 workers line segments, reactivating have said that they have never project goes ahead, but we also no oil company can guaran- people. Clayton Thomas-Muller, who would fill the jobs at two buried but maintained ceded the land or abdicated re- need to fight for the creation tee 100 per cent spill-proof organizer for Idle No More’s the terminal. Opponents segments, 11 pump stations sponsibility for it. of a green economy based on pipelines. Sovereignty Summer, said of of the expansion cited past healing walks, “Something both local issues such happened when we all decided as fugitive coal dust and to take a break from the battle increased rail traffic, and with big oil, national and provin- global issues of climate New Brunswick Mi’kmaq and allies resist fracking cial governments, and the banks change. Many said that by JOHN BELL proved to poison local water and Conservation told them, public notice to all potential that finance them. When we de- the Lower Mainland tables. Both the fracking fluid “We take water quality very developers, the Government cided to instead focus all of our should draw a line in the PLANS TO develop shale and the released fossil fuels are seriously. Very, very serious- of Canada, and the province of intentions, our power and our sand and take a stand gas wells using hydraulic toxic. Fracking also releases ly…But you need to make New Brunswick, that pursuant love on healing our most sacred against the use of fossil fracturing (fracking) invisible greenhouse gases into sure that when you make water to our Indigenous and Inherent Mother and those that depend fuels. technology in New the atmosphere. quality complaints you have rights as the righfull and law- on her health through prayer, With reports out of Brunswick are being Ordinary people from areas a basis, because federally, if full owners of all Signigtog ceremony, and the physical act China this week that strongly opposed by where fracking has been ex- there’s no water quality issues, District Lands and resources, of walking together, we led with the government has Mi’kmaq people and allied tensively employed—like that can be considered under that no shale gas exploration our hearts.” ordered firms in many groups like the Council of Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Homeland Security an act of and/or development or gas line of the heaviest polluting Canadians. Virginia and Texas—are or- terrorism.” shall proceed within our district For more information and updates on the Healing Walk, visit: industries to cut their Fracking involves injecting a ganizing and traveling to other without the expressed written http://www.healingwalk.org/ greenhouse gas emis- high-pressure mixture of water jurisdictions to raise alarms and First Nations consent and full participation sions by 30 per cent by and toxic chemicals into a gas organize against the spread of defending the land of the Migmag Grand Council 2017, it is possible that or oil-bearing shale rock bed. the technology. It was delega- In New Brunswick, fracking and the migmag people of the Socialist Worker thermal coal exports The layers of rock are frac- tions from rural Pennsylvania opponents have been treat- Signigtog District.” e-mail: [email protected] out of North America tured and the fossil fuels are who rallied opposition in New ed like terrorists. Mi’kmaq Augustine has received no web: www.socialist.ca may drop sooner than pumped out. Fracking is also York State, resulting in a mora- people from the community of response. phone: 416.972.6391 expected. Two coal-fired an environmental nightmare. torium on fracking there. Elsipogtog rallied to prevent When corporate equipment power plants in China’s In extreme cases it activates Recently, at a public meeting SWN Resources Canada from arrived a peaceful blockade All correspondence to: southern provinces have seismic faultlines and causes in Maury County, Tennessee, exploring their territory for po- and sacred fire site was estab- Socialist Worker P.O. Box 339, Station E already been shelved, earthquakes. To date the trem- residents raised concerns that tential fracking sites. lished. The province sent in Toronto, ON M6H 4E3 and when new projects ors have not caused significant fracking had poisoned the At the end of May, Noel massive numbers of RCMP Published every four weeks in are announced they damage but some areas have water table. Local children Augustine, a leader of the lo- to clear the highway and ar- Toronto by the International Socialists. have been met by large experienced so many small were coming down with a cal council, sent the following rest peaceful protestors. The Printed in Hamilton at a union shop; mem- ber of the Canadian Magazine Publisher’s groups protesting against quakes that the concern is for wide variety of unexplained message to SWN headquar- community has responded by Association / Canadian Publications pollution. Instead, we the cumulative effect on hous- illnesses. In response, a rep- ters: “The Migmag Grand inviting all supporters to join Mail Agreement No. 58554253-99, Post Office Department, Ottawa / ISSN need green jobs to avert ing and infrastructure. More resentative of the Tennessee Council of the Signigtog dis- its stand to defend the land 0836-7094 / Return postage guaranteed climate catastrophe. worrying, fracking has been Department of Environment trict, District 6 hereby gives and water. 2 Socialist Worker July 2013 INTERNATIONAL No to The revolution intervention continues in in Syria by PAUL STEVENSON

Egypt AT THE G8 meetings in Northern Ireland, the by YUSUR AL BAHRANI questions around Syria WHILE COMMENTATORS in the dominated the discussion West are debating whether the but the major powers didn’t Egyptian military’s removal of come up with any sort of Morsi is a military coup or not, compromise. Instead, they Egyptians are celebrating the all announced that they historic protests that forced the would be funneling more military to act. arms to both sides in the conflict, thus ensuring Anti-imperialism a much longer and more The military is trying to contain deadly war. the revolution, using an attack on There have also been dis- the Muslim Brotherhood as pre- cussions of a “no-fly zone” text, while the Muslim Brotherhood over Syria, to be imple- leadership has organized rallies trying mented by NATO forces. As to regain power—despite their failure ed Mubarak and Morsi, commented, Muhammad Hardan, deputy Shortly after the attacks, a charity we saw with Libya, a “no-fly to offer any alternative to Mubarak “The masses in Egypt prove that they president of the Independent Union of campaign was launched. So far the zone” quickly turned into a and his imperial masters. Following prefer to be hungry than to be directed Workers in the Cairo Water Company, campaign has succeeded to collect full-scale campaign of air- the clashes and the violence on the by the United States.” makes this very clear in his statement millions of Egyptian Pounds to make strikes, which killed 30,000 first Friday after ousting Mohamed to the MENA Solidarity Network, by sure that food and all basic needs are people and left the country Morsi, the founder of the Tamarod Permanent revolution saying, “If the next president refuses available for everyone in Egypt. This in ruins, while hijacking the (Rebel) movement, Mahmoud Badr, Morsi is no longer the president and to meet our demands, we will rebel will ensure that no politician can use political leadership of the said, “The United States want to the government is not under Muslim again. There is no other solution. the needs of people to win votes. revolution. impose the Muslim Brotherhood Brotherhood control anymore but the Those who have tasted freedom will Instead of dismissing the over- The Syrians who rose up on the Egyptians.” Badr added that demands remain the same:“bread, not be slaves again. The revolution throw of Morsi as a military coup, against the government of the Muslim Brotherhood previously freedom and social justice.” Millions will continue until its demands are activists around the world must be in Bashar Al-Assad are now promised to disarm the Palestinian of people who took to the streets on met, no matter who sits in the presi- solidarity with Egyptians by making stuck between the proxy resistance. June 30 proved that it is not necessary dential palace. We will never abandon sure that none of the Western govern- forces of NATO on the one It seems that the masses that to wait for elections in order to over- the revolution and we will never give ments intervene. In addition we need hand and Russia on the other. ousted Morsi can no longer tolerate throw a government that has met none in.” to learn from Egyptian revolution- Each of those sides is now in any Western governments’ interven- of the basic demands of the people. aries who refuse to leave the streets a fight to remake the Middle tions, even in the form of statements. This builds on the movement that Unity and solidarity until all demands are met, and who East and to gain control Hazem Barakat, prominent Egyptian ousted Mubarak in 2011 and fought Despite the pro-Morsi protestors’ at- combine protests and strikes in a of crucial resources. The activist, journalist, and participant in against the Supreme Council of the tacks today, Egyptians proved that permanent revolution to fight auster- Syrian people have not been the ongoing revolution that has oust- Armed Forces (SCAF) a year ago. democracy is achievable if all unite. ity, capitalism and oppression. consulted on their fate, which is now, increasingly, being decided in Washington and Moscow. Fears of regional Canada’s intervention in Iran war by NIAZ SALIMI hibition; add an exemption aimed School of Global Affairs on May 10 ing huge contracts with the same re- The fears of a larger regional at increasing the availability of con- and 11, aimed at reaching activists gime. Just one example of their de- war are also expanding. MINISTER OF Foreign Affairs sumer communication technologies inside the regime to provide a much- ceit is that during the mass protests In both Lebanon and Iraq John Baird announced further that contribute to internet freedom. needed boost of morale ahead of of the 2009 election, the Canadian specifically, the sectarian additions to the sanctions This policy raises important ques- the elections. This event was kept embassy in Tehran closed its doors divisions being fomented by against Iran under the Special tions for many Iranians on how this secret not only from the commun- on asylum seekers who were being the Syrian war are caus- Economic Measures Act action helps to stop the nuclear pro- ity but also from most participants, chased by the regime’s agents. ing a dramatic increase in (SEMA). gram in Iran—the supposed original who were not provided with any At the same time, during the violence. Almost three years ago, Stephen aim of the imposed sanctions. information except the dates. The first week of June, the Canadian In Lebanon, where the Harper announced that Canada was The Harper government’s agenda event was opened by John Baird and Parliament opened its doors and civil war remains a scar that imposing sanctions on Iran under continues to unfold and expand, closed by Peter MacKay, posing as arms to Reza Pahlavi, the son of has not been healed, certain SEMA, in addition to existing sanc- leaving many members of the surprise guest. The conference was Iran’s last king, ousted by the 1979 forces are using the Syrian tions passed by the United Nations. Iranian community highly alarmed broadcast live to Iran and at some revolution, and welcomed him as conflict to renew hostilities. In between the two dates, the Harper and strongly disappointed. Claims point the participants asked Iranians the leader of Iran’s opposition. They In the south, Hizbollah, government intensified these sanc- of support for Iranians’ struggles to boycott the upcoming presiden- also arranged an official yet unan- which had gained tremen- tions at least four times—tightening do not resonate and the increased tial election and refuse to vote. nounced visit of the only Iranian dous popularity throughout the noose around ordinary Iranians’ sanctions have devastated Iranians Since that date, John Baird has Community Centre, guarded by the Arab world after they dis- neck while publicly claiming that inside and outside Iran. The first to been actively involved with Iran’s RCMP, for Mr. Pahlavi. patched Israel from Lebanese these measures are targeted and are be affected by these falsely labeled internal affairs by issuing guidance territory during the invasion actually in support of Iranians and “targeted measures” are working and making promises on behalf Western sanctions in 2006, are gambling that their struggle for democracy. class and low-income families, of Harper’s government. On June Western sanctions have collapsed support for Assad will allow students and pensioners in Iran, in 13, one day before the election, in the Iranian currency, now set at them to maintain a flow of The new policy addition to community-based small a press release John Baird called 35,000 Rials to the Dollar, nearly support from Iran through The government website “Foreign businesses in Canada. Iran’s election a “sham”, alleging triple the rate of last year, so the cost Syria. However, the Sunni Affairs and International Trade the Iranian regime had rigged the of education in Canada has been tri- sectarian groups are looking Canada” claims that the latest Canada’s intervention results by banning women candi- pled for Iranian families while the at this as a great opportunity amendments impose a complete ban But the real intention of the dates, silencing democratic voices converted pension of Iranian seniors to get rid of Hizbollah, which on imports from Iran and exports to Conservative government is far from and censoring the press. What he lost its value by the same ratio. It is has been a major competitor Iran, subject to certain exemptions; its public presentation. Canada’s does not mention is that while this clear that the Western agenda is not for power in Lebanon. add 82 new entities and 30 new in- decision to use such tools comes was going on over the past 33 years, in support of people in Iran but is In Iraq, where sectarian dividuals to the list of designated after the government co-hosted a the Canadian government had no seeking a war, by sanctions, against divisions were propagated persons subject to a dealings pro- two-day online event at the Munk problem working closely and sign- them. by the brutal US invasion and occupation, the Syrian conflict has pushed some groups to renew their attacks. The level of killing is now near to the levels in 2006— US drones target civilians the deadliest year of the US by AHMED ELBASSIOUNY grams make it appear like the White to drones alone. Less than two per War of terrorism occupation. More than 2000 House does not really believe in cent of those deaths were high pro- Drone proponents claim the drones people have been killed since WITH THE continuous and the legality of drones. It was not file targets while the rest were civil- were “successful” at targeting April. intense “war on terrorism”, until this year that the drone base ians, including children. Wali-ur-Rehman, the Taliban’s drone strikes have killed in Saudi Arabia was discovered, To the new Pakistani govern- second-in-command. But drones do Self-determination civilians and caused grave which for two years was used to ment, drone strikes are a big bar- not fight terrorism, they are terror- It remains crucial that violations. carry out secret drone strikes in rier to any developmental plans. ism—leaving behind many injured the anti-war movements The United States has been rely- Yemen. Despite claims of an “ef- Dr. Shireen Mazari, Pakistan and dead civilians. Drones have around the world oppose ing on drone strikes in Yemen, ficient” way of “fighting terrorism”, Tahreek-i-Insaaf’s leader, thinks been a nightmare for Pakistanis, any foreign interference in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The drones killed many civilians. drone strikes are a great threat to causing panic and instability in the the conflict. We only need number of drone strikes has sig- the country’s integrity and stability. area, which is a source of backlash. to look at Iraq, Afghanistan nificantly increased ever since Drones in Pakistan However, Mazari suggests “talking After the mass movement against and Libya: NATO military president Obama was elected in Pakistan is another country that it out” with the US administration the Iraq War, including opposition intervention does nothing to 2009, peaking in 2010. The num- has been suffering drone strikes. rather than using a “threatening” from ordinary soldiers, drones are help the people (despite the bers increased from one to two per According to some sources, over approach. Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistani an attempt to maintain US imperial often-used justification of year to around 150 strikes in 2010, 100 drone strikes were reported Prime Minister’s advisor, said that control while minimizing oppos- “responsibility to protect”) as the US tried to recover from the in Pakistan in 2010 alone. Even the subject has to be brought up ition or even knowledge from or- and instead leaves a wake of quagmire in Iraq by switching to though 2010 seems to be the peak with the US administration, and de- dinary Americans. But people are death and destruction. more “efficient” warfare. of drone attacks for the decade, scribed the drone strikes as a threat increasingly speaking out, includ- The Syrian people and drone strikes are still being re- to peace between the two countries ing drone operator Brandon Bryant, peoples throughout the Hidden attacks ported today. Since 2004, 3,129 and disrespectful of international who suffers from PTSD for his role Middle East need to decide The discovery of secret drone pro- people were killed in Pakistan due laws. in drone killings. their own fate without interference. July 2013 Socialist Worker 3 IDEAS FOR THE STRUGGLE Faline Bobier INTERNATIONAL Austerity and the fight against LGBT oppression “OPERATION ZEUS in August last year marked the start of an ugly reminder of a European past that we thought we had long buried. Nearly 60 years after the end of the Second European War, migrants were round up from the streets of Greece and shoved unceremoniously into internment camps. In May, women working in the sex industry were pulled from the streets, forcibly tested for HIV, publically humiliated and imprisoned. In March, they rounded up drug users from the streets of Athens and put them too into camps. Last month in Thessaloniki they came for transgendered people.” This quote is from an article entitled “…and then they came for the trans* people”, written by Mhairi McAlpine. It is a lesson for all of us about why we need solidarity among the oppressed to combat the austerity agenda and its attacks on all of us. Austerity and oppression In Greece we’ve seen both effects of the austerity agenda: workers and the poor rising to fight back against attempts to savage their jobs, services and lives; and the ugly backlash, represented by the rise of the fascist Golden Dawn. Golden Dawn is attempting to turn people’s anger and despair at the economic devastation of their lives against groups such as immigrants, women, people of colour and the LGBT community. Pride this year needs to be a celebration of our solidar- ity against attempts to divide us one from the other. Just like the civil rights and women’s liberation movements of the 1960s, the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was born as a movement which saw itself as a part of the revolutionary Brazil: this is about public transport currents internationally, and actually christened itself in solidarity with the Vietnamese Liberation Front of the time. Groups like Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) in Toronto have done a commendable job of linking the fares but it’s about much more too fight for LGBT liberation with support of the Palestinian by SEAN PURDY were reciprocated in the Brazilian pro- demned the Free Fare movement pro- cause, in spite of active opposition from politicians such as tests with dozens of Turkish flags and tests, as has the PT federal government. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. This kind of solidarity is espe- MASSIVE PROTESTS have placards with solidarity messages. But many grassroots activists from the cially critical in the current context. The recent murder of a exploded in numerous Brazilian The Free Fare movement in São PT have participated in the protests gay activist in France and huge marches against same-sex cities over public transit fare hikes, Paulo—especially its high school along with militants from PSOL. marriage there are linked to the increasing boldness of the preparations for the World Cup, and university students, but also trade At the same time as the protests Front National (FN)—France’s Nazi party. political corruption and general unionists and activists from a broad against fare increases arose, activists The lesson to learn from France is how the FN was able frustration with the poor quality of section of social movements—organ- across the country protested the prep- to build its message of hate by using Islamophobia as a tool public services. ized the first protest soon after bus and arations for next year’s World Cup in to divide and conquer. Unfortunately the left in France did On June 17, there were huge demon- subway fares were increased by 6 per Brazil. Billions have been spent up- not build a united anti-war movement which could bring strations in 12 capital cities, including cent on June 2. grading stadiums and thousands have together the country’s significant Muslim population with more than 100,000 people each in São The municipal government, headed been displaced from their homes in an popular organizations, unions, LGBT organizations, etc. Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In the capital by Fernando Haddad of the Workers’ effort which has boosted the profits This has laid the basis for the FN to expand their targets to city, Brasília, thousands of protestors Party (PT), claims that the increases of large companies and produced few other sectors, such as the gay community. invaded the national Congress build- are below inflation, but many analysts benefits for the population. ings. There were sizable contingents have shown that over the last twenty The roots of LGBT oppression of trade unionists (teachers, metal and years the cost of public transit has in- Turkish parallels It’s important to recognize why the LGBT community chemical workers) and social move- creased well above inflation, making As in Turkey, Brazil has recently ex- represents a threat to the powers-that-be and why they are ment activists with their own banners São Paulo the most expensive city for perienced economic prosperity. Just being targeted, along with immigrants, people of colour, on all the demonstrations. public transit in Latin America. Dozens like Turkey, however, economic in- women, etc. Despite massive police repression, of other Brazilian cities launched or re- equality is staggering. The rich have The oppression faced by LGBT people is closely linked the movement continues to grow, for- launched similar Free Fare movements benefitted proportionately more from to the question of women’s oppression and the institution cing municipal governments to the ne- in the wake of the São Paulo protests. the Brazilian “economic miracle” of the family under capitalism. Rigid gender roles and gotiating table over transit fare hikes These movements dovetailed with mo- but expectations have also increased women’s oppression are both consequences of the division and—in eleven cities, including nine bilizations against the World Cup and among the population. Healthcare, of society into classes that Frederick Engels identified in state capitals—promises by govern- other local issues. education, public transport and other The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State. ments to actually lower bus fares. In After massive police repression of public services are still in shambles As society divided into a class of people who essentially São Paulo, the mayor has conceded the demonstration in São Paulo on June and people are beginning to mobilize in benefited from the exploitation of other classes, the division that fare reductions are now on the 13, the movement spread even further large numbers. And also as in Turkey, a of labour which had previously existed in hunter-gatherer table. across Brazil. relatively local and small-scale move- societies, but which had not translated into women’s op- ment sparked off large nation-wide pression, came to have new meaning. Majority support Growing dissatisfaction protests. It became increasingly important for the men who came Polls have shown majority support The protests come at a time of growing More demonstrations are planned to dominate that they could trace their lineage and therefore for the protests among the population dissatisfaction with the neoliberal pol- and militants are debating the next ensure the inheritance of their wealth through the structure and there have been demonstrations in itics of the two main parties in Brazil, steps, including arguments for the ne- of the family. This was what Engels referred to as “the solidarity from Brazilians abroad and the Brazilian Social Democratic Party cessity of strike actions in support of world historic defeat of the female sex” and it also had their supporters in Berlin, New York, and the PT. Activists have shown that the Free Fare movement and against consequences for anyone who wanted to live outside the San Diego, Montreal, Washington and the politics of the two supposedly police brutality. “norms” of the heterosexual family. Dublin, with dozens of other cities in rival parties are exactly the same: In studying pre-class societies, like many aboriginal North America, Europe and Asia plan- making Brazil safe for business while Sean Purdy is a member of the Party of Socialism societies, we can see examples of individuals who did ning similar demonstrations. Messages neglecting the massive social dispar- and Freedom (PSOL) and activist in the Free Fare not conform to gender roles: the third sex. This was once of solidarity from protestors in Taksim ities and inequality in the country. Movement, São Paulo. This article is republished referred to as berdache, and is now commonly known as Square in Turkey have been sent and Politicians from both parties have con- from Red Pepper. two-spirited people. The reconstitution of the traditional family throughout the nineteenth century in many industrial nations meant an increasingly rigid family form, which excluded those who Who hasn’t signed the Arms Trade Treaty? didn’t conform, such as lesbians and gays or independent ALIA KARIM women who chose not to marry. by against humanity or war crimes. Arabia and Bahrain. The reason the nuclear family is so important for modern ON JUNE 3, 67 countries signed US Secretary of State John Kerry Canada is not saying whether it will day capitalism is that it allows capitalism to depend on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to announced that the United States, the join the more than 60 other countries in essentially unpaid labour to nurture and support the next regulate the multi-billion-dollar world’s largest arms dealer, would signing the ATT. The federal govern- generation of wealth-creaters (workers) for capital. Part of global arms trade. Countries from sign soon. This would be critical, but ment has not decided whether it agrees the ideological support for the nuclear family includes the every region in the world signed the others have suggested that the treaty’s with the UN’s arms trade treaty, despite necessity to regulate the behaviour of individual members treaty, including France, the United ultimate strength rests on support by all having voted to move it ahead in the of the family, hence the attacks on LGBT people who chal- Kingdom, and Germany—three of major arms exporters and importers. first place. Foreign Affairs Minister lenge those norms. the world’s major arms exporters. Key arms exporters (including Russia, John Baird stated, “We believe that However, the United States and China and Israel) and major import- any treaty regarding the sale of muni- Solidarity against oppression Canada were not among those who ers (including India, Saudi Arabia, tions that helps move the international In the context of austerity, where governments around the signed. Indonesia and Egypt) abstained and community closer to world-leading world are attacking many of the social services and sup- The ATT will control the transfer have given no indication yet that they standards is a good thing. We partici- ports for working class families and individuals, it becomes of conventional arms and compon- will sign it. pated actively in these discussions. I even more useful for our rulers to use the ideas of racism, ents and regulate arms brokers, yet it Many of these weapons have caused think we have an obligation to listen sexism, homophobia and transphobia to divide us from each will not control the domestic use of grave human rights violations. For in- before we act, and that is why we will other and to shore up the so-called traditional family. weapons in any country. It also pro- stance, in Egypt, arms have been used be consulting with Canadians before Many of the gains we’ve won we have won together, hibits states from transferring conven- to attack peaceful protestors. Similarly, the government takes any decision.” uniting with other oppressed groups and fighting for many tional weapons to countries when they the Saudi government has used Western The Canadian government’s hesitancy reforms, such as same sex benefits, through trade unions know those weapons would be used to arms (including from Canada) to crack- may indicate emphasis on an increas- and other working class organizations. That’s the lesson we commit or facilitate genocide, crimes down on peaceful protestors in Saudi ingly militarized political agenda. need to take to heart during this year’s Pride celebrations. 4 Socialist Worker July 2013 The Marois government, identity secularism and ‘Quebec values’ by BENOIT RENAUD

BERNARD DRAINVILLE, the Minister of Democratic Institutions in the Parti québécois (PQ) government, announced May 22 that the Charte de la laïcité, or Charter of Secularism, promised by his party in last year’s general election, would become a Charte des valeurs québécoises, or Charter of Quebec values, and be tabled as a government bill this fall. What does this shift in the government’s rhetoric mean, and how should the left react? This new manoeuvre, aimed at expanding the identity front in the hope of gaining (electoral) ground, is complex and risky. We should take advantage of it to make some headway in favour of pluralism and human rights, and put an end once and for all to the proposed Charte de la laïcité, a project that is at best unnecessary and poten- tially a threat to our freedoms; and we should reaffirm as “Quebec val- ues” a respect for difference, inter- cultural convergence, and solidar- ity in opposition to discrimination and oppression. As the report of the Bouchard- Taylor Commission clearly demon- strated, there is no crisis in Quebec in the relations between different communities of belief, except in the heads of the xenophobes, the damental and more essential than as a means of achieving equality, and secularism with the issue of Africans, etc. Banning personal speeches of the right-wing dema- others? To what extent can we ac- freedom and solidarity: equality values is therefore at best breaking religious insignia in general may gogues who fuel this xenophobia cept that not everyone in Quebec among the members of society in- down an open door and at worst an seem fair at first, but in reality it in order to make political cap- shares the same values? dependently of their spiritual and operation that will fuel prejudice means targeting minority religions, ital, and the dishonest coverage This could be an interesting philosophical beliefs; freedom for against minorities. and the effect is to fuel prejudice. of some sensationalistic media. debate, although hard to translate everyone to believe or not to be- Furthermore, a law banning the When incidents are blown up in the into laws and regulations. But in lieve, and to build their own vision Prohibiting religious wearing of religious signs would media, it is because some people fact the government’s purpose is of the world; and solidarity with signs is not probably be overthrown by the make bad decisions based on ig- not to contribute to the debate but minorities in the realms of phil- secularism courts on the basis of the Quebec or norance, prejudice, xenophobia or rather to develop a new strategy to osophy (e.g. atheists) or religion I know from my experience in Canadian charters of human rights. by overlooking certain rights. We counter the decline in their popu- (Jews, Muslims, etc.) in the face Québec solidaire as well as else- And some writers who favour such saw this recently in the decision of lar support, a logical consequence of persecution or mere contempt where that the heart of the debate, a ban recognize the problem. That’s the Quebec Soccer Federation to of their neoliberal governance. on the part of the majority. Thus, its most important practical appli- where the bad idea of a Charte de exclude young Sikhs wearing tur- Like other Western governments if we were to re-examine the secu- cation, will once again concern the la laïcité comes from. It’s a way bans. There was no problem until on the ropes in the recent past (for lar project in light of more funda- wearing of signs of religious (or to put so-called secular principles a few individuals decided to create example, Sarkozy’s in France), mental values, we could fight its cultural) adherence by workers in (actually anti-religious principles, one out of nothing. the Marois regime hopes to rally identitarian slippage and reinforce the public services. And that’s just which is quite different) above hu- The solution to these minor support around xenophobic panic an intercultural and evolutionary for starters. man rights in order to immunize problems is not to create a new disguised as a fight for secularism vision of the Quebec nation. Let’s say, first, that there is no them from potential court deci- law with an assimilationist and and/or national identity. The PQ leaders are promoting legal tradition that protects us from sions. The last thing to do in this anti-religious definition of secu- This new positioning is both a a charter of values as a means of knowing another’s religion. That’s situation would be to pressure the larism (contrary to the spirit and retreat and an offensive. A retreat, shoring up their nationalist creden- an invention of French anticlerical PQ to return the discussion toward the history of this idea, which ori- in that it dilutes the issue of secu- tials, which have been undermined and/or Islamophobic philosophers. a Charte de la laïcité. On the con- ginated on the left) and over and larism as understood by the ethnic by their inability to revive the Simply being informed of another trary, we should take advantage of above the rights of individuals and nationalists and the anticlerical struggle for Quebec sovereignty person’s religion is in no way an the semantic fuzziness introduced minorities. Rather, the task is to militants (two distinct groups that and their servility to the petroleum infringement of my own freedom by the invocation of “values” to commit ourselves to firm defense sometimes overlap). Their demand and mining multinationals, and to believe or not to believe, or an reverse this trend and argue for a of the rights of religious minorities for a charter of secularism seeks to more generally to the interests of attack against the secular nature of simple policy based on existing in the face of discrimination and set aside the policy of intercultural transnational capital as manifested public institutions. And the idea rights. exclusion, and in a spirit of integra- integration adopted by Quebec in in their support to the Canadian that we can only know the religion If the PQ wants to return to this tion. And to improve the training the years when Gérald Godin was free trade deal now being negoti- of others if they are wearing some question this fall, it will be in the of those administering public ser- in the government and replacing it ated with Europe. Since the fight visible indication of it makes no context of its inability to renew vices in order to prevent the kinds with a new policy of assimilation against the powerful is no longer sense. the strategy of the independentist of incidents that our sensationalis- asking minorities to make them- on their agenda, why not embark If we recognized this right, how movement and the decline in sup- tic media and national demagogues selves invisible. This assimilative on an operation that will further far would we have to go to enforce port for the government because of enjoy so much. A policy on secular- policy logically leads to justifying oppress people who are already it? To get an idea, we need only its neoliberal policies. What, then, ism and accommodation, under the discrimination and marginalization marginalized? They didn’t hesitate think of the recent French moves is the political content of their pro- existing laws, notably the Québec for persons who refuse to dissolve to do that to the social assistance to ban the headscarf for mothers ject concerning “Quebec values”? Charter of Rights and Freedoms, into the model determined by the recipients, so why not go after the accompanying kids on school out- It is an identitarian retreat to the would be entirely sufficient. majority. “ethnics” as well? ings, or for women working in the NOUS of a Jacques Parizeau, the The strategic retreat toward One of the problems with this private sector, etc. NOUS of the “secularized,” the Is secularism an “values” in general is both a con- approach is that its premise—that What if a man of Jamaican NOUS who don’t wear bizarre overriding value? cession to those who reject secular- immigrants, particularly those of origin has dreadlocks, like Bob or sexist clothing, etc. aimed at What does the PQ mean by ism out of attachment for Quebec’s the Muslim religion, have values Marley? I might conclude that he THEM and their customs, their “Quebec values”? Are these values Catholic heritage (like the mayor that differ appreciably from those adheres to the Rasta religion. So if habits, their beliefs. If Québec soli- invented in Quebec before being of Saguenay) and a logical conse- of the French-Canadian major- he applied for a job as a teacher, I daire (and the left in general) do disseminated elsewhere? Are they quence of the identitarian slippage ity—is an outright myth. In fact, could require that he cut his hair. not come out in strong opposition values found only in Quebec? Are in the very concept of secularism, the values professed by the adher- By doing so, I would prevent him to this populist right-wing slippage they values that have always been which is increasingly instrumental- ents of various minority religions from displaying his identification worthy of a Mario Dumont, we will shared by the people of Quebec, ized for the purpose of marginal- are surprisingly similar to those with his slave and African ances- collectively be accomplices of a from New France to our day? We izing minorities. This is contrary of the average Catholic. Not to tors and their struggles. Would that tendency to caricature minorities need to be clear. The debate has to the meaning of secularism in its mention the people who come to decision be progressive? that will be used to justify any and to address the values that Quebec historic sense. Quebec precisely in order to escape Also, our thinking should be all discrimination. This would be decides to adopt collectively and But raising the question of Conservative and authoritarian re- based on an analysis of the context. unworthy of an internationalist left democratically as a society, for “Quebec values” in general opens gimes, or the members of minority There is no systemic discrimina- opposed to all forms of oppression. now and for the future. the door to recognition of more groups that have long been estab- tion against atheists or Christians What are these values? Can we important values than secularism. lished in our communities. Mixing in our society. But there is indeed This is republished from Rabble, translated identify some that are more fun- Secularism should be understood the issue of religious affiliation against the Arabs, the Muslims, the from Le Blogueur solidaire.

July 2013 Socialist Worker 5 The Politics of LGBT Liberation ‘I’m here! I’m queer! Now I’m over here!’ by EVAN JOHNSTON fortune with that gay magician act.” In a IT HAS become hilarious homage to all too common the well-known slogan for mainstream popularized by Queer commentators to Nation—”We’re here! argue that if only We’re queer! Get used more high-profile to it!”—the slogan for figures were to come Tony Wonder’s new out of the closet act is “I’m here! I’m then the problems queer! Now I’m over that LGBT people here!” face would be And despite having solved. If more CEOs, just ruined a perfectly politicians, and good plot line, isn’t athletes—ones that that precisely where homophobic people such individualist solu- particularly respect— tions leave us? If our were to identify as belief is that coming queer, what choice out of the closet is would straight folks the political act itself, have but to come then we’re left with no to terms with LGBT sense of where to go people in general? once we’re out, and we What underlies this tend to become impli- emerging consensus cated in an extremely is the belief that the problematic discourse oppression of LGBT of “outing” celebrities The fight for trans liberation people is caused who we think will by ALEX ADAMS early societies there was no private dren working from as young as four with the aid of medical doctors to ing generally more invisible else- solely by the irrational be good to have in property, no division into classes, years of age and sustaining terrible ease their pain and discomfort. The where it is difficult to know what prejudices of the work- our movement. Like THE FIGHT for trans liberation and no domination of men over injuries. The needs of the capitalist classification of “gender dysphoria” the current situation is like in distant ing class, which can Tony Wonder, we are A victory for marriage equality is a victory for all is in an exciting period right women. Despite some critique, the class had also changed—namely, a as a psychiatric illness began at this locations. That being said, wherever be solved by “opening destined to move from by DARREN EDGAR and alongside them, we too must take them. now; we have passed beyond the core of Engels’ account of early more stable workforce in which the time, and is still retained today as a there is exploitation and oppression their eyes” with safe, side to side without on the mantle of marriage equality in a Third, reforms like marriage equality initial stages of the movement hunter-gatherer societies has stood next generation of workers would prerequisite for access to hormones struggles against that oppression are acceptable examples any resolution. ON JUNE 26, the United States determined way in order to advance the can make people’s lives better in the into witnessing its first gains. up to subsequent analysis. be raised, cared for, socialized, and and surgery in many places. The also bound to arise. of queerness. The flip An athlete like Jason Supreme Court ruled the Defense cause even further. here and now but these reforms in Some recent victories have taken The evolution of class societies educated at minimal cost to the rul- criteria for such diagnosis tend to side of this approach Collins, the 34-year- of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be themselves will not end oppression place, such as the passage of amend- took place over thousands of years, ing class. reinforce the same narrow gender The fight for trans is to agree that LGBT old NBA veteran unconstitutional. It is now illegal Importance and they can be revoked at any time ments to human rights legislation in as agriculture developed and spread. The essence of this form of the stereotypes that exist in broader liberation oppression can be who came out in late for the federal government to deny Yet still there are those who would should the tide of political will change. Ontario and Nova Scotia, which join This led to changes in social or- private, heterosexual nuclear family society. The oppression of trans people, as solved by “opening April, is undoubtedly a federal benefits of marriage to argue that it’s wealthy gay white male This is why we need to keep up the the Northwest Territories to include ganization and in the reproductive has remained today, although the I have laid out, has material roots eyes”, but in place of courageous individual, married same-sex couples, if their couples who will benefit most from fight to defend the gains we’ve won gender identity as protected grounds needs of societies. role of women has continued to Biological determinism in the capitalist system and the pri- “acceptable” queerness and by doing what he marriage is recognized or performed marriage equality and therefore we and to continue pushing for more: so from discrimination. A similar bill to In hunter-gatherer societies there shift. The medicalization of trans people vate family. In fact, all other forms (what some theorists did he makes coming in a state that allows it. should not be putting time, energy or that our lives can be better now under amend the Canadian Human Rights was a need to space the birth of Many contradictory forces are at continues into the present, in the of oppression are also rooted in the call “homonormativ- out a bit easier for This decision will have immediate resources into this struggle when there capitalism. But ultimately these forms Act and the hate crimes provision children because of the practical play on the family as a social con- form of biological determinist theor- capitalist system. The two key ideas ity”) the goal instead everyone. But that’s benefits for same-sex couples who have are other “more pressing” concerns of oppression will only be overcome by of the Criminal Code has passed in considerations of carrying children, struct. Government and the state ies about the “causes” of transsexu- to inform the struggles that follow is to confront straight precisely how best to been married and are living in any of such as racism and sexism to confront. uprooting entirely the capitalist system Parliament and is currently await- gathering food on a daily basis and must shore up the family—a simple ality. For example, the theory has from this, are that: the only way people with the most think about people the 11 states (California, Connecticut, Beside, who wants to get married, which maintains these oppressions as ing Senate approval, although it’s moving frequently. As agricultural example being tax breaks and other been put forward that the brains of for complete liberation from that radical and subversive like Collins coming Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, anyway? Perhaps unconsciously, this part and parcel of its functioning. currently being hung up by the societies gradually developed there incentives for married people. At transsexuals develop in the womb in oppression is to replace capitalism examples of queerness out: just like winning Massachusetts, New Hampshire, wrong-headed argument actually hints The Voting Rights Act made it illegal Conservatives not wanting to call a was a need for more hands for work, the same time, pressures on work- the opposite way to the individual’s entirely; and, the fight against all that will, according to any reform that makes New York, Vermont and Washington) at a number of key points. to deny black people the right to vote vote on it. After a lengthy campaign, with each child representing an ex- ing people act to break it down. In physical sex. Small studies using forms of oppression and exploita- this view, shake them life a bit better, high which allow equal marriage, as well as First, it is not a man’s “maleness” but the US Supreme Court recently funding was restored in Ontario in tra pair of hands. Villages and cit- the face of this, a powerful set of questionable methods are presented tion are part of that same fight. out of their prejudicial profile individuals the District of Columbia and several which produces sexism, just as it is not overturned it. And here in Canada, the 2008 for sex reassignment surgery, ies developed, and with these came ideologies is required to maintain as support for these theories. At the same time, we cannot pas- stupor. coming out provides indigenous reservations. a person’s “whiteness” which produces hard-fought victory for abortion rights although access to trans health care higher death rates, more susceptibil- the family, such as specific and nar- It makes sense from a social- sively wait for “the revolution” to In either approach, greater breathing room In addition to the state-level benefits racism. Every form of oppression— has come under numerous and continu- remains a significant equality issue. ity to disease, increased warfare and row definitions of roles for men and ist perspective that biology could occur in some abstract future. We the oppression of for others but does not these couples already are eligible whether it be racism, sexism, ableism, ing attacks by the Harper government. And a transgender first-grader in other features of developing class women, and limitations on sexual- play a role in formation of gender must actively build a fight for re- LGBT people is seen end the basis of their for, they are now eligible for all the homo- or transphobia, etc.—is a prod- The right to vote and the right to Colorado was awarded legal sanc- societies. All of these factors con- ity. Anyone who strays from these identity. However, biological deter- forms in order to address aspects of as an incidental feature oppression. When the same federal benefits as any other uct of the class divisions in society, choose have made people’s lives better tion to use the restroom facilities at tributed to the need for an increased norms, including GLBQ people and minist approaches, which crudely trans oppression—a fight which is of contemporary Jason Collins’ or the married couple. Health care, social and it is actually the capitalist state that but attacks on these rights prove we school which correspond with her birth rate, which gradually caused a trans people, must be systemically reduce all social causes to biology, ongoing. We can celebrate that there capitalist society, a Brittney Griners of security, immigration equality, estate perpetuates these oppressions in order cannot take anything for granted and gender identity. shift in the dynamics of society—in- oppressed in order to maintain the must be exposed as a reactionary have been victories—such as the personal prejudice that the world declare that and tax benefits, access to housing on to serve the interests of the ruling class that these rights must be defended. At the same time as these victor- cluding the structure of the family. prevailing definition of the family. misuse of science. Similar explana- Ontario human rights code amend- just happens to have they are gay, lesbian, base and health care for those in the at the expense of the working class. Fourth, a fight on one front doesn’t ies there are still many struggles Over time, the ability to accumu- tions abound in our society, seeking ment, the reinstatement of funding lingered past its his- bisexual or trans*, they military—these are just some of the And it is the critical role of the priva- preclude a fight on another—this is that are ongoing, and continuing late wealth led to the development Maintaining gender to explain away everything from for surgeries, increased visibility torical expiration date, build the confidence material benefits now available to these tized heterosexual family to reproduce not a zero-sum battle—and victories discrimination in many areas. As of social classes and the result of norms disease to gender differences to so- and acceptance, etc.—as well as and one, consequently, of those individuals— same-sex couples. the next generation of workers for the in one struggle can inspire others to socialists, we see the fight for lib- these shifts was the domination of People whose appearance or be- cial problems. These serve to deny recognize that there is a need for that can be decisively particularly LGBT And it is these material benefits capitalist system at minimal expense take up the same fight, to become eration from oppression being in- women by men and greater social haviour do not conform to gender individual and collective agency to further reforms. These seemingly fought with personal youth—that need to which will actually improve the lives to the ruling class that explains why more determined and fight harder in formed by analysis of the roots of control over all members of society. norms for their society have existed deal with societal problems through small victories can make real dif- lifestyle choices and be organizing, but of these couples and their families that the “traditional family” is held up as their own struggles or to begin a new that oppression and the capitalist Since the emergence of early throughout history and across dif- our own actions. As socialists, we ferences for people in the here and queers in high places. that still too often are the reason marriage equality activ- sacred and immutable by every institu- battle altogether; after all, confidence is system that maintains it. class societies, the nature of class ferent cultures. For example, there is view humans and their behaviors as now, while giving them the confi- What gets lost in this live in conditions of ists have been fighting this battle for tion of that capitalist system. contagious and people’s consciousness society has changed over time but evidence that gender variant people a result of a complex and dialectical dence to carry forward the struggle perspective is the way fear, violence, and so long, and why the response to this Second, these forms of oppression changes quickest during the course of Roots of trans the oppression of women has con- have been able to live comfortably relationship between biology and and also inspiring others to join the that capitalism depends self-hatred. However, victory from LGBT people and their al- cannot be fought by individuals in struggle. oppression tinued. The specific character of the within indigenous societies in North the surrounding physical and social struggle or fight on other fronts. on the privatized, these same people lies has been so effusive. It is also why isolation, or only by groups of people The fight for reproductive choice As Marxists, we can see trans op- family has changed over time and America since prior to colonization environment, rather than as passive At the same time, many broader heterosexual family need to be organizing the obvious next step is to take this whom are affected directly by each doesn’t preclude the fight for equal pression arising from the same roots varied between societies and the by Europeans. This strongly sug- vessels of genetic inheritance. The struggles have a huge and direct for the reproduction of on a class basis and fight to the states that currently deny of these oppressions; rather, struggles pay or for universal daycare, just as as women’s oppression, and in a oppression of women has taken on gests that the form of social organ- other implication of this viewpoint impact on trans people, such as the its next generation of across racial, gender same-sex couples from marrying—so against these forms of oppression must the fight for equal marriage doesn’t way similar to gay and lesbian op- different forms. The specific form ization under which they lived was is that, as a result, we are actually fight for public health care, the fight workers, and is thus, in and other lines in that all LGBT people in the US can be conducted simultaneously by the preclude the fight for gay-straight pression. The origin of women’s op- of women’s oppression also varies less rigid about gender distinctions, able to deal with social problems, against border and immigration con- its regular functioning, order to overcome the enjoy these basic rights. This decision masses of the working class, across the alliances in schools or for trans people pression in the rise of class society within societies, between members while rigid ideas about gender roles including oppression, through our trols, the fight against poverty, the the essential precondi- oppressions created, has opened the door for triumph in dividing lines of race, gender, ability or to be recognized in human rights was first outlined by the revolution- of the exploiting class and the ex- had developed in Europe. own self-activity. fight for publicly funded social ser- tion for the reproduc- maintained and the this battle, but it will still require a sexuality. legislation. Indeed, this victory for ary Frederick Engels. The core of ploited class. Gender variance was not classi- vices, and so on. In an environment tion of heterosexist divisions constructed grassroots campaign on a state-by-state It is exactly this kind of solidarity in marriage equality can inspire these Engels’ argument was that the de- fied formally as an aberration until Wider picture of of a continuing push for austerity, norms and ideas. by the ruling class. level to kick the door wide open. action that makes a group like Queers other struggles and, in turn, be inspired velopment of private property led Nuclear family after the development of the nuclear oppression under as capitalism lurches from crisis to In the newest We need all of the And that kind of grassroots cam- Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) so by them. Just as the Arab Spring to the creation of a society divided In the second half of the nineteenth family, around the late nineteenth to capitalism crisis, there are huge forces that act season of Arrested confidence that we paign is exactly how we came to find important: by challenging the myths of bolstered resistance to austerity in into classes—those who owned and century, the form of the working early twentieth centuries. The ear- Capitalism from its beginnings has to push back even small gains and, Development, Tony can get but more than ourselves celebrating this legal victory. Israel as a haven for LGBT people and Greece, it inspired the Indignados in controlled the wealth and those who class family changed. The private liest writings of doctors and social relied on exploitation and oppres- in this context, our struggles must Wonder (Ben Stiller), anything we need that All the LGBT people and their allies of Muslim people as inherently homo- Spain, the Wisconsin uprising, the didn’t—and the creation of a state nuclear family emerged, in which a scientists in this context discussed sion to maintain the dominance of a be strengthened and deepened. This who has long been confidence channelled who have put in the effort over the phobic, QuAIA is able to point out the Occupy movement, the successful machine to protect this property, and male head of household works and behavior that fell outside notions of small minority over the large major- makes it ever more important to a rival magician to into a real, fighting years—talking to their friends, family, underlying racism of this Islamophobic Quebec student and Chicago teacher a family to ensure that this property his wife looks after the family and normal masculinity and femininity ity of people. Exploitation and op- form alliances with other libera- G.O.B. (Will Arnett), movement for LGBT neighbours and coworkers about the practice and how complicit the strikes—and, as we are seeing now, was passed on to “legitimate” heirs. the home. This form of the family as well as same-sex sexual behav- pression take on various forms and tion struggles, although forming decides to “go gay” liberation. Without issue of marriage equality; creating Canadian state is in perpetuating it in the revolts in Turkey and Brazil are, This represented the development of arose because workers at the time iour as aberrant and pathological degrees, and vary both over time these alliances is neither easy nor in order to revitalize that, we’re stuck petitions and collecting signatures, order to deflect attention from Israel’s in turn, reinvigorating the continuing women’s oppression, the monogam- saw the alternative as substantially without distinguishing these as dis- and between different societies. automatic. As divisions arise it is his career and take ad- with Tony Wonder even visiting the bars and bathhouses colonial project just like it seeks Egyptian Revolution. ous family and, with it, the “world worse. Some of the pressures that tinct entities. In the case of trans oppression, important to keep these larger goals vantage of previously politics—waiting to do so; organizing public forums, to sweep Canada’s own history of This is why the recent victory for historic defeat of the female sex”. had arisen would have continued: The distinct category of “trans- like GLBQ oppression, it is true in mind, and as socialists we seek untapped markets. As desperately for the next rallies, marches and demonstrations colonialism under the rug. Just imagine marriage equality was worth fighting Engels, following the early an- women working up to 18 hours sexual” arose in the 1950s, as the that more intense oppression is oc- to help intervene in bridging dif- he reveals to G.O.B., person who will come to demand marriage equality—it is how much more effective these kind of for and deserves to be celebrated: we thropological studies of Lewis a day, breast feeding or suffering first trans people began to undergo curring in other parts of the world ferences to ensure that the struggle he’s been “making a out and surprise us all. because of their dedication that we can struggles against oppression would be have no idea yet what other future Henry Morgan, maintained that in miscarriages at their machines, chil- hormonal and surgical procedures than here but with trans people be- moves forward. celebrate this victory today. Inspired by if the whole working class was fighting victories it could inspire next.

6 Socialist Worker July 2013 July 2013 Socialist Worker 7 OPINION The mad movement, Marxism and mad activism today July 8-14 is Mad Pride week in Toronto. Mad activist Kevin Jackson reviews the history and politics of this liberation movement.

IN 1886, a woman named Elizabeth Ware Packard, a former mental hospital patient, founded the Anti-Insane Asylum Society. Packard began publishing a series of books and pamphlets challenging the subordination of women to their husbands, and the lack of response by government and psychiatrists to that subordination. In 1977, anti-psychiatry and social justice activists like Don Weitz founded the first Toronto psych survivor awareness and support group, called Ontario Mental Patient’s Association (an offshoot of the Vancouver Mental Patient’s Association), which changed its name to On Our Own—the first enduring group by and for psychiatric survivors in Ontario. Then came the Mad Pride movement in California, which informally began in 2003 when a group of six people declared a hunger strike against biological approaches to psychiatry and the widespread use of prescription drugs for mental health. The mad movement, as it currently appears, has arisen out of such examples of resistance to oppression, born out of distrust of mainstream psychiatry and its self-serving over-exaggeration of psychiatric pathology and enforced conformity. The long tradition of resistance, intrinsic to the mad movement, continues to challenge power structures that oppress and Solidarity with the Turkish rebellion suppress the body, mind, and spirit of people who think and act in a manner that’s different from the norm. Socialist Worker caught up with Ezgi Dogru, an activist with Electroshock ‘therapy’ Mad and anti-psychiatry activists alike are highly critical of this terribly Canada Student Collective in Solidarity with Protesters in Turkey, dangerous form of treatment. In fact, we do not see it as a “treatment” but as a form of torture based on psychiatric pseudo-science. on June 11 to discuss the revolt that began in Gezi Park. Electroshock is widely used, and is not the safe or effective treatment that psychiatrists would have the public believe. Psychiatric assault victims What caused the movement to to stop this project and the police a neologism originating during have long stated the horrible side effects: confusion, memory loss, creativity erupt so quickly and forcefully forces used pepper gas against the the protests [http://en.wikipedia. loss—essentially, brain damage. in the last two weeks? people. Sirri Sureyya Onder, a org/wiki/Chapulling], shows that It seems to be important to deputy of the Kurdish Party, went people come together to resist Psychiatric drugs and forced drugging give a brief account of Gezi Park, to act in solidarity with this initia- force, demand justice and seek American mad activist Jim Gottstein, of PsychRights (a Law Project for which became the symbol of the tive and stood on the earth digger. their rights. We do not want to Psychiatric Rights), sums up the mad and anti-psychiatry activist position movement that has spread all over Soon after, he called for solidarity underline our own reading of the on psychiatric drugs well. He writes, “[We are] devoted to the defense of the country. Gezi Park is located from everyone in Istanbul to stop resistance here, as it would be people facing the horrors of forced psychiatric drugging and electroshock. in Taksim, downtown Istanbul, that project (via social media). In a too early to do so. We want to We are further dedicated to exposing the truth about these drugs and the which has been one of the most few hours, hundreds came to guard use this space to state again the courts being misled into ordering people to be drugged and subjected to gentrified neighbourhoods of the trees in the park. As this group demands put forward by Taksim other brain and body damaging interventions against their will.” Istanbul. People in this neighbour- has been announcing, this project Resistance, which point out the One side effect of psychiatric drugs is the Parkinsonian effect: an hood have been forced to leave was unlawful. So, the demolition terms of the struggle [they can be emotional blunting and demotivational effect. This is not a side effect of their houses. Due to the force of couldn’t go on that day. People found here: http://taksimdayan- psychiatric drugs but the actual intended mechanism by which they work. government projects, a big part kept arriving all day and the gov- isma.org/?lang=en]. I believe that the use of neuroleptics is a practice more akin to chemical of this neighbourhood had to sell ernment used a disproportionate The reaction is an expression of lobotomy than an ethical or safe treatment. their houses to corporations, as amount of force on these people. “the wish for peace, and resistance Being a mad person in the age of the asylum meant you were at risk of has happened in many other poor Since the protest of people to the war politics being played in being harmed or even killed for your ideas. This is still true today. A mad neighbourhoods of Istanbul. All against such an unlawful demo- our country and in the region; the person with dissenting actions and thoughts is labeled deviant—not from the gentrification projects have been lition of the park was so right, sensitivities of Alevi citizens; the norms of people in the community, but according to the values of capitalism. implemented through dispossess- people came together just to say rightful demands of the victims When it comes to chemical lobotomies, it’s all about social control—with all ing people. Many Roma, Kurdish “enough”—enough to the use of of urban transformation projects; of the profits going to psychiatrists and big pharma. This circular model of and Turkish people have been disproportionate police force, to the voices raised against the con- forced consumerism and profiteering needs to be scrutinized and dismantled. forced to leave their neighbour- tear gassing people who peace- servative male politics that control hoods. This has caused many fully demand their rights, demand women’s bodies; the resistance to Commodity fetishism and false consciousness serious problems for those people their spaces to breathe. As people the coercion against universities, Capitalist societies, through the use of the media, create a desire for items and created discontent among came together, as their numbers the judicial branch and artists; the and behaviours that the person wouldn’t naturally possess. This can be other people in Turkey as well. increased day and day, we started demands of all workers, starting extended within the mad discourse to identify how people have been told by This attitude of the government, to hear other demands. with the employees of Turkish the media, their families, physicians and psychiatrists that their behaviour AKP—which has been in power Airlines, against the appropriation and actions are contrary to that of the majority, and therefore that they are for 11 years in Turkey—has a What has the level of of their rights; the struggle against flawed and in need of mental health interventions. profound effect on many aspects repression been like? discrimination based on sexual In the face of such allegations, mad persons may feel depressed or just of people’s lives. For example, the Turkish police attacked pro- orientation and gender identity; “wrong” because they are told that they don’t fit the mold of what a good government started to intervene testors violently with tear gas and the demands for the clearing capitalist should be; thus in order to fit in and be a good consumer, the in alcohol consumption and has and water canons. They directly of the way for citizen’s right of ac- person in psychic crisis often succumbs to dangerous psychiatric treatments. restricted women’s rights by ban- targeted protestors’ bodies and cess to education and healthcare.” When looked at from a perspective of instilled false consciousness, ning abortion. faces. In fact, this police brutal- mad people, free thinkers, and revolutionaries will never fit in, as they are There are many projects being ity is the source of the spread of What do these protests mean contrary to the goals of capitalism, which is to be a good consumer and not implemented to build hotels and the demonstrations over Turkey. for the current regime? Is to challenge the status quo. Those who resist this are often forced to take condos in that neighbourhood Despite the peaceful nature of the the AKP in trouble? What are psychiatric medications or risk police intervention. of Istanbul. The Occupy Gezi demonstrations, the Turkish police people’s criticisms of the AKP? movement started with an activist intensified the extensive violence It is quite obvious that the Solidarity group’s campaign with the same through gas canisters into houses, AKP government doesn’t take Although the interests of the mad movement are fairly specific, I believe that intentions against this gentrifi- shopping malls and mosques. As the responsibility for issues raised mad people’s struggles will only marginally improve if we continue to act as cation process. One part of this far as we know, three people were through the demonstrations. The tightly grouped activists within a constellation of mad discourses. However, gentrification project is to build murdered: Abdullah Comert (22 government tries to marginalize mad activists such as Judi Chamberlin have for a long time advocated cross- a shopping mall in the only park years old), Mehmet Ayvalitas (20), protestors and label them as ter- disability coalitions and working relationships. in that neighbourhood by tearing Ethem Sarisusluk (26). 48 people rorists, looters and marauders. In A contemporary example of this type of inclusive activism is the Toronto down the park and, with it, all its are seriously injured. 10 people fact, the demonstrators are “the Disability Pride March, the first cross-disability solidarity march in recent trees. Gezi Parki is the only park in became blind because police fired people” who come from differ- history. Born out of the Occupy Movement, it is bringing together people the district, which has 246,000 in- tear gas directly at the eyes of pro- ent economic, social and political who have experienced physical, mental, and social oppressions. habitants and hits a million people testors. In total, 4,117 people were backgrounds. The AKP is in great Disabled people pose much less of a threat to the authoritarian conserva- on the weekends with its visitors. injured. trouble right now since people tive Harper government if they exist in isolation. But if we organize as a This activist group tried to get from all over Turkey shout the cohesive group with each other’s interests as our collective goal, we may attention to stop this unlawful gen- What are the demands of the following chant: “Resign Erdogan, become a political powerhouse that will be able to effect positive and trification. They have contacted protestors? Resign AKP”. People clearly say substantive change for all disabled people, as well as for other oppressed the deputies of Istanbul to get sup- Summarizing the demands of that they will not take the con- groups. port and attention to this unlaw- protestors may be impossible, servative, neoliberal and violent ful project. On the morning of the considering the heterogeneity of oppression of the Turkish govern- For more information on Mad Pride, visit: www.madprideto.com demolition there were few people people resisting. Yet, “chapuller”, ment anymore. Support the Socialist Worker Fighting Fund On June 1, we launched our 2013 Socialist Worker Fighting Fund Drive with an ambitious goal of $25,000. Since then, we have collected over $11,000 in pledges and contributions toward Socialist Worker and Socialist.ca, but we are counting on you—our readers and supporters—to help us meet our goal. To make a donation: please mail cheques (payable to Socialist Worker) to SW Fighting Fund c/o PO Box 339, Station E, Toronto, Ontario, M6H 4E3; or donate online at www.socialist.ca/donate. $25,000

8 Socialist Worker July 2013 LEFT JAB REVIEWS John Bell Tory media manipulation backfires

IT IS not unusual that as financial relationship between deadline nears I wrack my your party and the fossil fuel brain for a story idea. I mean, industry. Three, on the topic of aside from massive uprisings ethics, perhaps you are familiar in Turkey, Brazil and Egypt, with Bruce Carson, Maxime global warming-related Bernier and Julie Couillard, natural disasters in India and Pierre Poutine, Robocalls, Peter Alberta, and whistle-blowers Penashue, campaign expense being accused of treason by law breakers, Kory Teneycke, governments that are illegally F-35s, Patrick Brazeau, Rob spying on the mass of their Anders, Pamela Wallin, Mike population, nothing much is Duffy, Nigel Wright, Saulie happening. Zajdel… We could be here all So imagine my delight when night. And finally, if unions I got a call from the Prime paid Justin Trudeau $35,000 Minister’s Office in Ottawa. for speaking engagements, it is not Trudeau who should be The PMO calling investigated. Rather I wonder “Hello Mr. Jabber, I am calling which union officials had their to reach out to you, to offer you head so far up their ass as to information for a story that your spend a dime of their members’ readers are simply clamouring money on that empty-header for. We have in our posses- scion of privilege and corporate sion—don’t ask how we came power.” by them—receipts from various “Well I must say, Mr. Jabber, charities and organizations that that I am most disappointed paid Justin Trudeau to speak to to find that you are obviously them. Some of them are angry someone who spits on our because they feel the PoWaWQ veterans, would destroy the was inadequate for the money vital 16-cylander engine of our involved.” economy, hates Canada and FILM To which I could only reply, should be looking for a new “The which-what now, Mr. country to live in. Your dossier PMO?” is now complete and we plan Magical caper film frothy fun “The Pearls of Wit and to reach out to the media for Wisdom Quotient. The Stephen exposure of your treasonable Now You See Me Harrelson) and a pickpocket (Dave The film moves at breakneck speed, Harper government leads the views. Look forward to reading Directed by Louis Leterrier Franco)—are recruited by a mysteri- the better to prevent you from stopping nation—nay, the world—in about yourself in the Barrie Reviewed by John Bell ous figure to form a team. The “Four to consider the legion of plot holes and PoWaWQ. We have produced Advance. Good day, sir.” Horsemen” are soon magic superstars sheer impossibilities. But if you allow a number of highly effective LOOKING FOR a fun summer performing on Las Vegas’ biggest stage. yourself to be swept along, this is the advertisements at great public Pre-scripted stories film, but tired of superheroes? But they are out to do more than movie equivalent of a good “magic” expense extolling the fact, that Alright readers, the above is a Not interested in seeing Roland entertain. Larceny ensues. Or does it? act. have been running frequently bit silly but not that far-fetched. Emerich blow up the White House Our team is on the run from one huge Now You See Me has been remark- during the Stanley Cup playoff In mid-June the Barrie Advance yet again? Suffering from zombie magical illusion to the next, pursued ably hot at the box office, despite a broadcasts.” newspaper reported that it had overdose? Presto: let me pull Now by the FBI (Mark Ruffalo), Interpol lack of pre-release hype. My guess is “Sorry,” I replied. “I missed been directly contacted by You See Me out of my hat. (Mélanie Laurent) and a cynical magic that part of that word-of-mouth success them. I never watch hockey— Harper’s headquarters with Four magic specialists—an illusion- debunker (Morgan Feeman). derives from the fact that our four trick- can’t stand that shit.” a file of material on Justin ist (Jesse Eisenberg), an escape art- To say more risks spoiling the sters target the 1% for fun and not for I imagine the resulting silence Trudeau’s speaking engage- ist (Ilsa Fisher), a mentalist (Woody surprise. profit. Now that’s entertainment. at the other end of the phone is ments. The PMO gave instruc- what they call “stony”. After a tions to say that it had come BOOK rock-strewn interval Mr. PMO from an “anonymous source”. continued: “Yes, Mr. Jabber, The paper rightly concluded just making a note in your that the PMO’s less-than-subtle dossier in case we ever want a attempt to manipulate the media How will we feed ourselves in 2050? journalist to write an exposé on was a bigger story than the your lack of patriotism. To the Trudeau tempest in a teapot. Consumed: Food for a Finite country the size of India. pool in the seeds of wheat, rice, corn business at hand. When you see As the Advance noted: “When Planet Farmland itself is under pressure as and other crops. our material we are sure you asked in a telephone interview Written by Sarah Elton governments and developers snap up For Elton, it is in the best interest of will agree that Justin Trudeau’s why Prime Minister Stephen Reviewed by Anna Roik forests, wetlands, and farms to build human survival that seed banks con- PoWaWQ weakness is proof Harper’s office was sending industrial parks and housing develop- tinue to collect seeds, and that publicly the he is in ‘way over his head’ out unsolicited documentation, WHAT WILL the world be like in ments, or to plant cash crops for bio- supported research continues into de- (copyright) and worthy of your Meekes said the PMO routinely 2050? In a world of nine billion fuels and the export market. Countries velopment of crop varieties able to blistering and, ahem, amusing reaches out to the media.” people, how will we deal with like India are buying up land in Burma, survive the conditions predicted in a front page story investigative Only after the Barrie decreasing oil and natural gas Kenya and Ethiopia to grow the food globally warmed future world. While journalism. For instance, are Advance broke the story did reserves, increasing urbanization it needs as it paves over its own farm- Elton does not come out fully against you aware that Justin Trudeau other newspapers come forward and the effects of climate change? land. In a world suffering the effects of genetically modified seeds, she does received $35,000 in speaker’s to say they too were solicited Author Sarah Elton, in her book climate change, sustainable agriculture say that patented seed technologies fees from various trade unions, with the story. Would they have Consumed: Food for a Finite must have farmland near urban mar- hinder gains and the free exchange of and subsequently voted against used the story if the Advance Planet, combines all of these to kets. Governments should be actively scientific research into new varieties is our Bill C-377, which we call kept silent? We’ll never know. ask the question: how will the protecting farmland instead of opening necessary. the ‘union financial transpar- Questioned about his office world feed itself in 2050? it up to speculators. The third target Elton outlines is ency bill’. As you know, the meddling with the media, Today’s industrial food system is Elton’s second decade target is to more difficult to pin down, but heark- Stephen Harper government Harper responded: “Look, my affected by everything on this list. ensure food security through diversity ens back to a time when societies were is all about greater democracy view is, in terms of my own Elton argues that in order to best use in the seed supply. While in China, she less urbanized and “more connected” and transparency. This is proof comportment, my view is that the finite resources available to us, we visits a remote Hani village that farms to nature. This is similar to the div- positive that Justin Trudeau was what is not appropriate, I, you need to find alternatives to the indus- local rice varieties in terraced paddies ision between city and countryside in conflict of interest and guilty know, as someone who is paid trial food system. Alternatives that are irrigated by a stream dammed with that Marx describes as a metabolic of a breach of ethics. I’m sure by the public, I get good re- sustainable, based in ethics and human rocks, the soil worked by animals and rift. Elton writes of the food grown in you agree, there is nothing that muneration from the taxpayers rights, and that maintain ecological birds. Each rice variety is adapted to a certain region as having a terroir—a the Stephen Harper government of Canada, as a public servant, balance. She outlines a decade by dec- the local microclimate and is resistant unique taste created by the air, water holds more sacred than ethics.” I don’t think it’s appropriate for ade set of targets to be met which she to local pests. and soil. It is these things that connect “Well Mr. PMO, I am sorry me to then take money from believes are the path that will lead us Farmers are replacing traditional people to the land around them. I have to reject your kind offer charities.” to food security. rice varieties with high-yielding hy- However, “cultures of food are erod- of a pre-written, highly partisan What an orator. Taking Elton travels to India where she brid rice varieties. These new varieties ing” as city dwellers do not experience and barely rational story just money from charities: bad. meets with organic farmer Chandrakala are not well adapted, requiring fertil- this same close connection, instead when I am fighting both a Taking money from corpora- Bobade, who epitomizes the first dec- izers and pesticides that harm the fish learning the taste of the supermarkets deadline and writer’s block. But tions: good. ade’s target: ending industrial farming and ducks that help keep the paddies with their pre-roasted chickens and here’s the thing… One, your The whole affair tells us and making agricultural systems sus- healthy, as well as the wild foods once boxes of salad mix. Price and conven- own PoWaWQ is abysmal, your several things. The PMO is in tainable. Many of India’s farmers are gathered. ience are more important in busy lives expensive yet strangely ineffect- the habit of “reaching out” with in crisis. They are indebted to compan- According to the Food and than taste and nutrition. Reconnecting ive advertising notwithstanding. pre-scripted stories to manipu- ies from which they purchase expen- Agriculture Organization, 75 per cent with the terroir of locally purchased Since when does recycling late the headlines. How many sive inputs for their crops—fertilizers, of crop diversity was lost in the twen- and “home-cooked” foods may be Ayn Randist talking points and newspapers, with staffing cuts seeds, etc.—yet the returns are too lit- tieth century. India in the 1950s could what is needed to raise a generation knee-jerk ‘we love our troops’ and layoffs, happily regurgitate tle to pay for the next round of inputs. boast thirty thousand wild varieties of concerned about the farmland that rhetoric qualify as either wit or the Tory line as news? Thousands of farmers commit suicide rice; by 2015 is it likely that number sustains them and wanting to take part wisdom. Two, Bill C-377 isn’t And Stephen Harper’s regime each week as their farms fail. Others, will have dropped to 50 wild varieties. in the process. about greater accountability, is so beset by scandals that like Bobade, have decided to go organ- North America 50 years ago had multi- To achieve this requires a food pro- it is about attacking workers’ they are becoming desperate to ic and cut out the expensive fertilizers tudes of varieties of apples, but today duction revolution. The ideas in this democratic right to organize divert attention to something— and seeds. They have increased yields, most grocery stores carry only a few book are a good starting point for the and fight back against your anything. Even their pathetic run successful farmers’ markets, and varieties year round. Food supply is changes needed as we move towards corporate friends. And if we attempt to change the channel shown that organic farming can feed a closely tied to the diversity of the gene 2050. want to talk about conflict of exposes them as incompetents interest let’s talk about the cozy who can’t find the remote. July 2013 Socialist Worker 9 WHERE WE STAND The dead-end of capitalism The capitalist system is based on violence, The battleground of history oppression and brutal exploitation. It creates hunger beside plenty. It kills the earth itself by CHANTAL SUNDARAM with pollution and unsustainable extraction of natural resources. Capitalism leads to STEPHEN HARPER knows it: to imperialism and war. Saving ourselves and the promote Canada as a Warrior planet depends on finding an alternative. Nation on the world stage, from Socialism and workers’ power Afghanistan to Mali, you need Any alternative to capitalism must involve history on your side. replacing the system from the bottom up From the $30 million wasted on through radical collective action. Central to War of 1812 commemorations, to the that struggle is the workplace, where capital- untold millions to be wasted in four ism reaps its profits off our backs. years of celebrating the senseless Capitalist monopolies control the earth’s resources, but workers everywhere actually butchery of WWI through Canada’s create the wealth. A new socialist society can “victory” at Vimy Ridge, with $12 only be constructed when workers collect- million spent along the way to pro- ively seize control of that wealth and plan its mote “Canadian history” to children production and distribution to satisfy human by funding classroom visits by veter- needs, not corporate profits—to respect the ans and serving soldiers—Tory his- environment, not pollute and destroy it. tory is military history. And to ensure this is the only version we get, the Reform and revolution Tories are slashing funding of federal Every day, there are battles between exploited and exploiter, oppressor and op- archives and historic sites. pressed, to reform the system—to improve living conditions. These struggles are crucial 1812 & WWI in the fight for a new world. To further these The truth behind the glorious hype is struggles, we work within the trade unions that in both 1812 and WWI, a young and orient to building a rank and file move- Canada was cutting its imperialist ment that strengthens workers’ unity and baby teeth by backing the most vi- solidarity. cious imperialist power in the world But the fight for reforms will not, in itself, at the time: Great Britain. And the bring about fundamental social change. The present system cannot be fixed or reformed glory stories also disguise an ugly his- as NDP and many trade union leaders say. It tory of colonial oppression at home. has to be overthrown. That will require the In 1812, First Nations people were mass action of workers themselves. pitted against each other with a prom- ise of protection that never material- Elections and democracy ized from either Britain or the US. Elections can be an opportunity to give voice Some nations felt they were faced starving alternative sources of his- hanging was protested most loudly in to the struggle for social change. But under with a more immediate threat from tory. They are remaking the Museum Quebec. That is the history that Idle international capitalism, they can’t change the system. The US settlers and chose Britain as a of Civilization in Ottawa in their own No More has revived and is bring- socialist events structures of the present parliament, army, police and judiciary developed under capital- lesser evil in the short term. Britain’s image, renaming it the “Canadian ing to life again with Sovereignty TORONTO ism and are designed to protect the ruling final reward for this support was the Museum of History”, which will Summer. Summer Study Series: class against the workers. These structures treaty of Ghent, which in ending the celebrate the “great events” of war And while Quebec appears to have Socialism from below cannot be simply taken over and used by the war dropped the demand for a neutral and the “great men” of politics. The come a long way from the conquest Tuesday, July 9, 6pm working class. The working class needs real First Nations territory. On the other current museum shows a history of on the Plains of Abraham, it wasn’t OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, democracy, and that requires an entirely dif- hand US settlers who chose to cross Canada made by ordinary name- until the Quiet Revolution of the late room 8280 ferent kind of state—a workers’ state based the border into Ontario as United less people through their labour and 60s that to be francophone in Quebec upon councils of workers’ delegates. Empire Loyalists were awarded for struggle and rebellions, struggle that no longer meant being a second-class their loyalty with land to till—stolen has often involved moments of unity citizen: without the right to French as Alienation: why do we Internationalism hate Mondays? The struggle for socialism is part of a world- from First Nations. across national and ethnic lines. your language of work and used as While Harper casts 1812 as the There is also a battle raging over cheap labour. Tuesday, July 23, 6pm wide struggle. We campaign for solidarity OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, with workers in other countries. We oppose foundation for Confederation in history in schools. In May the Tories This legacy explains why the room 8280 everything which turns workers from one 1867, it actually laid the founda- tried to introduce a study of how his- post-secondary participation rate country against those from other countries. tion for rebellion first: in Upper tory is taught from primary to post- in Quebec is lower than in Ontario, We support all genuine national liberation Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada secondary, using Parliament’s stand- despite having the lowest fees in the From social movements movements. (Quebec) in 1837 and 1838. People ing committee on Canadian Heritage. country. But the struggle against this to revolution: what’s The 1917 revolution in Russia was an who had sacrificed in the war were They backed off after some protest legacy produced access to education radical? inspiration for the oppressed everywhere. But not prepared to put up with the same and instead will focus their inquiry in French, and the fact that this is such Tuesday, August 13, 6pm it was defeated when workers’ revolutions old oppression and exploitation. on questions of military history. The a recent and hard-won right is why OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, elsewhere were defeated. A Stalinist counter- room TBA revolution which killed millions created a new Francophones in the Lower Canada Heritage Committee has promised to it is so valued as a social good—and form of capitalist exploitation based on state rebellion were, in fact, inspired by “undertake a thorough and compre- why the Quebec student movement For more info: ownership and control. In Eastern Europe, the radical republican ideas of the hensive review of significant aspects has been strong enough to maintain www.socialist.ca China and other countries a similar system American Revolution. in Canadian history...with an empha- a tuition freeze for the better part [email protected] was later established by Stalinist, not social- And the history that will be edit- sis on battles such as Vimy Ridge, of forty years, up to the incredible ist parties. We support the struggle of work- ed out from Harper’s celebration of the Second World War, including the Quebec Spring of last year. ers in these countries against both private WWI will be that of the hundreds of Liberation of Holland, the Battle of There is much reason to hope that VANCOUVER and state capitalism. Quebecois who hid in the woods and Ortona, Battle of the Atlantic, the the people’s history will prevail. Socialist Book Club The Ecological Rift: Canada, Quebec, were hunted down to be forced into Korean conflict, peacekeeping mis- A recent online poll conducted by the military, and of the thousands of sions, constitutional development, Nanos Research for the Institute for Capitalism’s War on the Aboriginal Peoples Earth Canada is not a “colony” of the United States, ordinary people in Quebec who dem- the Afghanistan conflict, early 20th Research on Public Policy asked what but an imperialist country in its own right that onstrated against conscription and century Canada, postwar Canada, and types of historic events Canadians be- For meeting times, location participates in the exploitation of much of even burned down RCMP and mil- the late 20th century.” The committee lieve the federal government should and more info: the world. The Canadian state was founded itary recruiting stations while sing- will seek out “witnesses’ testimony, spend time and money marking, in- www.socialist.ca through the repression of the Aboriginal ing “O Canada”—which was not an including firsthand accounts of sig- cluding the War of 1812. vancouver.socialists@ peoples and the people of Quebec. anthem to the state then, but to the nificant periods,” prompting McGill Only about three out of every ten gmail.com We support the struggles for self-determin- people. This rebellion was put down historian William Straw to ask, “Are Canadians supported the govern- ation of Quebec and Aboriginal peoples up to and including the right to independence. by an army battalion from Toronto, we going to rewrite Canadian history ment in actively encouraging the Socialists in Quebec, and in all oppressed and the rebels were conscripted into by committee?” celebration of 1812 and only about peace & nations, work towards giving the struggle an entirely francophone brigade. During that same week Quebec 15 per cent of Canadians felt more justice events against national oppression an internationalist Since then, opposition to imperialist Native Women presented a petition patriotic as a result of the celebra- and working class content. war has been higher in Quebec than to the Quebec National Assembly, tions. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee TORONTO anywhere else in Canada, including in asking that the realities of aboriginal was not high on the list, nor was Mad Pride Oppression the era of Iraq and Afghanistan. life be made a compulsory course the fortieth anniversary of the 1972 July 8-14 Within capitalist society different groups suf- of study in high school. It was sup- Canada-Russia hockey series, and fer from specific forms of oppression. Attacks Rewriting history ported in the Assembly by the two only 23 per cent said they support For info: on oppressed groups are used to divide work- www.madprideto.com ers and weaken solidarity. We oppose racism The Harper Tories have an interest elected representatives from Québec the government’s plans to mark the and imperialism. We oppose all immigration in denying why the Quebecois and solidaire, which supports self-deter- two hundredth birthday of Sir John controls. We support the right of people of First Nations see history differently. mination for both Quebec and First A. Macdonald in 2015. A Celebration of the Life colour and other oppressed groups to organize Heritage Minister James Moore re- Nations. What were the historical events fa- of Dr. Henry Morgentaler in their own defence. We are for real social, cently complained, “We have young voured by most people? The thirtieth Friday, July 19, 7pm economic and political equality for women. Canadians who don’t know about Who will win on the anniversary of the Charter of Rights The Great Hall, Hart House, We are for an end to all forms of discrimina- Canada’s past, who don’t know from battleground of history and Freedoms (last year) and the hun- University of Toronto, tion and homophobia against lesbians, gays, where we’ve come, who don’t know itself? dredth anniversary of women’s suf- 7 Hart House Circle bisexuals and transgendered people. We the possibilities we have in the fu- We have to fight for a peoples’ history frage in 2019. oppose discrimination on the basis of religion, ability and age. ture, and the privileges that they of Canada that acknowledges the re- With time that list will come to in- have in being able to call themselves ality of colonialism, imperialism and clude Idle No More and the Quebec You can find The Revolutionary Party Canadian.” national oppression—and also the po- Spring. This will be the history that To achieve socialism the leading activists in So they are spending $12 million tential to resist it. That is the history young Canadians will find truly the I.S. in: the working class have to be organized into a on promoting military history while of Métis leader Louis Riel, whose worthy of celebration. revolutionary socialist party. The party must Victoria, Vancouver, be a party of action, and it must be democrat- London, St. Catharines, ic. We are an organization of activists commit- OPEN SATURDAYS, 12-3pm Hamilton, Mississauga, ted to helping in the construction of such a Toronto, Scarborough, party through ongoing activity in 427 Bloor Street West, suite 202, Toronto | 416.972.6391 Belleville, Kingston, the mass organizations of the Ottawa, Gatineau, working class and in the daily RESISTANCE Montreal & Halifax struggles of workers and the oppressed. PRESS e: [email protected] If these ideas make t: 416.972.6391 sense to you, help us in this BOOK ROOM w: www.socialist.ca project, and join the Inter- national Socialists. For more event listings, visit www.socialist.ca.

10 Socialist Worker July 2013 [email protected] SECOND REVOLUTION BRINGS DOWN EGYPT’S PRESIDENT STICKING WITH THE UNION SAMEH NAGUIB of the Carolyn Egan Revolutionary Socialists in Egypt reports from Cairo, where mass celebrations greeted Let’s rebuild the labour the removal of president Mohamed Morsi. movement from the bottom up

We have just removed the HUNDREDS OF thousands they feel the pressure from second president in only 30 are demonstrating in below. months. It is a second revo- Tahrir Square once more, We saw this happen in lution, a mass movement of and working people and Greece where smaller local millions. The scale of the the poor are taking to the unions with an activist mobilizations is unpreced- streets in Brazil against base first began the actions ented. On the ground people the austerity agenda. against austerity. Trade have gained huge confidence Fifty thousand demon- union leaders were hesitant in their ability to change strated recently in Montreal to move against the social history. against the cuts to employ- democratic Pasok govern- This is a contradictory ment insurance showing ment, which was then in situation. It is formally a once again the militancy power. Small walkouts military coup. The army that Occupy, the Quebec spread from workplace has effectively arrested the student strike and Idle No to workplace as workers president and 77 leaders of More put on the polit- were gaining confidence. the Muslim Brotherhood. ical agenda in this country. This preceded the large They intervened to save Representatives of the general strikes. Often it was themselves from a new groups organizing around a small group of militants in revolution. EI in both New Brunswick individual workplaces that But at the same time it is and Quebec recently spoke were able to move their co- a mass popular revolt. The in Toronto to a packed hall workers to take action—and people forced the army to of labour and community the militancy spread. act, and the army only did extremely democratic pro- working class. new government being able activists hoping to kickstart Another example of so because they were wor- cess. Simply voting every It’s not over. Right now to offer genuine reforms is a similar campaign in grassroots organizing more ried about their own future. few years is a joke compared there is euphoria, and very limited. Ontario. close to home is the method This is the second time they to this. The army is trying to people are cheering sol- People feel empowered The threat of anti-worker used by the Chicago teach- have done so. They are run- cut this process off. diers. But those celebrating and entitled by the events legislation by Tim Hudak, ers. A number of activists ning out of choices. If Morsi Major strikes were in the streets are not stupid. of the last few days. They leader of the Progressive set up a rank-and-file cau- was a failure then the bour- planned. Bus and train work- They know what the police brought down the president Conservative opposition cus fighting against cuts and geois alternatives, such as ers, cement workers and and army have done in the after just one year because in Ontario, has forced it connected with students Mohamed El Baradei, are Suez canal workers were all past. Expectations of change he did not deliver, and they many unions to take up a and local communities. As weak. This is not the end due to walk out. The protests are sky high. They are even will do it again. workers’ rights agenda to time went on their numbers of democracy, nor a simple could have developed into a higher than they were when inoculate their members grew and although it was military coup. general strike—the vast ma- we brought down Mubarak. This is republished from Socialist against these attacks. The not their original intent they Revolution is actually an jority of the protesters are But the possibility of any Worker (Britain). United Steelworkers, challenged the leadership CUPE, OPSEU and others in local union elections are rolling out campaigns to and won. They then set up SCRAP THE CHANGES TO EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE connect with their members. organizing committees in by PETER HOGARTH A top-down effort will every school connecting tra weeks and lower hours of how he was laid-off and community committees that not work. Every member with individual teachers and THE HARPER government qualifications for high-un- forced to use up his savings really changed the landscape must be involved in the their communities. is pushing drastic employment areas and the before he could get EI bene- in New Brunswick politics. conversation about the need This led to a very broad- changes to employment already reduced financing to fits at 55 per cent of his pre- Their fight stopped the home for a strong working class based and militant strike insurance (EI) rules, the EI system since 2008. vious salary. He described visits by EI investigators and response and why unions activating the majority of but there is increasing These changes fit with the trouble he had getting the forced Atlantic premiers to are so necessary to fight teachers against the city resistance. Harper and the Tories’ vi- required hours to qualify for declare a common front in back against the austerity of Chicago, with strong These rules will create sion for Canada, which is EI after a year where he was opposition to the changes. agenda. community support. The three classes of unemployed dependent on the mobility forced into reduced hours Today it is critical that an membership prepared for and force people to accept of cheap labour and people and job sharing at work. Changes understanding of a rank- the actions and had strong lower paying jobs, while willing (or forced) to travel Armine Yalnizyan, The changes to EI will have and-file strategy be part links with those who the making it harder to collect farther to work for less. To Senior Economist with the devastating effects on work- of any fightback. Labour schools served. The local benefits. The effects have complement this new ap- Canadian Centre for Policy ers and communities across leaders are usually long committees were at the been felt most drastically in proach to EI, the government Alternatives, described some Canada. The discussion at from the tools and often feel heart of the workplace places where seasonal work has announced that it will be of the long-term patterns for the forum heard from car- it’s easier to compromise actions and were demo- is the norm, but this is a cutting 2,100 more positions EI in Canada. Noting that in penters, retirees, education- and make a deal than to lead cratic and representative. problem for workers across from Service Canada; these 1990, 74 per cent of unem- al assistants, electricians, a militant fightback against The members really felt the country. are the people who support ployed people qualified for migrant justice activists, concessions. They are a that they controlled their and deliver EI services. That EI, today it is 35 per cent. plumbers and food service layer that exists between the union—and they won. New Rules means increased wait times, Finally, Patrick Rondeau workers, all of whom are workers and management. The workers’ rights New EI job search rules re- unresolved files and reduced from the Conseiller regional affected by the restricted ac- They make salaries that put campaign that has begun in quire a claimant, after a fixed services for people who need Federation des travailleurs cess to EI and all of whom them in a category above Ontario gives rank-and-file number of weeks on layoff, them. et des travailleuses in expressed the need for a those they represent and activists the opportunity to to apply for jobs outside of This all sounds quite Quebec and Daniel Legere, fightback. The examples of often spend more time in connect face-to-face with their normal occupation, bleak, but there has already CUPE rep and activist in Quebec and New Brunswick negotiations and meetings their fellow workers about paying 10-30 per cent less been mass resistance to the the New Brunswick Scrap show the possibilities to mo- with the boss than con- what their union could be, than the job they were laid changes to EI in Quebec and the Changes Resource bilize people and take on the necting with workers on the and how it can fight back off from and up to an hour New Brunswick, including Committee, shared their Harper EI agenda. floor. against the attacks. It gives away from their home. chasing Harper’s special EI experiences of helping to The Tory spin machine That doesn’t mean we workers the possibility of Changes to the EI appeal investigators right out of organize resistance to the is working on overdrive to don’t support a left-wing renewing their local unions system mean that gone are town. changes and mobilizing make these changes appeal- candidate who is calling from the bottom up, with a the days of a balanced tri- people to reverse them. ing. Diane Finley stated, for action over a more more active and involved partite Board of Referees. Ontario Rondeau remarked that “This is going to impact right-wing candidate but membership. This is what They are instead replaced It was in this context that “Harper couldn’t fight un- everyone because what we we can’t depend on them. is needed to push back and by a Social Security Tribunal the Good Jobs for All employment, so he decided want to do is make sure Workers have to organize win as they did in Chicago. that consists of one govern- Coalition held a public to fight the unemployed,” that the McDonald’s of the among themselves to take Let’s make sure we take ment-appointed expert. The forum at Ryerson Univesity before he went on to explain world aren’t having to bring the initiative to demand a advantage of this opening changes include fewer in- in Toronto on the changes how the unemployed fought in temporary foreign work- militant fightback. Leaders and use it to rebuild the person hearings and periods to EI. Good Jobs for All is back. Rondeau detailed the ers to do jobs that Canadians will often run to the front to labour movement in this for appeal cut from 60 to 30 an alliance of community, banner drops, press con- who are on EI have the skills try to lead a struggle when province. days. labour, social justice, youth ferences, neighbourhood to do.” In addition to this, and environmental organ- canvassing and protesting But the fight will have to Harper’s omnibus budget izations in the GTA. The that brought together 24 demand extending access bill has shifted parts of the forum brought together dif- student groups, municipal- to EI to all and breaking Join the EI Act to EI Regulations, ferent speakers to highlight ities, unions and agricultural down the divisions between meaning the Minister can the effect the changes to EI groups to fight the EI chan- Canadian workers and International Socialists make more changes without will have on workers and to ges and mobilize 50,000 Temporary Foreign Workers. Mail: P.O. Box 339, Station E, Toronto, ON M6H 4E3 debate in Parliament. The start a campaign in Ontario people in the streets of That means challenging the E-mail: [email protected] / Tel: 416.972.6391 new job search requirements to reverse them and fight Montreal. nationalism of Harper and and the cancellation of EI for more. As it is now, only Legere told the story of re- fighting for good jobs and maternity, parental and com- 20 per cent of unemployed sistance in New Brunswick good wages for anyone Name: passionate care benefits to people in Toronto collect that began with a protest working here. Temporary Foreign Workers EI benefits. This is a steep started by one person who As Daniel Legere noted, Address: with lapsed SIN numbers decline from previous years worked at a fish plant, but “If you work hard to influ- are examples of the type of and represents a long-term grew to include demonstra- ence public opinion, you can City/Province: unilateral changes that can trend across Canada. tions of several thousands oc- influence public policy.” be made. Kenny Hussein, from the cupying bridges, collecting Phone: These changes are in United Steelworkers Job 60,000 postcards of protest For more info: www.goodjobsforall.ca E-mail: addition to scrapping ex- Action Centre, told the story delivered to Tory MPs, and www.facebook.com/Scrapthechange

July 2013 Socialist Worker 11 SocialistWorker Tar Sands flooding an unreported environmental disaster by JOHN BELL territory. VIRTUALLY UNREPORTED among the Alberta flood Poisoned water stories is news that Early in June almost 10 mil- unprecedented flooding lion litres of toxic waste in the Tar Sands region of water spewed from a pipeline Fort McMurray threatens in northern Alberta, near the to unleash further Northwest Territories border. environmental disaster. About 42 hectares of boreal The Tar Sands are a local forest was rendered lifeless. environmental disaster. Cree “Every plant and tree died,” and Dene inhabitants of Fort said a representative of the Chipewyan, downstream from Dene Tha’ First Nation, whose the Tar Sands, have for years land was poisoned. This is the reported deformed and can- largest spill in Alberta history, cerous fish in the Athabaska and the Tory government is river. They also suffer from facing charges it tried to cover extremely high rates of rare up the disaster. cancers, a claim denied by the The water was waste from oil industry and the Alberta oil and gas wells owned by government. Apache Corporation. First The Tar Sands are also a reported to the public on global environmental disas- June 12, the corporation and ter, increasing global warm- Alberta government admit the ing and the resulting extreme leak was detected on June 1. weather events. Now the epic Dene Tha’ people claim the floods in Alberta are com- leak started much earlier and pounding the environmental went undetected. The area of disaster of the Tar Sands. The the spill is rich in wet lands, town of Fort McMurray de- important habitats for birds clared a state of emergency, and animals, and trap lines with roads washed out and used by Dene people for their bridges closed. Between 100 livelihood and food. These and 180mm of rain hit the waterways also flow into the region. Mackenzie basin. Just days before the flood- The Mackenzie eco-zone ing occurred, an international comprises about 20 per cent of scientific panel from the Canada’s landmass, is home Rosenburg International and breeding ground to an Forum on Water Policy amazing diversity of animal warned that the toxic “tailing and plant life, and contains a ponds”—waste water lakes large number of First Nations large enough to be visible Toxic Tories to industry and government outside a long-established ideological agenda.” and Inuit communities. Small from space—are a threat not Oil industry and government propaganda, the toxic ponds out-of-pit tailings pond. This Subsequently, the Tories wonder indigenous people, just to the Athabaska River, sources have been quick to re- were leaking into ground- finding is consistent with virtually erased the regulatory dependent on the waters for but the entire Mackenzie assure investors that Tar Sands water and into the river sys- publicly available technical system with omnibus legisla- their living, have taken the River Basin. According to mining is “unaffected.” Apart tem. But it took a Freedom of reports of seepage (both pro- tion striking down the need lead in defending water qual- industry reports the ponds from ordering a boil-water Information action to reveal jected in theory, and detected for environmental impact as- ity against destructive min- hold billions of litres of poi- advisory for Fort McMurray the documents. A memo to in practice).” sessment in most industrial ing developments. It’s in the soned water from bitumen and downstream commun- Natural Resources Minister Recall that it was Oliver, de- developments, removing shadow of the latest flooding production. They cover 176 ities, they are less forthcom- Joe Oliver states: “The stud- fending the Northern Gateway virtually all freshwater lakes that the Healing Walk is tak- square kilometres in the Fort ing about the state of the local ies have, for the first time, Pipeline project, who called and rivers from ecological ing place. McMurray area. Some of the environment. detected potentially harmful, environmentalists “radicals” protection, and scrapping the ponds are within 500 metres Even before the flooding mining-related organic acid out to “hijack our regulatory requirement to consult First For more, read “Walking to heal the of the Athabaska River. it was proved that, contrary contaminants in groundwater system to achieve their radical Nations for projects in their fossil fuel sickness” on page 2. Occupations disrupt Line 9 and Keystone XL pipelines Never miss by EVAN JOHNSTON have received cash donations well as of the Mississagi and cementing themselves to an issue. from Enbridge—there has also Anishinabec and the construction equipment. ON JUNE 20, around been organized resistance. Onondawaga Haudenosaunee. In June, over a 1000 protest- Mail in this form with a cheque 60 activists occupied The Swamp Line 9 organ- The Swamp Line 9 occupation ors marched across the Golden or money order Enbridge’s North Westover izers describe the public con- was an action in solidarity Gate Bridge in San Francisco made payable to Pump Station in the sultation process as “a rigged with the Idle No More cam- to protest the pipeline. Kathryn “Socialist Worker”. Beverly Swamp, located game, where the political paign, Sovereignty Summer. Donahue, of the California just north of Hamilton, party most indebted to the oil Members of the Six Nations Nurses Association, told The Prices per year Ontario. Dubbing their industry had taken spectacular of the Grand River criticized Real News the protest was “to (CAD dollars): occupation “Swamp Line measures to remove the usual the lack of communication ask President Obama to please 9”, their aim was to prevent environmental oversights from and consultation on the part of honor his campaign promises Regular subscription: $30 construction on Enbridge’s Line 9 and other pipeline pro- the organizers. The organizers, to stop the Keystone pipeline.” Institutions, First Class Line 9 pipeline and block jects. The Line 9 reversal is, acknowledging their mistake, Also in June, 22 activists delivery and U.S.: $50 the transport of toxic from the perspective of the have issued a formal apology were arrested in Chicago while Other international: $60 diluted bitumen from the powerful, a foregone conclu- to those who “have felt ex- staging a sit-in at the offices of Alberta Tar Sands through sion and they have insultingly cluded from, or tokenized by the State Department. One of Ontario and Quebec. offered only the most mean- this action.” the organizers, Elijah Zarlin, Name: The occupation came ingless opportunities for pub- had travelled from California after months of campaigning lic engagement.” Keystone XL to take part in the occupation. Address: against the pipeline in com- Early in the morning of June This year has seen dozens of He was previously in the city munities across Ontario. In 26, Hamilton police moved in protests against the Keystone in 2008 when he worked in Phone: Toronto, there have been pub- and arrested 20 people on and XL pipeline across the US. The the Chicago office of Obama’s lic meetings and petition cam- off the property after Enbridge pipeline, if completed, will presidential campaign. E-mail: paigns launched against Line served the activists with a transport Tar Sands oil from Across this continent the 9. In other cities across south- court injunction. Alberta to the coast of Texas. drive to exploit fossil fuels is Mail to: Socialist Worker, PO Box 339 ern Ontario that Line 9 passes The North Westover Construction at various sites running into resistance. These Station E, Toronto, ON Canada, M6H 4E3 through, such as Guelph, Pump Station is located on across Oklahoma have been pipeline projects and the Phone: 416.972.6391 / E-mail: [email protected] London, and Sarnia—some the traditional territory of disrupted repeatedly since whole Tar Sands can and must of whose police departments the Chonnonton people, as February by activists chaining be shut down.