• AUSTRALIA $2.00 • BELGIUM BF60 • CANADA $2.00 • FRANCE FF1 0 • ICELAND Kr150 • NEW ZEALAND $2.00 • SWEDEN Kr1 0 • UK £1 .00 • U.S. $1 .50

THE A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 56/NO. 7 FEBRUARY 21, 1992 Rally initiates new cantpaign for parole of jailed unionist

BY CHRIS REMPLE DES MOINES, Iowa - Supporters of Mark Curtis and fighters against police bru­ tality from across the Midwest held a rally An appeal from Mark Curtis and Kate Kaku here February 8. They were celebrating Curtis's victory in his federal civil rights The following is a letter from Mark lawsuit against the cops who beat him while Curtis and Kate Kaku, his wife, to sup­ in custody nearly four years ago. porters of the jailed unionist and political The event took place at the Wilkie House, activist. a well-known neighborhood center in the Black community, and was covered by two of the three local TV stations. February 6, 1992 Among the 160 attending were many who Dear Supporter, had heard about Curtis's fight at protests over We are proud to share with you a tremen­ the past month against the cop attack on Larry dous victory scored in my civil rights lawsuit Mil.ton, a 35-year-old Black worker. Milton against the City of Des Moines and officers was savagely beaten to within an inch of his of its police department. On January 31, life by three Des Moines police Dec. 28, Federal Judge Charles Wolle ruled that the 1991. two police officers who beat me in the Des Others at the meeting had themselves been Moines city jail the night I was arrested beaten by the Des Moines cops or had rela­ nearly four years ago violated my basic con­ tives who were victims of police brutality. stitutional rights. One woman who came to the rally described The ruling would not have been possible how Officer Daniel Dusenbery, one of the without the worldwide support of thousands two cops who beat Mark Curtis, had beaten like you. It is a victory for everyone who has her boyfriend on the head with a flashlight joined in the defense effort over the past four while he was handcuffed. This is the same years by making financial contributions, dis­ method the police used when they beat Larry tributing information on the case, and talking Milton. to friends and coworkers about the stakes in The victory celebration focused on how the fight. My coworkers at the Swift/Monfort Curtis supporters can take the January 3 I meat-packing plant helped through petitions, ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Wolle donations, and letters. So did gold miners in to step up the fight around the world to win South Afric~ farmers in New Zealand, sugar n·ger the framed-up packinghouse worker's free­ workers in the Philippines, and youth in Jailed unionist Mark Curtis with Kate Kaku. Victory Curtis has won in suit against dom from prison on parole. Cuba. My wife Kate and I thank each and Des Moines cop brutality can help win new support to overturn frame-up. The judge ruled that Curtis "proved by a every one of you very much for your com­ preponderance of the evidence that he is mitment and staying power. entitled to damages on his federal section Without that commitment, I could not have Fortunately, I am writing out of gratitude. Rodney King in Los Angeles, from Sweden 1983 claim and state battery claim against maintained the kind of effort needed to pur­ Many thousands around the world-both in to New York and Des Moines - police bru­ the individual defendant officers" who beat sue the lawsuit and fight my frame-up con­ and out ofjail - will draw strength from this tality and frame-ups have become a world­ Continued on Page 5 viction. victory you helped make possible. wide issue. I am more aware than ever how Most people who are victims of injustice Moreover. the issues in my case are even the authorities aim to wear down thousands who send out a public appeal do so because more relevant today than when we first began like myself, hoping to deprive us of the they feel isolated and backed into a comer. this struggle. From Ireland and Britain, to strength and the resources needed to con­ tinue to fight. Your support has made it possible for me to withstand that pressure and continue to participate in the worldwide Hear Protesters de01and political struggle for justice. This victory was also made possible be­ Jack Barnes. National Secretary, cause of the recent explosion of protests Socialist Workers Party in the U.S. asylum for Haitian refugees following the December 28 beating of Larry Milton, a 35-year-old Black man, by Des on BY BRIAN WILLIAMS Moines police. Milton was beaten so brutally • The Crisis of the Market Sys­ Thousands of Haitians and their supporters it took 22 special surgical staples to close tem Has Become \\brldwide took to the streets in several U.S. cities Feb­ the wounds to his head. Once again the Des ruary 7. The date marked exactly one year Moines cops "crossed the line," and weekly • The "Crisis of Socialism" I~~ since the inauguration of Jean-Bertrand Aris­ protests centered in the Black community Is Over tide as president of Haiti and also the day in have put the issue of cop violence on the • The Opening of the New 1986 when the Haitian masses ended the front burner of poljtics in the city. 29-year Duva1ier family dictatorship. The judge's ruling in my favor, and our \\brld Depression Is Behind Us Protesters condemned the September 30 response to it, received prominent coverage military coup that overthrew President Aris­ in Des Moines. Reporters immediately Stockholm, Sweden tide and demanded the U.S. government called me in prison and supporters at the Friday, Feb. 14, 6:30p.m. "' t J \ \\: ~\L grant political asylum to the Haitian refugees defense committee office. lt represents the fleeing repression in their homeland. first big victory in our four-year fight and an Sheffield, Britain 1-\S'{lU~ In New York City, 4,000 marched from important turning point in the international Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. Times Square to a rally held at the United defense campaign. Now we need to strike Nations. Signs carried by demonstrators in­ while the iron is hot. London, Britain fl)\~ H l\\1' \~~ cluded: ''Total Embargo- Yes! Foreign What do we do next? I would like to Friday, Feb. 21, 7:30p.m. Domination- No! " and "OAS Countries: suggest we take three steps right away. First. Manchester, Britain ~E.fUGttS Stop Violating the Embargo." The marchers help publicize the victory and how it came were joined by members of Local 1199 of about. A rally is being held this weekend in Tuesd(\y. Feb. 25, 7:00p.m. the Hospital Workers union, who earlier in Des Moines and similar events can be held Chicago the day had marched against health-care cuts. in cities around the world. Attached are ma­ Friday, Feb. 28, 7:00 p.m. .In Miami. 2,000 rallied in front of the terials that can be duplicated and widely office of the Haitian group, Veye Yo. In distributed. Minneapolis/St. Paul Boston, 300 picketed in front of the Federal Second, reach out to win new and broader Saturday, Feb. 29, 7:30p.m. building, where Irish activists joined the Hai­ support for my campaign for freedom by Militant/Marc Lichtman tian protesters in an act of solidarity. The parole. The federal judge's ruling means All forums will be held at the local New York march. U.S. government Haitians are planning to picket President many more people will be willing to join the Pathfinder bookstores. See page 16. forced return of 2,000 Haitians in one George Bush 's campaign office in New call for my immediate release. The fact that week. Continued on Page 6 Continued on Page 5 Court briefs in battle to defend write-in vote- pages 13-15 Attacks on abortion protested in Toronto .Jt~ ._ ...... -

BY J A ET Fl HER Pro-<:hoice forces have organtzed escorts TORONTO-Campaign Life Coalition and some defense mobilizations. Many are and other antiabortion group have stepped incensedbytheearly 1991 atre!itofthedoctor up anacks on clinics in Toronto. This coin­ who heads one clinic. cides with the annivcrs3ry of the Supreme Further mobilizations are planned to de­ Coun of Canada's Jan. 28. 1988 ruling that fend clinics from organi7.ations like Opera· Canada\ abonion law wa:. unconstjtutionaL tion Rescue, which has daily actions at clinics Commemorative celebrations for the strik­ in Buffalo. New York, an hour's dri ve from ing down of the law, which had restricted Toronto. Operation Rescue is planning to women's right to a bon ion, brought more than target clinics in Buffalo in the spring with 300 pro-choice supponers to a benefit. They actions similar to those held in Wichita. Kan­ . , ~ broke into chants of ';The people have spo· sas, last fall. The Ontario Coalition for Abor­ .. ... ~ ken! The clinics will stay open! " as Dr. Henry tion Clinics is planning to coordinate mobi­ --~o· ' !CE Morgentaler took the stage. lizations with pro-choice forces in Buffalo to IS Morgentalcr is a long-time supponer of respond to attacks. ( :'fff':Ctt! women's ri ght to choose abortion. As a phy­ """"' ". -C't; sician he ha-s challenged Canada's res[J'ictive MilitantJB;;;bara Greenway laws by openly performing abortions. He has 2,000 in Boston January 25 pro-choice demonstration In Salt Lake City, Utah. Three thousand been tried fou rtimes between 1969and 1984. demonstrators, including students and professors from Brigham Young Univer­ Despite acquittal by a jury he was sent to defend clinics sity and members of the United Steelworkers of America, participated. This prison for 10 months for perfonning abor­ action, along with others reported on this page, shows potential for building the tions outside a hospital, under the restrictions BY ANDREA MORELL April 5 March for W>men's Lives in \\Ushington, D.C., in defense of the right to of the old law. Morgen taler called for "vigi­ BOSTON- Two thousand demonstra­ abortion, called by the National Organziation for W>men. lance against religious bigotS and fascists tors crammed the pews and spilled into aisles who would enforce a return to reproductive and onto window ledges at St. Paul's Epi~ slavery'' and championed the struggle of copal Cathedral here January 22. They were theless legal abortion and contraception will "We need to look at how we won Roe v. women to win dignity and the right to choose. attending a pro-choice raJiy after candle­ a be safeguarded in this state. Wade," he declared. ''It was not because the light march in support of abonion rights. The right to choose has been eroded by the Demonstrators gave their most enthusias· Supreme Court justices in their wisdom de­ Fewer than a dozen antiabortion protesters refusal of some provincial governments to tic applause to NOW state president Ellen cided to do iL We made that happen. We allow non-ho pital abortions. Others have clustered outside the church. Convasser. Convasser was one of the central have to do it again!" refused to provide funding for abortion. Three Gathering one day after the Supreme Coun leaders of the defense of Boston area abortion Canvasser urged everyone to join in build­ provinces still have no abortion services. announced it will rule on a Pennsylvania case clinics last November, when 2,500 pro­ ing the March for Women's Lives in Wash­ Most other areas of the country continue to that severely restricts abortion rights, the choice activists successfully deterred an as­ ington, D.C., April 5, called by the National have very limited and unequal access to it. overwhelmingly youthfuJ crowd filled the sault by Operation Rescue. Organization for Women. Anti-choice elements have been success· church with chants of"Our bodies, our lives, ful in driving out doctors from various our right to decide!" and "Hey. hey. Ho. ho. smaller cities. In Kitchener, Ontario, last Roe v. Wade is not gonna go!" Roe v. Wade week, the only doctor willing to perform is the 1973 Supreme Court decision that 1\vin Cities debate on abortion rights abortions closed his practi ce and left town legalized abortion. after an ongoing campaign of intimidation The march and rall y were sponsored by the BY SETH GALINSKY lege campuses and unions to build protests, and harassment. Coalition for Choice, which includes Planned City Pages. a weekly newspaper in the rallies, educational events, and marches for The free-standing clinics have been the Parenthood, Religious Coaljtion for Abortion Twin Cities- Minneapolis and St. Paul. abortion rights.·· focal point of antiabortion attacks in Toronto. Rjghts. Mass Choice, Black Women for Pol­ Minnesota - recently published a letter to "Underpinning the Roe [v. Wade] deci­ On the evening of January 23 a firebomb icy Action, the National Organization for the editor from three members of the Young sion." they noted, "is the constitutional right attack on the Morgentaler clinic here caused Women, and the Civil Liberties Union of Socialist Alliance (YSA)on the fight for abor­ to privacy: the right of every person not to thou ands of dollars damage and heavy Massachusetts. The activities were billed as tion rigbts. have his or her personal life and associations smoke forced the evacuation of neighbors a Lobby Day and Rally commemorating the Elizabeth Swenson. Kate Button, and subject ro government scrutiny or control. out a back window. On January 27 an anti­ 19th anniversary of Roe v. Wadt. Marea Himelgrin wrote the letter in response The courts have been forced to recognize this abortion-rights activist posing as a patient The stance of most of the organizers was to "Life Without Roe v. Wade." a story in the right through the struggles of working peo­ released a substance in the washroom of that Roe v. Wade is as good as overturned January 8 edition of the paper. ple. including the massive civil rights move­ another clinic causing a foul odor. which right now and that activists should focus on The article. by Monika Bauerlein, as­ ment and the fight for women's rights. .. remained throughout the day. other goals: federal and state legislation and serted, "There's no longer much question that Abortion rights need ro be defended. the Anti-choice vigilantes continue to harass .. punishing" President George Bush for his the Roe v. Wade guarantee wiU be overturned three stated. But "relying on Congress, the patjent:s and block enrrances to clinics in anti-abortion rights stands, presumably by or severely chopped up sometime with in the courts. or so-called ·pro-choice' Republican Toronto. "The police have consistently been electing his Democratic opponent in Novem­ next two years" by the U.S. Supreme Court. or Democratic legislators to defend funda­ very lenient toward the protesters and pickets ber - whomever that might be. Bauerlein quotes Planned Parenthood mental rights is a road to disaster. and let them get away with aggressive and Participants heard assurances from Mas­ leader Connie Perpich. a supporter of a "Con[J'ary to the line of the City Pages hostile and criminal actions." said Morgen­ sachusetts governor William Weld that if the woman 's right to choose, on what strategy is article,'' the young socialists wrote, ''the right taJer. Supreme Court guts abortion rights. none- needed to defend abortion rights. Pro-choice to have an abortion has not been lost and it supporters need to reconsider opposition to is possible today to build the kind of mobi­ all restrictions on the right to choose, Perpich li zations needed to counter government and said. right-wing assaults on women's rights. Re­ nE MILITANT "We know that the majority of Americans cent polls show majority support for abortion Subscribe say they want some kind of compromise." rights.'' Media: US. rulers won s..,._tw Perpich stated. "What you're going to see in ''The ne)(t twenty years won't be like the 'hollow victory' in lraq ::=~• the next couple of years is both sides trying last twenty," the three socialists concluded. ~-~"-'...... ,._,.,.. , . to position themselves as the moderates, and to the . ~~~ 'The future is one of war and depression. paint the other side as the extremi ts.'' "Given these conditions. championing ~ ::Miirr.ANT ··~~ - We write ..as participants in the light to every fight to defend or extend political and defend abortion rights," said the three YSA Militant ~ Defend abortion rights! democratic rights- from the right to abor­ ...... ~hlh members in their response to the article. tion, to ballot rights, to the right to walk down .§:§ ~r.;,. "" (Q" iiiit ...~--' .r For unequalled coverage on: MIO•lll4loa "We went to Wichita this summer to the street without getting your bead beat in 10-DC-., I.._ ~~­ -·. • The struggle for a new ~ -­ counter-mobilize against Operation Rescue by a racist cop- needs to be a central task and have snuggled in our high schools. col- of the labor movement and its allies." South Africa ~~~ TNt MILITANT ~:..- • The Caterpillar wor1. POST­ Send Au tralian $75 or New Zealand $100 to 12 weeks of the Militant outside the U.S.: Australia and the Pacific, $A10 • Britain, £6 • MASTER: Send address changes to the Mili· P.O. Box 3025, Auckland, New Zealand. Canada, Can$12 • Caribbean and Latin America, $10 • Europe, Africa, and the Middle tant., 410 West St., New York. NY 10014. SiE;ned articles by contributors do not nee· East. £10 • France, FF80 •Iceland, Kr800 • New Zealand, NZ$10 • Sweden, Kr60 Subscriptions: U.S., Latin America: for one­ es anly represent the Militant's views. These year subscription send $45. drawn on a U.S. are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant February 21, 1992 Los Angeles cops spied on leftist group

BY HA RRY RING In the early 1980s, the POlO was hit with dossier on Zinzun and LOS ANGELES -The city has dropped disclosures of its spying and infiltration ac­ made it avai lable to its prosecution of the Pico-Union 21, a group tivities. Its dossiers included files on Mayor Zinzun 's opponents dur­ of leftists, rather than permit court disclosure Thomas Bradley, at least one member of the ing his 1989 bid for a seat that the group was the target of illegal sur­ city council, and members of the civilian on the Pasadena city veillance by the Anti-Terrorist Division of police commission that is supposed to over­ council. .. the potice department. see the cops. Vernon had selected a , Charges were dismissed in municipal A lawsuit to curb the POTD was filed by sheaf of newspaper clip­ • court last month against 20 of 21 defendants. the American Civil Liberties Union and other pings from the ATD files, Associated with a grouping called the Rev­ organizations. which were then used to olutionary Communist Party (RCP), the 21 The outcome was a 1984 consent decree indicate that Zinzun had had been arrested in a series of street dem­ replacing the POTD with the ATD, which is been under police sur­ onstrations protesting victimization of immi­ supposed to restrict its activity exclusively veillance as a "terrorist." grants and the use of a police antinarcotics to coping with "terrorists." Targeting indjvid­ The city is currently ap­ drive to curb democratic rights. uals or groups -like the RCP- because pealing the award won by The police claimed the demonstrators had of their dissident political views is supposed Zinzun. thrown rocks and bonles at them. The pro­ to be banned. The city's refusal to testers responded they had been clubbed by disclose ATO activity in the cops. Police su pervision rhe Pico-Union 2.1 case The 21 were charged with rioting and The consent decree provided that the ATD was assai led by Eli resisting arrest. One was charged with as­ was to operate under the watchful eye of the Green, Socialist Workers saulting an officer, a felony charge that has police commission, which is supposed to candidate for the county not been dropped. authorize each undercover operation and to board of supervisors in In the trial, it was established that the make an annual audit of the squad. the second district. Anti-Terrorist Division (AID) was involved Last June it was disclosed that for several Green welcomed the in dealing with the protest. With this, the years the commission has not made the man­ dropping of charges defense issued subpoenas for further specific datory annual review. against the 20 defen­ information about the role of the ATD in the Now, the president of the commission, dants, but insisted on full case. Stanley Sheinbaum, has refused to say if the disclosure of the work of The presiding judge ordered the city to commission had authorized or knew about the spy agency. Militant/Holbrook Mahn comply with the subpoenas. At that point, the the ATD targeting of the RCP. Noting that the head of Eli Green, Socialist Workers candidate for Los Angeles prosecutor's office asked the judge to dismiss Appointed to the commission by Mayor the ATD is Capt. Steven County Board of Super visors. T he city's Anti-Terrorist Divi­ the charges. Bradley. Sheinbaum was chairman of the Gates, brother of Chief sion (ADT) illegally targeted a group of leftists for surveil­ ATD is the current name of the police ACLU Foundation at the time of the suit Daryl Gates, Green de­ lance. T he city dropped charges against the group to prevent "red" squad, which over the decades and against the police. clared. "The chief may further disclosure of its spying. "The ADT is a threat to the under various names has kept secret dos­ The current disclosure of illegal ATD not be his brother's rights of all working people," said Green. " Its illegal, anti­ siers on "subversives,'' as well as infiltrat­ activity is not a first. Last spring, a jury keeper, but we can be democratic activity demands the strongest protest." ing political organizations with spies and ordered the city to pay $3.84 million to sure he knows what his provocateurs. civil rights activist Michael Zinzun for brother and the ADT has been up to. It fits in completely with the unchecked, we will see more cop violence, Prior to 1984 the ATD was known as the damage done to him.by Asst. Police Chief Public Disorder and l ntelligence Division Robert Vernon. brutal, repressive character of the LAPO. more repression. The ATD is a threat to the "We are living in a time of deepening rights of all working people. Its illegal. anti­ (PDID). Vernon had taken material from an ATD economic and social crisis" the socialist nom­ democratic activity demands the strongest inee warned. "That means that if they are lefr protest." Florida protests lead to firing of cops who killed hitchhiker Hundreds mourn police victim BY JO O'BRIEN cops. Young people on the housing estate BY ANDY TOWBIN Tuscani, a friend of Bobby Jewett. "I don't SHEFFIELD, England - The funeral of where lan Bennett lived described to her the WEST PALM BEACH, Florida-Police think it's enough.'' Jan Bennett, shot by police in Rastrick, West constant harassment they get from the police. Chief Billy Riggs announced January 31 the Jewett died of a choke hold and massive Yorkshire, was attended by 400 members of Supporters of the Militant who visited firing of two cops who beat hitchhiker Bobby chest injuries, doctors testified at the 1991 the local community. Rastrick on the morning ofJanuary II. found Jewett to death. Afterthe cops were acquitted trial. But Riggs, an Internal Affairs panel, and The cops had laid siege to Bennett's house many people still shocked and eager to ex­ in a 1991 jury trial, angry protests took place. a police consultant hired by the city all said January 1, where he was carrying an imitation press their anger at Bennett's death, said Riggs said that officers Stephen Lee that they lacked evidence that excessive force gun. After90minutes they gunned him down. Kennedy. Seven Militants were sold on a Rollins and Glen Thurlow used "poor po­ was used against Jewett. Bennett's family repeatedly told the police door-to-door sale there in Jess than one hour. that Bennett had no weapons before he was lice procedure" that included fa iling to The president of the city Potice Benevo­ Rose Knight a supporter of the interna­ killed. give Jewett first aid when he began to turn lent Association said the organization would tional campaign to defend framed-up union­ A January II Militant Labour Forum here blue. Riggs said he took into account an appeal the firings to binding arbitration. ist and political activist Mark Curtis said. incident two weeks before the Jewett kill­ "If they are reinstated [by an arbitrator] on "Police brutality, frame-ups, and racist "Like Jean Bennett, Mark Curtis won't ac­ ing, when the same two officers kidnapped they'll never go on the street again." vowed attacks: the challenge for working people,'' cept what he is told and he aims to continue discussed Bennett's killing. a man and ordered him to "walk the plank" West Palm Beach mayor Nancy Graham. "It fighting: He won't be broken. It is only Tim Spaul, a National Union of Mine­ into a canal. better be a beginning, the beginning of a through a defense campaign that working Riggs also ordered the suspension of turnaround [in the police department], or workers member. reminded the meeting of people have a chance of getting justice." we're in trouble." the role played by cops in the intimidation Assistant Chief Michael McClure and four Ray Varnes, a member of the Doncaster other police officials for botching the in­ Riggs said that public disapproval and of striking miners in the 1984- 85 coal strike: branch of the Rail, Maritime and Transport vestigation into Jewett's Nov. 24, 1990. protests, including a march of 800 people to fabricating evidence against miners, brutal­ workers union and of the Communist death. T he investigation was widely police headquarters, have demoralized the izing them on the picket lines. and making League, also spoke. viewed as a cover-up. department. large areas of the country ''no-go" areas for striking miners and those who supported "No, it isn 'tjustice," said Louise Jewett, "The case has gone on so long that officers Varnes pointed to the defense campaigns them. the victim's mother, as she watched Riggs' feel that the general public's against them. that successfully exposed the frame-ups of The Bennett family sent a message to the announcement on television. "But let's say The officer feels as though he's been beaten the Guilford 4, Birmingham 6. and Totten­ forum. Ian Bennett's mother, Jean, had been it's a comer of justice. By rights, they down," he complained. ham 3. "The lesson is that. if you fight and scheduled to attend but was advised by her reach out to other working people, frame-ups murdered Bobby and they should be in jai I. Said one cop prior to the announcement. solicitor not to speak publicly because of a can be broken," she said. If you beat a dog to death you'd be put in "My job is hard enough. have people come J possible official inquiry into the killing. jail" up to me and say. 'Why did they beat that Shellia Kennedy, a supporter of the Mili­ Jo 0 ' Brien is a member of the Sheffield and man in handcuffs?' " Jewen supporters at the press conference tanr newspaper. described visiting Rastrick District Branch of the Rail, Maritime and cheered when Riggs announced the firings. Expressing a fear shared by many, City twice within 10 days of the shooting by the Transport Workers Union. "I don't thjnk police will be celebrating Commissioner David Smith told the press. with pizza and cokes today,'' said Tom "T tend to think we're far from preventing Faferko, referring to a victory party the cops this from happening again." PERSPECTIVA MUNDIAL held after the 1991 trial. (A lenerto the Militant from Louise Jewett ''They got fired, so what?" said David appears on page 19 of this issue.] A socialist monthly in Spanish published in the interests of working people The February issue includes: Anti-immigrant attacks in Sweden • The preface to the new Spanish edition of Pe[spec!bia Mtindial Leon Trotsky's The Revolution Betrayed; • .. ; ua so: mGm ~ BY INGE HINNEMO man" gunned down five immigrants, killing 1 tp o;"\oo l ;~ r:;l~·~·· ..fl fl' • A speech given in 1965 by Jack Barnes in ~J:l:r;.?~ Fase inicial de one of them. The police have made no prog­ ..... STOCKHOLM, Sweden -A 42-year­ tribute to Malcolm X: .... o:,,,'::'!~"'"' Ia deprt>sion oJd Palestinian shopkeeper has become the ress toward finding the gunman or gunmen. • Articles on: economic a 11th victim of raci.st shootings here in recent As with the killing of Jimmy Ranjbar -The challenges working people face with months. A masked man entered his small by the "laser man" in November, many the early stages of a world depression. ., ~ ~~~~ shop and fired several bullets into his head. people, especially youth, have responded Nothing was stolen. to these attacks with solidarity actions. -Korean people's fight for reunification - The end of the civil war in El Salvador I~ The same thing happened to an Assyrian Demonstrations took place in the neigh­ owner of a small street grill two days earlier. borhoods where the shootings occurred. Introductory offer: Both victims were seriously wounded but following the attacks. 4 months for $6 survived. The week before that, four other The organization Stop Racism has called Available at Pathfinder Bookstores (directory on Page 16). immigrants were shot at by a masked man. a demonstration to protest the attacks on Or from Perspectiva Mundial, 410 West St., New York. NY 10014 These shootings follow a series of similar immigrants, for February 8 in Stockholm incidents last fall. when a so-called ''laser city.

Febr uary 21, 1992 T he Militant 3 Solidarity messages celebrate victory won by Mark Curtis against cops

The messages below are among those and his family our deepest solidarity. received by the Mark Curtis Defense Our union has followed and supported Committee following federal Judge Mark's struggle for some time. We know that Charles Wolle's J anuary 31 decision find­ this victory will help lead to Mark 's total ing two Des Moines cops violated Mark liberation and the recognition that he is an Curtis's constitutional rights when they innocent victim of a frame-up for his trade beat him while in custody March 4, 1988. union and political activities. No excuse! Jus­ Most of the messages have been excerpted tice for Mark Cunis and Larry Milton! in order to present the widest possible se­ General Confederation ofWork ers Union lection to readers of the Mllikznt. at the Renault plant at Choisy-le-roi

I'm sending you this greeting from Swe­ It's so great to learn that Mark won a step den to congratulate you on your recent suc­ toward victory. in obtaining the condemna­ cess in the fight for justice for Mark Curtis. tion of the policemen who beat him so sav­ Your victory is a very important one since agely when he was arrested and jailed on police violence can no longer go on without false allegations. It gives us courage and hope protest and resistance. This is only the first in the continuing action of the defense com­ step of a long process that I'm convinced will mittee and of all the friends and supponers of end with freedom for Mark Curtis and justice Mark all over the world. for him and all men and women who fight for Mark is not fighting only for his own human rights. freedom. he is also fighting for us all; for I wish you good luck in your struggle. his and our dignity: for his and our rights; Annika Ahnberg for a better life and better conditions for all -. Member, Swedish Parliament human beings. Daniel Retureau The CGT union in the Renault factory at Permanent Representative Choisy-le-roi in France congratulates Mark World Federation ofTrade Unions to the Curtis and the Mark Curtis Defense Commit­ International Labor Organization and the .Johnny lmani Harris in prison in 1989. 'It takes unity, solidarity, and sacrifices to tee fortheirimponant victory (because itj will UN Office and agencies in Gene1·a achieve a nd gain what is rightfully yours,' wrote Harris wh o was paroled last year. help to strengthen the democratic rights of workers and all those who struggle for justice There are pitfalls and rewards in all the everywhere in the world. We also wish to battles we fight. Mark Curtis and the defense l did so this type of brutality will come to an let us expose the frame-up. condemn the brutal beating of Larry Milton committee will use this win to refuel and end. I'm very happy for·the victory in Mark 's Tim Anderson by the police. This shows that such beatings move the machinery forward , realigning their case. It's sad the beating happened to begin Politiml actil•ist rwice wrongly COIII'icted at the hands of the Des Moines police are not sights on the release of Mark Curtis. with. and imprisoned, and rwice exonerated. exceptions. We wish to ex tend to Larry M iI ton This win proves that with patience. guid­ Rex Gieheck. Australia Won $29.000 judxemenr against ance. and a diligent mind. the injustices done Mark. I congratulate you on this signifi­ to Mark Curtis can be and will be reversed. Davenport police for brwality. knew Mark at the John Bennerr Correctional Facility cant victory. May there be many more­ This victory against police brutality puts us until you are exonerated and the travesty of in a stronger position to win Mark's release. Violence by the police will not be toler­ your arrest and conviction are revealed to all. We cannot allow this system to eat us up ated. The courts see that violence existed in The women's movement in Binningham and spit us out. When we continue to fight this case. 1 suppon Mark's fight and the vic­ knows that you could not have done what back, all the injustices will become victories tory in his case and I'm very happy with the you have been jailed for. You worked too for all workers. results. I have experienced police brutality in hard and long for our rights to have been a Denis Stepha no West Des Moines personally-at the strike traitor to our principles. President at the Delevan company in the 1980s - so Congratulations also to all of your sup­ Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers I'm all too familiar with it porters who have worked so diligently on Union Loca/8-234 Ross Woodrick your behalf and on the side of justice. International Association ofMa chinists 1 wish I could be there to join in celebration Michele Wilson of this important legal victory. This case will District 134 Action Vice-presidem Alabama National OrRani:ationfor Women set an important precedent in the Larry Mil­ Not addressing Mr. Curtis ·s guilt or inno­ ton case and send an important message to cence, the point that needs addressjng is Congratulations on this first victory .In my the Des Moines police and other police de­ whether or nor the police used excessive opi nion this is an encouragement to continue partments that their actions will be scruti­ force? the campaign for the unconditional liberation nized and judgements will be rendered To this point the facts say "yes." Also with of Mark. against them. the Milton case the facts say "yes." Because Robert Verdier We must remember our work is not over these gentlemen are not one of the affluent Honorary President until Mark Curtis is out of prison. few the police figure no one will care. The League of the Righ1s ofMan in France Adrien Wing recent court decision sends a clear message Professor ofLaw to the city of Des Moines that thjs type of I'm glad and pleased that Mark 's story University of /owa.lowa City behavior will not be tolerated. Congratula­ about the police beating him up has been tions. authenticated. Jock Barnes, veteran New Zealand trade l know what Mark has been through be­ Ross Boyer Mark should be immediately released to union leader, sent message to C urtis. cause I have experienced a similar situation President UFCW Local50-N play a full and active role in society. as he has. Mine was with the Davenport Marshalltown.lowa Peter Hearhjield. police. I know how difficult it is. We need to General Secretary. CALENDAR continue putting up a fight the way Mark and Congratulations on a great victory. Now National Union ofMinew orkers. Britain MISSOURI St. Louis 'Looking forward to next step- parole Mark Curtis' Peace for Cuba: End the Blockade, No U.S. Intervention. Lin the Travel Ban. Panel discus­ BY ARGlRIS MALAPANIS representative. International Associatjon of county. Nonh Carolina. sion. Sun .. Feb. 16. 2.:30 p.m. University City "Pleased to hear the result of the Iowa Machinists. North Carolina. Other letters came from Anne Braden. co­ Library. 6701 Delmar. Sponsors include: District Coun ... Now looking forward to People's Weekly World, Latin American Solidar· "This victory sends aclear'rayofsu nshine' chair Southern Organizing Committee for ity Committee. Coalition of Black Trade Union­ the next step- parole for Mark Curtis." said to the hundreds of others who have been Economic and Social Justice: Rafael An­ ists. Communjst Party. Socialist Workers Party. Kevin Hussey of the Transpon and General victimized by police brutality across our na­ glada Lopez. fighter for Puerto Rican inde­ Young Socialist Alliance. For more infom1ation: Workers Union from London in a message tion," wrote Sammye Roberts. former state pendence: the Auckland. New Zealand, (3 14) 664-3119. sent to the Mark Curtis Defense Commiuee. president ofthe Alabama National Organiza­ Council for Civil Liberties: Tony Benn, a "Let's not forget that the ultimate victory tion for Women (NOW). ''This is not an member of the British parliament: Dafydd NEW YORK normalty foUows small victOries," wrote isolated victory. Recently in south Alabama Tryetan, youth chair of the Welsh Language Manhattan Jean-Claude Parrot. president oftheCanadian a Black police chief fired one officer and put Society; and W.W. Finlator. southem Baptist National Conference in Support ofthe African Union of Postal Workers in another message. several others on probation for beating a sus­ minister and former American Civil Liberties National Congress and a Democratic South Hussey and Parrot were among the dozens pect.'' Union vice-president. Africa. March 20-22. For more infonnation: of trade unionists,. women's rights activists, Jackie Osborne, fom1er president of the ''It takes unity, solidarity, and sacrifices to (212) 673-5120. religious figures, politicians, and others who Greensboro. North Carolina, NOW chapter achieve and gain what is rightfully yours,'' sent messages celebrating the victory won by was among the women's rights fighters who wrote Johnny lmani Harris. WASHINGTON, D.C. Curtis in his civil suit against two Des Moines sent messages. Harris was framed up by the police and We Won't Go Back •.. March for Women's police officers. By the time of the February 8 Many letters of support came from other spent 20 years in prison. 14 of those on death Lives. National march on Washington, D.C. Sun .. rally in Des Moines to celebrate this victory. fighters against police brutality and frame­ row. His frame-up began in 1970 when his April 5. For more infonnation call: National Or­ 65 such messages had been received by the ups. "Mark Curtis has continued to show his family moved into a previously all-white ganization for Women, (202) 331-0066 Mark Curtis Defense committee. strength and integrity to endure in a fight to neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama. Among the trade union leaders who sent the finish," wrote Venus Hannah. "We must After months of racist harassment by the Ku • messages were Yves Richard. general secre­ take advantage of the victory.'' Hannah 'sson. Klux Klan and the cops, he was stopped one tary of the General Confederation of Workers Santana, was Jalled while in police custody day on his way to work and subsequently BRITAIN in Haiti; Jock Barnes, a veteran trade union in Plainfield, New Jersey. charged with four robberies and the rape of a London leader from New Zealand; Phil White. chair Thelma Clark, mother of Eddie Hatcher. white woman. He was granted parole last March to Remember Rolan Adams. CaUed by Rolan Adams Family Campaign on lst anniver­ of the Tower Lodge National Union of also sent a message. Hatcher is a Native year after a long fight. sary of his racist murder. Sat.. Feb. 22, 12 noon. Mineworkers from South Wales: James American activist who was given an 1.8-ycar "You just have to stand up and fight like Assemble: St. Nicholas Church. Plumstead High Gibbs, president, United Mine Workers of sentence in 1988 for attempting to expose Mark did. stand up and fight like I did ... like Street. America local2490; and Bill Schenk, retired police corruption and violence in Robeson Nelson Mandela." said Harris.

4 The Militant February 21, 1992 New effort for Curtis parole

Continued from front page 1988 arrest and beating. Curtis had been part issue of police brutality was heard on K UCB him in the Des Moines city jail. of a fight to win union support in defense of the morning ofthe Curtis victory rally. Eddie He explained that "the court also finds not 17 immigrant coworkers. The 17 were threat­ Carthan. former mayor of Tchula, Missis­ credible the officers· testimony that plaintiff ened with deportation after a r~id at the plant sippi. who was part of the speakers' platform was trying to bite and kick them and kicked by the Immigration and Naturalization Ser­ at the event, was invited to speak on the radio Wolf in the head while barefoot and lying vice. show. When he arrived he found the host. Dr. handcuffed on his back.'' The cops know­ After his arrest. Curtis was taken to the Mayank Kothari.had also invited Keith Mor­ ingly violated Curtis's Fourth and fourteenth main police station and severely beaten when ris and his attorney. Stuart Pepper. to partic­ Amendment rights, Wolle wrote in his deci­ he refused to confess to a crime he did not ipate. Morris is the father of the alleged sion, finding that any "reasonable ofticers commit. As they beat Curtis, the cops called victim in the Curtis frame-up. confronting the situation Wolf and Dusenber­ him a "Mexican lover, just like you love those What followed was a debate on the char­ ry faced would not have believed that it was coloreds." acter of the police and police frame-ups. necessary to strike plaintiff in the face and Curtis's lawsuit against the City of Des Kothari has been hired in the past by Pepper groin - and pummel him bloody-" in Moines and the police officers who beat him as an ''expert medical witness'' in court cases. order to remove his cloihes. was filed in May 1989. The trial against the Among those who called the talk show Curtis was awarded $11 ,000 for the pain cops was held last November 25 and 26. were both those who support Curtis's fight and suffering he endured as a result of the against his frame-up conviction and those beating. plus reasonable attorney 's fees. He Ruling-class worries with reservations about the validity of his is represented by William Kutmus and Curtis's fight has also broken into the Des fight. George Eichhorn of Des Moines. Moines Re~ is ter. a paper not noted for its The big majority of callers said they John Studer, chairperson of the Mark Cur­ stand in defense of victims of police brutality. viewed Judge Wolle's decision as a victory Militant/Chris Remple ti s Defense Committee, welcomed everyone The Register has run several articles and for all opponents of police brutality. M.C. Little performed his rap song 'No to the rall y, stating. 'This victory would not editorials that reflect the worries in a wing At the rally itself, both the local attendance Excuse' at rally celebrating Curtis vic­ have been possible without the current fight of ruling circles here over the exposure of and the speakers' platform. reflected the tory. taking place to win justice for Larry Milton.'' widespread cop violence and the falling rep­ depth of the current fight against police bru­ Milton's beating sparked outrage among utation of the police department. tality. lowed to present evidence of the beating the broad layers in the Black community and A front page Register article the day after The first to be heard was M.C. Little, cops gave him or what they yelled at him as working people in general. More than I ,000 Wolle's ruling noted. the judge's decision an 11-year-old rap singer. He performed they bloodied his face. In this light, thousands people attended a mass meeting January 2 ·'comes as Des Moines is embroiled in a his song, "No Excuse,'' which has been more will be convinced. whether they think and hundreds have attended subsequent public debate on the issue of police brutality. popular at Des Moine.s anti-police-brutal­ Mark is innocent or guilty, that his trial was meetings in the Black community and at the sparked by allegations that resident Larry ity events. a frame-up. They too will join in the call for Des Moines City Council to discuss the fight Milton was unnecessarily beaten by officers Sonja Palmer, founder of Mothers and Mark's parole." for justice. in a recent arrest. Wives Against Police Brutality, spoke of her Other speakers included Cleve Andrew Radio station K UCB opened its airwaves "Because of the Milton controversy, [Po­ commitment to fighting racism. Palmer was Pulley; Carroll Nearmeyer, representing the to a community-wide call-in for the first few lice Chief] Moulder called the timing of the the main organizer of the 75-person, Febru­ Iowa American Agriculture Movement; days after the beating. The victory in Mark ruling 'quite unfortunate.· He said there were ary 1 march against police beatings. " I want Eddie Carthan; Derek Bracey, from the Curtis's lawsuit comes in the context of this some similarities in the cases, in that both to stop racism in our community. It may take Young Socialist Alliance National Executive ongoing fight. Curtis and Milton suffered head injuries. a while. but I've got time," she told the Committee; and Kate Kaku, a leader in the The victory rally capped a week of broad "Moulder said that because head injuries audience. fight for justice for Mark Curtis and Curtis's debate and discussion in Des Moines about are distasteful," the article continued, "police Imam Ako Abdul Samad, a member of the wife. need to find alternatives or to demonstrate in board of directors of KUCB, said in his the impact of this ruling on the fight against On behalf of Curtis and herself Kaku police brutality. The views of Curtis's sup­ courtrooms and to the public that officers are speech that. "Violence. wherever it comes thanked all those who supported the fight for porters were aired on several radio and tele­ in difficult circumstances when someone from. is injustice, whether it comes from the Curtis's freedom , noting that without their vision stations. Cleve Andrew Pulley, a mem­ starts a fight with them." police department, the FBI, or any other work the victory in the cop brutality suit ber of United Food and Commercial Workers In an editorial several days later, the Reg­ agency. If it happens ro Mark Curtis or to would not have been possible. She outlined Local 1149 and of the Socialist Workers ister said that ''the police department's inter. Larry Milton-one struggling in the com­ three immediate tasks to build on the victory. Party, was invited on a talk show at radio nal affairs unit investigated Curtis's allega­ munity, the other a common man- that station KUCB the day after the ruling. A local tions at the time and found no wrongdoing means tomorrow it could happen to you." First, support groups will be sent camera­ network TV station interviewed John Studer by the officers, suggesting that they were Dudley Allison, a well-known activist in ready literature summarizing the judge's rul­ immediately after the ruling, as did the Des operating in accordance with departmental the fight against police brutality, led the rally ing. She encouraged them to reproduce this Moines Register. policy. If that's the case, that policy needs in a spirited chant of "No Excuse! Jail the and other materials. send them to other sup­ On the job, Curtis's victory was widely revision. Guilty Cops!'' He stated, "I'm very ecstati­ porters, and distribute the materials at work discussed. Priscilla Schenk, a United Auto "Police Chief William Moulder, who cally happy for the victory for Mark Curtis. and political events. Workers Union member and supporter of quickly wrote off allegations against the three What this does, in my opinion, is open the Secondly, in order to "strike whHe the iron Curtis, reports that many coworkers came up officers in the Milton case. has said the door for the prosecution of the officers who is hot," Kaku said that new messages of to congratulate her on the victory. Natalie officers in the Curtis incident also acted ap­ commit these types of crimes." support for parole for Curtis can be won from Bombaro said her coworkers were now more propriately. The department does not plan to Greg McCartan, speaking for the National a broader range of prominent individuals. interested in the case and some wanted to discipline them. Committee of the Socialist Workers Party, union members, student activists. and other view the video, The Frame-up of Mark Cur­ ''That's its prerogative. But Moulder said. 'This first big victory in Mark's fight defenders of democratic rights. Kaku an­ tis. These and other Curtis supporters say the would do well to heed the warning signs and gets ·right back to the heart of this frame-up nounced that the defense committee was most-asked question they get from their co­ pay closer attention to departmental policies trial. The fact that a federal judge ruled that launching a "Mark Curtis Parole Now! workers is, "Does this mean Mark will be on the use of force. Failure to do so will the cops lied when they beat Mark casts a Fund." A copy of the fund appeal, which released from prison?" further weaken the already shaken public pall over the trial. Mark was convicted by appears on the front page, will be sent to Curtis, a former packinghouse worker at confidence in the department." [See page 6 the testimony of one cop, Joseph Gonzalez. groups of supporters to be reproduced and the Swift processing plant, was framed up by for the full text of this editorial.] "Mark was barred from introducing testi­ mailed out broadly in each area. More than the Des Moines police on fal se charges of Another example of the debate. discus­ mony that Gonzalez had framed-up and bru­ $5.000 was pledged toward the fund at the rape and burglary. Just prior to his March sion, and polarization in the city around the tali.zed another person. He was also not al- rally. An appeal from Mark Curtis and Kate Kaku

Continued from front page in federal court to overturn my frame-up world over the past three-and-one-half years. are pressing demands for justice. I extend to the cops lied about beating me casts a pall conviction. He has also agreed to serve as She has told me how all of you - unionists, each my solidarity and support. over the testimony of police officer Joseph my generdl counsel and to aid at every step farmers, artists, students, prominent human I would like to thank you in advance for Gonzalez, who was the central witness in the fight to win my release on parole. rights activists, those beaten and framed-up your continued support and your contribu­ against me at the trial. It raises anew the To pay for these new initiatives, and for by the police, leaders of liberation struggles, tion. Kate is taking several weeks off her job denial of my ri ghts when the judge refused outstanding legal fees from winn ing this vic­ and others fighting for their rights- have in Chicago in order to personally speak to as to allow the jury to know that Gonzalez had tory, will cost at least $45,000. set aside your time to learn about and become many of you as possible about the victory, the been suspended for lying and brutality in a My attorneys, William Kutmus and a part of this fight. You are helping to bring next stage in the fight, and the fmancial needs previous case. lt reminds us that the judge George Eichhorn, have done a superb job in to life the slogan "An injury to one is an of the defense effort in the coming months. refused to let the jury even be told that I had representing me. Their top-notch research, injury to all ," thereby sending a message to As always, stay strong! been beaten by police officers after my arrest legal briefs, and courtroom presentations the police and the government that they will - let alone the brutal and unprovoked char­ have been crucial in pressing forward the not win this struggle and will face deepening acter of the beating as attested by the Federal fight against the beating and the frame-up. opposition to similar attacks in the future. In solidarity, Distri ct Judge this month. Many people we They deserve a well-earned thank you! In Des Moines, Belfast, London, Newark, know. including my fellow prisoners, ask, • We need to prepare new informational Los Angeles. and elsewhere, partisans of the Mark Curtis "Does this mean Mark will be getting out of leaflets and brochures that update the fight fight against police brutaHty and frame-ups Kate Kaku jail?" We think that day has been brought and outline the campaign to press for release closer and it will be helped by what we do on parole. Paying for these projects, as well now with this latest victory. as the modest operating expenses of the de­ The third and biggest challenge is raising fense committee in Des Moines and paying MARK CURTIS PAROLE NOW! FUND APPEAL the funds needed to cover the legal expenses off several long-standing debts totals involved in this victory and to prepare for $30.000. Enclosed is my contribution of $__ the next stage of the fight. The Mark Curtis Raising the funds needed to get us to where Defense Committee has just launched a Mark we are today would not have been possible Name ______Address ______Curtis Parole Now! fund drive. Kate and I without the help of the Political Rights De­ City State Zip ___ Country ______urge you to contribute rapidly and extra-gen­ fense Fund, lnc. They recognized my case as erously to this campaign. The drive is slated an important democratic and civil rights issue Phone Organization ------to last through March 3 1. The funds are and have made it possible for your contribu­ (for identification only) needed for the next steps in my case. tions to the work of my defense committee • William Kutmus, who has led the legal to be tax-deductible. Make checks payable to Marl< Curtis Defense Committee, or, if you would like your contribution work on my case from the beginning, will Kate has kept me informed of the response to be tax deductible, make your check payable to the Pol~ical Rights Defense Fund, Inc. Mail build upon this victory by filing a new motion she has received as she traveled around the to MCDC, Box 1048, Des Moines, IA50311

February 21, 1992 The Militant s City of Des Moines 'Des Moines Register': forced to hold police Excessive force by police The following editorial a ppeared, custody. It should. under the heading, "Exce~ive force by Judge Charles R. Wolle said the "bat­ brutality hearings police," in the February 5 Des Moines tery'' was not necessary to accomplish Register. police department objectives and was in violation of C urtis' constitutional rights. BY SARA LOBMAN ing people, the council finally agreed to hold The police department's internal affairs DES MOINES, Iowa - As a result of the hearings. Already reeling from Larry Milton's unit investigated Curtis' allegations at the successful mobilizations by working people, But they stipulated that no one will be able police-brutality a llegations, the Des time and found no wrongdoing by the of­ primarily from the Black community, four to speak about any particular instance of Moines Police Department got a black ficers, suggesting that they were operating Des Moines City Council-sponsored public brutality. Only "general comments" will be eye it could ill-afford last week. A federal in accordance with departmental policy. If hearings on police conduct are being held allowed. court ruled against two officers in a civil that's the case, that policy is badly in need February 11-14. Showing the tactical divisions that have case brought by a convicted child abuser of revision. Speaking at a rally to celebrate the recent grown up within the city's ruling elite as a because of a beating he received from victory of Mark Curtis in his civil lawsuit result of the protests, the Des Moines Register them while in their custody in 1988. The Police Chief William Moulder, who against the police, Dudley Allison pointed to has run two editorials warning the council to officers were ordered to pay the man, quickly wrote off allegations against the the importance of mobilizing the largest "forget the backroom." Mark C urtis, $11 .000. three officers in the Milton case, has said nwnber of opponents of cop brutality to " If the council wants to avoid the appear­ ln its ruling, the court cited officers the officers in the Curtis incident also acted attend these nightly hearings. Allison is a ance that it is merely paying lip service to Charles R. Wolf and Daniel Dusenberry for appropriately. The department does not member of the Direct Action Committee of the demand for a public airing of the issues, repeatedly kneeing and kicking Curtis, leav­ plan to discipline them. the Community Support Force and a prom­ its first order of business at the hearings ing him semi-conscious and in need of 15 That's its prerogative. But Moulder inent participant in the fight against police should be to do away with the back room stitches, and disabled for several months would do well to heed the warning signs brutality. and allow people to speak fully," a February afterward. Assistant Police Chief Kayne and pay closer attention to departmental " What we need to do, since we've already 8 editorial stated. The Register disagreed Robinson says the ruling will likely result policies on the use of force. Failure to do protested at the City Council meeting and with the city's position that letting people in a closer review by the police department so will further weaken the already shaken downtown, is to get as many people as we explain incidents ofcop violence could affect of its procedures for handling people in public confidence in the department. can possibly organize to go to these hearings "real or potential litigation." and hold signs and speak against police bru­ A lead editorial in the February 1 issue tality," he told the meeting. warned the city that the hearings will be the names of the ofticers who beat Larry themse lves are responsible for these actions. "perceived as a sham" if people are not Allison said that picket lines to protest Milton were sent to Joanne Pollack, one of Cleve Andrew Pulley, a leader of the Socialist poJjce brutality will be held outside the hear­ allowed to speak their mind. the officers. The police department has pro­ Workers Party and of the fi ght against pollee ings. So far, the Coalition for Justice, which 'The council should place a higher value duced a composite photo of a "light com­ brutality, stated, "This smacks of the police organized two large rallies at a church in the on the potential return of the police depart­ plexioned black man" whom they claim senr and FBI disruption efforts that we saw Black community, has not announced plans ment to a state of grace in this community the bullets. against the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War to organize participation in the city council than on containing potential lawsuits," states movements. While it is possible that an in­ hearings. the Registe1: On February 5 the Des Moines Register reported that a friend of Officer Pollack was dividual frustrated by cop brutality is respon­ The council changed its mind three times sible for this act, the fact is that it is the police about whether or not to hold the public Cop countercampaign shot in the leg with a BB gun. The assailant allegedly said, "Tell the woman officer, your who benefit from this story." events. Under pressure from widespread out­ In the midst of this discussion, the police friend, that the next one is for her." rage over the December 28 cop beating of continue their countercampaign against the Sara Lohman is a member of UFCW Local Larry Milton, and weekly protests calling for anti brutality forces. On January 28 the police Leaders of the fight against pol ice brutality 431 and works at rhe Monfort packinghouse action in curbing cop violence against work- department reported that three bullets with have pointed to the possibility that the police in Des Moines. Protesters demand asylum for Haitian refugees

Continued from front page owned assembly plants in Haiti, which pro­ Hampshire February 15. duce items such as baseballs and handbags. Meanwhile the U.S. government is pro­ State Department spokesperson Tutwiler de­ ceeding with the forced repatriation of Hai­ scribed this move as ''fine-tuning" the em­ tian refugees. Under an agreement reached bargo, which Washington had imposed on with Haitian authorities, Washington will Haiti November 5. space out its dropping off of boatloads of OTlL This move comes in response to an intense refugees over the next seven weeks. campaign against the embargo waged by While some Haitians are being returned, FOREIG U.S. companies who coordinated their efforts many others continue to flee the country. through Caribbean, Latin American Action During the first week in February, the U.S. (CLAA). One of the central figures leading government repatriated 2,000 Haitian refu­ this group is former assistant secretary of gees, while seizing 961 new refugees on the state Elliot Abrams. a member of CLAA's high seas and holding them at the U.S. Naval board of directors. base at Guantanamo Bay. Cuba. Last October Abrams pleaded guilty to "They told me they were sending us all withholding infom1ation from Congress home and that if we didn't go willingly they about his role in covertly aiding the Nicara­ would handcuff us and take us back forcibly," guan contra$ in the 1980s. stated seventeen-year-old Marlene Teramin, 1 Abrams claims weakening the embargo is who was on one ofthe first boatloads returned absolutely necessary because "American to Haiti. workers. are losing their jobs." " I left because I had nothing. Now I have This contrasts sharply to the position of less," stated Roger Louis, 28, a fisherman many Haitian toilers who strongly support who fled Haiti two weeks after the September the embargo even after having lost their jobs. 30 coup. "The embargo is our only chance for a solu­ ' Many who return wiiJ die' tion" explained unemployed garment worker Ronald Maurice from Port-Au-Prince. Paul Latortue, a Haitian economist ac­ tive in refugee affairs, explained, " Many From exile in Venezuela. Aristide called of those who return will die. There will be for tightening the embargo. He urged his no fuss over the boat people when they get supporters to "radicalize" their positions off the boat. But when they get home, there in response to Was hington's plans to will be no follow-up to see what happens Militant/Marc Lichtman loosen it. to them." New York rally, February 3. ' Many of those who return will die ... there will be no Haiti 's military rulers reacted with glee Meanwhile, Washington is holding firm to follow-up to see what happens,' said Haitian economist Paul Latortue. to Washington's new policies. The day its stance that returning Haitian refugees have after Washington announced its plans for nothing to fear. ''If you look at the history of easing the embargo, coup leader Raoul repatriation from Haiti, which has gone on In early January a network of some rums. "George Bush's mighty forces have Cedras was promoted to the rank of lieu­ for II years," says State Department spokes­ 20,000 armed rural deputies supervised by won a stunning, setpiece battle against their tenant general. person Margaret Tutwiler, "there is no evi­ 565 army-controlled sheriffs, who terror­ unarmed quarry in Operation Racist Shield," "They never thought we could stick it out dence ... - not a single case in which a ized the population under the Duvalier wrote the Miami Herald. for two months, and here we are four months Haitian who was repatriated was targeted for dictatorship, were reinstated to their old The New York Times in an editorial entitled later," commented Col. Joseph Florestant, a persecution by the regime." positions. " Humanity for Haitians" called for providing member of the Haitian High Command. Samuel Firmen, one of the Haitians per­ Despite strong statements of condemna­ the refugees with temporary sanctuary but "Now the O.A.S. finds itself in a pigsty, and mitted to reach Miami to pursue his claim tion by some in Congress, little has been done cautioned against too much loosening of the they are the ones who don't know what to for political asylum, described the ordeal to counter Bush's repatriation moves. Ac­ U.S. government's strict immigration laws. do." "Allowing in all who want to come would he went through before deciding to flee. cording to the New York Times, efforts to Colonel Aorestant, one of General Ce­ grant " temporary protected status'' to Haitian be unfair to the thousands of people from "lf it had been because of hunger, l would dras 's closest advisors, stated that Rene The­ not have left Ha iti .... It's just the fear on refugees were " running into serious prob­ other impoverished, more distant countries odore's candidacy for prime minister " has the streets," he said, describing how sol­ lems in both the House and the Senate.'' who patiently wait their tum for legal admis­ been consigned to oblivion." In January sion," argued the Times. diers "were stopping each young man that Meanwhile Senator Edward Kennedy an­ Theodore's nomination, which had won nounced plans to introduce a bill to suspend walked past. They made us roll on the backing from both Aristide and some mem­ Washington weakens embargo ground, bark like dogs and bang our heads forced returns for two weeks. bers of the Haitian legislature. had been pub­ together.... We kept wondering when we Editorials in a number of the major capi­ On February 4, the Bush administration licized as a solution that would pave the way would be shot." talist dailies have condemned the forced re- announced plans to Ii ft the embargo on U.S.- for Aristide's rerum.

6 The Militant February 21, 1992 Canada court to review frame-up case

BY CHERYL PRUITT tioning, strip-searched him, and went with had decided that Milgaard was guilty, they VANCOUVER-The Supreme Court of him to the motel room where he was staying. simply stopped pursuing other leads. Canada has begun to review the case of David No evidence of any kind, on his body or in Denial of Parole Milgaard, one of the country's longest-serv­ his room, was found. ing prisoners. Since 1969, when he was ar­ In the following weeks, John and Wilson Among the many abuses and violations rested at the age of 16, Milgaard has always were repeatedly questioned by Saskatoon, of democratic rights in this case, has been maintained that he is innocent of the rape and Regina, and federal police. At no time was a the price Milgaard has been made to pay for murder of a young nurse's aide in Saskatoon, lawyer pre.sent. Wilson was led to believe insisting he is innocent. Every application Saskatchewan. that he himself wou1d be charged with mur­ for prison transfer and every application for Years of persistent investigation and pres­ der. Both were told they could be facing early release or day parole has hit the same sure by Milgaard's family and friends have numerous other charges, for vagrancy, drugs, obstacle: his refusal to ''take responsibility brought a glare of publicity to this case. The or theft, if they did not cooperate. for his crime." court review, which began January 2 I, comes The interrogations lasted up to six hours Milgaard has successfully completed vo­ at a time of revelations of racist bias, abuses at a time. Wilson told the Supreme Court in cational training and eight university of democratic rights, police brutality, and its newly opened review, "My mind was courses. While at Stony Mountain prison, he injustice in Canada's justice system. exhausted and I was mentally scrambled. I co-founded the Justice Group, a prisoners' In January 1969 Gail Miller was raped and remember it now being like brainwashing. rights organization. He has met all possible stabbed to death. No suspects were found Finally, I began to implicate Milgaard in the conditions for favorable parole board deci­ and a few days later police announced a murder, telling police the things they wanted sions. $2,000 reward for any information leading to hear." Milgaard's mother, and his sisters Susan to a conviction. Nichol John has publicly explained that and Maureen have appeared at press confer­ Among the people questioned in the fol­ she was using LSD, an hallucinogenic drug, ences and on talk shows to explain the in­ lowing weeks were three teenagers who were for most of 1969. She had been taken by justice and ask for support and aid. adventuring around the Prairies in an old car: police from Regina to Saskatoon, shown the David Milgaard, whose case puts spot­ Supporters printed up bumper stickers and Ron Wilson, Nichol John, and David Mil­ site where Gail Miller's body was discov­ light on abuse of democratic r ights in window placards, set up information booths gaard. They also questioned Alben Cadrain, ered, and forced to view the knife found near Canada. around Winnipeg, Manitoba and organized a friend the three had visited. Each gave the the body and MilJer's slashed and bloodied door-to-door leafletting in neighborhoods same general account of their activities in clothing. Then she was locked up over night around Winnipeg. Gail Miller's family re­ witnesses in the trial, and in January 1970, Saskatoon on the morning of the murder, in an empty cellb1ock of the Saskatoon police leased a statement in 1991 saying that they David Milgaard was found guilty and sen­ denying involvement in the murder. Their station. The following day, the process was were now convinced that a reasonable doubt statements were confiiTTled by several eye­ repeated. In the end, 16-year-old John signed tenced to life in prison. Two later appeals existed of Milgaard's guilt. were denied. witnesses. a 10-page statement in which she said she It is this pressure and publicity that won A few weeks later Cadrain went to Sas­ had seen Milgaard stab Miller in the alley For 22 years, Milgaard and his family, and the Supreme Court review of the case. katoon police with a new story. He said and drop Miller's purse in a nearby garbage friends have tried to overturn the conviction. The Supreme Court will resume its review that when the three arrived at his house can. Joyce Milgaard, David's mother, has put all of the case February 17. One of its first de­ Milgaard's clothes had been stained with Milgaard was brought to Saskatoon for of her time and the family's savings into cisions will be whether to treat the case as a blood and all three seemed to be in a hurry trial. Legal Aid appointed a lawyer as neither tracking down the real story and publicizing retrial, in which the burden of proof rests to leave town. It has now been revealed he nor his family had enough money to pay the case. with the police. or a judicial review, in which that Cadrain applied for, but was not for his defense. The lawyer decided that The prosecution's case. under this pres­ it will be up to Milgaard and his supporters awarded, the $2,000 offered by the police Milgaard should not tell his own story in the sure. bas completely fallen apart. All of to show that an injustice has been done to department. court. the circumstantial evidence presented by an innocent man. The police brought Milgaard in for ques- Dozens of witnesses were brought into the the police has been disputed. Both John The John Howard Society of Manitoba, court to testify against Milgaard. The prose­ and Wilson have returned to their original an organization that works with prisoners cution presented as· evidence two small yel­ statements that show that David Milgaard and ex-prisoners. has set up a support fund lowish lumps of snow collected by a Saska­ had nothing to do with the Miller murder for donations. U S. gov't fails toon policeman four days after the murder, and they have both revealed the extent of Messages of support, donations, and let­ in the area where the body was found. The pol ice intimidation and abuse of their dem" ters to David Milgaard should be sent to: to issue visas f or jury was told that this could possibly be ocratic rights. Justice Support Group, c/o John Howard semen from Milgaard. Ln two separate inves­ Other people, whose testimonies were ei­ Society of Manitoba, 583 Ellice Ave .. Win­ Cuban unionists tigations since, prominent forensic patholo­ ther not taken or disregarded by police at the nipeg, Manitoba R3B I Z7. Phone (204) 775- gists have stated that there is no link to time, have stepped forward to say that they 1514. BY STEVE CRAINE Milgaard at all, and that the yellowish lumps remember meeting the young people on the DETROIT-Forty-five people turned of snow are probably not human semen at morning of the murder, providing an effec­ Cheryl Pruirt is a member of the /nterna­ out February 2 at United Auto Workers all, but dog urine. tive alibi for Milgaard. tiona{ Ladies· Garment Workers' Union (UAW) Local 600 here for a meeting that Milgaard's lawyer decided to call no It has also come to light that once the police Local 287 in Vancouver. was scheduled as the opening public event of a 16-city U.S. speakingtourofthreeCuban trade union leaders. 'Militant'- 'that's a good name for a paper' The Cubans. representing the Central Or­ ganization of Cuban Trade Unions (CfC), This week's ''Sales to Industrial Union­ renewals and How Far We Slaves Have were not able to attend, however, because the BY BRIAN WILLIAMS ists" scoreboard is based on reports received Come!, please indicate the amount sold for U.S. government failed to issue them visas Caterpillar workers at a United Auto from 20 cities in the United States. Single the past week rather than simply listing the in time for the trip. Workers Local 786 meeting in York, Penn· sylvania, bought 76 single copies of the issue Militant sales remain substantially be­ totals sold in the drive. Tour organizer Ignacio Meneses of the Militant and one subscription February 2. hind the goals adopted by socialists in the The subscription renewal figure will also U.S. -Cuba Labor Exchange explained to the The meeting was attended by more than industrial unions listed below. However, include new subscriptions sold to coworkers audience that U.S. government officials had I ,400 workers. sales for issue No. 5 are up by 51 copies fiom during the course of the campaign. implied the visas might still be granted. He One worker who had previously bought the previous week. Unionists in the United Finally. please remember that the deadline circulated copies of a letter to the State De­ the paper told Kathy Mickells, a member States sold 39 percent of their goal, compared for reponing to the Militant business office partment protesting the delay and urged all of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers to 23 percent the week before. Canadian weekly sales results for the scoreboard is present to sign and return the letters. union from Philadelphia. that the Militant unionists reached 67 percent of their overall Friday, 9:00 a.m. EST. In addition to Meneses, two local activists ran excellent articles on the Caterpillar sales goal. who had visited Cuba in the past year spoke strike. "He asked me if I minded if he A suggestion to those faxing in sales re­ Jeff Powers from Baltimore contributed to briefly about their experiences in Cuba. A continued to make copies of the articles in sults. When reporting figures for subscription this article. fourth speaker was Alan Benchich, vice-pres­ the Militant to distribute in the plant," said ident of UAW Local 909, who spoke about Mickells. the visit by two Cuban unionists to his local Militant supporters in the Baltimore area Sales to industrial unionists, Jan. 18- March 15 in May 199 I. The four panelists fielded ques­ had previously sold 28 papers through com­ Union No. of 'How Far We No. of tions from the audience, most of whom knew munity sales and two plant-gate teams at the ~;!"lies~eeldy goal IM~o ilita, soldnt I,Peri:e'lfagesold of . I~bscriptrenewal goaionl Irenewals ISlaves Have Ibooks sold beforehand that the Cubans would not be giant Caterpillar complex in York. ts• l~toal sold Come!' book goal present. "Militant - that's a good name for a u.s. The previous night, a reception for the paper. Who puts this out?" said one Cater­ ACTWU ·20 7 lS 12 5 25 4 ere representatives was held at the home pillar worker. "The Socialist Workers Party," JAM 6o 29 48 30 5 55 13 of Maryann Mahaffey, president of the De­ responded the salesperson. "Good," said the ILGWU 14 J4 29 3 1 15 1 troit City Council. Many people attending unionist. Impressed with the Militant's full that event were surprised to learn the guests range of coverage, he decided to buy one. OCAW 40: 16 40 19 7 50 14 of honor were not able to be present. The ln Alabama, Betsy Farley, a member of UAW 40 20 50 20 3 40 32 Cubans had been scheduled to arrive in the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) UFCW 50 10 20 20 4 25 7 United States earlier that day. Local 2122 at the USX Fairfield Works, UMWA -a .1- 38 7 2 17 12 Mahaffey, who had visited Cuba in late reports. "Workers are happy to see a news­ USWA 4.5 24 5:3 30 4 30 10 paper that tells the truth about USX's request December as a guest of the mayor of Havana, UTU 45 11 24 35 8 30 5 spoke about her experiences in Cuba. Copies to reopen the contract." Supporters sold 11 of the protest letter were circulated, and a Militants in the plant during the past week. us. 322 124 39 176 39 287 98 Totals collection taken. From Chicago, Johanna Ryan reports that Canada Planning for the tour, which was to have Steelworkers sold 5 Militants and I copy of ACTWU- Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers run from February 1 to March 15, began Perspectiva Mundial to coworkers. Another ACTWU 3 1 33 6 Militants were sold at a special USWA ·2 Union; CAW - Canadian Autoworkers Union; lAM - when a delegation from the United States CAW 4 50 International Association o{ Machinists; /LGWU - visited Cuba in November 1991 under the Local65 meeting called to discuss the closing lAM 5 9 180 International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union; OCAW- of the South Works plant. auspices of the U.S.-Cuba Labor Exchange. ILGWU 5 1 20 Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers: UAW- United Auto "We got off to a rollicking start with 8 Workers; UFCW - United Food .wd Commercial If visas are issued, the organizers plan to USWA 4 1 25 single Militants and I sub renewal sold by Workers: UMWA - United Mine Workers of America; retain as much of the original tour schedule two supporters in packinghouses on the. first Canada 21 14 67 USWA - United Steelworkers of America; UTU-United as possible. They report they will try to add Transportation Union. day of sales of the new issue," reports meat­ Totals stops at the end of the tour in Detroit and packer Mitchel Rosenberg from Moines, other cities that were at the beginning in the Des • Includes copies of Perspcxtiva Mundial sold this week. Iowa. original itinerary.

February 21, 1992 The Militant 7 WORLD NEWS Meeting discusses health crisis BY MACEO DIXO also had a kidney transplant. It costs $1.500 Congre\!> i\ beginning tO debate three dif­ BRIEFS ATL ANTA - The Georgia Baptt't a month just to cover her p~ription med­ ferent approoche!> to dealing with the cost Hospital auditorium wa~ jammed With 300 icines- more than she can afford. But m of health care. One plan is called ··pa} -or­ ~nezue l a government cru hes people January 14. They came to a town order to get Medicaid cover.~ge. Moulton play." Th~ would require employers to be attempted coup by army units meeting to discu soluttOn\ to the en '' explained. she "~'OUld have to earn nOthing primary providers of medical insurance. in health care. and my husband cannot make over $600 a Another i called "single-payer... The gov­ Tr<>Op\ loyal to the Vcne7uclan govern­ The meeting was hosted by Democratic month." ernment would be the only "payer" for ment repul\ed a February 4 att:lck by army Congressman Jolm Lewi!>. It was one of285 More is spent peJ capita oo health care in henlth-care services. even though these ser­ unit~ and mol.-. on the pre 1dential palace. such meetings held throughout the country the United States than any other country. Yet vice would remain in the hands of private cru hing an auempt to topple the regime of by Democratic Party Congressmen. among the advanced industrial countrie only indu try. pre idem Carlo' Andr6 Pcre7_ Thousands turned out at these events. South Africa ranks lower in the proporuon A third program is called a tax systems The new'>paper El Noci()nal reported that There truly is a crisis in medical care in the of itS citizens without medical coverage. option. Federal and state tax laws would be 70 people were killed during the anack. Gov­ United States. Medical care is rapidly dete­ modified to assist individuals in purchasing ernment forces arrested 300 rebel soldiers. riorating. and its cost is skyrocketing. private insurance. Lt. Col. Fmncisco Arias, a coup leader, said It is estimated that 37 million people in the rebels sought to "rescue the Venezuelan the U.S. have no medical coverage. One-half ·- Also speaking at the town meeting was people from politiciuns. from demagoguery, that number have full time jobs. 25 percent Marla Puziss, a health-<:are worker at Grady and bureaucracy." of women of reproductive age nrc not cov­ Hospital. Puziss is a member of AFSCME "Tlle coup attempt followed a period of ered by any prenatal medical insurance. In Local 1644 and a member of the Socialist frequent protests by workers and students addition millions of workers arc locked into Workers Party. She said, "The growing crisis against the growing impoverishment of dead-end jobs. because changing jobs could of health care in the United States is a reflec­ broad sections of the working class. Perez's mean losing their medical coverage for them­ tion of the deepening impoverishment of regime admi tted that just 57 percent of !he selves or family members. whole ections of the working class. Infant population of nearly 20 million can afford At the Atlanta meeting olutions put for­ monality i rising. There's an alarming in­ more than one me.1l a day. According to a ward to the crisis included shuning down crease in TB. There's an increase in death public op1mon poll. relea.\Cd the week before hospitals that are nOt profitable, rntionmg from measles. Life expectancy for Blacks is the coup. 81percent ofVene7uelans had linle health-care service • and remodeling the dropping. Thi is the result of the decades­ or no confidence 10 the government. medical industry on the hne of the Canadian long Democratic and Republican parties' at­ Following the coup. the government system. tacks on the wages. working conditions. and banned pubhc dcmon'ltrations. broadened The health-care industry 1 big Mines~. standatch of living of v.'Od.ing people.·· police arreo;t power\. and ,uo;pended several ln 1960 S70 billion w~ spent on health care. To applause. Puzis said, ··Health care is constitutional Cl\ il nght guarantee for at and in 1991 the figure wa.' $700 b1lhon. It 1 a big bu-.IOe.\S in !he U.S. today. We need to lea'\! 10 dayc;. estimated that. by the year 2000. SI..WO tal..e the husmess out of health care. Our billion will be pent annually. tarting point mUSt be that health care is a Settlements still ob tacle to Israeli According to Lewis. health care for the human right. not a service provided for profit. request for U. • loan guarantees average person in the U.S. Ill 1960 cost le.!. We need a health-care system which provides than $300, but in 1990 it cost more than free. uni versal health care from the cmdle to The U.S. government has told Tel Aviv .$2,400. These ri sing costs have pushed many the grave, wi thout regard to income or em­ that it will consider its request for $ 10 billion to seek governmental help for medical treat­ ployment. in loan guarantees only if l ~rac l ugrccs to halt ment. In 1967 19 mi llion people were on ''To do this," Puziss declared, ··we need a an y new hou si ngsturts for seltlers in the West Medicare. a figure that mushroomed to 34 new type of govemmem. The present gov­ Bunk and Gaza. million by 1991. ernment cun 't solve it. This government got The offer would penn it Israel to complete Poor people in the United Stutes urc sup­ Cost of medical attention has sky­ rocketed. Socialist Worke r s Party us In this mess in the first place. We need to the roughly 9,000 new unit-; for ~ til ers that posed to get Medicaid coverage for illnesses. tight for a workers' and farmers' government are now under conMruction. But none of the But less than 50 percent of those who ure spokesperson Marla Puziss told Atlanta town meeting that health-care crisis 're­ to implement such a policy for human needs, U.S.-guarantccd money could be used for the poor are covered by Medicaid. Both Medi­ and not for profits." completion of the!>e unit'l. In addition Wash­ care and Medicaid come with many reMric­ flects deepening impoveri hment of ington ~ou l d deduct from each year's loan tionsand barriers foreligib11ity. At the Atlanta whole sections of the working class.' Maceo Di \OlliS an aircraft cleaner at Nortll­ guarantee~ an amount equal to that o;pent by meeting ancy Moulton gave a moving t c~­ Health care should be a human right, he wtst Airlillt$ and a member of LAM Local Israel the )e. infrao;tructure. timooy of ber plight. Moulton j., bhnd. She added. 2665. and hou mg in the occup1cd territories. Thousands protest attacks on immigrants in France Youth conference backs Korean reunification About 100.000 people marched in Paris BY ESTELLE DeBATES signing ofan agreement between the govern­ 10 the 13th World Festival of Youth and January 25 to prote'>t anti-imm1grant attack . MADRJD - Delegate from youth orga­ ments of North and South Korea outlimng Students held in Nonh Korea's capital, Thou~<, of banners at the demonstration nizations in 30 countri~ gathered here for steps to begin the process of opening up Pyongyang, in 1988. She was imprisoned denounced Jean-Marie le Pen 's rightist Na­ the Second International Youth conference travel, communications, and trade. under South Korea's National Security Law. tional Front. to support the Independent and Peaceful Re­ Representing primarily youth organiza­ which makes travel to North Korea a crime The Front has published a 50-point pro­ unification of Korea. tions affiliated with Communist Parties, the for South Korean citizens. gram call ing for official discrimination The Korean peninsula ha'\ been divided 70 conference participants discussed three The third document proposes a campaign against immigrant· workers in jobs and social for more than 40 years. 111e United States documents. demanding Washington withdraw its troops security. Families of immigrant workers and its allies waged a brutal war in Korea The first document projects suppon for the and weapons from South Korea. The United would no longer have the right to automati­ from 1950- 53. The U.S.-lcd forces occupied proposal put forward by the Nonh Korean States government stations 40,000 troops cally enter the country and children of im­ the north until being dri ven back south of the government onJeunifying the country - the there. migrants born in France would not be entitled 38th parallel by Nonh Korean forces, aided founding of a Democratic ConfederaJ Re­ to citizenship. by Chinese troops. Two million Koreans public of Korea (DCRK), which would be Coalition demands Many placards at the protest focused theiJ were killed during the war. one state incorporating and respecting the fire on the ruling Socialist Party (SP). "Tell The Korean penin uta hus remained di­ autonomy of the two separate economic and South Korea free me. pretty Socialist Party. why do you have vided ever since. with the U.S.-bacl ed South social systems of North and South Korea. uch big teeth for Immigrants?" said one. Korean government maintaining a policy of The second proposal project an interna­ political prisoners Othen. procesred the French prime minister's a rotal ban on travel and commumcation with tional youth campaign to demand the uncon­ suggestion that special planes be chanered the North. The fight for reunification gained ditional release of Rim Su Gyoog. who ts BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS to repatriate lrnm1gronl!>. momentum in December. 1991, with the imprisoned in South Korea Rim participated The National Democratic Front of South An SP contingent had to wa1t until last to Korea has i ued an international appeal on enter the square where the demonsuation behalf of political prisoners in that counuy. began. By that time m~ panic1pants had set There are at present 1.690 political pris­ off on the march. and most SP members. onen. m South Korea The appeal calls par­ deciding 11 wa.-. n01 wonh following, went ticular anen11on to the situation of 51 of these home. pn'>oners who are serving life sentences in De1.0n juiJ. Algeria's mili tary regime arrests Reporting on the appeal. the Organization opponents, fires on protesters of SolidUJity of the Peoples of Africa. Asia, Abdelkader llachani. the acting president and Latin America (OSPAAAL), based in of the Islamic Salvation Front, was arrested Havana, Cuba, points out that many of these by Algerian security offi ciuls January 22 for prisoners suffer an "inhuman extension" of allegedly organizing an anny mutiny. their Incarceration. All have been in jail for lne Salvation From won tl1e first round over 30 years; three have been more than of parliamentary electi ons in December and 40 years behind bars. was expected to wi n an absolute majority of These prisoners were incarcerated for their seats in the January 15 runoffs. The army, opposition to the U.S.-backed regime in with the upport of some fonner officials of South Korea and !heir support for reunifica­ the National Front-led government, assumed tion with the North. Many fought against the power on January 14 and cancelled the elec­ U.S. 10vasion and occupation of the Korean tions. penin ula. Algerian police fired at a crowd of people Ten of the 51 prisoners at Deroo are more protesung military rule in Algiers January 29 than 70 years old; anomer 22 are over 60. killing one. and IOJunng eleven. 1lle1r health has deteriorated. 1be repon points to Zo Yong Sui who died in Dezon at Correction 64 after suffering partial paralysis for 25 years. He spent his last 38 years in jail. ln thi column the February 7 ISSue of the M ilttam tated that the number of Briti h • Militant/Margaret Jayko These prisoners have not been broken by troops occupying Non hem Ireland i. 7 .500. Rim Su Gyong, imprisoned by outh Korean government for attending 13th \\brld the South Korean regime, which has tried to The correct number is 17.500. ~utb Festival in North Korea. There arc 1,690 political prisoners in South Korea. coerce them to renounce theirpolitical beliefs.

8 T he Militant February 21, 1992 International Socialist

1 2 ~e,.,ie~ ...... s.u•p•pl.em•e•n···.o.•h.e.~.· ~.im•n•• ....F<. e.br•~•r•y•..~ ...... Origins of the myth of race

The following is the text of a mlk given at a December satisfaction in striving towards excel­ 28-29 regional socialist educational conference in St. lence with every resource they can tap Paul, Minnesom. The gathering, which drew partici­ ..." The leaflet goes on in that strain. pants from cities in ~nnesota , Dlinois, Missouri, Iowa, "lsn 't everybody equal? Equal ac­ and Nebraska, also discussed topics ranging from the cording to what values? Would you political situation in the United States to tbe origins of judge a raccoon as if it were a canary? "WOmen's oppression and why working people should Everyone is different. If people were all defend immigrants' r ights. the same. it would never matter whether one talked to one person rather than BY DOUG JENNESS another. It is preferable to be free to ln Dubuque. Iowa. during the last six months there have aspire to achieve one's fuU cultural po­ been 14 incidents of cross burnings with 20 crosses burned. tentia] in a community which reflects Right-wing racist forces on a national scale have decided one's own natural cultural values." to put a spotlight on integration plans in Dubuque and have Then the flier. referring to quotas and called for a march January 18 in support of what they call affirmative action, asks, "What charac­ ''white rights." teristics does the White Student Union For the last several weeks newspapers in Dubuque have hope to find and foster in its members? given regular, matter-of-fact coverage to this proposed ac­ Primarily the White Student Union wel­ ti on. A headline from a recent issue of Dubuque's Telegraph comes people who are pro-white. We Herald reads. "White Rights Group Plans January March." protest racism against whites, and ad­ No quote marks are placed around "wbhe rights." This tends here to white values in our lives. We ro legitimize the notion that there is such a thing as "white work with a strong will, consciously rights" that d1is white supremacist organization is champi· avoiding such defeatist attitudes as cyn­ oning. The NationaJ Association for the Advancement of icism and despair. White People, another racist outfit, has announced its support "We are heterosexual, and happy for the January 18 march. Some civil rights supporters are about it. We strive to promote white calling for proteSt<; against the actions by the ultra-rightists. culrure. to observe honestly what direc­ Here in the Twin Cities we have a small formation called tions it is taking, and to preserve the the White Student Union. Its members are attempting to ideals we value most within it'' ln an earlier article. White Student stan an organization at the University of Minnesota. The Militant/Eric Simpson group has anempted to draw in reactionary fascist skin­ Union leader Tom David describes Rally against the Klan, October 1987. ' It usually comes as a sur prise to heads from East St. Paul to conduct thug anacks on antiracist who he considers to be part of the people,' said socialist Doug J enness, 'to learn that race is a social construct.' fighters. This has generated protests by students and others, "white race,'' making it explicit that not only at the Uni versity of Minnesota, but at other cam­ Jews are not part of it. He didn 't puses in the area as well. explain what ''race·· they are part of. see the dangers in and be able to effectively counter the I'd li.ke to describe what this organization sees as its rightist and fascist arguments. purpose. A flier distributed by the group says: Is there a ~white race?' ln this presentation I'll take up the question of race. This "What 's the purpose of the White Student Union? To These two recent examples from Dubuque and the Twin afternoon there will be a class on immigrant rights and protest affirmative action and quotas and to promote white Cities reflect an increasing ideological offensive by right­ tomorrow the questions of the origin of women's oppression culture. What is white culture? Each race is naturally predis­ wing and fascist-type organizations that utilize reactionary and the family will be discussed posed to its own set of values. White values are reflected in demagogy. They pose important questions that working such time-tested cultural expressions as classical music, people and youth must answer: Is there such a thing as a O rigins of the conc~pt of race canonized literature. a representative form of government, a "white race" with distinct "white rights?" Is there a white Because racial prejudice is so deeply embedded in our free market economic system, Western medicine, romantic culture? Does affinnative action for Blacks and other op­ society, it usually comes as a surprise to many people to love, and the nuclear family. Whites tend to value a specific pressed nationalities harm workers with white skins? Is there learn that the concept of races is a social construct, and a kind ofanalytical thinking based on logic ratherthanintuition, a Black race with rights? Are there races at all? If so how recent one in human history. It did not emerge until the early 'knowledge,· or dogmatic adherence to preset rationales. are they detennined, by what criteria? How many are there? days of capitalism, when the institution of chattel slavery was introduced. Continuing. the White Student Union states."Westem To pose these questions is to implicitly ask if there are The myth of a Black race that is inferior was developed white thinking consists of analytical observation. detailed parts of the human population that can be identified as to rationalize the institution of enslavement of Blacks from intellectual exploration. effectively explicit social discourse, belonging to distinct and inferior races. Africa. and inner gratification arising from increased understanding Is the question of whether or not the White Student Union about life. Whitesstructure theirlivesas iftimeisobjectively should be officially recognized as a campus organization The merchant capitalists of the 15th, 16th, and 17th real and ultimately linear. setting higb goals and aspiring to the same as whether or not a Black student union should centuries needed massive quantities of labor power in the accomplish them through tenacious hard work: In a free be recognized? New World - more than they could get from just utilizing market system. where they can set their own goaJs, whites What about antihate laws? Is the hatred of oppressed white indentured servants or from the indigenous popula­ tions of the Americas-of whom millions were wiped out value their personal ambitions deeply, and thus fmd great Blacks against their oppression the same as the hatred expressed by Tom David, David Duke, Patrick Buchanan, in just a few years from diseases brought from Europe. and so on? ln Capital, Karl Marx explained what steps the early These questions can't be pooh-poobed. dismissed, or just capitalists took to gather the necessary capital together to get. I DU BUQUE answered superficially. Clear, scientific answers are needed their system off the ground. a process caJled primitive accu­ IS to counter the demagogy of the ultra~right and fascist mulation. ln Europe they drove peasants off the land and into REO, elements- not to convince the cadre elements of fascist factories i:n the newly emerging cities. lllis was done at a ...... '>; - -- WH~T E organizations. but because these ideas have confused thou­ forced pace and with a great deal of human misery. Another 1 Blt!U£ sands of workers, farmers, students, and others. The question central aspect of the primitive accumulation of capital was of race. of nation, of country have been the stock and trade the introduction of the slave labor system: utilizing a form of fascist demagogy for decades. Right-wing demagogues of labor from an earlier epoch of human society - that also charge defenders of a woman's right to choose abortion reached its most developed form in ancient Greece and Rome. with tearing apart the family. What answer should class­ They introduced it into the capitalist system where the slaves conscious workers give to that? Should the family be tom produced commodities for a capitalist market. apart? Should it be allowed to disintegrate? To answer this First the Indians and then Blacks were enslaved. They you have to go deeper than defending abortion rights as just justified this slave system on the basis that Blacks and a matter of democratic rights. Indians weren't Christians, that they were infideJs. One of Another theme rightists hammer away at is that of "coun­ the big tasks of the Christian worJd was to convert non­ try." We're citizens of this country. of the "American na­ Christian peoples to Christianity, thereby integrating them tion," we're told. Our government, they say. has a respon­ into and making them part of the western Christian world. sibility to defend the rights of our citizens to jobs ahead of This ideologicaJ rationalization didn't stand the test of rhose rights for immigrant workers from other counuies. time because as Indians and Blacks became Christians, it How do we answer that? could no longer justify keeping them in bondage. These themes that fascists and right-wingers raise require In its place a more insidious and long-lasting edifice was deeper explanations, - scientific explanations. 'They pose built: the concept of race. Blacks were identified as a Militant/George Chalmers questions that can't just be set aside. It is not enough to biologically inferior race - one naturally suited to slave Demonstration for ' white rights' in Dubuque, Iowa. simply say "we're for immigrant rights, Black rights, abor­ labor. A whole different set of behavioral patterns were Racists oppose city integration plan. tion rights," and so on in order to effectively ann others to Continued on next page

February 21, 1992 The Militant 9 International Socialist Jtevievv ...... F<. e.bru•a•r•y •t9.~.... •s. ~..2

Continued from previous page In Rome, another society in which slavery was the main with the origin of slavery was kept in place as an instrument assigned to B·Jacks, such as temperament or ability to mode of production. slavery was not based on the color of of class exploitation inside the United States. It became withstand hard work and heat, that suited them to slave a person's skin either. There was no real conception of race deeply enmeshed in capitalist exploitation, primarily as a labor. at that time. Slaves in Rome came from the British Isles, measure to divide working people. The intended effect was Ethiopia, Persia, Greece, and elsewhere. Tiley ranged from not just to squee-ce proportionally more profits from the Black skin branded being artisans and poets to mine workers and field workers. labor of workers with black skins, but to squeeze more from The emerging capitalist class needed a rationalization that Those from Britain were of more dubious value because the working class as a whole. made Blacks not only temporarily inferior but one with they were more culturally backward. Cicero explained, for which they would remain inferior generation after genera­ example, that they didn't know much about art or music Do buman features determine race? tion. The concept of race supplied that. Skin color was the and weren't reaDy good as slaves. But the question of the existence of races isn't disproved physicaJ characteristic singled out to brand an entire part of It's worth reading Julius Caesar's account of his first by simply describing the origin and development of anti­ the human race. Like ranchers would put a brand on cattle. invasion of Britain and his description of what he saw as Black prejudice and the institutionalization by capitalists of It made it hard for Blacks to escape the slaveholder. Every­ the cultural level of the Britons. He says they were a strange racial division. We have to step back and take a closer look one in society knew that if you had black skin you were a people -they were terrifying- but they were odd. The at the structure of the ideology that has been set up. For slave, or could be enslaved. White indentured servants could men shaved all their hair off, except that on their head which instance, someone could argue that there is a biological basis escape and go off into the woods somewhere in the spacious was kept long. They went into battle virtually naked, with to race. If there is, doesn't that affect behavior patterns and unsettled lands of the Americas. For Blacks it was nearly blue tattoos on their bodies. Caesar describes it as a terrifying aren't there really some very distinct races with distinct impossible. A brand was placed on this sector of society by sight biological foundations and distinct social behavior? It's the British. the French. the Belgian, the Dutch, the Spanish. Medieval society was similarly not divided on the basis important to get at the biological arguments because they the Ponuguese, and later the U.S. merchant and planting of race. Ir was divided between Christians and infidels. are the foundations on which the sociological conceptions capitalists. Christians and Jews. and Christians and Muslims. of race are built. 'The attempt to defme biological races of human beings AJJ the capitalist politicians, the preachers, and the aca­ Radical Reconstruction in the U.S. demicians raJJied their efforts behind this justification. After has almost always been done to show that some genetic Charles Darwin presented the theory of natural selection Coming back to the United States and the struggle against basis exists for differences in human behavior. The reason for the evolution of species .in 1859 - a gigantic conquest slavery, it is worthwhile to point out that even many aboli­ that a larger percentage of Blacks than whites are poor and tionists assumed that Blacks were inferior. They reasoned, live on welfare, the argument goes, is due to character traits though, that even an inferior people should not be enslaved that are determined by their biological and genetic make-up. and treated like livestock. The abolition of slavery was a This view. in some form or fashion, is not uncommon. result of the Second American Revolut.ion, which was According to Tom David, people who aren't part of "white without question the most imponant revolution of the 19th culture" aren't capable of understanding classical music. century anywhere in the world. But it didn't bring an end There are different levels of intelligence and capacity for to anti-Black racism and prejudice. culture. Blacks just aren't biologically quite up to it. There was a possibility that a major fight along this course The White Student Union says in its leaflet that people could have been waged. After the defeat of the Confederacy from each race have their own culrure and they should stick in 1865, and under Radical Reconstruction, revolutionary to that culture. We should keep them separate. David says; popular governments were established in many ofthe former it's natural. He states "each is separate" and he doesn't try slave states. The most advanced ones were based on an to say that one is bener than the other. But this is all malarkey. alliance of poor whites and former Black slaves. Many We know this in this country that "separate but equal'' is Blacks participated in these governments and held leading the most transparent cover for maintaining the superiority elected offices as senators. congressmen, and state repre­ of whites over Blacks and other people of color. sentatives - positions that even today they do not hold in Tile problem with trying to establish a biological criterion some states. is that biologists and physical anthropologists have a diffi­ During Radical Reconstruction, the potential power of cult time coming up with any kind of objective criteria for working people began to be felt. Blacks won self-<:onfi­ defining races. What set of physical features can be used dence, broke down erroneous conceptions of what Blacks that would have any kind of genuine social meaning? were capable of doing. and smashed racist barriers. Strides Should it be eye color, color-blindness, skin color, hair color forward in areas such as public education were made. or texture, average height. average weight, length of the But Radical Reconstruction was smashed by the indus­ limbs, shape of the nose. brain size, or toe size? Those kinds trial capitalists. Blacks were never granted their central demand of 40 acres and a mule. At the same time tens of of measurements have been taken as part of this pseudo­ thousands of white settlers were getting tracts of land science. And applying them is not just a theoretical maner. through the Homestead Act adopted in 1862. This denial of For the past several decades the South African government land to Blacks and the smashing of Reconstruction govern­ has used such characteristics to define each and every ments were major setbacks for the struggle against the new-born baby by "race." be it white, Indian. Colored. or African. oppression of Blacks and for the fight of all working people Malcolm X pointed out that the terms Caucasoid, against exploitation. With one or more of these characteristics they've come Mongoloid, and Negroid were used by anthropologists The capitalist class halted and then reversed Radical up with anywhere from three to scores of different races in seeking to justify the European domination of Afri­ Reconstruction through a bloody reign of terror. They feared the world. lt's hard to get a handle on it when you have so cans and Asians. the convergence of these revolutionary governments with many different races. When I was in school. I think 1 was ,, ______taught that there were five races. (! was common for a long time for people to say that there were three: Caucasian. in scientific thinking- a raft of so-called scientists were Negroid, and the Mongoloid. But ofcourse if you have three brought in to give the notion of racial inferiority a ''scien­ The myth of a Black race that main races where does that leave all the other people? What tific" veneer. This spurious effort anempted to prove that it about Pueno Ricans? There are a lot of indigenous peoples was through natural selection and evolution that Blacks is inferior was developed to in Mexico. a lot of immigrants from Europe. and a large were closer to the apes in the evolutionary chain. rationalize slavery ... number of people - probably the majority-who are a Enonnous battles have been waged by working people mixture of European and Indian. What race would Mexicans in the United States over the past 150 years, struggles that be? Negroid? Cauca<;ian? Mongoloid? Mongrel? put an end to chattel slavery and brought down the system the rise in the labor movement and the massive protests of Are pygmies in Africa Negroid? Are Bushman in Africa? of legalized segregation that arose in its place. But the myth working farmers in the South and in the Midwest that were of race, constructed to justify an inhuman social system, '' beginning to take place in the 1870s. still gets an echo today, as can be seen from the literature of tl1 ~ White Student Union and others. Jim Crow segregation The myth of race, and the superiority of one race over After a period of several decades of reaction a system of another, has not only been used tO justify slavery in the legal segregation was imposed in the 1890s and the early United States. lt is the cornerstone of the apartheid system years of the 1900s in the fonner slave str.-:.es throughout the in South Africa, where the wealthy capitalist ruling class South. It took some time between the smashing of Radical constructed a state of the "white race.'' Nelson Mandela Reconstruction in the late 1870s and early 1880s. and t.he accurately characterized this system as a "crime against codification of what became the Jim Crow system of legal humanity." After decades of brutal suppression of the strug­ segregation. a system backed by stare and extralegal terror. gle to bring down the hated system, the Pretoria regime has Establishing this system went hand in hand with the also been pushed into an historic retreat. In its place a new emergence of imperialism at the tum of the century. The ~ULV 4#1 1776 nation is being forged, one made up of all Blacks and whites depth and scope of the imposition of the segregation laws who want to live in a democratic republic. As the African was part and parcel of, and drew sustenance and strength TO 1863: National Congress explains, they are fighting for a "demo­ from, the development of imperialist domination of other cratic, nonracial, nonsexist South Africa.'' countries by the U.S. ruling families. SLAVERY But some of you may be asking: wasn't there prejudice h went hand in hand with the need of the ruling class to based on race or a concept of race in earlier periods of use racism to justify imperialist oppression and conquest human history, especially where slavery existed? In ancient and the horrible atrocities that went along with it. The period 1863 TO 1963: Greece, slavery was the main mode of production. The was marked by imperialist wars, invasions, and subjugation Greeks sent their armies to capture slaves far and wide. The of the Philippines. Cuba, Pueno Rico, Hawaii. and other POVERTY people who weren't Greek were considered barbarians. But lands. The "white race'' was presented as having the burden barbarians weren't a race. They came in many colors, of helping to civilize the ''inferior peoples." This was cultures, backgrounds. and varying geographical areas. extended to all people of color. rn the later Stage of the Greek empire, under the reign of Pseudo-scientific arguments were developed to justify reed om No Alexander the Great, the Greeks aimed to make the peoples this oppression. These tried to show that the.re is a genetically they conquered part of Greek culture. At the same time they superior white race. This ideology and so-called science sought to merge major features of other cultures with theirs were not only used to justify imperialist aggression. con­ and urged the intermarriage of people of different cultures quest, and oppression but was also retained inside the A 1963 protest Jim Crow ~)'Stem of legal segregation WdS and backgrounds. imperialist countries. The concept of race that had developed imposed in the 1890s in former slave states in the South.

10 The Militant February 21, 1992 February 1992 ISR/3

Are Aborigines in Australia? What race do the Sami people, pie. There is no oppression of human beings based on ordinance and it's being tested right now before the U.S. who we know as Laplanders in northern Norway, Sweden white skin color. Most whites are workers or fanners Supreme Court. It was adopted back in 1982. There are Finland. and Russia come from? and are exploited, but not because they are white. There similar laws in other cities and some states. Well.that's why people started getting long lists of races. is no oppressed white nationality and no fight for Their alleged aim is to generally outlaw expressions of Melanesian, Polynesian, Arabs, and the list goes on. The fact "white rights" that can be progressive. A struggle for hate. Some, like the one here, have amendments outlawing is that variation is very great in the human species. Moreover white rights can only be a fight to preserve oppression cenain actions such as cross burning. In general. though, it is not static. What might have been considered races 5.000 of Blacks and other people of color. the measures are against hate. Hatred by whom. against years ago are different from the way the same person would That's why there is no parallel between a Black student whom, is left open. construct them today. There have been migrations, intermar­ union and a white student union. One is fighting to extend And that's a problem. Because there are different kinds riage, and colonial settlements for thousands of years. And equality. the oth.er to maintain inequality. One should be of hate. I hate the capitalist ruling class. If you really start these have intensified in the last few centuries. So the given campus recognition the other should not. We reject to think about what they've done io the world in the last complexion of the human race is going to keep changing. the idea that the campus is not pan of the world or a part century, the people they've slaughtered, you can really work of the class struggle. Campus resources, such as those given yourself into a hate. Scientific conclusions to recognized student organizations, should be used to It's important to do that from time to time because it In the mid-19th century, even one of the most accom­ advance working-class interests. not to oppose those inter­ helps give you some revolutionary energy. Malcolm X and plished scientists. Louis Aggasiz, argued that Blacks and ests. others expressed a real hatred of this racist system. whites are separate species. Other scientists argued that Now, does affrrmative action take away the rights of Such expressions by our class are considered "hate" under different races are sub-species of the human species. But in workers who are white: does it come at their expense? This this law. The law doesn't have any class content An equal recent years an increasing number of biologists and physical is an important question because if it did we would have to sign is put between the hatred by Blacks of racism and the anthropologists have rejected the notion that there is any oppose it. Affrrmative action is the recognition that special hatred expressed by white racists when they burn crosses meaningful definition of race. steps are necessary to win equal opportunities for Blacks. on people's front yards. That's one problem. One of the most prominent is the anthropologist Ashley ,, ______The second. related problem is that it outlaws expression Montagu. In 1964 he edited a book called The Concept of and ideas. It not only addresses actions, but speech. You Race. which contained a series of articles by anthropologists Nationality is a political don't need an antihate law to outlaw cross burning. To and biologists rejecting the concept of race. terrorize .somebody by burning a cross on their yard is The same year he gave a series of lectures published in characterization. It describes a against the law right now. You don 't need some special a book, The Idea ofRa ce. In this volume he noted: anti hate law to make it illegal. Jt 's against civil rights laws, "All human beings and all human groups differ from one people fighting for equality ... it's against trespass laws, and it should be outlawed. You another in one or more genes. That is a fact: and it is also shouldn't be abl.e to go burn crosses on somebody's yard a fact that when such individuals or groups are classed into to scare the hell out of them and drive them out of the arbitrary subdivisions caUed ·races' no maner what the A vigorous fight for this will benefit all workers-Blacks. neighborhood. criteria for such subdivisions may be, these classifications whites, and Latinos -because it draws them closer'' to­ Any kind of racist intimidation. should be against the are arbitrary and correspond to nothing in reality. What is gether and it is the road to unity in political struggle. That's law. A gang of racist hooligans shouldn 't be able to circle more important. such arbitrary subdivisions cannot be re­ why the question of affrrmative action is ultimately a class a couple of Blacks on the street and start yelling at them. garded as units of evolution either in space or in time. In question, not a race question. That's not freedom of speech but threatening behavior, the particular case of man, the 'races' that have been Karl Marx. in the first volume of Capital. wrote. "In the violent behavior. But ex press ions of "hatred" in newspapers arbitrarily recognized are from a few to scores. What is United States of America, every independent workers' or public meetings are prohibited under the antihate ordi· obscured by such arbitrary definitions of 'race' are the facts. movement was paralyzed as long as slavery disfigured a nances as well. I could probably be indicted for what I've First, that the very idea of ·race' exists only in the mind of part of the republic. Labor in a white skin can't emancipate just said about the ruling class. if the authorities were to the definer, that it is an abstraction; second, that it in fact itself where it is branded in a black skin." choose to do so. corresponds to nothing in reality: and third. that it obscures He was talking about the period just after slavery had As with all kinds of laws like this that restrict freedom the real meaning of population variability. In shon the been abolished and was hopeful that the branding of labor of speech and expression. the authorities may use them to biological concept of ' race' is an obfuscating one.'' in a Black skin was going to be ended. But as I have go after some racists or antilabor hooligans. But that's all In the mid-l 970s biologist and paleontologist Stephen explained, it hasn't and Marx's statement still rings true cover for going after the real targets: militant unionists. Jay Gould wrote an article entitled. "Why we should not today. Notice that Marx starts with labor, with the working Black rights fighters, communists, and other fighters for name human races-a biological view... It is included in class. He taJks about labor that ha.~ been branded. nor about social justice. hjs book. Ever Since Darwin. In rejecting the concept of race. Chris Nisan, a leader of the Young Socialist Alliance here race he noted that more sophisticated techniques of mea­ Now finally I'd like to conclude with a word on the in the Twin Cities. has been doing some work on these laws suring variability in a species "show a continuous panem antihate ordinances. Here in St. Paul, we have an antihate Continued on next page of variation.'' In his book on Afro-American Histmy Malcolm X said, "And actually Caucasoid. Mongoloid. and Negroid­ there's no such thing. These are so-called anthropological terms that were put together by anthropologists who were Black History Month Special Offer nothing but agents of the colonial powers, and they were 25% discount through end of February to all members purposely given that status, they were purposely given such of Pathfinder Readers Club scientific positions, in order that they could come up with definitions that would justify the European domination over COINTELPRO: By Any Means Malcolm X Talks the Africans and the Asians." The FBI's Secret Necessary to Young People. In Even Adolf Hitler. who wrote and spoke extensively War on Political Speeches and discussions with young about the virtues of the·· Aryan race" and the inferior nature Freedom By Nelson interviews spanning people on three of other races admitted in 1930: "I know perfectly well that in the scientific sense there is no such thing as race. But a Blackstock In-depth Malcolm X's last continents, Malcolm X farmer can't get his breeding right without the concept of look at the illegal FBI year. $13.95 describes the race. And I as a politician. need a conception which enables counterintelligence {discount price challenges they face in the order that has hitheno existed on a historical basis to be program directed $10.95). the fight for a just abolished. and an enrirely new and antihistoric order en­ against socialists and world. $9.95 forced and given an intellectual basis, and for this purpose Black and antiwar (discount price $7 .45). the conception of race serves me well.'' activists. $14.95 This underlines the cynical character of much of fascist (discount price demagogy. $1 1.20). We might face a totally different situation if it could be BLACK HIST~RV MONTH ~ scientifically established that persons with particular phys­ IN SPANISH AND FRENCH ical characteristics were mentally or physically more limited How f ar than other humans. But this has never been established. All We Slaves NelSon Mandela: La revolud6a granadina the measurements of brain size, IQ, and so on have not Have Jntenslflquemo~ 1979-83 shown this. An excellent book by Stephen Jay Gould. The Come! Ia l.uCba fThe Grenada revoJution] Mismeasure of Man. effectively debunks the notion that South [lntens.ify the struggle) Speeches by Maurice 1,\ishop, there is any relationship between brain size aod intelligence, Africa and Speeches from 1~ in Adel Castro. Spanjsp $6 and IQ tests and intelligence, in human beings or that there Cuba in Africa) Europe, and (discowlt price $4.50). is some pattern of brain size that proves Blacks are inferior. Today's NOrth America. s~ Racial differentiation only l)erves the purpose of justify­ World. $1.2,~95 {~t (l>rice $9,'Z~} • . ing oppression and superexploitation. It is a fiction, a form Speaking ~~- of mystification. r inveat together Sudifrlca: Ia revokid61i' ~. f~) What's real and what isn 'ta mystification is that humanity in July 1991, Mandela and with a Black skin and all people of color have been branded eoaunlno. · eby by capitalism as subject to oppression. This common op­ Castro discuss the (The ComJng Revolution pression of Blacks in the United States has led to a common antiapartheid struggle, Cuba's 1n South Africa) Sankara, the CO;'!sciousness as a people facing the same struggles. The contribution, and the By Jack Barnes...... 4t 'IOnl.u. assassinated crushing of Radical Reconstruction and the subsequent challenges facing the Cuban lncludes the president of struggle by Blacks against their oppression laid the basis and South African peoples Freedom Charter. Burkina raso, for the forging of a nationality. $panjsh...... teiJ the story of today. $7.95 ...... the revolutjon In Nationality is a political characterization. It describes a (discount price $5.95). $·6 {disoount price $4.50). people who are fighting for political equality up to and Also available in Spanish. that West Afrlcaneottnb:y. including self-detennination, a people struggling for full Erenah.$35 equality in relation to the state and society, and for rights (diScount price $26.25). !-.uch as equal opportunities for jobs. education, and housing. The fight for Black ri ghts is progressive and the For a full selection of titles on discount during Black History Month, a copy of the Pathfinder catalogue, or to order. visit any Pathfinder bookstores gains that have been won have aided all workjng peo- listed on page 16 or write to Pathfinder. 410 West Street. New York. NV 10014. By maU. include $3 for shipping. $.50 each additional item.

February 21, 1992 The Militant ll International Socialist Ftevievv ...... F. e.br.u.ar•y•I•99·2--•J•s•R•~ Washington's war on Puerto Rica n 1n• dependence fight

BY MARTiN KOPPEL ment. Gloria Caldas described some of the FBl's meth­ An internal White House memorandum acknowledging ods. such as sending informers into proindependence the extent of the FBI's illegal harassment and disruption of groups, illegally inspecting bank records of these the Puerto Rican independence movement is among the groups, and mail tampering. "On various occasions I pieces of evidence that swfaced at the recent hearings of saw agents of the FBI bring in correspondence ad­ the Puerto Rico Senate Judiciary Committee. The hearings dressed to proindependence leaders and militants," she are investigating the 1978 police assassination of two young said. "I was told that this correspondence had been independence supporters and its subsequent cover-up by obtained directly from the general post office in Hato authorities. Rey through an FBI contact there." Militant/Pat Wright The 1978 memorandum was made public during the The recently revealed 1978 White House memorandum FBI and other political police activities against Puerto testimony of Juan Garcia Passalacqua, who at the time of adds, "The tactics employed were of the 'dirty tricks' Rican people have come to light at recent hearings. the killings was advisor on Latin America and Puerto Rican variety: enlisting 'informant disrupters;' circulating rumors, affairs to U.S. president James Carter. fliers, pamphlets, and anonymous letters; planting stories The document reinforces one of the central revelations and cartoons in newspapers; possibly buying off a newspa­ This was not an isolated incident. Between 1973 and emerging from these hearings: the complicity of the U.S. per columnist; and conducting what were referred to as 1975, for example, there were 160 right-wing terrorist government's political police in the Cerro Maravilla mur­ 'aggressive interviews' of suspects." attacks against independence supporters; again the FBI and ders, as the case is known. This involvement is part of The memorandum mentions that the federal cop agency police pretended they did not know who was responsible. Washington's systematic policy of attacking the rights of interfered not only in the 1967 plebiscite but in the 1968 In March 1976 Mari Bras's eldest son was murdered. FBI the Puerto Rican people to help maintain its colonial rule Puerto. Rican eJections by trying to sow divisions among files record how federal agents noted with satisfaction that, over that Caribbean nation. pro-independence groups and prevent their ideas from get­ as a result of his son's death, Mari Bras had been forced to The memorandum was written by a U.S. official identi­ ting a wider hearing. It also attempted to undermine efforts limit his electoral campaign as the PSP's candidate for fied only by the initials Y.F.C. and was directed to the by the independence movement to present the colonial status governor of Puerto Rico. third-ranking official in the Carter administration's National of Puerto Rico before the United Nations. FBI director The FBI was not alone; the CIA, U.S. Navy, Army, Security Council, AJ Stem. This document, intended as Hoover bragged that such disruption tactics had been able State Department, Secret Service, and other govern­ advice to the White House for damage-control purposes, "to confuse the independentista leaders, exploit group ri­ ment agencies have admitted spying against pro­ described the FBI's notorious Counterintelligence Program valries and jealousies, inflame personality conflicts ... and independence forces. (Cointelpro) that targeted organizations and individuals thwart any prospect of unity." Many other aspects of Washington's dirty war on dem­ advocating independence for Puerto Rico. Based on a No tactic was too sleazy for Washington. A 1961 memo ocratic rights were exposed during an important lawsuit review of more than a dozen volumes of FBI files covering from FBI headquarters instructed its finks in San Juan: "In fLied in 1973 by the Socialist Workers Pany and the Young the 1960s. the government memorandum admits, "Here is order to appraise the caliber of leadership in the Puerto Socialist Allfance against the FBI. CIA, and other political a record of a decade of hanky-panky'' by the FBI. Rican independence movement, particularly as it pertains police agencies. This suit ended in a historic victory in 1986. to our efforts to disrupt their activities and compromise their Targeted PSP and PIP The federal court ruled that the FBI's spying, use of inform­ effectiveness, we should have an intimate knowledge of the ers, and other aspects of Cointelpro were '·patently uncon­ "The PSP [Puerto Rican Socialist Party] antecedent or­ more influential leaders as individuals ... concerning their stitutional and violated the SWP's First Amendment rights ganization was the main target of the FBI," the memo weaknesses, morals, criminal records, spouses, children, of free speech and assembly." He issued a permanent explains. It adds, '.'the PIP [Puerto Rican Independence family life, educational qualifications and personal activities injunction against the FBI's use of its illegally obtained spy Party] was a collateral target during one period when it other than independence activities.'' files against the SWP and YSA and ordered the government appeared that the two parties might agree to boycott the A s pecial target of the FBI has been Juan Mari Bras, to pay damages to the socialists. political status plebiscite of July. 1967." who was a founder of the PSP and for many years its The U.S. official, nervous about the widespread interna­ central leader. The FBI compiled 75 volumes and thou­ This victory is even more important in light of continuing tional exposure of the crimes committed by Washington's sands of pages of secret files on Mari Bras, who was revelations of FBI crimes. This includes the exposure of secret cop agencies, advised the White House not to publicly able to obtain heavily censored copies of 38 of these FBI complicity in the 1978 Cerro Maravilla assassinations portray the 1967 plebiscite as an example of the Puerto volumes going back to 1943- when he had been and cover-up, as well as the ongoing frame-up trials in Rican people exercising the right to self-determination elected president of a proindependence group at his Hartford, Connecticut, against Puerto Rican activists. The because it might open up the U.S. government to criticism high school at the age of 15 . growing knowledge and outrage among working people at the United Nations about Washington's denial of this Among other things, PBI agents sent a letter to a Nation­ about this illegal government persecution is what has forced right. alist Party member accusing Mari Bras of being romanti­ the Puerto Rico Senate to hold the hearings, which are due Through its Cointelpro operations in the United States, cally involved with the party member's wife. They circu­ to resume in February. the FBI and other political police agencies spied on and lated a letter, supposedly from an MPJ member, claiming disrupted the peaceful, legal activities of millions of people. Mari Bras had received money from the U.S. Communist Their main targets were the civil rights movement, organi­ Party and diverted it for his own benefit. zations protesting the U.S. war in Vietnam, women's rights In 1969 the socialist leader's car was blown up in an groups, the Communist Party, the Socialist Workers Party, explosion; a right-wing group called Cuban Power claimed Myth of Race and the Young Socialist Alliance, among others. responsibility. The FBI proposed sending a letter to the press FBI director J. Edgar Hooverwroteamemo in November in the name of the group threatening to launch a violent Continued from previous page 1960 to the FBI office in San Juan, instructing: "I want you campaign against socialists in Puerto Rico. for a Militant article. One study he found showed that the to be advised that a more positive effort must be made not In another case the FBI put a ''snitch jacket" on one of majority of the people who have been found guilty of only to curtail but to actively disrupt the activities of Puerto Mari Bras's colleagues, planting what appeared to be an violating antihate codes adopted on many college campuses Rican nationalists." He suggested that "the following tactics informer's report in the PSP leader's car, supposedly signed over the last several years have been Blacks. This was be employed: The use of informants to disrupt the movement by his colleague. usually for opposing Zionism. By opposing the Zionist and create dissension within the groups ... the use of hand­ capitalist government in Israel, you can be charged with written letters to plant the seeds ofsuspicion between various FBI disruption continues being anti-Semitic. factions... the use of anonymous mailings." The U.S. government claims it ended Cointelpro in These are things working people should oppose. More­ The Puerto Rico operation was one of the FBI's largest 197 I. But events in Puerto Rico since then demonstrate over, it gets off the crucial foundation of who is responsible Cointelpro campaigns, with at least 37 separate disruption the FBJ has not Jet up in its illegal campaign of spying for oppression. Is it some individual who is expressing some programs, as U.S. attorney general Edward Levi publicly and disruption. hateful ideas? Is that the problem we face in the United admitted in 1975. In one scheme, he revealed, 'Three At a PSP rally in January 1975 Mari Bras described States? It gets away from the fact that there is a political thousand copies of an article published in a Cuban youth the government's campaign of harassment. PSP mem­ and economic system that j s responsible for racism, brought publication were mailed to students in Puerto Rico. The bers, he said, were being followed openly by police and it into the world, and benefits from it. That is what must be article indicated friendship between the Cuban communist the party's headquarters was under surveillance. Jn the opposed and fought against. movement and a Puerto Rican independence group. The city of Ponce, FBI agenrs had broken down the door of Clarity on all these questions and explaining them as aim of the mailing was to discourage noncommunist stu­ Delffn Ramos's home and framed him up on charges of clearly as we can, helps to give us more confidence that dents from supporting the independence group."The student possessing explosives. Narcotics police had been ha­ racial prejud.ice is not some innate part of human nature. group was the Pro-Independence University Student Fed­ rassing PSP members. Right before the rally itself a Instead, it has a clear historical origin and is rooted in a eration (FUPI). bomb exploded in a nearby restaurant, killing a party specific social system. It benefits a distinct class, the bil­ Some of the FBI's crimes were exposed in December sympathizer and injuring a reporter for Claridad, the lionaire ruling families. Looking at this crucial issue histor­ 1974 when a former secretary for the bureau's San Juan PSP's newspaper. The "Cuban Anti-Communist Libera­ ically and scientifically helps us see the solid basis that office explained at a news conference that the FBI tion Front" had phoned th~police warning they would exists for uniting working people of all backgrounds to maintained 160 agents in Puerto Rico whose sole as­ carry out such an attack; the police did nothing and no overturn capitalist rule and thereby lay the basis for ending signment was to persecute the independence move- one was arrested for that crime. the scourge of racism once and for all.

12 The Militant February 21, 1992 Right of political participation at stake in court battle over write-in vote ban Socialist Workers Party brief in support of petitioner to Supreme Court

BY GREG McCARTAN -the courts, cops. and legislatures - will candidates and to those who participate in fications. even if legitimate, show that the Can a state goverrunent prohibit or restrict attempt to take back hard-won rights. Defend­ electoral activity. It is a means of associating complete ban is necessary to fuJfUI a com­ the practice of write-in voting? Is it unconsti­ ing the right to cast a write-in ballot is funda­ together in a public. yet anonymous way. and pelling state interest. Nor is the broad pro­ tutional for states to limit the choice of can­ mental to aU our democratic liberties." "a means of disseminating ideas as well as hibition somehow ameliorated by the lower didates a person can vote for to those printed Fmancial contributions are needed for the attaining political office." Jllinois State court's view that parties and candidate have on the ballot? What stake do working people $10,000 in expenses for filing and publiciz­ Board ofElections v. Socialist Workers Party. easy access to the Hawaii ballot. Even if it andyouthhavein defending the write-in vote? ing the SWP brief. The Political Rights De­ 440 u.s. 173, 186 (1979). were true, that focus ignores the independent These are the issues posed in a case now fense Fund, Inc. has taken the case on as an The Socialist Workers Party has from its and fundamental rights of voters which Lie at before the Supreme Court. A resident of the important constitutional rights issue. Tax de­ inception been opposed to restrictions on the the heart of this case. state of Hawaii. Alan Burdick, fiJed suit ductible contributions can be made to PROF. franchise. lt ha.o; both engaged in litigation against the state in 1986 after learning that Fill out the coupon on page l4. and broader political action along with others ARGUMENT he could not write the name of the candidate to expand voting rights of aJJ individuals in of his choice on the baUoL A federal court IN THE our society and to make meaningful the right 1 agreed with Burdick's contention that the ban SUPREME COURT OF THE to vote. Such freedoms are essential for aU violated the constitution, but the Court of UNITED STATES to be able to present their views and have HAWAll 'S BLANKET PROHJBITION the those views heard and felt by the public at Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned OCTOBER TERM, 1991 AGAINST WRITE-IN VOTING IN ALL ruling, siding instead with Hawaii. Burdick large. Candidates affiliated with the Socialist GENERAL AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS is appealing that court's decision, which is Wodcers Party were plaintiffs in Dixon v. SUBSTANTIALLY AND UNJUSTIFlA­ expected to be heard in Match. ALAN B. BURDICK. Petitioner, v. MORRJS Maryland State Administrative Board of BL Y INTERFERES WITH THE RIGHT Reprinted below is the full text of the brief TAKUSHI, Director of Elections. State of Election lAws. 878 F.2d 776 (4th Cir. 1989). OF VOTERS TO EXPRESS THEIR SUP­ filed by the Socialist Workers Party in sup­ Hawaii; JOHN WAJHEE. liewenant Gover­ That ruling held unconstitutional a Maryland PORT FOR CANDIDATES OF THEIR pon of Burdick's fight to end Hawaii 's ban nor of Hawaii; BENJAMIN CAYETANO. in requirement that imposed a $150 filing fee OWN CHOOSING AND TO PARTICI­ on write-in voting. Edward Copeland, the his capacity as lieutenant Governor of the upon candidates wishing to have ballots in PATE FULLY AND FREELY lN THE SWP's general counsel. filed the court brief. State of Hawaii. Respondents. their favor taUied and reponed. The court ELECI'ORAL PROCESS He is of the noted constitutional rights finn below acknowledged that its decision was Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard. Krinsky and inconsistent with the Fourth Circuit decision This Court has long recognized the fun" Lieberman. ON WRIT OF CERTIEORARI TO lrlE UNITED in Dixon. (Pet. App. 14a.)l damental interests al stake when a state reg­ American Civil Liberties Union attorney STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINnt 1l1e Socialist Workers Party therefore has ulates voting. for "[n]o right is moreprecious Arthur Eisenburg is handJing the appeal by CIRCUIT a strong interest in assuring that unconstitu­ in a free country than that of having a voice Burdick. portions of whkh appear on page tional prohibitions on write-in voting do not in lhe election of those who make the laws 15 of thi.s Militant. BRIEF FOR AMICUS CURIAE smother the rights of individuals to vote and under which, as good citizens. we must live. The SWP brief is an important addition to SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY to thus participate fuiJy in Lbe electoral pro­ Other ri ghts, even the most basic, are illusory. the fight for two reasons. First, the party bas IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONER cess. Prohibiting the casting of write-in bal­ if the right to vote is undennined." Wesbeny engaged in numerous legal battles to strike lots stifles a mode of associating with other v. Sanders, 376 U.S. 1, 17 ( 1964 ). See also down restrictions on write-in voting and lNfEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE like-minded individuals in support of a can­ Board of Estimate v. Morris, 489 U.S. 688, onerous requirements for candidates or a didate or the ideas he or she p.resents. 693 (1989); Reynolds v. Sims. 377 U.S. 533, party achieving ballot status. The Socialist Workers Party presents this 554-555.565 (1964). Second, as the brief states, the party has a brief as Amicus Curiae in support of Peti­ SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT Elections, and the critical act of voting. long history of running election campaigns. tioner, and respectfully requests this Court to serve a number of interrelated functions. Par­ To prevent open access to the ballot, states reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals The broad prohibition against write-in vot­ ticipation in elections and the act of voting have erected undemocratic requirements that for the Ninth Circuit. That court held con­ ing in general and primary elections in Hawaii are not only the means by which voters ex­ in most cases prevent working-class parties stitutional Hawaii's blanket prohibition on directly and substantially restricts the rights press their preferences for indi viduals to fill and candidates from achieving ballot status. write-in voting in all general and primary of voters to participate fully in the electoral an office. but are also a means by which voters Socialist Workers Party candidates have elections finding that the ban did not consti­ process. The prohibition bars the voter from freely associate "because an election cam­ therefore run. in their big majority, write-in tute a substantial burden on petitioner Alan expressing his or her support for a candidate paign is an effective platform for the expres­ campaigns. B. Burdick's right to vote or his right of andforthegoalsofacandidateifthecandidatc sion of views on the issues of the day, and a Not only do state restrictions severely limit political expression. isnotlistedonthepreprintedballot.ltrestricts candidate serves as a rallying point for like ballot access, but 32 states currently limit Anticus Socialist Workers Party is an un­ the voter from expressing his or her rejection minded citizens.'· Anderson v. Celebrezze, write-in voting in some form or other. Four incorporated association with headquarters of the candidates listed, and restricts the voter 460 U.S. 780. 788 ( 1983) (footnote omitted). ban it altogether: Hawaii. Indiana. Okla­ in New York City and branches in cities from associating with other like-minded rn­ As has been oft recognized "an election cam­ homa, and Nevada. throughout the country. The Socialist Work­ dividuals in a uniquely public, yet anony­ paign is a means of disseminating ideas as The Hawaiian state government defends ers Party seeks "to achieve social change mous, manner. The franchise is undermined well as anaining political office", Illinois its practice, saying that banning write-in can­ through the political process, and its mem­ without the right to cast a ballot for the candi­ Election Board. v. Socialist Workers Party, didates discourages "sore losers" in the pri­ bers regularly run for public office." Brown date of choice, whether or not the candidate's 440 U.S. 173, 186 (1979), and through par­ maries from running in the general elections. v. Socialist Workers ' 74 Campaign Commit­ name appears on the ballot. ticipation in the electoral process, voters as­ The state says the ban keeps "frivolous can­ tee (Ohio), 459 U.S. 87, 88 (1982). The These rights of political participation are sociate with other voters, candidates and par­ didates" from running and encourages sta­ Socialist Workers Party (SWP) has consis­ fundamental and have repeatedly been recog­ ties "for the common advancement of politi­ bility in the elections. tently supported and run candidates for elec­ nized as protected by the First and Fourteenth cal beliefs and ideas ... .'' Kusper v. Pontikes, Federal district court Judge Harold Fong tive office throughout the country for munic­ Amendments. In the context of write-in vot­ 414 u.s. 51, 56 (1973). struck down the Hawaii write-in ban, ruling ipal, county, state and federal offices since ing. these rights are particularly important to As a manner of expressing opinion, and that a write-in vote was a fonn of political 1938 and has participated in every presiden­ those of minority and dissenting views, for of associating together to advance particular expression protected by the U.S. Constitution. tial election since 1948. Although the So­ whom elections are not only the means of political bel ie'fs, voting is a means ofe xpres s­ "If even one voter wished to dissent .from cialist Workers Party has consistently fielded electing those who govern, but are also a ing political opinions within the protection the voice of the majority by writing in the candidates for office, no Socialist Workers means of associating together in the electoral of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. name of a candidate not available on the Party candidate has been elected in a partisan arena and to show support for dissenting See Williams v. Rhodes, 393 U.S. 23, 30-31 printed ballot. this court believes that is his election and the votes recorded for such ideas and programs. ( 1968). Thus, in Anderson v. Celebrezze, right." Fang wrote in his decision. candidates remain small. The broad and unyielding prohibition is 460 U.S. 780 ( 1983), the Court focused upon But the appeals court said that while there The vast majority of individuals supported not justified by the various interests asserted the impact of candidate eligibility require- is a fundamental right to vote. that right does by the Socialist Workers Party and its mem­ by the State of Hawaii. None of these justi- Continued on Page 14 not extend to "an unlimited right to vote for bers have run as write-in candidates. For any particular candidate." example. between 1988 and 1990 alone, In an ominous attack on democratic rights. approximately 210 individuals supported by the judges unanimously ruled that the "fact the Socialist Workers Party ran for office as that a voter may want to say no candidate is write-in candidates. One of the principal acceptable does not mean that he has a fun­ activities of the members and supporters of damental right to say that on the ballot. ... the Socialist Workers Party is comprised of He has no guarantee that he can voice any participation in such campaigns. The cam­ particular opinion through the baJJot box." paigns take the form of distribution of liter­ Spreading the word about, and explaining ature. speaking tours for candidates. media the issues in the Supreme Court case wiJJ be interviews, extending solidarity to others an important activity of defenders of demo­ fighting social and economic injustices, and cratic rights in the months ahead, said James other election activity. The campaigns are a Warren, Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. major opportunity for those who support the president in 1988. platforms and goals of the Socialist Workers "The wealthy rulers of this country and Party to discuss and participate in the political the parties that serve them - the Democrats process. Candidates and their supporters and Republicans - aim to limit democratic present basic socialist ideas and engage in rights as the economy worsens. Working discussion with thousands of workers and people have plenty of reasons to want to youth, focusing on a working-class alterna­ exercise their rights, whether it be organizing tive to the foreign and domestic policies of a union, holding a demonstration, or voting the predominant parties in the country. 11le for the candidate of their choice. opportunity for voters to express suppon for "Many sense that even when an economic the Socialist Workers Party candidates by upturn comes, the depression-like conditions write-in voting, and to thereby participate millions are experiencing won't go away,'' he fully in the electoral process, is of the utmost said. "As with the attack on the United Auto importance both to the supporters of the Workers union at Caterpillar. the employers will continue to push and probe against the I. Citations preceded by Pet. App. refer to the Militant labor movement. The institutions of the state petition for certiorari. Kathy Mickells, 1988 SWP candidate for U.S. vice president, at Atlanta protest.

February 21, 1992 The Militant 13 Write-in vote ban SOCIALI WORKEl challenged in court '8B C P AIGN Continued from Page 13 has been recognized by this Court. Storer v. FOR ments on the rights of voters not only to Brown, 415 U.S. 724, 736 n.7 (1974) (In choose the candidate to fill an office, but also holding constitutional a requirement that an "to associate in the electoral arena to enhance independent candidate had not been affi liated ·' E h their political effectiveness as a group'', An­ with a political party for one year before derson v. Celebrezze, 460 U.S. at 794. Such primary, noting that the write-in alternative association thereby promotes "diversity and remained open.); Jenness v. Fortson, 403 competition in the marketplace of ideas," and u.s. 431,438 (1971). introduces new ideas and programs into the But the opportunity to cast a write-in vote political life of our nation. /d. See also is not of diminished importance to the voter's Illinois Election Board v. Socialist Workers ability to participate in the electoral process Party, 440 U.S. at 185-186. because a candidate receiving such votes may As the courts below recognized, the frame­ not have a great likelihood of success. As the work set forth in Anderson v. Celebrezze, 460 district court observed in Socialist Labor U.S. at 789, provides the appropriate means Party v. Rhodes, 290 F.Supp. 983, 987 (S.D. for the Court to analyze restrictions on par­ Ohio), a.lf' din part, mod. in part sub nom., ticipation in elections: Williams v. Rhodes, 393 U.S. 23 (1968) "[a] It must ftrst consider the character and write-in ballot permits a voter to effectively magnitude of the asserted injury to the rights exercise his individual constitutionally pro­ protected by the First and Fourteenth Amend­ tected franchise. The use of write-in ballots Militant/Tony Savino ments that the plaintiff seeks to vindicate. It does not and should not be dependent on the J ames Wclrren, Socialist Workers 1988 presidential candidate (at podium). SWP bas then must identify and evaluate the precise candidate's chance of success." See also run candidates for municipal, county, state, and federal offices since 1938. interests put forward by the State as justifi­ Dixon v. Maryland State Administrative cations for the burden imposed by its rule. Board of Election Laws, 878 F.2d at 781. of Columbia of whom ll were listed on the est in preventing the practice"). In passing judgment, the Court must not only Indeed, when understood to require an affrr­ ballot in 9 states. Of the remainder, 17 at­ The court below was of the view that determine the legitimacy and strength of each mativeact andcomrnitment,casting a write-in tained "official " write-in status under the Hawaii election laws "provide candidates of those interests, it also must consider the vote reflects an element of political partici­ applicable statutes. See The Militant, Nov. with considerable ease of access to the ballot" extent to which those interests make it nec­ pation, and an expression of political mes­ 4, 1988, at 3; id., Nov. 10, 1989 at 14; id., and so if Burdick desires to vote for a par­ essary to burden the plaintiff's rights. Only sage, that sometimes exceeds the simple act Nov. 9. 1990, at 13. ticular candidate, that candidate need only after weighing all these factors is the review­ of voting. The frequency of use of the write-in can­ qualify under the Hawaii procedures. (Pet. ing court in a position to decide whether the Nor is that right to participate in the elec­ didacy. along with the occasional actual elec­ App. !Ia.) Ease of access to the ballot for toral process by write-in voting a right of challenged provision is unconstitutional. toral success of such candidates. illuminates candidates. even if true4• does not ameliorate See also Normanv. Reed. _U.S._. 60 limited practical importance. First, as a gen­ the importance of the write-in for electoral the frustration of the voter's rights involved U.S.L.W. 4075,4077 (Jan. 14, 1992). Nor­ eral matter, while write-in voting may infre­ participation. The ability to cast a write-in here. While the rights of voters protected by man reaffirms that within the Anderson anal­ quently result in the actual election of such vote is of essential importance to those of the Constitution and the rights of candidates ysis "any severe restriction" must be "nar­ a candidate, individuals are elected as write­ dissenting and minority views. and those who and political parties are intertwined in the rowly drawn to advance a state interest of in candidates. For example, in November choose to reject the candidates on a particular compelling importance." __ U.S. at _ , 1991 an individual was elected to the Albany ballot and the positions represented by them. Continued on page 15 60 U.S.L.W. at 4077. See also, Eu v. San County Legislature in New York. N.Y. Times, The Hawaii ban frustrates the ability of these Francisco County Democratic Central Com­ Nov. 10, 1991, § I at 42, col. I, in 1990 an voters who would otherwise cast a write-in 4. Hawaii's ballot access requirements present milfee, 489 U.S. 214 (1986) and Tashjian v. individual was elected to the Prince Georges considerable obstacles and do not provide the ease vote to participate in the electoral process. of access to the ballot seemingly contemplated by Republican Party of Connecticut, 479 U.S. County Council in Maryland, The Washing­ That the Hawaii scheme does so in a ton Post. Nov. II, 1990, at Cl. and according the court below. For example, Hawaii 's provision 208 (1986). manner which is both absolute and unyield­ for new political parties requires a petition signed The Hawaii statutory scheme directly re­ to one report, 40 write-in candidates were ing is obvious from the complete prohibition by I% of the number of registered voters as of the stricts the rights of the voters by flatly pro­ elected in Indiana in 1990. 21 Election Ad. of Hawaii law. That it does so without any last general election to be submitted 150 days hibiting a voter from casting a write-in vote Rep. Jan. 21, 1991. No.2, at 3. Similarly, before the primary, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-62. In in all circumstances. Under the Hawaii four write-in candidates have been elected to order to utilize the new party route, an individual scheme, whenever a voter decides that the Congress in the last 40 years; Strom Write-in voting has who might cast a write-in vote would be required choice of candidates on the pre-printed ballot Thurmond to the Senate in 1954, Dale Alford to so decide long before the primary, even longer does not present an individual or platform to the House of Representatives in 1958, Joe particular importance before the general election. and long before the Skeen to the House of Representatives in issues in a campaign become focused by the that he or she can or desires to support, that electorate. See Anderson Celehrezze. 460 U.S. voter must either choose one of the candi­ 1980 and Ron Packard to the House ofRepre­ for those with minority sentatives in 1982. 12 Election Ad. Rep., 780. Moreover. the process of forming a new party dates on the pre-printed ballot or accept de­ or dissenting views. involves a formal affiliation with that party. Such nial of the right to vote. Whether the voter's Nov. 22, 1982, No. 22, at 1-2; 38 Cong. Q. affiliation requires a considerably different type of reason is based upon a late-developing issue, Weekly Report 3319 (Nov. 8. 1980). Indeed, commitment than the commitment of write-in new information concerning an issue or can­ in 1964, the Republican primary in New sufficient justification is apparent if only voters, and that commitment is an act of public didate, disgruntlement with the choices of­ Hampshire "was won with write-in votes by because the broad prohibition on write-in affiliation which may not reflect the interest of a fered on the pre-printed ballot or any other a man who hadn't announced [his candidacy) voting imposes far too wide a restriction than write-in voter who wishes to cast a write-in vote concern that affects how an individual votes, at all, Henry Cabot Lodge." 2 W. Manches­ is justified by the various interests and is not for only one panicular office. See Tashjian. 479 ter. The Glory And The Dream, A Narrative narrowly drawn to advance a state interest of U.S. at 215 n.5: cf Developments In the Law-Elec­ under Hawaii's restrictions a vote cannot be tions, 88 Harv. L. Rev. 1111 , 1167 n. 79 ( 1975) cast for anyone other than the candidates HistoryofAmerica 1932-1972, 1256 (1973). compelling importance. For example, the Second, supporters of write-in candidates. (individual voter may have one party of choice on listed by the state on the pre-printed ballot asserted interest in protecting against so the state level and a separate national or local party The prohibition on write-in voting in all including those supported by theSWP, utilize called "sore loser'' candidacies could be of choice.) Similarly, in order to qualify for the circumstances imposes a direct restriction on the write-in mechanism with some frequency served by a narrower and more focused reg­ general election ballot as an independent candidate the right of voters not only to vote for the not only as the means of voting for the ulation. The interest in preventing party raid­ for an office other than president, a candidate must candidate of their choice when that candidate candidate of their choice but as a means of ing is not a concern in a general election and run in the independent primary and either poll! 0% associating together in a publicly expressive of the vote or out poll the primary winner in a is not one of the listed candidates, but also 2 is not a serious concern in an open primary on the voter's right to associate with other fashion. For example, the Presidential can­ such as Hawaii's. It therefore is insufficient partisan campaign. Haw. Rev. Stat § 12-4I(b). Compare Munro v. Socialist Workers Parry. 479 like-minded individuals and to express sup­ didate supported by the Socialist Workers to justify the broad prohibition. See Tashjian Party in 1988 appeared on the ballot in 16 U.S. 189 (1986) (upholding Washington require­ port for a candidate and for the goals that the v. Republican Party ofConnecticut , 479 U.S. ment of I% of vote in the primary). lndeed. in candidate represents. Indeed, the prohibition states; in the remaining states write-in voting, at 219 and n.9 (recognizing the "continuing where available, was the only means of vot­ contrast to the Washington procedure in Munro, a forces a voter who desires to cast a vote, to difficulty of proving that raiding is possible" voter may only vote in a panicular primary in vote for a candidate listed or to forego voting: ing for the candidate.3 In the same year, the but expressing no opinion as to whether that Hawaii. While perhaps not insurmountable, these a voter who seeks to vote as a means of Socialist Workers Party supported 43 other difficulty "attenuates the asserted state inter- provisions are nonetheless considerable obstacles. expressing rejection of the candidates on the candidates in 24 states and the District of ballot is prohibited from doing so. Columbia of whom only 11 were listed on the ballot. In 1989, the Socialist Workers It is because the fundamental right to vote Party supported 18 candidates for local elec­ is restricted, and the right of voters to engage Join in defending the write-in vote! tion in 9 states and the District of Columbia in political expression and association is re­ of whom 8 were listed on the ballot. In 1990 Yes! Here is a donation for the SWP's amicus brief stricted, that a number of courts have found the Socialist Workers Party supported 175 the injury to these rights protected by the First candidates in 23 states including the District The Socialist Workers Party has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme and Fourteenth Amendments to be "substan­ Court in support of Alan Burdick's suit to overturn Hawaii's ban on write-in tial," Canaan v. Abdelnour, 40 Cal.3d 703, voting. $10,000 is needed to cover the legal and publicity expenses. You 221 Cal.Rptr. 468, 477 (1985) and "of great 2.The anonymity of the ballot as a means of expressing support for particular groups and ideas can join this fight by helping to publicize the constitutional issues involved in magnitude," Dixon, supra, 478 F.2d at 782. make the opportunity to cast a write-in vote the case and by making a donation to help defray the costs of the brief. Write-in voting may well be a less likely particularly meaningful for supporters. of groups route to achieve election for a candidate than that historically have suffered harassment Enclosed is: _ $500 _$250 _$1 00 _$50 _$25 _ $other listing on the pre-printed ballot. The practi­ beacause.of their association with particular po­ Name ______cal difficulties associated with write-in vot­ litical viewpoints. See Tashjian v Republican ing tum upon a recognition that "realities of Parry of Connecticut. 479 U.S. at 215 n.5. See the electoral process" require that a write-in also, Brown v Socialist Workers ' 74 Campaign Address ______voter not only remember the name of the Committee (Ohio), 459 U.S. 87 (1982) candidate but also require him or her to "take 3.The Socialist Workers Party has supported City_ ___St :...... -___Zip ___ the affirmative step of writing it on the bal­ Presidential candidates in every Presidential elec­ lot." Anderson v. Celebrezze, 460 U.S. at tion since 1948. The SWP's Presidential ticket 799 n. 26, quoting Lubin v. Panish, 415 U.S. was on the ballot in 9 states in 1964; 19 states in Phone(_) Organization ___ 1972; 28 states in 1976; 27 states in 1980; and 709, 719 n.5 (1974). See also Williams v. 24 states in 1984. See, The Militant. Oct. 26, 1964, Rhodes, 393 U.S. at 37 (Douglas, J. concur­ at 4; id.. Oct. 29, 1976, at 6: id. , Oct. 31, 1980. Send to: Socialist Workers Party, 410 West St., New York, NY 10014. Tax-deductible contribu· ring) ("[E)ven where operative, the write-ins at 12: id .. Nov. 16. 1984. at 3. Write-in voting, tions can be made out to the Political Rights Defense Fund, Inc., earmarked for the SWP Hawaii are no substitute for a place on the ballot"). where available, was the only means of voting ballot fight. Send checks to: PROF, P.O. Box 761, New York, N.Y. 10008 Nonetheless the option of the write-in ballot for these candidates in the remaining states.

14 The Militant February 21, 1992 Write-in vote has long history, says ACLU

Printed below are excerpts from the brief voter secrecy. reducing the corruption of prescribed by statute a paper upon which of the act that no vote should be cast for presented to the U.S. Supreme Court on party politics and protecting the integrity of they signified their choice of officers. a person who was not nominated .. .. behalf of Alan Burdick, in his case opposing the process. One hundred years later, instead The ballots might be written. printed. fl)f the construction contended for by the State of Hawaii's ban on write-in voting. of protecting voter choice, the state-prepared partly written, partly printed, and any appellee be the correct one, the voter is 1be brief was prepared by lawyers for the ballot in Hawaii has become an impediment sort of combination ofpersons who were deprived of the constitutional right of New York Civil Liberties Union and the to free choice. candidates might be printed or written suffrage; he is deprived of the right of American Civil Liberties Union. Prior to the tum of the century, citizens upon a ballot. exercising his own choice~ and when this The brief describes voting as "the critical were sovereign over their voting preferences State ex. rei. Lafollette v. Kohler. 228 N.W. right is taken away there is nothing left act of participation in a democracy." and as a matter of course. They were free to 895.906 (Wis. 1930). worthy of the name of the right of suf­ explains that while giving or withholding a frage - the boasted free baJJot becomes vote to a particular candidate increases or a delusion. decreases the likelihood of that candidate Sanner v. Pauon. 40 N.E. 290,292-93 (Ill. being elected, "this is just part of the meaning 1895).3 Moreover, other state couns. during and significance of a vote." Through the this period, assumed the right to cast a write­ ballot, it continues, "voters express their pref­ in ballot to be beyond dispute even as they erences ro t>.ach other, to those presently addressed other election law issues. For ex­ holding public office, to present and prospec­ ample, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. tive candidates for public office, and to the in reviewing a challenge to the format of political parties which underwrite those can­ Philadelphia's printed ballot. accepted write­ didacies. Voting is thus a complex act of in voting as an inherent feature of a fair poiJtical participation, consisting at once of electoral process: expression, commitment and choice." The brief sums up: 'This case involves the Unless there was such provision to most basic of constitutional rights- the enable the voter not satisfied to vote any right of citizens to vote for individuals of ticket on the ballot, or for any names their choice ... Hawaii officials deprive cit­ appearing on it, to make up an entire izens of the right to express their dissatisfac­ ticket of his own choice. the election as tion with the range of choices presented on to him would not be equal. for he would the ballot and to vote, instead. for individuals not be able to express his own individual of their own personal preference." will in his own way. In the first section of its argument, printed OuRhton r. Black, 6 1 A. 346, 348 (Pa. here, the brief outlines the history of how the 1905). The California Supreme Court, in re­ write-in ballot, once the form in which all solving an election controversy over certain votes were cast, was modified and tested in disputed ballots. similarly noted in passing: a series of coun cases following the appear­ Under every fonn of ballot of whicl, ance of the first state-printed ballot papers. we have had any experience the voter has been allowed - and it seems to be * * * agreed that he must be allowed - the I. HAW All'S ABSOLUTE PROHIBI­ privilege of casting his vote for any TION AGAINST WRITE-IN VOTING person for any office by writing his name SERIOUSLY BURDENS CONSTITU­ in the proper place. TIONAL RIGHTS OF ELECTORAL Patrerson r. Hanley, 136 P. 821. 823 (Cal. PARTICIPATION AND POLITICAL 1902). EXPRESSION These opinions exemplified a broad Write-in ballots did not become a matter recognition among the state courts that of note or democratic consequence until late some write-in ballot opportunity is essen­ in the nineteenth century, when the system tial to free and fair political participation of state-prepared ballots, commonly de­ J among citizens who have widely diver­ scribed as the Australian Ballot system, was Militam/Roni McCann gent political values and goals. More re­ first introduced in this country. 1 The idea of Election petitioning for Socialist W>rkers candidates. Write-in ballot was universal cent state court decisions have confirmed a government-printed baiJot was seen as a voting method in United States untiJ late 19th century. these earlier judgments. As the Supreme progressive reform designed to reduce a va­ Court of Florida Court observed: "We riety of fraudulent election practices. Jts end believe the right of each elector [to vote! prepare their own ballots, use preprinted tick­ The broad adoption oftheAust:ralian Ballot for a write-in candidate is as important was to make elections better express the ets offered by one of the political parties. or near t:be tum of the century reduced the dis­ actual, free choice of voters by in crea~ing now as it was in 1893." Smith v. Smathers. alter the political parties' tickets to suit their order of the earlier system and blunted some 372 So.2d 427, 429 (Fla. 1979). personal preferences. ln effect. all ballots of the abuses that came with that disorder. I. Tile Ausrralian Ballot was first introduced This Court, while never considering di­ were write-in ballots. The Wisconsin Su­ But, it was quickly and widely recognized that rectly the question of a federal constitutional in this country, in 1881!, in connection with local preme Court summarized these freewheeling elections held in Louisville, Kentucky. Later that the Australian Ballot. if untempered by the right to a write-in ballot, has recognized the same year. Massachusetts enacted a state-wide ballot practices: opportunity for voters to write-in the candi­ importance of the write-in ballot as a release law mandating a state-prepared ballot. By the ln the beginning the regulations were dates of their choice. would impose a narrow from the constraints of ballot access require­ regimentation on the right to vote which was presidential election of 1892, "thirty-eight states few and simple. Persons went to the ments. Storer 1'. Brown, 415 U.S. 724. 736 had passed Australian Ballot laws in one form or voting places fixed by law and there at sharp odds with the exercise of personal n.7 ( 1974):1enness v. Fortson. 403 U.S.431, another." L. E. Fredman. The Australian Ballor: delivered to officers whose duties were sovereignty contemplated by democracy. 438 ( 1971 ). And, as noted above. the Court The Story ofan Amt>rican Reform IX (1968). State coun after state coun heard the com­ of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has recently plaints of voters frustrated in their choices at found a federal constitutional right to cast a the voting booth, and the vast majority re­ write-in vote inherent in this Coun's juris­ sponded by ftnding a right to cast a wri te-in prudence. Dixon. 878 F.2d 776. Hawaii vote ban challenged in court vote somewhere in state law. State constitu­ the emergence of new information con­ tions were occasionally the fonnal source of What unites this widely shared and durable Continued from Page 14 understanding of the political process- and cerning the candidates. the difficu lties pre­ this right. and a simple but eloquent vision of electoral context and "do not lend themselves distinguishes it from the decision below by to neat separation··. Bullock v. Carter, 405 sented by the state statutory scheme or a free and equal political participation was often simple lack of resources at an early stage. the explicit predicate of legal judgment in the Ninth Circuit - is a reco~rnition that vot­ U.S. 134, 143 ( 1972), the rights of a voter ing involves far more than the static choice See, e.g .. Anderson v. Celebrezze, 460 U.S. these cases. 2 are not identical with that of a candidate or among candidates listed on a ballot. Elections of a political party. at 792 (footnote omitted) ("When the pri­ ln upholding write-in voting, many of mary campaigns are far in the future and are a dynamic part of political discourse and Moreover, whatever the ballot access re­ these cQurts spoke pointedly to the nature of the election itself is even more remote, the growth within a democratic community; they quirements, whether a political party seeks the right to vote and to t11e disenfranchise­ obstacles facing an independent candi­ are "a rallying point for like-minded citi­ to qualify its candidate for listing on the ment that would occur if citizens could not zens." Anderson, 460 U.S. at 788. pre-printed ball01 or a candidate seeks to do date's organizing efforts are compounded. vote "according 10 their own free and unre­ Voters associate with each other and with so depends upon a choice of that political Volunteers are more difficult to recruit and stricted choice." Barr\'. Cardell. 155 N.W. candidates "for the common advancemem party or candidate, rather than the decision retain . media publicity and campaign con­ 312, 315 (Iowa 1915 ). For example, in up­ of political beliefs and ideas [in! a form of of a voter desiring to ca'>t a write-in vote. tributions arc more difficult to secure, and holding write-in voting the Supreme Court 'orderly group activity' protected by the First See, e.g., Eu v. San Francisco County Dem· voters are less interested in the cam­ of Illinois observed: and Fourteenth Amendments [citations omit· ocratic Central Committee, 489 U.S. 214. paign.") But whatever the reason, focus 225-226, n.IS ( 1989) (In rejecting argument upon that choice ignores the fundamental ted)." Kuspel'l'. Pontikes. 414 U.S. 51,56-57 It is claimed that section 14 prohibits (1973). And. indeed, this Court has noted that participation in stare-run primaries re­ rights of the voter. the voter from writing on the ballot the that this form of political association and flects the party's support for each regulation name of a person who has not been expression is deserving of constitutional pro­ of the process, the Court recognized that ''[ al nominated ... and that it is the intention decision to participate in state-run primaries tection even if it is nOt likely to result in a CONCLUSION successful electoral outcome. Illinois Elec­ more likely reflects a party's determination 2. The supreme Judicial Court of Massachu­ tions Btl. v. Socialist Workers Party, 440 U.S. that ballot participation is more advantageous For the reasons set forth above, it is re­ sens summarized this judicial development at the 173, 185-86 ( 1979). Participation in the pro­ than the alternatives, that is, supporting in­ spectfully requested that the decision of the time. ces.<; is as important as directly affecting the dependent candidates or conducting write-in be Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit In general. it may be said that the so-called result because "an election campaign is a campaigns.") reversed. 'Australian Ballot Acts. in the various forms in Whatever the reason for the choice which they have been enacted in many of the means of disseminating ideas as well as attaining political office.'' /d. at 186. which may be made by a political party or Respectfully submitted. states of t.his country. have been sustained by the candidate, focus upon the course chosen courts. provided the acts penn it the voter to vote by a political party or candidate "ignores EDWARD COPELAND for such persons as he please. by leaving blank 3. During the period shortly after the introduc­ spaces on the official ballot. in which he may tion of the Australian Ballot. numerous state the independent First Amendment rights" (Counsel of Record) write, or insert in any other proper manner, the courts upheld write-in voting either as mauer of id., of the voters. Indeed, the reason why ERIC M. LIEBERMAN names of such persons, and by giving him the statutory interpretation or constitutional entitle­ a candidate might not run in an indepen­ RABINOWITZ, BOUDIN. means. and a reasonable opportunity. to insert or ment. Sec. e.g .. Barr 1'. Canle/1. 155 N.W. 312: dent primary, or a new party might not be STANDARD, KRINSKY & write in such names. Snonum 1·. Homme. 119 N. W. 59 (Minn. 1909): formed 150 days prior to the primary date LIEBERMAN, P.C. Cole v. Turner. 41 N.E. 681 (Mass. 1'895). Set' Mayor of Jarkson ' '· Smre. 59 So. 873 (Miss. are many and varied. The reasons may also Jackson 1'. Norris . 195 A. 576. 585 (Md. 1912); Park 1'. Rives. 11 9 P. 1034 (U tah 1911 ); range from the emergence of ne w issues, Counsel for Amicus Curiae 1937). Uttlejolm ~: Desch. 121 P. 159 (Colo. 1912).

February 21 , 1992 The Militant 15 - MILITANT LABOR FORUMS------CALIFORNIA MICHIGAN announced. 191 7th Ave. Donation: $4. Tel: Feb. 15. 7:30 p.m. 4806 Almeda. Donation: $3. (212) 727-8421. Tel: (713) 522-8054. Los Angeles Detroit Malcolm X: The Man and His Ideas. A video Socialist Educational Conference. Feb. 15- 16 Grant Political Asylum to Haitian Refugees. presentation. Sat., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. 4806 Al· Talks on the origins of women's oppression. eye­ Speaker: David Alvarez. Young Socialist Alli­ NORTH CAROLINA meda. Donation: $3. Tel: (713) 522-8054. witness report from South Africa; the deepening ance. Sat.. Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. 501911.! Woodward Greensboro crisis of world capitalism. All eventS at 2546 W Ave. Donation: $3. Tel: (3 13) 831-1177. Malcolm X and the Fight Against Racism. Pico Blvd. For more infonnation; (213) 380-9460. Sat., Feb. 22. 7:30 p.m. 2000-C South Elm-Eu­ UTAH MINNESOTA gene St. Donation: $3. Tel: (919) 272-5996. Salt Lake City MARYLAND Police Brutality. What W e Can Do To F"tght St. Pau.l Against Cop Violence. Sat.. Feb. 22, 7:30p.m. Baltimore JFK: Myth Vs. Reality. Tbe Truth About t.he OHIO 147 E 900 S. Donation: S3. Tel: (801) 355-1 124. Malcolm X: The Man and His Ideas. Speaker: Cuban Missile Cr isis and the Vietnam War. Cleveland John Gttige. Socialist Workers Pai1y National Speaker: Joey Rothenberg. Socialist Workers Regional Socialist Educational Conference. Committee.. member of Amalgamated Clothing Party, member United Transportation Union Feb. 29-March I. 1863 W 25th St. For more WASHINGTON and Textile Worker~ Union. Sat. Feb. 22. 7:30 Local 1000. Sat., Feb. 15.7:30 p.m. 508 N SneU­ information: (216) 861-6150, Seattle p.m. 2903 Greenmount Ave. Donation: $3. Tel: ing Ave. Donation: S3. Tel: (612) 644-6325. Cincinnati Socialist Educational Conference. The De­ Pany. Sat.. Feb. 15.7:30 p.m. 605 Mas­ Caterpillar Strike: 16,000 Workers Battle Philadelphia sachusetts Ave. Donation; S3. Tel: (6 17) 247- Corporate Giant. Speaker. Andrea Gonzalez.. member United Auto Workers Local 325. Sat.. Malcolm X: His Revolutionary Legacy . A • 6772. Feb. 22,7:30 p.m. 1622 S Broadway. Donation: panel discussion. Sat.. Feb. 15, 7:30p.m. 1906 $3. Tel: (314)421-3808. South St. Donation $3. Tel: (215) 546-8218. South Africa~ New Stage in the Struggle to CANADA MlAMI, FLORIDA End A partbeid . An eyewitness repon by Derek Montreal NEW JERSEY Bracey, National Organizational Secretary of the Malcolm X. A video presentation. Sat. Feb. 15, Cuba: Challenges Facing Newark Young Socialist Alliance. attended African Na­ 7:30 p.m. 6566, boul. Saint-Laurent. Donation: the Revolution in a Malcolm X Speaks. Speaker: Ray Parsons, tional Congress Youth League Conference in $4. Tel; (514) 273-2503. Changing World. Young Socialist Alliance. Sat., Feb. 15, 7:30 December. Sat., Feb. 22, 7:30p.m. 1906 So.uth SOCIALIST EDUCATIONAL CONFER­ p.m. 141 Halsey St.. 2nd floor. Donation: $3. St. Donation: $5 . Tel: (215) 546-8218. ENCE: The Deprtssion, Crisis of Capitalism, Speaker: Mary-Alice Waters, just re­ Tel: (20 I) 643-3341. and Prospects for Revolutionary Change. Sat. turned from Havana Book Fair. editor of Feb. 29, and Sun., March I. For more informa­ New International. Sun., Feb. 16, 5 p .m . TEXAS tion: (5 14) 273-2503. $3; NEW YORK Dinner at 4 p.m. Donation: forum, Houston Toronto dinner, $3. 137 NE 54th St. Tel: (305) Manhattan Out of Control. Deteriorating Safely in the 756-1020. Malcolm X In Today's World. Video as1d dis­ Stop the Forced RepatriaCion of Haitian Refu­ Petrochemical lndustry. A video produced by cussion. Sat., Feb. 15,7:30 p.m. 410 Adelaide St. gees! Sat., Feb. 15. 7:30 p.m. Speakers to be the OCAW and Organizing Media Project. Sat.. W.Suite400. Donation: $4. Tel: (416) 861-1399. ICELAND Reykjavik Japan-bashing gets mixed results Communist Manifesto. Class on part 2. SaL, Feb. 15. 12 noon Klapparstig 26. 2nd floor. Do­ nation: $3. Tel: (91 ) 17513. BY SETH GALlNSKY Other companies are following suit. But worker told the paper that he worries that Korea: Struggle for Reunification. Speaker: As economic rivalry berween Japan and none have agreement on what exactly is an Japan-bashing could result in lost jobs. Jap­ Estelle DeBates, Young Socialist Alliance na­ the United States has sharpened, the rulers of " American car" in the first place. anese companies are the number one custo­ tional cochairperson. Thurs., Feb. 20, 8 p.m. these two imperialist powers have stepped Bonnie Bell Cosmetics of Cleveland has mer where Thoro berry works and trade with Klapparstig 2b. 2nd floor. Donation: $3. Tel: up their efforts to convince working people its own Buy American campaign but says Japan is key in the Pacific Northwest. (91) 17513. in each country to back the capitalist class in that "a car made in the U.S. by a foreign­ "I'm personally not that happy with what the country where they live. owned corporation doesn't qualify." they've been saying about our workers in But despite theireffons many U.S. workers William Lippy, a surgeon from Warren, Japan," he says, ''but I do know that if Amer­ NEW ZEALAND are just not buying the "buy American" cam­ Ohio, who is offering $600 to each of his ica were to have some sort of protectionism Auckland One year After the Gulf War : No New World paign. 35 employees who buys an American car, against them, it would kill us." Order but a Global Depression. Speakers: Ruth During a debate in the Japanese Parlia­ disagrees. He includes Ohio-made Hondas One sign of feelings toward Japan is the Gray. Communist League candidate in Auckland ment February 3, Prime Minister Kiichi in his offer, but not Kentucky-made reaction to a proposal by the president of Regional Council by-election; James Robb. Com­ Miyazawa blamed the U.S. economic crisis Toyotas. Nintendo. a Japanese video game company, munist League candidaie in Tamaki by-election. on U.S. workers . Detroit-based Franklin Bank allows Ford, to buy 60 percent of the Seattle Mariners Sat.. Feb. 15.7 p.m. 203 Karangahape Rd. Dona­ "I have thought for some time that they GM. or Chrysler-made autos. even if they're baseball team. tion: $2. Tel: (9) 793-075. may lack a work ethic." Miyazawa stated. made in Mexico. That's OK , a bank spokes­ Local opinion polls show strong support Continuing Turmoil in Fiji. Speakers ro be He suggested the workers in the United person says. because "the profits go ro an for the deal, which would allow the team to announced. Sat.. Feb. 22. 7 p.m. 203 Kara­ ngahape Rd. Donation: $2. Tel: (9) 793-075. States had forgotten how "to live by the American company:· remain in Seattle. in spite of opposition to sweat of their brow." A Toyota dealership recently placed an the proposal from many of the owners of Christchurch Malcolm X. Speaker: Stuan Needham, Com­ Taking advantage of the Japanese prime advenisement in Lhe New York Times, of­ other major league baseball teams. fering ''Toyotas bui.lt in America, for lf car sales are any indication. govern­ munist League. Sat. Feb. 22. 7 p.m. 593a Co­ minister's comments, White House spokes­ lombo St. Tel: (3) 656-055. man Marlin Fitzwater sought to pose as a Americans, sold & serviced by Ameri­ ment-corporate Japan-bashing is not having defender of working people in the United cans." much impact. Wellington "A General Motors car can have more 'fhe Tamaki By~lect ion : Deepening Divisions State ~. The most recent figures for January show in New Zealand Capitalist Politics. Speakers: "l would say that the American work Japanese componentS than a Japanese car;· that Japanese cars have continued to gain in Communist League election candidates Ruth force is second to none. that the American noted one Rand Corporation analyst their share of the U.S. market at [he expense Gray and James Robb. Sat.. Feb. 22. 7 p.m. 23 work ethic is legendary and has promoted The New York Times interviewed long­ of the Big Three - General Motors. Ford. Majoribanks St.. off Counenay Pl. Donation: $5 the greatest prosperity in the world and shoreman Ron Thornberry. The Seattle dock and Chrysler. (includes supper). Tel: (4) 384-4205. throughout the world,·· Fitzwater s aid. Miyazawa·s words should stir "the rages in all of us that want to compete and show - IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP we're the best work force there is." Vinually every Democrat and Republican Where to find Pathfinder books and MINNESOTA: Twin Cities: 508 N. Snelling BRITAIN in the 1992 U.S. presidential contest has distributors of the MiliJant, Perspectiva Ave .. St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: (612) 644-6325. London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SEI 8LL. MISSOURJ: St. Louis: 1622 S. Broadway. jumped on the anti-Japan bandwagon. Mundinl, New lnJernational, Nouvel!£ ln­ Tel: 71-40l 2293. Zip: 63104. Tel: (314)421-3808. Manchester : Unit 4, 6Q Shudehill. Postal Senator Robert Kerrey. a Democratic ternatiorude, Nueva Internacional, and L'intemationaliste. NEBRASKA: Omaha: 140 S. 40th St. Zip: code: M4 4AA. Tel: 061-839 1766. contender. has used Japan-bashing in what 68131. Tel: (402) 553-0245. Sheffield: I Gower St., Spital Hill. Postal Time magazine calls an ·'artfully contrived NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Zip: code: S47HA. Tel: 0742-765070. TV spot.'' In the ad, Kerrey is depicted UNITED STATES 07 102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. CANADA guarding a hockey net while warning the ALABAMA: Birmingham: II I 2 1st St. NEW YORK: New York: 191 7th Ave. Zip: Montreal: 6566. boul. St-Laurent. Postal Japanese that ·'if we can't sell in their mar- South. Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079, 328- 10011. Tel: (212) 727-8421. code: H2S 3C6. Tel: (514) 273-2503. ket., they can't sell in ours." 3314. NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2000- Thronto: 410 Adelaide St. W., Suite 400. Liberal Democmt Thomas Harkin wams CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico C S. Elm-Eugene St. Zip 27406. Tel: (919) 272- Postal code: M5V IS8. Tel: (416) 861 - 1399. Blvd. Zip: 90006. l'el: (213) 380-9460. San 5996. Tokyo. " We're going to reduce our trade Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (4 15) Vancouver: 1053 Kingsway, Suite 102. OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O.Box 19484. Zip: Postal code: V5V 3C7. Tel: (604) 872-8343. deficit with you, Japan. down to zero in five 282·6255. 45219. Tel: (S 13) 22 1-2691. Clevela nd: 1863 years. Two ways you can do it: buy more or CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing ad- W. 25th St. Zip: 44113. Tel: (216) 861 -6150. ICELAND sell us less." dress: P.O. Box 16751, Saybrook Station. West PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 Reykjavik: Klapparstig 26. Mailing address: William Clinton. the front runner in tbe Haven. Zip: 06516. South St. Zip: 19146. Tel: (21 5) 546-8196. Pitts­ P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. Democratic race. makes sure to get hi s jabs FLORIDA: Miami: 137 NE 54th St. Zip: burgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: (412) MEXICO in. ''When the Japanese Prime Minister 33137. Tel; (305) 756-1020. 362-6767. Mexico City: Nevin Siders, Apdo. Postal 27- said that he felt sympathy for the U.S.,'' GEORGIA: Atlanta: 172 Trinity Ave. Zip: T EXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Zip: 575. Col. Roma Sur. Mexico DF. 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. 77004. Tel: (7 13) 522-8054. Clinton says, referring to earlier comments ILLINOIS: Chicago: 545 w. Roosevelt UTAH: Salt Lake City: 147 E 900 South. NEW ZEALAND by Miyazawa. " it made me sick. If I'd been Rd. Zip: 60607. Tel: (312) 829-6815, 829- Zip; 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1 124. Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Karan­ there with him J• d have thrown up too... 1018. WASHiNGTON, D.C.: 523 8th St. SE. Zip: gahape Road. Postal Address: P.O. Box 3025. Tel: (9) 793-075. Right-wing Republican Patrick Buchanan lOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. Zip: 20003. Tel: (202) 547-7557. has accused the George Bush campaign of 503 11 . Tel: (515) 246-8249. WASHINGTON:Seattle: 1405 E. Madison. Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (upstairs). Postal address: P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3)656-055. looking "like a wholly-owned subsidiary of KENTUCKY: Louisville: P.O. Box 4103. Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Wellington: 23 Majoribanks St.. Counenay J In ·• d fi ~0 th J pe 1 Zip: 40204-4103. ~~~:ps~; an re ers e apanese ope MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2905 Green- WEST VIRGINIA: Mor gantown : 242 Pl. Postal address: P.O. Box 9092. Tel: (4) 384- Walnut. Mailing address: P.O. Box 203. mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301 ) 235-0013. 4205. Many U.S. businesses are promoting a MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 605 Mas- Zip: 26507. Tel: (304) 296-0055. ''Buy American" effon. Monsanto C hemical sachuseus Ave. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. SWEDEN AUSTRALIA Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10. Postal code: Corp.isofferingeachofits 12.(l00employees MICHIGAN: Detroit: 5019th. Woodward Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills. Sydney S-113 42. Tel: (08) 31 69 33. $ 1,000 to buy or lease a new"American" car. Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (3 13) 831-1177. NSW2010. Tel: 02-281-3297. 16 The Militant Febru.ary 21, 1992 _GREAT SOCIETY------

Not to hurry- In January. the Carl lcahn. is still siuing on his per­ and Arpels. purveyors of jewelry carefully researched Mud y pub­ it C0!>1 $350,000 to maintain the of­ government began bestowing citi­ sonal fortune of more than half a and other collectibles. is offering a lished in the Nt'l1' En81and Journal ficial homes of Prime Minister Brian zenship on Filipinos who served in billion and will, of course. retain his men's toilet water. Tsar - "classic, ofM edicine. the more money a mag­ Mulroney and Opposition leader 20-room French-style chateau - masculine. enduring" - a 100 mi. azine makes off cigarette ads. the Jean Chreti en. But it's comfoning und the two neighboring houses he spray bottle. $58. less likely it is to write about the that this is down from $)00.000 for bought to ensure his privacy. dangers of smoking. the last six months of the previous Harry That's the spirit- With half a year. Free-market blues - To obtain billion still missing from the late Ring hard currency. the former Soviet Roben MaxweiJ's collapsed media Lethal weapon- According \¥.lste not, want not - When states are dumping platinum, gold empire. and assets frozen. his two to the publication Adhusters. co­ you brush Fido, don't toss the hair. caine takes 2.000 U.S. lives a year. and other key products on the world sons seem up the creek. One hopes Send it to Hair Today, Yam Tomor­ market, driving down prices at a bad to sell his $3 million London home. while tobacco claims 346.000. row. They'll convert it into yam and time. Observed one analyst: "When Declar.ed his spouse: "Naturally I'm "The crack industry 's methods," it knit it into a sweater. $200. the U.S. anned forces in World War says, ''are well documented: vio­ IT. They were first promised citizen­ your chief competitor goes out of worried about the future .... My business. that's supposed to be good husband doesn't have a job." But. lence. guns. terror and intimida­ Also. He created the necktie­ ship at the time of the war. a half tion. And tobacco companies? century ago. news.... But when the Soviet she ftrmly added. ··we have four "God gave us bosses and they are Union died. a lot of commercial children who are all healthy. so you They just advertise." supposed to lead us."-John Bar­ Sharing the burden - TWA victors around the world caught a have to put everything in perspec­ bagelata, a San Fran.cisco politico, workers have been hit with give­ bad cold." tive." They turned down the heat? - arguing against the notion of legis­ backs to help save "their" bankrupt Canadian taxpayers may be irritated lation baning employers from im­ airline. Meanwhile. TWA's top dog. Next, Rasputin - Van Cleef \bu're sure? - According to a that in the first nine months of 199 1 posing unreasonable dress codes. New Zealand farmers fight processing monopolies BY JAMES ROBB laying off I ,400 meat workers. The resulting town milk supply is dominated by one com­ sequently, the Farms have been legally re­ AUCKLAND. New Zealand-Two dis­ reduction in killing facilities further limited pany, the NZ Dairy Group. structured to evade the injunctions, with the putes involving threats oflegal action against competition among the meat companies. Aavored milk is not subject to the same sharemilkers employed as wage laborers, fanners in this country have served to high­ Owen Jennings. president of Federated price controls. in December. the Woolworth's and supplies to Fresha Valley have resumed. light the exploitation of working farmers by Farmers, an organization dominated by cap­ supennark.et chain set up its own town milk A further coun hearing is set for February 5. the processing monopolies that buy their italist farmers. opposed the boycott. supply. marketing at $1 per liter a range of The dispute has drawn attention to the product. In late December. Gavin Evans received tlavored milk producLc;, including what they monopoly control of dairy processing which A Dec. 9. 1991. meeting of 60 sheep farm­ a visit from a representative of the Commerce describe as ''milk-tlavored milk." They ob­ dairy farmers are locked into. Most of the ers at Hedgehope.Southland, voted to boycott Commission. The commission is a govern­ tained their supplies from their own process­ dairy processing companies originated as South Island meat companies. withholding ment body with statutory powers under the ing company, Fresha Valley Processors, small farmer-owned cooperatives, which at their stock from sale until the companies Commerce Act to investigate complaints of which in tum was supplied by the two North­ one time dotted the countryside. While many offered a schedule price comparable to what unfair trading and monopoly price fixing. land dairy fanns. dairy farmers still have substantial share­ was paid at the same time the previous year. The commission warned Evans that the boy­ The Northland Dairy Company. a subsid­ holdings in them. the co-ops have evolved The schedule price is what the farmers receive cott may be in breach of the Commerce Act. iary of the NZ Dairy Group. which the two into large capitalist corporations. when they sell their stock for slaughter. The boycott wa" called off January 8. farms had previously been contracted to sup­ Dairy farmers f the artificially high level of NZ$1 .20 per liter. New Zealand. In July 1991 the company clo­ In the Northland-Auckland-Waikato region, -25AND50YEARSAGO----- sed two lruge meat works and cut back others. which is the country's principal dairy region, the Kennedy-Landrum-Griffin Act the gov­ THE ernment can put a political cop in any union hall. committee room or other working quar­ Denver police teargas anti-Klan rally ters. Such is the monstrous invasion of union MILITANT autonomy that is palmed off as a "bill of rights'' for rank and file workers. February 20, 1941 According to Raskin's Jan. 8 anicle, "The Government's labor trouble-shooters esti­ mate that about one-tenth of all their active By FarreU Dobbs-Current thinking in cases now involve situations in which the Washington about stiffening the Kennedy­ union rdflk and file spurns agreements its Landrum-Griffin Act has been summed up leaders consider good enough to accept . .. by A.H. Raskjn, of the New York Times Already some experts are talking about the editorial staff, who is in a good position to necessity for giving absolute authority to get the facts. "The federal government, which local and international union officers as in­ passed a law less than a decade ago to insure surance against the junking of agreements more democracy in unions,'' he wrote on Jan. made in good faith." 8, "is beginning to worry now about too much democracy in unions." It calls to mind the Socialist Workers Pany 's analysis of the law when it was passed TH£ MILITANT

in 1959. When capitalist politicians pretend NFW YOlK, N-Y concern about bureaucratic abuses of democ­ racy within the unions. the SWP said the real February 21, 1942 aim is to raise false hopes that the rank and During World War I. the Bethlehem Steel file can rely on the government to uphold Corporation made enormous profits on gov­ their rights. Jt is a trick designed to get ernment shipbuilding contracts. After the workers to accept government intervention war. the government insti tuted suit for resti ­ Kay Porte rfield in intemal union affairs. Although not a sponsor of record, John tution of some of these profits. on the grounds Over 1,000 people, protesting a small Klan rally, were attacked by Denver police. that they were extortionate and obtained F. Kennedy was a principal architect of the under "duress.. , measure. This law tightened the provisions BY SETH GALINSKY "Still a cowardly spineless Congress voted of the Taft-Hartley Act and extended them. In the midst of World War IJ , the U.S. Denver police shot cannisters of tear gas at to make King's birthday a national holiday. Communist Party members were barred Supreme Court on Feb. 17 finally handed anti-Ku Klux Klan protesters January 20. This is the outrage of the cenrury ... from union office, as were people con­ down a decision in the 20-year-old case Scores of the I ,000 demonstrators were When the counterdemonstrators gathered victed of felony charges. which may well not onl y denying the government's claim, treated at the scene after being overcome by near the Klan rally, the cops put the racists have resulted from capitalist frame-ups but granting Bethlehem an additional the gas. Some were beaten by the pol ice. into a school bus. The police claim that the during class struggles. (Later on the U.S. $3.800.000 bonus claimed by the company The police attack began near the state cap­ Klan opponents began pelting officers with Supreme Court voided that part of the law.) in a counter-suit. The argument of the itol building. More than 10,000 people, who snowballs and bottles. Provisions were made for government su­ court majority was that if the government earlier in the day had marched through east pervision over the election of union offi­ hadn 't wanted Bethlehem to make such Denver to commemorate Martin Luther King "I think the police are really instigating it cers, stewards, etc. Dissident members huge profits. it should not have issued the to some extent. .. spectator Dave Koko told Day. bad gathered near the capitol for a wrap­ were encouraged to sue the union and its contracts. the Los Angeles Times. "l was standing up up rally. Just a block away I00 members of officers in the capitalist courts. The decision is a go-ahead signal for the the Klan were holding a rally of their own. on the hill and the police just started pushing The Secretary of Labor was given sweep­ war profiteers. The Supreme Coun says that The Klan leaflet promoting the event slan­ people back and gassing people." ing powers to investigate internal union af­ war profiteering is O.K. if the corporations dered King claiming he was "a member of 62 During the confrontation a police car was fairs. The law was designed to regulate gen­ can "get away with it," if they do it "openly'' Communist Fronts. He openly incited vio­ overrumed. The cops arrested 21 protesters eral union procedures, including strike au­ and with the full knowledge, consent and lence under the banner of 'non-violence.' on misdemeanor charges. thorization and contract ratification. Under connivance of the govern.rnent.

February 21, 1992 The Militant 17 This column is devoted to a discussion wit b our readers - EDITORIALS - printing remarks, questions, suggestions, and other comments sent to the Militant. Wbere possible we will take up issues raised in notes and letters as a way to help clarify and expand on the coverage in tbe paper. Parole now for Mark Curtis! * * The scope of the victory in Mark Curtis ·s lawsuit against the beating of Larry Milton by the Des Moines cops last Fred Feldman makes the point in today's letter section that the Des Moines police department is underlined by what December. large numbers of workers in the United States remain suscep­ was said in the court ruling and in the Des Moines Register's The trial of four Los Angeles city cops who were filmed tible to the notion that "mysterious powers beyond our con­ February 5 editorial. beating Rodney King last summer is also getting under way. trol" are the driving forces in the bigeventsofhistory. whether "lne court concludes that plaintiff proved by a prepon­ In New Jersey the families of several victims of police these take the form of"conspiracies" or some other forces. derance of the evidence that he is entitled to damages," ruled murders are continuing their fight for justice. The trial of ln this column we had stated. ··working people know ... federal judge Charles Wolle. "Reasonable officers confront­ Teaneck cop Gary Spath who in 1990 killed Philip Pannell. from experience: being on picket lines and in protest activity: ing the situation Wolf and Dusenberry faced would not have a Black teenager. is unfolding. random cop beatings and government spying; Washington ·s believed that it was necessary to trike a plaintiff in the face The two cop that beat hitchhiker Bobby Jewen to death deathsquadc;in Puerto Rico and elsewhere- [that]thecom­ and groin-and pummel him bloody -in order to remove in West Palm Beach. Aorida. in 1990. were fired January plete corruption. brutality. and violence that exists is inherent his pants." 31. They had been acquitted by a jury oial last year. Angry ''Judge Charles R. Wolle said the 'barrery' was not nec­ demonstrarions followed that verdict. The assistant police essary to accomplish police department objectives and was chief in West Palm Beach was also suspended for covering DISCUSSION WITH in violation of Curtis's constitutional rights," nored the Des up the investigation of Jewett's death. Moines Register editorial. "TI1e police department's in lema I Last year the Birmingham six, a group of Irish men. were OUR READERS affairs unir investigated Curtis' allegations at the time and freed in Britain after it was proven that the evidence used found no wrongdoing by the officers. suggesting that they for their conviction was false . They were jailed for life in in capitalism itself. "Many liberals, on theotherha.nd. see such were operating in accordance with departmental policy. If 1975, based on forensic evidence the government said events as solely the result of"a right-wingconspiracy: a mur­ that's the case. that policy is badly in need of revision." proved they had handled explosives. It was shown that the der[inthecaseoftheKennedyshooting]hatchedbyashadow These are powerful statements, and they throw completely British government lied in that case. This victory followed government and sinister force out ofcon trol.·· into question the fairness of the trial that led to Curtis's the collapse of the frame-up of the Guilford Four in 1989. Many force in society-either connected with or di­ conviction on rape and burglary charges in 1988. Convicted for allegedly carrying out bombings. the four rectly representing the capitali St rulers- do indeed carry A federal court has established-despite the denials by were freed after it was shown the police had fabricated the on their operations as !>ecretl y as they can get away with. the cop involved, Police Chief William Moulder, and city evidence. But conspirncy theories become a substitute for recognizing officials-that Mark Curtis was brutally beaten by the two In El Salvador officers and soldiers of the Salvadomn that capitalism through its e1'e1yday workings generates all cops. As a result, "he sustained loss of some bodily functions anny were arrested for the assassination of six Jesuit priests. the exploitation. oppression. and violence that workers for about three weeks.'' the judge said. "The pain, emotional Poli ce and anny involvement in murders and other human confront in their lives. distress. and disability caused by his injuries lasted until the tights abuses there is well-known. Hundreds of political Oliver Stone's movieJFK ponrayed Kennedy as a "good wound finally healed several months after the incident. .. prisoners have been freed over the last several years. man" heading up capitalist politics. who could or would The cops who carried this out clearly exceeded their Recent revelations in Pueno Rico about the existence of have avoided the Vietnam War and many of the evils that authority and on top lied about the whole affair. The same death squads, which the U.S. government helped to organize. occurred following his assa!.sination. The assassination itself city authorities who maintained all along that the cops are vindicating the claims by independence fighters that they is "explained" in the movie by ascribing it to a gigantic actions were quite in order helped ensure that Curtis was were terrorized for their political beliefs. And the charges conspiracy of evil forces ranging from lhe Mafia to the prevented from placing before the jury the facts about his of state terror by the victims of successive Stalinist regimes owners of military industries and ro the CIA. This coincides beating. in the former Soviet Union have also been proven true to with the liberal view that the structure of this society is Curtis has now been vi ndicated on the facts about the mi llions around the world. fundamentall y sound. that it only needs the "tight person" beating. Fewer people than ever will now believe the cops' Work.ing people who are victims of police brutality, at the top 10 make it all work well for everybody, and that claims that they remained silent, while they were laying into frame-ups, and state terror arc getting a wider heating than a liberal-minded administration. backed up by generous Curtis. This tale was their response to Curtis's charge that ever in their tight for justice. welfare measures. will end rhe poverty, war. and injustice they told him he was a ''Mexican lover, just Uke you love The key points in Judge Wolle's ruling and the Register's that unfonunately persist. those coloreds," as they beat him up. editorial should raise serious doubts about whether Mark Many ultrctrightists cherish similar notions of "conspira­ Curtis was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in jail on Curtis received a fair trial in 1988. All those concerned about cies'' lying behind problems they see in society. Often they the word of a cop, Officer Joseph Gonzalez. Gonzalez had the pursuit of truth should be asking for a new trial. whether ee these as being caused by one particular category of a proven record of lying. according to an official report of or not they are convinced about his innocence. capitalists-usually those dealing with banking or finance. the Des Moines Police Department He had been suspended Mark Cun is deserves parole now. He has already been in This is where the rightist theories about "Jewish con:.pira­ and put on probation for a year for falsifying a police report jail more than a year over the average time served by Iowa cies" fit and brutalizing a suspect. prisoners on the third degree sexual abuse charge he was Communists have to provide clear rebuttals of all uch But Curtis was prevented from presenting this vital evi­ convicted of. Prison authorities concede that his conduct. erroneous "conspiracy" theories. which only cloud workers' dence before the jury. job performance, and security reviews are excellent. ability to see the problems of capitalism as a whole and the Who wi II now believe that the cops are not equally capable This is the time for all supporters of Curtis's fight for need and possibility to do away with it. of lying to guarantee Curtis's conviction? justice to rally around the campaign launched by the Mark The challenge of unmvcling the Curtis frame-up and Curtis Defense Committee to win his freedom. Circulate as * getting him out of jail come!. in the context of many other broadly as po sible the judge ·s ruling along with the articles Stansfield Smith critici~e the Militant's discussion of fight'\. and indeed some victories. against police violence and editOrials in the Des Moines Register! Support the Anita Hill's charges against Clarence Thomas and the and '>tate terror the world over. defense comminee ·s efforts to raise funds to get out the truth Kennedy-Smith rape trial. He writes that. in easel. where a It is no accident that the ruling on Curtis's lawsuit came and help finance Cunis's appeal of his comtiction to the man abuses a woman and there are no other witne. Se!>, the in the middle of deep outrnge and ongoing protests against federal courts! Parole for Mark Cuni now! woman is "defenseless." since in any trial or hearing it i!> her word again. 1 the man\. He complains that "the man is innocent until proven guihy... The Militant , in its articles and columns, defends the presumpti on of innocence in every case where criminal Many immune to Japan-bashing charges are laid, and we see no reason to make an exception to this where the charge is that of sexual abuse. The case of Mark Curtis is but one example of the When Japanese prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa says that tetized as ''discoumged'' workers - is now more than I0 importance of an objective weighing of every piece of U.S. worker ''lack a work ethic" and have forgotten how percent nationally. evidence to guarantee a fai r trial. In Curtis's case, no "to live by the sweat of their brow·· he is simply saying out What these figures alone don't show is the cumulative forensic evidence was found connecting him with the loud what the capitalist rulers both in Tokyo and Washington effect on working people of years of tightening economic alleged victim. Hb height. clothing, and other such think about workers everywhere. squeeze and bosses· anacks on our living standards. Workers features did not match the description of her attacker The New York Times remarked that Miyazawa ·s state­ and working farmers are being pu hed into poverty in the given by the alleged victim from the time of Curtis's ments "echoed comments often heard in the Uni red States. United States by the drive forprofitsoftheowners of capital. arrest to the trial itself. Crucial to his conviction was But they also reflected a widely held view here that funda· Massive layoffs. the closing of steel mills, pink slips to the testimony of a cop who had a record of lyi ng-a mental problems in the American workplace. rather than just government employees. and demands for concession con­ record Curtis was prevented from presenting to the jury. a cyclical downturn. have led to shoddy products and ulti­ tracts as in the Caterpillar strike are a daily occurrence. Equally imponant was the fact that Cunis was pre­ mately to national economic decline." The absurdity of Japan-bashing is highlighted by the venred from informing the jury that he had been bru­ When the Times refers to a widely held view. it is referring trouble one U.S. city had trying to decide on what model tally beaten by the cops- a point on which, four years to the U.S. capitalist rulers, who want their employees to din excavator to buy. The town board in Greece, New York. later. he has now been vindicated. Simply knowing work harder for less. and who have been driving to achieve had voted aga.inst buying a used Komatsu in favor of an these crucial facts would have led jurors to more seri­ just that for well over a decade now. ''American-made" one. ously question the testimony of the cop on whose word The White House immediately took advantage of The board later learned that the John Deere model under Curtis was found guilty. Miyazawa 's disparaging remarks. George Bush's White consideration had been made in Japan and the Komato;u All these points are vital to the recognition that Curtis House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater made an appeal to U.S. vehicle was built in the United States. did not receive a fair trial. workers. saying that the Japanese prime minister's words But all this would be entirely beside the point if the should stir "the rages in all of us that want to compete and While many working people are still taken in by Japan­ bashing, others are becoming immune. Longshoremen in presumption of innocent until proven guilty did not apply. show we' re the best work force there is." This presumption was a pan of the democratic gains that Information released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis­ the Pac ific Northwest know that trade and commerce is international and that joining in a campaign against Japan accompanied revolutionary struggles over many centuries tics February 5, confirms what many workers already know against feudal despotism. Prior to that. innocent people who in the marrow of their bones: The United States has already will not help dock workers find jobs. Striking auto workers at Caterpillar know from personal experience that it is not displeased the authorities in any way were often charged entered a depression and it has nothing to do with Miyazawa. with a trumped-up offence and assumed to be guilty until • By the end of 1991 there were 11.3 million families the Japanese bosses who are trying to force a concession contract down their throats. but the home-grown ones. they achieved the often impossible feat of "proving'' that with no members working. This is 425,000 families more they did not do it. than last year. 1be capitalist owners want to whip up the workers in their respective countries to help defeat their imperialist rivals. 1be right to be assumed innocent until proven guilty is • Of the 32.2 million families with children under 18 a precious conquest of all the oppressed and exploited. years of age, 2.4 million had at least one unemployed parent, But as the crisis deepens. more and more working people an increase of 330.000 in the last year. will come to the realization that their allies are other workers • * * • Unemployment - including those officially cbarac- around the world. A correction: Due to a layout error in the last issue. seven words disappeared from the end ofthe page 5 article "U.S. be­ gins forced repatriation of Haitians." The final sentence should read: "The true intent ofthe administration 'spolicy to­ ward Haitian refugees was made crystal clear only two days laterwhentheSupremeCourtclearedthewayforWashington to begin forcing thou ands of refugees back to Haiti.··

18 The Militant February 21, 1992 Texas garment workers celebrate strike victory This column is devoted to re­ strikers were mainly Mexicans liv­ owed the former strikers is not yet producing the spare parts necessary "Wi.th the closing of mental health porting the resistance by working ing in El Paso or neighboring Ciudad resolved, U1e strikers' victory has to keep production going. hospitals many of those in need have people to the employers' assault Juarez, Mexico. spurred Texas state authorities to After the meeting several workers been dumped back into this commu­ on their living standards, working One sewing shop was occupied step up their interviews with indi­ agreed to form a group that will nity," said Napolean Harris. presi­ conditions, and unions. by strikers, and production at the viduals about how much money is develop solidarity with lhe Cuban dent of the striking local. '"The man­ Working people around the others was reduced to a smaU frac­ owed each of them. revolution in the factory. agement here has a callous and caus­ world are involved in skirmishes tion of normal. Food donations and "This has opened the door to the Nearly 7.000 workers at the Brus­ tic attitude toward providing mental over speedup, forced overtime, other support from the area unions, union here, not just to garment work­ sels Volkswagen plant produce health services.·· ers," reponed ILGWU staff member I ,000 cars daily. mainly for the Ger­ The union is asking for 5 percent rsidoro Basurto. ''This is the first man market. After the reunification pay raises for each of three years in ON THE PICKET LINE victory coming out of a fight that of Germany. many fonner East Ger­ the new contract. and wants the cen­ people have seen here in over 20 mans bought secondhand West Ger­ ter to pay a fixed percentage of fam­ years.·· man cars while many West Germans ily heahlxare payments. ·'Right layoffs, and attacks on health and churches, and community groups In a telephone interview. Carmen bought new cars. This temporary but now I'm paying 60 percent of what Dominguez, representative of La steep increase in sales led to a de­ safety benefits. Some unionists were organized with help from La it costs to maintain insurance cover­ faced with sharp takeback de­ Mujer Obrera (the Working Mujer Obrera Project, said that, mand for Saturday work by the boss. age for my family." said striker Terri The company threatened to reduce mands, lockouts, and union-bust­ Woman) Project in El Paso. while she had not seen the contract Golston. ing moves by the employers have Strikers also traveled to Los An­ negotiated, ''if it were one in favor production if Saturday work was gone on strike to force the bosses geles and other cities to promote a of the workers, it was a good start." refused. ··we hired you, not your fan1i ­ to back down. consumer boycott. They eventually She added. 'The fight for the con­ After a frnancially attractive offer Iies." the center's executive director We invite yo u to contribute succeeded in getting DCB clothing tract did not end the struggle, but was provided in which workers told employees. Strikers explain that short items to this column as a way off shelves at Macy's, J.C. Penney, was just one phase, one step in the would get one paid holiday plus a since the family coverage plan is so for other fighting workers around and Sears stores. DCB finally agreed fight to better the lives of the gar­ double-time wage for each Saturday expensive- almosr $300 per the world to read about and learn to negotiate with the union in De­ ment workers." worked, the proposal to work two month -only three of 80 people in from these important struggles. cember. Saturdays at the end of 1991 was the bargaining unit cover their fam­ Jot down a few lines to Jet other The new three-year contract Belgian auto workers accepted by a 55 percent majority. ily through the plan. Mililani readers know about what provides for a 25-cent wage in­ discuss Cuba solidarity At the beginning of 1991 workers On the morning picket Jine. strik­ is happening at your workplace or crease, health insurance. and a Twenty-five members of the waged an unsuccessful four-day ers carried signs stating. ';Health in your union. If there is an inter­ week of paid vacation each year. General Federation of Labor of strike to reduce the workweek from care - so families can get care" and esting political discussion going on A key provision makes DCB re­ Belgium who work at the 37 to 35 hours. "Money is not an issue - its a at work, we would like to hear sponsible for payment of wages Volkswagen auto assembly plant need." about that too. by its contractors. in Brussels met with Juan Antonio Cleveland health-care Strikers and their supporters cel­ Blanco at the union's office Janu­ workers launch strike The following people contributed to Members of the International ebrated their victory January L8 at a ary 13. Blanco is a professor at the Eighty members of Service Agen­ this week's column: Dan Dickeson, Ladies' Garment Workers' Union rally held in the main plaza in down­ University of Havana and a sup­ cies Employees Union District 1199 member of flllemational Ladles' (ILGWU) El Paso, Texas have won town El Paso. Participants then porter of the Cuban Communist in Cleveland struck January 23 in a Gamu•nt Workers' Union (ILGWU) a historic first contract after eight marched a short distance to the main Party. He made a two-week tour dispute over wages, health care, and Local44. and Barry Fat/and, mem­ months on strike. cathedraJ in E1 Paso where a mass of Belgium on the invitation of the work rules. ber of ILGWU Local 512 in Los More than 150 workers went on was held in their honor. Friends of Cuba organization. The unionists work at the Murtis Angeles: Ludo De Witte, member of strike last May at four shops pro­ Upon Learning of this victory, BIanco spoke about the role of the H. Taylor Multi-Service Center, the General Federation ofLabor in ducing jeans under contract for the nonunion garment workers, as well working class during 32 years of the which provides aid·for the mentally Brussels. Belgium; Don Mackie. Los Angeles-based DCB Apparel as workers from other industries, are Cuban revolution and the place of ill. family health care, adult educa­ member of United Steelworkers of Group. Conditions in the shops were approaching the £LGWU to help the unions in managing the plants. tion, and other community services America (USWA) Local 1170, and terrible, and the employers fell them OUL He aJso discussed the role of the in the heart of Cleveland's Black Michael ltalie. member of USWA weeks behind in paying wages. The While the issue of the back pay workers movement in inventing and community. Local /4919 in Cleveland. - LETTERS------Stop police brutality men a bad image! before it becomes evident to most I pray for justice for aJI! workers that worsening conditions J have been a peace-Joving Louise Jewett result from the capitalist system as school teacher for 34 years and West Palm Beach, Florida. a whole and not just aspects of the have believed in liberty and jus­ system or the incompetence, greed, tice for all! Now that I am retired, Capitalism, conspiracies or sinister intentions of the rulers. I find myself with a new mission Experience, discussion, and study in life. I must try to stop "Ge­ I enjoyed Seth Galinsky's January wi ll convince a widening vanguard stapo" police brutality. Brutality 24 response to the Jatest portrayal of layer of workers that what is needed unchecked can spread and who John F. Kennedy as a peacemaker is not a Second Coming of Kennedy will be next? and fighter for human rights in the or rooting out alleged conspirators For years police have been beat­ movie "JFK." Kennedy was a racist, bur massive struggles to place the ing Blacks. Spanish, Haitian, and sexist. imperialist exploiter with working class and exploited farmers Homeless people. This is not right! plenty of blood on his hands -a in power. My son, Bobby Jewett, was typical U.S. president. Fred Feldman beaten to death on Nov. 24, 1990, But I think the January 31column Brooklyn. New York hiking home from McDonald's in overshot the mark by asserting that West Palm Beach. A four volume ''working people know... from ex­ [ntemal Affairs Investigation ad­ perience" that capitalism, not any \\Omen's oppression mitted to violation of forty depart­ conspiracy, is the cause of our prob­ Your articles on the Kennedy mental rules. But they did not lems. If that were true, wouldn't Smith rape trial and the Thomas-Hill admit to use of excessive force by Oliver Stone be making much less sexual harassment hearing have left undercover policemen Rollins money from "JFK?" If union picket me confused. and Thurlow. Bobby had his lar­ lines, beatings by cops, and partici­ Prior to the hearings it was fair to ynx broken in three places and the pation in protests has immunized us say the Senate Judicial Committee hyoid bone in the neck broken in against conspiracy theories. why de­ did not care whether Thomas har­ two places. plus nine broken ribs bate the issue? assed Hill or not (and probably still on left side, a tom heart, contusion But as long as workers have not doesn't). So, even though, as I heard. to lower lobe of left lung, swollen had the opportunity to achieve a Hill followed all the procedures the U.S. slave ship returning Haitian rcfug~ to Pon·au·Prince. eye, and crushed hemorrhaging broad, working-class political out­ EEOC (Equal Employment Oppor­ testicles. How beat up or dead do look I think that daily life under tunity Commission) outlined to fight you have to be to have had exces­ capitalism sends us mixed signals sexual harassment. she was still vic­ timized. sive force used? about the role of conspiracies. sexually abused vs. a man's word less and those unemployed and on Mark Curtis was beaten and ar­ The workings of capitalism spon­ Before the Kennedy Smith rape that he didn't do it. There were no welfare. 4. Calling for a ··national" rested. He is serving a 25 year sen­ taneously generate lots of conspira­ trial it seemed fair to say the trial witnesses - in such cases the man revolution in South Africa is tence on framed up charges. This is cies, from price-fixing by groups of would only affirm that wealth buys is presumed innocent until proven strange. This is a modem, white-set­ nor right! innocence. And it seems it did. capitalists to secret openuions at the guilty. and here guilt w~ not proven. tler. imperialist country. You There is hope that Mark Curtis highest levels of government. The Militant wrote [ 11 -15-91) The implication of your posiiion is couldn't call for a national revolu­ will be exonerated. My only peace By its very nature, capitalist de­ "While it is definitely nOt out of the that if a man abuses a woman and tion in Canada because oftheirtreat­ of mind is my faith that "To be mocracy functions in a way that can realm of possibility that Thomas did no one sees it. the woman can have ment of Indians. or in New Zealand absent of body, is to be present with appear, to perfectly rational people. indeed abuse Hill in the manner de­ no expectation of ever being able to or Australia because of their the Lord.'' rm sure Bobby is in a as a conspiracy against working scribed. her allegations were not di­ prosecure him. Legally then, in such (mis)treatment of the indigenou better place. people. Behind a facade of majority rectly corroborated by any witnesses situations. she is defenseless. people. 5. Where is your coverage My ·ancestor, Major Nicholas rule. a few dozen billionaire families to the events. Based on the 'evidence· Stansfield Smith of the most important trade union Broughton, fought with George set policies that are often vastly dif­ presented it is impossible to deter­ Los Angeles. California story in many years-the Team­ Washington to help found this coun­ ferent from what their political ser­ mine who was telling the truth.·· sters. try. It was never meant to be a police vants seem to be advocating in pub­ The Militant also wrote (12-27- Suggestions RD. state. We were founded to get away lic. 91 ], "Smith did get a fair trial, one CanoJ:a Park. California from tyranny. However, itseems that Most workers in the United States where his innocence was presumed. Excellent article on J FK movie. with the powers of the police and today have had Little opportunity to The burden of proof was kept Again. excellent on coverage of po- The letters coJumn is an open the laws that protect them, we are learn from life that working people, squarely on the state and the evi­ Lice brutalization of Blacks and Lati- forum for all viewpoints on sub­ heading imo tyranny again! not mysterious powers beyond our dence it could supply concerning the nos. Some suggestions: I. Less rhet- jects of general interest to our Hopefully, it is not too late. We control. are the fundamental makers charges.'" oric, more facts and figures. 2. You readers. Please keep your letters need better educated police with of history. I did not watch the Smith trial, keep using "polarization'' when you brief. Where necessary they will more training and empathy. Po­ More class-struggle experiences but! w1derstand it was similar to the describe a .swing to the right. There be abridged. Please indicate if you licemen should not "stick up" for and more discussions arising out of TI1omas hearings in this respect: a has been no sign of a leftward swing. prefer I hat your initials be used rogue cops as they give all police- those experiences. will be needed woman's word claiming she was 3. Spend some space on the home- rather than your fuU name. February 21, 1992 The Militant 19 THE MILITANT Caterpillar workers discuss strike

BY YVONNE HAYES "Yeah. we've been getting SCUD attacks AND K.C. ELLIS since February. I've got a stack of company YORK, Pennsylvania- Some 1.300 propaganda this high," said one auto worker. workers at the Caterpillar plant here. mem­ spreading his fingers wide enough to hold a bers of United Auto Workers Loca1786. held large telephone book. a membership meeting and rally February 2 A protest of about 75 people. mostly to discuss the current stage of their fight for women sporting yellow ribbons was held a contract. Also present were invited guests outside the fairgrounds where the meeting from York-area unions and some members took place. " UAW Wives Say Cass of UAW locals at Caterpillar plants in Peoria [Casstevens] Negotiate Now to Save Our and Decatur, Illinois. Husbands' Jobs." read their banner. Workers Caterpillar, the world's largest producer of said the participants were mostly Caterpillar eanh-moving equipment, is demanding mas­ office workers and their families. sive concessions, including a two-tier wage Local 786 members report that the news structure. restrictions on seniority rights, and media carry regular attacks on the UAW fees for medical benefits. leadership, panicularly Casstevens. A group To pressure the company to negotiate, the of local business people has been fonned union called a selective strike of2,400 work­ called Catnip - Caterpillar Necessary in ers in East Peoria and Decatur in November. Pennsylvania. Caterpillar retaliated. locking out more than Seventy-Jive workers from area unions 6,000. gathered outside the meeting hall to show The 1,700 workers at the York facility. their support to the Caterpillar workers. which has continued to operate, have been " If we lose this. it's going to be the whole threatened with the permanent closure of the way down the line," said a woman who plant. Five hundred have been laid off since belongs to United Steelworkers of America November. Local 7687. "Why should it always be the The February 2 meeting, one of a series little guy who has to give? Jf the companies throughout the Caterpillar chain, was organ­ would give. we might see our way clear. too. ized to report to the membership on the current But we've already paid more than our dues stage of the tight and build support for the Militant/Yvonne Hayes - joblessness, homelessness. ·• locals on strike. A majority of the Local 786 Caterpillar workers in York, Pennsylvania, meet and discuss current stage of fight. "ft's like a stepping stone for all the members have contributed f'mancially to the Cater pillar is 'part of a movement to destroy unionized labor,' said one worker. unions." another worker said. "Somewhere strike. Many have pledged $35 a week to along the line someone is going to have to "adopt a striker." The keynote speaker at the stand up and fight." York event was Bill Casstevens. international "The workers were showing them ways to member. ''The company is trying to hang us secretary-treasurer of the UA W. save money but the company destroyed ESP on a fence and drive a wedge between us and K.C. Ellis is a member of UAW Local 1609 Coming out of the meeting. workers ex­ [Employee Satisfaction Process)," the union­ the union." in Philadelphia. Yvonne Hayes is a member pressed their determination to see this fight ist continued. "Now they're looking for a Local members have been receiving mail­ of United Transportation Union Loca/454, through. "We're going to hang in,'' said one scapegoat" ings and phone calls from the company. curremly on layofffrom Conrail. Local 786 member. "We don't have much "ESP -1 call it Eliminate Shop Person­ choice." nel," another worker said. "Cat is a rich "This is nothing new," said another. "Cat company and they want to keep it that way. [Caterpillar I has always been hard to bargain They're pan of a movement to destroy union­ Puerto Rico hearings continue with. ized labor." "Casstevens told them we had always The threat to close the York plant ·•some­ on murder of political activists been the most cooperative, that we had time in the next three years" has created an excelled in production here." "overwhelming fear factor." said a UAW BY MARTiN KOPPEL confirmed. Cartagena testified January 29 AND SUSAN APSTEIN that he twice called FBl agent John SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Public atten­ Hinchcliffe in the hours before the killings tion here remains focused on the current to report on the police operation. Thousands attend Havana's Puerto Rico Senate hearings that are inves­ It was also revealed that the FB1 trained tigating the 1978 police murder of two young the Puerto Rico police in counterinsurgency proindependence activists. The hearings. tactics in the late 1970s. Senate investigators International Book Fair which resumed January 28 after a recess of made public the text of a secret 1978 "Internal several weeks. have put a spotlight on the Defense Plan·· signed by Romero. The coun­ BYNOCHAELBAUMANN sia. China, Hungary. Yugoslavia, the Demo­ role of U.S. and Puerto Rican government terinsurgency manual calls for "the elimina­ AND MARY -ALICE WATERS cratic Republic of Korea, and Vietnam. al­ officials in planning, carrying out. and cov­ tion or neutralization of insurgent leadership HAVANA, Cuba - Tens of thousands though most have smaller booths than in ering up the murders. and infrastructure" in Puerto Rico. visited the opening days of Havana's Fifth previous years. The display sent by the Rus­ In the last week the Puerto Rico Senate Several of these FBI-trained cops. led by International Book Fair, which began here sian republic-consisting of children's Judiciary Committee has questioned former the chief U.S. marshall on the island, formed February 4. books, novels. and books on an - encom­ pol ice superintendent Roberto Torres a death squad that targeted independence Heavy rains and th.e worst flooding in pa.c;sed about one-tenth the space exhibitors GonzaJez and fom1er deputy police superin­ supporters and other govemmem critics. recent memory in low-lying areas of the from the ex-Soviet Union required at the tendent Desiderio Cartagena about their in­ Some of these cops also took part in the Cerro capital failed to dampen the enthusiasm with previous fair. volvement in the case. The two, who were Marravilla assassinations. which Cuban students, working people, and The fair this year is open to the general the top police officials at the time of the FBI harassment of independence support­ professionals headed for the book fair. The public. With the closing time extended to killings, have contradicted their own and ers did not stop in 1978. Puerto Rican histo­ fair provides an opportunity both to view 8:00 p.m. it is possible for working people each other's testimony. rian Juan Manuel Delgado recently reported works recently published around the world to stop by after work. The waiting Lines to Carlos Soto Arrivf. 18, and Amaldo Dario that FBJ agents allegedly looking for terror­ and to buy copies of works newly published get in are always long. Rosado, 24, were ambushed and killed after ists have come to his home several times in in Cuba. One popular booth at the fair is that of surrendering to as many as 20 cops at a the last year. including three weeks ago. The Paper, ink, and electricity to keep lights Pathfinder Press, staffed by an international remote mountaintop called Cerro Maravilla federal cops also paid intimidating visits to burning and presses running have been in team of representatives from Australia, Can­ on July 25, 1978. They were lu red there by his landlords. causing him to be evicted more increasingly short supply during the last year ada. and Sweden. undercover cop Alejandro Gonzalez Malave. than once. and a half as trade with the fonner Soviet Drawing crowds is a full-color reproduc­ Following Senate hearings in 1983, ten The Senate hearings on Cerro Maravilla bloc has virtually ground to a halt. tion of the Pathfinder Mural, a six-story-high police officers were convicted of petjury and are expected to continue through March. Many fewer books are published today piece of outdoor an painted on the side of two were convicted of second-degree mur­ More than half of Puerto Rico's viewing than in the past. Those that are. published are the publisher's New York offices. The mural der. But the question remained unresolved: audience is watching the live televised broad­ printed in smaller quantities and sold at depicts the central authors Pathfinder pub­ who ordered them to pull the trigger and who casts. higher prices. Although many of the new lishes- ranging from Karl Marx to V.I. organized the cover-up? titles can be read at libraries. it is often Lenin. Leon Trotsky. Emesto Che Guevara, At the current hearings the Senate inves­ difficult to obtain a personal copy of a pop­ Fidel Castro, Malcolm X, and Nelson Man­ tigator presented several reports sent by the 'Militant' reporters ular book. deJa - and serves as a quick introduction to undercover cop to the police depanment as Publishers from some 25 countries are its work. early as July 5. 1978. The reports detailed in Puerto Rico participating in the fair this year, roughly plans for the entrapment of the youths. Many express disappointment upon learn­ Mililant correspondents Martfn, K~ one-third fewer than at the previous fai r in ing the books are not available for sale in Evidence at the hearings indicates that pel and Susan Apstein traveled to. San 1990. Mexico, Spain. and Cuba are providing Cuba. This is particularly true in regard to police officials Cartagena and Torres Gon­ Juan, Puerto Rico, to report m the the lion's share of exhibitors. Other exhibj­ two of Pathfinder's recent titles in Spanish. zalez briefed then governor Carlos Romero Puerto Rican Senate Judiciacy commit­ tions include books and publishers from Ar­ La Revolucion Traicionada [The Rel'olution Barcelo several times in June and July about tee hearing~ into the 1978 police assU· gentina, Brazil, Britain, Chile, Egypt. Fin­ Betrayed] by Leon Trotsky, and Nueva fnter­ the planned operation. including in a meeting ·sination·of two indepcmdence s~.: land, France, Greece, Lndia, Japan. Libya, nacional no. 2. presenting an exchange of with the governor lhe day before the murders. er:s. Donations to he.lp ·cove.- the Costs Nicaragua, Palestine. Peru, Uruguay, Vene­ views on Cbe Guevara's writings on politics Romero has previously stated he was only of tl'lis reporting trip arc weJcomed. zuela, and a number of international organi­ and economics in the transition to socialism. "generally informed" of rhe police plan. ~your contribution to lhe Mililani, zations. Many others eagerly ask for works by Mal­ More facts about the FBI's involvement 4{0_.West. St. , .~w YOrk, NY 10014. Also taking part are publishers from Rus- colm X and Nelson Mandela in Spanish. in the Cerro Maravilla case have also been

20 The Militant February 21, 1992