Trabajadorxs Georgia de Amazon 12 y el voto 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 63, No. 14 April 8, 2021 $1

NO STALLING U.S. out of Afghanistan! By Sara Flounders took office. Under U.S. command 10,000 in an undeclared war of terror on the 40 enormous potential wealth and strategic NATO troops from 36 countries remain. million people living in this Texas-sized location in Central Asia is often cited as On Feb. 29, 2020, after rounds of At least 1,000 other U.S. troops were sim- country. According to figures from U.S. motivation to stay, by corporate think negotiations in Doha, Qatar, with the ply reclassified and shifted around in the Central Command, the Pentagon employs tank strategists and military planners. Taliban—​the insurgency they have country. (tinyurl.com/udfmt3v) more than seven mercenary contractors fought for 20 years—​the U.S. signed an for every service member in Afghanistan. Afghanistan poorer today agreement to withdraw from Afghanistan Will the U.S. withdraw troops? Their number currently remains at 18,000. Outrage at the brutality of U.S. occupa- all U.S. and NATO forces within 14 Like every agreement or treaty the U.S. For 40 years the U.S. has been involved, tion is the greatest recruiting advantage months—by​ May 1. government has ever signed with any through the CIA, in arming mercenary of the Taliban insurgency. In return the Taliban agreed to hold tribe, country or group of nations, this forces—​twice the num- Afghanistan, after back on direct attacks on U.S. forces and withdrawal agreement with the Taliban ber of troops. This impe- two decades of mas- give time for withdrawal. A swap of 5,000 is now being reconsidered. The excuses rialist occupation and Women in sive U.S. military Taliban prisoners and 1,000 Afghan gov- are endless—there​ is not enough time. It the arming of mercenary Afghanistan 8 occupation, is poorer, ernment captives was included in the is too hasty. forces has never brought less developed. Life agreement. It was also agreed to end The corrupt government the U.S. put democracy, progress, expectancy is one of more than 20 years of sanctions that had in place won’t be able to survive with- development, national reconciliation or lowest in the world and has steadily dete- put every shipment and transaction, even out massive U.S. firepower. Several new peace to Afghanistan. Nor was it ever riorated under the years of occupation. of humanitarian supplies, under U.S. rounds of negotiations are suddenly pro- intended to bring any of these lauded There is no accurate estimate of the num- occupation control. posed. Are there any real plans for the excuses for U.S. involvement. ber of deaths from decades of war. Deaths In accordance with the Doha agree- U.S. troops and mercenaries to actually Afghanistan is potentially one of the in rural areas, where four out of five peo- ment, by June 2020 the U.S. initially leave Afghanistan or for the U.S. and U.N. richest countries in mineral wealth, with ple live, are largely uncounted. reduced its military presence from 12,000 sanctions to end? reserves including gold, copper, lithium, Afghanistan is one of the poorest coun- to about 8,600 troops, closed several More than 1.25 million U.S. and U.S.- uranium, iron ore, cobalt, zinc, semipre- tries in the world. According to the Afghan bases and then further reduced to 2,500 commanded NATO troops have cycled cious stones and gemstones, natural gas government’s own calculations, 42% to troops before the Biden administration through Afghanistan in the past 20 years and oil. How to maintain control of this 55% of the population live below the pov- erty line, defined as less than $1 a day. The country has among the highest Alabama mine workers strike 3 illiteracy, and infant and maternal mor- tality rates in the world. Nearly 55% of children under the age of 12 years suffer from physical and mental incapacity—​ stunting due to poor diet. The U.S. war in Afghanistan was pub- licized as a war for the “rights and dig- nity of women.” Yet women have no rights that are enforced; violence against women, including domestic abuse, is not considered a crime. The majority of women are married before the age of 18. And the average age of widows, the very poorest of the population, is 35 years. PHOTO: PAYDAY REPORT Bulletin—In an April 6 statement, United Mine Workers International President Cecil Roberts announced striking Alabama miners U.S. occupation operates by con- have reached a ‘tentative agreement’ with the Warrior Met Coal company, and will vote on the contract within a week. Roberts said: sciously playing off and further inflam- ‘They have shown tremendous unity on the picket lines. Their story is being told across the world right now, and it is one of strength, ing the antagonisms between the many determination and solidarity.’ Above, Brookwood, Ala., coal miners, April 2. See article, page 3. Continued on page 9

What Bessemer union drive means 3 Philly: Protect Squirrel Hill 5 George Floyd’s killer on trial 4 Cesar Chavez Day 4 5 Georgia anti-vote law strikes out PHOTO: ANNE MEADOR Cesar Chavez Georgia, 2020.

Detention centers 6-7 exploit trans people Editorial Evaluating DAs, from inside out Wanna pay no taxes? 10 Behind ‘Murder, Inc. – Book 3’

U.S.–Europe war ‘games’ 9 Ecuador election 10 Haiti uprising 11 Page 2 April 8, 2021 workers.org

Solidarity with Alabama Amazon workers

Members of the ATL Amazon Workers Solidarity numerous violations of the workers' rights by its unre- Network in Atlanta, Ga., on March 30 publicly thanked lenting union-busting tactics. this week the BAmazon Union for leading the way to organize the — Story by Dianne Mathiowetz unorganized. They ◆ In the U.S. were gathered in front Solidarity with Alabama Amazon workers . . . .2 of the new office site Texas solidarity with Mumia Abu-Jamal . . . . 2 of the National Labor Relations Board one Renewal of working-class organizing ...... 3 day after the vot- Alabama mine workers go out on strike . . . . .3 ing period ended for Minneapolis demands justice for George Floyd . 4 Amazon workers in Cesar Chavez Day ...... 4 Bessemer, Ala., to cast their ballots to join Baseball’s All-Star Game removed from Atlanta . 5 the Retail, Wholesale Philadelphia: Protect Squirrel Hill ...... 5 and Department Store ‘There should not be for-profit detention centers’ 6 Union. District Attorney’s office past and present . . . .6 With attention now turned to the NLRB Talking with Mumia Abu-Jamal ...... 7 to count the votes, the Network's signs also ◆ Around the world demanded an investi- No stalling: U.S. out of Afghanistan! ...... 1 gation into Amazon’s PHOTO: ALEKSANDER KLINE The cynical abuse of ‘women’s rights’ . . . . . 8 U.S. Army unleashes ‘Defender-Europe 21’ . . . 9 Ecuador: Moreno uses pandemic ...... 10 Texas solidarity with Mumia Abu-Jamal Haiti: ‘Don’t change our constitution’ . . . . .11 Solidarity with the Haitian struggle ...... 11 Books, T-shirts, and literature on the death penalty and the health of political prisoner ◆ Editorial Mumia Abu-Jamal were promoted at the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement’s Wanna pay no taxes? Be a corporation! . . . . 10 booth during a festival held by the National Black United Front on March 21 in Houston. ◆ Noticias en Español Almost 100 copies of the newly published Trabajadorxs de Amazon ...... 12 Jamal Journal were given out to those enjoy- Georgia y el voto ...... 12 ing the sunny spring weather. The Abolition Movement announced an event for April 24 at the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center to celebrate Abu-Jamal's 67th birthday. Booth staffers encouraged people to protest the next sched- uled Texas execution, that of Ramiro Gonzales on April 20 in Huntsville. — Report by Gloria Rubac Workers World 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10011 Join us in the fight Phone: 212.627.2994 E-mail: [email protected] for socialism! Web: www.workers.org Vol. 63, No. 14 • April 8, 2021 Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist and trans people are gunned down by cops and bigots on Closing date: April 7, 2021 party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We are a mul- a regular basis. tinational, multigenerational and multigendered organiza- The ruthless ruling class today seeks to wipe out Editors: John Catalinotto, Martha Grevatt, Deirdre tion that not only aims to abolish capitalism, but to build a decades of gains and benefits won by hard-fought strug- Griswold, Monica Moorehead, Betsey Piette, Minnie socialist society because it’s the only way forward! gles by people’s movements. The super-rich and their Bruce Pratt Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of the political representatives have intensified their attacks on Web Editors: ABear, Harvey Markowitz, Janet Mayes world and the planet itself in the neverending quest for the multinational, multigender and multigenerational Prisoners Page Editors: Mirinda Crissman, Ted Kelly ever-greater profits. working class. It is time to point the blame at—​and chal- Capitalism means war and austerity, racism and repres- lenge—the​ capitalist system. Production & Design Editors: Gery Armsby, Mirinda sion, attacks on im/migrants, misogyny, LGBTQ2S+ WWP fights for socialism because the working class Crissman, Ted Kelly, Sasha Mazumder, Scott Williams oppression and mistreatment of people with disabili- produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, ties. It means joblessness, increasing homelessness and remain in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capi- S. Hedgecoke impoverishment and lack of hope for the future. No social talist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially Contributing Editors: LeiLani Dowell, G. Dunkel, problems can be solved under capitalism. owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guaran- K. Durkin, Sara Flounders, Teresa Gutierrez, Joshua The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one tee basic human needs. Hanks, Makasi Motema, Gloria Rubac has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the education or anything else—​unless they can pay for it. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Mundo Obero: Teresa Gutierrez, Carlos Vargas Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Copyright © 2021 Workers World. Verbatim copying seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium make it to college. Black, Brown and Indigenous youth branch near you. ☐ without royalty provided this notice is preserved. Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published If you are interested in joining Workers World Party contact: 212.627.2994 monthly by WW Publishers, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Phone: 212.627.2994. 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WW Commentary The real victory in Bessemer Renewal of working-class organizing By Scott Williams The all-powerful Amazon called Support Alabama Amazon Union has exposed its weak- (SupportAmazonWorkers.org), to build “The workers in Bessemer ness—the problem of all cap- mass solidarity with the Bessemer workers. never thought they’d spark a italists—that it depends upon WWP turned to the many sectors of WW PHOTO: G. DUNKEL national discussion. This is the exploitation of workers. the political movement, to the Black March 20 rally in Harlem, N.Y. their moment, but it’s not just This is particularly true in the Lives Matter activists, to those struggling about Amazon. This is about logistics and distribution sec- against gender oppression and against every employer and the right tors, which can be important the U.S. empire, and said, “Let’s orga- Not only is supporting of every worker to fair pay, WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE choke points for the working nize mass support for Alabama Amazon safe workplaces, a voice in Scott Williams, class to control the flow of workers.” these Amazon workers Philadelphia, March 20. their workplace and the right commodities. The party said it was critical that the a critical struggle for to organize unions without The courage of the RWDSU revolutionary left, which has a strong anal- illegal harassment and intimidation. It and its members has exposed this weak- ysis of oppression and exploitation, be at rebuilding working-class is about the inseparability of racial and ness and raised major questions about the the forefront of supporting Black workers economic justice. By taking the fight to future of working-class organizing. in the U.S. South organizing unions. organizations, we believe the world’s most powerful company in a We are at a crossroads in the history of WWP turned to our allies in the that the appeal of a way that previously seemed unthinkable, the working class. The Alabama Amazon Southern Workers Assembly, an alli- Amazon workers are proving that change struggle provides us the choice to go in ance of primarily Black unionists and united front of the left to is within the grasp of any worker, any- a new direction. Following this struggle community organizations across the organize the unorganized where. Employees in workplaces large can change everything we know about the South, and built the call for mass soli- and small can look at the progress being working-class movement and the left. darity actions. By Feb. 20, there were 53 and build solidarity, one made in Alabama and realize that they For all of us involved in this strug- actions held across the U.S. in solidarity which emphasizes the too can stand together with their fellow gle, we must answer the question: Is the with Bessemer workers. In March, there workers and demand justice. With their Bessemer union drive a one-off event, were even more solidarity actions across needs of our entire class historic campaign, Amazon workers have or will this struggle lead to a renewal of the U.S. and beyond. already won. It’s up to all of us to build working-class organizing? Can this lead to No doubt some serious union organiz- over the needs of one upon their victory.” a historic transformation of working-class ers might ask: “Why turn to the move- organization or tendency, —Stuart Appelbaum, President of the organizations, unions and the left? ment? We should be organizing Amazon Retail, Wholesale and Department Store The BAmazon Union has brought workers instead!” To them we would reply, is the most important Union (RWDSU) the question of workers fighting for we need to do both! We need a strategy project we could initiate. unions into mass consciousness like no which combines rank-and-file organizing It is unusual to begin an article about other struggle in decades. Thousands of with one of mass, working-class solidarity. an epic rank-and-file worker struggle by Amazon workers across the world have To our surprise, many local union lead- the unorganized and build solidarity, one quoting union leaders. Yet this is not a likely heard this news and begun talking ers enthusiastically supported this effort in which emphasizes the needs of our entire typical story. The majority Black workers with their co-workers about why they cities all across the U.S. and even in Canada class over the needs of one organization in Bessemer—in their fight against the need a union. The popularity of unions and Europe. The leadership of the World or tendency, is the most important project ultimate symbol of monopoly capitalism, with workers everywhere continues to Federation of Trade Unions supported the we could initiate. Amazon—represent the iconic battle of increase, as the public outcry against the call for March 20 international actions in working-class underdog vs. capitalist bully. billionaire ruling class grows. solidarity with Amazon workers. Uniting to organize Amazon The Retail, Wholesale and Department Why did this work so well? How did left To defeat the multitentacled monop- Store Union, a relatively small organiza- Mass solidarity critical for forces have such an impact? Not only is oly that is Amazon, the working-class tion with around 60,000 members, has inside organizing supporting these Amazon workers a crit- movement will need to undergo a mas- ignited a spark of union organizing that Workers World Party, along with our ical struggle for rebuilding working-class sive transformation. No longer can each has encouraged mass solidarity with their allies in the workers movement and others organizations, we believe that the appeal union organize purely within its own struggle. in other left parties, initiated a campaign of a united front of the left to organize Continued on page 4 After BAmazon Alabama mine workers go out on strike By Devin Cole out of bankruptcy. members who participate in picket line or UMWA International President Cecil other strike duty will receive strike assis- On April 1, the United Mine Workers of T. Roberts said: “Warrior Met has capi- tance payments from the union, which America announced that more than 1,100 talized on their hard work, earning tens is arranging for health care coverage for workers at the Brookwood, Ala., locations of millions in profits for their Wall Street members and their families for the dura- of Warrior Met Coal (WMC) had gone out owners. They have even rewarded upper tion of the strike. on strike and were walking the picket line. management with bonuses of up to WMC’s refusal to treat its workers The strike involves workers at two mines, $35,000 in recent weeks.” (umwa.org) fairly, while continuing to line the pock- one preparation plant and Central Shop. A “United We State” statement on the ets of the bosses, highlights the ongoing The Brookwood mines are located COVID‑19 pandemic began, and then UMW website adds: “The people who labor struggles not just in mining, but in 40 miles southwest of Birmingham and fell sharply after the beginning of 2021. manage the Wall Street hedge funds that other industries across the world. 30 miles southwest of Bessemer, where (tinyurl.com/38bewj36) own Warrior Met don’t know us, they Statements of support are begin- Alabama Amazon workers await the result The workers have taken action just as don’t know our families, they don’t know ning to pour in from other unions, of their recent vote on representation by demand is quickly rising from Warrior our communities. And they don’t care. All including the RWDSU, Association of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Met customers, which include steel pro- they care about is sucking as much money Flight Attendants-CWA, Airline Pilots Store Union. ducers in Europe and Asia, particularly as they can, every day that they can, from Association, Machinists Union, and the The BAmazon campaign focused inter- China—​demands the company will be central Alabama.” AFL-CIO, which tweeted: “The entire national attention on the majority Black pressed to meet during a strike. As a response to WMC exploitation, labor movement stands with Striking @ Alabama workers going up against the sec- The strike’s impact will be felt within the UMWA has filed unfair labor practice MineWorkers at Warrior Met #1u.” ond-largest employer in the U.S. The spark the state as well, since metallurgical charges with the National Labor Relations From mining to retail, from ware- of those workers appears to be igniting a coal, shipped out of the port of Mobile, Board, particularly concerning WMC’s house to grad students, one truth is this: new defiance in worker actions. accounts for 50% of revenue generated by conduct during bargaining and negotia- Workers make the world, so workers Now the UMWA strike in Alabama is the Alabama State Port Authority. tions that caused turmoil and hardship should run the world! ramping up even more pressure on global for the workers. All power to the mine workers in capitalism, with determined miners who are Miners save coal company UMWA’s Roberts commented: “Instead Alabama! Solidarity from Workers World rooted in a long tradition of union actions in A 2001 methane gas explosion at Walter of rewarding the sacrifices and work Party! the state. (See Workers World, “Lessons of Energy, a coal mining company headquar- of the miners, Warrior Met is seeking Go to tinyurl.com/4a6dbf6s for the full ‘The Hammer and the Hoe,’” Dec. 21, 2017.) tered in Birmingham, had killed 13 miners even further sacrifices from them, while statement of the United Mine Workers. S&P Global/Platts noted that as a result of inadequate safety measures. demonstrating perhaps some of the worst Warrior Met’s inventory of coking coal, In 2016, Walter Energy went bankrupt and labor-management relations we’ve seen in Devin Cole, a transgender Marxist used in steel production, is currently was acquired by Warrior Met. this industry since the days of the com- organizer and member of Workers World very low. Inventory dropped 7.2% in Under Warrior Met ownership, miners pany town and company store.” Party—Central Gulf Coast branch, was 2020 due to weaker demand after the have worked tirelessly to lift the company During the strike, UMWA dues-paying born and raised in Alabama. Page 4 April 8, 2021 workers.org Minneapolis protest demands justice for George Floyd By Jess Sundin Then the group marched from the courthouse to the Minneapolis temporary headquarters of the Minneapolis police 3rd Precinct. The old 3rd Precinct building was destroyed by This is a shortened version of an article originally protesters just a few nights after George Floyd was killed. published in Fight Back! News about ongoing pro- Organizer Jae Yates spoke: “I’m representing Twin tests against the May 23, 2020, police murder of Cities Coalition f0r Justice 4 Jamar today, but I’m also George Floyd, which sparked massive U.S. demon- representing myself as a Black trans American. I feel strations against racism. The full article can be read at like trans people—​specifically Black trans people—​we tinyurl.com/uzzkd74w. always show up. Every time a Black person is killed, trans people are there, because trans people know that if March 31—Hundreds of people protested Monday, they’re coming for us, and they’re coming for Black men, Hennepin County Government Center, Minneapolis, April 1. March 29, to demand justice for George Floyd and the they’re coming for all of us. …” conviction of Derek Chauvin. The demonstration took They concluded, “And when we fight together, they to the courthouse [where] Kaia Hirt chained herself to place after opening statements and the first witnesses cannot beat us. There are not enough cops to stop us. the fencing and vowed to stay until state and city polit- testified in court. Many were still reeling from an emo- There are not enough bosses to stop us. We outnumber ical leaders meet with families of those murdered by tional day in court, where videos of Floyd’s murder were every oppressive institution that is over us. When we police. As of Tuesday afternoon, March 30, Hirt was still replayed several times, and the proceedings were broad- fight, we win! All power to the people!” chained to the fence, surrounded by supporters. ☐ cast live. [After other demonstrators spoke,] the march returned In opening arguments, special prosecutor Jerry Blackwell told jurors that George Floyd said he could not breathe 27 times while Chauvin kneeled on his neck and back. He played one of the bystander videos taken the day Cesar Chavez Day that Floyd was killed, which some jurors had not seen before. He said that Chauvin’s decision was not a split-sec- By Gloria Rubac ond one, but instead deliberate, as Chauvin ignored pleas Houston by Floyd and the nearby crowd for nine minutes 29 sec- onds (popularly reported as eight minutes 46 seconds, Residents here honored labor based on a viral video of the murder). leader and United Farm Workers Blackwell said Chauvin’s actions were an exception, in founder Cesar Chavez March 27 a violation of Minneapolis Police Department use of force with a caravan through the East policies, and that several officers, including the chief of Side, led by over 25 motorcycles, police, would testify for the prosecution. dozens of Chicano lowrider cars To suggest that Chauvin’s brutality is not typical of and other cars with signs and MPD behavior overlooks that MPD kills unarmed civil- union flags on them. They met ians every year, as do police forces across the country. up with a large contingent of What is unusual is that Floyd’s torture and murder were marchers who had gathered on captured on video and broadcast live on social media, as Cesar Chavez Blvd., led by chil- it was happening. dren on bikes and walking with Three prosecution witnesses testified March 29. Jena UFW flags. Scurry is a 911 dispatcher who had watched Floyd’s murder The Southeast Tejas Brown unfold on police surveillance cameras in the area. Scurry Berets organized the event, testified that, despite never having done so in her several which ended with a rally at years working dispatch, she called to report the situa- Magnolia Park, which was once tion with George Floyd to the MPD sergeant supervising the only park that Mexicanos could use in Houston. Day is an annual U.S. federal commemorative holiday Chauvin and his accomplices. … The second witness was Historian Jesus Medel and poets Johnny Torres and to celebrate the birth and legacy of the civil rights and Alisha Oyler, a worker who was on duty at the Speedway Tonāntzin Rodríguez were among the speakers at the labor movement activist on his birthday, March 31. gas station across the street when Floyd was killed. When rally which was opened by a performance of Aztec Chavez died April 23, 1993. During his lifetime, Chavez asked why she took several videos of the murder, Oyler dancers. organized Chicano and Filipino farmworkers, opening said it was because police “are always messing with peo- Food was free for all, and the low riders, motorcy- the first struggle organizing agricultural workers in the ple, and it’s wrong.” … The third prosecution witness was clists and activists rallied together in honor of their U.S. in 1962 and using the weapon of the historic Grape Donald Williams, a mixed martial arts fighter who said he hero. DJ Simmerdown provided music. Cesar Chavez Boycott in his years-long efforts. ☐ witnessed Chauvin torturing Floyd with what he called a “blood choke.” Protest outside trial venue Renewal of working-class organizing Emcees Sam Martinez, DJ Hooker and Angel Smith El energized the crowd with chants and invited them to get Continued from page 3 industries on the issues impacting their class, agitate involved with ongoing organizing efforts, including the workers to take militant action and organize workers to fight for community control of police. They work with trade or sector of our class. We need major unions like dig deeper into our class to win union campaigns. Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar (TCC4J). the Teamsters and the American Postal Workers Union, The Southern Workers Assembly is an example of this Michelle Gross, of Communities United Against Police along with smaller progressive unions like the RWDSU type of project, connecting various local unions across Brutality, began by speaking about the razor wire and and United Electrical Workers (UE), to come together to the traditional borders of their national organizations barricades around the courthouse: “That’s because the launch joint workplace organizing campaigns. with community organizations to build an inside-and- city and state are more afraid of the community than they Initiatives like the Emergency Workers Organizing outside approach to organizing the South, with partic- are of violent police. What does that say about our city Committee, a project of the Democratic Socialists of ular focus naturally on Black and women workers. This and our state?” America and UE to support workers organizing, should effort should be studied seriously and serve as a model But Gross and others are not intimidated. “We are be expanded. Bringing the left, including thousands of for our future work. going to watch this trial very closely. In the meantime radical people who are not part of any organization, into Next steps we are going to be out here demanding the changes we union organizing programs will be critical. In fact, it is seek. … Rein in those brutal-ass cops, who are still brutal how the unions were organized in the first place. Young Workers assemblies can be a critical tool for the reor- to this day. We won’t quit until these cops are reined in.” revolutionary workers in particular should see union ganization of our class, unifying people from various Toshira Garraway, founder of Families Supporting organizing as a duty, a part of their work toward build- backgrounds, unions, community organizations and Families Against Police Violence, organizes not only for ing a new society. political ideologies through a process of collective strug- other families but also for her son’s father, Justin Teigen, gle. These bodies can build campaigns for the PRO Act, Workers assemblies—connecting who was brutally beaten to death and thrown in a trash an important bill needed to increase workers’ rights to organizing and solidarity dumpster by Saint Paul police. She says that because organize unions, the same rights that are continuously state officials have allowed so many police murders to go Yet we must not forget about mass solidarity with violated by companies like Amazon. ignored, they are responsible for George Floyd’s death. … workers’ struggles. Not everyone can or will organize They can serve as supporters for various local workers’ Kaia Hirt and Chaz Neal spoke about the Locks for their workplace. Mass solidarity, along with support- struggles, whether it’s more Amazon workers fighting for Loved Ones Lost project, an ongoing effort of community ing workers organizing on the job, can be coordinated a union, communities fighting to end police brutality, members to attach padlocks to the police-state fencing through the development of local, statewide and regional or migrant workers and other workers of color, includ- around the Government Center. The organizers say the workers assemblies. ing Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous communities, locks are to “remember the people they killed and the fam- Workers assemblies connect workers and commu- defending themselves from racist attacks. This type of ilies they shattered. They keep cutting them down, and nity members into a body designed to build solidarity, solidarity is what we need to chart a new path toward we keep putting them back. We’ll never stop.” As a song to amplify the struggle and to organize the unorganized. rebuilding the union movement and reorganizing the left played, hundreds more locks were placed on the fence. Workers Assemblies educate workers across different into an entirely new force in society. ☐ workers.org April 8, 2021 Page 5

Due to repressive voting law Baseball’s All-Star Game removed from Atlanta By Monica Moorehead fans to use the “tomahawk chop” gesture during games, an insult to Indigenous peoples. Major League Baseball announced April 2 Nate McMillan, the Black interim head coach of the that its annual All-Star Game, scheduled NBA Atlanta Hawks, responded to the MLB decision in for July 13, would be moved from Atlanta the Atlanta Journal Constitution: “I really think it’s great to an out-of-state site to protest a blatant that they’re bringing attention to what is happening in new attack on the right to vote in Georgia. Georgia … trying to find ways to keep people from having Related events would also be moved. their right to vote … passing laws that will limit basically A similar stance was taken in 2017 when their right to vote. The fact that you can’t pass out water the National Basketball Association moved at the polls—​what is that? ” (April 2) And the AJC edi- its annual All-Star Game out of Charlotte, torial board supported the MLB position. N.C., due to the passing of a state law that discriminated against lesbian, gay, bisexual Legacy of Dr. King and Hank Aaron and transgender people. The MLB decision was announced two days before the 53rd anniversary of the assassination of Civil Rights ‘This act is Jim Crow 2.0’ Movement leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King On March 26, Republican Governor Georgia, 2020. PHOTO: ANNE MEADOR would surely have supported this boycott if he had lived. Brian Kemp signed a reactionary law King was pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church severely restricting voting rights in Georgia. and is buried near the church. As Kemp signed the bill, he was surrounded by several during voting rights campaigns in the South, before the This year’s All-Star Game was to honor the legendary white male Republicans standing in front of a landscape Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965. Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who died in January. Aaron glorifying a plantation in the days of slavery. Georgia’s started his career in the Negro Leagues and joined the law has been met with mass opposition and protest in Impact of politics on sports Atlanta (originally Milwaukee) baseball team in the early the state and around the country—and​ rightfully so. The MLB stance on this bill is a significant politi- 1950s. It was in Atlanta that Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s The law has several components that negatively affect cal development, considering that less than 8% of the all-time home run record in 1974, almost 25 years ago. poor people, people in oppressed communities, people league’s players are Black players. With the COVID pan- Aaron was also a Civil Rights activist. with disabilities and workers with restrictive sched- demic fueling layoffs and closing businesses, the loss of Those who opposed the MLB decision have tried to ules. Absentee voters will be required to submit driv- the All-Star Game will mean millions more dollars in lost co-opt Aaron’s name, claiming he would want the All- er’s license numbers or other documentation as a new revenue for Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Star Game to remain in Atlanta. But Dusty Baker, the regulation for checking identity, replacing the signa- MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that he had Black general manager of the Houston Astros and a good ture matching processes. This will impact over 200,000 consulted with baseball teams, current and former play- friend of Aaron, believes otherwise, stating: “This is what Georgia voters who lack a driver’s license or state iden- ers, the MLB Players Association, the Players Alliance Hank would have liked, even though it’s in his town. He tification card, forcing them to submit additional proof and others about moving the game. always had the rights of the people in the forefront of his of their identities. A number of corporations based in Atlanta—​such as mind and in his heart.” (AJC, April 3) The bill will cut the time for early voting from four Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines—agreed​ with the decision Baker went on to say, “I think it’s great that the league’s weeks to one week. Drop boxes for ballots won’t be avail- not to have Atlanta host the game. Black Voters Matter, going to properly honor Hank Aaron, no matter where able to voters at various early voting locations during the a national community-organizing advocacy group for the game is played. I’ve even thought possibly it might last four days of an election, when it can be too late to Black voters, criticized these same corporations for not be Milwaukee, since that was Hank’s first and last stop, mail ballots for timely arrival. doing more to stop the bill before it became law. but nobody [from MLB] has said anything about it yet.” And people will be prohibited from distributing food The Atlanta “Braves” team opposed the decision stat- Milwaukee is now home to the Brewers baseball team. and water to voters standing in line for long hours, which ing, “This was neither our decision, nor our recommen- Whether the MLB decision will have a domino effect—​ happened in polling places mainly within Black and dation, and we are saddened that fans will not be able to with other sports teams or mass gatherings taking a Brown communities during the 2020 election. see this event in our city.” (Atlanta Journal Constitution, similar political stance of not investing in Georgia’s The bill was pushed through by state Republicans in April 2) The Atlanta baseball team has been criticized for economy—remains​ to be seen. ☐ revenge for Trump losing Georgia during the presiden- its decades-long racist mascot name and for encouraging tial election, thanks to mass pro-Biden absentee ballots from the Black community. Republicans in 43 other U.S. states are attempting to get similar laws passed. “This act is Jim Crow 2.0. It will disenfranchise thou- Philadelphia: Protect Squirrel Hill sands of Georgians and is completely unnecessary,” stated Christopher Bruce, Political Director for American By Joe Piette Civil Liberties Union-Georgia. (msn.com, March 26) Philadelphia Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, a Black woman, was arrested on March 26 by three large white Protect Squirrel Hill, a coalition of neigh- state troopers when she tried to confront Kemp in his bors in the Squirrel Hill area of West office as he was signing the reactionary law. Cannon’s Philadelphia, rallied April 3 against a pro- arrest for fighting voter suppression was reminiscent of posed luxury apartment building. About 75 the terrifying days when Black people were physically people took part in the event, held four days assaulted, arrested and killed by white police officers before a critical vote at a Zoning Board of Adjustments hearing. “I see myself and others in my build- ing being displaced if this gets built,” said Marxism, Reparations & Cindy Lou, a resident at 4725 Chester Ave., WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE a 40-unit apartment building constructed Janine Africa speaking against gentrification. the Black Freedom Struggle in 1925, which is across the street from the Edited by Monica Moorehead site of the proposed development. “Most An anthology of writings from people I’ve spoken with in my building pay Workers World newspaper. around $750 per month for a one-bedroom. The monstrosity they’re proposing across the Racism, National Oppression & street will charge twice that. Self-Determination • Black Labor “Once they start leasing for those prices, from Chattel Slavery to Wage other landlords will follow,” she explained. Slavery • Black Youth: Repression “Older, long-term residents like myself will & Resistance • The Struggle for get pushed out. I’ve been in this neighbor- Socialism Is Key • Domestic hood for 35 years. I’m organizing with my Workers United Demand neighbors because none of us can afford this.” In the group’s press release Yinka Read Passage of a Bill of Rights • Black Protesters dressed as squirrels gather after rally WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE shared: “I have repeatedly found myself ask- & Brown Unity • Harriet Tubman, against gentrification of Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Woman Warrior • Racism & Poverty in the Delta • Haiti ing, both aloud and internally, ‘Where are the Needs Reparations, Not Sanctions • Alabama’s Black Belt: poor Black and Brown people?!’ I am often Legacy of Slavery, Sharecropping & Segregation • Are one of two or three Black people in the community meet- the continued marginalization of poor people of color.” Conditions Ripe Again Today? Anniversary of the 1965 ings. This last year has been incredibly traumatizing for Protect Squirrel Hill supports the principles of com- Watts Rebellion communities of color and following the status quo no munity care, non-displacement and protecting the longer feels like an option. Race and class are inextri- vibrant, diverse neighborhood of Squirrel Hill from the Free PDF at workers.org/books cably linked in this country. Supporting the project as it atrocities of gentrification. They can be contacted at currently stands feels like complicity with white suprem- [email protected]. ☐ acy, with gentrification, with systemic racism and with Page 6 April 8, 2021 workers.org For trans people ‘There should not be for-profit detention centers’ By Jupiter Peraza whether our incarcerated transgender received that medication, which led to her siblings have rights to specialized med- death. And there was absolutely no record state of California passed Assembly Bill Jupiter Peraza made these slightly ical care or hormone treatment. Go to of this, and ICE still has not faced any 32, which bans private prisons from oper- edited remarks at an April 1 webinar, youtu.be/iBNkGU9NO4M to view the repercussions. So this answers your ques- ating in the state of California. “Trans Day of Visibility,” organized by entire webinar. tion as to how trans people are not being Even with the Biden administration, the LGBTQ+ caucus of Workers World taken care of in detention facilities. there should not be for-profit detention Party. Peraza is an undocumented trans Our trans siblings do not have ade- centers. And this also goes along the simi- woman activist, DACA (Deferred Action quate care in detention facilities. A case For-profit detention centers lar lines of we need to defund ICE. People for Childhood Arrivals) recipient, pro- that I want to talk about is connected to When you think of detention centers, are under this perception that ICE takes gram associate for the Transgender how the U.S. government had respon- you think of cisgender immigrants, and care of our national security, which is District in San Francisco and coordinator sibility in overthrowing the progressive that is something that comes up front. absolutely not true. ICE was created after of the District’s Housing Opportunities government in Honduras. And transgender people very often go 9/11, after this whole scare of who is a for Trans Tenants. Her work focuses on Roxsana Hernández was a 33-year-old ignored when it comes to these facilities. threat to national security. immigrant rights and voter mobilization. transgender woman from Honduras, who Roxsana was held at a facility that was Just to briefly touch on how trans people Peraza’s remarks responded to ques- was fleeing her home country and coming run by CoreCivic. are barred from receiving medical care and tions of treatment for transgender people to the United States to seek asylum after It’s a for-profit, private prison [cor- hormone treatment. Even though I am a inside prisons and detention centers and being displaced and after being raped by poration] that runs several detention DACA recipient, I still fear that I might get gangs in her country. centers along the border, very similar to deported one day, that I might get detained She fled her country to be able to seek GEO Group. I had the pleasure and the by ICE and sent to a detention center protection and safety in the United States honor to speak outside of 111 Taylor in San where I will not have access to health care in 2019. This was during the Trump Francisco, where the Compton Cafeteria and where I will be put in a facility with administration which limited and made it Riots happened in the summer of 1966. cisgender men, where I do not belong. hard for trans people to seek and receive GEO Group runs a private prison in And these are just the realities that asylum productions. A little over two weeks that same building. We were there to transgender people face, even transgender after she arrived in the U.S. seeking safety, denounce GEO Group being in that dis- people who are U.S. citizens. And as to the she died in ICE [Immigration and Customs trict, which is historically a trans and gen- realities and the fears that undocumented Enforcement] custody after she was trans- der-nonconforming neighborhood that transgender people face like myself, ferred from one facility to the next within a holds so much history that dates way back where we fear not only not having access timespan of as little as six hours. to the late 1800s and early 1900s. to medical care or hormones, were we to To ICE’s standards, individuals who are I was very glad to be there because be detained in detention centers, but also HIV positive must receive a 30-day supply getting GEO Group out is as much of an the fact that if we do get deported, having of medication before being transferred. immigrant issue as it is a trans issue as it access to hormones and medical care in a Jupiter Peraza And there is no evidence that Roxana is a Black issue. And this comes after the strange country is also incredibly scary. ☐ A voice from the inside: Philly DA's Office past and present By Cindy Miller proceedings? over the line.” Under Rizzo’s leadership JC: In August 2019, the Philadelphia police brutality was out of control, and it Jerome Coffey has been wrongly District Attorney’s Office finally released has carried through to today, as we see incarcerated for 28 years. He is an excep- discovery material to my attorney. This in my case. tional Pro-Se litigator, that is, represent- material had been lost or held back On Dec. 20, 1985, Officers Warren ing himself in legal actions. He filed and for years. There were four problematic Larkins and Peter Scallatino from the Jerome Coffey won a lawsuit against the Department issues: 1) jailhouse informants; 2) pros- 23rd District arrested me as a juvenile. of Corrections and a civil suit. In both ecutorial misconduct; 3) police miscon- They are also the ones who nine years dire (jury selection) transcripts are miss- these cases, he successfully defended duct; and 4) judicial misconduct. These later put my name in as a suspect in the ing from stenography records from early himself. His next Post-Conviction Relief are the standard troublesome issues of Johnny Moss slaying. June. Even though the records are “lost,” Act (PCRA) hearing is April 9. Miller many exoneration cases from the 1980s I can recall that only 4 of the 12 jurors at conducted the following interview with and 1990s. McMahon’s racist jury training tape my trial were Black. Prosecutor Colihan him in February. The Philadelphia Police Department CM: How did the infamous Jack routinely used preemptive strikes to elim- inserted my name into the death inves- McMahon training tape influence your inate Black jurors. Cindy Miller: On April 9, 2021, attor- tigation of Johnny Moss using jailhouse trial? After all, it was seven years old by In the case of Commonwealth v. Scarfo, ney Martha Conley is submitting your ini- informants. Years ago, I read an article in then. the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated: tial PCRA application to Judge Bronson. Rolling Stone magazine (March 12, 2015) JC: In 1997 District Attorney Lynne “We are especially concerned that pros- Why is this your first challenge in 27 about the injustices done to Anthony Abraham was running for reelec- ecutorial misconduct seems to arise in years? Wright by the PPD using former Police tion against former prosecutor Jack Philadelphia County more so than in any Jerome Coffey: Many of the records Commissioner Frank Rizzo’s methods. McMahon. She found and released a other County in this Commonwealth. and transcripts from my original 1994 Wright had assaulted a Philadelphia decade-old video training tape showing We merely state this in order to alert the trial were lost or altered. We have agreed police officer years prior to his arrest and McMahon teaching prosecutors how to District Attorney that a more thoughtful to go on without them. Keep in mind that conviction, and so was vindictively retal- violate defendants’ constitutional rights approach to the prosecutor’s role in our this was the administration of District iated on—​the PPD pinned an unsolved during jury selection—​namely, how to society may be in order.” Attorney Lynne Abraham, who was noto- murder on him. choose white jurors over Black ones. CM: What do you think about Krasner’s rious for wrongful convictions and disre- When I was 16 years old, I assaulted Much of this scandal was documented administration and his exonerations? spect toward Black defendants. a police officer and received probation. in a Philadelphia Magazine article in JC: The exonerations under District My case parallels those of Charles Nine years later this murder was pinned 1998 called “I, the Jury.” As far back as Attorney Larry Krasner’s administration Diggs, Edward Sistrunk, Robert Mims and on me by the same detectives who had 1935, the Scottsboro Brothers’ case had are a beautiful thing, but we still need Mumia Abu-Jamal among others, who all arrested me as a 16-year-old! The detec- ruled that “The systematic exclusion of all to look back at the legacy of his prede- had a disproportionate number of Black tives were under pressure from their African American citizens from jury rolls cessors: F. Emmet Fitzpatrick, Edward jurors struck from their juries. My trial bosses to “solve” this case by any means. violates the equal protection clause of the G. Rendell, Ronald D. Castille, Lynne prosecutor Hugh Colihan used the same Back in 1968, a lawsuit challenging 14th Amendment.” Abraham and Seth Williams. Castille was dirty tactics—​striking Black jurors from Frank Rizzo’s police brutality was filed Even though the McMahon tape was the main instigator behind the former the jury—that​ prosecutor Barbara Christie by Mary Rouse, Mattie Humphrey and seven years old, the practices in it contin- prosecutor Jack McMahon’s video train- did to Diggs and Sistrunk, and prosecutor others from the Council of Organizations ued in the Philadelphia “Justice” system, ing tape. Joseph McGill did to Mumia Abu-Jamal. on Philadelphia Police Accountability and and I was found guilty by a jury trial on In the Terrance Williams case, we saw Because of this, my case will also cite the Responsibility. They sued the department June 17, 1994. how Castille gained an unconscionable Batson Decision [that prosecutors cannot to expose Frank Rizzo’s police brutal- Many Black defendants’ cases are advantage by deceptive means. Castille disqualify a juror based on race]. ity and the practices being used. Rizzo’s given less attention to details or careful was the original judge in the case and CM: Could you explain the import- saying was: “Get the confession by any record keeping. Often trial records are then refused to recuse himself as a PA ant developments of your PCRA court and all means, and I’ll back you if you go lost or unaccounted for. My entire voir Continued on page 7 workers.org April 8, 2021 Page 7

Talking to co-author, with Mumia Abu-Jamal ‘Murder, Incorporated’ By Ted Kelly in this country. Like Thomas Paine, Mumia is a citizen face-to-face visits without paperwork, we were able to of the planet. generalize. But the key player here is Mumia, because Stephen Vittoria co-authored “Murder Incorporated— With everything stacked against our success writing manufactured guilt, concrete walls, barbed wire, loaded ​Perfecting Tyranny: Book Three (Empire, Genocide, and launching this book, most of all the practical issues guns and the corrupt heavy hand of the Commonwealth and Manifest Destiny),” with Mumia Abu-Jamal. He inherent when one author is incarcerated on death row can’t stop his spirit from rising, can’t stop his keen intel- also is the director of the 2012 documentary, “Mumia: and the other is roaming around free, it was our cama- lect from critiquing the mendacity of a murderous and Long Distance Revolutionary.” Workers World con- raderie and singular vision and voice that drove us to racist government. ducted this interview in November 2020 prior to the the finish line. I don’t have to worry about my cell getting tossed or book’s release. WW: “Murder Incorporated Vol. 1” begins with the my writing and research getting stolen or destroyed. I arrival of colonial forces in North America. What was don’t have to worry about the life or health of my family Workers World: When did you first hear about the it like going through U.S. history with Mumia and ana- on the outside, not being there when my mother passed frame-up of Mumia Abu-Jamal? lyzing how the U.S. became the global imperialist terror away or my daughter or many others, or assisting my Stephen Vittoria: In 1981, I was living and working that it is today? legal team in a harder than difficult legal struggle, so that in Los Angeles and was completely unaware of Mumia’s SV: Analyzing the myth and reality of U.S. history one day I might walk free after being incarcerated for case. In many ways I feel like I was there and actually is like dissecting a master’s magic trick. The sleight of forty goddamn years for a crime I did not commit. I don’t lived it, because of all the unofficial research I did in hand or lies are so deep and so entrenched—​and so have any of that. the mid-1990s, and then because of all the heavy duty embraced by the American public—​that we both felt For Mumia it’s hard as hell, and yet he does it with “official” research I did when making the documentary like we needed to go deep beneath the surface of spin grace, passion, poetry and always with great intelligence. “Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary.” Your mind and unearth the ugly reality of murder and mayhem, not Even after all these years, I stand in awe of my partner. plays games with you, like “I remember watching the TV to mention plunder and savagery that exist in service to WW: What are the most important lessons you’d like reports,” or “I remember reading stories in the paper.” predatory capitalism. your readers to take with them after reading “Murder In reality, I was a blank slate. Incorporated”? Unsurprisingly, the Philadelphia press and SV: Lesson number one: Don’t believe a goddamn media lived up to—​or should I say, stooped thing you read or hear about American history from down to—levels​ that would make [the Nazi film- guild historians, the mainstream press or your uncle maker] Leni Riefenstahl blush. When you read at Thanksgiving. It’s all a fairytale wrapped inside a the gibberish that was passed off as “reporting” Twinkie—​including Thanksgiving. It’s a colossal mar- or “journalism,” it’s glaringly inept, blatantly keting campaign that doesn’t adhere whatsoever to racist and overtly one-sided. Clearly, the press “truth in advertising.” were willing lapdogs for the state and oper- Lesson number two: The myth is that America’s prized ated as Xerox machines for Ed Rendell, Joseph possessions and greatest exports are democracy and the McGill and the rest of the pathetic and dan- dream of freedom. The reality, we contend, is that the gerous minions manufacturing Mumia’s guilt, American Dream is illusory and that America’s greatest including the hanging judge, Albert Sabo, who export is, in fact, murder—and​ along the way to the kill, must have prayed at the feet of [Chicago 8 judge] it thieves, suppresses and tyrannizes. Julius Hoffman. Lesson number three: America’s favorite pastime is When you read the coverage in historic context not baseball but murder—​and let’s start calling war now, you can only categorize the Philadelphia what it really is: murder. Not collateral damage or Mumia Abu-Jamal, left, with Stephen Vittoria press, and later the national press, as nothing defense or “we got to fight ’em there before we fight ’em more than stenographers and an echo chamber here.” War is murder, like the old adage: Kill one person, for the state. Like Bob Dylan wrote in the song Hurricane, The books operate as a truth serum or lie detec- call it murder. Kill a million, call it foreign policy. “Couldn’t help but make me feel ashamed to live in a tor machine unmasking genocide and land-theft, the Lesson number four: “Don’t follow leaders; watch the land where justice is a game.” And not just a game, but enslavement of Africans to build the country, the laugh- parkin’ meters.” an utter and complete fabrication of the so-called facts able embrace of Providence as the guiding hand of WW: Tell us a bit about the next volume, Vol. 3, and and events that transpired on Dec. 9, 1981. Manifest Destiny—​that shining city on a hill, and of what readers can expect from this next installment. Will WW: How did you get to know Mumia? course American Exceptionalism at any and all costs. it be the final section? Do you plan on collaborating SV: My first interaction with Mumia’s work was with It was imperative to both of us to break down the walls again? the release of his first book, “Live From Death Row.” I of lies and reveal the march of empire for what it really SV: This volume kicks off with a foreword by Angela remember there was a buzz around the book, because is: grotesque behavior supporting the 1%, to use a more Davis, and we’re honored to include her contribution. this treatise arrived from the bowels of America’s prison modern characterization. Ultimately, our goal was to And in book three, “Perfecting Tyranny,” we continue complex and was offering firsthand and personal insight offer a diagnosis of a corrupt national pathology. an epic recounting of the history—​and the present real- from a prisoner on death row. Ultimately, Mumia and I learned a great deal from ity—of​ America. Like the purported post-racial America, His journalism offered powerful dispatches from each other and our combined and individual research. a myth busted six ways from Sunday as evidenced by a inside America’s prison nation—​one existing within From the outset, “Murder Incorporated” wasn’t only an Dodge Challenger flying a Confederate flag and plowing the confines of a country that espoused liberty and free- exercise in historical writing and critique on our part, it into a crowd of peaceful protesters. dom for all but instead delivered oppressive chains, not was also a massive learning experience for us as well. It Or America’s fictitious “war on drugs,” which in its only to an exploding prison population but also to the was a classroom of two, and it was the best class I ever ruthless reality fueled the FBI and CIA’s true-life war massive poor and disenfranchised population through- attended. on the Black freedom movement, a war that produced out America. WW: What were some of the limitations you faced the Prison Industrial Complex. Or the Empire’s mass And all you had to do was read one page, and you collaborating with Mumia while he is in prison? surveillance security state, one in which the citizens are instinctively knew that Mumia and the book would SV: No doubt the prison walls offered practical obsta- now anesthetized to the entire illegal and depraved out- not disappoint. I was mesmerized by his ability to take cles along the way. Two authors collaborating on a major of-control operation. Or the central myth of America’s epic themes and historic moments and make them per- undertaking never having the chance to work in a room founding that the villagers are protected by a free press sonal, not only for himself and fellow prisoners but more together. Never having the opportunity to celebrate a actively questioning authority rather than manufactur- importantly for his reader. milestone or creative success together. But we knew the ing consent. And that’s an important point: Mumia rarely focuses limitations on us from the outset; we knew the ridiculous So book three, this final invective by your two authors, on himself and his case in his books and commentaries. and nonsensical rules put in place by the Department of begs the question: Where do we go from here? Hopefully He expands the vision and fights for all people oppressed Corrections. as a people and a nation, we don’t go from here to and in need—whether​ in prison, on the streets or even During truncated phone calls, letters and occasional eternity. ☐

A voice from the inside: Philly DA’s Office past and present

Continued from page 6 peoples’ lives through their misconduct? against the death penalty when he lets CM: Did Krasner bring transparency these death-by-incarceration (life with- Supreme Court judge during Williams’ to the district attorney’s office? out parole) cases stand? And what about PCRA hearing. JC: Two of Krasner’s reforms were Mumia? District attorneys are often chief prose- releasing discovery to defense attor- Eighteen exonerations are great, but cutors. The evidence my attorney Martha neys and not overcharging defendants. there are hundreds of us buried alive in Conley unraveled found at trial Colihan’s For years, the Philadelphia DA’s Office here. accusations to be overreaching and routinely overcharged and exploited untrue, especially during jury selection, African American defendants specifically. Miller is a prison abolitionist and when he struck Black jurors and bullied Krasner also decriminalized weed posses- organizer with Food Not Bombs witnesses. Who holds these prosecutors sion and some prostitution offenses. Solidarity and Mobilization4Mumia. accountable when they destroy innocent But how can Krasner publicly preach Page 8 April 8, 2021 workers.org U.S. and Afghanistan: The cynical abuse of ‘women’s rights’ By Leslie Feinberg Asia to the world market. landlords claimed ownership of more The Bush neo-cons, Pentagon brass than 45 percent of the country’s arable This article, originally published in and the military-industrial complex land. “When the PDPA took power,” the 2007 in Workers World’s “Lavender & worked overtime to frame this as a cam- Pentagon report noted, “it quickly moved Red” series, exposes an Islamophobic paign for women’s rights. to remove both landownership inequal- argument hidden under the cloak of Laura Bush delivered the presidential ities and usury.” One of the revolution- “human rights” and “women’s rights” radio address on Nov. 16, 2001—a​ month ary land reforms was the cancellation of as propaganda used by imperialists after the Pentagon assault on Afghanistan mortgage debt for agricultural laborers, Michael Meacher, a senior Labor Party to justify military aggression. Under began. Her speech focused on women’s tenants and small landowners. member of Parliament who had been a a deal signed with the Taliban by the rights in that country: “The fight against On the eve of the revolution, 96.3 per- member of British Prime Minister Tony Trump administration last year, the terrorism is also a fight for the rights and cent of the women of Afghanistan were Blair’s cabinet, observed in a Sept. 6, U.S. promised to pull all its troops out of dignity of women.” It was a total lie. illiterate; rural illiteracy for all the sexes 2003, article in the Guardian of London: Afghanistan by May 1. President Biden was 90.5 percent. The progressive gov- “Until July 2001 the U.S. government now implies the U.S. may not meet that Afghan Revolution advanced ernment created massive literacy pro- saw the Taliban regime as a source of deadline, and the false argument of women’s rights grams and printed textbooks in Dari, stability in Central Asia that would “women’s rights” is again being revived An article in Workers World on Oct. 10, Pashtu, Uzbek, Turkic and Baluchi. enable the construction of hydrocarbon to justify U.S. occupation. See Feinberg’s 1996, by Deirdre Griswold showed how The 1986 Pentagon report stated, “The pipelines from the oil and gas fields in entire historic series on the deep intercon- a progressive revolution in Afghanistan government trained many more teach- Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, nections between socialism and LGBTQ in 1978 had taken measures to liberate ers, built additional schools and kin- through Afghanistan and Pakistan, to the liberation at workers.org/lavender-red/. women and challenge centuries of land- dergartens, and instituted nurseries for Indian Ocean. lordism. In response, the orphans.” “But confronted with the Taliban’s The U.S. did not unleash war on U.S. pulled together an Afghan women The Washington Post refusal to accept U.S. conditions, the U.S. Afghanistan in 2001 to “liberate” women. army of pro-feudal ele- admitted that Afghan representatives told them ‘either you But pro-war spin doctors—​embedded ments to crush that rev- were the strongest women were the stron- accept our offer of a carpet of gold, or we with the corporate media—​went into olutionary government, supporters of the gest supporters of the bury you under a carpet of bombs.’” overdrive to create that impression after forcing it to call on the 1978 revolution. Washington then took advantage of 9/11. Public relations campaigns “sold” USSR for support. 1978 revolution. But But this revolution was the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, to launch as liberation a high-tech imperialist war The WW article quoted this revolution was crushed by a well-funded, an invasion of Afghanistan. against an impoverished country with no from a 1986 Department well-armed counterrev- U.S. occupiers appointed former air force. of Defense publication crushed by a well- olution in which U.S. Unocal advisors to be both the titular This was designed to obscure the fact titled “Afghanistan—​a imperialism made com- president of Afghanistan and the U.S. that imperialism had no right to violate Country Study.” Even funded, well-armed mon cause with feudal ambassador to the country. Afghanistan’s self-determination and this Pentagon book had counterrevolution patriarchs. Women were The continuing imperialist blitzkrieg sovereignty. to admit that the 1978 then bought and sold as has destroyed the land’s infrastructure—​ The New York Times offered a more revolution brought many in which U.S. property once again. including potable water, sewage and elec- candid geopolitical view as early as Jan. 18, gains to Afghan women imperialism made National Security tricity—​worsening hunger and disease. 1996, in an article entitled “The New Great and girls. Adviser Zbigniew Soviet-built public urban housing com- Game in Asia”—​referring to the 19th-cen- Women were orga- common cause with Brzezinski and former plexes and schools lie in ruins. tury struggle among capitalist powers to nized in the Democratic feudal patriarchs. CIA Director Robert These conditions create suffer- control the Eurasian landmass and the Women’s Organization M. Gates later publicly ing for all sexes, genders and sexu- warm-water ports of the Persian Gulf. of Afghanistan. The bragged that, begin- alities in Afghanistan, particularly The Times explained, “While few have national group was founded in 1965 by ning in early 1979, the CIA had funneled for women. [According to the World noticed, Central Asia has again emerged Dr. Anahita Ratebzada. Her companion money and arms to counterrevolutionary Health Organization,] in 2004, some as a murky battleground among big pow- Babrak Karmal, who founded the People’s groups, many of them members of mili- provinces reported 1,120 maternal ers engaged in an old and rough geopo- Democratic Party of Afghanistan the tias loyal to local landowners. deaths for every 100,000 live births. litical game. Western experts believe that same year, later became the country’s Democrats and Republicans had (tinyurl.com/yus8cdm9) the largely untapped oil and natural gas president. approved at least $8 billion for this coun- Pentagon Special Forces commandos riches of the Caspian Sea countries could One of the first actions of the rev- terrevolutionary effort that hired, armed can kick in the door of a home at any hour make that region the Persian Gulf of the olution was to end “bride-price” and and trained the Taliban, Osama bin of the day or night, body search Afghan next century. The object of the revived allow women to make marriage choices. Laden and other forces. women and their loved ones, and drag game is to befriend leaders of the for- Punishment of women who had sex out- CIA historian John Ranelagh recalls them all off in hoods to torture chambers. mer Soviet republics controlling the oil, side of marriage was prohibited. Women that then President Jimmy Carter OK’d That’s imperialist-style “liberation.” while neutralizing Russian suspicions could choose to wear or not to wear the “more secret operations than Reagan and devising secure alternative pipeline veil, travel in public, get an education and later did.” Carter later admitted in his Research by Minnie Bruce Pratt con- routes to world markets.” work at a job. Women of all classes—​not memoirs that his administration actu- tributed to the original article. After overturning the bloc of workers’ just the well-to-do—were​ trained as doc- ally considered the use of tactical nuclear states in the Soviet Union and Eastern tors, teachers and lawyers. weapons against the progressive develop- The late Leslie Feinberg was a man- Europe, U.S. finance capital schemed to Brigades of women and other young ments in Afghanistan. aging editor of Workers World news- secure ownership of trillions of dollars Afghans brought medical care to rural paper and the first theorist to advance worth of buried oil and gas treasure in peasants. U.S. set women’s rights back centuries a Marxist concept of trans liberation the Caspian Sea region, which had for The revolution impacted the life of By 1992 the Soviet Union was over- in the groundbreaking “Transgender decades been collectively owned by the one-third of the rural population—​land- turned and the progressive government Warriors: Making History.” (Beacon workers and peoples of the region. less peasants, sharecroppers and tenants in Afghanistan was defeated by imperial- Press, 1996) Feinberg also authored the Transnational energy giants like held in virtual bondage to landlords and ism. After four years of internecine strug- now-classic novel, “Stone Butch Blues” Unocal and Enron saw Afghanistan as the moneylenders. gle among different Afghan factions, the (1993), available as free digital down- best path to pipe oil and gas from Central Before the revolution, 5 percent of the Taliban came to power. load at www.lesliefeinberg.net.

Erie County Holding Center: Guilty!

By Juniper Carpenter profiting from the labor of prisoners while paying them a minuscule amount in wages and isolating Workers World Party members and people from them from their community. Specifically in locations the community gathered outside the Erie County like the Holding Center, individuals are held before Holding Center, N.Y., on March 31 in response to the going to trial. And any death in these holding centers March 13 death of Mikey Frears. Frears was the 36th or jails happens because the administration refuses person to die in the Holding Center since Sheriff Tim to care for the people inside and dehumanizes them Howard took office in 2005. to the point where they deny them basic care. Demonstrators demanded that Sheriff Tim Speakers at the event included Workers World Howard resign, that addiction be treated through members Ezra Echo and Arjae Red and community treatment and not through incarceration, and for members Monica Lynch and Chuck Culhane. Lynch abolition of the unjust prison system. spoke of her experience dealing with the death of her The U.S. prison system continues to prey on the brother, Connell Burrell, who died in the Holding working class. For decades, the system has been Center Aug. 2, 2019. ☐ Buffalo, N.Y., March 31. WW PHOTO: TOM ANSWEENEY workers.org April 8, 2021 Page 9 NO STALLING The only solution — U.S. out of Afghanistan

Continued from page 1 equipment and ammu- nition to Taliban forces. 10,000 small checkpoints, many of which different nationalities and lan- Their efforts to surround are in rural areas. “The mere sound of a guages of Afghanistan. and push into districts commercial drone caused fighters to flee Warlords and corrupt military in key cities including and abandon their position out of fear to commanders seize property and Kunduz, Kandahar in be targeted by dropped ammunition—​so land at will. the south and even the the sound of the drone itself could be used capital Kabul have been as a weapon.” (tinyurl.com/37xmvk6y) Promises to withdraw met with little resistance Of course, an over-the-counter $700 Every president for 20 years by Afghan police. drone dropping a grenade on an outpost has committed to withdrawing “The deteriorating is no match for the U.S. military’s large U.S. forces from Afghanistan situation in Kandahar remotely piloted Predator and Reaper and from the endless wars and is a broader reflection drones armed with powerful Hellfire mis- troop rotations of the so-called of security around the siles. U.S. drones each cost more than $4 “War on Terror.” country. … The popu- million, can fly up to 740 kilometers and Washington’s decision to lace have more faith in linger overhead for up to 14 hours. invade and occupy Afghanistan the Taliban than in the But the Pentagon’s controversial began Oct. 7, 2001, under government.” drone program has been blamed for kill- President George W. Bush. The The article ends with ing civilians—firing​ on wedding parties, decision had British support, a dire prediction: “These religious gatherings, farmers working in based on the claim that the Taliban was troops to over 100,000, with far more sentiments are common in more rural their fields, civilian buses and cars. The responsible for harboring terrorists. mercenary contractors. But this surge areas of Afghanistan. But the Afghan gov- rage following each attack on civilians Afghanistan was blamed for the Sept. 11, failed. ernment’s incompetence and widespread recruits more fighters than were killed in 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, The Trump administration had little corruption have brought that attitude to the attack. even though the act was carried out by choice but to agree to talks and schedule the doorstep of one of the country’s most In an effort to prevent a total U.S. teams from Saudi Arabia. a withdrawal. The U.S. was forced into populated cities. The government … has withdrawal, the Biden administration is The Taliban, still fighting a civil war the talks by the complete deterioration failed.” promoting “inclusive, international con- and lacking any kind of air force, were of the U.S. military position. A lengthy The admission is stunning. ferences,” and a larger U.N. Conference easily defeated within two months and Feb. 2 New York Times article confirms to decide Afghanistan’s fate, a political Improvised weaponized drones driven back into rural areas by over- how dire the situation is and what led to transition and a power-sharing agree- whelming U.S. bombing. The U.S. built negotiations. (tinyurl.com/4dxjvy9y) Part of the Taliban’s success rests on ment between the Afghan government a series of military bases around every It is worth reviewing a few points of their new use of low-cost, improvised and the Taliban. city, thousands of checkpoints and set up the NY Times evaluation which cites the bomblets made out of plastic bottles filled These are all desperate efforts to pre- an Afghan government. They appointed Taliban’s capture of military bases and with explosives and attached to over-the- serve U.S. presence. The only solution is Hamid Karzi, a U.S. citizen, as president. police outposts and their installing high- counter drones to further demoralize U.S. out! Most of the government cabinet appoint- way checkpoints near capital cities in Afghan government forces. The Black Alliance for Peace has devel- ments and ministers were Afghans with provinces such as Helmand and Uruzgan The Taliban’s use of small weaponized oped a packet of information including U.S. or British citizenship. in the south and Kunduz and Baghlan in drones and night vision scopes to target a petition, social media graphics, a fact President Barack Obama was reelected the north. commanders, groups of soldiers, vehi- sheet and a press release to help to focus in 2012 with promises to withdraw all By December 2020, almost 200 check- cles and ammunition depots is a threat, attention on the May 1 demand for U.S. U.S. troops from Afghanistan within points were abandoned by the Afghan because Afghan security forces are spread Out! (tinyurl.com/ttknewm2) ☐ 16 months. Instead, he vastly increased army providing additional military out across the country with more than U.S. Army unleashes ‘Defender-Europe 21’ By Manlio Dinucci exercises. The U.S. Air Force and Navy reason, Defender-Europe 21 “utilizes key Knox, Ky., has established its advanced will also participate. ground and maritime routes bridging headquarters in Poznan (Poland), from Published in Il Manifesto March 30. In March, the U.S. began to transfer Europe, Asia and Africa.” where it will command operations along Translation: John Catalinotto. thousands of soldiers and 1,200 armored The generous “Defender” does not NATO’s Eastern flank. The new Security vehicles and other heavy equipment from forget Africa. In June, again within the Forces assistance brigades—​U.S. Army Not everything in Europe is paralyzed the United States to Europe. They are framework of Defender-Europe 21, it special units that train and lead NATO by the anti-COVID lockdown: In fact, the landing in 13 airports and four European will “defend” Tunisia, Morocco and partner countries’ forces (such as Ukraine mammoth annual exercise of the U.S. seaports, including some in Italy. In April, Senegal with a vast military operation and Georgia) in military operations—​par- Army, Defender-Europe, which until over 1,000 heavy equipment pieces will from North Africa to West Africa, from ticipate in the exercise. June mobilized on European territory, be transferred from three pre-positioned the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. It will Even if it is not known how much and beyond this, tens of thousands of sol- U.S. Army depots in Italy (probably Camp be directed by the U.S. Army through Defender-Europe 21 will cost, we citizens diers with thousands of tanks and other Darby), Germany and the Netherlands—to​ the Southern Europe Task Force with its of the participating countries know we transport have been set in motion. The various training areas in Europe; they will headquarters in Vicenza (North Italy). will pay the cost with our public money, Defender-Europe 21 not only resumes be transported by trucks, trains and ships. The official statement explains: while our resources to face the pandemic the 2020 program, cut down in size due In May, four major exercises will take “African Lion exercise is designed to crisis are scarce. Italian military spending to COVID, but amplifies it. place in 12 countries including Italy. In counter malign activity in North Africa rose this year to the equivalent of $32.5 Why is this “Europe Defender” coming, one of the war games, more than 5,000 and Southern Europe and to defend the billion, that is, $89 million a day. and all the way from the other side of the soldiers from 11 countries will spread theater from adversary military aggres- However, Italy has the satisfaction of Atlantic? The 30 NATO foreign minis- across Europe for live fire exercises. sion.” It does not specify who the “bad participating in Defender-Europe 21, not ters (Luigi Di Maio for Italy), who phys- actors” are, but the reference to Russia only with its own armed forces but as a ically gathered in Brussels March 23-24 ‘COVID passport’ and China is evident. host country. It will therefore have the explained: “With its aggressive behav- While Italian and European citizens will The “Defender of Europe” is not simply honor of hosting the final exercise of the ior, Russia undermines and destabilizes still be prohibited from moving freely for passing through here. The U.S. Army V U.S. Command in June, with the partic- its neighbors and tries to interfere in the “security” reasons, this prohibition does Corps participates in Defender-Europe 21. ipation of the U.S. Army V Corps from Balkan region.” The ministers constructed not apply to the thousands of soldiers who The V Corps, after being reactivated at Fort Fort Knox. ☐ a scenario using the technique of standing will move from one European country to reality on its head: for example, by accusing another freely. They will have the “COVID Russia of trying to interfere in the Balkan passport,” provided not by the EU but by region, where NATO “interfered” in 1999 the U.S. Army, which guarantees that they WAR WITHOUT VICTORY by Sara Flounders by unleashing, with 1,100 aircraft, 23,000 are subjected to “strict COVID prevention bombs and missiles on Yugoslavia. and mitigation measures.” “By revealing the underbelly of the empire, Flounders sheds Faced with the allies’ cry for help, the The United States is coming not only insight on how to stand up to the imperialist war machine U.S. Army is coming to “defend Europe.” to “defend Europe.” The large exercise—​ and, in so doing, save ourselves and humanity.” Defender-Europe 21, under the com- explained the U.S. Army in Europe and – Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, mand of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa in its statement—​“demonstrates President, U.N. General Assembly, 2008-2009; Africa, is mobilizing 28,000 troops from our ability to serve as a strategic secu- Foreign Minister, Nicaragua’s Sandinista government. the United States and 25 NATO allies rity partner in the western Balkans and and partners. In over 30 training areas the Black Sea regions while sustaining Available at www.workers.org/books and major online in 12 countries, these troops will conduct our abilities in northern Europe, the booksellers. operations including live fire and missile Caucasus, Ukraine and Africa.” For this Page 10 April 8, 2021 workers.org

editorial Wanna pay no taxes? Be a corporation! Most workers have little choice when it tax bill passed in 2017 by a Republican injury, Amazon avoided paying $2.3 bil- corporations paying no taxes? That would comes to paying income taxes. The money Congress and signed into law by President lion in federal taxes in 2020, according to be seen as a real challenge to the class of is deducted from our paychecks before we Donald J. Trump reduced the corporate the Institute on Taxation and Economic multimillionaires and billionaires who even get a chance to listen to the rustle of tax rate to 21% from 35%. But dozens of Policy. (Feb. 3) run this country. But the editors of the the bills and the clink of the coins. Fortune 500 companies were able to fur- It’s a bit suspicious that this shock- Times don’t want to do that. Not so with big corporations. They can ther shrink their tax bill—sometimes​ to ing information turned up in the finan- So the next time your heart sinks when afford tax “advisors” who specialize in find- zero—because​ of a range of legal deduc- cial pages of the Times, not the general you see how much is taken out of your ing loopholes to reduce what they pay. tions and exemptions.” news section. Most people would get pay, think of how the workers at FedEx, Reduce by how much, you ask? How And the Times states, “Twenty-six of pretty damn mad at these corporations Duke Energy and Nike would feel if they about to—​zero? the companies listed, including FedEx, if they saw the article. But, if the readers found out that their bosses were paying That’s what a new study finds—​that Duke Energy and Nike, were able to instead are the financial officers of big no taxes on their own hefty profits, while “at least 55 of America’s largest [corpora- avoid paying any federal income tax for corporations, they’d see it as a juicy profit faithfully deducting income taxes from tions] paid no taxes last year on billions the last three years even though they opportunity. their employees’ paychecks every week. of dollars in profits.” (New York Times reported a combined income of $77 bil- What if the article had instead been What’s that Tracy Chapman song—​ Business Section, April 3) lion. Many also received millions of on the front page of the newspaper, “Talkin’ ’bout a revolution”? ☐ The article explains: “The sweeping dollars in tax rebates.” To add insult to with a blaring headline about the richest

As April 11 Ecuador election nears Moreno uses pandemic to deepen political crisis By Alejandra Garcia When Arauz’s triumph seemed imminent according to national polls before Feb. 7, Moreno bragged about Published in English on the site of resumen-english. postponing the date of that first round of elections. “He org April 4. could repeat the threat now amid the state of exception. I hope the CNE will act rationally and respect democracy. Ecuador will go to the polls April 11 amid new restric- The Ecuadorian people will not tolerate a prolongation tive measures imposed by outgoing President Lenín of Lenín Moreno’s presidential term,” Arauz said. Moreno to contain the pandemic. Although the country In the last weeks, the leftist candidate has taken has been mired in a health crisis for months due to the his electoral campaign to the most remote places of government’s mishandling of COVID-19, the ultraright- Ecuadorian geography: the coast, the highlands and the wing leader has decreed a 30-day state of emergency Amazon. “I have seen with my very own eyes the des- in the country’s eight main provinces one week before peration, anguish and pain of the Ecuadorians. There is elections. a generalized feeling of abandonment and indignation “Ecuador’s democracy is once again in danger,” warned Progressive candidate Andrés Arauz leads Ecuador's first at the government’s negligence in dealing with the pan- leftist Union for Hope Alliance (UNES) candidate Andrés round of presidential elections. demic and the economic crisis.” Arauz, who is favored to win the second round of presiden- Ecuador kicked off its vaccination campaign Jan. 21. tial elections, according to national polls. The candidate supported by former progressive pres- On that day Moreno promised to place at least 4.5 mil- In a dialogue with the newspaper Página 12, Arauz ident Rafael Correa (2007-2017) fears that the state of lion doses before the end of his administration May 24. assured that “Moreno’s decision generates a clear conflict. emergency will significantly reduce voter turnout at poll- However, only about 140,000 doses have been admin- The state of exception prohibits the realization of mass ing stations or prevent citizen mobilization in defense of istered nationwide so far. Meanwhile, the country has events and implies the deployment of the National Police their democratic rights given an electoral fraud: registered over 300,000 COVID-19 cases. and the Armed Forces in the streets to ‘guarantee citizens’ “My concern is well-founded: The electoral process Moreno could not contain the health crisis even in calmness.’ How is it possible for us to hold elections with- has been full of threats and lawfare against our candi- the first months of the pandemic. In August, images of out the measures affecting the electoral process?” dacy. The Moreno administration has hindered the pro- dead bodies in the streets of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s sec- The state of emergency also restricts freedom of tran- cess since our candidacy registration, as it decreed the ond-largest city, portrayed how his administration was sit and mobility in the eight main provinces, including nonexistence of our party, and we were forced to ally being overwhelmed by COVID-19. Health authorities the capital Quito. This measure applies to the entire with another political movement.” were only reporting about 80,000 cases population, except for health workers, waste collectors, Arauz recalled that, at the beginning of the race in “Knowing firsthand the people’s anguish has made food providers and members of the emergency services June 2020, the National Electoral Council (CNE) also me even more committed to giving everything to restore sector. prevented Correa from formalizing his pre-candidacy for Ecuadorian families’ dignity,” Arauz said and added that Arauz, who could receive up to 37% of voting inten- the vice-presidency. The political persecution against the if he wins the presidency, his government will attend to tions ahead of his rival, banker Guillermo Lasso, alerted former president, who is accused of alleged corruption the crisis, boost the vaccination process, restore the pub- the world about this new attempt by Moreno to hinder crimes, “also forced us to change our electoral proposal. lic health system and reactivate the local economy. Ecuador’s democratic path. “We believe the electoral One year later, Moreno’s hostilities against the Arauz- “We will rebuild national unity by putting Ecuador, process and the result can be manipulated.” Carlos Rabascall ticket continues to intensify,” he said. truth, justice and reparation first,” he concluded. ☐

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Haiti Masses in the streets ‘Don’t change our constitution’ By G. Dunkel one year ago, but is instead promoting a and pieces of the vast wealth referendum on a new constitution that that has been and is being March 29 marked 34 years since the would allow him to run for another con- extracted. They live in splen- Haitian Constitution of 1987—​marking secutive term and permit a foreign citizen diferous luxury. the end of the Duvalierist dictatorship—​ to be president of Haiti. The first day of demonstra- was adopted. Two massive demonstra- Under Moïse’s leadership, the country tions was under the inspiration tions on March 28 and 29—​not just in has seen a massive increase in violence, of the Protestant churches and Port-au-Prince, but in Saint-Marc, Cap- with rapes and kidnappings becoming “civil society”—​nurses, teach- Haïtien and Port-de-Paix—​were held to more frequent. The economy has col- ers, people with steady jobs—​ defend this constitution. lapsed. Hunger is a serious and growing and drew an immense crowd to say “No” Live Russia,” “The U.N. + PHTK + OAS = These were the first major demonstra- problem for the working class, a major- to Jovenel Moïse. Two progressive polit- misery” and “Long live a socialist Haiti!” tions in Haiti since March 12, when a ity of whom—​as much as 80%—​live on ical parties, Fanmi Lavalas, founded by PHTK is the Party of Tet Kale, which cur- group of people ambushed a cop patrol, less than $2 per day. That is not enough former President Jean Bertrand Aristide rently runs the government. killing four cops and injuring eight. to feed one person, let alone a family. and currently led by Maryse Narcisse, and People in both marches made a point of Jovenel Moïse was elected president While the masses in Haiti are desper- Petit Desalin, also known as Ti Desalin tearing down the government’s signs pro- six years ago with less than 10% of the ately poor, a handful of big bourgeoisie, (Dessalines’ Kids), were prominent in moting the referendum on the proposed vote but the firm support of the United the lackeys of the big imperialists who this march. new constitution. States. By law he should have left office control Haiti, manage to siphon off bits Moïse Jean-Charles, the political leader The only explanation for Moïse remain- of Ti Desalin, gave the wrap-up speech at ing in power is the firm, unwavering sup- the Champ-de-Mars in Port-au-Prince. port of the United States. He said: “We are in the streets because The Biden administration has rejected there is a dictator in the National Palace Trump’s crude approach toward Haiti who is planning to change our constitu- and other poor countries. But its determi- tion for the benefit of the system, for the nation to keep Black Haitian people out of benefit of the bourgeoisie and the embas- the U.S. is just as strong. On March 25, the sies of imperialist countries. We are not U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince tweeted going to give up; we will continue the “Mwen ka di sa byen klè: pa vini” over a mobilization until Jovenel Moïse leaves picture of Biden; in essence, the embassy power.” (tinyurl.com/yzpvvfkw) quoted President Biden: “I can say very clearly: don’t come.” Using Creole makes ‘Down with the United States’ the position of the United States abun- The second day of protests had much dantly clear—​stay away. the same spirit as the first, but the While Washington disdainfully wants signs and banners were more political. Haitians to stay out of the U.S., it has Slogans included “Jovenel Moïse terror- no intention of releasing its claws from ist,” “Down with the United States, Long Haiti. ☐ Solidarity with the Haitian struggle By G. Dunkel misinformation and manipulating ambassadors of France, Germany, Spain, Solidarité Québec-Haïti celebrated the Haitian elections in order to keep right- Brazil, Canada, the U.S., the European International Day for the Elimination The month of March saw a number wing regimes in office in Haiti.” Union and special representatives of the of Racial Discrimination March 20 by of demonstrations throughout North The Chicago rally was held in front of the OAS and the U.N. organizing a demonstration at an office America in solidarity with the struggles Haitian Consulate. In a statement of sup- Some speakers at the New York rally of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to of the working people of Haiti for justice, port, BAP emphasized that it was acting in called for a revolution; others condemned denounce Canada’s support for the dic- democracy and an end to U.S. interfer- solidarity with the Haitian masses. Haiti the attacks on women and the U.S. abuse tatorship of Jovenel Moïse. (tinyurl.com/ ence in its internal affairs. is “the first Black republic that has fought of refugees. kcnwwxza) ☐ Members of the Haitian diaspora along for decades against the white-supremacist In Puerto Rico, Comuna with their international allies held rallies dominance of the United States.” Caribe and other progressive in cities including New York; Boston; In New York City, Komokoda Puerto Rican groups demon- Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Miami; San (Committee to Mobilize Against strated in front of the U.S. Juan, Puerto Rico; Montreal and Ottawa, Dictatorship in Haiti) joined with BAP Federal Building in San Juan Canada in solidarity with the ongoing to hold a militant and lively demonstra- in solidarity with the Haitian uprising in Haiti. tion at the U.N., directly across the street people and to demand that “the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) held from the U.S. Mission. Speakers—​in U.N. and OAS get their hands off protests across the U.S. March 28 and 29 both Creole and English—​denounced Haiti.” (Twitter @AgencyINS) in coordination with huge protests that Jovenel Moïse as a U.S.-imposed presi- A few days earlier, a coa- took place in Port-au-Prince and through- dent who is maneuvering to become a dic- lition of progressive groups out Haiti on those days. (See Twitter tator. One speaker condemned the U.S., in San Francisco joined the video linked to @Blacks4Peace.) the U.N., the Organization of American Haiti Action Committee to The Washington, D.C., rally was at the States, the European Union and the Core hold a Day of Solidarity With State Department, which was called out Group for interfering in Haiti's internal Haiti March 18. (tinyurl.com/ by BAP as “instrumental in spreading affairs. The Core Group is composed of the vnm9vd6c) At the U.N. in New York City, March 29. WW PHOTO: G. DUNKEL Lxs trabajadorxs de Bessemer luchan por justicia

Continúa de la página 12 más visible de miles de personas negras, Montgomery, en marzo de 1965, para Hoy, la voz del Dr. King sería una de que participaron colectivamente en el exigir el derecho al voto para los negros. las más fuertes para mostrar su solidari- criminal e imperialista de Estados Unidos Boicot de los Autobuses de Montgomery Tras las crueles palizas y asesinatos de dad con el derecho de los trabajadores de en Vietnam. para acabar con la segregación racista en mártires como Jimmy Lee Jackson, Viola Bessemer Amazon a organizarse. Elevaría En su poderoso discurso “Más allá de los autobuses, donde los pasajeros negros Liuzzo y el reverendo James Reeb, el pres- el papel de liderazgo de los trabajadores Vietnam”, pronunciado el 3 de abril de eran relegados a la parte trasera del auto- idente racista Lyndon Baines Johnson se negros contra el racismo al que se enfren- 1967 en la iglesia Riverside de Nueva bús a instancias de los pasajeros blan- vio obligado a firmar la Ley de Derecho al tan por parte de los gerentes y propietar- York, el Dr. King afirmó: “Las bombas de cos. Cuando los negros demostraron su Voto tres meses después de la marcha y ios blancos de Amazon, y hablaría en Vietnam explotan en casa” en relación con poder caminando al trabajo todos los días otras protestas masivas. favor del derecho de sindicación de todos la creciente pobreza en Estados Unidos. durante un año y organizando sus propios Este derecho democrático burgués al los trabajadores, que siempre ha sido un Si el Dr. King estuviera vivo hoy y física- viajes compartidos, no sólo derrotaron voto está ahora siendo desafiado una vez reto en el sur de Estados Unidos. mente capaz, estaría en las calles con Black este edicto de segregación local, sino que más por las fuerzas republicanas, prin- Los trabajadores de Bessemer Amazon Lives Matter luchando contra la brutalidad encendieron el moderno Movimiento por cipalmente de derecha, que buscan más habrían tenido un importante amigo y ali- policial y la supremacía blanca. los Derechos Civiles. y más la supresión de los votantes entre ado en el Dr. King, basado en su heroico A partir de 1955, el Dr. King comenzó El siguiente gran paso se dio 10 años los negros y otras personas de color en legado de lucha por los trabajadores más su activismo político siendo el portavoz después con la marcha de Selma a Georgia y en otros lugares. oprimidos. ☐ Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 63 Núm. 14 8 de abril 2021 $1 Huelga de los trabajadores de la sanidad, Memphis, Tennessee, 1968. En el espíritu del Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr Lxs trabajadorxs de Bessemer luchan por justicia Por Monica Moorehead de exigir mejores condiciones laborales COVID en ninguna planta de Amazon, frustró ese esfuerzo, junto con factores y salariales, ha sido la pandemia de salvo la avaricia capitalista de la empresa políticos. El 29 de marzo concluyeron unas COVID‑19. Se ha informado de que más y el desprecio insensible por el bienestar Ante una reunión masiva de 25.000 históricas elecciones sindicales después de 20.000 trabajadores de Amazon han de los trabajadores. líderes de los derechos civiles y líde- de que 5.800 trabajadores de los alma- contraído el virus debido a las inseguras res sindicales en Memphis aquel 18 de cenes de Amazon, más del 80% de ellos condiciones de trabajo en los almacenes El Dr. King y la huelga de 1968 marzo, King les dijo: “Ustedes están afroamericanos, votaran para ser repre- y centros de distribución de la empresa. El 4 de abril se cumplirá el 53º aniver- demostrando que podemos permanecer sentados por el Sindicato de Minoristas, Cuando una corporación como sario del asesinato del reverendo Dr. juntos. Estáis demostrando que todos Almacenes y de tiendas por departa- Amazon obtiene unas ganancias de más Martin Luther King Jr. en 1968. Pocos estamos atados en una sola prenda de mentos en Bessemer, Alabama, cerca de de $386.000 millones de dólares en días antes de ser asesinado en el balcón destino, y que si una persona negra sufre, Birmingham. Podrían pasar semanas o 2020 -un aumento del 38% respecto de su habitación del Motel Lorraine de si una persona negra está abajo, todos incluso meses antes de que el resultado al año anterior- y su director general y Memphis (Tennessee), King había apoy- estamos abajo”. (tinyurl.com/66wjj45w) de la votación sea oficial. fundador Jeff Bezos vale $186.000 mil- ado la huelga de 1.300 trabajadores de raza La noche anterior a su asesinato, el 3 de Pero tanto si los trabajadores de lones de dólares, no hay excusa para negra del Departamento de Obras Públicas abril, King pronunció su famoso discurso Bessemer ganan como si pierden las que ningún trabajador esté expuesto al de Memphis, que exigían condiciones de “He estado en la cima de la montaña”. elecciones, su intento de sindicarse en trabajo seguras y mejores salarios. Estos El 16 de abril, después de su muerte, la una de las mayores empresas privadas trabajadores ganaban un salario de esclavo huelga terminó con un acuerdo provi- del mundo provocará inevitablemente un de $0,65 centavos la hora. sional entre la AFSCME y la ciudad. efecto dominó en la organización de los Lo que precipitó la huelga del 12 de King esperaba que el éxito de la huelga trabajadores, no sólo para que un millón febrero de 1968 fue que dos trabajadores de Memphis sirviera de trampolín para de trabajadores de Amazon se organicen de saneamiento, Robert Walker y Echol su campaña nacional de la Marcha de los en Estados Unidos, sino también para Cole, murieron aplastados el 1 de febrero Pobres, con el fin de vincular la lucha por que lo hagan los trabajadores de otros por un camión que funcionaba mal. La los derechos civiles con la lucha contra la sectores, ya sea a tiempo completo o par- ciudad se negó a indemnizar a las famil- pobreza y por la justicia económica. Pero cial. (tinyurl.com/z436k92j) ias por sus muertes evitables. su asesinato hizo que este esfuerzo se Lo que está ocurriendo en Bessemer La huelga podría haberse evitado si el detuviera abruptamente. tiene enormes implicaciones internacio- alcalde racista de Memphis, Henry Loeb, nales. El 22 de marzo, los trabajadores de hubiera apoyado la resolución aprobada De Memphis a Bessemer: Amazon en toda Italia, organizados por por el consejo municipal local que recon- la misma lucha, el mismo combate tres sindicatos, convocaron una huelga de ocía el derecho de los trabajadores a ser A pesar de sus opiniones burguesas, un día que galvanizó a 30-40.000 traba- organizados por la AFSCME. En cambio, pacifistas y no violentas, el Dr. King jadores y afectó a toda la cadena logística Loeb anuló la votación, lo que condujo a estaba dispuesto a entregar su vida a de Amazon en el país. Y los trabajadores la huelga. La policía de Memphis atacó todos los aspectos de la justicia social, de Alemania han convocado una huelga brutalmente a los huelguistas ese 23 de desde los derechos civiles hasta los dere- de cuatro días antes del 4 de abril en seis MO FOTO: TONI ARENSTEIN febrero. chos de los trabajadores. Comprendió Manifestación en Staten Island, Nueva centros de Amazon para obligar al con- El Dr. King esperaba anunciar un paro que no se puede tener una libertad York, a favor de los trabajadores de glomerado a reconocer los convenios Bessemer, organizada por el Congreso de laboral en toda la ciudad en marzo para sin la otra. El Dr. King estaba ampli- colectivos. Trabajadores Esenciales y el trabajador incluir a los trabajadores y estudiantes ando su perspectiva política más allá de Un importante impulso para los tra- despedido de Amazon Chris Smalls, el 30 en solidaridad con los trabajadores de Estados Unidos cuando criticó la guerra bajadores de Bessemer Amazon, además de marzo. la sanidad, pero una tormenta de nieve Continúa en la página 11 Destrozar la ley contra el voto en Georgia El gobierno estatal, dominado por el y exponer su podredumbre. La nueva ley incluye los siguientes negros indigentes que querían registrarse Partido Republicano, ha impulsado un La representante Cannon trató de puntos: para votar antes de la ley federal de 1965, proyecto de ley que convierte a Georgia enfrentarse al gobernador de Georgia, como el ilegal impuesto electoral o la tasa • Se crean nuevos requisitos de en el primer estado en Brian Kemp, mientras de voto. identificación del votante para el aprobar una amplia firmaba la ley, en su Esas leyes provocaron resistencia. Y la voto por correo; ley contra el voto. Esta despacho privado. Su ley de Georgia pide a gritos una resisten- • Los funcionarios estatales pueden ley hace retroceder la objetivo era presen- cia masiva. supervisar las juntas electorales protección del voto de ciar este acto históri- Tras su salida de la cárcel del condado editorial locales; los afroamericanos a camente reaccionario. de Fulton, la diputada Cannon escribió en • Habrá un número limitado las normas racistas anteriores a la Ley de La diputada Cannon llamó a la pesada las redes sociales “No vamos a vivir con de buzones para depositar las Derecho al Voto de 1965. puerta de madera del despacho de Kemp. miedo, y no vamos a ser controlados. … papeletas; La pérdida del voto presidencial nacio- La policía del estado de Georgia en el Tenemos derecho a nuestro futuro y dere- • Dar comida y agua a los votantes que nal y de dos escaños en el Senado aterro- Capitolio, visiblemente blanca, la detuvo, cho a nuestra libertad”. esperan en la cola será un delito. rizó a los republicanos de Georgia para la esposó y la arrestó. La acusaron de dos Aplaudimos la valentía de la diputada que suprimieran a los votantes negros. delitos inventados, ya que no existe nin- Los puntos primero y tercero inhi- demócrata Cannon. Sin embargo, descon- Otros estados tienen leyes similares en guna ley que niegue a los representantes ben el voto. Obstaculizan especialmente fiamos del liderazgo nacional del Partido proyecto. electos el derecho a llamar a la puerta del a los votantes de las ciudades de mayo- Demócrata en esta lucha. A pesar de la La resistencia ha comenzado. Ya se gobernador. El vídeo de la detención se ría afroamericana y de las zonas rurales retórica del presidente atacando esta ley, habla de trasladar el Partido de las hizo viral. pobres. El segundo punto aleja el desarro- y a pesar del interés propio de su partido Estrellas del béisbol fuera de Atlanta este Dicho vídeo perturbó la “óptica” del llo y la supervisión de los procedimientos en ampliar la participación electoral, anti- verano. Un movimiento de masas como gobernador Kemp, que ya tenía pro- de votación de las ciudades y pueblos de cipamos que este otro partido imperia- el que ganó la ley de 1965 todavía puede blemas. Las fotografías muestran a seis mayoría afroamericana. lista evite una confrontación seria con los revertir esta ofensiva racista y ampliar el hombres blancos con traje que flanquean El cuarto, relativo a los alimentos y el republicanos en esta cuestión. voto y otros derechos civiles. al gobernador mientras firma la ley Jim agua, ya ha indignado a grandes mayorías, Al igual que el movimiento Black Lives Aunque sus promotores niegan el con- Crow. Un gran cuadro colgado en la pared según las encuestas. En su evidente cruel- Matter del verano pasado, una nueva tenido racista de la ley de Georgia, es fácil detrás de ellos muestra una plantación dad inhumana, imita las leyes que impi- lucha por el derecho al voto debe ser demostrarlo repasando la ley punto por sacada directamente de la esclavitud. den a la gente dar agua a sus compañeros independiente de los dos grandes parti- punto. Preferimos dar las gracias primero Cabe imaginar que la única moderación resecos que migran por los desiertos del dos capitalistas. a una valiente mujer afroamericana, Park que mostraron los hombres blancos fue suroeste de Estados Unidos. ¡Retirar todos los cargos contra la dipu- Cannon, la representante del estado de esperar a que el fotógrafo se fuera antes Estas nuevas restricciones también tado Cannon de Georgia! ¡Destruyan las Georgia, por arrancar la tapa de esta ley de ponerse las capuchas del KKK. recuerdan a las que se imponían a los leyes de supresión del voto en Georgia! ☐