AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE African conference organizes solidarity with Cuban Revolution — PAGEs 6-8 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 81/no. 28 july 31, 2017 Liberals furor Help build Socialist Workers Party: against Trump Che brigade US hands off Venezuela! reflects fear of to Cuba, Sochi working class Youth Festival by seth galinsky by ALYSON KENNEDY Why are liberal Democrats, some Workers and youth are signing up Republican politicians and most of the to participate in two important in- mainstream capitalist media continu- ternational gatherings — the “In the ing to promote the witch hunt against footsteps of Che” International Bri- President Donald Trump? Why can’t gade to Cuba Oct. 1-15 and the 19th they accommodate themselves to World Festival of Youth and Students work with his administration? After in Sochi, Russia, Oct. 14-22. all, he’s one of their own: A wealthy The “In the Footsteps of Che” bri- capitalist seeking to advance the in- gade honors Che Guevara and Fidel terests of U.S. capital at home and Castro. This October is the 50th an- abroad. niversary of Che’s death in combat in The fact is both the Democratic and Bolivia, where he helped lead a gue- Republican parties are in crisis. The rilla movement against that country’s rulers increasingly fear the working military dictatorship in 1967. Castro, class, which is battered by depres- the historic leader of the Cuban Revo- sion conditions and sees no wing of lution, died last November. t the capitalist political parties with The brigade will include voluntary Thousands of workers rally in Caracas, Venezuela, May 17 in support of July 30 vote to answers and responds to Donald agricultural work and visits to battle elect delegates to national constituent assembly called by President Nicolás Maduro. Trump’s call to “drain the swamp.” sites where Che fought during the The bosses see working-class battles 1956-58 revolutionary war. Brigade Washington threatens Socialist Workers Party coming down the road. participants will meet with combat- ‘strong economic action’ demands ‘US hands off!’ The most significant phrase uttered ants who fought alongside Che during by jim bradley The following statement was re- by President Trump in his inaugural Cuba’s revolutionary war and in the The Washington-backed Demo- leased July 19 by Margaret Trowe, speech, economics columnist Martin Cuban military column that fought cratic Unity Roundtable coalition Socialist Workers Party candidate for Sandbu wrote in the July 18 Financial alongside Congolese fighters seeking (MUD), which has been organizing mayor of Albany. Continued on page 9 Continued on page 4 increasingly violent actions against the United Socialist Party government The Socialist Workers Party urges of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, car- working people across the United SWP campaigns in working ried out a unilateral, nonsanctioned States and around the world to stand referendum July 16 opposing govern- with their fellow toilers in Venezuela, ment plans for July 30 elections for speaking out against Washington’s class to expand reach of party delegates to a constituent assembly. threats and attacks on Venezuelan After the vote, President Donald sovereignty. Trump threatened to “take strong and The U.S. propertied rulers, and the swift economic actions” against the Venezuelan opposition forces they Continued on page 9 back, see the deep economic crisis battering Venezuela’s workers and farmers as an opportunity to bring down the government of President EU rulers force Nicolás Maduro there and install a re- gime more subservient to the interests ‘new normal’ of of Washington and Venezuela’s em- ploying class. crisis conditions President Donald Trump has threatened to “take strong and swift economic actions” against the Ven- on Greek workers Continued on page 9 By JIM BRADLEY Working people in Greece face a “new normal” of rising mortality rates, worse jobs — if you’re lucky Inside Militant/John Naubert enough to have one — with lower pay, Turkish gov’t obstructs trial of Mary Martin, Socialist Workers Party candidate for Seattle mayor, discussing workers’ slashed social benefits and a lower need to fight for political power with Gary Nobles by his home in South Seattle July 15. bosses in 2014 mine explosion 2 quality of life. This is the result of a by brian williams the credit,” Gary Nobles, a disabled decade of government assaults amid Las Vegas protests defend Mary Martin, Socialist Workers auto mechanic, told Martin when she world capitalism’s deepest crisis in ranchers framed-up by gov’t 2 Party candidate for mayor in Seattle, raised these questions after knocking decades. led a team of party members and on his door. “And another thing, they This crisis is also the product of the Protest demands answers in supporters to South Seattle July 13 have a law for everything and when underlying realities of the European cop killing of Justine Damond 3 to talk with workers there about the they have it out for you they use it Union’s “ever greater union.” It was deepening economic, political and against you.” purportedly set up to benefit all, but –On the picket line, p. 5– moral crisis of the capitalist rulers and “The fact is working people make is in fact a marriage of unequal com- Coal miners face new rise in their system and the party’s efforts everything anyone uses today,” Mar- peting capitalist regimes that assures scourge of black lung to reach, get to know and work with tin said, “but the profits go to the continued profits for Berlin’s bosses those attracted to what it has to say. bosses, not to us. And this is how they and other northern rulers at the ex- Quebec zinc workers’ strike “The working people here do all decide what they hire us to make — pense of the peoples of Greece, Italy, over pensions is solid the work and somebody else takes Continued on page 3 Continued on page 4 Turkish gov’t obstructs trial of bosses in 2014 mine explosion by alyson Kennedy terrorism was the cause of the mine di- On May 13, 2014, 301 coal miners saster. “Our country has been under at- were killed by carbon monoxide poi- tack of PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party], soning in the Soma Holding Company’s DHKP-C [Revolutionary People’s Lib- Eynez coal mine in Turkey. The bosses’ eration Party-Front], and FETO [Fetul- disregard for the safety and lives of the lahist Terror Organization, Erdogan’s miners prompted widespread protests term for the followers of Gullen],” he and outrage throughout the country. told the court. “They must have done the Three years later, their families and co- Soma incident, too.” workers who survived are still waiting “The judge had gone into the Soma for some justice. mine and did a lot of investigations,” Ali When Recep Tayyip Erdogan — Sogut, a former coal miner who worked then Turkey’s prime minister — spoke at Soma Holding’s Ata Bacasi mine, Miners in Soma, Turkey, argue with government officials, May 26, 2014, after explosion at in Soma after the company-caused di- told the Militant by phone July 17. “The Eynez mine killed 301 coal miners. Fight continues to hold bosses accountable for disaster. saster, he said the risk of death is sim- judge asked the prosecutor if he was ply the fate in life of miners. “These ready for the sentence. They were going prosecutors had been removed by the Miners in the Soma mining district accidents are things which are always to sentence the mine officials to 15 or Erdogan government, including Balli, continue to face unsafe conditions from happening,” he said. more years in prison. “who was about to give the final verdict bosses determined to boost profits at all Under pressure from the protests and “Then the prosecutor asked for the in the Soma trial.” They noted that the costs. Those working at the Imbat mine international attention, government sentencing to be postponed. The judge “government has removed thousands of refused to work after Ismail Karakaya, prosecutors brought charges against the was threatened by the company law- judges and prosecutors from their posts 44, was killed in a coal-breaking ma- mine owner and company executives yers,” Sogut said. “Then he was re- on coup charges since the failed coup.” chine in January. “They told us [about for “causing death by negligence.” The moved from the case and transferred to One-quarter of all judges and pros- Karakaya’s death] and we said we did prosecutors announced they were seek- Izmir. The state and the company work ecutors in Turkey have been dismissed not want to go down to the mine,” one ing life imprisonment for Can Gurkan, hand in hand.” over the last year, and over 2,000 ar- miner told the daily BirGun. “Our job the owner, and seven other mine bosses, In a July 12 article “Victims of Soma rested. is very intense and dangerous. They do as well as two to 15 years in prison for Disaster Still Wait for Justice,” the Hur- A public appeal was issued by 301 art- not provide training either. ... When they 29 others. riyet Daily News said, “The system that ists, politicians and journalists on behalf don’t take the required precautions, the But now the fight to hold the bosses sacrificed people for more profit and of the “301 workers who lost their lives,” outcome is this.” accountable faces a new obstacle. Fol- exploited workers had given no value to reported the Daily News, demanding a lowing a failed coup attempt in July their safety. ... This should probably be fair trial and protesting the judge’s re- Yasemin Aydinoglu contributed to this 2016 — which the Erdogan government defined as murder, rather than an acci- moval. article. blamed on followers of his former ally dent.” Fetullah Gullen, who has been in exile Rumors spread that the judge in the in the U.S. — a state of emergency and case, Aytac Balli, was being investigat- rounds of far-reaching purges and ar- ed and then was gone. “Discharging the Las Vegas protests defend ranchers rests were imposed to consolidate Er- only person ‘competent’ in the case from dogan’s sweeping executive power. The his duty?” the Daily News asked. “Make framed-up by federal government judiciary has been a special target. families say, ‘Give back the judge.’” BY BERNIE SENTER Bundy and family members, in- One month after the failed coup, Turkish Minute, a news website, re- LAS VEGAS — Over 250 people cluding sons Ammon and Ryan Bun- Gurkan seized the opportunity to claim ported July 4 that 780 more judges and gathered at the Rainbow Garden here dy, who were acquitted in 2016 on July 15 to support four defendants on frame-up charges stemming from an trial for a 2014 standoff with federal occupation at the Malheur National government forces in Bunkerville, Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, had re- Nevada. That armed protest came af- fused to comply with Washington’s ter the Bureau of Land Management moves to curtail their access to gov- seized hundreds of cattle owned by ernment land to graze cattle. rancher Cliven Bundy. The four defendants are being re- Defend Tom Harding, Richard Labrie! Defendants Eric Parker, Steven tried after the prosecution failed to Stewart, Ricky Lovelien and Scott get a conviction against them in April. The ‘Militant’ explains Drexler were among hundreds of peo- Cliven, Ammon and Ryan Bundy rail bosses’ profit drive and ple who converged on Bunkerville are being held in prison without bail Ottawa’s complicity caused and stopped the government from im- awaiting a later trial. Ten others are 2013 Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, pounding the cattle. Continued on page 4 oil train disaster that killed 47 people. Defense of two rail Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to The Militant above address. workers facing trial Sept. 11 Vol. 81/No. 28 on frame-up charges in the Closing news date: July 19, 2017 Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 disaster is a key part of ongo- Militant/Madhu DurgaSriHari to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- July 9 Washington, D.C., benefit for Editor: John Studer treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. ing fight for railway safety. framed-up Lac-Mégantic rail workers. Editorial volunteers: Róger Calero, Seth United Kingdom: Send £26 for one year Galinsky, Emma Johnson, Jacob Perasso, by check or international money order Maggie Trowe, Brian Williams. made out to CL London, 2nd Floor, 83 Kingsland High St., Dalston, London, E8 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Published weekly except for one week in 2PB, England. January, one week in June, one week in Republic of Ireland and Continental July, one week in December. 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2 The Militant July 31, 2017 Protest demands answers in cop killing of Justine Damond by alyson kennedy They have been suspended with pay “My mom is dead because a police during an investigation of the shoot- officer shot her for reasons I don’t know ing by the state Bureau of Criminal and I demand answers,” Zach Damond, Apprehension. 22, told a vigil of over 300 people held The Star Tribune reported July 19 after his stepmother Justine Damond that Harrity told investigators he was was shot and killed by Minneapolis cop startled by a “loud sound” as Damond Mohamed Noor July 15. approached the car. Noor, a Somali- Damond had called 911 to report American police officer, has refused a possible assault in an alley behind to be questioned. her home in southwest Minneapolis. The killing happened just weeks Above, Evan Frost/MPR News When Noor and his partner Matthew after the June 16 acquittal of police Above, Don Damond, speaking to me- Harrity arrived, she walked up to their officer Jeronimo Yanez, who shot and dia July 17, protests killing by cop of his car and began talking to Harrity, who killed Philando Castile in July 2016. fiancé Justine Damond. At his right is was the driver. “Suddenly a surprise Damond, who is Caucasian, was a Justine’s stepson, Zach Damond. Inset, NAACP members speak out at commu- burst of gunfire blasted past Harrity yoga instructor who moved to Min- nity vigil day before demanding action. as Noor fired though the squad’s open neapolis from Sydney. Her killing has window striking Damond in the ab- been widely covered in Australia and from law enforcement regarding what nomenon they had only observed domen,” the Minneapolis-area Star internationally. happened after police arrived.” from afar and may have even thought Tribune reported. Don Damond, her fiancé, told the “The tragic shooting death of Jus- was on the decline,” the Sydney Neither Noor nor Harrity had their press that “her family and I have been tine Damond will bring home for Morning Herald reported, “the ex - bodycam turned on during the killing. provided with almost no information many Australians a disturbing phe- traordinary rate of people killed during encounters with police in the United States.” “Workers throughout Minneapolis SWP steps up campaigning to expand reach of party and the world are outraged by the po- Continued from front page ing politics with workers and making “They call this building a justice lice killing of Justine Damond,” David what will reap the highest profit, not progress in collecting the 750 signa- center. No. This is a jail,” Ryan Farns- Rosenfeld, Socialist Workers Party what people need. tures needed to go well over the filing ley, a member of the American Feder- candidate for mayor of Minneapolis, “Until working people organize in requirement to put David Rosenfeld, ation of State, County and Municipal said in a statement released July 18. the millions to take power out of their SWP candidate for mayor, on the bal- Employees who works as a facilities Campaign supporters have been dis- hands and run society ourselves and lot. technician for the city of Peoria, Ari- tributing it as they discuss the killing work together to eliminate want and “I work two part-time jobs in the zona, told party members who joined and working-class politics through- inequality, to build culture and soli- construction industry and I can’t the protest. out the area. “The fight against police darity,” she replied, “workers’ skills find a job that doesn’t pay minimum “We say there is a dictatorship of killings is a working-class issue and and talents won’t be realized.” wage,” 25-year-old Brenda Kelly said capital where the government and a union issue. This incident reveals Socialist Workers Party members when SWP members explained who both parties defend the interests of the once again the true purpose of the po- and supporters are knocking on doors they were. “We need fundamental capitalist class,” said SWP member lice. They are used to keep us in our in cities and small towns across the change.” She got a Militant subscrip- Bernie Senter. “My party says work- place.” country to discuss with working peo- tion and signed to put Rosenfeld on ing people need to take political power The SWP calls for the cops in- ple, the party’s perspective on how to the ballot. in a revolution that mobilizes millions volved, and any who try and cover up respond to the capitalist crisis. Dozens of other workers got Mili- of workers, farmers and ranchers.” the killing, to be indicted, prosecuted As part of these discussions, SWP tants, including seven who purchased Party members got a good hearing and jailed. members and supporters introduce subscriptions and 10 books by SWP from those at the rally, who were in- “The fight against police brutality workers to Are They Rich Because leaders, and more than 160 people terested in their explanation that the is part of a bigger fight to unify the They’re Smart?; The Clintons’ Anti- signed the petitions. Bundys’ fight to defend their access working class and act in solidarity Working-Class Record: Why Wash- Socialist Workers Party members to the land is a fight for the working with all who are exploited and op- ington Fears Working People; and and a port trucker they work with from class. pressed,” Rosenfeld said. “It is along Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and the Los Angeles joined a July 15 picket To find out how you can get in- this road that we will build a move- Road to Workers Power, all by SWP line in front of a detention center in volved, look up the SWP branch near- ment that can overthrow the rule of National Secretary Jack Barnes, as Henderson, Nevada, where four back- est you on page 8. capital and bring workers to power.” well as Is Socialist Revolution in the ers of framed-up ranchers Ammon “The killing was unjustified,” truck US Possible? by SWP leader Mary- and Cliven Bundy are being held on Edwin Fruit in Seattle, Tony Lane in driver Randy Saylor told Tony Lane Alice Waters. And they work to ex- charges growing out of their success- Minneapolis, and Deborah Liatos in when the SWP campaigner knocked pand the circulation of the Militant, ful protests to stop government agents Los Angeles contributed to this ar- on his door. “This woman was trying the party’s paper. from seizing the Bundys’ cattle. ticle. to do a good deed.” “Every day I try to find ways to fill prescriptions when people can’t afford the medicines,” a pharmacy find out more about the technician named Ellen told Martin at Special her door. “But it seems like it always socialist workers party... ends up that their only option is to buy fewer pills and try to stretch out the Book Available for $5 each (half price) with Militant subscription dosage till the next month. They’re (trial offer 12 weeks $5) not getting the medicine they need.” Offers “The disaster of health care under Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? capitalism is part of the carnage fac- Also at special prices: ing the working class for which nei- Malcolm X, Class, Privilege, and Learning Under Capitalism ther the Democrats nor the Republi- Black by Jack Barnes cans have any solutions,” responded Liberation, Martin. “What they offer us isn’t and the The Clintons’ Anti-Working-Class Record health care, it’s inadequate insurance Road to Why Washington Fears Working People and exorbitant drug prices, things that Workers by Jack Barnes make those bosses rich, while more Power and more of us get less and less care. by Jack Is Socialist Revolution in the US Possible? Workers need to organize to fight for Barnes. $15 A Necessary Debate Among Working People government-funded cradle-to-grave by Mary-Alice Waters health care coverage. “It’s the Poor Who Face the “It will take a socialist revolution Savagery of the US ‘Justice’ System” $7 each without subscription (normally $10) like workers and farmers carried out The Cuban Five Talk About Their Lives in Cuba to implement this once and Within the US Working Class. $7 for all,” she said. Cuba and Angola: Socialist campaigners knocked on The War for Freedom To subscribe or purchase books at these prices, by Harry Villegas “Pombo.” $7 doors across the Minneapolis area contact Socialist Workers Party or Communist League branches listed on page 8. over the July 15-16 weekend, discuss-

The Militant July 31, 2017 3 Greek workers ‘new normal’ Continued from front page and farmers. Spain and other weaker economies in Over a seven-year period the Greek southern Europe. economy has shrunk by one-fifth. Of- This inequality, exacerbated by ficial unemployment stands at slight- the world capitalist crisis, pushed the ly less than 25 percent, but the fact is Greek rulers’ swollen national debt half the working population has been to the point of disaster. The govern- driven out of the labor market. Over ment’s insolvency, deepened by re- 45 percent of young people are unem- lentless pressure for payment on ployed, forced to live with their par- Greek bonds in the hands of banks ents, unable to be independent, marry and private profiteers, threatened to or buy a home. shatter the EU. The percentage of involuntary The EU, European Central Bank part- time jobs has risen from 45 to and International Monetary Fund 72 percent over the last 10 years. Pen- provided aid, but demanded the sions have been slashed, schools and Greek rulers carry out ceaseless at- hospitals closed, the public health tacks against the workers and farmers system is in shambles. From 2009 to make them pay for the crisis. through 2015, average wages dropped EU officials approved another $9.7 by 20 percent. billion in financial assistance to the One price of the latest bailout was Greek government July 7, once again government assurance of further DPA Picture Alliance/Alamy Stock Photo Greek teachers union demonstrates against layoffs in Athens March 2014. “Merkel out” sign postponing a looming debt default crisis pension cuts in 2019. reflects anger against Berlin’s insistance stepped up ‘austerity’ be forced on workers in Greece. that could have threatened the survival of the 28-member European Union. EU’s fatal contradictions built-in destabilizing contradiction. nate the economies of the lesser-de- The action, taken by the board of di- Despite the hype, the establish- The capitalist rulers of each mem- veloped countries in the EU. German rectors of the European Stability Mech- ment of the European Union was ber nation protect their profits and capitalists sell. Greeks buy, and go anism, unmasks the myth promoted by never about initiating an era of Eu- privileges, including against their EU into debt to pay. liberal capitalist politicians that the EU ropean postwar “peace and prosper- partners. All these contradictions have come is a stable, “progressive” counterweight ity.” In the aftermath of World War The sharply different levels of to the fore under the pressure of the on the world stage to protectionist II, as U.S. capital expanded rapidly economic and social development economic crisis, threatening to un- Washington under the administration of with little competition, French and between industrial powerhouses like ravel the EU. Talks began June 19 President Donald Trump. German capitalists and others be- Germany and France and lesser-de- between Brussels and London on the The emergency financial assistance gan discussion of establishing a joint veloped countries like Portugal, Italy, withdrawal of the U.K. from the EU, permitted the Greek government of protectionist bloc to gain a stronger Greece and others push the union a result of last year’s Brexit vote. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ Co- competitive position in world mar- apart. Berlin is dominant, with the And everywhere — as in Greece alition of the Radical Left to imme- kets, leading to the establishment of most productive and developed in- — the price of dog-eat-dog capital- diately turn around and pay $7.9 bil- the EU in 1993. dustrial base and consequently the ist competition is foisted on working lion due to the IMF and the European But the EU was born with a fatal economic and political clout to domi- people. Central Bank, which hold most of its almost $367 billion debt. On its knees, the Tsipras govern- ment pleads that “we expect our part- Help build Che brigade to Cuba, Sochi Youth Festival ners to respect the sacrifices of the Continued from front page the hands of the U.S. Cuba did it and and being able to meet revolutionary- Greek people” by permitting Greece independence from Belgium in 1960. they are still free.” minded young people from around the to sell bonds on the EU bond market. “We organized a public meeting “You can see for yourself the gains world, will also be an amazing experi- Speaking for German bondholders, on the brigade at the Hartford public the Cuban people have made,” Jonathan ence,” Batres said. “Through opportu- Chancellor Angela Merkel is opposed library,” Greater Hartford Coalition Batres, 24, who joined the May Day nities like this we’re able to reach out all to any concessions. Tensions between on Cuba member Tim Craine told the Cuba brigade from Los Angeles, told over the world and build the movement Berlin and Athens are rising. Militant July 18. Four people signed up the Militant. “You can see the effects of against war and exploitation.” “The government and people of to go after hearing about the itinerary Washington’s economic blockade, and Some 20,000 delegates from 120 Greece,” said ESM Managing Direc- and the significance of the visits to the how resourceful and resilient the Cuban countries are expected this year. Cuba tor Klaus Regling, “should continue places where Che fought during the people are.” is organizing to send 250 young revo- on its path to rebuild a competitive revolution. Now we’re raising funds to This fall Batres is planning to go to lutionaries. Although the deadline for economy and regain investors’ trust.” help people to go.” the World Festival of Youth and Stu- registration was July 20, the Militant Millions of Greek workers and Milly Guzman-Young attended the dents in Russia. The festival is spon- will continue to cover the prepara- farmers know from their own bitter meeting and signed up to go with her sored by the World Federation of tions and political debates leading up experience that Regling’s bureau- daughter. “I am from Puerto Rico. I Democratic Youth, an anti-imperialist to the festival. cratic doublespeak translates into an have so much to learn from Che and organization that has organized similar To sign up for the “In the Footsteps order to the Tsipras government to the steps that Cuba took to be free,” she gatherings since 1947. of Che” Brigade, contact the Chicago intensify its “austerity” drive that has told the Militant. “Puerto Rico needs to “Going to Sochi where thousands of Cuba Committee at (312) 952-2618 or devastated the lives of Greek workers be free from the austerity measures and people will exchange different opinions, [email protected].

Las Vegas actions defend framed-up ranchers Capitalism’s World Continued from page 2 He had joined the Malheur occupa- ro,” read one popular sign — a refer- also incarcerated. tion, and was traveling with Ammon ence to Judge Gloria Navarro, who re- Disorder “In 2014 my family decided we and Ryan Bundy to discuss the occu- cently ruled for prosecution motions by Jack Barnes were going to stand,” Cliven Bun- pation with residents in a nearby town denying defendants the right to mount “A new pattern dy’s wife Carol told the crowd. “The when they were ambushed by the FBI a political and constitutional defense, is being woven amazing thing is you stood with us. and Oregon State Police. Finicum was as they had done in the earlier trial. in struggle to- They are standing for what they feel shot down in cold blood. Keynote speaker Roger Stone, a for- day as working and what they know is right and they The protests in Oregon and Bun- mer adviser to Donald Trump, attacked people emerge are not going to back down.” kerville were part of larger efforts by comments Attorney General Jeff Ses- from a period “I am the wife of Lavoy Finicum. farmers and ranchers in the West to de- sions made July 12 praising trial pros- of retreat. The He was murdered by our government fend their right to make a living in the ecutor Steven Myhre, and called for the emerging pat- tern is taking and the FBI,” Jeanette Finicum said. face of increasing federal government president to “pardon the Bundys.” $25 policies aimed against them, justified “Why would we want a pardon? shape, defined by the actions in the name of the environment. They haven’t been found guilty of of a vanguard With some 50 percent of all western anything yet,” one Bundy family whose ranks member told the Militant. calendar land owned by the federal government increase with — 85 percent in Nevada — these are Other speakers at the program in- illinois every single worker or farmer who life-and-death questions for ranchers. cluded Sean Stone, son of Hollywood reaches out to others with the hand Chicago director Oliver Stone; libertarian Solidarity with Cuba! Wed., July 26. Re- Some at the rally had participated of solidarity and offers to fight to- freshments, 6:30 p.m.; program, 7 p.m. Do- in protests earlier in the day in front anti-military Iraq War veteran Adam gether.” nation: $5. Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. of the federal courthouse and the jail Kokesh; and Ace Baker, a leader of 26th St. For more information contact Chi- American Warrior Revolution, who cago Cuba Coalition at (312) 952-2618. where the defendants are being held. pathfinderpress.com “Drain the Swamp. Start with Navar- helped organize the earlier rallies.

4 The Militant July 31, 2017 on the picket line Pacific Blue Cross workers Mining Group, a multinational compa- locked out in British Columbia ny based in Switzerland. BURNABY, British Columbia — “The company openly states that it is Over 600 members of Canadian Union going after our collective agreement to of Public Employees Local 1816 were reduce its production costs,” striker Éric locked out by Pacific Blue Cross July 7. Hallé told the Militant on the picket line. The bosses imposed the lockout in re- He is a welder with 38 years experience. sponse to several work stoppages over “We do hazardous work, with lots of the past couple of months protesting chemical products. We are underpaid company concessions demands. for this type of job,” said Abdel Chaoua, Local Union President Beth Miller another welder with 10 years experience told the Militant the main issues are in the oil industry of his native Algeria. wages, retiree benefits and the proposed “We would not have gone on strike if the length of the agreement. “I have been company offered us the status quo.” president for 20 years and I have never There have been no negotiations for seen anything like this,” she said. “The weeks. The company has maintained proposed wage increase doesn’t even minimum production with its execu- cover the cost of living.” tives and some local contractors, whose The workers picket 24 hours a day names are posted as scabs on a large Militant/Francois Bradette outside the company’s headquarters sign by the picket line. Members of Canadian Union of Public Employees picket Pacific Blue Cross July 13. Bosses here, handing out a flyer headlined, — Michel Prairie and Sylvie Charbin locked them out after workers opposed concession demands with series of work stoppages. “What kind of benefits provider slashes benefits for its own employees? Pacific Blue Cross.” Constant honking shows Coal miners face new rise in scourge of black lung wide support for the locked-out workers. by alyson kennedy than 10,000 working UMWA members. and nodules on the lungs, is caused by The company website claims that it Coal miners in the U.S., like work- The last unionized mine in Kentucky breathing silica dust. George Williams, provides one of the “most generous ben- ers around the world, face the grinding shut down two years ago. Without union a black lung benefits counselor at the efit plans to our active and retired union effects of a deepening economic, po- protection, miners face a new explosion Tug River Health Association in Gary, employees,” but wants to “manage cost litical and moral crisis of the capitalist of black lung. One in 14 underground West Virginia, and a former miner, told on certain benefits that threaten our abil- for-profit system. Not only have tens of miners with more than 25 years experi- the Militant in a phone interview July ity to afford them into the future.” thousands of miners been thrown out of ence will get back lung, double the rate 17 that in the last three years the num- The union points out that Blue Cross work, but the overwhelming majority in 1999. And there is a sharp increase of ber of miners with progressive massive made $11 million in net profit last year. of those still employed are in nonunion progressive massive fibrosis, the worst fibrosis coming to the clinic has “about — Joe Young mines facing a new rise in Black Lung. form of the disease. West Virginia, the doubled.” Quebec zinc workers’ strike In the late 1960s and ’70s, coal miners second largest coal-producing state, “The companies mine smaller coal over pensions is solid organized a revolution in their union — now ranks 49th in life expectancy. seams and cut more rock to get the the United Mine Workers of America — “We are in the midst of an epidemic of height to put in the conveyor belts,” he SALABERRY-DE-VALLEYFIELD, to fight for safety on the job and against black lung disease in central Appalachia said. The belts carry the coal out of the Quebec — Despite a court injunction the scourge of black lung disease. In a that is historically unparalleled,” Scott mine. that restricts picketing, the 371 mem- series of battles they forced the coal Laney, an epidemiologist at the National Cutting the rock, and sandstone that’s bers of United Steelworkers Local 6486 bosses to accept union safety commit- Institute for Occupational Safety and mixed with it, produces toxic silica dust. have maintained picket lines around the tees in the mines with the power to shut Health, told a June 29 public meeting “Ninety-five percent of black lung clock here at CEZinc, one of the 10 larg- down production to reduce coal dust and held in Morgantown, West Virginia, and benefits cases are fought by the insur- est zinc refineries worldwide. They have other unsafe conditions. The strengthen- publicized by the UMWA. ance and coal companies. Most go to been winning support. ing of the union — and the vigilant ac- Laney launched his investigation af- court,” Williams said. “It’s a battle.” The zinc workers went on strike Feb. tions of the miners — led to a decline ter a radiologist from Pike County, Ken- “After a couple of years, progressive 12 to renew their contract and to op- in black lung and improvement in the tucky, reported to NIOSH his clinic was massive fibrosis begins cutting the air pose the employer’s plans to replace the social and living conditions of working seeing a sharp increase in coal miners ducts off. You end up on oxygen,” he current pension plan that is 100 percent people in the coalfields. with progressive massive fibrosis. Sixty said. “Several miners have had lung company funded with one where union The bosses never stopped pushing miners had come in with the disease transplants.” members pay 50 percent. Some 600 back against this encroachment on their in just a year and a half. Twenty-six of As coal miners face this reborn USW locals across Quebec are contrib- authority because it cut into their profits. them were roof bolters and 20 opera- threat to their life and lungs, state gov- uting to the union’s strike fund. Their pressure increased as competition tors of continuous miners, both jobs that ernments, which are subservient to the Zinc Electrolyte of Canada (CEZinc) from natural gas grew and the coal in- expose workers to high concentrations mine bosses, are slashing mine inspec- is owned by Noranda Income Fund, dustry contracted. By 2015 only 21 per- of dust. In contrast, there were only 31 tions. Kentucky just passed a law that whose major shareholder is the Glencore cent of miners worked in union mines. cases nationwide from 1990 to 1999. will halve mandated inspections, replac- While as recently as 1998 the union had Progressive massive fibrosis, which ing them with so-called “analyst visits” 240,000 members, today there are fewer shows up as large masses of scar tissue to “coach” miners about safety. 25, 50, and 75 years ago

August 14, 1992 August 7, 1967 August 1, 1942 SÃO PAULO, Brazil — On June 27, Philadelphia — Following the The government-sponsored confer- after a three-day trial in the city of Pôrto outbreak of ghetto uprisings across the ence between nine West Coast aircraft Alegre, in southern Brazil, five men and country, a state of limited emergency corporations and the unions of aircraft one woman, members of the Landless was called here July 27. The proclama- workers, was blown up in Los Angeles “Unionism and politics cannot Rural-Workers Movement (MST) were tion makes it illegal for more than 12 on July 16 by the flat refusal of admin- be separated. Power generated convicted of complicity in the murder of persons to assemble on the streets or istration and employer spokesmen to at the trade-union level can be a soldier. The trial received a lot of pub- sidewalks for any purpose whatsoever. agree to union demands. shattered by government blows. licity in Brazilian news media. In spite of the proclamation, a Black The fact that Roosevelt was prepar- Workers must enter the political The frame-up charges stemmed from rally was held Saturday in North Phila- ing more drastic wage controls, and that arena as an independent class a 1990 army assault against 600 land- delphia to hear Muhammad Ali. There the Little Steel decision had just been force, with their own party.” less rural workers who were demand- were over 300 persons in attendance. handed down, probably prompted the — Farrell Dobbs ing government recognition of land they The first use of the proclamation came employers to postpone the conference had occupied. The frame-up of these against an anti-war rally Sunday. and await governmental aid in reducing Other books in four-part series: workers is part of a series of attacks by The effect of the proclamation can union demands. Teamster Rebellion capitalist landlords and industrialists been seen in the knots of police which The joint AFL and CIO demands Teamster Power against the movement. There are over 4 are on all important corners after dark would replace the present 60 and 75 cent Teamster Bureaucracy million families of landless peasants in and red patrol cars and police wagons minimum in aircraft with a 95 cent min- $19 each or all four for $65 Brazil. For many of the landless peas- which seem to be everywhere. Many imum, and give general wage increases pathfinderpress.com ants, direct occupations offer the only normally crowded streets were nearly to all aircraft workers. The employers way to obtain land. deserted this weekend. have resisted these demands.

The Militant July 31, 2017 5 ‘Cuba’s role in the fight for African liberation is unforgettable’ 5th Continental Conference in Africa organizes solidarity with the Cuban Revolution by JAMES HARRIS and WILLIE COTTON WINDHOEK, Namibia — “From the earliest days of the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban government and the Cuban people, led by Comrade Fidel Castro, embraced the struggles for the libera- tion of African peoples as their own,” said Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, honorary president of the Namibia-Cuba Friend- ship Association, as he welcomed dele- gates from across Africa to the 5th Con- tinental Africa Conference in Solidarity with Cuba. The gathering was held here in the capital city of Namibia June 5-7. Militant/Willie Cotton “Cuban internationalist volunteers in Namibian Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, second from left, with other tens of thousands came to Africa as sol- delegates during visit to Heroes Acre, where dozens of independence fighters are buried. diers, doctors and in other capacities to Nandi-Ndaitwah personally led tours at Heroes Acre and Independence Museum explaining fight for the liberation of the entire Afri- Namibia’s history and cultures of its people. At left, Fernando González; at right Víctor Dreke. can continent,” he added. discussion was far ranging. were supporting the apartheid regime “The sacrifices that the Cuban people Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia/Granma Speaking to the entire gathering, An- of South Africa against us,” he said, made for Namibia to achieve its in- Garwin Beukes From left: Fernando González, president of Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples; Sam golan General Kundi Paihama, former “and now they ask us to condemn Namibian President Hage Geingob inau- Nujoma, internationally known leader of Namibia’s fight for independence from apartheid South Militant/Willie Cotton minister of defense and today governor those who fought and died together dependence are too great to quantify, gurated conference June 5. “In our time Africa and the country’s first president; Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, a founding leader of South West Survivors of the 1978 Cassinga massacre who studied in Cuba. Third from left, José Prieto, director of ICAP of Angola’s Cunene province, thanked with us and shared our fate.” because it is difficult to imagine the of need, Cuba rushed to know us,” he Africa People’s Organization and national hero of Namibia, at conference closing ceremony. work in Africa and one of the Cuban internationalists who fought their way to Namibian refugee camp at SWAPO victory without the friendship told delegates, referring to national lib- Cassinga, and were able to beat back South African attack that killed some 600 women and children. conference organizers for the opportu- Guinea-Bissau delegate Imani Na of Cuba.” eration struggle against South Africa. Minister of International Relations and Giraldo Mazola headed the Cu- nity to participate. “Solidarity is a moral Umoja told a reporter for the Namibian Ya Toivo, a national hero of Namibia, Cooperation, took part in every session. ban delegation, which included Víctor of the Republic of Cuba and one of the rica. Hundreds of the orphans and other duty to all on the African continent,” Broadcasting Corporation, “Conscious was one of the founders of the South Martí: “In a time of crisis, the peoples of Activities included not only cultural Dreke, president of the Cuba-Africa Cuban Five, who also served in Cuba’s surviving children of Cassinga were he remarked. “Cuban blood has been people have come from all over Africa West Africa People’s Organization the world who are going to fight together events but a solemn wreath-laying cer- Friendship Association. Dreke, who is internationalist mission in Angola. The flown to Cuba where schools staffed by spilled here. That is the truth — the role to show our solidarity with Cuba. The (SWAPO) that led the Namibian strug- must rush to know each other,” adding emony at Heroes Acre, where dozens known among anti-imperialist fighters ICAP president’s remarks at a State Namibian and Cuban teachers were es- of Cuba was and is unforgettable.” worst crime in the world is to be un- gle for independence from apartheid that “in our time of crisis Cuba rushed of those who devoted their lives to the throughout Africa by his Swahili nom- House dinner for conference partici- tablished for them on the Isle of Youth. Referring to the campaign waged grateful. When Africa called, Cuba an- South Africa from 1960 to 1990. He was to know us.” independence struggle are buried, and de-guerre Moja, was second in com- pants hosted by President Geingob were Many went on to study in Cuba for by pro-imperialist forces in Africa and swered. Now Cuba’s calling and Africa imprisoned for 16 years at the infamous Sam Nujoma, internationally known a visit to Independence Memorial Mu- mand to Che Guevara in the column one of the highlights of the conference. years, graduating from Cuban univer- around the world who seek to discredit must answer. We have a debt.” Robben Island prison of the racist South leader of the independence struggle seum. that aided anti-imperialist forces in the (See accompanying article on page 6.) sities and today shoulder leadership re- Cuba’s historic contributions to the Af- Nigerian delegate Denja Yaqub, from African regime. Ten of those years and first president of Namibia, joined Nandi-Ndaitwah personally led the Congo in 1965. He headed Cuba’s inter- José Prieto, another veteran of Cuba’s sponsibilities in all arenas of Namibian rican freedom struggle, Paihama added, the Nigeria Labour Congress, stressed he was incarcerated alongside Nelson the presidium for the closing session of tours of both sites, explaining impor- nationalist mission in Guinea-Bissau in internationalist mission in Angola, who society. “The accusations against Cuba are not the broad political education tasks that Mandela, the future president of South the conference. Prime Minister Saara tant aspects of Namibia’s history and the 1966-68, fighting alongside the national is responsible for ICAP’s work in Africa, Numerous survivors of the Cassinga true. Against the facts there is no argu- must be central to the solidarity work in Africa, and other leaders of the anti- Kuugongelwa-Amadhila addressed the cultures of its people, and describing the liberation forces there led by Amilcar gave delegates a brief summary of the massacre educated in Cuba were among ment.” every country. “We can’t run away from apartheid struggle. session. lives and contributions of those memori- Cabral. history of the Cuban Revolution’s soli- the Namibian delegates participating in Zimbabwean Deputy Minister of the fact that we are faced with a contest Ya Toivo, who attended every session Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo alized at Heroes Acre. The ICAP delegation was headed by darity with the peoples of Africa during the solidarity conference. Foreign Affairs Edgar Mbwembwe re- of socialism versus capitalism,” he em- of the event, died June 9, age 92. The Nandi-Ndaitwah, who also serves as Cuban Ambassador to Namibia its president Fernando González, a Hero the opening plenary session. minded delegates, to applause, of the de- phasized. spirit and tone of the conference could Prieto was one of the Cuban soldiers Impact of Cuba’s solidarity cisive role played by Cuban medical per- Lefika Chetty, another member of not have been captured better than by stationed 25 miles from the Namibian “Solidarity is not giving what you sonnel in confronting the Ebola crisis in the South African delegation, described his words and warmth throughout. The refugee camp in Cassinga in 1978 when have in abundance,” Fernando González western Africa in 2014. “Cuba needs how “we have been trying to educate depth of appreciation to the Cuban peo- Fernando González: ‘I will carry those it was attacked by South African planes told the conference. “It means sharing our solidarity now more than ever,” he South African citizens from working ple for the internationalist solidarity ex- and paratroopers, who massacred some whatever you have, even though it might added. class to bourgeoisie on the role that tended to the peoples of Africa in their 600 Namibians, mostly women and not be much. That’s the difference be- Chris Matlhako, general secretary of Cuba played in our own freedom.” national liberation and anti-imperialist lessons with me until the end of my life’ children. He was among the Angolan tween solidarity and charity.” South Africa Friends of Cuba, spoke on “The struggle that culminated in the struggles marked every aspect of the The following are remarks by Fer- Africa, to Angola. That’s and Cuban volunteers who fought their Remarks made by speaker after behalf of the large South African delega- winning of the battle of Cuito Cuanavale event. nando González, president of the Cu- when I realized that I didn’t way to the camp to help repel the attack speaker during plenary sessions as well tion attending the conference. The South was a watershed for us.” she added. “It ban Institute for Friendship with the know anything about co- and treat the injured. Sixteen Cuban sol- as two working commissions revealed African government is often pressured opened the doors to our own freedom.” Continental gathering lonialism. No matter how diers gave their lives in that battle and 78 the profound impact that revolutionary by imperialist powers around the world Peoples (ICAP) in Windhoek, Namib- Graduates of Cuban universities The 5th Continental Africa Confer- ia, at a State House dinner on June many books I had read, this were wounded. solidarity of the Cuban people has had to condemn supposed human rights vio- ence in Solidarity with Cuba was at- 5 hosted by the country’s president, was the real experience — The response of the Cuban leader- on the peoples of Africa. lations in Cuba, he told delegates. One of the most important features tended by 183 delegates from 17 African Hage Geingob. González is one of five seeing the effects of colo- ship to the Cassinga massacre — one of Delegates worked throughout the “We remind them we do not have a of the conference was the participation countries, Cuba and the United States. Cuban revolutionaries who served nialism in Africa, but see- the most infamous episodes during the conference to hammer out plans for ac- short memory. When we were fighting of delegates from across the continent The previous four took place in South some 15 years in U.S. federal prisons, ing also the peoples of the Namibian struggle against the apartheid tions to strengthen the solidarity move- for our freedom, those same countries Continued on page 8 Africa (1995), Ghana (1997), Angola framed up by Washington on charges continent fighting the con- regime — is also known throughout Af- ment with the Cuban Revolution. The (2010), and Ethiopia (2012). of conspiracy to commit espionage. sequences of colonialism The African countries represented at In appreciation for the unparalleled and fighting to overcome Books for revolutionary-minded workers and youth the 2017 event, in addition to Namibia, contribution of Cuban international- colonialism itself. included Angola, Burkina Faso, Demo- ists to the Namibian peoples’ inde- I learned from my Cuba & Angola: The War for Freedom cratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), pendence struggle, President Gein- comrades in arms. Young by Harry Villegas “Pombo” Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, gob presented González with a paint- as I was, some were even “When we face new and unexpected challenges we will Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Mozambique, ing of Fidel Castro, the historic lead- younger than I was. I always be able to recall the epic of Angola with gratitude, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Brazza- er of the Cuban Revolution, who died learned from the FAPLA because without Angola we would not be as strong as we ville), South Africa, Tanzania, Western last November. It portrays him as the Fernando González at June 5 dinner hosted by the [Popular Armed Forces Namibian president during Cuba solidarity conference. are today.” —Raúl Castro May 1991 Sahara, Zambia and Zimbabwe. commander of the July 26 Movement of Angola] fighters, from $7 special The conference also received a mes- and Rebel Army that brought down No matter how long he had been in their fighting capacity, from their Malcolm X, Black Liberation, sage of solidarity from the African the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Ful- office he was always a guerrilla. And sacrifices, and I learned also from the & the Road to Workers Power Union, sent by its chairperson, Moussa gencio Batista in Cuba in 1959. he will always be a guerrilla. fighters of the PLAN [People’s Liber- Faki Mahamat of Chad. In 1987 I was 24 years old. I had ation Army of Namibia] — seasoned Jack Barnes Under the banner “Intensifying Soli- by Fernando González just graduated from college after six fighters of the FAPLA and PLAN. I “It’s the poor who face the savage- darity with Cuba and Continuing the Thank you. This is a portrait of a years studying international relations will carry those lessons with me ‘til $15 special Legacy of Fidel and Che,” the gathering very special man. The same portrait and had read many books on colonial- the end of my life. ry of the US ‘justice’ system” was called by the Namibia-Cuba Friend- was everywhere during the days we ism. With that innocence one has just Later on, when I was in prison in the $7 The Cuban Five Talk About Their Lives Within ship Association and the Cuban Institute were mourning the loss of the com- leaving university, I believed I knew United States, those lessons helped me special the US Working Class for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). mander in chief. It was very common. it all, that I had all the knowledge I get through. They helped me to under- Namibian President Hage Geingob That portrait shows him standing in needed to have. stand and withstand any difficulty. The Namibian See distributors on page 8 or for complete catalog visit: Mary-Alice Waters, president of Pathfinder Press, presenting greetings and display of officially opened the event paraphrasing the Sierra Maestra, the guerrilla that I was a young lieutenant in the Revo- I knew that nothing would be more photos “Cuba and Africa: 1961-2017” to Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, honorary president of the words of Cuban national hero José he was all his life. lutionary Armed Forces and I came to Continued on page 8 Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association. At left is Deputy Prime Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah. www.pathfinderpress.com

6 The Militant July 31, 2017 The Militant July 31, 2017 7 ‘What I learned from Africa’ Continued from page 6 After the count clears, an officer difficult than the sacrifices made by delivers the mail. the Cuban people during our struggle One day I was sitting on my bunk for independence and the revolu- with all the mail I had received, sort- tion that triumphed in 1959. Nothing ing it out to decide in what order I would be more difficult than the sac- would read it. I saw a letter with an rifices made by the people of Africa, envelope that was different. And by the people of Angola and Namibia the stamp was one I had never seen fighting colonialism. before. So I set it apart and said to I mention Angola and Namibia be- myself, “I’m going to start with this cause they are the countries I am more one.” I opened it up and it was a let- familiar with, but I’m sure those les- ter from a Cuban doctor writing from sons could have been learned many Nauru. other places in Africa. Here I was, a graduate in international Throughout the years I was in relations, and I had to go look up where prison, never was I a prouder Cuban Nauru was — a small island in the Pa- than when I received a letter from cific, with 10,000 inhabitants. And Cuba one of our compatriots around the had a medical team there! world who was working as a doctor, a For me, that is reason enough to re- Militant/Willie Cotton teacher, a construction worker. Those More than 40,000 African students have studied in Cuba since the early 1960s. Conference sist. To withstand anything. A revolu- delegates who graduated from schools in Cuba were asked to stand at plenary session, above. letters reminded me of when I was in tion that is able to do things like that Angola for two years, and brought me is worth dying for. and every time it is possible, in all the want to thank Africa and Namibia back to the reasons that made it worth The truth is that the history of that causes that we face together, through and I want to thank the president and withstanding any situation in prison. kind of solidarity by Cuba starts even all the challenges in this complex the authorities of this country for People ask us sometimes, any of before I was born. It began in Algeria world in which we live. making this event possible. the five of us, what enabled you to re- in 1961, in the first years of the revo- I don’t want to extend myself. I Thank you very much. sist? Just to illustrate one example, I lution. As Fidel said, apart from that tell them about the day I was sitting concept of internationalism and soli- on my bunk in prison for the four darity, the Cuban Revolution cannot o’clock count. Throughout the prison be understood. It’s who we are. Africa continental conference system the four o’clock count is sa- Solidarity is not giving what you Continued from page 7 participants at one of the commission cred. It takes place every day no mat- have in abundance. It means sharing who were graduates of Cuban universi- sessions. “It’s important for those of ter what is happening. There could be whatever you have, even though it ties — teachers, engineers, agronomists, us who have been trained in Cuba and an earthquake and there’s still going might not be much. That’s the differ- medical personnel and many other dis- understand the revolution to come to- to be a count at four o’clock. ence between charity and solidarity. ciplines. Today, they are not only using gether and defend Cuba and advance When I go back to the time I was in their training to address pressing social Africa.” Angola and the lessons I learned, I re- needs in their own countries. They are Mwanoingi, a Cassinga survivor, alize how much we owe to Africa be- also the backbone of solidarity work studied in Cuba from 1978 to 1985 and cause as a species we came from this with the Cuban Revolution in numerous then returned to join the fighting ranks continent and then spread throughout countries. of the People’s Liberation Army of Na- the world. Many were meeting each other for mibia. Along with others in the confer- But we Cubans might owe to Af- the first time, sometimes even those ence he plans to take part in activities rica even more — we owe to Africa from the same country. They began that will be organized Oct. 11-12, on who we are, our own sense of nation- discussing among themselves the po- Cuba’s Isle of Youth to mark the 40th ality, our own identity. But on top of tential for creating a network of col- Anniversary of International Educa- that, it’s what Africa has done, what laboration across the continent and tion in Cuba — 1977-2017. Africans have taught us with their possibly organizing a continental day On behalf of defenders of the Cuban fighting spirit, their quest for inde- of solidarity. Revolution in the United States, Mary- pendence, for sovereignty, all those According to former Cuban Ambas- Alice Waters, president of Pathfinder lessons that I learned while I was in sador to Namibia Angel Dalmau, who Press, brought greetings from the Na- Angola. I owe all that to Africa. today serves as a food consultant to the tional Network on Cuba, the Washing- I feel so close to these countries, to Namibian Ministry of Poverty Eradi- ton D.C., Metro Coalition in Solidarity the people of Africa. All Cubans have cation and Social Welfare, more than With Revolutionary Cuba and the New Militant/Willie Cotton this special feeling. 40,000 African students have been ed- York-New Jersey Cuba Sí Coalition. A table with broad range of political books ucated in Cuba since the opening years In appreciation of the importance of in English, Spanish and French published It’s a duty for us, and it’s a duty by Pathfinder Press was a popular fea- for me, now, as president of ICAP, to of the revolution. the conference and the work of the Na- ture of conference. Virtually every book continue the work of those who came 40,000! mibia-Cuba Friendship Association, was gone in the first hours. Above, Erick before me and keep strengthening the “People all over Africa have ben- Waters presented Andimba Toivo ya Kaghesi and Sylvie Siluvundi, delegates efited from what the Cuban educa- Toivo with a handsome bound display from Democratic Republic of Congo, with ties of solidarity between Africa and Cuba and our peoples. To continue tional system has given us,” Namibian of photos recording Cuba’s more than French-language additions to their health 55-year record of solidarity with the center’s community library in Kinshasa. supporting each other everywhere delegate Constancio Mwanoingi told independence struggles of the peoples of Africa. if you like this paper, look us up Final declaration Where to find distributors of the Zip: 68506. Tel: (402) 217-4906. Email: CANADA Unanimously adopted at the clos- Militant, New International, and a full [email protected] QUEBEC: Montreal: 7107 St. Denis ing session of the conference, the final display of Pathfinder books. declaration demanded the U.S. gov- NEW YORK: New York: 306 W. 37th St., #204 H2S 2S5. Tel: (514) 272-5840. Email: ernment end the “illegal, economic, UNITED STATES 13th Floor. Zip: 10018. Tel: (646) 964-4793. [email protected] BRITISH Email: [email protected] Albany: COLUMBIA: Vancouver: Email: commercial and financial blockade CALIFORNIA: Oakland: 675 P.O. Box 8304. Zip: 12208. Tel: (518) 903-0781. [email protected] Hegenberger Road, Suite 250. Zip: 94621. imposed on Cuba.” It called for the Email: [email protected] Tel: (510) 686-1351. Email: swpoak “unconditional return to the govern- @sbcglobal.net Los Angeles: 2826 S. FRANCE ment and people of Cuba of the terri- PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 2824 Paris: BP 10130, 75723 Paris Cedex 15. Vermont. Suite 1. Zip: 90007. Tel: (323) Cottman Ave., Suite 20. Zip: 19149. Tel: (215) tory illegally occupied by the govern- Email: [email protected] 643-4968. Email: [email protected] 708-1270. Email: [email protected] ment of the United States of America FLORIDA: Miami: P.O. Box 380641 WASHINGTON, D.C.: 7603 NEW ZEALAND at the Naval Base in Guantánamo” and Zip: 33238. Tel: (305) 420-5928. Email: denounced the violations of human [email protected] Georgia Ave. NW, Suite 300. Zip: Auckland: 188a Onehunga Mall, 20011. Tel: (202) 536-5080. Email: Onehunga. Postal address: P.O. Box 3025, rights in the U.S. prison located there. GEORGIA: Atlanta: 777 Cleveland [email protected] Auckland 1140. Tel: (09) 636-3231. Email: Delegates also affirmed their sup- Ave. SW Suite 103. Zip: 30315. Tel: (678) [email protected] port for the struggles of the people 528-7828. Email: [email protected] WASHINGTON: Seattle: 5418 Rainier Ave. South. Zip: 98118-2439. Tel: (206) 323- of Western Sahara and Palestine, the ILLINOIS: Chicago: 3224 S. Morgan 1755. Email: [email protected] UNITED KINGDOM independence struggle of the Puerto St. Zip: 60608. Tel: (312) 455-0111. Email: ENGLAND: London: 2nd Floor, 83 Rican people, and solidarity with the [email protected] AUSTRALIA Kings­land High St., Dalston. Postal code: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. E8 2PB. Tel: (020) 3583-3553. Email: MINNESOTA: Minneapolis: 416 E. Sydney: 1st Flr, 3/281-287 Beamish The invitation extended by the Ni- St., Campsie, NSW 2194. Mailing [email protected] Manchester: Room Hennepin Ave., Suite 214. Zip: 55414. Tel: (612) gerian delegation to host the 6th Africa 729-1205. Email: [email protected] address: P.O. Box 164, Campsie, NSW 2194. 301, 3rd floor, Hilton House, 26–28 Hilton Tel: (02) 9718 9698. Email: cl_australia@ St. Postal code: M1 2EH. Tel: (016) 1478- continental conference in Lagos in 2019 NEBRASKA: Lincoln: P.O. Box 6811. optusnet.com.au 2496. Email: [email protected] was enthusiastically welcomed by all.

8 The Militant July 31, 2017 Socialist Workers Party statement Washington threats Continued from front page Venezuelan government if it didn’t cancel the vote. SWP: US Hands off Venezuela! European Union foreign policy chief Federica Continued from front page Cuban volunteer doctors, health workers and teach- Mogherini joined Trump in demanding the Mad- ezuelan people if the government doesn’t cancel a ers who bring medical care and literacy to working uro government implement “political gestures to scheduled July 30 election for delegates to a Con- people throughout the country. de-escalate tensions” by “suspending the process stituent Assembly it says it needs to stabilize the The working class of Venezuela is the real tar- of putting the Constituent Assembly into place.” country after three months of increasingly violent get of Washington and the pro-imperialist parties The opposition seeks to open divisions in the anti-government demonstrations organized by op- seeking to overthrow the Maduro government. government and Venezuela’s armed forces in hopes position forces. These same groups now threaten They rightly fear the working class as the force ca- of bringing it down. For the last couple years, oppo- to set up a parallel government of so-called “na- pable of ending their class rule, as the toilers did in sition forces have taken advantage of the ravages of tional unity.” Cuba in 1959. today’s unfolding capitalist economic crisis, exac- The Maduro government, like the Bolivarian gov- “Foreign intervention in the Bolivarian and erbated by their own obstruction against Maduro’s ernment of Hugo Chávez before it, has earned the Chavista Republic must stop,” Cuban President Raúl efforts to ameliorate the effects on working people. undying hatred of the U.S. and Venezuelan capitalist Castro told Cuba’s National Assembly July 14. “We Soaring inflation — estimated to reach 720 percent rulers because it has sought to manage the capital- reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people.” this year — and constant shortages of everything from ist market to use oil profits to fund social programs Working people here and worldwide should fol- food to toothpaste to diapers grind down on working popular with most Venezuelan workers and farm- low Cuba’s proletarian internationalist example. people, forcing them to spend hours daily to try and ers. It collaborates with revolutionary Cuba, send- The Socialist Workers Party says: U.S. hands off meet the most basic needs of their families. Govern- ing much-needed oil at reduced prices, speaking out Venezuela! End Washington’s economic sanctions ment corruption has deepened the problem. against Washington’s interference in Latin America and interference in the internal affairs of the people Maduro responded that he “won’t be intimidat- and the Caribbean, and welcoming thousands of of Venezuela! ed” by international pressure and that the July 30 vote will be held as scheduled. To maintain pressure on the government, MUD has called a 24-hour general strike for July 20. Fedecámaras, the bosses’ federation, has backed Furor reflects rulers’ fear of working class the action. Fedecámaras’ outgoing President Fran- Continued from front page ers when he argues that Hillary Clinton violated the cisco Martínez cynically said that the bosses’ as- Times, was not “America First” but “American car- law with her handling of thousands of government sociation will “stand alongside the workers.” nage.” emails, but was never prosecuted, while “my son Don The government says the Constituent Assembly “What sort of country describes itself, in the is being scorned by the Fake News media.” is needed to restore stability to the country. The words of its highest leader no less, in such terms?” Charles Krauthammer, a conservative opponent of 545-member body will have the power to revise the Sandbu asked. Trump, conceded in the Washington Post July 13 that constitution and pass laws, bypassing the opposi- “American decline is not a figment of Mr. Trump’s Moscow is not the only world power that tries to in- tion-controlled National Assembly. imagination,” Sandbu said, describing the carnage tervene in the elections of other countries. The turnout on the July 16 vote gave a glimpse facing working people in the U.S. “Centuries-old “You don’t have to go back to the ’40s and ’50s of the existing polarization in the country. Accord- progress against mortality has gone in reverse” and when the CIA intervened in France and Italy to keep ing to MUD leaders, 6.5 million of the 19.5 mil- working people “are dying from the afflictions of bro- the communists from coming to power,” he said. lion registered voters in the country participated ken lives and broken communities: drug overdoses, “What about the Obama administration’s blatant in- in the symbolic referendum. They were joined by liver disease and suicide.” terference to try to defeat Benjamin Netanyahu in the 700,000 living in the U.S., the EU and elsewhere. The rulers fear of the working class fuels the relent- latest Israeli election?” Some 71 percent of Venezuelans believe the op- less drive of the liberal Democrats and media moguls, The criminalization of political differences be- position has no plan to tackle the country’s eco- as well as the middle-class left and some anti-Trump tween different factions of the capitalist parties nomic problems, according to a July 13 poll con- Republicans, to press for indictments against his fam- will continue. ducted by Hinterlaces. In June the poll found that ily members and to drive him from office. They are Both parties are wracked by divisions and will “56 percent of Venezuelans would prefer that Presi- bound and determined to criminalize what are in fact never be the same. In addition to the ceaseless anti- dent Maduro solve the [country’s] problems.” political differences with President Trump. President Trump chorus, the Republicans are di- MUD has threatened to form its own parallel vided by their own differences, incapable time and “government of national unity” without Maduro if Campaign against the working class again of passing an alternative to Obamacare. And it doesn’t cancel the July 30 vote. And it says it will “Trump didn’t seize the presidency by deception,” this despite the fact they have a majority in both appoint its own members to the pro-Maduro Su- wrote Colbert King in the Washington Post July 14. houses of Congress. preme Court. Many have warned of the danger of “Nearly 63 million Americans sent that burlesque Trump himself isn’t really a Republican. “President an escalation of the conflict, and the consequences comedy with headliner Donald Trump to Washing- Trump has a funny way of talking about the Repub- on working people. ton.” In other words, the problem isn’t Trump, but the licans as if he’s not one of them,” James Hohmann The government of revolutionary Cuba, which workers who voted for him. wrote in the Post July 19. “Maybe it’s because he was has thousands of volunteer internationalist doctors, “The hosts of the late-night shows decided that they a registered Democrat until as recently as 2009.” nurses and teachers in Venezuela providing low- had carte blanche to insult not just the people within The Democrats are in no better shape. While they cost medical care and literacy programs to work- this administration, but also the ordinary citizens all are buoyed by the shrill campaign against Trump, ing people there, has called for an end to foreign who support Trump,” Caitlin Flanagan wrote in the they are bitterly divided on how to rebuild a party that intervention. May issue of Atlantic, viewing them as the “minions can win elections and con working people. The Bernie In a July 14 speech to Cuba’s National Assembly, pouring out of his [Trump’s] clown car.” Sanders “revolution” is working hard to gain position Cuban President Raúl Castro defended Venezuela’s As a result, working people don’t believe much to take over the party, even if it means the Democrats “legitimate right to resolve its internal problems of what they see on the news, Flanagan says, be- continue to lose elections while they plod along. peacefully and without foreign intervention.” cause they see themselves falsely portrayed as “a “We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan bunch of trailer-park, Oxy-snorting half-wits” and people and the country’s civic-military union led KKK supporters. letters by Constitutional President Nicolás Maduro Mo- This is why the workers who turned to Trump, ros,” he said. many of whom had turned to Barack Obama four Gives to prisoners’ fund years earlier, don’t buy the liberal assault on the I am currently incarcerated at the Illinois River president. They agree that the capitalist media runs Correctional Center in Canton, Illinois, and have Discount on books “fake news.” had the privilege to finally read one of your past for prisoners issues (June 12). I have thoroughly enjoyed it and Is Moscow the smoking gun? Pathfinder offers books and pamphlets at a 50 % would like to subscribe to the 12 issues for $10. discount off the cover price. There is a flat rate of After months of trying to find a crime they could I’m also sending an additional $10 towards the $2.75 for shipping and handling. Prisoners can pin on Trump and his administration, the New York Militant Prisoners’ Fund. Thank you and keep up mail their prepaid orders to Times and others leading the charge against the presi- the great work. Pathfinder Press dent thought they finally found the smoking gun — A prisoner PO Box 162767 a June 9, 2016, meeting Donald Trump Jr. had with Illinois Atlanta GA 30321-2767 a Russian lawyer and an ex-spy lobbyist who they Link at pathfinderpress.com thought had dirt on Hillary Clinton. Trump Jr. says Revolutionary consciousness it turned out the duo didn’t have any information of I’m indigent, but would like to maintain my rev- use, and they listened instead to their calls for relax- olutionary consciousness. The Militant is a tool. ‘Militant’ Prisoners’ Fund ing sanctions against Moscow. One that kept me aware of the struggle, not only The Prisoners’ Fund makes it possible to send prison- But even after the release of Trump Jr.’s emails, and in the U.S., but across the world. No one here gets ers reduced rate subscriptions. To donate, send a check scores of op-eds in the Times and other papers crying your paper from what I see, and so I hope to share or money order payable to the Militant and earmarked bloody murder, no one can point to any “crime” that and build with others. “Prisoners’ Fund” to 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New has been committed. A prisoner York, NY 10018. President Trump gets a hearing from many work- Florida

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