• INTERNACIONALISMO NECESARIO • TRUMP, CLINTON Y EL FBI 12

Black Lives Matter in Britain 11 Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 58, No. 45 Nov. 17, 2016 $1 WW PHOTO: TARYN FIVEK Fight for socialism! Can’t vote out racism, sexism, war By Teresa Gutierrez

Nov. 7 — When you read this, the most unprecedent- ed, disturbing, raucous and depressing U.S. presidential election will finally be over. This election cycle developed into a contest between the two most unpopular candidates in modern times. Don’t just mourn, organize One will be inaugurated in Washington on Jan. 20. This article, written before the election, is about pre- Nov. 9 — We’re as angry and shocked as our read- The day after the election must become Day One of paring for the next four years, despite who wins. No ers. The polls were wrong. We’re not the only ones the resistance. matter the outcome, capitalism has arrived at a dead who are horrified that a candidate could be elected More information will come out as to who vot- end, unable to overcome its deep contradictions, show- who boasted of his misogyny and egged on the worst ed and why. Trump tapped into many grievances ering wealth on those already billionaires, while grind- racists while talking trash against immigrants. and used them to get elected, promising anything ing down the workers who produce everything. The dire But this is no time just to mourn. It’s a time to re- and everything and directing anger at the first Afri- consequences of that fact will only intensify over the affirm support and militant solidarity with all those can-American president. Yet both Trump and Clinton next four years. who have been the main targets of Trump’s demagogy were unpopular, and both offered no real solutions to Building a mass movement to fight this system is the order of the day, no matter the outcome of the election. and hatred: women, people of color, immigrants. the problems of capitalist exploitation, racism, sex- It must be said upfront, however, that a Donald Trump That’s the only path toward uniting the working class ism and war. victory would be horrifying. Even though it seems un- against its real enemies: the billionaire rulers of this Trump did NOT get as many popular votes as Clin- likely at this point that Trump could win, no one had country, including Trump. Continued on page 10 expected him to get this far. A Trump victory would give a further green light to the forces of racism and repression, both inside and out- side the capitalist state. The movement would have to prepare for more unbridled police terror and mass de- portations. At best, it would mean a government so deadlocked that little gets done and both parties blame the other. Few could wish any of this on the people of this coun- try. A deadlocked government means the elderly do not get their Social Security checks on time, the impover- ished do not get badly needed benefits, government workers of all kinds get furloughed. No matter which party wins, the movement must be prepared to resist more wars and repression carried out in the name of “national security.” Two parties, one system To revolutionaries and socialists who understand the capitalist nature of this country, it is well known that the Democrats and the Republicans differ little, as both historically represent Wall Street and the Pentagon. Al- though the social base of each party is different, they both adhere to the norms of capitalist rule. The Republican Party is richer and much, much whit- er, and is supported by the most reactionary elements of the ruling class. The Democratic Party depends on support from the unions and people of color, appearing WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE more working class even though it is closely intertwined with Wall Street. SEPTA strike’s repercussions 3 It is the fat cats in the boardrooms and their agents who wield the real power and dictate to the party in the White House. 2, 6-7 Only mass upheaval from the workers and the op- RESISTANCE AT STANDING ROCK pressed can push back those fat cats. Continued on page 6 The Everett Massacre of 1916 4 Subscribe to Workers World

4 weeks trial $4 1 year subscription $30 KKK HEAD DAVID DUKE DUMPED AT DILLARD 5 Sign me up for the WWP Supporter Program: workers.org/articles/donate/supporters_/ All-Indian Trade Union Congress 8 Name

Email______Phone ______Dangers of ‘no-fly’ zone 11

Street______City / State / Zip______Workers World 212.627.2994 Morocco 8 • Cuba, France 9 • Gambia, Donbass 10 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl, NY, NY 10011 workers.org Page 2 Nov. 17, 2016 workers.org

PFLP salutes struggle at Standing Rock  In the U.S. Excerpts from a statement of the Popular Front for defending all of us. We see them reflected in the Palestin- Fight for socialism! ...... 1 the Liberation of Palestine, released on Oct. 29 and pub- ian mothers holding tight to their olive trees targeted for Philly demands ’Transit Justice’ from SEPTA ...... 3 lished in full on workers.org. settler destruction; in the Palestinian farmers who resist Transit workers’ six-day win ...... 3 The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ex- in the so-called “buffer zones”; and the fishers who brave SEPTA riders launch free fare campaign ...... 3 tends its strongest support and solidarity to the Indige- warship fire to preserve Palestinian fishery. nous resistance at Standing Rock against the Dakota Ac- “There have been hundreds of arrests, the use of mas- Centennial of 1916 ‘Everett Massacre’ ...... 4 cess Pipeline and the settler colonial project of genocide sive military equipment and the force of the state in order Dillard students give KKK Duke a hot reception . . . . . 5 and plunder in North America. to enforce the [DAPL] through sacred burial grounds and Fight for $15 goes statewide in Iowa ...... 5 “The Indigenous strugglers at Standing Rock are de- attempt to force Indigenous land and water defenders Roanoke, Va.: First-ever Fight for $15 protest ...... 5 fending Indigenous land and water, resources that have from their land. [This mechanism is] used in Palestine, Protecting people from pipelines ...... 6 been confiscated and polluted for centuries. They are keeping thousands of Palestinian political prisoners be- Coast-to-coast solidarity with Standing Rock resistance . 7 defending the very existence of their people with their hind bars for struggling for the freedom of their people valiant resistance. As a Palestinian national liberation and their land,” said Barakat.  Around the world movement, we salute [them] and all who stand alongside We express our strongest solidarity with Native and PFLP salutes struggle at Standing Rock ...... 2 them at Standing Rock confronting the militarized forces Indigenous struggles for self-determination and libera- The All India Trade Union Congress ...... 8 of the settler colonial state and their privatized agents,” tion. We encourage all Palestinians, especially the Pales- said Palestinian leftist writer Khaled Barakat in an inter- tinian community in the United States, to ... build upon Moroccan protests shake U.S. ally ...... 8 view with the PFLP media office. the efforts of Palestinian youth in support, solidarity and Cuba wins at U.N., 191 to 0 ...... 9 “It is … no surprise that G4S has [provided] private participation in the Standing Rock camps of struggle, France: Refugees part of global crisis ...... 9 security for the construction of the destructive, invasive and in developing ... joint struggle and solidarity with Gambia blasts the International Criminal Court . . . . . 10 pipeline through Indigenous land, threatening the water Native liberation movements. Two sections of a united front against imperialism . . . 10 and safety of the Standing Rock Sioux and the rights of We also encourage ... the Palestine solidarity movement A NATO ‘no-fly zone’ in Syria means a bigger war . . . . 11 Indigenous nations. [G4S provides] security to the Cana- to … deepen its involvement in the struggle to defend dian mining corporations that plunder Indigenous land Indigenous land, and note … the protests … linking the Families across Britain protest killer cops ...... 11 for mineral wealth around the world [and] sells equip- struggle of Palestinian prisoners and the call to boycott  Editorial ment and security services to the Israel Prison Services, G4S with the defense of Standing Rock. There is a long Don’t just mourn, organize ...... 1 which imprison over 7,000 Palestinians. [It is] involved history of ... common struggle between our liberation in the mass incarceration of children and youth — espe- struggles, together in the global movement to defeat set-  Noticias en Español cially youth of color — in the U.S., and in the deportation tler colonialism, Zionism and imperialism, that we must La necesidad de solidaridad internacionalista ...... 12 of migrants in [Britain], Australia, the U.S. and else- nurture and build upon until victory and liberation. Trump, Clinton y el FBI ...... 12 where,” said Barakat. “The hundreds of Indigenous nations — including Palestinian flag in Oceti Sak­ owin Palestinian participants — coming together in Stand- Camp, North Dakota, with ing Rock exemplify an unceasing history of hundreds of ­Palestinian activist years of resistance in the face of a genocidal project,” said Nadya Raja Tannous. Barakat. “Today’s U.S. empire that bombs and threatens [people’s] lives … especially in the Arab world, Asia, Af- rica and Latin America, was built on settler colonialism, the genocide of Indigenous people, and the enslavement Workers World and genocide against Black people. 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. “The land and water defenders at Standing Rock are New York, N.Y. 10011 Phone: 212.627.2994 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Vol. 58, No. 45 • Nov. 17, 2016 Closing date: Nov. 8, 2016 Editor: Deirdre Griswold Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, Who we are & what we’re fighting for Kris Hamel, Monica Moorehead, Minnie Bruce Pratt; Web Editor Gary Wilson Hate capitalism? Workers World Party fights for a ­degrading people because of their nationality, sexual or Production & Design Editors: Coordinator Lal Roohk; gender identity or disabilities — all are tools the ruling ­socialist society — where the wealth is socially owned Andy Katz, Cheryl LaBash and production is planned to satisfy human need. This class uses to keep us apart. They ruthlessly super-ex- outmoded capitalist system is dragging down workers’ ploit some in order to better exploit us all. WWP builds Copyediting and Proofreading: Sue Davis, living standards while throwing millions out of their unity among all workers while supporting the right Bob McCubbin jobs. If you’re young, you know they’re stealing your of self-determination. Fighting oppression is a work- Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, future. And capitalism is threatening the entire planet ing-class issue, which is confirmed by the many labor Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, K. Durkin, Fred Goldstein, with its unplanned, profit-driven stranglehold over the struggles led today by people of color, immigrants and Martha Grevatt, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, means of production. women. Berta Joubert-Ceci, Terri Kay, Cheryl LaBash, Workers built it all — it belongs to society, not to a WWP has a long history of militant opposition to im- Milt Neidenberg, John Parker, Bryan G. Pfeifer, Betsey Piette, Gloria Rubac handful of billionaires! But we need a revolution to perialist wars. The billionaire rulers are bent on turning make that change. That’s why for 57 years WWP has back the clock to the bad old days before socialist revolu- Mundo Obero: Redactora Berta Joubert-Ceci; been building a revolutionary party of the working tions and national liberation struggles liberated territory Ramiro Fúnez, Teresa Gutierrez, Donna Lazarus, class inside the belly of the beast. from their grip. We’ve been in the streets to oppose every Carlos Vargas We fight every kind of oppression. Racism, sexism, one of imperialism’s wars and aggressions. Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis Copyright © 2016 Workers World. Verbatim copying Contact a Workers World Party branch near you: workers.org/wwp and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. National Office Boston Denver Lexington, KY Rochester, N.Y. Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published weekly 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl. 284 Amory St. [email protected] [email protected] 585.436.6458 except the first week of January by WW Publishers, New York, NY 10011 Boston, MA 02130 Detroit [email protected] 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Phone: 212.627.2994 617.286.6574 Los Angeles 5920 Second Ave. [email protected] [email protected] 5278 W Pico Blvd. Rockford, IL 212.627.2994. 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Philly demands ’Transit Justice’ from SEPTA

By Perry Genovesi — or to accidents. Pennsylvania Depart- laboring until midnight and beyond in disabilities. Riders would have the right Philadelphia ment of Transportation data, tracking all health care, fast food and other indus- to take public transportation for free. commercial buses in Philadelphia, show tries, but rather because more millennials Let’s take the first step toward this by In the first minute of the first day of more than 950 accidents from 2011 to are moving into gentrified neighborhoods. recognizing that SEPTA drivers and riders November, 4,738 union drivers, mainte- 2015, killing 19 people. Also needed were should be united on the same side against nance workers and cashiers of Transpor- protocols to deal with other health haz- ‘Transit Justice!’ a racist, anti-worker transit agency. tation Workers Union Local 234 went on ards, such as blood or syringes, on the Transportation justice would mean A gleaming mass transit would be for strike, affecting public transportation for bus. (Newsworks.org) robust SEPTA service in all our com- the whole mass of people. Until then each over 800,000 daily riders in Philadelphia. SEPTA pensions were set up in the munities — cars and stations as clean union victory benefits all people who have The next morning, it seemed that bosses’ favor with executive and manager and as outfitted with tech and screens to work to survive whether employed, un- thousands of unseasoned drivers and pensions uncapped, and worker pensions and quiet cars as Regional Rail. Workers employed, union or not-yet-organized. cyclists had invaded the city. Cars went capped at $50,000. Striking workers at would have fair wages, benefits and safe What do we want? Transit justice for the wrong way down the block, bikers the Wheatsheaf picket line told support- working conditions. Mass transit would the community — and no one left waiting wobbled out of their lanes — you almost ers that managers are retiring, but SEP- be able to accommodate all people with at the station. thought you were in a city of tourists. But TA doesn’t replace many. Instead, SEPTA no, these were doubtless workers who rehires managers as consultants to do had, up to the day before, ridden the sub- the same jobs at more than $100 an hour, WW PHOTOS: JOE PIETTE way trains, trolleys and buses of SEPTA, with pensions three times that of work- Union and community solidarity with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Trans- ers. This is like dumping a wheelbarrow striking transportation workers in ­Philadelphia. portation Authority. of retirement money at the bosses’ feet Management and the SEPTA Board of with each check. Directors forced this strike by refusing Workers were also fighting to hold to negotiate a new agreement with the onto quality health care. SEPTA was de- union. In TWU President Willie Brown’s manding health care hikes that would own words, “SEPTA’s bargaining team boost worker contributions from $552 a and high-priced outside lawyers stone- year up to $6,000 if they wanted to keep walled contract talks for months prior to equivalent medical coverage. the strike.” (philly.com) Local 234 has a courageous history of The masses’ mass transit militant labor action, calling its members SEPTA needs to not only repay the to the picket line 12 times since 1975, community for the inconveniences more than any other U.S. transit agency. caused by the strike, but it owes repara- During a 1998 Local 234 strike, the lo- tions for a history of inferior service in cal AFL-CIO Labor Council threatened a Black and Brown neighborhoods. Transit general strike if SEPTA hired scabs, forc- Even when trains and bus lines are ing the transit system to back down and running, the routes are more often lon- eventually settle after 40 days. (Philadel- ger distances from homes in Black and workers’ six-day win phia Inquirer) Brown communities. These are commu- And what did TWU workers want with nities more likely to be in poverty, where By Joe Piette junction. this strike? A new contract that would private cars are not affordable, and where Philadelphia A major Philadelphia rally scheduled meet their justified demands, such as bet- over 25 percent of residents live below the for Democratic Party presidential candi- ter bathroom breaks, safer scheduling, eq- poverty line. A strike exacerbates Philly’s “Tentative agreement reached. We are date Hillary Clinton the evening of Nov. uitable pensions and quality health care. transit woes for those making poverty off strike.” 7 may have pressured SEPTA to reach an In a Billy Penn magazine article on the wages. And in a city where gentrification With that Nov. 7 message, the Trans- agreement. Mass transit was needed to strike, TWU spokesman Jamie Horwitz is so aggressive, public transportation lit- portation Workers Union Local 234 guarantee that a big crowd could get to said, “We just think [meager breaks] are erally passes them by. (Census.gov) blogged the end of their six-day strike. the Center City venue featuring President bad working conditions.” Drivers added SEPTA’s “premium” line is the Region- Local 234 achieved a tentative five-year Barack and Michelle Obama, both Clin- that it’s against regulation for a driver al Rail, which serves the wealthier and new contract agreement with SEPTA tons and several big name entertainers. to leave their seat to use the bathroom, whiter suburbs. Regional Rail was still [Southeastern Pennsylvania Transpor- Pressure on SEPTA from the communi- and it’d be a headache to pull over in running during the strike because that tation Authority] management early that ty was increasing as well. Mass transit us- downtown traffic and a hassle to cold- union has a separate contract. Most news morning. (twulocal234.net) ers had called for a Nov. 7 protest in front ask businesses to use their bathroom. So stories about the strike spotlight how The deal came as the ruling class was of SEPTA headquarters to demand a day they wait, but when they get out of Center crowded the Regional Rail trains are, but ganging up on the union, with Philadel- of free transit for each day SEPTA man- City, “people will hop on the bus before barely cover how people in poorer com- phia Mayor Jim Kenny and Pennsylvania agement failed to agree to a new contract. you can even [get off].” (billypenn.com) munities fare during a work stoppage. Gov. Tom Wolf both joining SEPTA’s legal Terms of the agreement have not yet A second issue was better schedul- Last year, SEPTA increased service to hearing before Common Pleas Judge Lin- been released. While the new contract ing. Drivers commented that they “drive 24 hours a day on its two subway routes, da Carpenter to seek a court injunction still must be approved by union members tired,” and a better scheduling system the Broad Street Line and the Mar- forcing the union back to work. A second and by SEPTA’s board of directors, work- would allow for more rest. That means ket-Frankford Elevated Line. But SEPTA hearing was to be held on Nov. 7. TWU ers have reported back to their normal drivers would be less prone to fatigue didn’t expand its hours to serve workers leaders had promised to resist any in- shifts and mass transit has resumed. SEPTA riders launch free fare campaign

By Betsey Piette neglecting to address worker needs in tations for employers across the board, Only four are from Philadelphia, in- Philadelphia a timely manner, failing to negotiate in from city workers to nonunion workers.” cluding Pennsylvania state Rep. Dwight good faith with workers and forcing the At the press conference, communi- Evans, whose benefits include a state Handing out hundreds of “SEPTA In- strike. ty activist Deandra Jefferson called out vehicle. The makeup of the board is con- convenience Passes” (SIP) to passersby at “The responsibility of accepting this SEPTA for putting “capitalist greed” trolled by the state legislature. a Nov. 7 press conference outside SEPTA cost falls on the administration, not the ahead of workers’ need and communi- Spokesperson Erica Mines stated: headquarters, community activists called workers,” Mines stated. “SEPTA manage- ties relying on public transit. Around “Like all workers, SEPTA drivers and on the company to compensate riders for ment intentionally stalled negotiations 800,000 riders, including 52,000 stu- support staff have a right to decent wag- lost access to transportation during the to intentionally use public inconvenience dents, use SEPTA’s buses, trains and es, benefits and safety. The people also six-day transit strike. SEPTA is the pub- from the strike to force workers into sac- trolleys every weekday. Jefferson pointed have a right to safe, efficient and afford- lic transportation agency for 3.9 million rificing vital demands.” out that if these riders had refused to go able public transit. We ask SEPTA to people in and around Philadelphia The SEPTA drivers, clerks and main- to work or school in support of the TWU authorize use of the free Inconvenience The Transit Riders Initiative demand- tenance workers of Transportation Work- strike, SEPTA would have settled on day Passes and for drivers to accept the pass- ed SEPTA honor the SIP passes with free ers Union Local 234 struck Nov. 1 after one. es out of respect for community sacrifices rides for the strike days and refunds on trying for two years to get a fair contract On Nov. 4, SEPTA officials sought an during the strike.” monthly transit cards. In front of a giant from management. Key sticking points injunction to force workers back to work. The press conference was covered by SIP pass, spokesperson Erica Mines told were worker pensions, health benefits Management’s smokescreen for gouging three television stations and newspaper the media, “If formal steps are not made and healthier working conditions. workers was to pit them against riders reporters, including the Philadelphia to negotiate with riders and provide free A Transit Riders Initiative press re- by claiming concern about the “health, Daily News and Inquirer. As the event rides, these passes will be used in lieu of lease noted: “The transit workers’ de- safety and welfare of the public” who ride wound down, SEPTA management again fares once service is restored.” mands are basic rights that all workers SEPTA. demonstrated “concern” for riders by The newly formed group wants SEP- should be entitled to. Sacrificing these It’s unlikely those riders include many sending out uniformed transit police to TA management held accountable for demands lowers the minimum expec- of the fifteen SEPTA board members. harass the protesters. Page 4 Nov. 17, 2016 workers.org

Labor history Centennial of 1916 ‘Everett Massacre’

lumber, shingles and shipping. The lum- and began a free speech struggle in the On the dock Sheriff McRae gave a sig- ber industry, known as the “lumber king- streets. The Wobblies had used the tactic nal. Shots rang out from two covered dom,” dominated the Pacific Northwest effectively in about 20 cities. If enough docks where deputies were waiting, rain- in the early 20th century. The Weyer- workers had the courage to speak, get ar- ing thousands of rounds on the Verona. By Jim McMahan hauser Group exploited more than 30 rested and pack the jails, they won. They A few Wobblies returned fire, but most Seattle million acres of timberland, equal to the had a great victory in 1909 in Spokane, were unarmed. area of Wisconsin. The undiversified na- Wash., when 500 got arrested — with no Five workers on deck were killed and On Nov. 5, 1916, sheriff’s deputies and ture of economic life bound all the Ever- place to hold them. 31 wounded. Six more were dead in the hired strikebreakers fired on striking ett bosses into a common body, the Ever- On Aug. 30, the Everett lumber trust water, their bodies washed up later. The shingle weavers at the Everett, Wash., ett Commercial Club. met, stripped city officials of power and Calista backed out, followed shortly by port 30 miles north of Seattle. That led The majority of the mill workers were put Sheriff Don McRae in charge. The the Verona. When the Verona docked in to a dozen deaths, many injuries and the shingle weavers. Here’s a description of sheriff’s tactics were to brutalize activists Seattle, cops took 294 workers to jail. The arrest of 294 workers. shingle weaving from a 1917 Sunset mag- and deport them so they couldn’t fill the wounded were treated poorly. Five hun- But the “Everett Massacre,” as it azine: “If the automatic carriage feeds jails. Two hundred members of the Com- dred deputies patrolled Everett that night; became known, was not just a work- the odorous wood 60 times (a minute) mercial Club were sworn in as deputies. the state militia mobilized in Seattle. ing-class struggle drowned in blood. into the hungry teeth, 60 times he must The whole meeting was blatantly illegal. Two sheriff’s deputies had been killed Instead it mobilized the workers, lead- reach over, turn the shingle, trim its edge In late September a mass meeting of and sixteen wounded, most by other dep- ing to an eventual watershed victory for on the gleaming saw in front of him, cut over 2,000 met in Everett and heard uties. Pinkerton undercover agents iden- the working class, which overcame great the narrow strip containing the knot hole IWW, socialists and trade union speakers tified 74 IWW members on the Verona, all repression and led to the 1919 Seattle with two quick movements of his right denounce the beatings, deportations and of whom were charged with first-­degree General Strike. The Everett struggle set hand and toss the completed board down jailings of IWW and migrant workers. In murder. No deputies were charged. a shining example of solidarity when the the slot to the packers. Sooner or later October over 300 Wobblies were deport- On Nov. 18, the bodies of Felix Baran, workers movement faced the same type the weaver would lose a finger or hand. ed. When 41 IWW members arrived for Hugo Gerlot and John Looney were taken of rapacious, uncontrolled capitalism we If ‘cedar asthma,’ the shingle weavers’ oc- the next street meeting, they were beat- to a cemetery, with thousands marching face today. In that spirit we commemo- cupational disease, does not get him, the en and forced to walk through a violent behind the cortege. The next day 5,000 rate this year’s centennial as an import- steel will.” gauntlet outside the city. After walking 25 rallied in Seattle to commemorate the ant milestone in U.S. labor history. The shingle weavers union struck miles to Seattle, most went to the hospital. dead and condemn the Everett massacre. The workers’ struggle in Everett was against a wage cut in 1915. The strike led by the Industrial Workers of the failed. In 1916, with the price of shin- Nov. 5 mass action turns into massacre ‘Not guilty’ World, the Wobblies. The IWW’s “one- gles soaring, the union set May 1 as the After a delegation of union and clergy On March 5, 1917, the 74 Wobblies big-union” approach united all workers, deadline for a pay increase. The owners leaders visited the bloody scene the next were tried in Seattle for the murder of skilled and unskilled, in a single union, refused. The strike was on! day, they called a mass free speech meet- deputy Jefferson Beard; it turned out the unlike the American Federation of La- Throughout the summer the workers ing for Sunday, Nov. 5. That day, some 250 other deputy had been shot in the back by bor which only organized workers in the held out, despite their picket lines being harvest and lumber workers and miners a fellow deputy. Thousands attended the skilled trades. The IWW also organized continually attacked by owners’ thugs. boarded the steamship Verona in Seattle trial, though the courtroom only held a oppressed workers of all nationalities On Aug. 19, only 18 were left on the line. and another 38 took the passenger ship hundred. into its ranks in defiance of segregation. The cops forced them past 70 armed Calista. As the Verona entered the Ever- The Seattle Central Labor Council lined thugs who beat them mercilessly. ett harbor, thousands of locals welcomed up a fighting lawyer, George Vanderveer, Shingle weavers strike the activists. The Verona workers began to lead the defense. Vanderveer skillful- A city of 30,000 people, Everett was a Free speech tactic singing “Hold the fort for we are coming, ly reconstructed the scene. The jury was company town, whose workers produced The IWW put out a call for solidarity union hearts be strong.” brought to see the Verona docked in the exact position where it was during the Everett massacre. On May Day, the IWW, socialists and radicals marched in Seattle, stretching 15 blocks. The International Workers De- Are you a WW fense League sponsored a token 10-min- ute strike at 11 a.m. against the threat- ened hangings of labor activists Tom Supporter? Mooney and Warren K. Billings. Many Seattle workers took the day off to march to the cemetery where the Everett mar-  If reading WW has convinced you that Then invest your hard-earned dollars in Workers World — the tyrs were buried. the racist establishment — from killer “As the idea of the general strike grew, cops to the unjust court system — only revolutionary socialist week- so grew the idea, and by the time we were has got to go ly in the U.S. that’s in print as well as on the Web. half-way to the cemetery someone raised  If you find the bigoted anti-trans law The WW Supporter Program the red flag in our ranks,” wrote labor ac- passed in North Carolina an outra- was founded in 1977 so our sub- tivist Minnie Reimer. The workers then geous attack on the rights of all queer scribers and friends could help marched to the county jail housing many communities build the newspaper. We’re de- Everett prisoners and sang songs with them.  If you hate the class system that keeps termined to keep issuing a print Workers World in New Orleans after hurricanes On May 5 the jury — seeing with their mostly women and people of color in edition to send to prisoners, hand Katrina and Rita. low-wage jobs out at demonstrations, plant own eyes that the accused could not have gates and street corners -- and share with WW Supporter Program to help us deliver shot the sheriff’s deputy — delivered a  If you’re sick and tired of bankers and people like you who are looking for real the Marxist-based, worker-oriented, rev- not guilty verdict. That was the IWW’s bosses making workers pay for the answers to today’s most pressing national olutionary class truth that you’ve come greatest historic victory, setting off cel- crisis they didn’t create and international issues. to depend upon. We urge you to sign up ebrations in Wobbly halls from coast to  If you worry that the capitalist crisis isn’t The paper is produced entirely with today! coast and inspiring loggers and lumber going away anytime soon volunteer labor donated by contributing We invite you — sign up today! Write mill workers to step up organizing. writers, managing editors and production checks to Workers World and mail them, The Everett mass struggle led to the  If you want to fight for a better way staff, but the cost of printing and mailing with your name and address, to 147 W. great Seattle general strike in 1919, which of life based on economic planning, WW 51 weeks a year is a huge expense. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011. shut down Seattle and Tacoma for a equitable distribution of wealth and Or donate online at workers.org/donate/. whole week and sent solidarity messages justice for all Not to mention the monthly overhead for our easily accessible Manhattan office! And thanks for helping to grow the revolu- to the Russian Revolution.  If you’re lucky enough to still have a job That’s why we’re asking you to join the tionary media in the U.S. The major source for this article is “Revolution in Seattle” by Harvey O’Con- nor, Chapter 2.

Low-Wage Capitalism El capitalismo Capitalism ­describes in sweeping detail the en un callejón ­drastic effect on the working class in at a Dead End the United States of new technology sin salida Job destruction, overproduction and the restructuring of global capital- Fred Goldstein utiliza las leyes and crisis in the high-tech era ism in the post-Soviet era. It uses Karl de la acumulación capitalista Marx’s law of wages and other find- de Marx, y la tasa decreciente ings to show that these developments de ganancia, para demostrar For more information on these books and are not only continuing to drive down por qué el capitalismo global other writings by the author, Fred Goldstein, wages but are creating the material ha llegado finalmente a un go to LowWageCapitalism.com basis for future social upheaval. punto de inflexión. Available at all major online booksellers. workers.org Nov. 17, 2016 Page 5

Dillard U. alumnus challenges campus cops protecting Dillard students give KKK-leader David Duke Nov. 2. KKK Duke a hot reception

By Quest Riggs threshold required to participate in a U.S. of majority-Black New Orleans. New Orleans senatorial debate held at Dillard on Nov. After holding their position at the en- 2. The event was orchestrated by Raycom, trance for about an hour, the protesters Students at Dillard University, a his- a private broadcasting company. were sprayed with Mace, hit with batons, torically Black liberal arts college in New A progressive student group at Dillard, threatened with Tasers, kicked, slapped Orleans, stood up against the university Socially Engaged DU, sent a letter to the and shoved. They were fearless and sus- administration, campus police and white university president urging him to refuse tained a long confrontation, but eventu- supremacy on Nov. 2. to allow Duke on campus, citing fears ally the cops were able to lock the doors, With the support of community mem- for student safety and embarrassment, prompting the protesters to move to the later dropped after widespread media bers, activists and students from cam- among other reasons. After their letter other side of the building to demonstrate coverage and an outpouring of support puses throughout the city, the Dillard was ignored by the president, they vowed against the repression. for the protesters. students showed the militant potential to protest the event. With help from stu- When the debate ended, the protesters To some students, the university ad- of the youth. Inspired by the Black Lives dents and activists across the city, they split up and attempted to block all the ex- ministration and the campus police force Matter movement, our youth are ready organized a large, energetic and deter- its to prevent Duke from leaving without have lost any legitimacy they previously to fight courageously against further en- mined crowd. getting a piece of their minds. Cowardly may have held, and some students are croachment by the fascists. Duke was able to sneak off campus with working to hold them accountable for When the students learned, on less Militancy wins broad support help from the campus police and admin- their actions on the night of the protest. than one week’s notice, that David Duke The protesters marched around the istration. As protesters noticed his vehi- As for Duke, it has once again been had been invited to their university, they building, chanting “No Duke! No KKK! cle speeding off campus, they yelled and proven that he is not welcome in New were shocked and outraged. The infa- No fascist USA!” They eventually moved hit the car. After he escaped, the protest Orleans and should expect steadfast re- mous former “grand wizard” of the Ku toward the back entrance of the build- began to lose steam and disperse, and sistance whenever he shows his face here. Klux Klan, inspired by Donald Trump’s ing, where they were met by the campus the cops used this opportunity to arrest Our youth have the courage, not only to racist presidential campaign, had decided police force. Protesters were able to pry six protesters, a stunt they would not fight fascists, but also to confront the to run for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana. open the doors, confronting the cops face have tried when the protest was at full state that protects fascists while murder- Polls that put him at 5.1 percent of the to face. They wanted to get in to disrupt strength. ing and imprisoning poor and oppressed vote meant he was just over the 5 percent the fascist David Duke and chase him out All charges against the students were people. After Polk County ‘compromise,’ Fight for $15 goes statewide in Iowa

By Mike Kuhlenbeck to create “a frozen tipped wage at $5/hr.” Connolly and others, the board sold out County the fourth local government in Polk County, Iowa “Along with blindsiding the public Iowa workers. Iowa to raise its minimum wage (John- with an amendment to freeze the tipped Democratic Party activist Pat Rynard son, Linn and Wapello counties already In reaction to a vote by the Polk County wage,” said an Iowa CCI press release, defended the compromise and said the approved wage hikes),” yet none of these Board of Supervisors for a compromised the supervisors “took two steps back” by workers fighting for $15 an hour at the constitute a living wage. wage increase that contains anti-worker moving forward with the “youth wage last meeting “got out of hand at times, A national study conducted by the provisions, Fight for $15 supporters say exemption,” where workers ages 14 to 17 leveling very personal attacks at the su- People’s Action Institute, published last they will now take the fight to the State- would receive only 85 percent of the in- pervisors, as well as shouting and yelling month as “Waiting for the Payoff,” con- house. creased wage. at times during the meeting didn’t help cluded that the living wage for a single After a series of meetings conducted Iowa CCI organizer Bridget Fa- anything.” adult living in Iowa is $15.10 per hour, by a county minimum-wage task force, gan-Reidburn told WW: “This set off the Contrary to this claim, Fagan-Reid- reflecting “what is needed to meet basic followed by public readings by the Polk readings in the wrong direction, and we burn told WW that there was little “yell- needs and maintain some ability to deal County Board of Supervisors, the latter spent much of our focus on eliminating ing,” as Rynard claimed in his “Iowa with emergencies and plan ahead.” voted for a gradual increase to $10.75 per the exemptions. Starting Line” article of Oct. 12. “There The study also reports that the living hour — by 2019. This represents a $3.50 “We felt that the voices of everyday was some tension and increased passion wage that a single adult needs “increas- bump from the current $7.25 per hour people weren’t being heard,” Fagan-Reid- at times, especially when early on the es to $16.74” for those paying off student minimum wage, but fails to increase it to burn said, “that they were listening to the supervisors came in and essentially ad- loan debt, noting that “Iowa’s minimum a living wage, which at present is consid- restaurant and grocery industries and put monished people for $15 per hour, calling wage of $7.25 does not allow working ered to be $15 per hour. priority to their opinions. We were scold- us unreasonable.” families to make ends meet.” Dozens of Iowa Citizens for Commu- ed for our passionate public comment Fagan-Reidburn said there were no Fagan-Reidburn said Iowa CCI and nity Improvement (Iowa CCI) activists and they seemed angry and offended that personal attacks, “just impassioned tes- Fight for $15 Iowa will work with the showed up at each meeting to plead their we were pushing them to do more, but we timony” and “pushing back on dangerous community to help ensure that as many case. At the first public reading of the kept pushing. They even threatened to exemptions to the minimum wage that cities as possible participate in or im- ordinance, however, supervisors Ange- scrap the entire ordinance.” pit young against old, tipped workers prove the countywide ordinance. la Connolly and Robert Brownell intro- With the passing of this ordinance, against non-tipped workers and set a bad “We will push cities to scrap the youth duced an amendment to the ordinance praised as a “compromise” by Supervisor precedent for the state legislature that wage and tipped-wage exemptions. convenes in a couple of months.” During the 2017 legislative session we As reported by the Des Moines Reg- will continue to push to pass a living ister on Oct. 12, “The vote makes Polk wage bill.” Roanoke, Va.: First-ever Fight for $15 protest

By Workers World Staff wage workers, many women of color, test, including the president of the West- spoke out about economic and other out- ern Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Dozens of low-wage rageous injustices they confront daily, as well as union members from the Food workers and their sup- including having to juggle family respon- and Commercial Workers, the Teamsters porters, chanting “We sibilities and two or three jobs to survive. and the Virginia Professional Staff Asso- can’t survive on $7.25,” Many youth and students also participat- ciation. Also present were the Coalition held the first-ever Fight ed. for Justice from Blacksburg, Va., Fight for $15 protest in south- For over an hour, workers held a ban- for $15 workers from Richmond, Va., $15 west Virginia on Nov. 4. ner declaring “Workers Produce All Now, the Peoples’ Power Assembly and The protesters were out Wealth.” Other signs included Dr. Martin Workers World Party. Messages of soli- WW PHOTO: WW STAFF and loud during the noon Luther King Jr.’s photo with a demand darity were received from Communica- Worker solidarity launch- lunch rush at the Burger to end poverty, “$15 and a Union,” “Pro- tion Workers Local 2204 and others. es lunch-rush Fight For $15 King on Franklin Road tect LGBTQ Workers’ Rights” and “Black Fight for $15 Roanoke is planning ­protest at Roanoke, Va., Burger SW in Roanoke. Workers’ Lives Matter.” more actions. See facebook.com/Fight- King, Nov. 4. The multinational low- Numerous supporters joined the pro- for$15 or send email to fightfor15.org. Page 6 Nov. 17, 2016 workers.org Fight for Socialism Protecting people from pipelines Continued from page 1 Did she analyze the situation in which By Minnie Bruce Pratt Despite the maneuverings of the far millennials were clearly turning to the right to influence the elections in favor of left, and get encouraged by their actions A mass movement of Indigenous people Trump, the polls are predicting that the in the streets, calculating that it would be first woman ever will be elected president — from within U.S. borders and interna- helpful for change in the future? tionally — continues to build resistance at of the U.S. No. She continued to veer to the right, There would be much to celebrate in Standing Rock, N.D. Their struggle to stop choosing a conservative Democrat from the $3.8 billion crude-oil Dakota Access breaking this glass ceiling — were it not the South as her running mate. for Hillary Clinton’s history, political bent Pipeline, financed by Energy Transfer How different it would have been had Partners, has been underway since April. and practices during her decades of activ- she chosen Sanders, as a gesture to the ity in capitalist politics. The Oceti Sakowin (7 Council Fires of over 12 million who had voted for him and the Sioux) are leading a historic, militant Record of Clinton machine to the tens of thousands who had financed struggle against the U.S. and state gov- his campaign with $5 and $10 contribu- CREDIT: LUCAS REYNOLDS The Clinton machine has been part of the ernments and their armed units as a col- Water warriors, Standing Rock. conservative wing of the Democratic Party tions, not like her Super Pac money. onizing force and capitalist institutions on her Facebook page that nonviolent and took the party further to the right. It would have been even more remark- in league with Big Oil. In recent weeks, water protectors “were seeking to cross Both Hillary Clinton and her political able — and a real signal to the oppressed over 300 people have been arrested de- the river to hold a prayer circle on Army partner Bill Clinton were key to forming — had she chosen a person of color as a fending the sovereignty of the Oceti Sa- Corps public land, but [were] halted by the Democratic Leadership Council. The vice presidential candidate. Mentioned kowin people and protecting the region’s over one hundred hostile military police DLC, founded by southern Democrats in as a possible nominee was Cory Booker, water supply. armed with and deploying tear gas, pep- 1985, reinvented the Democratic Party as former mayor of Newark, N.J., now a U.S. The North Dakota National Guard, po- per spray, batons and rubber bullets, as one “pledged to fiscal restraint, less govern- senator. Selecting an African American lice from seven states and private securi- well as assault weapons and the threat of ment, and a pro-business, pro-free market would have done more to rectify her “su- ty guards have attacked nonviolent water jail. … I was shot at pointblank range, doz- outlook.” (Truthout, Dec. 2, 2015) In other perpredator” comment about Black youth protectors in a continuation of the racist ens were maced and pepper-sprayed in words, more like the Republican Party. than any “I’m sorry.” wars waged against Native peoples in the the face, hundreds faced freezing waters.” One need not go back to the 1980s to Or, to respect Latinx, who are coming region since the 1800s. That evening helicopters and airplanes see how the Clintons carried this out in out in record numbers to vote, she could In recent attacks, soldiers and cops harassed the resistance encampments practice. have chosen Democratic politicians like have pushed into tipis with automatic with flyovers and flooding spotlights. It was under Bill Clinton that the wel- Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop- weapons, marked those arrested with ID fare system, which provided a minimum ment Julian Castro or pro-immigrant ac- numbers on their arms, and thrown them ‘The world is watching’ income to people living on the edge, was tivist Rep. Luis Gutierrez from Chicago. into subhuman jail conditions that were Oceti Sakowin Camp Coordinator dismantled in 1996. This most affect- But that is not what the Democratic Par- likened to dog cages. All those arrested Phyllis Young condemned DAPL: “Since ed poor women with children, who were ty is about — not now, not ever. It is about have been routinely stripsearched, and this company has arrived on our land, it disproportionately Black because of this maintaining the status quo and keeping one woman from Standing Rock was re- has blatantly disregarded the law and our country’s racist history. the oppressed in line. It serves as a brake portedly left naked in a cell overnight. people.” (nativenewsonline.net, Nov. 6) Hillary Clinton’s entire presidential against any real struggle for change. Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Of the solidarity continuing to build, campaign has been about keeping the Yankton Sioux, earlier highlighted spe- Sitting Bull College Visitor’s Center Coor- Clinton, women and Latin America party’s left wing in line while turning to cific dangers for Native women, saying of dinator Jen Martel emphasized in that ar- the right. During the campaign, and especially the “mancamps” of Western oil drilling ticle, “The world is watching and is saying Bernie Sanders and the progressive in the presidential debates, Clinton of- sites: “We have seen our women suffer. it is time for us to stand up against corpo- movement behind him, including the ten sold herself as a fighter for women’s One out of three women in our nation has rate greed.” young activists of Occupy Wall Street, rights and against sexual assault. But she been sexually assaulted by non-native Supporters are arriving nonstop at forced Clinton to pick up some left rhet- has already earned the anger of a sec- people.” (politico.com, April 22, 2014) Standing Rock camps as the world’s peo- oric. Compelled by the strength of the tor of Latinx with her role on Honduras, Erin Schrode, a CNN reporter, record- ples affirm Oceti Sakowin sovereignty Sanders campaign, she too addressed which belies any real interest in fighting ed a Nov. 2 attack by the state. She wrote and their defense of #WaterIsLife. Youth massive, outrageous student debt, as well for women. as campaign finance reform. The 2009 coup against Honduras’ this, but, during a debate with Sanders, “basket of deplorables.” The righteous Black Lives Matter democratically elected president Mel she disgustingly chastised Honduran For the most part, those who attend movement, which heroically disrupted Zelaya ushered in a wave of repression families for sending their children north and cheer at Trump rallies are deplorable. some of her events, and the rebellions go- that has especially affected women and to escape terror. They go along with the racist, anti-Mus- ing on in the streets against police mur- LGBTQ people. Lucy Pagoada, a Honduras resistance lim rhetoric, challenge freedom of the ders, compelled Clinton to invite mothers Clinton admitted in her autobiography, fighter, told WW: “As Hondurans, we press, believe that a wall on the Southern of victims of police terror to appear with “Hard Choices,” that she used her power hold Hillary Clinton responsible for the border will bring back jobs and stop the her campaign. as then U.S. secretary of state to support the coup and bring pro-U.S. “stability” to repression and killings of hundreds since “browning of America,” threaten Black Turning right for running mate Central America, even if it meant forget- 2009, including the death of beloved en- people’s right to vote, don’t agree that But when it came time to pick a vice ting about democracy. (TeleSur, Feb. 28) vironmentalist leader Berta Cáceras.” Trump offends women or people with dis- presidential candidate, what did she do? Not only has Clinton been silent on Warhawk on Iraq, Libya and Syria abilities, and excuse Trump’s misogyny — all such stands are indeed deplorable. Clinton endorsed and took part in the While the left must not give up on all destruction of Iraq. She promoted coun- these people, most have crossed a line. terrevolution in Libya and has been part 47th National Day of Mourning They reflect a danger, whether Clinton of the force that is destabilizing Syria, wins or not. From Plymouth Rock to Standing Rock — #WaterIsLife causing death and destruction to millions. Some Trumpites belong to extreme In 2008, former U.S. Congressmember right-wing militias, such as the Georgia Thursday, Nov. 24, 12 noon sharp Jane Harman wrote in the Huffington Security Force, which are pleased with Post, “Women serving in the U.S. military Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, Mass. Trump’s attacks on Syrian refugees and are more likely to be raped by a fellow Muslims. They are riled up with the belief Since 1970, Native peoples have gathered in soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq.” that Clinton will take away their right to Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of (May 25, 2011) carry guns. Mourning on the U.S. “Thanksgiving” holiday. Ominously, WikiLeaks revealed that Interviews with some of these elements That day is a reminder of the genocide of millions Clinton is targeting Social Security for of Native people, the theft of Native lands and reveal that such militias are getting ready cuts. This would hurt women most of all. the relentless assault on Native culture. to defend their “way of life” — code words Two-thirds of the beneficiaries of Social Participants in National Day of Mourning honor for racism, denying women the right to Security aged 85 and older are women. Indigenous ancestors and the struggles of abortion and attacking immigrants. However, in a debate with Trump, Clinton ­Indigenous peoples to survive today — against Such elements are not likely to crawl said she wanted to increase Social Secu- continuing racism and oppression. back into the gutter. They can be expect- United American Indians of North American asks rity for women, many of whom, because ed to continue with their anti-Hillary supporters to join them in this com­ memoration of how the benefit is presently configured, Clinton diatribe — much of it thoroughly dedicated to the #NoDAPL water protectors at Standing Rock and the struggle to recognize now live in or near poverty. But, as Alan sexist — long after the election. Not only Indigenous Peoples Day. There will be a special message from political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Nasser points in a Nov. 4 CounterPunch is this misogynist, it is dangerous. A campaign is underway calling on President Obama to grant him clemency. article, Clinton spoke frankly to bigwig The rise of the alt-right is a danger, and FREE LEONARD PELTIER! bankers about supporting their plan to should be fought. Should they decide, for Email: [email protected] • www.uaine.org • twitter: ndnviewpoint@mahtowin1 slash the benefits. example, to mobilize at a Clinton inaugu- facebook.com/events/1836658466568754/ The first female U.S. president may ration, the left and progressives should be breaking a glass ceiling, but the cuts Get on the International Action Center bus to Plymouth! challenge the right wing — at the same from its shards may be felt most by work- Meet at 6 a.m. sharp at Solidarity Center, 147 W. 24th St., 2nd floor, Manhattan. time they organize against Clinton. ing-class women. (Leave Plymouth at 4:30 p.m. to arrive in NYC at at 9:30 p.m.) Should Clinton win, the movement Round-trip tickets: $30-$45 (sliding scale) Will Trumpites go back into the woodwork? must be sure to distance itself from the ac- Buy bus tickets in advance at Solidarity Center, 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. During the campaign, Clinton was tions and the sexist verbiage of the right. Tickets go fast. Buy your tickets today! For info: 212-633-6646. See IACenter.org chastised for calling Trump supporters a A Clinton administration should be fought workers.org Nov. 17, 2016 Page 7 Protecting people from pipelines Police fire pepper spray on water protectors runners from Flagstaff, Ariz., represent- with 168,000 gallons. attempting to cross ing the Hopi, Navajo and Pueblo peoples, Tara Zhaabowekwe Houska, at the river to sacred site at entered Standing Rock and received a Standing Rock resistance, spread the Standing Rock. standing ovation after a 1,400-mile run in word about the Colonial blast: “That ex- CREDIT: ATSA E’SHA HOFERER late October. plosion is case in point that pipelines are afford to continue playing Russian Rou- and gave tips on “How to Game the Co- Representatives from Indigenous na- extremely dangerous and when they leak lette with lives and our drinking water.” lonial Pipeline“ by predicting the stock tions in South America have arrived with or explode, we’re not just talking about an They asked for regulators and the compa- market’s response. statements of support from their peoples. isolated incident that can be fixed quickly, ny to inspect the line and issue plans for The resistance at Standing Rock em- Contingents from Canada to Japan and it can be hundreds of thousands of gallons maintenance and upgrade. (coosariver. bodies the mass cross-alliance solidarity beyond have come. of gasoline that can seep into the ground org, Nov. 2) that can defeat the death-dealing forces of Solidarity actions are spreading across and into the drinking water.” Houska, a But this plan places actions to protect capitalism. Crucial to this battle are work- the U.S., particularly at banks financing citizen of Couchiching First Nation, is people, water and earth in the hands of ers, like Willingham, who live and work in CREDIT: LUCAS REYNOLDS Water warriors, Standing Rock. DAPL and at local U.S. Army Corps of National Campaign Director at Honor the the colluding capitalist government and “right-to-work-for-less” states where leg- Engineers’ offices. In San Francisco, 12 Earth, an environmental group support- Big Oil. An independent report by pipeline islation is stacked in favor of big business. people were arrested Oct. 31 for blocking ing Native nations. (al.com, Nov. 2) experts recently concluded that the Army While AFL-CIO President Trumka elevators at the local Citibank headquar- The connection between the pipe- Corps of Engineers’ original environmen- has defended the pipeline as “good for ters. The bank is a major lender to DAPL. lines was emphasized by Sarah Sunshine tal assessment of DAPL completely un- jobs,” Liam Cain, a member of Laborers Another focus of solidarity actions will Manning (Shoshone-Paiute and Chippe- derestimated the risk of pipeline spills, Union Local 1271 in Cheyenne, Wyo., and be on Nov. 15 at local Army Corps of Engi- wa-Cree), a reporter for Indian Country inadequate construction, failure of regu- a spokesperson for Labor for Standing neers’ locations to demand rejection of the Today Media Network, who was quoted latory oversight and the impact on both Rock, has a message for the DAPL work- DAPL permit and a full Environmental Im- in the same article: “For [the DAPL], slat- the Oceti Sakowin and everyone living ers represented by LIUNA. pact Statement on the destructive project. ed to go under the Missouri River, there’s downstream. (earthjustice.org, Nov. 3) Cain, who has worked on many heavy not the slightest bit of confidence, that construction sites and pipeline construc- Pipeline dangers: number one, it won’t break, but secondly, ‘Listen to the water protectors’ tion spreads, appeals directly to LIUNA From Alabama to North Dakota that the detection systems will be able to That the drive for capitalist profit con- workers: “To the union laborers working All those resisting at Standing Rock em- detect a burst in time.” stantly endangers people’s safety and on these projects, I would just implore phasize that inevitable pipeline failures will The Cahaba, Black Warrior, Coosa and lives was reflected in how the Wall Street you to listen to what regular folks are have dreadful consequences for millions of Hurricane Creek Riverkeepers of Ala- Journal covered the Alabama pipeline saying. Don’t just listen to the bosses, people beyond their own. On Oct. 31, the bama called pipeline owners to task in a disaster. The newspaper did not mention and not to just the echo-chambers on the 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline ruptured in Nov. 2 statement: “We have every reason any of its environmental consequences or spread. Listen to the water protectors, Helena, Ala., exploding in a 150-foot geyser to believe that this old pipeline may have acknowledge by name Anthony Lee Will- listen to folks talking about just transi- of fire, killing one worker and injuring eight other deficiencies such as deterioration, ingham, 48, a 20-year veteran pipeline tion, a view of the future. As the saying more, some with critical burns. The dou- cracks, and leaks. It is time for spills, worker who died in the fire. The pro-big- goes, ‘There’s no jobs on a dead planet.’” ble pipeline carries 100 million gallons of leaks, and accidents from the Colonial business newspaper pontificated on how (indiancountry­todaymedianetwork.com, gasoline, jet and diesel fuel daily between pipeline to end in Alabama. We cannot the explosion would impact gas prices Oct. 30) the Gulf Coast and New York City. The 50-year-old pipeline is the largest refined products pipeline system in the U.S. This was the second Colonial spill in Coast-to-coast solidarity six weeks and its sixth polluting accident in 2016. A September break spilled from 252,000 to 336,000 gallons of gasoline with Standing Rock resistance near the uniquely biodiverse Cahaba Riv- WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE er. The Oct. 31 incident flooded the land By Workers World Staff Lydia Bayoneta: “It is rac- ism that has led to the mili- on its program and deeds, not on her sex. Solidarity actions in support of Stand- taristic assaults on the pro- But the alt-right is not the only thing to ing Rock resistance to the Dakota Access testers at Standing Rock.” combat in the future. As Workers World Pipeline are proliferating from coast to Members of local Native Party candidates Monica Moorehead and coast throughout the U.S. In New York American groups spoke Lamont Lilly have said throughout this City, multiple #NoDAPL actions are on- and led chants and songs election season, capitalism must be abol- going, including weekly support rallies in their own languages, ished in order to truly resolve the dire is- called by Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner emphasizing both the im- portance of cultural tradi- sues facing the masses. Until this system Solidarity Network. They have exposed Philly for Standing Rock on its way to of racism, war and exploitation is ended, the role of G4S — the global security firm tions and access to basic confront the Army Corps of Engineers. the people will suffer more of the same. that staffs Israeli prisons and detention necessities, like clean wa- It was the police, not the alt-right, who centers used to crush Palestinian resis- ter for the community in North Dakota. City Hall Plaza, 200 participants walked in October raided a registration drive in tance — whose guards are now also as- “We have to keep our resources and two blocks into the building with the lo- Indiana meant to register Black voters. saulting and terrorizing Standing Rock lands protected for future generations,” cal office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- What does this show for the future? That water protectors. said Rohsennase/Dalton LaBarge (Mo- neers. ACE’s authorization has been key the movement must fight the system in From Oakland, Calif., National Nurs- hawk) of Rochester. “We’ve saved our lan- to allowing DAPL to be built. order to advance. The state apparatus es United is deploying a second team of guages, we’ve saved our traditions. We’re On the second floor mezzanine, dem- moves forward behind the scenes no mat- registered nurse volunteers to support letting people know that we’re still here.” onstrators chanted and listened as lead- ter who wins an election, as the recent water protectors with medical and first (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Nov. 5) ers described the group’s letter demand- FBI debacle over Clinton’s emails showed. aid needs. Participating RN Amy Bowen Protest organizers announced they’re ing that ACE “reconsider and rescind any Since 9/11 the budget of the Nation- said, “As a nurse, I understand the ne- collecting canned goods, cold weather and all permits or easements” for DAPL al Security Agency has grown to $10.8 cessity of preserving and protecting our clothing, blankets and sleeping bags to on Native lands. After half an hour, an billion. The USA Patriot and National water. Water equals life, and the Dakota send to protesters in North Dakota who ACE representative appeared and accept- Defense Authorization acts that greatly Access Pipeline threatens the health and plan to stay in Standing Rock camps into ed the document but made no comment. strengthen government spying will con- well-being of millions.” (Facebook: Labor the winter. The boisterous, sign-carrying crowd tinue to be implemented under a Clinton for Standing Rock, Nov. 7) Philadelphia activists responded to walked out, its mission fulfilled. administration. On Nov. 5, over one hundred protest- the Red Warrior Camp call for Global Sol- Later that afternoon, a smaller group The state, no matter who administers ers gathered in downtown Rochester, idarity Action in the wake of brutal gov- marched out of Westchester University, it, will not jail killer cops or provide full N.Y., to support the Standing Rock oc- ernment attacks on Native American land near Philadelphia, to confront the local employment or roll back rents — unless cupation and denounce the Dakota Ac- defenders at Standing Rock. The Philly branch office of DNB First Bank, one of there is a struggle. cess Pipeline project. The protest was protesters held a march of resistance on many funders of the DAPL construc- A movement whose goal is to organize organized and attended by a wide variety Nov. 2. After rallying on the west side of tion. The protest, called by Students for for revolutionary change is desperately of individuals and groups, in- WW PHOTO a Democratic Society-WU, condemned needed so we can move a progressive agen- cluding local Native American “state-sanctioned violence and repres- da for the people and not Wall Street. One organizations and Workers sion” against the Standing Rock water day that movement will lead to socialism. World Party. protectors. Protesters presented their On Jan. 20, the first massive response “It’s not a matter of if the target with a letter of demands, which to this deplorable election will take place, pipeline will explode. It’s a included withdrawal of its financial back- no matter who wins the White House, at matter of when,” said protest ing. That a bank official felt compelled to a major counterinaugural demonstration. organizer Athesia Benjamin. come out to receive the letter, and tried to All out to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20 to “That water in the sacred deny the charges, speaks to the growing demand a people’s agenda. land is too precious to be power of mass solidarity with Standing Gutierrez was the national campaign threatened and corrupted.” Rock resistance. manager of the WWP 2016 presidential (13wham.com, Nov. 5) Standing Rock solidarity at the Lydia Bayoneta, Gene Clancy and Joe ‘Liberty Pole’ in Rochester, N.Y. campaign. Benjamin told WW reporter Piette contributed to this article. Page 8 Nov. 17, 2016 workers.org

A century of struggle: The All India Trade Union Congress

Amarjeet Kaur is National Secretary issues of minimum wages, pen- of the All India Trade Union Congress sions and control of prices of es- (AITUC). Martha Grevatt interviewed sential commodities for everyday her Oct. 7 during the 17th Congress of consumption and everyday use by the World Federation of Trade Unions the common people. held in Durban, South Africa. So a 10-point charter of de- Kaur explained that until 1947 AITUC mands was made under which we was the only trade union umbrel- brought everybody together. We la organization in India. Another 11 were saying, “No labor laws should union centers were formed between be violated,” as they were being vi- then, the 1980s and the current decade olated. All this was going on when by various political currents — from a government change happened. the Marxist left to social democrats The previous government was to “right-reactionary, religion-based trying to make changes in the la- organizations.” The federations led by bor laws, but with our resistance, the previous and current ruling bour- they could not. They were trying geois parties are the largest, followed to sell the public sector, but we by AITUC, which is “the top among the did not allow that. So they said, left.” After describing the AITUC and AITUC delegation at the WFTU Congress in “OK, the profit-making public its growth, Kaur discussed the 180-mil- Durban, Oct. 8. At left, Amarjeet Kaur. sector will not be sold out.” They lion-strong countrywide general strike will only sell out that which is not PHOTO: MARTHA GREVATT on Sept. 2. making profits. We are very sure this time we will be able very well recognized in various phases With our resistance, we were in Martha Grevatt: About how many to secure more than 10 million from gov- of the freedom movement and in the or- a position to stop many things. But since unions are in AITUC? ernment reports. ganized movement after 1920. The result the current government came into pow- was when a Constituent Assembly was er, they have not responded to labor ag- Amarjeet Kaur: The AITUC has 3,000 MG: What’s the history of AITUC? formed for the kind of constitution India itations and movements. [The Bharatiya affiliated unions from all sectors: oil, pe- AK: The labor movement began in In- will have after independence from Brit- Janata Party government is led by Prime troleum, insurance, postal, telephone, dia in 19th century [in] the jute mills and ish, that Constituent Assembly took note Minister Narendra Modi.] mining, unorganized sector, domestic textile mills. So the labor movement was of the participation of Indian labor move- The violation of laws continued. Prices workers, welfare scheme workers, vend- quite influenced by the world labor move- ment in the freedom movement. increased. Issues of contractualization ers, hawkers, taxi unions, auto unions, ment which was emerging at that time as The result was that several of our rights and casualization were going on. The gov- public transport, building construction, well as by Marx and Engels talking about were recognized in the constitution of ernment forcibly started changing labor engineering workers, metalworkers, all the working class coming up to take the free republic of India: right to asso- protection laws, some through Parlia- sections including agriculture — unions of charge in the next period, in the next era. ciations, equal pay for equal work, mater- ment. When they did not succeed in Par- formal and informal sectors everywhere, The third influence on Indian labor nity benefits to women workers, healthy liament because they were not in the ma- governmental and nongovernmental. was of our own national freedom move- working conditions, no discrimination at jority, we mobilized and advocated with Welfare scheme workers are not pro- ment against British colonial rule. Then workplace and living wages. everybody — with all political parties. tected by any labor law because they are the 20th century begins. The participa- These concepts were taken into the In eight of 29 states where the ruling told, “You are volunteers and you are not tion of laborers in the freedom movement Indian constitution, and this all was due party rules, they have already made those getting wages. You are only being given increased and formation of unions also to the labor movement which fought in changes. This is very dangerous. Because honorarium because you are provid- increased and, developing with that, the India. We also achieved several legisla- of that, we added our 11th demand — that ing some services” [such as immuniza- participation [by labor] in the freedom tions during British period. The Trade labor law changes which are against la- tions of pregnant women and providing movement, in spontaneous calls given by Union Act under which we registered our bor will not be tolerated. meals at schools to poor children]. They the national freedom movement leaders. trade unions we achieved in 1926. Then are almost 10 million, most of them are That influenced the freedom move- Workplace Compensation Act and sever- Tens of millions join general strikes women, and they are working for worker ment leadership also, recognizing these al laws. We sought many amendments, There is now a 12-point charter of de- status. They think, “We should be paid workforces very potential not only to fight and we got [them]. Of these working hour mands around which the strike was held. minimum wages,” which any unskilled for their own rights but their potential to conditions, also during British period, we The 12th point involved the government’s worker is given in India. even strengthen the liberation movement achieved [limits of] 12 hours; we got eight aims to gain foreign direct investments There are so many workers who are get- to get India free. So with that process we hours [after independence] in 1948. (FDI) without any safeguards in India ting jobs for a little while, and then they’re went further ahead. — in defense, railways and the insurance out of jobs. There are those who are seek- The efforts were made to have an all-In- MG: What were the main demands of sector. It also dealt with its attempts to ers of employment forced into menial jobs dia organization. And the first conference, this year’s strike? harm our nationalized banking sector. here and there. But naturally they belong which was held in Bombay [now Mumbai] AK: About seven years ago, 11 center That was real, so we added the de- to the particular sectoral unions depend- was in 1920. There unions of all sections, trade unions from the extreme right to mand for no FDI to be blindly [imposed] ing on their skill or semi-skill. There’s no formal, informal, governmental, non-gov- the extreme left came together around in every sector. But this government went sector left that we have not unionized. ernmental, all those unions came togeth- 10 demands. Everybody was brought into ahead anyway. Based on our charter of At our last verification, which the er and formed this umbrella organization one platform. The agenda was that we op- demands, we organized a general strike government of India conducts, we had as All India Trade Union Congress. pose the neoliberal economic policies of on Sept. 2 in 2015. claimed 6 million workers, but the gov- During the British period, under um- the government. We were saying, “Do not Before that strike, a group of ministers ernment gave us only about 3.8 million. brella of AITUC, several rights of workers privatize the public sectors.” had formed and negotiations had begun, This time, after a gap of 10 years, our and several labor legislations were won. We also said, “Don’t contract work, but but they did not want us to go on strike. claimed membership is now 14 million. The Indian trade union movement was rather make labor regular.” We raised the We went on strike — with the participa- tion of 150 million people. But after the strike, the government refused to talk to Moroccan protests shake U.S. ally us, refused to negotiate, did nothing. Then we held a set of activities. Step by By G. Dunkel Al Hoceima is in the Rif area of north- people out into the streets. Protester step we once again raised demands and ern Morocco, a predominantly Berber Khadija Zerwal told Reuters at the rally: went on strike on Sept. 2 of this year. It Fisher Mouhcine Fikri and some area with a long history of militant strug- “The death of Mouhcine is like a death for was even more successful than last year’s friends jumped into the back of a garbage gle. The Berbers are indigenous to North all Moroccans. This won’t stop until we strike. This time the number of strikers truck to extract his swordfish, worth Africa and make up about 40 percent of get dignity and fairness.” Many protesters increased from 150 million to over 180 $11,000, which the fish and game au- Morocco’s people. marched peacefully toward the Parlia- million! thorities had seized and were going to de- The protests were massive but peace- ment, waving flags, chanting against the The government, through [its ally] the stroy. His friends were able to jump out of ful, and the cops didn’t make any attempt ruling elite and demanding dignity. BMS [Indian Workers Union], tried to the truck when the cops gave the order to to stop them. To calm the fury, 11 police According to Forbes magazine, King confuse the workers. They tried to say “crush them.” and fishery officials were detained, but Mohammed VI of Morocco is the richest there was no need to go on strike. But Fikri didn’t make it. His gruesome ex- the charge was “forgery” for filing faulty man in North Africa. He has control over still we got the participation of all sec- ecution was caught on video by one of his paperwork about the incident. It’s highly and profits from phosphates, Morocco’s tors — and even succeeded in mobilizing friends and went viral throughout Moroc- unlikely that anyone will be charged with most profitable export, as well as the fish- farmers. co on Oct. 28. While the biggest demon- killing Fikri, since the authorities are ing industry. We succeeded in mobilizing workers strations were in Al Hoceima, Fikri’s calling it an accident. Morocco’s main trading and diplomat- who are not generally unionized and even hometown in the northeast, the Moroc- Protests continued past the immediate ic partners are France and Spain, its for- mobilized the unions which are not affil- can press reported massive protests in outrage, with a major march in Morocco’s mer colonial masters, but the monarchy iates of central trade unions. Everybody all of Morocco’s major cities and even in capital, Rabat, on Nov. 6. It was not just goes out of its way to maintain good rela- was brought on board, and it was a very small and midsized ones, 40 cities in all. the gruesome police murder that brought tions with Washington. successful strike. workers.org Nov. 17, 2016 Page 9 Cuba wins at U.N., 191 to 0

By Cheryl LaBash the U.S. would not vote against Cuba’s resolution, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. For the 25th time, the world had its say Samantha Power admitted: “Instead of firmly opposing the financial, commer- isolating Cuba, as President Obama has cial and economic blockade imposed by repeatedly said, our policy isolated the Demonstration against the the imperialist North American giant on United States. Including right here at the blockade. Cuba, its much smaller socialist neighbor United Nations.” in the Caribbean. More than a vote, it was a demonstra- U.S. rep calls blockade ‘legal’ it required specific licenses tion of worldwide popular support for But Power quickly claimed legality from the Treasury Depart- ending the blockade against Cuba. Unlike for the blockade that had just been de- ment. The Uganda branch previous United Nations. General Assem- nounced in the speeches and in a 174- virus epidemic in West Africa. She spoke of this bank had just closed the person- bly votes, on Oct. 26 not even Washington page Secretary General’s report support- of Cuban Dr. Félix Báez Sarría, who con- al accounts of Cuban health workers in said “No.” In a first, the U.S. and Israel ing Cuba’s resolution. tracted Ebola, survived and returned to that country and the British subsidiary of abstained from voting, making the total In an example of the new, more nuanced the Henry Reeve Brigade in Sierra Leone. Barclays Bank also prevented them from 191 to 0. In 2015 the vote was 191 to 2. U.S. foreign policy against socialist Cuba, She pointed out that the brigade takes making transfers to Cuba. Nineteen other representatives spoke Power, after referring to alleged “human its name from a Brooklyn, N.Y.-born, “The same occurred regarding the Cu- before the U.S. and Cuban spokespeople. rights” violations in Cuba, said: “Let me be 19-year-old, who died fighting alongside ban personnel working in the education Others explained their votes afterward, among the first to acknowledge — as our Cubans for independence in 1876. sector in other countries. These examples including in an hourlong session follow- Cuban counterparts often point out — that demonstrate the complexity of the real ing the lunch break. the United States has work to do in fulfill- Cuban foreign minister speaks relations between the United States and Among those speaking were repre- ing these rights for our own citizens. And After detailing the human and finan- Cuba, but the rapprochement made this sentatives from Niger, representing the we know that at times in our history, U.S. cial cost of the blockade in great detail in morning is, without doubt, encouraging. U.N.’s Africa Group; the Association of leaders and citizens used the pretext of his introduction to the vote, Cuban For- With the change of the U.S. vote we may Southeast Asian Nations; the large coun- promoting democracy and human rights eign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla ask: Will these practices cease? tries of Russia, the People’s Republic of in the region to justify actions that have spoke concretely about Dr. Sarría and in- “The change in the vote that Ambassa- China and India; the Pacific Archipelago left a deep legacy of mistrust. ternational cooperation. dor Samantha Power has just announced Tonga; the Community of Latin Ameri- “We also recognize the areas in which “However, it should not be kept silent is a promising sign. We hope it will be re- can and Caribbean States; and Caricom. the Cuban government has made signifi- that in the tragic moments of the epidem- flected in reality.” The Non-Aligned Movement recognized cant progress in advancing the welfare of ic of Ebola in West Africa, the deployment Rodríguez ended by thanking all the and complimented positive U.S. diplo- its people, from significantly reducing its of Cuban medical aid was hampered by people and governments, political par- matic steps, but insisted the blockade of child mortality rate, to ensuring that girls the refusal of the British Standard Char- ties, social movements, parliaments, civil Cuba must end. have the same access to primary and sec- tered Bank to make transfers between societies, and international and regional The Bolivian representative remind- ondary school as boys.” (usun.state.gov/ the World Health Organization and the organizations that have contributed their ed the audience that Cuba was the only remarks/7510) Cuban medical brigades, consisting of Dr. voice and vote against the blockade. He non-African country to help fight for Afri- Power gave as a positive example of Báez Sarría and others who risked their extended gratitude to the people of the can liberation, that Cuba shares the little international cooperation between the lives by their direct contact with patients. U.S. for the growing support for ending they have and asks for nothing, and that U.S. and Cuba the fight to stop the Ebola “Even under such extreme conditions, the blockade. Cuba improves people’s lives with doc- tors and teachers. He also gave a tribute to the Cuban Revolution and its historic FRANCE leader Fidel Castro on his 90th birthday. The Cuban leader, he said, opposed nuclear war, international debt, climate change, in short, capitalism and impe- Refugees part of global crisis rialism, and was for a new international order. The speaker ended with “Long live By G. Dunkel Libya and Italy, one person has died for itself “Socialist” but serves the interests Fidel! Long live Cuba!” each 47 who made it through. of the capitalist class, decided to raze the In addition to Bolivia, representatives Although many jobs have dried up and Even after refugees reach Europe camp and send the people living there to of ALBA [the Bolivarian Alliance for the developed capitalist countries through- safely, their reception is not at all as- “reception centers” throughout France Peoples of Our America] countries — out the world no longer seek as much low- sured. In countries like Hungary, which which were specially built to accommo- Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua and El wage labor, people from poor countries has had a reactionary government since date immigrants. Salvador — spoke. wracked by misery and war are taking capitalism was restored in 1989, it is The Calais camp was completely razed After announcing to applause that almost unimaginable risks to make their downright hostile. by the end of October, and over 6,000 way to developed countries where they France, which once exploited much of people were moved by bus to the centers. hope for a better future. Africa as its colonial possession, has a However, some 1,200 unaccompanied WAR Often, it is to the very imperialist large immigrant population and sports minors, many of whom have family ties WITHOUT VICTORY countries whose ruling classes have for the motto “Liberty, equality and frater- to refugees in Britain, were not moved, generations fattened off exploiting the nity.” But its reception for refugees is by Sara Flounders and a number of them wound up sleeping labor and resources of their homelands. mixed. “By revealing the underbelly of the empire, in the open air for several nights. According to the U.N. High Commis- One of the biggest unofficial camps for Flounders sheds insight on how to stand up The British government has accepted a to the imperialist war machine and, in so doing, sioner on Refugees, even though the flow refugees in Europe grew up over the past few hundred. Britain and France are ar- save ourselves and humanity.” of people making Mediterranean Sea few years near Calais in northern France. guing over others, who now have accom- – Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, crossings from Africa to Europe in 2016 Migrants there have been mainly from modations in temporary centers. (Agence President, U.N. General Assembly, 2008-2009; has been only about a third of last year, East Africa — Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and France Presse, Nov. 4) Foreign Minister of Nicaragua’s Sandinista the death rate this year is higher. For the Ethiopia — or Afghanistan, not former A number of refugees didn’t get on the government. Central Mediterranean route between French colonies. They gathered in a camp buses from Calais but instead headed to Available on online booksellers. nicknamed “The Jungle” that was close to Paris. Some went to a very large encamp- PentagonAchillesHeel.com the tunnel running between France and ment in northeast Paris, near the Stalin- Britain. The goal of many has been to get grad Metro station. The mayor of Paris, to Britain, where some have family ties Anne Hidalgo, estimated it was grow- and the hope of finding jobs. Some 3 mil- ing at the rate of 80 to 100 people a day, lion immigrants work in Britain. though not all are coming from Calais. In Defense of Various unofficial estimates from On Nov. 4, for the thirtieth time, the charity organizations put the number of cops dispersed this encampment and CUBA refugees who had been living in the Cal- sent around 3,500 people to reception By Leslie Feinberg, author of ‘Stone Butch Blues’ ais camp at between 6,000 and 8,000. centers. (La Croix, Nov. 4) One-third were women, and between Telesur reported on Oct. 10 that young Rainbow Solidarity in Defense of Cuba documents revolutionary 1,000 and 2,000 were unaccompanied people from Paris’ immigrant suburbs Cuba’s inspiring trajectory of progress towards liberation of sexualities, minors, some as young as 10. genders and sexes. This ground-breaking book reveals how the Cuban had started a program of providing ref- Revolution has grappled with the pre-revolutionary legacy of 450 years Much political maneuvering is taking ugees sleeping on the streets with free of persecution and exploitation of homosexuality. place in France around the presiden- meals. Soon after the article was posted, Rainbow Solidarity answers the demonization Rainbow Solidarity in Defense of Cuba is tial election scheduled for this coming the project went viral online. of the 1959 Cuban Revolution by Washington an edited compilation of 25 articles from the Spring. The semi-fascist National Front, “We also are children of immigrants, and the CIA, Wall Street and Hollywood Workers World news­paper series by a major political party in France, has we grew up in poverty; the principle of by demonstrating that the process of solving Feinberg entitled Lavender & Red, been whipping up an anti-immigrant, sharing is part of who we are,” said Sou- these problems is the forward motion of online at workers.org. racist frenzy over the camp. The govern- leymane, a resident of the Sarcelles sub- the revolution. Available at major online booksellers ment of François Holland, which calls urb where the project began. Page 10 Nov. 17, 2016 workers.org

Don’t just mourn, organize Continued from page 1 The danger is not just Trump the per- son but the misogyny, racism and attacks ton. That shows something about the on immigrants and the LGBTQ communi- attitude of the people. But the election ties that his election victory can unleash. system in this country isn’t based on the His main support comes from white men. popular vote. Nor does it give third par- Whether they realize it or not, when they ties a chance to be heard. (The Moore- voted for Trump they identified not with head/Lilly campaign of Workers World the working class, in which the majority Party got its revolutionary socialist are now women and/or people of color, views heard by being in the streets with but with the ruling establishment. the movement including social media.) In U.S. corporate culture dishes out fan- addition, many of the most oppressed are tasy — the fantasy of the strong, rich, prevented by poverty, threats and reac- white man who can fix everything, from ue to grow under the right president, one It is precisely African Americans, Lat- tionary laws from voting. “Batman” to Trump’s “reality” show. The care­fully hand-picked by the establishment. inx, Indigenous nations, women, Arabs, Let’s not forget that earlier this year “good” capitalists will provide good jobs The next four years will bring a strong Muslims and LGBTQ people who have Bernie Sanders moved large crowds by for everyone. In this Fox-dominated at- dose of real reality. The house of cards been in the lead of so many struggles that angrily focusing on the economic prob- mosphere, which extends from films to that is the world capitalist system is al- challenge this system. Trump cannot meet lems facing the workers. When he was radio and television to comic books, many ready reacting as stock markets tank. the needs of the vast majority of people in knocked out of the race, it’s possible that bought into Trump’s outright fantasy. They could rebound for a while, and bil- this country. The struggle continues from some of his supporters refused to support But the promises of the Clinton neolib- lions will be won and lost, but the capi- the grassroots up, and the only answer is a grinning Clinton or even opted for an erals are fantasy, too. The fantasy is that talist system can never recover its early to forge the greatest unity of all the move- angry Trump. U.S. capitalism can be strong and contin- vigor — and the financiers know it. ments that fight capitalism and reaction.

Gambia blasts the International Criminal Court By Chris Fry The western African country of Gam- was a nexus of the genocidal British slave tries see the ICC, not as an agent of jus- prosecuted for committing war crimes. bia announced on Oct. 25 that it was trade for hundreds of years. tice, but as simply one more mechanism Under international law, a person can be withdrawing from the Hague-based In- Gambia joins Burundi and South Af- designed to force the people of Africa to found guilty of aiding and abetting war ternational Criminal Court, calling the rica as African countries that have re- submit to Western domination. crimes.” (theguardian.com, Nov. 3) ICC the “International Caucasian Court.” cently withdrawn from the International The U.S. government signed the Lieu points out that not only is the Gambian Information Minister Sheriff Criminal Court. Since it was established “Rome statutes” that created the ICC but U.S. supplying the planes and bombs to Bojang accused the ICC of the “persecu- in 2002, the ICC — tasked with prosecut- has never ratified it. That is no surprise. the Saudis, which have killed more than tion and humiliation of people of color, ing the most serious crimes that shock From Korea to Vietnam, from Afghan- 4,125 civilians in Yemen, including more especially Africans.” the conscience of humanity, namely istan to Iraq, millions of people from than 1,121 children, but it is also provid- “There are many Western countries, genocide, war crimes, crimes against hu- countries around the globe have suffered ing in-flight refueling to Saudi bomber at least 30, that have committed heinous manity and crimes of aggression — has death and destruction from Washing- planes. And the U.S. has been supplying war crimes against independent sover- charged only Africans in the six cases ton’s aggressive war adventures, whether the Saudis with dreaded anti-personnel eign states and their citizens since the that are ongoing or about to begin. direct or proxy wars. cluster bombs, banned by international creation of the ICC and not a single West- The governments of Uganda and Ken- A former U.S. Air Force judge advo- treaty in 2008. (thenation.com, Nov. 3) ern war criminal has been indicted,” Bo- ya have announced that they too are con- cate, now Congressman Ted Lieu, D-Ca- Justice for the victims of war crimes jang said. (af.reuters.com, Oct. 26) sidering leaving the ICC. lif., in a letter to both Secretary of State will never come from minions of the U.S. The information minister specifical- The conflicts that wrench the African John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ash and European banks and giant corpora- ly noted former British Prime Minis- continent today were spawned by centu- Carter, warned that the Pentagon’s sup- tions that direct and profit from these ter Tony Blair, whom the ICC refused ries of European colonialism, as well as port of Saudi Arabia’s horrendous bomb- wars. Only the world’s oppressed and to prosecute for war crimes against the the current oppression and exploitation ing campaign in Yemen constitutes war workers can mete out the proper pun- people of Iraq. Gambia was a British col- by U.S. and European banks and corpo- crimes. “U.S. personnel are now at legal ishment to the Pentagon brass and these ony since the 17th century until 1965 and rations. More and more African coun- risk of being investigated and potentially merchants of death. Syria and Donbass: Two sections of a united front against imperialism By Alexey Albu The writer is a coordinator of the of Donbass, because their antipode is mony, U.S. imperialism. And now, being Syrian government and the young Kurd- banned Ukrainian Marxist organization Ukrainian fascism, which kills innocent back in Donbass, I can’t stop thinking ish state of Rojava arising in the north. Union Borotba (Struggle), who participat- people, destroys cities and villages, and about how we can expand this front, as The fact is that we do not always get ed in a recent international solidarity del- arranges massacres as it did in Odessa on we help each other to survive in this dif- unbiased information through the lens of egation to Syria. Albu is a former regional May 2, 2014, the horrors of which I expe- ficult struggle. the media. Very often the media contrasts deputy of the Odessa region and survivor rienced myself. … It was very interesting to see the work Rojava and the Syrian government, say- of the May 2, 2014, neo-Nazi massacre at Today, in the struggle against imperial- of the Syrian government in the area of ing that Assad bombed peaceful Kurd- the Odessa House of Trade Unions. He is ism (a pity that some uninformed people basic necessities of the common people ish villages and violated the agreement currently living in political exile in Russia confuse this term, which they often use to — repairing housing destroyed by mil- granting autonomy to the Kurds. After and the Lugansk People’s Republic. mean “imperial” or “imperial ambitions,” itants, water, electricity, medical care. the trip to Syria, I realized that this is not Workers World contributing editor and not a phase of the capitalist system), Speaking of health care, during our visit quite true. The political landscape of the Greg Butterfield translated the article Syria takes the main place. … It was there- to wounded soldiers in the hospital, I saw region is extremely difficult. Within the at the author’s request. Abridged here, it fore very important for us to establish a excellent conditions, which often do not same area there are many different forces is available in full at RedStarOverDon- relationship with all progressive forces exist in Ukraine or Donbass. Yes, perhaps and groups that are under the influence bass.blogspot.com, Nov. 2. challenging the U.S. as the main center of we were shown one of the best medical of large political centers — united, sepa- The movement of people adhering to world imperialism, including the govern- facilities. But it is comparable to the best rated, fighting with each other. ... communist views around the world is ment of the Syrian Arab Republic. hospitals in Ukraine. I realized that the Syrian government vast. But the political spectrum within It was important for us to see the situa- During the trip, I realized that the so- intends to respect the agreement and give this movement is also vast. The construc- tion from within the region, the lives of the cial burden the state carries is huge. This the Syrian Kurds their long-awaited auton- tion of a new, more just society without people in the frontline towns and refugee policy is the antithesis of the policy of the omy. This was very important to me. That war, destruction, poverty and exploita- camps. It was important to meet with se- new Ukrainian authorities. ... is, for now the union of progressive forces tion is the dream of hundreds of millions nior officials of the government, religious It so happens that as a result of my po- continues to operate against the Islamists, of people around the world. However, and community leaders in Syria, for me litical activities, I’ve met a lot of comrades and inside this union there is no war. I re- views on how to build this new society are — and for the other comrades from Italy, from Kurdistan, who told me about the ally hope that mutual understanding will all very different. Morocco, Lebanon, Scotland and Greece struggle of the Kurdistan Workers’ Par- continue within the progressive camp. ... I would like to make my views clear. I who participated in the delegation. ... ty (PKK) for a free, socialist Kurdistan, In September 2013, when we carried support any attempt to make progressive [When we reached Damascus] I had a and how they resisted the troops of the out actions against U.S. intervention in social changes in society, and I support good impression from our conversation Turkish government on one hand and the the war in Syria, I couldn’t imagine that any political, social and government ini- with [President] Bashar al-Assad’s Depu- U.S. puppet Kurdistan Democratic Party the United States would soon unleash a tiative, if the alternative to it serves reac- ty Hilal al-Hilal, which took place behind (KDP) on the other. Of course, I believe the civil war in my own country. Today we tion, regression and rollback to a lower closed doors, in a small circle. I said then Kurdish liberation movement is progres- have a common enemy, and the only solu- stage of human development. That is why that Syria and Donbass are two sections sive, and for me it was very important to tion is a united struggle and mutual aid. I support the young People’s Republics of a united front against American hege- learn about the relationship between the If we organize — we will win! workers.org Nov. 17, 2016 Page 11 A NATO ‘no-fly zone’ in Syria means a bigger war

WW PHOTO: ANNE PRUDEN By Ava Lipatti At the end of the Gulf War in 1991, a Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 5. Protest against U.S. intervention in Syr- no-fly zone was imposed on Iraq by the ia marches to Hillary Clinton’s The failure of U.S. foreign policy to United States, France and Turkey. It was office. overthrow the Syrian government has enforced up to the invasion in 2003. forced the U.S. government to reassess More than 1,400 Iraqi civilians were close scrutiny. its role in the conflict in Syria. Already killed by U.S. and British bombs dropped Given Washington’s long- in its sixth year, the conflict has killed to enforce the no-fly zones. standing desires in the region, hundreds of thousands and displaced 11 After the separation of Bosnia from the 2011 “Arab Spring” protests million people — nearly half the Syrian Yugoslavia in 1992, the U.N. Security were a convenient opportunity for swift CIA support for the Nazi-infested, right- population. Council passed a resolution calling for regime change. But the anti-government wing coup in Kiev, Ukraine, to the covert Up to this point, the U.S. has carried a no-fly zone in Bosnia-Herzegovina; it movement has been thoroughly corrupt- funding of Salafist paramilitary groups out airstrike campaigns and funded, was enforced by NATO. Following the ed by Salafist military groups like the Is- in Syria, the United States is slowly but armed and trained various anti-govern- declaration of the no-fly zone came a 15- lamic State group (IS) and al-Nusra (an surely encircling Russia. ment groups. More direct intervention day bombing campaign, along with Brit- al-Qaida offshoot). NATO has begun to increase its mili- has been a possibility for a long time ish and French shelling of Bosnian Serbs. The involvement of the United States tary presence, including troops and tanks, now. The widely proposed “no-fly zone,” In 2011, the U.N. Security Council in the conflict has been overwhelmingly in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. NATO which would lead to direct military inter- passed a resolution that allowed NATO consistent with its strategic aim of un- has also bolstered its forces elsewhere in vention, demonstrates that the U.S. and and its Gulf allies to impose a no-fly zone dermining the Syrian government, but Eastern Europe and conducted unusually NATO are clearly not interested in peace. in Libya. While the Libyan government its plan to support “moderate” anti-gov- aggressive military exercises in Poland. A no-fly zone is a territory over which took part in the ceasefire, NATO began ernment forces has boomeranged. Wash- While the U.S. quietly closes in on the U.S. and its NATO allies do not permit its bombing campaign and support for ington has funded fighters who consis- Russia’s borders, anti-Russian war pro- other military aircraft to fly. Those pow- anti-government elements, ripping apart tently join the ranks of al-Qaida or IS, it paganda has grown louder by the day. ers would force other planes to land, shoot the country and overthrowing the sover- airdrops or sells weapons that wind up in China and Russia have been deemed down aircraft and bomb airports preemp- eign government. the hands of IS, and it targets the Syrian threats to U.S. national security; the tively. Prominent supporters of a no-fly army in airstrikes. The U.S. government Democratic Party has accused Russia of zone in Syria include Hillary Clinton, Ger- U.S. desires regime change in Syria has made its priorities clear: It values the leaking hacked information about the man Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Brit- Although a no-fly zone may be promot- destruction of Syria over civilian lives. Democratic National Committee, and ish Foreign Minister Boris Johnson. ed as a moderate solution to de-escalate The U.S. proxy forces are all linked to Republican presidential candidate Don- Politicians and military leaders alike the ongoing conflict in Syria, historical al-Nusra, which sabotages U.S.-Russia ald Trump has accused China of econom- have no illusions about the aggression that precedent suggests anything but. A no-fly cooperation. With the U.S. plan to es- ic aggression. a no-fly zone entails. Marine Corps Gen. zone will require anti-aircraft technology tablish a “moderate” opposition failing Within the Syrian “civil” war lies a Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. and an estimated 70,000 troops on the to carry out regime change, Washington precarious proxy war by the U.S./NATO Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that “for us to ground, according to the Pentagon. (New gets more desperate and reckless. Unwill- targeting Russia. The imposition of a no- control all of the airspace in Syria it would York Times, Oct. 22, 2013) ing to coordinate with Russia, the U.S. fly zone on the part of the U.S./NATO is require us to go to war against Syria and The U.S. has been interested in con- government is considering the aggressive a sure way to escalate to a full-scale in- Russia.” (theguardian.com, Oct. 25) trolling Syria for decades, with consec- no-fly zone strategy as a last-ditch effort. tervention in Syria and possibly a direct utive CIA-backed coup attempts in 1956 war with Russia. Now more than ever, it’s History of no-fly zones and 1957. Since 1967, because of the Encirclement of Russia crucial for the anti-war movement to call No-fly zones have been implemented Ba’athist government’s support for Pales- U.S. involvement in Syria is only one for NATO’s exit from Syria. three times: Iraq in 1991, Bosnia-Herze- tinian and Lebanese resistance to Israeli movement in its geopolitical symphony Lipatti is an anti-war activist in- govina in 1993 and Libya in 2011. aggression, the U.S. has kept Syria under targeting Russia and China. Between volved in the student movement. Families across Britain protest killer cops By Taryn Fivek of America [the U.S.] should see them- London selves as part of a diaspora. We really do stand with them. We love Harlem. We Hundreds of people from across Brit- By Alexey Albu love Oakland. We really listen. We really ain gathered here in Trafalgar Square to give a fuck about you guys! We just really hold a rally against police brutality on want them to care about us as well. Oct. 29. For the last 18 years, the United “At the end of the day, in Paris, in Da- Families and Friends Campaign has held kar, in Johannesburg — we’re having a a march from Trafalgar Square to Down- conversation. Sometimes it feels a bit ing Street. Those attending told Workers one-sided, but we’re open and we love World that this year’s rally has been the you. We’re waiting for them to recognize largest so far. us, their diasporic cousins.” Compared to the United States, the Shenge says she reads and watches a numbers in the Britain seem low. More lot of material from the United States on- than 880 people have been killed by the line, including material from the Sylvia police in the U.S. in 2016. Meanwhile, 34 Rivera Law Project, and hopes that the have been killed in Britain, where police internet will open up more dialogue be- Trafalgar Square, London. Oct. 29. WW PHOTOS: TARYN FIVEK do not carry guns. Most people die here tween borders. while in police custody after being beaten “Paps” Ullah Campaign to highlight the got the best legal minds in the world, in Deshmukh stressed the importance of or having their medical needs neglected. struggles that South Asian (Indian, Pa- this country, that are representing them. remembering those who have lost their This discrepancy in numbers does not kistani and Bengali) people have to wage That’s such, you know, that’s what gets lives at the hands of the police. “People mean that victims here have been any in Britain. Paps died in 2008 after being families angry.” Families meanwhile have to know these names. Sometimes we more successful than those in the U.S. in stopped by police and experiencing what struggle to receive legal aid to prosecute look at what’s happening over in America achieving justice. Since 1990, 1,577 peo- police called “trouble breathing.” He was the killer cops responsible. [the U.S.] stateside, and we know those ple in total have died in police custody. survived by a wife and three small chil- “Justice looks like police officers be- campaigns. We know their names. We That has led to zero convictions of police. dren. ing imprisoned for what they’re doing, may not know the names of Darrell Nev- The Independent Police Complaints Deshmukh said that the struggle which is murder — but also not just ille here, of Paps, and Sean Rigg, and all Commission is supposed to investigate against police brutality is a multination- murder. We’ve got police officers who’ve these other names. There’s new families and prosecute these killings. The prob- al struggle. “Until we get cops who are lied in court,” said Deshmukh. “In Paps’ who come here each year. We need to lem is that eight out of nine IPCC senior sacked, who are imprisoned ... that will case, they committed perjury. Anyone know all their names. The media need to investigators are former cops. be the only deterrent to other police of- else would have been sent down [been know all their names. And the police and Many of the people who die in police ficers. Otherwise, they’ll continue to act imprisoned] for that. Officers have to go authorities need to be held accountable custody here have mental health prob- with impunity, thinking they’ll actually down for that.” for their deaths.” lems and are particularly vulnerable. get away with it. Kuchenga Shenge, a Black trans As the movement to remember the “I’ve been in court,” Deshmukh con- woman from North London and child names of those killed by police grows, Justice for ‘Paps’ tinued, “and I’ve seen massive legal of Pan-African activists, told Workers so too have their names echoed louder Saqib Deshmukh, from Slough (a town teams representing these officers. The World that she sees herself as part of a in the halls of power, while the working 21 miles west of London), was at the officers walk in there smugly, knowing larger international community without class and oppressed advance on centers rally on behalf of the Justice for Habib that nothing could stick on them. They’ve borders. “I think the Black population of oppression worldwide. 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. 58 Núm. 45 17 de noviembre 2016 $1 La necesidad de solidaridad internacionalista Trump, Clinton y el FBI Por Abayomi Azikiwe especial de las/os afroamericanos, avan- Editorial 1 de noviembre de 2016 zando en su lugar una política de evasión Algo sin precedentes en las elecciones oxígeno. A continuación publicamos la present- pública ante el empeoramiento de las presidenciales de Estados Unidos ocur- ación dada en la Conferencia de la Liga condiciones sociales. rió el 28 de octubre, y hay mucha espec- ¿Porqué ahora? Internacional de Luchas Populares cele- Fueron las masas afroamericanas y ulación en todos los medios de comuni- ¿Deben las/os revolucionarios que en- brada en Chicago el 22 de octubre. Aziki- otros grupos oprimidos los que sufrieron cación acerca del por qué. tienden que tanto Clinton como Trump we es un reconocido líder antiimperialis- el peso de la crisis económica que comenzó Justo una semana y media antes del son políticos leales al sistema capitalista ta de Detroit. en 2007. Detroit fue una de las zonas ur- día de las elecciones, el director del FBI, estar interesadas/os ​​en este asunto? La re- Hay una debilidad fundamental en el banas más afectadas. Cuando Obama James Comey, envió una carta a las/os spuesta es “sí”. movimiento popular en los Estados Uni- asumió el cargo en 2009 hubo una consid- miembros del Congreso sobre unos nue- El FBI ha desempeñado históricamente dos, y esta es la necesidad del internacio- erable esperanza falsa de que estas dificul- vos acontecimientos en la investigación un papel de extrema derecha en la políti- nalismo antiimperialista. tades económicas atraerían la atención de de los correos electrónicos de Hillary ca estadounidense, especialmente duran- Las luchas contra el racismo, la la Casa Blanca y de la mayoría demócrata Clinton, investigación que supuestamente te la campaña anticomunista del senador opresión nacional y la explotación de clase de Cámara y Senado (2008-10). había terminado meses antes. Joseph McCarthy en los años cincuenta y no pueden separarse de la necesidad de Las subsecuentes rebeliones y oleadas Inmediatamente, la carta se tornó viral contra los movimientos de derechos civiles acabar con la injerencia de Washington y de manifestaciones masivas en las calles, y fue usada por el campo de Trump como y liberación negra en las décadas siguien- Wall Street en los asuntos internos de la en los campus y ahora en los campos atléti- prueba de que Clinton no estaba calificada tes. Debe ser de gran interés para las/os mayoría de los estados del mundo. cos, han despojado a la administración de para ser presidente. El equipo de Clinton trabajadores y todos los pueblos oprimi- Ganar el reconocimiento en estas lu- cualquier pretensión de legitimidad políti- respondió de inmediato, diciendo que se dos, cuando un organismo de represión chas monumentales depende en gran me- ca. El atleta profesional Colin Kaepernick y trataba de una movida poco ética, pues se como el FBI está dispuesto a cruzar la línea dida del grado en que podamos crear con- otros en el ámbito de deportes profesional, daba justo antes de las elecciones. Otros se de la política habitual, en este caso con el ciencia generalizada de la difícil situación universitario y de escuela secundaria ilus- unieron, hasta republicanos. fin de posiblemente influir en una elección. de las comunidades de color y de la clase tran que no importa cuánto les clasifiquen Uno de ellos fue Richard W. Painter, ex Durante meses ha quedado claro que la obrera en general. Se están realizando es- de “privilegiados”, el espectro de la violen- oficial de “ética” de la Casa Blanca durante mayoría de los establecimientos corpora- fuerzos para alcanzar estos objetivos, aun- cia racista y las amenazas de los agentes el segundo gobierno de George W. Bush. tivos y financieros capitalistas han visto a que aún queda mucho por hacer. armados del estado permanece con ellos Él escribió en un artículo de opinión en el Trump como una bala perdida y han mov- La conciencia internacional con re- en todo momento. El racismo está en au- New York Times del 30 de octubre: “Esta ido su gran dinero detrás de la campaña specto al carácter del estado de EUA está mento en los Estados Unidos, y el rechazo carta, que fue rápidamente publicada en de Clinton. Clinton ha demostrado, como creciendo inmensamente. Esto se debe en de la clase dominante y el estado capitalis- Internet, hizo declaraciones públicas muy secretaria de Estado, que entiende mejor parte a las manifestaciones masivas y las ta para avanzar cualquier reforma en este inusuales acerca de una investigación del los intereses de Wall Street en su conjunto rebeliones urbanas que han surgido es- sentido dice mucho sobre la fase actual del FBI sobre una candidata en las elecciones. y es leal en las cuestiones más importantes pontáneamente en respuesta a la muerte imperialismo y su postura pública. La carta fue enviada en violación de una para los grandes negocios y el Pentágono. de Trayvon Martin en el 2012 y el veredic- antigua política del Departamento de Trump, con sus discursos racistas, misógi- to de no culpable dictado en el juicio de Implicaciones globales de la crisis capitalista Justicia de no discutir detalles sobre las nos, antiinmigrantes y egoístas, ha aliena- George Zimmerman. investigaciones pendientes con otros, in- do a grandes sectores de la población, lo El anuncio de la absolución de Zimmer- El grado en que la clase capitalista cluidos los miembros del Congreso”. que podría representar un desafío para el man hizo mucho para cambiar la opinión puede reclamar cualquier apariencia de Painter concluyó que “una comuni- sistema mismo en futuras luchas. pública interna e internacionalmente so- una “recuperación” económica está rela- cación pública sobre una investigación Tal vez algunas cosas más saldrán a la bre las instituciones que devalúan la vida cionado con la expansión de la mano de pendiente del FBI que involucra a un can- luz eventualmente sobre la motivación de afroamericana y los derechos democráti- obra con bajos salarios y las mega ganan- didato, que se hace en vísperas de una Comey. Creemos que es probable que in- cos. Fue durante este período que el cias de las corporaciones transnacionales. elección es muy probable que sea una vi- cluso aquellos en la clase dominante que hashtag #BlackLivesMatter comenzó a ser Esto se ve reforzado por el sistemático re- olación de la Ley Hatch y un uso indebi- han abandonado Trump están ahora en tendencia. Desde entonces, se han realiza- corte del financiamiento de la educación do de una posición oficial”. La Ley Hatch pánico por si una derrota resonante para do esfuerzos para construir capítulos de pública, los servicios municipales y las prohíbe a la mayoría de empleados fede- él también podría significar una derrota BLM en EUA, extendiéndose internacio- medidas ecológicas. rales de una participación partidista en de un Congreso republicano que tan bien nalmente a Bretaña y América Latina. Son demasiados los ejemplos para actividades políticas. ha servido a sus intereses. Si eso es lo que Más tarde, el 9 de agosto de 2014, en poderlos mencionar aquí. Podríamos Antes de la carta, las posibilidades de los hombres de gran dinero están dicien- Ferguson, Missouri, el joven de 18 años hablar sobre el sistema antidemocrático Trump de ganar las elecciones habían es- do entre ellos, Comey lo sabría y podría de edad, Michael Brown, fue abatido por de gestión de emergencias y la bancar- tado disminuyendo, según las encuestas. tomar medidas destinadas a diluir una un policía blanco. Inmediatamente estal- rota forzada en Detroit y otras ciudades La carta parece haber dado a su campaña marea anti-Trump. laron manifestaciones en Ferguson. Estas de Michigan que tienen la mayoría de las manifestaciones se extendieron a nivel na- poblaciones afro-americanas. También cional, llamando la atención sobre la falsa está la crisis del agua en Flint y el casi co- noción de que Estados Unidos se había lapso de las escuelas públicas en Detroit, sonas del norte de África hacia el sur de causando mayores tasas de desempleo, convertido en una sociedad post-racial en Highland Park, Inkster y otras ciudades Europa. Este movimiento de personas pobreza, déficit de alimentos, conflictos el período posterior a la elección del presi- de Michigan. desplazadas ha sido documentado por la de clase y guerra civil. Países como So- dente Barack Obama en 2008. Un movimiento coordinado a nivel na- Agencia de las Naciones Unidas para los malia, Sudáfrica, Zimbabue y Nigeria, ri- cional liderado por sindicatos que exigen Refugiados como el más grande desde la cos en recursos naturales, terrenos y vías Ningún EUA ‘post-racial’ un salario mínimo de 15 dólares por hora conclusión de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. navegables estratégicas, se enfrentan a Obama se vio obligado a abordar los está creciendo en todo el país. Personas de Hay de 60 a 75 millones de personas que diversos niveles de recesión, depresión y problemas de la “opresión especial” de las/ todas las generaciones están trabajando han sido interna y externamente desplaza- mayor esclavitud al capital financiero in- os afroamericanos después de los distur- más por menos dinero. das en el mundo moderno. ternacional. bios en Ferguson. La situación de las/os El complejo industrial penitenciario, Estas remociones forzadas se derivan Por último, es nuestra tarea señalar la afroamericanos ganó la atención interna- que ahora abarca a unas 2,2 millones de directamente de los imperativos de la relación directa entre la política interna de cional surgiendo editoriales en periódicos personas, y otras millones más bajo super- política exterior de guerra y explotación los Estados Unidos y la política exterior. significativos tanto en EUA como interna- visión judicial y policial, representa otra económica diseñados por Washington y Una política de opresión nacional dentro cionalmente cuestionando esta falsa afir- forma de súper-explotación y contención Wall Street. Las intervenciones en Afgan- de los Estados Unidos se refleja en la de- mación de post-racialismo. social relacionada con el perfil racial y el istán, Irak, Haití, Libia, Siria, Yemen y So- strucción militar y económica de países de La administración se inclinó a favor de sistema judicial injusto. malia están alimentando el subdesarrollo la antigua Unión Soviética y Europa Ori- mantener el status quo de opresión nacio- Estas son algunas de las principales y la balcanización. ental, extendiéndose por África, Oriente nal. Obama por supuesto, dio su opinión cuestiones que debemos abordar en los Muchas de estas guerras permanecen Medio, Asia y el Pacífico, América Latina sobre el sentir de las/os afroamericanos y EUA. Nuestro internacionalismo debe ser en gran parte ocultas al pueblo en los y el Caribe. luego denunció la violencia, diciendo que formado por las condiciones específicas EUA. Gran parte del impacto social de es- Los problemas que enfrentamos en no logrará nada. Esta es una falsedad fla- de las/os trabajadores y las/os oprimidos tas guerras de cambio de régimen y geno- América del Norte no pueden ser abor- grante porque el estado de EUA nació en la y los movimientos que han surgido en los cidio se está manifestando dentro de estas dados o resueltos de manera efectiva in- violencia y mantiene su existencia a través últimos cuatro años. regiones geopolíticas y en Europa meridi- dependientemente de los pueblos de la de la fuerza bruta y la coerción dentro del onal, central y oriental. comunidad internacional. Los pueblos del Trazando vínculos entre país y en el exterior. La crisis de la guerra imperialista tiene mundo debemos unirnos en un programa lo nacional y el exterior Lo que estos acontecimientos expus- sus componentes económicos. La sobre- de antiimperialismo dirigido a acabar ieron fue el fracaso de la administración Quizás la crisis de desplazamiento más producción de petróleo y otros productos con todas las formas de opresión y ex- Obama para hacer frente a la opresión profunda de hoy es la migración de per- básicos está haciendo bajar los precios y plotación.