SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 50 CENTS VOLUME 41/NU~BER 35
A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY /PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING. PEOPLE
Black leaders demand troops to protect schoolchildren By Suzanne Haig not to return. CHICAGO-A September 11 . anti- A Black minister observing the busing rally of more than 1,000 whites s~udents' departure on behalf of Opera- erupted into a racist rampage here and bon PUSH was chased several blocks the near lynching of a Black man by the mob. driving his car through the Bogan No effort was made by the cops to Park area of Chicago's southwest side. stop the assault. No arrests were made. The lynch-mob attack marked a _The violence _continued on Sun~ay sharp escalation of violence by white m_ght and agam . the next evem~g, racists determined to halt a limited with gangs of white thugs attackmg school desegregation plan begun thi~ Black motorists in Bogan Park. Five fall. Blacks were injured. In response to the attacks, Black Ort Tuesday, Septfi!mber 13, 300 leaders here are demanding troops to white Bogan High School students push back the racists and protect the walked out of school in protest against Black and Latino children participat the transfer plan and began blocking ing in the voluntary transfer plan to traffic. They hurled rocks at police and ail-white schools in Bogan Park. hurled racial epithets and threats at The attempted lyrlt:hing occurred the Black cops. after antibusing leaders at the evening Thirty-one students were arrested rally had whipped the racists into. a and all 300 were suspended for three frenzy. White hooligans surrounded days. the car of· Michael Smith, a twenty That same afternoon a mob of 400 three-year-old shipping clerk, scream white bigots gathered at Stevenson ing, "Here's a nigger, let's kill him!" elementary school. This time, after They smashed his car windows, hit strong protests by Operation PUSH, him, and tried to pull him out. the cops kept the crowd across the Fearing for his life, Smith drove street and away from the students as around the crowd, accidentally strik they got onto their buses. After the ing three people. After his escape from buses left, the mob chased a car of the would-be lynchers, Smith ap Black motorists and a truck driven by proached police for help. They told him a Black man making a delivery. to go to a nearby police station. Before In response to Sunday's racist terror, he got there, other cops pulled him Democratic Mayor Michael Bilandic over, handcuffed him, .and arrested tried to downplay the seriousness of him on charges of reckless driving and the attacks. The remarks of Bilandic, leaving the scene of an accident! who has often stated his opposition to Racist youths and adults also set fire busing, signaled a go-ahead to the CHICAGO-Racist opponents of school desegregation have to effigies of school officials and racists. attacked other Black motorists. Cops "I don't think we should try to build terrorized Blacks entering all-white neighborhoods. Above, arrested only a few of the thugs that this thing up into anything of major bigots burn state and city school officials in effigy. night, one for holding a rally without a significance," Bilandic said. "We have permit and others for disorderly con had a peaceful and uneventful opening duct. [of schools]. This occurrence ... was devise a "comprehensive desegregation By contrast, students participating The escalation of violent opposition probably a matter of someone not plan" by next March, racist opposition in the transfer plan are bused to to Black transfer students began at getting a permit ... and not [a sign] of has thus far prevented more than a mostly white schools, where the enroll Adlai Stevenson School Friday after any real hostility." limited transfer plan this fall. ments range from 500 to 600 students noon, September 9, two days after The fight by Blacks here for an equal Henderson Elementary School is a in buildings the same size as Hender- schools opened. Fifty jeering white education has been a long, bitter good example of why desegregation is son. women mobbed the school's exit. They battle, and one with major implica needed here. The school is about 97 The voluntary transfer system only forced the Black children to pass tions for desegregation efforts in other percent Black. It is overcrowded. The involves one-half of one per~ent of the through a gauntlet and shouted racist cities. Chicago schools are among the 1,560 students are jammed into a students in the school system. But epithets and obscenities. Then they most segregated in the country. Half building designed for less than half even this minimal desegregation effort surrounded the bus, holding the Black the schools are at least 95 percent that number. Many students must has enraged white bigots, who hope students captive. They pounded on the ·Black. study in mobile classrooms outside the that, by stopping the current transfers, sides of the bus, warning the students While the city has been ordered to main building. Continued on page 3 In Brief
THIS NEW ATTACK ON COAL MINERS: Not satisfied with Zilly's supporters have organized a campaign to get his slashing coal miners' medical benefits, the coal mine name on the September 20 ballot. WEEK'S operators now threaten to cut pensions as well. A letter signed by Pierce County ACLU Chairperson The operators provoked a strike when the board that Thomas Leach and others declares, "We do not believe that administers health benefits claimed it was running out of this residency requirement in any way reflects on Mr. Zilly's MILITANT money. Miners were forced to begin paying as much as $500 qualifications to run for or to hold the office of mayor. We 4 U.S. continues a year out of their own poc.kets for medical care. think it is the right of the voters of Tacoma to decide stranglehold on Panama Now the board that runs the pension fund claims that the whether he or any other candidate is qualified to be their strike over the medical benefits has depleted the pension mayor." 6 Carter brands quotas fund, so that some benefits will be cut or deferred. 'unconstitutional' REVEAL WIRETAP ON FRANKFURTER'S HOME: SCORE TWO FOR GAY RIGHTS: The Wichita, Kansas, 7 Crusade members Massachusetts records released to writer Lincoln Robbins City Commission passed a bill September 7 forbidding assault activists September 12 showed that the state had wiretapped the discrimination against homosexuals in housing, employ home phone of Felix Frankfurter, a defender of Sacco and ment, and public accommodations. Opponents have threat 8 Desegregation is key ened to undertake a petition campaign to reverse the bill. in Cleve. election Vanzetti, for two months in 1927. Frankfurter, then a professor at Harvard law school, was Meanwhile, the federal Civil Rights Commission agreed it 9 Sub drive off and rolling a leader in the effort to save the lives of the two anarchists had the power to look into specific cases of unequal adminis falsely convicted of murder. He was appointed to the U.S. tration of justice against gays. 12 UAW striker Supreme Court in 1939. rehire·d The tap begEJn August 9 and continued to October 3, even BLACKS BOYCOTT SEX-SEGREGATED SCHOOLS: 13 Challenge though Sacco and Vanzetti were executed August 23. Virtually all the 2,000 Black students in the Amite County, facing CLUW No reason has been suggested for the wiretaps. Mississippi school system have stayed out of classes since school began August 30, because the schools are segregated 14 Shah's lies about by sex. Iranian poet The system was ordered desegregated in 1969, and the 16 Steel profits vs. white majority school board responded by assigning males jobs, environment Fla. sets execution to one school and females to another. By Arnold Weissberg Robert Wilson, the only Black member of the school 17 Iron ore strike: Sept. 14-The state of Florida has quietly scheduled an board, said that the scheme was aimed at preventing "Black companies agree to talk execution for Monday, September 19. Gov. Reubin Askew males and white females from having any contact" in signed the death warrant for John Spinkellink on Sep classroom situations. 18 Joining the tember 12. The federal government allowed the plan as an "interim" Socialist Workers Party A state circuit judge turned down a request for a delay proposal, but hasn't seen fit to revise it after seven years. 23 Red-baiting hurts in the execution. But attorneys for the American Civil The Justice Department is "monitoring" the situation. Liberties Union and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educa antinuke struggle tional Fund are appealing to the Florida Supreme Court and 24 Hill brothers: the U.S. District Court. ISRAELI ANTI-ZIONIST TO SPEAK: Dr. Israel Sha victims of racism Spinkellink's attorney said he would fight all the way to hak, chairman of the Israeli League for Human and Civil the U.S. Supreme Court. Rights, will open a national speaking tour in New York City 2 In Brief Death penalty opponents have set two protests. Miami/ on Saturday, September 17, at a conference sponsored by Dade Citizens Against the Death Penalty will hold an the Association of Arab-American University Graduates. 10 In Our Opinion emergency demonstration at the Miami federal building on The conference will be held at 777 UN Plaza. Letters Saturday, September 17, at 1:00 p.m. For more information about Shahak's tour, or about the conference, contact the association at 777 UN Plaza, Suite 11 National Picket Line Florida Citizens Against the Death Penalty will under 7F, New York, New York 10017, or call (212) 490-3654. American Way of Life take a vigil in Tallahassee on Saturday. The site of the planned execution is near Tallahassee. -Arnold Weissberg 25 In Review Florida has more people on Death Row than any other state-eighty-five-of whom 40 percent are Black. These WORLD OUTLOOK figures underscore the racist character of capital punish 19 Somali rebels ment. Nationally, 47 percent of Death Row prisoners are gain in Ethiopia Black, Chicano, Puerto Rican, or Native American. (These Special qffer figures come from the ACLU Capital Punishment Project 20 Interview with and are accurate as of August 1, 1977). Lea Tsemel The latest move by Florida adds to the already abundant to new readers. 21 World News Notes evidence that the rulers of this country are bent on execut The Militant-tO weeks/12 ing the hundreds of men and women now held on Death 22 Carter & Pinochet agree Row. on 'human rights' It will take a powerful outcry of protest to stop them.
THE MILITANT KENT STATE GYM OK, BUT ... :U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan September 9 removed the last legal VOLUME 41/NUMBER 35 barrier to building a gym on the site of the May 4, 1970, SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 massacre of four students at Kent State University in Ohio. CLOSING NEWS DATE-SEPT. 14 Br~nnan had held up construction so he could hear argu ments from university officials. Editor MARY-ALICE WATERS Managing Ed1tor STEVE CLARK Business Manager: HARVEY McARTHUR ... DAMAGE SUIT WILL GO TO TRIAL AGAIN: A Southwest Bureau: HARRY RING $46 million suit against Ohio Gov. James Rhodes and other Washington Bureau DAVID FRANKEL state officials will go before a jury again. A federal court of
Published weekly by the Militant. 14 Charles La[1e. appeals ruled September 12 that the first trial, which New York. N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Office resulted in a nine-to-three verdict for Rhodes, was invalid (212) 243-6392; Business Office (212) 929-3486. because a juror had been threatened. seg on continues to an ·mpo e Southwest Bureau· 1250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 404, Rhodes ordered the National Guard onto the Kent campus struggle for Black equality. So does busing-the only way to Los Angeles, California 90017. Telephone: (213) make school desegregation real. In Chicago racist mobs are 482-3184. Washington Bureau. 1424 16th St. NW, in May, 1970. trying to keep Black students from getting an equal education. #701-B, Washmgton. D.C. 20036. Telephone: (202) The suit was filed by parents of the dead students and 265-6865. students who were wounded when the guard opened fire. But Blacks and their supporters in that city are determined to Correspondence concerning subscriptions or fight back. Keep up with the struggle for school desegregation changes of address should be addressed to The in Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, Cleveland, and other cities by Militant Business Office, 14 Charles Lane, New SOCIALIST WINS TOP RATING FROM GAYS: Mar reading the Militant every week. York, N.Y. 10014. garet Trowe, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of $2 for ten issues (new readers only) Second-class postage paid at New York. NY Seattle, has received the highest rating from the Seattle Subscnpt1ons: U.S. $15.00 a year. ·outs1de US. $8.50 for six months ( ) $15 for one year $20.50. By first-class mail U S . Canada. and Municipal Elections Committee for Gays, a group formed New ( ) Renewal Mex1co $42.50. Write for surface and airmail rates to evaluate candidates' stands on gay rights. Trowe, who to all other countries spoke at a gay pride rally in June, was rated "an affirma Name For subscriptions airmailed from New York and tive proponent of gay rights and interests." Only one other then posted from London directly to Brita1n and Ireland: £2.00 for ten issues. £4.50 for six months. of the fourteen mayoral hopefuls won the top rating. Address--~-·----~-~-~~-·-·--·-----~- £8.50 for one year. Posted from London to Continental Europe: £2.50 for ten issues. £6.00 for SOCIALIST DENIED BALLOT PLACE: David Zilly. City ___ State ___~-- Zip six months. £11.50 for one year. Send banker's draft Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Tacoma, or international postal order (payable to Pathfmder Press) to Pathfinder Press, 47 The Cut, London SE1 Washington, was thrown off the municipal ballot on August 14 Charles Lane, New York. N.Y. 10014 BLL. England. Inquire for air rates from London at 4 because the city said he hadn't lived there two years. the same address Signed articles by contnbutors do not necessanly represent the Mtlitant's views. These are expressed in editorials
2 ... rising lynch mob terror in Chicago Behind Continued from front page they may be able to block a more far reaching plan next spring. the busing Their efforts to physically intimidate the Black schoolchildren are being closely watched by antibusing forces battle in other cities scheduled to begin By Joel Britton desegregation plans. CHICAGO-Sixty percent of the Despite the attacks, more Black students in public schools here are students are standing up for their right Black, 25 percent are white, and 15 to an equal education. The number of percent are Latino. But half ·of the transfer students increased from 496 city's 670 schools are at least 95 on the first day of school to 650 by percent Black, and about seventy . September 13. Even at Stevenson the schools are at least 95 percent white. number jumped from 30 to 74. Ten years ago the Illinois Board of Asked if the actions of the racists Education ruled that Chicago public changed their minds about transfer schools must desegregate. The city ring, Black students at Stevenson has resisted deadline after deadline. replied they were there to stay. One Now, in addition to the voluntary young woman student said, "I'm here transfer plan in effect this fall, a until I graduate." "comprehen:;;ive desegregation plan" When schools opened last week, is supposed to be ready by next Operation PUSH and other forces in March, to avoid cutoff of millions of the Black community demanded full dollars in state and federal aid. protection for the transfer students. Originally, board guidelines said While few incidents occurred initially, that Black and Latino enrollment in the racists gathered momentum. each Chicago school must fall with The stepped-up wave of violence in 15 percent of the entire district's threatening the safety and lives not racial composition. That would only of schoolchildren but of any Black mean no school could be more than or Latino entering Bogan Park-has 40 percent white, 30 percent Latino, underscored the need to mobilize mas or 75 percent Black, and would sive pressure for protection, by whatev obviously require massive er means necessary. metropolitan-area busing. At a news conference September 13; The busing would have to be two Roland Burris, national executive way: from Black and Latino schools director of Operation PUSH, assailed to white ones and vice versa. Two the inadequate police protection for the way busing would also highlight the transfer students. need for increased funding to up Burris called upon Gov. James Black transfer students at Stevenson Elementary School must run gauntlet of violent grade Black and Latino schools. Thompson to bring in the National hecklers each morning and afternoon. Democratic Mayor Michael Bilan Guard if the racist violence continues. dic has opposed busing on numerous "If Thompson refuses, we will take occasions. the action necessary to ~ake sure our actions are needed." impetus to attacks on other fronts The big-business daily papers children are protected," he said. Andrew Pulley, a leader of the affirmative action, open housing, have editorialized against the full The Student Coalition Against Ra Socialist Workers Party and a member jobs." scale busing plan needed. The Chica cism (SCAR) has called for a united of United Steelworkers Local 1834 in Pulley said a massive counteroffen go Sun-Times says 'it favors the response to the attacks by all oppo Chicago, said: sive is needed to answer the racists minimal voluntary transfer plan nents of racism. "The responsibility for the attacks and force the city to ·protect Black because it "can ward off the lawsuits Saladin El-Tabuk, a leader of SCAR, on Blacks in this city must be placed at students. "United aCtion-protest that could bring court control of the said what is needed is a "massive the doorstep of Mayor Bilandic, the meetings, picket lines, speak-outs city schools." outpouring" to show Blacks we will not White House, the Supreme Court, and involving the entire Black community, The Chicago Tribune argues that stand for these atrocities. Congress. The Carter administration's unions, women's groups, and students "there are far worse alternatives" to "We must demand that the children policy of steady retreat on desegrega can put the antibusing bigots on the · "allowing black children to transfer and the Black community get the tion, backed up by recent rulings of the defensive. voluntarily into predominantly protection we need, including National Supreme Court and antibusing bills in white schools." Guard or federal troops if necessary," Congress, is generating a climate "The Chicago labor movement, with These "worse alternatives" include he said. where the racists here in Chicago feel its large ·Black membership, has an full educational equality for Blacks Over the past several weeks, SCAR confident that Washington is on their especially important stake in the and Latinos here through massive has participated in demonstrations side. And they are right. outcome of this battle. The unions two-way busing. called by PUSH demanding better "In just the last few days, Carter has· should be in the forefront of the The violent antibusing forces on protection. SCAR has also been active backtracked further on his so-called antiracist protests. the southwest side have attacked the in the standby committees established commitment to Black education, by "We must demand that the city, the voluntary transfer program because by PUSH to accompany Black children siding with racist opponents of affir courts, and the U.S. government ·use they fear that any busing could pave to school. mative action in the Bakke case. whatever force is necessary, including the way for more far-reaching school "The actions taken so far by support "A setback here for desegregation federal troops, to defend the courage desegregation. ers of Black rights have been first will not only encourage antibusing ous Black students and keep the buses steps," Tabuk said, "but more massive · forces nationwide, but will give new rolling." Tennis protest: 'Sports, yeS; apartheid, no!' By Earl Williams Their Genocide-Ban South Africa!"; "Close the NEW YORK-More than 100 people demon Open to Apartheid!"; and "Forest Hills is like strated at the U.S. Tennis Open in Forest Hills, Johannesburg." Queens, September 11, against the inclusion of Black U.S. tennis star Arthur Ashe, a member South Africa in the sports event. of USTA, joined the demonstration and spoke The action, organized by the American Com during the rally. mittee for Equality in Sport and Society (AC Other participants included the American CESS), protested the United States Tennis Asso Committee on Africa; Paul O'Dwyer, president of ciation's support of the apartheid South African the New York City Council; National Student regime. USTA has refused to expel South Africa Coalition Against Racism; Village-Chelsea from the International Lawn Tennis Federation, NAACP; Pan-African Student Organization; despite the fact that the regime's racist policies Young Socialist Alliance; Socialist Workers Par dominate sports competition as well as every ty; and Youth Against War and Fascism. other aspect of life in South Africa. The New York City Council passed a resolution condemning USTA's support to South Africa. USTA officials tried to claim that the demon Two days after the protest the New York Times stration was against individual tennis players reported that USTA President W.E. Hester, Jr., from South Africa who happen to be white. But was now urging South Africa to withdraw from one of the slogans chanted by protesters an the Davis and Federation Cup matches begin swered that slander: "Sports, yes; apartheid, no; ning in 1979 "until their situation is better at tennis with South Africa has got to go!" home." A banner from the joint board of the Fur, Hester continued, "Unless there is an effort to Leather, and Machine Workers union made the merge LSouth Africa's Black and white tennis same point. It read: "Apartheid is a Menace to federations], we will have no choice but to lessen Musa the Future of Tennis." our support for South Africa in international Tennis star Arthur Ashe speaks at anti racist rally in Other slogans included: "They Can't Hide team play." Forest Hills.
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 3 White House treaty ceremony: cover for _continued U.S. stranglehold on Panama . By David Frankel the continued American occupation of WASHINGTON-On September 7, the Canal Zone and to continuing U.S. as dictators from all over Latin Amer intervention in the affairs of the Pana ica looked on, President Carter signed manian people. two treaties determining the future of First of all, the treaties would for · the Panama Canal. mally guarantee another twenty-three The carefully staged ceremony was years of U.S. military occupation in designed to present Carter as a states the Canal Zone. man to his nationwide television au- No limit is set on the number of U.S. . dience and to sell the treaties at home troops in Panama. Article IV, Section and abroad. The agreement on the 5, suggests that the United States canal, Carter asserted, shows "the "endeavor to maintain its armed forces commitment of the United States to in. the Republic of Panama in normal · the belief that fairness, not force, times at a level not in excess bf' the should lie at the heart of our dealings level when the treaty goes into effect. with the nations of the world." But this limit, even in "normal times," If Carter's assertion were true, it will only be observed "to the extent woul~ certainly represent a new depar possible consistent with [the U.S. go ture for American foreign policy., vernment's] primary responisibility for Force, an9 force alone, has maintained -the protection and defense of the Pana the American stranglehold on Panama ma Canal." since 1903, when Panama's fifteen Technical operation of the canal will day-old government accepted U.S. oc also remain in American hands during cupation of the Canal Zone virtually at this twenty-three-year period. The gunpoint. treaty establishes a Panama Canal Carter (left) and Panama's Gen. Omar Torrijos (right) sign treaty guaranteeing U.S. Today, the U.S. government main Commission with four Panamanian permanent right to police canal. tains _fourteen military bases and more and five American members. Pana than' 9,000 troops in the Canal Zone manian members of this board can be that splits Panama in half. The Ameri removed by the U.S. government, after the expiration of the treaty on In Panama itself, troops have al can imperialists have made it clear which also approves all Panamanian December 31, 1999. A second treaty on ready had to break up numerous pro throughout the negotiations that the nominations (Article III, Section 3). the "permanent neutrality" of the tests against the treaties. "The govern Panamanian government could either The Panamanian government has no canal gives the American imperialists ment· has promised an open public accede to their terms or face the con say on American appointees to the the right to permanently intervene, debate of the issues, but anti-treaty tinuation of the status quo. commissiOn. diplomatically or militarily, if they demonstrations apparently will not be With the new treaties, Carter has Of course, there is no guarantee that contend that the canal's status is tolerated," Washington Post corres succeeded in giving a legal facade to American forces will leave Panama threatened. pondent Marlise Simons reported in a Thus, a treaty that pretends to recog September 8 dispatch from Panama nize the sovereignty of Panama in fact City. gives the U.S. government veto power -Simons added that "the government over any government chosen by the has kept up an intense publicity cam Panamanian people. This is Carter's paign to obtain wide support for the idea of "fairness" and of "mutual treaties, which many Panamanians respect and cooperation"! feel fall short of the expectations raised by [Gen. Omar] Torrijos over the The outcry against "giving away" years." • "Brazil-Student Protests Resume • "Zimbabwe-the Superexploitation the canal by right-wing know-nothings Helping the Torrijos regime are the as Campuses Open." of African Labor." led by Ronald Reagan has helped give Panamanian .Stalinists. Like their cou • "Unsafe No Matter What the Pro· • "The Gathering Gloom on Wall Carter cover for the blatant imperialist sins in the American Communist fits-French Trotskyist Stand on Nu· Street." What the bankers are saying treaties he is trying to cram down the Party, they support the imperialist clear Power." about the chances for a new slump. imposed treaty. • "Unexpurgated Text of Castro throats of the Panamanian people. Walters Interview." Part 3, in which For a copy, send $.75 to Intercontinen· Also willing to help has . been the But for genuine supporters of the Castro discusses the Cuban role in Afri tal Press, P.O. Box 116, Varick Street parade of military dictators invited by right to self-determination, there can ca. Station, New York, New York 10014. Carter to Washington. But it will not be only one set of demands: United be an easy thing to sell these treaties States get out now! Hands off the to the people of Latin America. Panama Canal! 1,200 protest l!human rights' hypocrisy By David Frankel Powell said. White House was addressed by a WASHINGTON-The American flag Also on the White House guest list number of speakers, including Michael flew over the White House as usual were Argentine dictator Lt. Gen. Jorge Moffitt. Moffitt's wife Ronni was as September 7, but the skull and cross Rafael Videla; Paraguayan fuehrer sassinated in Washington, D.C., one bones would have been equally approp Afredo Stroessner; and the military year ago along with Orlando Letelier, riate. Inside the brightly lit executive dictators of Bolivia and Peru., Gen. who had been a high official in the mansion, President Carter was throw Hugo Banzer Suarez and Gen. Francis Allende government before it was over ing- a party for some of the world's co Morales Bermudez. Of course, Pana thrown by Pinochet. According to a most notorious dictators. manian dictator Brig. Gen. Omar Tor report in the September 8 Washington Organizers of death squads, tortur rijos Herrera was the star of the show. Post, federal investigators have deter ers, murderers of political prisoners Even the editors of the New York mined that the bombing that killed they all lined up to shake hands and Times felt it advisable to register a Letelier and Moffitt was directed by have their photographs taken with Mr. demure protest. "These visitors," they the Chilean secret police-a conclusion Jimmy "Human Rights" Carter. noted September 8, "will now have a drawn by the Militant at the time of Among those sharing Maine lobs private audience at the White House the assassination. ter, roast veal, and watercress and as will all the invited leaders-and an Moffitt denounced the hypocrisy of mushroom salad with Carter was Gen. opportunity to be photographed for Carter's human rights stand, saying Augusto Pinochet, the Chilean butcher their controJled newspapers with a that the U.S. government "has been who came to power just four years ago smiling Jimmy Carter. We regret these willing to aid and abet the grossest this month. Pinochet's regime, com appearances, even ·as we welcome the abuses of human rights around the plete with concentration camps, has [Panama Canal] treaties." world." He also read a statement of shocked the conscience of the world. A more forceful protest came from support from Rep. Thomas Harkin (D His invitation to Washington will help more than 1,200 persons who demon Iowa). Referring to the assurances of him in trying to break the internation strated outside the White House while the dictators invited to Washington by al isolation of his blood:soaked regime. Carter entertained the dictators. Carter that the human rights situation While Pinochet was living it up on Chants such as "Chile si, junta no, in their countries is improving, Harkin the Washington social circuit, White Pinochet has got to go!" and "Free all said, "Anybody who believes them House Press Secretary Jody Powell political prisoners-right now!" filled may as well believe in the tooth fairy." · tried to answer criticism of the Chilean the air outside of the White House. Also attending the rally, which was dictator's warm reception. Powell's Signs said: "Carter's Human Rights: organized by the Coalition Against defense was the cynical pretense that Dining With Dictators"; "Stop Torture Militant/David Frankel Repression in the Americas, an ad hoc Carter's boost to the junta would help in Latin America"; "Stop U.S. Support September 7 demonstration outside group, were novelist Gabriel Garcia its victims in Chile. "We think that as of Latin American Dictators"; and White House. Inside, Carter dined with Marquez, author of One Hundred a general rule, it's better talking to "Stop U.S. Aid for Repression." dictators invited for signing of Panama Years of Solitude, and Isabel Letelier, people than not talking to them," A rally acros"s the street from the treaties. the widow of Orlando Letelier.
4 St~t~ Dep't.refuses to okay Blanco visa By Jose G. Perez Act (McCarran Act) because of h1s . . . · Despite the Carter administration's affiliation with certain communist or- Wh • H Bl ft vaunted ope~-door ?olicy, the State ganizations." Blanco is one of the best- 0 IS ugo ancol , Department 1s refusmg to approve a known Trotskyists in Latin America. • visa for exiled Peruvian peasant leader The McCarran Act is a 1952 thought- Hugo Blanco. control law. It bars from the United Blanco was scheduled to arrive in States anyone the government believes the United States September 9 to pre- was ever associated in any way with pare for a three-month speaking tour socialist, communist, or anarchist and meet with~ his U.S. publisher, groups. Pathfinder Press. ' Viewpoint Speakers Bureau, a divi Pathfinder Press filed the new peti sion of Pathfinder, and the U.S. Com tion for a visa for Blanco under provi mittee for Justice to Latin American sions of the law for persons of "distin Political Prisoners (USLA), are cospon guished merit and ability." They also soring- the tour to thirty cities sche submitted a thick folder of documenta duled to begin at the end of September tion. around the topic: "Human Rights in Nevertheless, the Immigration and Latin America: Myth and Reality." Naturalization Service, a branch of the The Carter administration's refusal Justice Department, returned the pack to give Blanco a visa gives the lie to age a month later. Along with it was a the president's human rights rhetoric. form letter saying, "Evidence submit It constitutes a clear violation of the ted to date does not establish the rights of authors and publishers sup preeminence of the beneficiary in a posedly guaranteed by the 1975 Helsin particular field. . . ." Blanco in early 1960s (right) and last year in Peru ki Agreement. It also tramples on the The INS requested additional evi- right of U.S. residents to hear all dence. . points of view. Pathfinder Press responded by send No other name arouses greater After more protests Blanco was Pathfinder and USLA are urging ing back the application, documenta fervor among the men in striped amnestied in December 1970. Ten supporters of civil liberties to send tion, and a letter of protest. Other ponchos who speak the euphonious thousand gathered in Lima to wel ·messages to the government demand protests from prominent intellectuals Quechua. . . . a name that unites come him. ing that Blanco be allowed to enter the and civil libertarians soon followed. the people of the mountains and the Unlike others who had been active country immediately. On June 15 the INS found that "addi valleys, of the hacienda and the in political struggles in the 1960s, Lloyd Dewitt, Public Services Divi tional documentation" had convinced community-Hugo Blanco. Blanco did not support the Pemvian sion chief at the State Department's them. -Peruvian writer Hugo Neyra military government, which was visa office, told the Militant September The approved petition was then giv posturing as "revolutionary." He 12 that no decision had been made on en to the State Department. On August supported the struggles of workers Blanco's visa. 12, U.S. officials interrogated Blanco Hugo Blanco set an example . . . a and farmers and the continuing He explained the State Department at length at the U.S. embassy in good example. protests to force the government to had asked the U.S. embassy in Peru Stockholm-about his political views, -Ernesto "Che" Guevara release more political prisoners. In for its opinion, and hadn't yet received not his visa application. September 1971 Peruvian police ar a reply. At some point, the State Department Blanco's im,mense popularity in rested Blanco-kidnapped would be Dewitt said "there's no telling" how determined Blanco ineligible for a Peru-the reason for his exile by the more accurate, since no reason was, long it would be before they make a visa not· only under the McCarran ruling generals-comes from his ever given-and deported him to final decision. "The decision is not Act's thought-control Section 212 (a) championing of the aspirations of Mexic". made in just one department of the (28), but also under Section 212 (a) (9), the poor workers and farmers, espe From Mexico he went to Argenti Department of State, the visa office," which bars people who have admitted cially the Quechua Indians. na, where the government threw him he explained. "The decision is made committing or been convicted of "a Blanco was born in Cuzco in into prison in 1972-also without also in the political bureaus and so crime involving moral turpitude." southern Peru and at an early age charges. After international pro forth. So when the information is State Department spokesperson De was outraged by the oppression of tests, he was allowed to leave for received from [Peruvian capital] Lima, witt said he did not know why this the Indian majority at the hands of Chile. then it will be gone over and, of course, section of the law had been applied to the Spanish-speaking minority. His stay in Chile was cut short the decision will be made at a fairly Blanco. Blanco is a mestizo who is fluent in when Gen. Augusto Pinochet car high level." In an interview, USLA Justice Com Quechua, and in the early 1960s he ried out the bloody coup against the Pathfinder Press filed a petition for a mittee Executive Secretary Michael became the central leader of the elected government headed by Sal visa for Hugo Blanco March 8, 1977, Kelly called the government's new Chaupimayo Peasant Union, which vador Allende four years ago. shortly after President Carter declared characterization of Blanco "slander." organized tens of thousands of Indi Blanco was on the "death list" of at a news conference, "We are our "The State Department is fishing for ans for land reform around the cry, foreigners published by Pinochet's selves culpable in some ways for not ways to get around the provisions of "Land or Death!" junta, but narrowly escaped through giving people adequate rights to move the McGovern Amendment," Kelly Blanco led a peasant militia that a dramatic rescue by the Swedish around our country or restricting unne said. defended the landless farmers ambassador. Blanco fled to Sweden. cessarily, in my opinion, visitation to That amendment, signed into law by against the police and private ar .1 October 1975. following a this country by those who disagree President Carter August 17, says visas mies of the landlords. He was hunt change in the military personnel with us politically." should now be given to persons pre ed down and captured by the army heading the Peruvian government, Carter noted this was in violation of viously excluded due to organizational in May, 1963.- Blanco was permitted to return to the Helsinki Agreement signed by the affiliations. The Peruvian government his homeland. United States and promised a change The same day Blanco was to have changed its laws so that Blanco During a government crackdown in policy. arrived in the United States, the State could be tried before a military tribu after protests against austerity mea Blanco tried to enter the United Department announced it was admit nal. Acting as judge, jury, and pros sures in July 1976, Blanco was again States to conduct a speaking tour in ting a delegation from the Stalinist ecutor, the military sought a death arrested, held for several days, then 1975, but was barred by the Ford trade union of the Soviet Union. This sentence, but international pro given a one-way ticket to Sweden administration despite widespread pro was the first such delegation to enter tests-and demonstrations of tens of without a word of explanation. He tests from the academic community the country since the beginning of the thousands of people in Peru itself now lives in Sweden. and civil libertarians. cold war. State Department officials forced the government to settle for During his years of exile Blanco At that time the State Department said they were motivated to approve twenty-five years imprisonment. has worked to defend political pri said, "Blanco was found to be ineligi visas by the McGovern amendment While at El Front6n Prison Island, soners and human rights in his ble for a visa under Section 212 (a) (28) and "the administration's general con Blanco wrote Land or Death: The native Latin America, speaking in of the Immigration and Nationality cern for freer contacts, which ... is Peasant Struggle in Peru. many countries. -J.G.P. also an important element of the Hel sinki Final Act." "How can Carter claim he's changed the restrictive visitation policies of You can help past administrations," Kelly said, "if You can help get Hugo Blanco his State Department is searching for into the country by sending new excuses to bar a distinguished messages demanding that he be Latin American dissident who was l.~,.l)···oR••I)•A'Tti:·Ttte ..• Pe.a~~~~truggleln~jjoU given a visa to: barred by Ford? 17~ pp,, $9.00, pap~r $2.45.· · Cyrus Vance, secretary of state, "The excuse that they're waiting on 2021 C Street NW, Washington, information from Lima won't wash. Ol$AST&A lN ~l:fl~&: ~tlende's $trategy )tn(t why ll f'a•te
THE MIUTANTISEPTEMBER 23, 1977 5 Carter brands quotas 'unconstitutional~ By Omari Musa The Carter administration has prepared a new blow against Black rights. This time the attack comes in the guise of a friend-of-the-court brief prepared by the Justice Department on the Bakke The National Committee to Overturn the case. Bakke Decision is planning a national day of This case is seen by supporters of affirmative actions October 8. Marches and rallies are set for action as a major challenge to the gains in employ twenty cities across the country. ment and education made by minorities and In New York the committee's local affiliate is women. organizing a march and rally for September 17. It arose when Allan Bakke, a white engineer, sued The Black American Law Students Association the University of California at Davis Medical has scheduled protests in Washington, D.C., and School. The medical school reserved 16 out of 100 other cities October 3.· places for Black, Chicano, Native American and In a statement released to the press, National Asian-American students. Student Coalition Against Racism Coordinator Bakke, who had been turned down by twelve Tony Austin stated, "The brief exemplifies the other medical schools and by UC Davis twice, hypocritical, cynical, and callous way this gov claimed the minority-admissions program discrimi-· ernment has traditionally treated Blacks, other nated against him, since the minority students minorities, and women. admitted had grades lower than his. . "Carter says he is for goals, not quotas. He The university also admitted thirty-six white says quotas would discriminate against whites. students with grades lower than Bakke's. "He conveniently forgets that it is not whites The California Supreme Court upheld Bakke's who have been the victims of centuries of dis suit. Its ruling was appealed to the U.S. Supreme ~:. crimination, but Blacks, Hispanics, Asian Court, where the case is scheduled to be heard in Americans, and women. October. "Even with affirmative action the proportion Many civil rights leaders have called on Carter to of minority students to whites is low. support the UC Davis minority-admissions pro "This brief comes at a time when the unem gram. ployment rate in the Black and Hispanic com Earlier this month, leaders of the largest civil munities is rising. rights groups met in New York City. They sent Los Angeles 'Bakke' protest "It comes at a time when Blacks, other minori Carter a telegram urging him to support the UC ties, and women are said to have a friend in the Davis plan. White House. If this brief is an act of friendship, Carter led these leaders to believe he would Protests in opposition t~ the Bakke decision our enemies must be dancing for joy. support quotas. In July he indicated he would and the. Carter administration's complicity with "It is clear that we cannot depend on Carter, support the UC Davis plan. the drive to gut affirmative-action programs are the Supreme Court, or the Justice Department to However, the Justice Department brief specifical growing. defend affirmative action. We must depend on ly opposes the UC Davis plan and, by extension, Led by Southern Christian Leadership Confer ourselves. We should be taking our demands to any other quota system designed to open the doors ence President Rev. Joseph Lowery, a candlelight the streets in rallies, picket lines, and teach-ins. previously closed to minorities. vigil circled in front of the White House Sep "This is how we wori affirmative action in the It contends that it is legitimate to use race "as tember 13 protesting Carter's decision to oppose - first place. And this is why NSCAR is urging part of the multitude of pertinent factors" to judge affirmative-action quotas in the Bakke case. participation in the October 3 and 8 protests. admissions policy. But, it goes on, the use of quotas Lowery told reporters that SCLC plans to "The NSCAR national steering committee is "using race as a tool of exclusion" against whites. mount larger actions if Carter files the Justice meeting October 14-15 will have as one of its "Affirmative-action programs," according to the Department brief. focuses the fight against the Bakke decision. We brief, "must use race as a way of eliminating Several other organizations and coalitions are urge all those who wish to defend affirmative unfairness, not perpetuating it." The brief demands also planning conferences and protests this fall. action to attend." -O.M. that ·quotas to enforce affirmative action be de clared unconstitutional. To cover the Carter administration's real inten Stuart Eizenstat, Carter's chief adviser on domes Court supported the Justice Department view it tions Black Solicitor General Wade McCree has tic affairs, discussed the brief with McCree. After would "have the effect of irretrievably undermining written into the brief rhetoric in support of the consultation with Carter, Eizenstat told McCree the the affirmative-action programs of public and pri concept of affirmative action "in general." brief was not inconsistent with the president's vate entities." In reality, Carter supports Bakke's contention policy. The NAACP National Board of Directors meeting that affirmative-action programs with teeth- • Eizenstat had met with the Congressional Black in New York expressed "dismay and anger that an quotas-discriminate against white males. Caucus (CBC) a few days earlier after some of its administration purportedly favorable to human If the Supreme Court's decision agrees with the members expressed opposition to the position taken rights has reportedly prepared a brief supporting position taken in this brief, the door would be in the brief. He reportedly told them that "there are Bakke and opposing numerical goals favoring those opened to a wholesale assault on all affirmative still a number of options open." who for so long have suffered the ravages of dis action programs. The CBC sent Carter a Jetter saying that if the crimination."
Lance punctures l!open government' lie By David Frankel falsely dated three checks less than a month advocate of fiscal conservatism, preaching a WASHINGTON-Speaking here September 6, before joining the Carter administration in order constant sermon on the importance of attaining Sen. Clifford Case (R-N.J.) summed up Budget to gain a tax benefit. Percy said that if the the president's goal of a balanced budget by Director Bert Lance's situation. in one sentence. checks were actually written on the dates they 1981," Dennis Farney and Richard Levine noted "This guy is going to go, no question about it," carry, then Lance wrote checks totaling almost in the September 8 issue of the Wall Street said Case. $200,000 on a day when he had less than $30,000 Journal. In fact, it appears as if President Carter's most in his bank account. Lance, who balanced his own budget by writ trusted adviser, the man Carter once referred to • Perjury. New York Times columnist Wil ing overdrafts, was known as Carter's "key link as "one of the closest friends I have in the liam Safire described in a September 8 article to the business community" according to Farney world," will be doing well if he merely goes home, how Lance lied under oath before a Senate and Levine. rather than to jail. committee investigating his banking record. Finally, it is becoming increasingly clear that Already, officials in the Justice Department, The editors of the Washington Post, trying to Carter himself had a hand 'in covering up the Federal Election Commission, the Internal minimize the affair, said September 8, "It is Lance's past. On September 6 a Senate commit Revenue Service, and the Securities and Ex possible to debate whether Mr. Lance actually tee heard testimony from treasury official Robert change Commission are studying possible crimi committed misstatements before the Senate com Bloom. Bloom claimed that Carter and his staff nal charges against Lance. In addition to earlier mittee, but at a minimum, he was a great deal were fully aware of Lance's business record long information about Lance's shady banking practi less thari candid in his answers." ago. But when the Senate was discussing Lance's ces, the following charges have come to light: In any case, the Post editors added, "every nomination as budget director, they chose not to • Embezzlement. A former officer at Lance's other day new lines of inquiry open" in the Lance bring it up .. Calhoun, Georgia, bank, Billy Lee Campbell, case. The following day the White House issued a who is serving an eight-year prison sentence for And each revelation adds to the difficulties of denial that Carter or . his staff had withheld embezzling about 1 million dollars, has implicat the Carter administration as a whole. Lance's relevant information on Lance. However, on ed Lance in the scheme. Since Campbell cannot sordid record cannot help but reflect on Carter. September 9 a report by the Internal Revenue be prosecuted further in the embezzlement charge Carter, after all, was the man who promised to Service revealed just the opposite. Carter had his demfind for immunity would seem to indicate clean up Washington and bring open govern been given a detailed briefing on Lance's legal that his information also involves previously ment and a new morality into the White House. and financial difficulties just two days before he unknown illegalities. Moreover, Lance played a major role in setting named the Georgia banker to be budget director. • Tax fraud. Sen. Charles H. Percy (R-Ill.) Carter's economic policy. "The budget director As was to be expected, Carter brought forth revealed September 9 that Lance appears to have has been the administration's most forceful another denial.
6 Chicanos score violence in movement Crusade members assault Denver activists By Steven Marshall civil rights organization." Teatro had justified the August 27 gressive role it played in the Chicano DENVER-An assault on a Chicano Now, however, he continued, "I, attack. movement. theater group by members and sympa along with the parish council and this - Father Lara told the Militant that Su In recent years, however, the Cru thizers of the Crusade for Justice, a community, must publicly voice objec Teatro's. political ideology is not the sade has adopted an increasingly sec Chicano organization, has evoked an tion to philosophies and tactics that ISSUe. tarian stance toward struggles of the angry response from the Chicano com employ fear, violence, suffering, and "As our statement clearly stated, the Chicano community. munity here. destruction." use of the property of our church is An ironic example was an August 27 On August 27, forty followers of the The speakers received a standing ours to decide. rally protesting the police murders of Crusade, wielding pipes, brass knuck ovation from the -overflow crowd of "But even more important is the two Chicanos (Militant, September 9). les, and clubs, invaded a meeting of Su 500. basic dignity of man: freedom of The Crusade for Justice did not partici Teatro and the Colorado Coalition in A statement made by victims of the speech and assembly. Every person pate. Support of the Chicano Liberation August 27 attack noted, "This attack is no matter if they are Communists or Apparently, the Crusade judged the Struggle held at Our Lady of Guada not just against the coalition, whatever-has these rights." rally against police tenor less impor lupe Church. Marxists-Leninists, and Anglos. It is In the late 1960s and early 1970s the tant than driving a "Marxist-Leninist" Shouting obscenities, threats, and an attack against all who seek to end theater group out of Our Lady of anticommunist slogans, the invaders the oppression of the Chicano and Guadalupe Church. broke bottles, smashed displays, and other people!" This is not the first time the Crusade overturned tables, forcing the meeting In two interviews with the Denver has used violence against those it to break up. Post, Father Lara described the Cru disagrees with. Last October Steve A special televised mass from Guada sade's changing role in the Chicano Chainey and Fred Halstead, leaders of lupe Church September 14 was a vis movement. the Socialist Workers Party, were at ible display of the Chicano communi "I knew, especially for the last year tacked without provocation during a ty's resentment at these thug tactics. or so, that somebody had to stop them, visit to the Crusade's headquarters. "We cannot and will not tolerate the because they were going too far. Halstead suffered a broken nose. use of violence and fear by those who "In the Chicano community we In response to that assault, more _ would attempt to deny civil and hu speak of oppression coming from the than fifty leaders of the Chicano, man rights so basic as those of lawful establishment. Oppression comes from Black, and Puerto Rican movements assembly and free speech," said Parish there in many ways. including many in Denver-signed a Council President Pat Carpio. "But when the oppression comes "Declaration Against Violence in the "By what right do these terrorists from within the community, that is Movement." The Crusade responded invade our building and violently expel for me-the tragedy." with threats against those who signed people who had permission to use our On September 6, Rodolfo "Corky" the declaration. facilities?" she continued. "They do Gonzales, the central leader of the In June of this year, pipe-wielding not speak for us. They do not represent Crusade, held a press conference along members of the Crusade attacked a us. We speak for ourselves, and we with five of the leaders of the attack on banquet of the Friends of the People's represent ourselves." Guadalupe Church. World (a newspaper reflecting the The attackers had claimed to "re Gonzales said the parish council's views of the Communist Party) at the present" the "community." statement was politically motivated Auraria Community Center. Two of Joining Carpio at the mass was and that criticism of the Crusade came the meeting's organizers were hospital Father Jose Lara, the parish priest and from middle-class "houseboys of the Crusade for Justice was in the fore ized. a widely respected figure in the Chica establishment." front of the Chicano liberation move Crusade-led gangs have also ha no community and the Chicano move He said the Crusade for Justice did ment. It led Chicano opposition to the rassed other organizations in the. Chi ment. not organize the attack, but admitted Vietnam War and organized several cano community, including the West Father Lara noted that "not too that Crusade members led it. high school "blowouts" that protested Side Action Center and the Denver many years ago . . . the Crusade for Most ominous, however, was the racism in the Denver schools. Inner-City Parish. Justice spoke and acted against the Crusade leader's refusal to repudiate The Crusade has been the target of In addition, Father Lara noted nu kind of behavior of which some of their the use of violence against those it an extensive government operation of merous Crusade attacks and threats members are now guilty. The Crusade disagrees with. Gonzales implied that spying, disruption, frame-ups, and against individuals in parks the Cru was known across the country as a the "Marxist-Leninist politics" of Su murderous attacks because of the pro- sade claims to "protect.",
Texas farm workers march reaches D.C. By Steve Bride The TFW presently holds no con through the list a heavy rain forced the WASHINGTON, D.C.-A seventy tracts, despite a succession of union-led crowd to head for cover. eight-day journey covering 1,500 miles strikes in the Rio Grande Valley area After the downpour there was time ended here September 5, as members of Texas. for one more speaker: Jose Angel Gu and supporters of the Texas Farm Since its inception the TFW has tierrez of the Texas Raza Unida Party. workers Union (TFW) marched consistently opposed.the deportation of "Once again," Gutierrez said, "we through downtown Washington to a undocumented workers. The union's have had to bring the conscience of the rally on the steps of the Lincoln Mem position, as outlined by Orendain, is nation to the Capitol. Some of us orial. simple: thought that maybe this president, According to union President Anto "If the workers do not organize who talks about human rights abroad, nio Orendain, the walk, which crossed themselves, they can be divided and would see that human rights also much of _the South, was part of "a used against one another. If we are applies at home. conscious effort to call attention to our organized, the growers cannot use the "I consider it an insult that Carter is situation and win support for national needs of one worker against the needs unwilling to meet with you." labor legislation covering farm of another. So we organize workers on workers." both sides of the border, including Demonstrators also demanded repeal those in the U.S. without papers." of Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley The TFW is supporting the upcqm Act, which enables states to pass so . TFW president Antonio Orendain ing conference on immigration sche called right-to-work laws. addressing September 5 rally. duled for October 28-30 in San Anto EhiEana Marchers assembled under hazy nio. skies near the Pentagon here and impoverished in the country. They By the time the marchers r~ached stepped off at about 10:30 a.m. Chant have a life expectancy of forty-nine the Lincoln Memorial rally site the Liberation ing "Human rights now," demonstra years, a disease rate 250 percent higher skies had turned openly threatening. tors crossed the Potomac into Wash- than the national average, and an After some folk songs and the intro - ington. average education of less than eight duction of the thirty-five union Passing the White House the crowd years. members who made the hike from and of 500 demanded, "Carter come out!" Unlike their counterparts in Califor Texas, the crowd heard from Orendain: TFW representatives had demanded a nia, Texas farmworkers have yet to "Once people lived by the sweat of meeting with Carter upon their arrival win legal recognition of their right to their labor. The land didn't belong to 5aEialism in the capital, which Carter refused. union elections and representation. anybody. Later on it became the pri By Miguel Pendas Banners advertised the presence of "It is clearly impossible," Orendain vate property of the growers. Now we contingents from New York, Chicago, said, "for us to organize without spe have no place to plant and to harvest. Detroit, and Philadelphia, along with cial legislation for agricultural So we must have a right to put a price 16 ·pages 25 cents organizations such as the Student workers. We can pulllOO percent of the on our sweat, because it is the only Coalition Against Racism and La workers in a field out on strike today, thing that we have to sell to them." Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 Raza Unida Party. / and they would be replaced tomorrow A full list of speakers were to follow West Street, New York, New With annual incomes of only $3,000, because they have no rights under the Orendain, reflecting the broad range of York 10014. farm workers in Texas are the most present labor laws." support for the union. But midway
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 7 Desegregation key issue in Cleve. election By Chris Rayson desegregation. Feighan and Kucinich "To say that the issue of desegrega news radio station, reported the the CLEVELAND-Two sharply clash do not consider desegregation a serious tion is not important," Kennedy socialist candidate had forced Feigh ing views of the key issues in the issue in this campaign. I am the only charged, "is to say that Black rights an to take this position. At least one of mayoral campaign here were argued at candidate who supports desegregation are not important." the network local news shows broad a September 9 candidates debate spon by any means necessary, including Unlike my opponents, she continued, cast highlights of the debate. The de sored by the City Club_ busing. · "I condemn the board for its racist bate was front-page news in both ma The candidates of the two parties of stalling tactics. And I support the right jor Cleveland dailies. And eight radio racism and unemployment-Demo of Blacks to get an education equal to stations and the public TV station crats Edward Feighan and Dennis whites." rebroadcast the entire discussion. Kucinich and Republican incumbent Kennedy's forceful arguments put Kennedy, twenty-six, is a waitress Ralph Perk-wanted to discuss "law her opponents on the defensive. and a member of the national execu and order," pornography, and prostitu A Bfack questioner asked Feighan tive board of the Coalition of Labor tion. whether he would enforce the court's Union Women. But Alyson Kennedy, the Soci'alist desegregation order. The Democratic She concluded her City Club speech Workers Party candidate, declared mayoral hopeful responded there was with an appeal to working people here "desegregation is the issue" that is "not any question" that desegregation to break with the parties of their most important in this campaign. was a central issue. "Ms. Kennedy is bosses and form a labor party. Such a Cleveland is under federal court right," he said. party, she said, "would unite our class order to desegregate its public schools Feighan said it was "awful for May in exposing and fighting against the by January 1978. or Perk" to ignore this issue and real criminals in this society." Kennedy blasted the school board, pledged that if elected he would ensure Unlike the Democrats and Republi which has already been granted one the safety of "all children" under the cans, Jhe added, a labor party would delay, for stalling on desegregation. Militant/Susan Ellis court order. · organize and support struggles by The socialist candidate said, "The '3WP mayoral candidate Alyson This exchange was widely publi Cleveland's Black community for issue is racism. Perk publicly opposes Kennedy. cized. WERE, Cleveland's only all- equal education.
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8 Sexist f and rolling ... By Nelson Blackstock The West Atlanta SWP branch found eighteen subscribers The Militant fall subscription drive is off and rolling. in the dormitories at the Black Atlanta University complex. outburst at Saturday, September 10, was the big kick-off date. Teams in • We'll soon have a complete rundown on how the Perspec at least forty cities were out knocking on doors, talking to tiva Mundial side of the drive is going. But we have some good people about subscribing to the Militant and Perspectiva news now. Congress Perspectiva Mundial. Single-copy sales of have been flourishing The August convention of the Socialist Workers Party voted during the first days of the drive-at least where cities have to launch a campaign for 18,000 new subscribers to the ordered Perspectiva bundles large enough to allow for flexibil abortion Militant. This is combined with an effort to sell 500 subscrip ity in sales. tions to Perspectiva Mundial, the new biweekly Spanish Outstanding examples: New York City sold eighty-four language socialist newsmagazine. Perspectivas on Saturday. Brooklyn alone took an initial debate There is a parallel drive to maintain and expand regular bundle of fifty, and then ordered thirty-five more. And East By Cindy Jaquith weekly Militant sales at plants, especially steel. plants. We'll be Los Angeles sold forty-six on Saturday and ordered seventy Only a thin veneer of self~righteous reporting on how this is going in future issues. five more. "concern for life" covers the antiwo While last Saturday's results are still filtering in, there are man attitudes of the politicians cur already some lessons to draw for where the campaign should rently debating how far Congress go from here. (This week we're announcing the subscription should go in eliminating Medieaid goals cities have taken. Next week we'll print our first Tips for funds for abortions. Sometimes even the veneer is absent, scoreboard of subscriptions received.) as it was on September 12. The House • It's important to establish a regular, weekly pattern of subscription hunters Senate committee meeting on the Hyde subscription gathering now, early in the drive. This will assure amendment that day was a cynical that local areas stay on schedule in meeting their goals by Each week during the drive we'll pass along spectacle of disregard for the lives and November 19, the date the drive ends. useful suggestions we receive from people taking dignity of women. Dallas socialists, for example, are setting aside one day part in the subscription drive. If you have an idea The committee members are working during which everybody will go out to sell subscriptions. That you would like to share, send it in to: Circulation on a compromise version of the two day is Sunday-although many cities seem to prefer Saturday. Office, 14 Charles Lane, New York, New York anti-abortion bills they have before In addition, Dallas will be going out at least once more during 10014. them. The House version of the Hyde the week-whether it's in the evening for sales in the com amendment denies Medicaid for all munity, or a daytime sale on campus. "Otten during door to door subscription can abortions except when the woman~s • Campus sales should now take a priority. Students tend ·vassing you run into people who say they want to life is in danger. The Senate version to be most open to trying a subscription when they first arrive get the paper but won't have the money until later. would also permit the use of funds in on campus in the fall. Try sales at registration lines and door What we do is have them go ahead and fill out a cases of rape, incest, and where "medi to door in dormitories. subscription blank and set a time to come back cally necessary." The SWP has a big stake in helping the Young Socialist later and pick up the money. During the committee's delibera Alliance spread the word on campus. "We've found this procedure is a good way to get tions, Rep. Silvio Conte (R-Mass.) ob (The YSA is also officially taking part in the drive. We'll be additional subscribers. It's well worth the effort to jected to abortion funds for women reporting on some of the things they are doing.) go back after these 'pick-up subs.' Filling out the who have been raped. Campus sales produced some of the most striking returns subscription blanks seems to increase their "You put rape in there; every girl last Saturday: commitment to 'give the Militant a try.'' who gets pregnant will say she got The Pittsburgh SWP dispatched a team of four to visit the Paul Hubbard raped," he declared. Given his mental ity, it's a wonder Conte didn't add that college in nearby Edinboro. They brought back nineteen West Atlanta Branch those "gjrls" who do get raped proba subscriptions. bly asked for it anyway. Still deadlocked between the two bills, Congress is supposed to achieve a compromise by September 30, when Local goals the budget for the departments of Labor and Health, Education and Wel CITY GOAL Minneapolis 400 fare runs out. The Hyde amendment is Newark, N.J. 350 attached to this budget. Albuquerque, N .M. 150 New Orleans 300 ·Whatever common amendment emerges, it would be a setback for Albany, N.Y.· 75 New York 1,800 women if even one cent of Medicaid Atlanta 600 Oakland, Calif. 600 money were cut. But the Senate Baltimore 175 Philadelphia 675 version-not to mention the House's Berkeley, Calif. Phoenix, Ariz. 250 goes much further. By giving the state 300 the· prerogative to perform only "medi Boston 825 Pittsburgh 450 cally necessary" abortions, it funda Chicago 900 Portland, Ore. 250 mentally undermines the right of Cincinnati 200 Raleigh, N ..C .. 150 women to choose when to terminate Cleveland unwanted pregnancies. 300 Salt Lake City 150 And, in fact, Senate conferees are Dallas, Tex. 250 St. Louis 375 already hinting that they are willing to Denver 300 St. Paul 200 make even bigger concessions to anti- Detroit 850 San Antonio, Tex. 350 , abortion proponents. At the close of the September 12 session, Sen. Warren Houston 600 San Diego 300 Magnuson (D-Wash.) said if the House . Indianapolis 250 San Francisco 600 rejects the "medically necessary" lan Kansas City, Mo. 175 San Jose 350 guage, "we will be ready to submit a Los Angeles 1,100 Seattle 300 meaningful compromise." Meanwhile, abortion rights support Louisville 150 Tacoma, Wash. 150 e~s continue to voice opposition to the Miami 250 Toledo, Ohio 150 antiwoman maneuv~rings in Con Milwaukee 400 Washington, D.C. 600 gress. On September 10, the state board meeting of the Pennsylvania National Organization for Women (NOW) un animously passed a motion condemn- .ing all versions of the Hyde amend Mesabi steelworkers like 'Militant' ment. The board voted to "urge the Militant readers have been following developments in The Minnesota socialists report that the striking Pennsylvania NOW members to con the important steelworkers' strike on the Mesabi Iron workers welcomed the favorable coverage in the Mi/i- tact their senators and representatives Range· in Minnesota. tant. they contrasted it to the procompany slanders to tell them to remove all language Our reporters have been on the scene to get the facts found in the Mesabi Daily News, known among steel- pertaining to abortion from the Labor on the struggle of the workers in the iron ore mines and workers as the "Miserable Daily News." /HEW appropriations bill" and reiter processing plants against the strikebreaking tactics of Six of the twenty-one socialists, divided into three ated "NOW's commitment to every the steel corporations. . teams of two, concentrated on visiting people who had women's right to control her body." On Saturday, September 10, a team of twenty-one already subscribed to the Militant during their previous In New York City, 120 women ga from the Minneapolis and St. Paul branches of the SWP visits to the iron range. thered the same day at a speakout in visited several towns on the Mesabi range. One team spent most of their time with a woman who defense of legal abortion. The Coali had been harassed out of her job with a steel company. tion for Abortion Rights and Against They went door to door, talking to the people about As a consequence she has brought a legal action Sterilization Abuse sponsored the the Militant, in the towns of Silver Bay, Babbit, Chisolm, against her former employers. She invited six other meeting. Buhl, and Virginia. women to her house to meet the socialists. They spent They came back with thirty-five subscriptions, twenty several hours talking about a variety of issues, including two of them from steel-union members. the problems faced by women in the mines.
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 9 In Our Opinion Lett en
Helen Keller directors in Hollywood, Michael After reading two books about Helen Schultz, the director of Cooley High Keller and Ann Sullivan, I learned two and Car Wash, had this to say about Time to march Rocky: "Black audiences are being The Carter administration's decision to support the Bakke things: one, how to talk to the deaf, and two, that Helen Keller walked in duped if they don't see the inherent "reverse discrimination" suit aims a body blow at Blacks, women's rights demonstrations. Then racism in Rocky ... a movie which Latinos, women, and all other victims of oppression and I found out in the Militant (September tapped the racist feelings of America discrimination. 9) how she was spied on by the FBI, by pitting the poor white guy against a The charge by Allan Bakke that the minority admissions and it made me disgusted. Black guy who was the total caricature of Muhammad Ali." program at a California medical school "discriminates" against Just because she was deaf and blind, the FBI probably got away with it Hollywood films don't necessarily him and other whites has become a landmark test of make opinion, but they certainly do affirmative-action programs. easier. Helen Keller called herself a socialist. reflect it. Rocky won't turn people into In this historic test, the White House has taken the side of I'm eight, and I hope you will print racists, but it does lend credence to the racist bigotry. other things like this article. racist feelings that pervade white Trying to mask its assault, the Carter administration claims Saeed Harris · America, which are being used by the it supports affirmative action even though it opposes quotas. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania rulers of this cbuntry to roll back the gains Blacks have made. But in reality quotas are the sole effective means of implement- Gary Cohen ing affirmative action. · Cambridge, Massachusetts NAACP Executive Director Benjamin Hooks warned that if Bakke is upheld, "everything that's happened in the last twenty 'Rocky' -a reply years would be rolled back." At the very least the racists will be I was disappointed with the lack of emboldened. ,, sensitivity to the implicit racism of At a September 13 candlelight vigil outside the White House, Rocky expressed in the responses to A criticism Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Joseph my letter (Militant, August 26). I was very upset with the Militant, which, ironically, was sold at many Lowery said that if Carter submits a court brief backing Bakke, Unfortunately, the specific examples I gave of the film's racism were deleted women's liberation demonstrations it will be time to move "from moral witness to political protest." by the Militant in the editing of my around the country. Back page, all This echoes months of statements by officials of the NAACP, letter. If they had been included my men speaking about the Bakke deci SCLQ, Operation PUSH, and other civil rights groups that if point may have seemed valid to the sion . . . an issue that also concerns the attacks on Blacks continue, it will be time to march . respondents. women. Were there no women speakers "soon." I abhor socialist realism or crude at the AFT convention on this issue? The time has come to make these statements a reality. political propaganda films and sexist Then again, on page 17, greetings to the socialist rally were all men. Carter's support to Bakke shows that the courts, Congress, films with no redeeming artistic merit. For example, the Pontecorvo film Burn Perhaps this is a petty concern, but and the administration are united in their assault on Black was justifiably panned by the critics as a teacher and feminist I know we rights. Only massive independent protest. by Blacks and their due to its artistic failure despite its can do better. supporters can avert new defeats. correct revolutionary political line. The Keep up the good work otherwise. The time to march is now. same filmmaker's proterrdrist Battle of Kathe Latham Algiers was correctly praised for its San Francisco, California artistic magnificence. Politics is mere ly- one criteria to consider in a film, but in the case of Rocky it was overlooked. Let Blanco in I did not deal with the films total While .Jimmy Carter entertained Latin American dictators lack of artistic merit, owing to space Rosenberg case booklet invited for the signing of the Panama Canal treaties, the State limitations. The phony sentimentali In this twenty-fifth anniversary year Department refused Peruvian peasant leader Hugo Blanco ty, shamelessly contrived plot, the one of the execution of Ethel and Julius permission to enter the United States. dimensional characters, banal dia Rosenberg, a collection of short pieces logue, the inept performances by individuals on how they have Blanco, the leader of a land reform movement among especially of Stallone-the cinemato related to the Rosenberg-Sobell case Quechua Indian peasants, has been seeking a visa since 1975. graphic gimmickery, manipulative over the past twenty-five years, and He has been invited by his publisher, Pathfinder Press, and the direction were all reminiscent of Oscar how it has affected their personal and U.S. Committee for Justice to Latin American Political winning director Avildson's other political development, will be produced Prisoners (USLA) to tour the country speaking on "Human trash hit, Joe. by the National Committee to Reopen Rights in Latin America: Myth· and Reality." I attempted to deal with only one the Rosenberg Case. Blanco knows his topic firsthand. aspect of the film, its racism, and did Sharing memories of the Rosenberg not deal with the glorification of the execution has always been an impor He was arrested for his activities in the peasant movement sexist relationship between Rocky and tant form of bonding for those of us and threatened with a death sentence in the 1960s. It took an - his "Liza Doolittle." who grew up, or were already grown international defense campaign. to save his life' and to One of the tiny coterie of Black up, on some part of the Left in the eventually win his release in 1970. Soon after, Blanco was expelled from his native country (something forbidden by Peru's laws). He went to Argentina where he was imprisQ_ned without charges. · Again, international protests freed him. Deported from Argentina to Chile, Blanco was slated for death by Augusto Pinochet when the Chilean dictator staged his bloody coup four years ago. Blanco narrowly escaped from Chile with the help of the Swedish embassy. Readmitted later to Peru for a few months, Blanco was again expelled. He now lives iii Sweden. Carter's cynical arrogance knows no bounds. Crying crocodile tears for vietims of political repression, he fetes tyrants from every corner of Latin America, then slams the door on Blanco so that the American people can't hear the victims' side of the story. For Blanco Latin America is a continent without sanctuary. Jimmy Carter's White House guests have made sure of that. The State Department's refusal to admit Blanco gives the lie to Carter's human rights rhetoric. It shows the emptiness of Carter's promise to permit visits "by those who disagree with us politically." The refusal flagrantly violates the 1975 Helsinki agreement 'The problem of the ghettos? The ghettos, my dea~, are · and ignores the McGovern amendment approved by Congress a a solution, not a problem.' ' month ago. And it tramples on the right of the American people to hear all points of view, not just those agreeable to Carter and his dictator guests. We wholeheartedly endorse the campaign of protest mounted by USLA and Pathfinder Press to demand that the government give Blanco a visa. We urge all our readers to join it.
10 National Picket Line Frank Lovell
1950's; for most of us, it has left an indelible mark. 'Jobs-not promises' The accounts should be personal in The Congressional Black Caucus and other Black All the "Full Employment Week" activities-where a nature and should be from one to three Democrats have little in common with the trade-union pretense to hold them was made-were carefully double-spaced typewritten pages. bureaucracy because of their conflicting narrow controlled, suited to the needs of entrenched office Please indicate if you want your name interests and their different constituencies. But what holders in government and in the unions. used. they share is precious to both and often brings them The scheduled demonstration at Herald Square in Contributions must be in no later together on specific issues. New York City was a good example. It was called for than October 31, 1977. Send your Both are committed to "free enterprise" and capital noon in the middle of the week, a sure way to keep contributions or requests for more ist party politics. They fear their respective constituen attendance small. The flatbed truck that served as a information to Vicki Gabriner, Atlanta cies. They are disappointed with Carter for his failure speakers' stand arrived half an hour late. By the time Committee to Reopen the Rosenberg to pay them for services rendered. At present they are Case, Post Office Box 5533, Atlanta, ·the Democratic candidates for New York City mayor Georgia 30307. looking for safe ways to persuade the administration and other offices piled onto the truck there wasn't Vicki Gabriner, to institute a jobs program. Neither is prepared to call much room for anyone else. Atlanta, Georgia for mass demonstrations of angry unemployed Speakers were limited to union bureaucrats, the workers. lieutenant governor, one city official, and Sen. Jacob An unplanned demonstration of the mood among Javits (R-N.Y.), who said he had come from Blacks occurred when the power failed in New York Washington for the occasion. Ossie Davis, an invited City in July and the lights went out for one night. guest obviously feeling uncomfortable and out of Ideas that make sense ·Blacks recovered some of the stolen property they had place, made brief remarks before leaving. He said Enclosed is the amount for your been robbed of by local merchants. government rests on the patience of the governed and introductory offer to the Militant, and Under these circumstances it should have come as he thought a lot of people were getting impatient, also for Perspectiva Mundial. I'm no surprise when AFLCIO President George Meany including him. That was closer to the truth than happy to find a paper that fills in the on August 30 endorsed demands of Black leaders for anything else that was said. giant gaps left by the bourgeois press, government programs to create jobs for the estimated The police had put up barricades around Herald as well as an excellently written 10 million unemployed in this country. Square to prevent the crowd from interfering with journal that serves our Spanish The Black leaders had met August 28-29 to talk traffic. But that wasn't necessary. Less than 1,000 speaking community. about oppression of Blacks, segregation in schools and people showed up, mostly staff people and hangers-on These two publications fulfill a vital housing, the government rollback of affirmative-action from union offices. They distributed handbills about role in increasing people's awareness programs, renewed racist attacks on Black organiza jobs, imports, and undocumented workers. Harry Van and advancing the cause of socialism tions and individuals, and what the Carter adminis in our politically atrophied country. Arsdale, president of the central labor council, tration is doing about all this. sounded as if he thinks "illegal aliens" are the cause of In the Socialist Workers Party, I've They announced that the solution to the problems of finally come into contact with ideas mass unemployment. Blacks is jobs and that the way to bring this about is that make sense, that are backed by Sol Stetin, president of the Amalgamated Clothing through pressure on the Carter administration. Since facts, and that are guided by a sense of and Textile Workers Union, seemed to make a more humanity, not by capitalist greed. iEl this coincided with the current aims, purposes, and reasoned plea to the Carter administration. If private pueblo unido nunca sera vencido! methods of AFL-CIO political strategy, Meany was industry cannot provide jobs, he said, then the cities, Martin Koppel quick to announce his complete agreement. states, and the federal government must do so. Baltimore, Maryland This political strategy aims, as UAW Vice-president The AFLCIO and the Congressional Black Caucus Bluestone aptly said, to "defuse" the potentially were both sponsors of "Full Employment Week," explosive social crisis. A leading proponent of this September 4 through 10, along with the United Auto strategy is the "progressive" wing of social democracy A comment on Elvis Workers, other independent unions, church groups, under the leadership of Prof. Michael Harrington. He and many others. Demonstrations were to be orga sees the present controlled demonstrations for full Elvis Presley was a conscious racist. nized under the auspices of the Full Employment employment as preparation for more active participa In response to the civil rights Action Council, cochaired by Murray Finley, president tion in the Democratic Party. movement, he said that Blacks should Writing in the September issue of Newsletter of the "stay in their place." Still, according to of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers John Lee Hooker, Elvis Presley is one Union, and Coretta Scott King, the prominent Black Democratic Left, Harrington said, "It is significant of the great blues artists of all time. I leader. that The Democratic_Agenda conference in Washing agree. Finley announced in August that demonstrations, ton, D.C., on November 12 and 13, will take up these In his Militant review of Elvis prayer vigils, parades, and rallies would take place in issues and that it has already won the support of Presley's life (Militant, September 2) more than 200 cities and towns. An estimated turnout several progressive unions as well as of a growing Duncan Williams talks about the of more than a million was predicted. UAW Vice number of Democratic reformers, minority activists, privileged reception Presley received president Irving Bluestone, a member of the council's feminists, environmentalists and the like." when he did "Hound Dog," which he executive committee, declared that "we must awaken Next year more millions of unemployed will still be borrowed from Black blueswoman America's conscience to the need to move aggressively looking for "Jobs-not promises" ... if they wait for Mama Thornton. Actually, he to reduce unemployment." the union bureaucracy and the Black Democratic borrowed little more than the title, as The UAW slogan is: "Jobs-not promises." leaders to wheedle a few concessions from Carter. his unfortunate version was not really the same song. That song marks the crossroads in his career when he descended from being a great artist to a mere charismatic entertainer. From the standpoint of art, he should have died before he cut that record. The American Way of -Life In my opinion, Presley attained a momentary equality with Mama Thornton when he gave the world his first, but now very obscure, Sun label recording of the "Milk Cow Blues Filled with the blues Boogie." Ethel Waters is dead. The famous Black singer and Among her many accomplishments as a stage and Bob Schwartz actress died September 1 flat broke, living on Social motion picture actress, Waters won praise from theater Miami Beach, Florida Security and with friends, although in her lifetime she critics for her Broadway performance in Africana, an made more than $1 million. all-Black musical revue, and received an Academy Born poor in Chester, Pennsylvania, Waters says in Award nomination for her performance in Pinky in her autobiography that she was earning $4.75 a week 1949. She was again nominated for the award in 1952 her dramatic depiction of a maid in Carson The letters column is an open as a maid in a Philadelphia hotel, stealing food to eat, f~r McCullers's play, The Member of the Wedding. forum for all viewpoints on sub when she got her first break in show business. jects of general interest to our Her first jobs were singing and dancing in small readers. Please keep your letters Black nightclubs. She soon became known as "Sweet The parts written for Black women then were mostly brief. Where necessary they will Mama Stringbean." Her version of "St. Louis Blues" limited to servants' roles, and Waters later became be abridged. Please indicate if became classic as did many other songs, including well-known for her television acting in the Beulah your nanie may be used or if you "Takin' a Chance on Love," "Stormy Weather," and series and for the role of Dilsey in The Sound and prefer that your initials be used "Am I Blue." Fury. instead. The blues flowed from her life. Waters later said, "I For the last twenty years of her life, Ethel Waters sang them out of the depths of the private fire in worked for Billy Graham's religious crusades, al which I was brought up. Only those who are being though apparently, she never saw any of the millions burned know what fire is like." of dollars she helped him rake in. Her fame as a blues singer increased as she became This woman who started out as a maid, and became a regular performer in Harlem clubs. It was there, at world famous through sheer talent and determination the Cotton Club, that Irving Berlin heard her sing for her portrayals of maids in scores of films and . "Stormy Weather," and in 1933 offered her a part in plays, went out as she came in: poor, Black, and filled As Thousands Cheer, her first Broadway show. with the blues. -Joanne Tortorici
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 11 Issues remain Chrysler rehires most Oil tool bosses attack UAW wildcat strikers Houston steelworkers By Robert Miller at the time, "Wildcats and other By Stu Singer DETROIT-Shortly before Labor actions by the rank and file are seen as HOUSTON-Most of the candidates Day this year United Auto Workers a real threat by the UAW leadership. for mayor of Houston are lawyers and Vice-president Marc Stepp, director of They are afraid of the tendency for businessmen. But one candidate works the union's Chrysler Department, an struggles around immediate issues to for a living, and she may be walking a nounced a tentative and partial agree quickly develop into larger struggles to picket line in the middle of September. ment between union and management democratize the union." Diane Sarge, Socialist Workers Party on unjustly discharged auto workers. The UAW officialdom consciously candidate for mayor, has worked at Thousands of UAW members in the and cleverly short-circuits any develop Hughes Tool Company for four years Detroit area had walked off their jobs ment of a class-struggle alternative and is a shop steward in United Steel and set up picket lines during the July within the union. They do not hesitate workers of America Local 17 42. August heat wave. Leaders of the to work with the companies to victim A meeting of more than 2,000 union walkouts were summarily fired, some ize militant workers. This is standard members on September 11 voted by a jailed. procedure, day in and day out. Many 95 percent majority to reject the con Although UAW officials ordered the auto workers quickly get the idea that tract offer from Hughes and to autho strikers back to work, Stepp now union officials are working as much rize a strike. The meeting also voted to charges Chrysler with "failure to against them as the foremen and extend the expiring three-year pact adhere to existing plant-level agree other company officials. from September 14 to September 18, ments concerning heat passes." Few workers are led to believe, when a final strike vote will be taken. The job-action response of the however, that they can bypass the Hughes, which manufactures bits for STEELWORKER DIANE SARGE: workers demonstrated their determina union and win conscessions. oil drilling, has expanded and pros Socialist is only worker in Houston tion to fight the callous disregard by Irrational demands and foolish at- pered along with the oil industry. The mayoral race. company's sales rank it number 448 on the Fortune list of 500 top industrial corporations-but in profits Hughes is ''I'm especially conscious of these number 261. Hughes's profits last year things as a shop steward. Our expe were nearly $40 million. rience recently is that if we cannot Diane Sarge explains that Hughes settle an issue right in the shop, it profits in part from paying wages that won't get settled at all. are about $1.75 less an hour than "Some shop supervisors," she says, wages in the basic steel industry. "refuse to even discuss grievances and "One thing that is particularly gal just tell the grievers to write them up. ling about our wages," she says, "is That means more and more that the the way the company cheated us out of grievance will be lost at the next step, the cost-of-living raise we won in the or at best that it will drag on for last contract. They claim it wasn't months." written in the contract, even though we Sarge adds that "the company dis specifically voted for it." rupted the whole grievance procedure In addition, Sarge reports, working when they refused to allow our union· conditions at the plants have been president, W.R. Morris, to enter the deteriorating. "There is more and more plant. That lasted for six months until forced overtime. And they are starting we won in arbitration." to enforce new or previously ignored Working conditions are also under rules. For example, they recently de attack at other oil tool industry plants clared that you cannot get a cup of in Houston. the corporations of health-and-safety tempts to discredit the union by coffee during the first- hour of your "I have heard from workers at Hy clauses in their union contract. ultraleft radical sects have, in some shift." dril that conditions were getting bad In negotiations with top UAW offi instances, divided the ranks, encour One of the company demands in the during the negotiations leading up to cials, Chrysler eventually agreed to aged small groups of workers in rejected contract offer was to remove their contract," Sarge says. "But since reinstate by September 1 all dis isolated acts of bravado, and led to virtually all limits on forced overtime. the contract was signed, the company charged workers. No mention was victimizations. "At one point," Sarge says, "they has really gone wild. made of lost pay for the victims. The UAW bureaucracy uses such started searching lunch boxes and "Shop stewards and even union of Also, there are some exceptions. incidents to project its "arbiter of confiscating any literature they found. ficers have been ordered back to their Seven members of UAW Local 372 at justice" image-the power that stands They are enforcing a very strict policy machines just for arguing a grievance. Chrysler's engine plant in Trenton, above local labor-management squab against absences, and people are get Many workers have been fired on Michigan, will not be rehired. They are bles and hands down judicious deci ting fired daily. trumped-up charges, and others have charged with contempt of federal court sions in accordance with the contract quit because of the pressure. orders. and the rules of collective bargaining. · "I have even heard that manage Stepp says, "If Chrysler goes ahead In line with this concept, Stepp ment has tried to provoke fistfights. I with these firings, the union will declares, "We will no longer tolerate know that union activists there want process grievances in · behalf of these outsiders who choose to interfere in the Defend union to prevent this kind of victimization." seven workers, all the way to arbitra affairs of our union and its members Sarge feels that a united, fighting tion" (emphasis added). and who try to obstruct the collective democracy response must begin to be organized This public stance against the corpo bargaining process, nor will we toler HOUSTON-Supporters of Di through the unions to protect the ration is prompted, in large part, by ate management's callous disregard of ane Sarge, Socialist Workers Party workers. . the character of the summer heat the health and safety of our members. candidate for mayor of Houston, Sarge has gotten a good response to walkouts. They were more widespread "I want to assure all Chrysler were physically assaulted Sep her campaign literature distributed at Hughes. "People don't agree with ev than in the past. There was more unity workers and all Chrysler locals," he tember 11 as they distributed cam in favor of the job actions within each continues, ~'that I stand ready to work paign literature outside a meeting ery point, but we're able to discuss the plant. The struggle was more pro with them to resolve whatever prob of United Steelworkers Local 1742, issues," she says. longed, with repeated walkouts at the lems they may have, provided the the local to which Sarge belongs. "For example, I've been able to con same plants. Blacks, women, and established procedure is followed" W.R. Morris, president of the vince a number of workers, especially young workers were in the forefront of (emphasis added). local, led eight people in the attack Blacks, that deportations should be this upsurge. He claims, "Unauthorized walkouts on the leafletters, destroying their stopped and that Mexican workers The wildcats were limited in effec only hamper that procedure severely literature, including copies of the should have the same rights as every tiveness, however. They tended to and preclude me from giving the Militant. He warned Sarge's sup one else. They see it as another case erupt like explosions, quickly peak, assistance that may be needed by the porters not to pass out literature of racism and discrimination, and they and then die down. There was no effort membership." again, either outside union meet are right." to link up the struggles at different Many members are convinced that if ings or at the plant gate of Hughes Many workers, Sarge has found, plants. A strategy to push the fight UAW officials could give the "assist Tool Company. agree with her proposal that the forward ,was lacking. ance" they promise and if the "estab Sarge issued a statement con unions break with the Democratic and Strikers were unable to win their lished procedure" worked as they say it demning the attack as "an attempt Republican parties and form a labor most important demands-immediate will, there would by no need for to deny the rights of union party-"but they don't think the rehiring of fired workers, and the right walkouts. But the fact is that walkouts members to participate in politics." unions will do it. And they don't feel to close plants when management are provoked by management viola "Our union must unconditionally yet that they themselves are strong violates the union agreement. tions. support the right of anyone to enough to change the direction of our During the height of the walkouts Union officials, no matter how distribute literature, both at the union." immense pressure to return to .work boldly they talk, are powerless to plant gate and outside union meet But, she adds, the workers are con was brought by both the corporation enforce agreements with management ings," Sarge said. "Any denial of temptuous of the capitalist-party can and top UAW leaders. The companies unless they are willing to mobilize the this right m:;tkes the union appear didates and "people tell me they are appeared unwilling to grant even membership. The needs of auto weak and undemocratic." proud that one of us is running. minimal concessions. Union officials workers will be met when they them The steelworker candidate urged "With a strike possible, a lot of refused to negotiate grievances while selves develop a new leadership willing Local 1742 members and other workers have asked me to use the time plants were closed. and able to mobilize the full power of unionists and civil libertarians to I get on radio ,and television to win One of the strikers at the Lynch the union in defense of workers' rights. protest the September 11 incident. support for our union. I certainly ·in Road Chrysler plant, Terry Bell, said Continued on page 26 tend to do that."
12 By Cindy Jaquith tell them we didn't come here to swap Two recent reports spotlight the recipes!" blows dealt to women workers by the In the next few months, CLUW current economic crisis. supporters took that message to their Affirmative action. Women have lost Union wo~nen sisters in unions across the country. 10 percent of the unionized jobs in Dozens of CLUW chapters were orga~ heavy industry they won through nized and the coalition grew to a affirmative-action programs over the membership of 5,000 in its second year. last decade. The Bureau of the Census &fight for The response of rank-and-file union reports that women held a high of 38 women to CLUW was proof that this percent of these jobs in 1973, but by was an idea whose time had come. At 1975 the proportion had plummeted to the same time, the new organization 28 percent, the same number as m faced problems from the start. 1967. equal rights Within the labor movement, CLUW Unionization. For the first time in confronted an entrenched· bureaucracy fifteen years, there has been a decline committed to collaboration with the in overall union membership, produced bosses and reliance on the Democratic in great part by layoffs of women Party, not independent struggle for the workers. Four hundred thousand of the Challenge facing CLUW needs of the union membership. These 767,000 workers no longer in the misleaders of labor made no pretense unions are women. of hiding their hostility to the demands These statistics underscore the chal of Blacks and women, especially lenge facing the largest women's around such issues as affirmative ac rights organization in- the unions, the tion. While the top-level bureaucrats Coalition of Labor Union Women gave grudging support to CLUW, they (CLUW). From September 15-18, aimed to keep the new coalition within CLUW will hold its third national bounds. convention in Washington, D.C. In the women's liberation movement, While the picture for women in the the same strategy of dependence on unions is grim, it is not one-sided. capitalist politicians was predominant, There is increased ferment among particularly among the more conserva working women today, as they seek a tive leaders of groups such as the way to fight back against the attacks National Organization for Women on their rights. Delegates to the CLUW (NOW). convention have an opportunity to The newly formed CLUW had the develop a program of action for organ opportunity to break out of the vise of izing these women and mobilizing the this self-defeating approach. By carry power of the labor movement behind ing out activities in line with its pro their demands. gram, it could attract the many rank and-file women looking for a means to Upcoming battles fight for their rights through the This convention occurs on the eve of unions, setting an example for both the important battles for the labor and unions and for other women's groups. women's liberation movements. But unfortunately, CLUW has thus • Bakke case. This fall the U.S. Su far been unable to effectively put the preme Court will rule on the Bakke perspective embodied in its statement case. The California Supreme Court of purpose into action. And this has has already decided that special had grave effects on the development admissions programs for Black and -of CLUW. Chicano students at the University of One of the most important tests for California constitute "reverse discrimi CLUW has been the issue of affirma nation" against whites. If the U.S. tive action. Supreme Court fails to overturn this In 1974, as the recession began to eat · racist decision, it will have major away at the "percentage of women and implications for both women and mi Blacks in the work force, the labor norities on every level of affirmative bureaucracy vehemently refused to action. recognize the need to defend affirma As yet, CLUW has taken no public tive action. Instead, Meany and com Coalition of Labor Union Women contingent at New York women's rights rally pany counterposed defense of "strict position on Bakke. But much of the August 27. Women trade unionists are searching today for way to defend their rights. labor officialdom has, unfortunately, seniority" to protection of the jobs won sided with opponents of affirmative through affirmative-action struggles. action in this case. CLUW's responsibility in this debate • Abortion. As Congress recon future activities, delegates to the labor officials in this country had been was to campaign on behalf of the venes, senators and representatives CLUW convention will also want to doing their job all along, the unions women it seeks to represent-to reject are putting the finishing touches on assess what the organization has been would have thrown their resources any reduction whatsoever in jobs won the Hyde amendment to cut off Medi able to accomplish since its founding behind the women's liberation struggle through affirmative action and to cam caid funds for abortion. CLUW has in March 1974. from the start. The formation ·of paign to win over the rest of the labor spoken out against previous versions CLUW was an expression of the impa movement to its position. of this amendment, but has yet to take Impact of feminism tience of women with the failure of the However, the majority of CLUW a stand against the current anti The first CLUW convention was a labor bureaucracy to meet their needs, officials, under tremendous pressure abortion bill. dramatic reflection of the direct impact and a realization that if the unions are from the AFL-CIO and United Auto • International Women's Year. On the women's liberation movement has ever to serve their large female compo Workers heads, did not take a firm ·November 18-21, thousands of women had on women workers. The more than nent, women workers themselves will stand in defense of affirmative action will pour into Houston for the Interna 3,200 unionists in attendance, 20 per have to take the initiative. and against the reactionary "strict tional Women's Year conference, cent of them Black, signaled the poten seniority" line. which is shaping up as a national tial to bring the full weight of orga At CLUW's December 1975 conven nized labor-the most powerful social 'Message' to officials tion, a significant number of members battle between antiwoman, antilabor This spirit was summed up at the forces, and supporters of women's force in the country-into the struggle favored reversal of this position and a for women's rights. And it signaled big founding convention by the late Myra reaffirmation of CLUW's uncompro rights. CLUW members are among the Wolfgang, then vice-president of the delegates to the gathering. changes going on in the unions them mising support to affirmative action. Hotel and Restaurant Employees In charting a course for CLUW's selves, as the formation of Black cau But the issue never came to the floor cuses had done at an earlier time. union. Wolfgang told delegates this because of opposition from conserva The convention adopted a statement historic event was sending a message: tive forces in the leadership. of purpose, which is all the more rele "It's a message for George Meany. With the new attacks on affirmative vant today in ·light of the current And if his line is busy, it's a message action-the Supreme Court's ruling Meat Cutters set offensive against women's rights. The for Leonard Woodcock. And if his line last May that seniority systems dis· statement singles out such issues as is busy, it's a message for Frank Fitz criminating by race are not necessarily ERA meeting affirmative action, child care, equality simmons. illegal, and the impending Bakke A conference to discuss action to in hiring and promotions, pregnancy "And when you get home, you can Continued on page 26 win the Equal Rights Amendment in benefits, and organizing unorganized Virginia has been set for October 30 women as key areas of concern. Last Hired, First Fired in Richmond, sponsored by several The statement also emphasizes that: locals of the Amalgamated Meat "Full equality of opportunities and Cutters and Butcher Workmen union rights in the labor force require the full in the state. attention of the labor movement Affirmative letion The conference committee, Labor ... and especially the full attention for Equal Rights Now, urges all of women who are part of the labor Virginia unions and pro-ERA organ movement." izations to participate. "The primary purposes of this na Vs. ·SenioritJ Keynote speaker at the meeting tional coalition are to unify all union Includes "The Debate Over Seniority and AffirmatiVP Action," "ThP will be Addie Wyatt, an internation women in a viable organization to NAACP and the Struggle for Full Equality," and "The AFL-CIO a~d thP al vice-president and director of determine our common problems and Seniority System." women's affairs for the Meat Cut concerns and to develop action pro By Linda Jenness, Herbert Hill, Willie Mae RPid, Frank Lovell. and SuP ters. Wyatt is also the national vice grams within the framework of our Em Davenport. 32 pp., $.50 president of the Coalition of Labor unions to deal effectively with our Union Women. objectives," the statement says. It need hardly be said that if the top Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New Y'>rk, N.Y. 10014
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 13 By George Novack ary 17, 1977), which picked up and embroidered the Every uncompromising fighter against injustice slanderous charge. runs the risk of becoming the target of frame-ups, Although admitting that Baraheni's vigorous slanders, and vilifications by its perpetrators. That defense of political prisoners had convinced many has been the lot of Reza' Baraheni, one of Iran's that "our ally Iran is a chamber of horrors," Braden most distinguished poets and literary critics. claimed he had "investigated" Baraheni and Since his arrival in the United States at the end discovered that he "served for many years as an of 1974, he has been the most effective exposer ot agent provocateur for the Iranian Intelligence the crimes and cruelties of the shah of Iran's Service," his job being to "complain" in the United . regime. His public speeches, TV and radio appear States about human rights in Iran. ' ances, the books and articles he has written in According to Braden, Baraheni could turn over to English, and his testimony before a congressional SAV AK the names of Iranian students who agreed subcommittee have presented a devastating docu with him. Braden tried to explain away Baraheni's mentation of repression in Iran. prison term by claiming it was "only a cover" to In these efforts he has collaborated with such make him a more effective SAV AK agent. civil liberties organizations as Amnesty Interna Braden also said that he learned from a "distin tional, PEN, and the Committee for Artistic and guished professor of Persian literature at a famous Intellectual Freedom in Iran (CAIFI), of which he is American University" that Baraheni had once an honorary cochairperson. · worked for SAV AK. Tlie unnamed professor eve'n The recent publication of his widely acclaimed doubted that Baraheni had been tortured. work, The Crowned Cannibals, has enabled more When he contacted Amnesty International, Brad Americans to pierce the screen of the shah's en was told that it does not believe these stories and deceitful propaganda and see Iran for what it is will continue to work with Baraheni. Yet Braden today-the country with the largest number of suggested that the State Department investigate the political prisoners in the world. matter and tell the American public whether to These untiring activities have not left Professor believe Baraheni or not. This might jeopardize Baraheni unscathed. They have earned him the Baraheni's further stay in this country. hostility of various forces that have tried, each for The collusion between these sources in seeking to its own reasons, to discredit his testimony, impugn discredit Baraheni and his work has been further his character, and besmirch his reputation. promoted in a publication issued by the Iranian At the head of the pack is the shah himself and government in 1977 devoted to slandering Iranian the dreaded secret police agents of the SAV AK, who students and political groups abroad. Entitled The have threatened Baraheni's life and the safety of Confederation of Iranian Students, this book his family. Trailing behind them are certain witting assetts that Baraheni had "no moral integrity left" and unwitting transmitters of their lies-from the after "establishing a series of sexual relationships right-wing columnist Tom Braden to some Maoist with his female students" and committing wife minded students on the Left motivated by political beating and adultery. There is, of course, not one and ideological disagreements with Baraheni. . word documenting these scurrilous charges. Another reason for the formation of this unholy The book claims that Baraheni "collaborated alliance against him is the fact that Baraheni with SAVAK" while teaching at Tehran University, belongs to an oppressed nationality, the Azerbaija but the relationship was eventually severed by nis, with a language and culture of its own. Sixty SAV AK. Thereafter, the government book contin percent of the 33 million inhabitants of Iran are ues,''... Baraheni published a communist-oriented Behin(j non-Persians, Baluchis, Kurds, Arabs, and Azerbai article and involved himself in a series of Marxist janis. Yet the shah has imposed the Persian propaganda activities. Because these activities were language and culture upon them all. against Iranian law, he was imprisoned. While To the consternation of Persian chauvinists; captive, he claimed he was not a Marxist and that Baraheni has become the voice of these voiceless he got involved in such activities in order to attract sympathy. He asked permission to appear in a liesabo1 millions oppressed by the· shah's tyranny. Further more, Baraheni has spoken out vigorously against radio-television-press conference and inform the the degradation of women in Iran. public with his real views . . . against Marxism, As a member of an oppressed minority in Iran, as anarchism and terrorism. After a while, using a a writer who actively opposed the government grant from Tehran University he departed for the censorship in the 1960s, and as a political prisoner United States." Irania tortured for 102 days in the shah's jails in 1973 The book points to Baraheni's "anti-Iranian before international publicity succeeded in freeing propaganda" in the United States, citing his being labeled a Marxist and subject to imprison him, Baraheni has become the most convincing testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee. It ment! The regime so fears the rise of an opposition first-hand witness to the suppression of political claims that he "joined the Trotskyists," and this force from among the oppressed nationalities that rights and the suppression of linguistic and cultural group then set up the Committee for Artistic and mere advocacy of secession of any oppressed rights in Iran. Intellectual Freedom in Iran. nationality is currently a crime of treason punisha He has consistently alerted world opinion to the The book also attributes to Baraheni a Persian ble by death. hypocrisy of the shah, who denies the existence of translation of the Communist Manifesto with an The government book calls Baraheni a Marxist some 100,000 political prisoners, proclaiming that introduction by Trotsky. Expressing concern for the who later recanted. However, Baraheni has never his jails hold only 4,000 "Marxists:" growth of Trotskyism among Iranians, it blames claimed to be a Marxist. As for the assertion that he Baraheni for that rapid growth after 1975. repudiated terrorism (implying that he once em Source of the slanders braced it), Baraheni has stated that, while admiring At a press conference in Noshahr August 8, 1976, Common thread of slanders the courage of Iranian guerrilla fighters, he does in the presence of Henry Kissinger, a reporter asked The common thread in all these stories is the not believe terrorism is an effective political weap the shah about the report of the International assertion that at one time or another Baraheni was on. Commission of Jurists confirming the torture of a SAV AK agent. But the accounts are factually The book points to Barahep.i's appearance on TV political prisoners. The shah answered, "I cannot inaccurate and contradictory. shortly after his release from prison. Baraheni has confirm what others have claimed in the past. The One government account says that Baraheni explained that the TV interview did not accurately person who is now teaching in some American served as an agent while teaching at the University represent his views. Baraheni wrote a letter protest universities was himself an element of our own of Tehran; Braden makes Baraheni into a SAV AK ing that the interview had been cut and deliberately secret police. Did you know that?" (Reported in agent while in this country prior to his 1973 arrest, distorted in order to make it appear that he had Kayhan, air edition, August 18, 1976.) as well as following his return to the United States capitulated, but no newspaper in Iran would print According to the semiofficial daily Kayhan, when in late 1974. it. The Committee for Artistic and Intellectual asked for the person's name, the shah responded, "I The record of Baraheni's life, activities, and don't want to say anything on this subject: Freedom in Iran was not founded with the help of Anyway, who cares about his name.... " Baraheni, as the book stated, but by Americans and However, American reporters have commented Iranians in the United States in order to defend off the record-that, in fact, the shah did name Baraheni who was imprisoned at that time. Reza Baraheni as the alleged agent. A February CAIFI's first act was to gather the signatures of Committee 1977 editorial in the same organ attacked Amnesty forty-five prominent intellectu'als and writers for a International for publishing a pamphlet documeitt letter calling upon the Iranian government to for Artistic ing the conditions of the political prisoners and release him immediately and restore his full rights. repeated the calumny against Baraheni. The letter appeared' in the December 16, 1973, New and Intellectual Meanwhile Tom Braden, a syndicated columnist York Times. On December 22, Baraheni was re Freedom with reported ties to the CIA, wrote a column leased. entitled, "Who is Baraheni?" (North Penn Reporter None of the sources deny Baraheni's arrest and in Iran & Daily Reporter, Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Febru- indeed the government book proclaimed that the arrest was the result of a "communist-oriented ...is a civil liberties organiza article." tion publicizing the cases of victimized Iranian artists, intel George Novack, a noted author of books and Baraheni himself has cited the publication of his lectuals, and political prisoners. articles on Marxist philosophy, has been a article "The Culture of the Oppressor and the Of the eleven prisoners CAIFI Culture of the Oppressed" as the immediate reason leading participant in many civil liberties for his arrest. In this article he spoke of the need for has championed in the last defense cases including the Scottsboro Boys in a university that took into account the local years, five have been released the 1930s, the defense of Leon Trotsky against languages and dialects and of schools that could thanks to the international pres Stalinist frame-ups and slander, and the defense teach the population-which is 80 percent sure brought to bear on the of victims of the McCarthyite witch-hunt in the illiterate-in their own languages .. shah's regime. 1950s. These. proposals by themselves are grounds for
.14 The fact that Baraheni alone among those writers ultraleftists, attempted to break up meetings where who initiated the association has been able to build Baraheni spoke in defense of Iranian political international support in their defense has made him prisoners. all the more intolerable to the regime. In addition, Leaflets distributed at these meetings tried to Baraheni and CAIFI assisted the defense of the justify the disruption with the false charge that imprisoned writers-several of whom have been Baraheni is a SAV AK agent. The Maoist-oriented released-by initiating the successful 1976 boycott southern California chapter of the Iranian Students of the Shiraz Art Festival. Association (ISA) bluntly stated in a recent leaflet: The shah and empress sponsor this festival and "It is not a secret to millions of Iranian people that the Tehran Film Festival in order to glorify Reza Beraheni (sic) is an agent of the fascist regime themselves as patrons of the arts while they of the Shah." brutally suppress the work of writers and artists Such incitements and physical disruption of within the country. meetings can provide the shah's agents with a Eric Bentley, the well-known playwright and pretext to assault Baraheni under cover of a squab critic, issued the call for the boycott. Subsequently, ble between Iranian dissidents. They also greatly the American dancer Merce Cunningham and his group, American director Robert Wilson, British director Peter Brook, and Polish experimental Benefit for Iranian Poets and Writers director Jerzy Grotowski turned down invitations to perform at Shiraz. with Reza Baraheni, Daniel Berrigan, Ahmad Even the Iranian censored papers noted that the Shamlu, Thiago de Mello, and others. "giants are not coming to the art festival," though they could not explain why. None quoted Cunning Sat. Sept. 17, 2 p.m. at St. Clement's Church, ham's statement that he decided not to perform 423 W. 46 St.; 246-7277; Donation: $2. after learning about the conditions in Iran.
In August 1976, when publicity around the weaken efforts to unite organizations and individu boycott was at its height, Dr. Richard Cottom, a als, despite their political differences, to defend professor of political science at the University of Iranian political prisoners. Pittsburgh and the author of Nationalism in Iran, Baraheni has demanded that any individuals or informed Baraheni "that SAV AK had made the groups alleging he is an agent bring forth proof. For decision to send assassination squads into Europe two years he has declared his willingness to partici and the United States." ("SAVAK Activities in U.S. .pate in a commission of inquiry, composed of a jury and Europe," CAlF! Newsletter, March 1977, page of his peers, which could hear evidence and render a 13). verdict. But no one has come forward with any Cottom, who received this information from a documented evidence to substantiate the falsifica State Department source, subsequently repeated his tions. testimony on Mike Wallace's TV Program 60 As more Americans and Iranians have heard Minutes. These "hit" squads were to execute Baraheni speak, incidents of disruption have de dissidents in exile, attempting to attribute their creased. Meetings on repression in Iran with Ba deaths to street "muggings." Cottom felt certain raheni as a featured speaker have recently been that Baraheni's name was at the top of SAV AK's held without incident in Philadelphia, Boston, list. Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon. Wherever shah's Baraheni immediately moved to expose this hostile Iranian students have attempted to debate conspiracy in a press conference held at the New Baraheni's credentials, a genuine discussion has York office of PEN. He demanded that U.S. taken place, and he has been able to win over many government officials guarantee the security of all to a better understanding of the political issues Iranian oppositionists in the United States and underlying the slander campaign and the need for ltexiled gathered support from many prominent individuals unity in defending the shah's political prisoners. including Ramsey Clarke, former U.S. attorney A new turn of events has made the importance of general. As a result of this outcry and the demands organizing meetings for Baraheni all the more for an investigation, SAV AK has so far been imperative. Recently, writers in Iran have begun to deterred from carrying through its plot. organize and demand the legal right to reactivate Ltpoet the Writers Association. Forty of the country's best FBI-SAVAK connection known writers, composers, and social critics wrote In late 1976 the American Civil Liberties Union an open letter to the prime minister on June 13, -ritings also stands forth as irrefutable disproof of established that the acknowledged head of SAV AK 1977, calling for an end to all censorship. :1e slanders against him. operating in the United States, Mansur Rafizadeh, Upon receiving a copy, Baraheni translated it For example, in 1966 the Iranian government sent also functions as a liaison source for the New York into English and circulated it internationally. He . directive to all printers ordering every book to be office of the FBI. Information on that score was gathered the signatures of forty prominent Ameri ubmitted to government censorship. A group of obtained through CIA and State Department docu can and Iranian writers knd academicians backing ranian writers, including Baraheni, protested ments released under a Freedom of Information the demands of the Iranian intellectuals and artists .gainst this directive to the prime minister himself. suit. on a letter sent to the prime minister on August 2, After the government pushed ahead in its Testimony at a September 8, 1976, congressional 1977. ensorship, the writers decided to establish an hearing by Alfred Atherton, Jr., assistant secretary Among. those responding to Baraheni's appeal for rganization that would defend freedom of expres for near eastern and south Asian affairs, revealed support to the forty are Richard Howard, president ion and the country's writers. that "it is assumed" that all Iranian students in the of the American branch of PEN; the International In addition to being a founding member of the United States are under SAV AK's surveillance. Freedom to Publish Committee of the Association of hiters Association, Baraheni was the head of its ("Shah's Political Police Spy on Iranians in U.S." American Publishers; Ahmad Shamlu, a· noted :ommittee for the Campaign Against Censorship Intercontinental Press, September 20, 1976, page Iranian poet living in the United States; and 1 Iran. Many members of this association have 1:336) several members of the U.S. Congress. CAIFI has een imprisoned or killed by the regime, and many The shah himself admitted in an October 24, circulated a complementary letter signed by thirty wre found that their books did not pass the censor. 1976, TV interview that his secret police operated six prominent American, British, and Iranian citi Baraheni's experience of imprisonment and inside this country with the approval of the CIA. zens urging the prime minister not to take punitive Jrture was shared by a whole group of leading Columnist Jack Anderson reported five days later action against the w-riters. ranian writers who spoke out against the censor that SAV AK agents carry out operations including A second open letter signed by ninety-eight wri ~ip. Some died under mysterious circumstances. illegal burglaries, wire-tapping and forgeries. ("CIA ters in Iran appeared on July 19. Translated and 'he shah mounted a campaign that destroyed the Covering Up for SAVAK in U.S.," Intercontinental distributed by Baraheni, it refutes the Iranian ssociation in its infancy. Press, November 8, 1976, page 1587) government's assertion that freedom of speech Thus, Washington has been complicit with exists in Iran. The writers demand that the text of SAV AK's operations. This is not too surprising this letter be published throughout Iran without the since SAV AK was set up by the CIA in 1956 in the slightest alteration. aftermath of the CIA-sponsored coup which put the These initiatives by leading intellectuals are a shah back on the throne. welcome sign of the reawakening of the movement for civil liberties under the shah. Baraheni himself Danger of echoing shah's lies remains at the center of the opposition abroad to Despite the tremendous work Baraheni has done the shah's repression. He, who has so courageously in telling the truth about the shah's regime, some · defended the defenseless, himself deserves loyal and oppositionists have taken the government-planted continued defense. An informed and enlightened eAIFI rumors for good coin and played into the hands of public opinion will be his best shield against the 853 Broadway, .suite 414 the shah, who wants to silence Baraheni by any slanders and conspiracies of his enemies. New York, New York 10003 means necessary and pit Iranian dissidents against each other. Among them are some Maoist-oriented 0 Enclosed is my contribution of $ _____ students, influenced by ultraleft ideas as well as by In The Crowned Cannibals Baraheni exposes Stalinist practices. torture in Iran, the oppression of nationalities and 0 Please send me the CAlF/ News On March 16, 1976, at San Jose State University, women in that country, the shah's dictatorial rule, letter, published quarterly. 50¢ each. campus security guards warned Baraheni against and the situation of Iranian writers. The book also Name speaking because they had received reliable infor contains many of his recent poems. Address mation of a plot to kill him. On other occasions-Berkeley (January 1975), A Vintage paperback. Available for $3.95 from City/State/Zip Boston (February 1975), Austin, Texas, (February Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New York, New 1976) and Los Angeles (May 1977)-groups of York 10014. Iranian students, along with some American
'HE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 15 Profits vs .. jobs, environment Socialist blasts U.S. Steel ~blackmail' By Susan Beck A second dispute concerns U.S. PITTSBURGH-"The air quality to Steel's Clairton Coke Works, which· day is unsatisfactory." spews pollution into the air at a rate of Liars and lawbreakers These words greet the people of the some 116 tons a day. Pittsburgh area almost every day. If Under an agreement signed last year ··I Ptu>Posa A CJCNSBtJT U.S. Steel and the Democratic and with the EPA and state and county P6CRES WHeftE-BY I (;~'f' authorities, the Clairton plant remains DE
16 Steelworkers standing firm Iron ore strike: companies agree to talk By Andy Rose Major steel companies have agreed to resume negotiations with striking locals of the United Steelworkers of America for the first time since 18,000 iron ore workers walked out August 1. The companies had previously re fused to negotiate, claiming that the strike in the iron ore mines and pro cessing plants of Minnesota and north ern Michigan is illegal. Federal mediators and Minnesota politicians have for weeks made a show of trying to get the companies and unions to the bargaining table. They never explained, of course, that company intransigence was the only obstacle to talks. The blandishments of mediators, however, probably had less effect on the steel corporations than the fact that the strikers were still standing firm after six weeks on the picket lines. "I imagine that they [the companies] are starting to feel the pinch a little bit too now," Joe Samargia, president of USWA Local 1938, told the Militant in a telephone interview. With 3,400 members at U.S. Steel's Minntac plant in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, Local Militant/Andy Rose 1938 is the largest local on strike. Local 6115 President John Perko (right) says: 'People are realizing what these companies are all about-the almighty Samargia pointed to several recent dollar. They don't have any feelings.' developments that have strengthened the workers' ability to hold out in a long strike. On September 12 county authorities nence for his earlier sharp rulings strikeable under the Experimental aiding each other. A skilled electrician, on the Mesabi Iron Range agreed to against Reserve Mining Company's Negotiating Agreement signed by top for example, will help fellow strikers establish a work program that strikers pollution of Lake Superior. USWA leaders in 1973. with electrical work. will be eligible for. It will provide 1,250 Strikers point out that all incentive jobs for one week at a time. "The Welcome relief pay plans in steel are locally negotiat Change in attitude? companies screamed that it was set The companies immediately ap ed. They also note that the companies As the strike continues, there re ting a precedent of taking care of pealed Lord's ruling and the outcome are stonewalling on hundreds of other mains the danger that top internation strikers," Samargia said with a chuck is still undetermined. But for now the issues concerning health and safety, al union officals will pressure the le. decision has provided welcome relief seniority agreements, and work prac strikers to drop many of their demands But the county board of commission for the strikers. tices. in the name of achieving "labor ers approved the program anyway. "With the insurance taken care of One union official. was quoted in the peace." The strikers had recently demonstrat and the ·increase in strike benefits, Minneapolis Star as saying, "As far as President McBride has already publi ed their clout to local businesses with a everybody's holding together real I can tell they [the companies] haven't cally called tor "a change in attitude boycott of a previously popular bar well," Samargia said. changed their position on anything." on both sides" (emphasis added) to whose owner had been badmouthing The attack on medical care for the The steelworkers are preparing for a settle the strike. the strike. workers and their families has had strike lasting well into the winter. When I showed McBride's statement another effect the companies did not Picket headquarters equipped with tele to one leading strike activist, he re Boost to morale count on-it has strengthened the de phones and heat are set up at the main sponded emphatically: "My attitude On September 14 the USWA Inter termination of many strikers to hold plant entrances. At major plants ain't changing. If you're going to go national Executive Board was sche tough until they win. picketing continues around the clock. out for weeks and go through that duled to meet. President Lloyd When I visited the Mesabi Iron hardship, and then drop what you're McBride had pledged an increase in Range in late August, John Perko, In addition to seeking strike benefits, fighting for, you might as well never the strike benefits-now twenty dollars president of USWA Local 6115 at In welfare, and food stamps, strikers are have gone out in the first place." a week_:going to the iron ore workers. land Steel's Minorca plant, put it this The biggest boost to morale, though, way: "The insurance deal is convinc was the decision by Federal District ing a lot of people that this company Judge Miles Lord that the steel com doesn't care. If you're sick, if your kids panies must continue to advance medi are sick, if your wife is pregnant-they ~Support the strikers! cal insurance premiums for the strik- don't care. The battle on the iron range is no In addition to the district office, . ers. The corporations had threatened "It scares you, but it makes you mad. ordinary strike. messages may be sent to the big u.s .. in mid-August to cancel insurance People are realizing what these com It is part of a nationwide offensive Steel Minntac local at: coverage unless the strikers them panies are all about-the almighty by the steel corporations to increase USWA Local 1938 selves came up with an average $100 dollar. They don't have any feelings." their profits at the expense of 307 North 1st Street monthly payment. Perko believes the experience of the workers' jobs, wages, and safety Virginia, Minnesota 55792 In a dramatic midnight decision strike is raising the consciousness of and to intimidate the United Steel August 31, Judge Lord not only ruled workers about the union and their role workers union into accepting these Chicago-area steel union locals that the company threat violated the in it. attacks. have already begun to set an exam insurance agreement with the union. "There has always before been a fear In fighting back against this of ple of solidarity. He also dismissed the main company of the companies up here," he said. "At· fensive, the iron ore strikers are in At its August 24 meeting, Local65 argument-the alleged illegality of the U.S. Steel especially, if a foreman the forefront of defending the inter at U.S. Steel's South Works adopted strike-as irrelevant. And he ripped barks, guys would run. ests of all working people. a resolution of support to the iron into the companies for endangering "With this strike, you'll see a differ They need and deserve the support range strikers. The local voted to the health and well being of thousands ent attitude when we go back to work. of other steelworkers and of the send $1,000 right away to aid the of·workers and their families. You won't see anybody jumping at entire labor movement. strike and $500 a month for the Noting that a U.S. Steel executive command. -Steel union leaders on the Mesabi duration. had referred to the strike as "war," "Now we're saying we're a little Iron Range say that financial sup Local 65 activists are discussing Lord said, "Even in war they have the more equal. We're saying we've got as port is badly needed. Contributions other steps, such as inviting speak rules of the Geneva conference to spare much power as they do. And that's a can be sent to: ers from the striking locals and the women and children." better way to deal." collecting canned goods to send to The companies had argued that the District 33 Strike and Defense strikers' families. union should pay the insurance premi Long battle Fund Local 1010 at Inland Steel in East ums from its $95 million strike fund. In The strikers face a long, hard battle United Steelworkers of America Chicago, Indiana, also passed a rejecting this contention, Judge Lord against the steel companies. Despite 334 West Superior resolution of support. It sent $100 to commented, "I wouldn't even begin to their agreement to negotiate, the corpo Duluth, Minnesota 55802 its sister local-Local 6115 at In add up the net worth and the profit rations are reportedly still holding to Messages of support are also land's Minorca plant-and local picture of the defendants [companies]." their position that the strike is illegal greatly appreciated. One strikelead leaders are planning to send larger Steel company executives, who had and refusing to consider key strike er explained that messages are read donations. been counting on the insurance burden demands. aloud at each local meeting. Jim Balanoff, director of the to demoralize the strikers, sat stony The companies have focused on the "You can't eat messages," he said, Chicago-Gary District 31, is encou faced as Lord read his decision. It was demand for local incentive-pay plans "but it sure makes you feel good, raging other locals in the district to a startling change from the standard I to bring iron ore workers' wages up to because you know somebody gives a send money and invite speakers strikebreaking role and antiunion atti- the level of wages in basic steel mills. damn about you." down from the iron range. tude of the courts. I The companies insist this is a national Judge Lord achieved national promi- ·. issue, not a local one, and therefore not
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 17 Linda Ray is a nurse in San tations of Mexican workers without Francisco. She voted for SWP candi visas-"illegal aliens" as the govern dates duri.'l.g the national elections in ment calls them-is very important. 1972 and 1976, but only joined the party in August. Joining the Attack:;; on abor Janis Ball became a full member of tion rights, such as the SWP only two weeks before the the Hyde amend convention. Before she joined, she ment, which cuts explained, she had never been involved off Medicaid pay Socialist in any political activity. ment for legal A course at California State Univer abortions, con sity at Northridge, (Los Angeles), vinced Ray to join led to reading about socialism, She the SWP. "Some Workers decided that capitalism had to be thing clicked in replaced. She got out the phone book, me, and, I wanted looked up "socialist," and found the to do more," she said. SWP. As a nurse, Ray has seen the effects Party Someone on the other end of the of botched, illegal abortions. She phone told her about a forum that recalled thinking, "There's someone Of the 1,685 people attending the Socialist Workers Friday night. (SWP branches all have who is gone who was alive because she weekly forums on current political was pregnant and couldn't get help." Party convention in August, more than 250 people topics.) Ball decided to go. "They're sentencing women to death were new to the socialist movement and attending "I was impressed because everyone by making legal abortions unavaila their first SWP convention. was so rational, humane, and intelli ble," she said. "And they're trying to gent," she said. Soon she went to a force poor women into sterilization. It's Some had joined recently. Others were interested meeting of the San Fernando Valley a double-edged danger." guests. Almost eighty people decided to join the SWP branch of the SWP. Then she joined as Ray is a member of the National at the convention. a provisional member. Organization for Women and eager to The 'Militant' spoke to some of these new members. Now Ball is active in the branch, do work defending abortion rights. "I selling the Militant and Perspectiva think all women feel very strongly The folfowing interviews are by Diane Wang and Mundial, a Spanish-language Trotsky about these issues. Abortion has just Arnold Weissberg. ist magazine. She also works on been legalized, and the government is winning new members to the SWP. trying to take it away so soon." Ball said that the convention "brought the SWP's ideas to life. I'm William Morse, a twenty-year-old proud of what I do and proud of the Black college student from Detroit, party!" said he's spent eight years looking for the right organization to join. He Brenda Talley graduated from thinks he found it at the SWP conven Decatur High School in Atlanta this tion. spring. While doing a report for school Morse likes the SWP, he said, be about South Africa someone gave her ca~se it is "responsive to the needs of an article from the MiUtant. She got oppressed nationalities-it's a viable hold of a copy of the paper soon after organization that responds to the that. needs of the people." "It related to the people," she said. Morse had worked with the Black "It told what the U.S. was really doing Panther Party, but hadn't been recent in South Africa. And it talked ab"mt ly politically active until he ran into a women's rights and Chicano rights chapter of the Student Coalition things Time and Newsweek never did." Against Racism at Wayne County Talley began passing around her Community College. Through his work copy of the paper and discussing it in in SCAR he met some members who class. One of her teachers warned her also belonged to the SWP and the that she was too young to get involved. Young Socialist Alliance. They invited But the Militant convinced her "to take Morse to the convention. Militant/Lou Howort an active part in the movement" and His major concern is the high to join the Young Socialist Alliance. unemployment le_yels among Black Talley began selling about eight nately, he added, political exiles from investigated several-including the youth-and he thinks the SWP and copies of the Mili Chile or Haiti don't receive such Communist Party and the former YSA are the organizations that can tant at her high special favors from the U.S. govern October League (now the Communist fight against it. school, convinced ment. Party [Marxist-Leninist], a Maoist "That's where my heart is," he said. four other stu group)-but rejected them. Many Cubans in the United States dents to join the are like him, Fernandez explained. The When he came across the Militant, YSA, and cam Many people at the convention used U.S. economic blockade of Cuba he said, he found a group he could paigned for Vince earphones to hear the simultaneous caused severe hardships on the island. agree with. He read that the SWP Eagan, SWP may translations of the sessions into Span Not being very political at the time, he supported Chicano nationalism and oral candidate in ish and French. Most of those using compared those hardships with the bilingual-bicultural education, which Atlanta. the translations were international affluence the United States promised many other organizations opposed. Recently Talley guests, but several were SWP and went to New York to join his Perez decided to join the SWP as a decided to join the SWP. "The SWP is members. friends who had moved there. provisional member. Provisional mem the only party that believes what I do: George Fernandez, for example, is Once in the United States, however, bership is a three-month period that that human needs should come before a telephone salesperson going to col gives people a chance to become ac "I quickly became disillusioned with profit. It's the only party and has the lege part-time in Miami. He came to quainted with the SWP. "The conven the system that exists here," he said. only candidates that are doing some the United States from Cuba in 1965. tion convinced me to become a full The lack of job security or health thing against the death penalty or to Weren't most of the people who came benefits, discrimi member," he said. to this country from Cuba after the defend Black students and gay rights nation against Perez was impressed by the conven and women.'' revolution there anticommunist? we Spanish-speaking tion's "openness, democracy, .and its Talley is going to college outside asked him. No, he explained, that workers, high impression is given because the coun businesslike atmosphere." He also Atlanta this fall. Her plans? "I hope to rents-all these thinks the SWP's work against depor- start a YSA chapter there.'' terrevolutionary Cubans in Miami are "changed my pol so vocal. "They can be so vocal itical ideology because of the special status they when I came to receive as 'political exiles.'" Unfortu- America." Fernandez found out about Human rights benefit Why not you? the SWP when the party began a You've been reading about some of branch in Miami and soon decided to During the week-long Socialist Workers Party convention time was set the people who are joining the SWP. work with the SWP. "I think that aside so that participants could attend an "Evening in Solidarity with If you like the ideas you find in the under socialism people can achieve Political Prisoners." The benefit was sponsored by the U.S. Committee for Militant you should think about their rights," he explained, "like full Justice to ·Latin American Political Prisoners (USLA), the Committee for joining too. Contact the SWP branch employment, job security, cheap hous Artistic and Intellectual Freedom in Iran (CAIFI), and the National Student nearest you, listed on page 27. Or ing, free health care, and free educa Coalition Against Racsim (NSCAR). mail this coupon to: SWP National tion, which we cannot get in the so As Michael Kelly of USLA explained, introducing the program, the Office, 14 Charles Lane, New York, called free enterprise system." evening was "to salute the courage of the true fighters for human rights New York 10014. not the Carters of the world who use the rhetoric of human rights to cover Vince Perez comes from Chicano their own crimes, but the thousands of political activists who, because they 0 I want to join the SWP. champion human rights, are victims of repression and torture." 0 Please send me more information. and Italian parentage. He grew up in Cleveland and never experienced any Reza Baraheni, the Iranian poet and former political prisoner who is now Name ______discrimination against Chicanos there. honorary chairperson of CAIFI, read his poetry. Gaudencio Thiago de Mello, But when he moved to California the Brazilian composer and guitarist, performed. Address ______after high school, he said, he was After the benefit and during the SWP convention, 222 copies of Baraheni's "bewildered" by his first experiences new book, The Crowned Cannibals: Writings on Repression in Iran, were City/State/Zip Code ______with it. He learned about · racism, sold. The USLA sold 100 albums of "Music of Thiago" and 100 cassettes of a which "opened my mind to socialism." previous benefit Thiago had done on behalf of political prisoners. Perez decided he wanted to join a socialist group and fight back. He
18 World Outlook
with few resources. The Ogaden, however, is thought to contain deposits· of oil and gas. Moreover, General Siad may be using the cam paign to regain the Ogaden, at least partially, to divert popular grievances away from his own regime, which is repressive. The junta has estab lished a powerful and extensive secret police apparatus. Like its counterpart in Ethiopia, the Somalian regime tries to cover its procapitalist policies with a "socialist" mask. While aiding the WSLF and the efforts toward Somali unity, the junta at the same time fears the potential power of the Somali struggle and has carefully sought to keep it under control. An international flashpoint The outcome of the conflict in the Ogaden-as well as the struggles in Eritrea and in other parts of Ethiopia-can have important repercussions, not only in the Horn of Africa, but throughout the continent and internationally. If the Eritreans gain independence or the Somalis are successful in throwing off Ethiopian domina tion, oppressed peoples in other African countries will be inspired to press forward with their own struggles. The Black neocolonial regimes through out the continent U.ar such a development, and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is officially opposed to any change in the present borders that were artificially drawn up by the colonialists. By Ernest Harsch September 5 issue of Newsweek, correspondent Since the Horn of Africa borders on the Red Sea From Intercontinental Press Elizabeth Peer quoted a shopkeeper in the town of and the Gulf of Aden, developments there can also Since mid-July, the Ethiopian military junta, Wardere. "The last month has been happier than affect the situation in the Middle East. To pressure known as the Dergue, has been confronted with a my entire 65 years under the Ethiopians," he told the pro-Israeli Ethiopian regime, various Arab massive upsurge of the Somali people living in the her. states have for years aided the Eritrean indepen Ogaden desert re!Pon of southeastern Ethiopia. Peer reported, "The sentiment was clearly un~ver dence forces. Some, such as Syria, Iraq, Egypt, the Within a few weeks, the Dergue lost control of most sal. As journalists were allowed for the first time to Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, have expressed support of this vast area, except for a few large towns, to the visit what is either liberated western Somalia or for the WSLF and the Somalian regime. Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF), which is occupied Ethiopia-depending on one's The Israeli regime has long had ties with Addis fighting for the separation of the Somali-inhabited perspective-thousands of nomads cheered their Ababa, b~th under Selassie and the present "social territories from Ethiopia and their incorporation 'liberation.' " . ist" military junta. The Israelis fear that an into the neighboring country of Somalia. Another journalist reported in an August 24 independ~nt Eritrea could threaten their access to Already faced with a rapidly advancing indepen Agence France-Presse dispatch: the Red Sea. In a dispatch from Addis Ababa in the dence struggle in Eritrea, the Dergue has been The red and green banner of the Somali guerrillas flies August 12 Washington Post, correspondent Roger plunged into its gravest crisis since it seized power over the towns of Ethiopia's southern Ogaden region these Mann reported, "According to numerous sources, from Emperor Haile Selassie three years ago. Like days, and charred buildings and wrecked equipment at including Ethiopian air force personnel, Israel is Selassie, the junta has denied the Somalis and other military bases attest the heavy fighting that ended there regularly flying in spares and ammunition for oppressed nationalities their right to self last month . Ethiopl.a's U.S. equipment. Israeli ammunition for determination. . . . nowhere along the bumpy, dusty roads linking four U.S. Phantom jets was specifically mentioned.'' The Dergue, the WSLF, and the Somalian regime of the area's main settlements-Mustahil, Kelafo, Gode Israeli advisers are also reported to have helped have made numerous claims and counterclaims, and Wardere-did the visitors spot an Ethiopian flag or train the Dergue's new People's Militia. any other sign of an Ethiopian presence. . .. many of them exaggerated, on the course of the Further complicating the international lineup of The visitors were often greeted by noisy but disciplined forces has been Moscow's aid to both the Ethiopian fighting at Diredawa, Ethiopia's third largest city, crowds shouting hatred for the Ethiopian Government and Somalian regimes. With the aim of advancing and other parts of the Somali region. and its leader, Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam. Nevertheless, there were signs that the fighting its own narrow· diplomatic interests, the Kremlin was heavy. In a depart-ure from its earlier playing calls both military juntas "progressive.'' down of Ethiopian losses, the Dergue admitted Roots of .struggle As the old Ethiopian empire continues to frag August 21 that 150 Ethiopian soldiers had been The Somali upsurge against the central regime in ment, American imperialism has stepped up its killed and five planes destroyed during a second Addis Ababa is but the most recent expression of a efforts to strengthen its position in the region as a battle at Diredawa. long struggle by the Somalis in the Ogaden against whole, so as to be better able to influence and the domination of the Amharas, Ethiopia's oppres ultimately derail the various struggles going on. Somali gains sor nationality. The strong sentiment for pan Since a number of the pro-American Arab regimes The Ethiopian junta has also acknowledged Somali unity is likewise rooted in the history and provide aid to either the Eritrean or Somali important Somali gains. According to an August 14 development of the Somali people and the efforts. of struggles, Washington's recent maneuvers appear dispatch from Diredawa by Washington Post the Ethiopians and the imperialist powers to divide aimed at indirectly influencing the direction of correspondent Roger Mann, the Ethiopian army's and weaken them. those struggles. The Carter administration may ground commander in the region said that "the Well before the Amharic conquests and the also be preparing a base for military intervention Somalis are everywhere" in the Ogaden, except for European colonization in the hist decades of the either directly or through its client states-should the garrison towns of Diredawa, Jijiga, and Harar. nineteenth century, the Somalis, who were orga the conflicts now rocking the Horn of Africa escape The Dergue has denied that the Somali military nized into a number of clans, began to develop a control. gains have been won by Somali nationalists from sense of ethnic unity based on their common the Ogaden. It charges that the area has been language and the influence of Islam. But before this "invaded" by the regular Somalian army and air process was completed and the Somalis could force and that the WSLF is little more than an establish their own nation state, they fell under extension of the Somalian armed forces. foreign domination. The Somalian regime in Mogadishu insists that it The downfall of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974 is not directly involved in the fighting and that the and the steady disintegration of his empire since WSLF is acting on its own. But it is highly unlikely then has given the Somalis a favorable opportunity that a guerrilla group that could mount only limited to press forward with their struggle. The advancing actions a few months ago could have scored such fight for independence in Eritrea has undoubtedly significant gains in such a short period without been ~n inspiration to them. · outside assistance. The Somalian military junta led by Gen. Siad Mogadishu openly backs the WSLF's aims, has Barre, which seized power in 1969, has pledged to given it military and financial aid, and even admits continue its support for the efforts to unify the · that regular. Somalian troops have been given Somali people. In fact, it has little choice. General "leave" to fight with it. Siad pointed out in an interview in the June 13 Wide support issue of the Paris fortnightly Afrique-Asie. that "no government, no regime, no Somalian leader could Whatever the extent of the Somalian regime's survive in this country if he moved to abandon the direct involvement, however, the Somali military policy of recovering the territories that are still actions appear to have the support of most Somalis colonized by foreign occupiers.'' in the Ogaden. Following a 470-mile tour of the areas controlled Although the junta's policy is a reflection of the by the WSLF, several foreign journalists described Somali aspirations for unity, its own interests are the mood among the Somalis. Reporting in the also at stake. Somalia is an impoverished country, Christian Science Monitor
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 19 World OutloOk
Interview with attorneY- Lea Tsemel Defending Israel's Palestinian prisoners From Intercontinental Press Q. Is there a chance that the move [The following interview with Lea ment in the prisons will get under way Tsemel, a lawyer and member of the again soon? Union of Democratic Lawyers in Israel and the Israel League for Human · A. I think so. In the first place, Rights, appeared in the June 13 issue because despite the brutal treatment, of Afrique-Asie, a fortnightly maga the tortures, and the physical ordeal of zine published in Paris. The transla the hunger strikes, the prisoners' tion is by Intercontinental Press.] determination to struggle has never wavered. Secondly, because the prison * * * ers' struggle is having an enormous Question. Last February 4, Chaim impact on public opinion in Israel, Levy, the Israeli general director of including among the Palestinian Arab prisons, made some shocking admis population living within the old boun sions regarding overcrowding in Israe daries; as well as in the territories li prisons. He admitted that it had occupied since 1967. reached "intolerable levels." What did For example, we have gathered more you think these statements than 10,000 signatures on this subject meant, and what effect did they have in Israel, and the movement has had a on the situation facing the prisoners? very great impact . in Galilee and Jerusalem (at the Hebrew University). You know, of course, what the effects Answer. Chaim Levy was not sud were on the West Bank and in the denly overcome by charitable impulses Gaza Strip. It was impressive. The toward the Palestinian prisoners. just a flash in the pan. backed up by a similar movement at clashes with the police were often These statements were made at a Ram allah prison on the West Bank. extremely violent. The turnout by meeting of prison administrators at . A. Yes. In my second report. on the All we can say at this point is that the families and by mayors and patriotic tended by the minister of police, Ashkelon hunger strike, I indicated only substantial gain the prisoners associations gave the prisoners' strug Shlomo Hillel, and they had a dual that most of the prisoners had been on have won has to do with their daily gle a broad scope. aim. The first objective was to lobby strike for thirty-five days, but that a bread ration. - Organizations like the Red Cross for more funds for prison facilities. The group of fifty-six prisoners who were As you can see, we still have a long and Amnesty International did not, of second and most important was to try transferred on the thirty-second day to way to go to win the prisoners' main course, ignore this upsurge, which to undercut the movement that had the Kfar Yon a prison had continued demand. There are now 5,852 of them, helped break down the wall of silence been launched on December 11, 1976, the strike up to forty-five days. In the of whom 3,227 have been charged with around a situation that we, for our by the strike pf inmates at the Ashke report I explained the circumstances endangering state security. part, have been condemning for years. lon prison. This strike was gaining under which this very grueling hunger Nowadays no one can deny the cases more and more public support both strike was concluded. Q. On this point, there seems to be of torture, brutality, and harassment, inside and outside the country. However, contact with a delegation some hesitation, insofar as the prison and the fact that the Palestinian This doesn't mean, of course, that of prison administrators was not made ers had demanded application of the patriots are being held under condi the prisoners' demands are limited until two weeks later. At that time Geneva. accords and then seemed to tions that are even worse than those of simply to the issue raised by Chaim Chaim Levy promised the following retreat somewhat on this issue. any common criminal who happens to Levy of the incredibly small amount of improvements: (1) Each prisoner be an Israeli Jew. space normally allotted to each prison would be allowed to brush his hair; A. All the prisoners have demanded er in Israeli jails. (2) Each prisoner would be allowed to and are still demanding the status of Q. It's easy to see why the authori The prisoners have raised demands buy himself some candy in the prison prisoners of war under the Geneva ties are out to get you. for humane treatment, including better canteen with the monthly allowance of convention. Incidentally, the Human sanitary conditions and an end to thirty Israeli pounds (US$3) that he Rights Commission, at its thirty-third A. We are waging a hard fight, in torture, as well as for intellectual and was entitled to receive from his family session which met in Geneva on ·which we do not dare make any political rights, such as access to news (Jewish prisoners can receive up to February 15, endorsed this demand as mistakes. We stick strictly to the law, papers and the right to read. They seventy pounds a month); (3) A new legitimate. During· the Ashkelon strike, to avoid setting ourselves up for have also demanded to be· treated as wing would be added on to the Ashkel the prisoners demanded, as a min provocations. But this does not prevent prisoners of war under the Geneva on prison. imum, that they be held under the us from coming under threats of accords. As you can see, these de The prisoners took these ridiculous . same prison conditions as the Jewish reprisals and a certain amount of mands go beyond the problem of living promises as an insult, and rightly so. common prisoners. They raised this harassment. space and lack of privacy, although It was under these circumstances that demand to better illustrate how intoler this is certainly important. 245 of them went back on strike at able their present status is. This does Q. Felicia Langer was recently sub Ashkelon on February 24. The struggle not mean that they are retreating-just jected to discrimination. Q. So Chaim Levy's statements were lasted until mid-March, and was the opposite. A. Felicia has appealed the decision in her case to the Supreme Court. The ad hoc commission, made up of five Tsemel to tour United States persons including the government By Anne Teesdale in Ashkelon Prison when their tact: Viewpoint Speakers Bureau, attorney, Ahoran Barak, claimed that "At times with seriousness and hunger strike brought world atten 410 West Street, New York, New Counselor Langer was sympathetic to anxiety, at times with humor," ob tion to the intolerable treatment of York 10014, or call (212) 741-0690. the PLO and that this was grounds for served an Afrique-Asie interview, political prisoners in Israel. denying her knowledge of some mil Lea Tsemel showed "how difficult it • Several of her clients were the itary secrets mentioned during cases is to face the harassment and pres focus of an investigative report in tried before military courts. No one sures of the Establishment of the the prestigious London Sunday should be taken in by this smoke Zionist state and of Zionist public Times, which charged Israel with screen. This is one of the innumerable opinion. At no time, h9wever, did torturing Palestinian prisoners. This methods used to bar from defending she lose her determined and willful report sparked worldwide condemna Palestinians lawyers committed to the tone, whose warmth is peculiar to tion of Israeli torture, including edi ideals of freedom and justice for all. the militants who refuse, no matter torials in the Boston Globe, the what the cost, to knuckle under." Detroit Free Press, and the Christian Q. You're referring, in particular, to (See interview above.) Science Monitor. the members of the Union of Demo Audiences in the United States • Shortly after publication of this cratic Lawyers. will soo·n have a chance to hear report, the Supreme Court of Jerusa Tsemel for themselves. The thirty lem accused Tsemel of "identifying A. Certainly, but within that two-year-old attorney will come here herself with the enemies of Israel, organization, there are unfortunately from Jerusalem in October for a one her presence at a military trial con only a dozen of us Jewish lawyers, month speaking tour. sequently being the cause of serious alongside our Arab colleagues and Tsemel's talk is titled, "Political harm to the security of the state." friends from Galilee, Haifa, and so on. Repression in Israel; an Israeli Jew Tsemel is scheduled to speak in Despite the obstacles, the union has Speaks Out for Palestinian Human Boston, New York, Philadelphia, helped significantly to focus public Rights." Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, attention on the prisoner problem. Tsemel's recent activities make Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and They published a statement, "Save the her well-qualified to speak on this Los Angeles. lives of the hunger strikers in the subject: For more information or to ar prisons," which was widely publicized; • She. helped defend Palestinians range possible engagements, con- LEA TSEMEL and a rally attended by members of the union was held March 13 outside the Ashkelon prison.
20 Q. In addition, of course, there is the This organization, which has cam work carried out by the Israel League paigned around the fate of Syrian for Human Rights. Jews, continues to wage various cam World news notes paigns on behalf of Jews in the Soviet A. The league represents mainly the Union. But as far as non-Jews in Israel tenacity, perseverance, and courage of are concerned, it seems unfortunately Imprisoned South African Black leader killed one man-Israel Shahak-but it is also to have nothing to say! Steven Biko, prominent leader of South Africa's Black consciousness maintained by the determination of movement, died September 12 while being held prisoner by the apartheid some committed activists. Q. Not even about anti-Zionist Jews? regime. Biko had been arrested August 18 for suspicion of promoting unrest I'm talking about those convicted in under a law that makes indefinite imprison Q. From the left and far-left the January 1973 trial. ments without trial legal. organizations? Biko's family and other Black spokespeople A. Of course. Only three of th~m are expressed disbelief at the official explanation A. In the league, side by side with still in prison. Udi Adiv and Yaheskul of the death. The government claims that radical anti-Zionists, are members of Cohen, sentenced to seventeen years Biko, thirty years old, suddenly died after a Rakah [the Israeli CP-IP], as well as and eight years, respectively, continue one-week hunger strike. He died only twenty independent progressives. What binds to adhere faithfully to their ideals, four hours after being moved from a prison us together, above and beyond our under very difficult circumstances. hospital in Port Elizabeth to a hospital in disagreements, is our determination to Pretoria. fight for the human rights of all-and Q. One last word about the overall Chief Gatsha Buthelezi, leader of South not just Jews-who live in Israel or are political situation in the country in the Africa's 6 million Zulus and in the past a under the jurisdiction of the Israeli aftermath of the elections. We had political opponent of Biko, charged that Biko government as a result of a military decided not to discuss it, but I don't see had joined "the long list of those who have takeover, which we vigorously protest. how· we can ignore it. died for a just cause in South Africa. I will not be able to curb my people, and, indeed, I soon may not want tp curb my people," he warned. Q. There is also, by the way, a A. In terms of the fundamental Leaders in areas such as Soweto, the Black league that is-shall we say-more political and strategic questions, the township outside Johannesburg, have been warning that any government orthodox. change is more of a shift in emphasis. provocation could spark a rebellion. In recent weeks the government has closed If you look at the basic issues, the down all high schools and fired on Blacks demonstrating in support of a Maarakh, which held power previous student boycott of the apartheid school system. A. We strongly deplore the decision ly, included a number of aggressive Even the U.S. State Department, an ally of the apartheid regime, issued a taken by the International Federation "hawks" who make the Likud "hawks" statement expressing shock at Biko's death and calling for an investigation. for Human Rights with regard to our seem tame by comparison. organization. The discriminatory ac On the other hand, one thing we can Reports on world capitalist economy ·are gloomy tion toward the league chaired by count on is that for us and for Israeli The International Monetary Fund's yearly report declares that the state of Professor Israel Shahak was instigat Jewish revolutionists, the screws are the world economy is "unsatisfactory," plagued with rising unemployment, ed by pressure groups with ties to the going to be tightened still more. It's widespread inflation, "subnormal growth," and "little room for maneuver." Israeli government. This action, of going to be very hard to work, struggle, Says the IMF: "In the short run, the scope for improvement in this situation is course, benefited the other Israeli and live. But we think that this is the limited." league, the more orthodox one, as you price of peace-real peace, peace· with And, according to the International Labor Organization, Africa is hit the said. justice and brotherhood. hardest. The ILO reports that eighteen of the world's twenty-nine poorest countries are in Mrica. Some 60 million African workers are jobless, with 39 percent of the population destitute. Park made good investment On September 8 the U.S. House of Representatives voted 205 to 181 against cutting off $110 million in economic aid to South Korea. The House also voted, 268 to 120, against cutting military aid to the puppet regime. The vote came only a few hours after the South Korean government announced it would not return Tongsun Park to the United States. Park, a rice dealer, is under indictment here for trying to bribe Congress members. Argentine military admits arrest of Jewish family Alejandro Deutsch and four members of his family were kidnapped in Cordoba August 27, apparently by right-wing terrorists. But on September 7 the Argentine military regime admitted it had the Jewish family under arrest. The kidnapping is the latest incident in an upsurge of anti-Semitism and violence against the labor movement in Argentina. Hundreds of people have been murdered and 2,000 people have disappeared after having been seized by right wing terrorists or the police. Swiss report Israel uses torture on West Bank Arabs The Swiss League for Human Rights accused Israel September 12 of "commonly and systematically" using torture on Arab residents of the occupied West Bank of Jordan. The league also reported that "expropriations, confisca tions, and destruction" of Arab property are used by Israeli occupation forces trying to drive Arabs from the area. The league made its report after sending a team, headed by Geneva lawyer Denis Payot, to investigate West Bank Israeli police harass conditions last June. A million march for freedom in Catalonia According to the Spanish national TV network, a million people marched in anti-Zi.onist activists Barcelona September 11 to celebrate Catalan National Day. The demonstration, held in the nationally oppressed Catalan region, was the largest protest held in They did, however, detail a number of By Peter Seidman Spain since the death of Franco. Israeli authorities escalated their his completely legal political activities threats against the political rights of as a basis for their threats. Washington sends 97 Haitian refugees ·back anti-Zionist activists in early July. These included holding discussions Police summoned editors of two Is with Arab students and distributing ·In August, 101 peasants fleeing Haiti's brutal dictatorship in a sinking boat landed at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo, Cuba. On September 6 the U.S. raeli Trotskyist' newspapers, Avant leaflets on two separate occasions, State Department announced it had decided that only 4 might be political guard and Spark, to cop stations in Tel once during the Land Day demonstra refugees. The other 97 people were sent back to Haiti. The State Department Aviv and Haifa, tions last March. spokesperson said the Haitian regime had assured U.S .. officials there would be It has not been unusual for Israeli Under Israeli law it is legal to dis no reprisals against the return~d refugees. cops to harass political activists this tribute leaflets and to speak with any way by warning them of possible other citizen of Israel. British Labour government tries to keep wage controls charges against them. What "is new is Clearly, therefore, the police threats Britain's Trades Union Congress voted September 7 to limit wages to only against Schwartz and other Israeli the severity of the threats made one raise each year, as requested by the government headed by Britain's Labour against Yigal Schwartz, the editor of Trotskyists are an outright attempt to Party. But no one is sure the controls can be enforced. Delegates at the congress · Spark. harass them because of their ideas and representing almost four and a half million workers voted against the proposal, Schwartz was warned by Tel Aviv intimidate them with admitted surveil and militants in several unions will resist the policy. In the past year British police that if he continued his political lance of legal ·activities. workers' living standards have fallen more sharply than they did during any activities he might be charged with This harassment and surveillance is 1930s depression year. · "sedition against the security of the further proof that the Israeli garrison Israeli state." state cannot tolerate the full exercise of Kurdish exiles charge Iraq with atrocities the democratic right to free speech by Representatives of Kurdish exile groups have asked the United Nations to Under this vague formula, individu its anti-Zionist critics on the left. All investigate Iraqi violations against the human rights of the Kurds. The exiles als in Israel can be prosecuted for a defenders of this right should be pre charge that Kurdish villages in northern Iraq have been bulldozed and the variety of serious crimes, including pared to protest if the Zionist cops residents tortured and executed. Thousands of Kurdish people have been treason. decide to follow through on their deported to internment camps in southern Iraq's deserts. And on December 29 The police did not accuse Schwartz threatening words with repressive Iraqi forces murdered about thirty Kurdish civilians in Sharestan for "collusion of carrying out any specific illegal act. deeds. with rebels."
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 21 World Outlook
·Carter & Pinochet agree on human rights By Peter Seidman proscribed by Salvador Allende's Carter points to stronger human Marking the fourth anniversary of Popular Unity government. rights laws recently enacted in Chile. the U.S.-sponsored coup that brought By counseling reliance on the But a May report by the Inter him to power, Chilean dictator capitalist Popular Unity ·government American Commission on Human Augusto Pinochet announced that he in which they participated-Chile's Rights says the new laws have no would not permit elections for at least Communist and Socialist parties left "actual or practical meaning." eight years. the masses unprepared to defend Even that may be too soon, he told a themselves against the reactionary All opposition parties in Chile are September 11 rally in Santiago, the coup. illegal. All trade-union rights are Chilean capital. Conditions would be Since the coup, the Chilean military suspended. Prior military ripe for elections, he explained, "only regime has arrested some 100,000 authorization is required for "printed when the profound causes that people. It has forced tens of thousands matter in general." required the armed intervention have into exile and has murdered and These repressive measures are used been overcome." tortured thousands more. to prevent the Chilean masses from Pinochet had just returned from a Now Carter claims he has pressured organizing to fight the harsh economic Washington visit with President Pinochet into modifying his brutal measures imposed by the government. Carter. "Mr. Human Rights" had policies. The government has returned to the signaled his approval of the dictator's Carter points to the dissolution original owners almost three-quarters recent policies by naming a U.S. August 12 of the DINA-Chile's of the 25 million acres of land ambassador to Chile. dreaded secret police agency nationalized prior to the coup. responsible, · according to Amnesty Inflation was 146 percent last year. The "armed intervention" Pinochet International, for the disappearance of Unemployment reportedly stood at 13 referred to in his September 11 speech close to 1,500 political prisoners since percent. was a revolt by the Chilean army in the coup. Pinochet, after meeting with Carter, the service of that country's wealthy But Pinochet merely replaced DINA told reporters that he and the president exploiters. This minority feared the with a new agency, the National had full agreement on human rights. growing mobilizations of the. mass Information Central, whose charter is Marino/Excelsior Could there be a more damning workers and peasants movements that written in almost identical language to indictment of Carter's demagogic threatened to go beyond the limits DINA's. campaign? Sri Lanka: attacks s r Tamil freedom demand From Intercontinental Press sorship to the domestic and foreign of the SLFP. Since mid-August, the oppressed INDIA press. The army was called out to aid Jayewardene's main concern is the Tamil population of Sri Lanka has the police forces, and military officers impact the Sinhalese attacks may suffered vicious attacks by police and were placed in charge of districts have on the growing sentiment for a mobs of Sinhalese, who constitute the affected by the unrest. About 1,500 separate, independent Tamil state. country's dominant nationality. By the persons were arrested. The regime This was reflected in his warning to end of the month, an estimated 100 evacuated some 5,000 Tamils to the the separatist Tamil United Liberation persons were killed, most of them northern coast and another 5,000 are Front (TULF), the main Tamil nation Tamils, and 10,000 or more Tamils estimated to have fled there on their alist group, to "be careful of your were forced to flee their homes in fear own. words-such words can inflame peo of their lives. Jayewardene's United National Par ple." The chauvinist assaults began in ty (UNP) blamed opposition parties for The desire for an independent state Jaffna, the major city in the north, fomenting the attacks. among Tamils, who make up about 20 where Tamils predominate. According The implied culprit was Sirimavo percent of Sri Lanka's population, has to a report in the August 27 London Bandaranaike's Sri Lanka Freedom been on the rise in recent years. Seeing Economist, some police tried to enter a Party (SLFP), which ruled Sri Lanka no alleviation of the discrimination fair without paying. When they were for seven years before its rout in the against them in terms of their lan barred, they attacked the participants, recent elections. Several SLFP ~andi guage, culture, political rights, and job leading to clashes between police and •Kandy dates, and even former members of opportunities, more and more Tamils Tamil crowds. Four persons were killed Bandaranaike's cabinet, have been have come to believe that the establish in that incident. arrested in connection with the as ment of their own state is the only way In the days that followed, the at saults. to end the centuries of national oppres tacks on Tamils spread southward, to The UNP has also supported dis sion by the dominant Sinhalese. the central highland region where crimination against Tamils, but the This sentiment was marked in the hundreds of thousands of Tamils work SLFP in particular has traditionally July elections, when candidates of the on the tea plantations, and to Colom New York Times sought to win support from the Sinha TULF won seventeen of the twenty bo, the capital and largest city in Sri lese peasantry by whipping up anti four seats that they contested. The Lanka. Hundreds of homes and shops would stand at the front of a bus they Tamil sentiments. The constitution allied Ceylon Workers Congress, which were broken into, looted, and burned, had stopped and ask everyone to adopted in 1972 under Bandaranaike is based on the Tamil plantation and some of their Tamil owners were pronounce some common Sinhalese imposed Sinhalese as the sole official workers, won an additional seat. Be beaten to death. Bands of Sinhalese word like 'shoe' or 'flower.' We'd know language. cause of the SLFP's near-total rout, the attacked Tamil neighborhoods, throw the word, of course, but the accent with Jayewardene has hypocritically TULF is now the largest opposition ing stones and firebombs. In some which we spoke it would give us sought to gain the support of the party in Parliament, and its general areas, the attacks became virtual po away." The Tamils were then dragged Tamils by claiming, "My Government secretary, A. Amirthalingam, has groms. off the buses and beaten. is dedicated to the elimination of all become the official leader of the A Tamil in Colombo told New York The new regime of J .R. J ayewar forms of discrimination." He called for parliamentary opposition. Times correspondent William Borders, dene, which came to power just a few a conference of all major parties in Sri Since the elections, the TULF has as quoted in the August 30 issue, weeks earlier in the July 21 general Lanka to discuss Tamil grievances. continued to call for the establishment "Since they cannot usually tell Tamils elections, imposed a curfew throughout But the UNP's record during previous of an "ind~pendent, secular, socialist just by sight, the [Sinhalese] thugs the island and applied unofficial cen- terms in office is little better than that state of Thamil Eelam."
By Jose G. Perez passed if it had been allowed to come Party have joined the United States in UN shelves The United Nations Special Commit to a vote." boycotting the hearings. tee on Decolonization has once again The United States-which isn't a For decades, statehood and common shelved a resolution recognizing "the member of the committee and doesn't wealth forces have administered the Puerto Rican inalienable right of the people of recognize its authority-"has been colony on behalf of the U.S. rulers. Puerto Rico to self-determination and quietly lobbying for adjournment," the Now, in order to gain credibility independence.'' Post said. among the Puerto Rican masses, both independence The vote came two weeks after hear are using anticolonialist rhetoric to On September 2, the committee voted ings that brought several surprises. pressure Washington for adjustments resolution eleven to seven, with six abstaining or According to the New York Times, in the colonial relationship. absent, to adjourn. This postponed for "representatives of nearly every orga a year any action on the motion intro nized political force in Puerto Rico Under the present setup, Puerto Ri duced by Cuban Ambassador Ricardo criticized the island's present common cans elect their own local administra Alarcon. wealth status as 'colonial.'" tion and a nonvoting delegate to the Citing·' diplomatic sources, the Sep In the past, both the procommon U.S. Congress. Under U.S.laws, Wash tember 3 Washington Post reported wealth Popular Democratic Party and ington retains all important govern that the motion "probably would have the pro-statehood New Progressive mental powers.
22 Socialists reP-()! to smear jQb 'Red-baiting weakens antinuclear struggle' By Arnold Weissberg zealous defense of illegal FBI spying The anti-nuclear power movement is and harassment. He regularly used the the latest victim of an old government Congressional Record to attack anyone dirty trick-the game of divide and trying to make life a little fairer. conquer. He is a bitter opponent of the antinu The August 20 issue of the Real clear movement, calling its supporters Paper, a Boston alternative weekly, "modern Luddites ... who advocate was the vehicle for this assault on the stopping progress by smashing Clamshell Alliance, a leading East machines." Coast antinuclear group. McDonald launched a vicious red An article headlined "SWP Goes baiting tirade against the antinuclear Clamming," by Joe Conason, suggest movement in the August 3 Congres ed that participation by socialists in sional Record, attacking SWP partici the anti-nuclear power movement has pation in the movement. His "proof' of some ulterior motive. He quoted an the SWP's attempt to "exploit" the unnamed Clamshell member: "We antinuclear movement consisted of two want to know just what their inten articles from a discussion bulletin cir tions in Clamshell are." culated to all SWP members prior to This challenge to the right of soc the party's August 1977 convention. ialists to join the antinuclear move These articles urged SWP members to ment has been answered in a letter get involved in the fight against con from Hattie McCutcheon, SWP candi struction of nuclear power plants. date for Boston School Committee, and Conason, obviously aware of McDo Gary Cohen, an SWP member who is nald's unsavory connections, notes also a mem her of the Clamshell. Their that "even though the charges come reply was printed in the August 27 from McDonald, the local Clamshell is Real Paper. taking them seriously.... " For his Conason echoed the charges of U.S. part, Conason is content to uncritically 'People before profits' was a popular slogan during demonstration last spring against Rep. Larry McDonald, a Georgia De repeat them. Seabrook, New Hampshire, nuclear power plant. mocrat and a national board member Me Cutcheon and Cohen point out in of the John Birch Society. their reply that ''by adopting McDo ly not by Conason-that every move McDonald is clearly no friend of the McDonald has built a reputation for nald's practices and avoiding the ment for social change is targeted for antinuclear movement. His only mo political issues, the real issue, the pros infiltration by the government. The tive in attacking the SWP's role in the and cons in the nuclear power debate, Clamshell Alliance itself was a victim fight against nuclear power is to Conason does a disservice to the of such a poiitical spy operation in the "disrupt, discredit and destroy the Clamshell Alliance, the Socialist days leading up to the April 30 sit-in at movement," Cohen and McCutcheon Workers Party and Real Paper the construction site of a new nuclear write in their reply to Conason. readers." power plant at Seabrook, New McDonald's goal, they say, is to get Conason also makes the incredible Hampshire. Clamshell members to fight each other charge that since the FBI "is known to Before the sit-in, McDonald, the New instead of joining forces against their have long since infiltrated the Hampshire state government, ultra common enemy-the giant utilities, SWP . . . a large portion of its party rightist newspaper publisher William energy monopolies, and government officials are agents." Loeb, and the right-wing "U.S. Labor agencies that want to force an extreme This charge, utterly without founda Party" cooperated in spying on the ly hazardous power source down the tion and entirely false, is based on Clamshell. They tried to picture Clam throats of the American people. evidence gathered by the SWP in the shell members as "secret terrorists." Whatever Conason's intentions, he course of its groundbreaking lawsuit This crude hatchet job was designed helps McDonald's wrecking operation. against FBI harassment. In the course to justify a police attack on the action. Conason, borrowing from McDonald, of that suit, the SWP has forced the Fortunately, the sit-in was so widely accuses Cohen and the SWP of trying FBI to admit that as of 1976 the publicized-and the Clamshell's non to "redefine" the Clamshell "to fit SWP bureau had sixty-six informers in the violence was so well known-that the orthodoxy." Militant/Lou party. _ right-wingers were unable to put their McCutcheon and Cohen deny this HATTIE McCUTCHEON It is well known-although seeming- plan into action. Continued on page 26
51% back 9!¥ teachers Cali~. poll shows potential to halt antigay drive By Harry Ring Cisco a~ea. . . cided votes, and increased the turnout forces he represents can be isolated LOS ANGELES-A majority of Cali- . ~ervm ~Ield, director of th~ P?ll, of gay rights supporters. and defeated. fornians are opposed to legislation that mdicated diSmay that a large mmonty Instead, pro-Democratic Party lead- Victory for gay rights was not pre- would bar homosexuals from teaching d_oes not fully support elementary ers in the gay movement followed a eluded in Miami. And the political in the public schools. nghts for ga~s. strategy of limited action, a media situation is a lot better in California This finding by the California Poll Yet, tak~n m context, the res~lts of campaign, and, most of all, reliance on than it is in Dade County, Florida. assumes special significance in light of !he poll are extremely encouraging. It the support of liberal politicians. One need only consider the gay the present move to put a proposition IS doubtful that a dec~de_ ago there It wasn't enough. rights demonstrations this past June on the state ballot to bar homosexuals ~ould have been a ma)onty for gay In the communities where there was 26-a massive outpouring of 200,000 in from school positions. nghts. . . . significant gay rights sentiment, the San Francisco, 20,000 in Los Angeles, John Briggs, a right-wing state sena- The r~sults str?ngly ~n~~ca~e that If voter turnout was small. In the pro- and more protests elsewhere in the tor, has already taken the formal preli- the B_nggs antlgay ImtlatiVe does Bryant precincts it was big. The right state. minary steps required to place an make It on the bal~ot, ~here are good wing won the day. . Effectively organized, that's a force initiative, or referendum, on the ballot. prospects for defeatl~g. It.. . It could prove very costly if a similar with the potential to deliver a solid If the wording of the initiative meets _The 51 percent ma)O~Ity m the poll_ Is approach is taken in California in defeat to the right-wingers. state requirements his supporters will shm. But that margm could be m- relation to the Briggs referendum. But to do it means mobilizing the begin seeking the 312,000 signatures cr~ased if an effective educat~onal cam- In proclaiming his right-wing drive, gay community and its supporters. It needed to put it on the June 1978 pmg1_1 was _launched t~ explam that ~he Briggs declared that gay rights is not a means going to women, Blacks, Chica- primary ballot. real Issue IS human r~ghts, countermg Miami issue or a California issue. It is, nos, organized labor, and convincing The California Poll questioned more the reactionary myths of the bigots. he stated, a national issue. them that their rights are at stake as than 1,000 people across the state But prior to the Miami referendum That's probably one of the few truth- well. regarding their attitude toward gay last June on a previously enacted gay ful things he's said. Given a sufficiently well-publicized rights. The California Poll is regarded rights ordinance, polls showed that a Some would dismiss Briggs as a campaign from the outset, it is not out as the most reliable survey agency in majority favored the ordinance. small-time politician who hopes to of the question that the Briggs forces the state. Yet the right-wing forces led by parlay this issue into the Republican might not even be able to get the Queried on the idea of barring gays Anita Bryant won at the polls. gubernatorial nomination. signatures necessary to win a ballot from teaching, 51 percent of those In good measure, that defeat for gay That may be. place for their proposition. polled said they would not favor such a rights was the result of a failure of But he makes his move in the con- And even if it did make the ballot proposition. There were 42 percent in leadership in the gay community. text of a national drive by powerful there would already be sufficient roo- favor, 6 percent undecided, and 1 per- What was urgently needed in Miami political forces to roll back gay rights, mentum against the proposition to cent with no opinion. was a broad, active, and visible cam- along with the hard-won gains of assure there would be a massive "no" Asked if they would approve a law paign in support of gay rights. women, Blacks, Chicanos, and others. vote. forbidding discrimination against Rallies, demonstrations, teach-ins, Left unchecked, his drive can gain The California Poll shows that the gays in other areas of employment, 52 and massive literature distributions momentum. bigots can be defeated. percent across the state said yes, with could have involved significant But if gay rights supporters bear But it won't be done with an ostrich a high of 61 percent in the San Fran- numbers of people, won many uncle- down from the outset, Briggs and the policy.
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 23 TrumP-ed-uP- raP-e convictions The Hill brothers: victims of racist justice By Susan V ass listening to records and was asleep at to set a new trial. ST. PAUL, Minn.-Nightmares . the time of the alleged assault. At the On a hot July night a few months come in many forms in this racist request of the defense, a polygraph ex later, Stanley Hill, then twenty, society: your neighbor's child eats lead pert gave Hill a lie-detector test: The walked to a bowling alley near his based paint chips; your cousin tells of test showed Hill was telling the truth. home hoping to hear a band that a friend whose infant son was bitten But polygraph . tests are not sometimes plays in the bar there. Be by rats during his afternoon nap; a considered legal · evidence in fore the night was over he too was woman from Mississippi is sterilized Minnesota, and the all-white jury that arrested and charged with raping a without her knowledge or consent. sat in judgment of Hill ignored other twenty-two-year-old white woman. It isn't that you are glad these per evidence. For example, the woman Like the jury that tried his brother, fectly avoidable tragedies happen to described the clothes of her assailant the one that tried Stanley Hill didn't someone else-it's just that you're re in great detail. Hill owns no such like Black people. One juror said, "I lieved they didn't happen to you. clothes. The woman said the rapist think 80 percent of 'em are no good, But for the Gary Tylers, the Joanne wore a gold ring in a pierced ear. Hill lazy bastards." Littles, the Ben Chavises, the night doesn't have a pierced ear, nor has he It took only nine hours for this jury mare becomes not a second-hand hor ever been seen wearing an earring. The to decide that Stanley Hill was guilty ror story but a sudden personal reality. woman was also found to have . of rape. .And so it was for the Hill family of gonorrhea after the attack. Hill has The Hill family has not given up. St. Paul in the spring and summer of never had nor been treated for the Gloria Hill, the sister of the two frame 1975. disease. up victims, has organized the Hill Within a few months the Hills went The state based most of its case on Family Defense Committee. Gloria Hill from a family described in a local two pieces of "evidence": first, the and other committee activists have newspaper as "tight-knit, close, stable" woman's description of the assailant's been speaking throughout the Minn to a family stripped first of one, then car, which originally did not match eapolis-St. Paul area to gather support two of its sons. Today Lynnard and that of Hill's; second, identification by for the Hill brothers. Stanley Hill are behind bars, each the woman and her two friends of Hill The committee is seeking a new trial serving twenty years for rape-a crime in a police lineup. for both frame-up victims and is also neither of them committed. By the time of the trial, however, the STANLEY HILL petitioning for their release on bail. Lynnard Hill was charged with woman's description of the car had As the truth about these cases gets raping a seventeen-year-old white become clearer. Defense attorneys fessed to friends that she was not all out, support for the Hill brothers woman in February 1975. He was found that police had let her and her sure Hill was her assailant. Her grows. Early la:st month the St. Paul twenty-one at the time. two friends view Hill's car at least friends convinced her to talk to Hill's chapter of the National Organization During the trial the woman said she twice. attorney. for Women voted to support the de was walking on a major street border- . The identification from the lineup In a statement, recorded by a court fense and to organize a special commit ing St. Paul's Black community when was equally suspicious. The closest stenographer and notarized, she said, tee with NOW to work on it. a·tall Black man forced her into his car any of the three came to identifying "I have more feelings to say that he More recently, at a forum sponsored at gunpoint, took her to a nearby Hill was to say he was similar in wasn't than to say he was." She also by the Hill Family Defense Committee, parking lot, and raped her. appearance to the assailant. stated that she wasn't certain about representatives of NOW, University of She had been at a male friend's But Hill was the only one of nine her assailant's car, but that the police Minnesota Community Feminists, and apartment and was on her way to visit men in the lineup whose photograph had told her to stick with her story. Women for Racial and Economic two women friends who were walking was among those shown the three. He At a post-trial hearing, however, Equality spoke in defense of Lynnard from the other direction to meet her. was also the only in the lineup who under cross-examin-ation by the prose and Stanley Hill, calling for new trials. The friends said a Black man stopped came close to fitting the assailant's cutor, she changed her story once For more information or to . send his car ·and offered them a ride, which descripti9n. again. contributions to the defense write: Hill they refused. But the most bizarre aspect of the Even though she still stated she was Family Defense Committee, 500 Laurel Hill, a professional musician, main case was yet to come. Mter the trial unsure who raped her, the judge re Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota; Tele tained that he had spent the evening the woman who had accused Hill con- fused to overturn the guilty verdict or phone: (612) 222-7261. Jail guards beat Mohawk; judge does nothing By Harry Ring tion has sought to focus on matters LOS ANGELES-Murder frame-up prejudicial to the defense. For example, victim Richard Mohawk was beaten by the prosecutor has now introduced prison guards, deprived for forty-eight evidence that when Paul Skyhorse was hours of his right to act as his own first arrested he feignedinsanity. Sky counsel, and placed in solitary confine horse later said quite frankly that he ment. did so in order to be placed in a Along with co-defendant Paul Sky hospital where he might have a chance horse, Mohawk had won the right to to escape. act as his own attorney, even though Discussing this admission, defense he is also represented by associate attorney Leonard Weinglass pointed counsels. out that Skyhorse was intent on escap In the Los Angeles County Jail on ing because his own previous expe the night of August 30, Mohawk was rience had convinced him that Ameri in his cell trying to warm a glass of can Indians-even though totally coffee with a match. innocent-have little reason to -expect Suddenly guards burst in, shouting justice in U.S. courts. that he was trying to set fire to the cell. Following this defense admission the They put him up against the wall and. prosecution brought to the stand Mari began ransacking his legal papers. lyn Skyhorse, Paul's wife. Previously, Skyhorse and Mohawk A tape recording was played for the had obtained a court order denying jury in which she told a police investi prison authorities the right to go gator she had seen her husband at the through their papers except in their ;,\, scene of the murder. But, she had presence. When Mohawk tried to tell ___.< insisted to the investigator, she had the guards this, they responded by not seen her husband's face, only a PAUL SKYHORSE (left) and RICHARD MOHAWK Julie Evening Lilly punching him and putting him in figure in the shadows wearing a coat ~ solitary overnight. that she recognized as his. A sheriffs deputy advised co-counsel prisoner's attorney rights for up to a sheriffs department request to do Now, on the witness stand, Marilyn Dianne Orr that Mohaw~'s rights as a fortyceight hours for an infraction of just that. Skyhorse had testified that she has no defendant acting as his own attorney prison rules-provided they obtained This incredible new victimization positive way of knowing that it was were cancelled. an order from the court to do so. came during a difficult week for Mo Paul Skyhorse. She adds that she is Although the judge explained that hawk and Skyhorse as their trial en absolutely convinced of his innocence. Denial of these rights meant Mo he had no formal request for such ap ters its fourth month. The prosecution Poised and calm, she has maintained hawk could not use the prison law order, he nonetheless refused to inter has still not produced a shred of physi this during an entire week of harsh, library or its telephone. He could not vene. cal evidence or hint of motive to bolster intensive grilling by the prosecutor. consult with witnesses or have the use The defense protested that while the its charge that Skyhorse and Mohawk The defense had sought a ruling that of a legal runner. judge was declining to act, Mohawk murdered cabdriver George Aird at a Marilyn Skyhorse not be required to In court the next day, Mohawk, with was being denied his rights. With no campsite in 1974. testify on the ground that a wife can a substantial cut on his upper lip, attempt to conceal his bitter hostility The only witnesses against them are ·not be compelled to testify against her asked Judge Floyd Dodson to inter to the defendants, Judge Dodson bel people originally charged with the husband. But the court ruled they were vene. lowed back that Mohawk's right to act murder who were released after swear not legally man and wife. Dodson conceded that the prison as his own attorney "can be with ing that the two American Indian ·. Why? officials were not following legal proce drawn permanently!" Later he an Movement activists were the killers. Because they were married in an dure. He said they could suspend a nounced that he will hold a hearing on With such a flimsy case, the prosecu- Indian ceremony.
24 In Review
'Women Artists: 1550-=1950'is the absence of the glorification of war. Women Artists, 1550-1950. An exhibition of art works compiled by Ann Sutherland Harris and My own special preference would have.included Linda Nochlin, now at the Carnegie Institute of other works by Kathe Kollwitz besides her self Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Book published portrait, one of the many that she did, and by Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1976. 368 pages, Homework (1909) of a child asleep at a table. These $8.95. pieces do not give the viewer much insight into Kollwitz' politics, which other works indicate very A special art show may be coming to your area: clearly. She was vehemently opposed to World War "Women Artists 1550-1950" is just ending a two I, even before it claimed the life of her son, Peter; month stay at the Carnegie Institute of Art in Pitts- she worked for the repeal of anti-abortion laws in burgh. More than 150 works of art by women reveal Germany; and in 1924 she gave her support to the historically unrecognized talents; reflect the classes Scientific Humanitarian Committee, which called from which they come, often the social issues with for the removal of homosexual acts from criminal which they have been concerned; and acquaint us status. with scores of artists whom most of us probably Her lithographs, etchings, and drawings are never heard of before. distinct statements of her strong maternal feelings, Women artists were often the daughters of artists the oppression of children, women, the miseries of prior to the nineteenth century. According to the capitalism. Her working-class consciousness deep ened as she grew older, and it is all reflected in her art. Books Absent from this show was a genuine geographic show's accompanying brochure, in the fifteenth representation of women artists. There were none century less than ten women were recorded as from the Middle East or Africa and only one artists throughout Europe. Even much later, women Hispanic, Frida Kahlo, Mexican, whose Portrait of . artists ceased being so after they married. Frida and Diego (1931) was included. Kahlo was The volume of works and the subject matter went married to Diego Rivera for a time, and was a friend through a dramatic change during the nineteenth of Andre Breton. It is interesting, perhaps, to note century. The voluptuous still life that character that she was visited by Breton and Leon Trotsky at ized the earlier period gave way to action and ung Husband: First nn:>rK~'" her home near Coyoacan in 1938. A streetcar working-class themes. Sobriety replaced the adula Spencer, 1854. accident when Kahlo was fifteen destroyed her tion and blissful, zephyr quality of the earlier art. plans to enter the medical profession. Much of her One provocative painting titled The Young work reflects the anger and the physical pain she Husband: First Marketing was painted by an artist, is represented by her somber charcoals. Also, suffered for the rest of her life. American, Lily Martin Spencer, in 1854. We see a there is the warm, appealing art of the American, I think it is just cause for exuberance to see an art young man encumbered by a market basket from Mary Cassatt. Her paintings shown here are all of show devoted exclusively to the work of women, at which have toppled carrots and eggs, and he is mothers and children. There is a haunting painting the same time making one painfully aware that the trying to save two chickens from the same fate; by Paula Modersohn-Becker, titled Old Woman artistic achievements of women have been system while in the background another man and woman from the Poorhouse (1903), painted when the artist atically ignored for at least four centuries. are passing and snickering at his predicament. It is was twenty-seven years old, shortly before her own The show moves on to the Brooklyn Museum of a much different nature from most painting that death. beginning October 8, then to the Los Angeles had appeared before. Knowing as we do that In the 1920's and 1930's the art began to assume a Museum of Art in December, and to the University marketing was traditionally done by women, one surreal and abstract quality; the style was no longer of Texas at Austin in April 1978. wonders what kind of a commentary on "women's realistic, but now enigmatic and far less compre The contents of this exhibit are also compiled in a work" Spencer was attempting. hensible. book of the same name, with ample commentary. Kathe Kollwitz, the twentieth-century German Especially noticeable in this show of women's art -Martha Harris Shankerism has roots .too Teachers Under Attack; An alternative to the president of the Hayward, California, Federation of Once one grasps these policies of Shanker, dating ·'business unionism' of Albert Shanker by Jeff Teachers. He was a member of the UFT in New back more than a decade, it comes as no surprise to Mackler. Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New York City from 1966 to 1970 and was elected to the see Shanker oppose desegregation and busing, York, New York 10014, 1977. 31 pages, $.50. UFT delegate assembly. He was chairperson of the refuse to defend affirmative action in face of New Coalition Caucus in the UFT, which defended discriminatory layoffs, denounce "racism in re Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s teachers Black and Puerto Rican community control of verse" affirmative-action quotas for minorities and around the country made impressive gains in schools and defied the racist 1968 strike. He is a women in higher education, and oppose bilingual salaries and working conditions. New York, Phila member of the Socialist Workers Party National bicultural education. delphia, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., became Committee. Mackler contrasts Shanker's policies to those of centers of teacher militancy. The American Federa Mackler is a frequent contributor to the Militant Ed Sadlowski, the recent Steelworkers Fight Back tion of Teachers (AFT) entered a phase of rapid on problems facing teachers, but this pamphlet is candidate for president of the United Steelworkers growth. made up of completely new material not published of America. Sadlowski called for a union leadership It appeared to most teachers that this upward before. responsible to rank-and-file workers and not in trend would continue forever. Albert · Shanker, Teachers Under Attack exposes the roots of cahoots with industry owners. Shanker used his president of the New York qity local and, since Shanker's self-defeating contempt for the Black and union-paid column in the· New York Times to Puerto Rican communities. It traces this contempt denounce Sadlowski. back to the 1967 one-week strike over the "disrup Mackler concludes with an important section: tive child" issue and the 1968 nine-week strike "How teachers can fight back." He points to the Pamphlets against the Ocean Hill-Brownsville Black communi need for unity between the AFT and National ty. Education Association (NEA). Too much money 1974, president of the AFT, was widely regarded as the key architect of teachers' successes. These strikes effectively severed the existing and time is now being wasted on mutual raiding operations. In 1975 Shanker's huge New York local, along alliance between the teachers union and Black and with other city public employee unions, was hit by Latino parents. Previously, when the union claimed In the crucial area of political action, Mackler unprecedented massive cutbacks. More than 60,000 that "teachers want what students need," it readily urges teachers to break the hold of the Democratic city employees, including some 12,000 teachers and received the support of minority parents, who saw and Republican parties over their unions. He . .proposes that teachers unions begin running 9,000 non-teacher school employees, were laid off. the racist board of education as their common Teacher activists interested in understanding the enemy. But henceforth, according to Shanker, the candidates of their own as an important first step setbacks suffered by their union will find Teachers school board-along with city and state Democratic toward all unions uniting to form an independent Under Attack by Jeff Mackler an indispensable and Republican politicians-were the union's labor party, based on and controlled by the trade source of background information on Shankerism "friends," while the communities of the oppressed unwns. and the roots of his policies. became the union's enemies. Over 150 copies of this pamphlet were sold at the Jeff Mackler is the organizer and former vice- And, unfortunately, this same strategy-reliance July 1977 NEA convention; 314 were bought by on favors from the Democratic and Republican delegates to the August 1977 AFT convention. Erich Martel is an activist in the Washington politicians and opposition to the demands of the After reading the pamphlet, many delegates. ap Teachers Union, AFT Local 6, and a leader of Black and Latino communities-is bearing the .proached Mackler and said, "Now I finally under the AFT Caucus on Desegregation and Equality same fruit in Philadelphia, Boston, and wherever stand what Shanker is all about." in Education. else it is followed. -Erich Martel
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 25 in his Labor Day message. He said, OAKLAND, CA. "We must enhance the self-esteem of UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS AND THE CAR· TER IMMIGRATION PLAN. Panel of speakers on ... cww workers, minorities, the disadvantaged the problems of undocumented workers and the Continued from page 13 and, indeed, all 'ordinary' people by deportations carried out by the Immigration and decision-CLUW must once again giving them a sense of genuine in Calendar Naturalization Service. Also, music and the film The come to grips with this issue. volvement and responsibility-and Unwanted. Fri., Sept 23, 8 p.m. Laney College, 900 ALBUQUERQUE Fallon. Ausp: Raza Contra La Migra Committee. For A second challenge to CLUW has capability to participate and to count NUCLEAR ENERGY: CORPORATE POWER. more information call (415) 536-5877 or 645-8497. been the fight for the Equal Rights to make a difference in the political life Panel discussion; speakers to be announced. Fri., Amendment. CLUW has always sup of this nation." Sept 23, 8 p.m. Student Union Bldg. UNM Room PITTSBURGH 2318. Donation: $1. Ausp: SWP, YSA. For more STEELWORKERS' STRIKE ON THE MESABI ported the ERA, but has followed the It would have been more appropriate information call (505) 256-1796. IRON RANGE: AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT. basic strategy of the AFL-CIO and if he had called for greater rank-and Speaker: Andy Rose, Militant staff writer. Fri., Sept NOW-lobbying and other methods of file participation in the political life of CLEVELAND 23, 8 p.m. 5504 Penn Ave. Donation: $1. Ausp: this union. STEELWORKERS' STRIKE ON THE MESABI Militant Forum. For more information call (412) 441- reliance on the promises of politicians, IRON RANGE: AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT. 1419 .. as opposed to direct action in the But Fraser was not thinking about Speaker: Andy Rose, Militant staff writer. Sun., streets. how to "enhance the self-esteem· of Sept. 25, 7 p.m. 2300 Payne. Donation: $1. Ausp: ST. LOUIS: NORTHSIDE An important exception to this was workers" in the building of working Militant Forum. For more information call (216) 861- CARTER'S WELFARE PROGRAM. Speaker: Ed 4166. Warren, SWP; Aaron Hatch, SCAR; others. Fri., CLUW's support to the May 16, 1976, class organizations. He was urging ·sept. 23, 8 p.m. 4875 Natural Bridge. Donation: $1. national march for the ERA in Illinois. them to seek salvation in the Demo DALLAS Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call Several local chapters actively built cratic Party, a capitalist-class organi TEXAS FARM WORKERS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE. (314) 381-0044. . zation. A slide presentation and talk by a member of the the march, which had the largest turn Dallas Farm Worker Support Committee. Fri., Sept ST. PAUL out of labor contingents of any As long as the UAW leadership 23, 8 p.m. 2215 Cedar Crest Donation: $1. Ausp: CONTROL DATA a THE COMMUNITY. Speak women's liberation protest before or remains tied to the Democratic Party it Militant Forum. For more information call (214) 943- ers: Walter Robinson, Dist 8, community council;· since. hampers the defense of workers' rights. 6684. James T. Shelton, community resident; Rev. James Battle, Mt Olivet Baptist Church; Gary Peltier, HRA; But following the success of May 16, For the program of the Democratic KANSAS Cl:rY, MO. David Jones, community resident who is being CLUW officials ·did little to encourage Party is defense of profits above the THE DANGERS OF NUCLEAR POWER. Speak relocated; Susan Rogers, Minnesota Committee on local chapters to continue this kind of needs of the workers. ers:_ Paul Schaefer, Kansas City People's Energy Southern Africa; Libby Moser, SWP. Fri., Sept 23, 8 Auto militants should take the initia Project; Bob Kutthko, SWP. Fri.,_ Sept 23, 7:30p.m. p.m. Reformation Lutheran Church (corner of Ox visible, public activity. In fact, the 4715A Troost Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. ford & Laurel). Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. more conservative forces opposed tive in building a leadership that sees For more information call (616) 753-0404. For more i!Jformation call (612) 222-8929. further work in action-oriented ERA every immediate struggle as part of coalitions. larger social and political issues. This LOS ANGELES: CRENSHAW SAN DIEGO WHY SOCIALISTS FAVOR BUSING. Speaker: FIGHT FOR FREEDOM: MEXICO a AZTLAN. More often than not, CLUW has leadership will see that under capital Sam Manuel, SWP National Committee. Fri., Sept Speaker: Ternot Macrenato, chairperson, Chicano fallen into the trap -of tailending the ism the disregard of the auto compan 23, 8 p.m. 2167 W. Washington Blvd. Donation: $1. Studies Department, San Diego City College; repre bankrupt policies of the labor bureau ies for the welfare of workers is natural Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call sentative, SWP; Duane Fernandez, SCAR. Fri., Sept since their only goal is profits. (213) 732-8196. 23, 8 p.m. 1053 15th St. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant cracy, rather than fighting around the Forum. For more information call (714) 234-4630. most pressing needs of women workers Such a leadership will also put on LOUISVILLE and mobilizing these women and their the agenda of the UAW breaking with DEFEND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION! Speakers: An WASHINGTON, D.C. unions in action. the Democratic Party and building an nabelle Newton, IUE 761; -Liz Jayko, SWP; others. SPEAKOUT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS! An evening Fri., Sept 23, 8 p.m. 1505 W. Broadway. Donation: of support tor lesbian and gay civil rights. Speakers: The results are known to all CLUW independent labor party that struggles $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call Leonard Matlovich, ex-sergeant, U.S. Air Force; members. The membership of CLUW in the interest of all workers. (502) 587-8418. Hilda Mason, D.C. City Council; Josephine Butler, . has declined. Many local CLUW chap D.C. Human Rights Commission; speakers from NEW YORK: UPPER WEST SIDE Feminist Law Collective, American Psychiatric As ters have become relatively inactive. WHAT'S BEHIND THE PANAMA AGREEMENT? sociation, NOW, National. Action Center, others. Some have been dissolved. Speakers: Michael Kelly, SWP; others. Fri., Sept 23, Fri., Sept 23. 8 p.m. St. Stephen & the Incarnate But the decline in CLUW activity is 8 p.m. 786 Amsterdam Ave. (98th St) Donation: Church, 16th and Newton, NW. Ausp: Dialogue for out of harmony with the aspirations $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information Human Rights. For more information call (202) 232- call (212) 663-3000. 3915. and needs of women in the unions. ... red-bait Important developments since the last Continued from page 23 CLUW convention indicate the oppor charge. Like all other Clamshell tunities today to build CLUW. members, they say, socialists partici In the Steelworkers union, for exam pate in the antinuclear movement ple, the recent campaign of Ed Sadlow because they believe that atomic power Chicanos demand investigation ski for president brought to the fore the is "dangerous and threatens the future desire of many steelworkers~women existence of all humanity." of tortures of Mexican workers and men-for union democracy, and Like other Clamshell activists, SWP for a new kind of union based on an By Jose Bracamonte how people could be provoked after members also have ideas about how More than a year has passed since being burglarized so many times." uncompromising program of fighting best to win new adherents to the back against the attacks of the steel three undocumented Mexicans were Another article-"Break-ins Rile antinuclear fight. "We believe that the tortured just five miles west of Dou Area Residents" -quoted Border Patrol industry. majority of the American people can A second development is the general glas, Arizona, along the U.S.-Mexican Supervisor Drexel Atkinson, who ex put a halt to this threat by mobilizing border. plained, "Every illegal alien is a poten increase of women's struggles as the independently in the streets, through government's attacks on women Although three Anglos were indict- tial burglar." rallies, marches, picket lines, and Although Douglas is 75 percent mex mount. CLUW can take note that teach-ins," McCutcheon and Cohen. thousands of women trade unionists, Jose Bracamonte is a resident of icano, not one mexicano's "reaction" say. was reported by the press. many on their own, have attended the And-again like other Clamshell Douglas, Arizona, now attending IWY conferences, looking for a way to law school at the University of Notre -The Office of the County Prosecutor activ:ists-SWP members have ideas has come under sharp criticism for its take on the government offensive and and . opinions on a broad range of Dame, Indiana. defend their rights. lackluster prosecution of the Anglo issues aside from nuclear power. torturers. For example, the original The increase of feminist activity ed, no one has stood trial, prompting "The antinuclear movement has an indictment was quashed because no offers CLUW the opportunity to en to seek a federal investiga antic~apitalist thrust because it puts mexicanos official interpreter was on hand to hance its influence through coalition tion. people before profits," McCutcheon translate grand jury testimony. with other groups, especially NOW, Manuel Garcia Loya, Eleazar Ruelas and Cohen write. "Ultimately only a To cut through this racist hysteria which is attracting many working Zavala, and Bernabe Herrera Mata socialist society based on human needs and the stalling tactics of local offi women to its ranks who can also be entered the United States August 18, will totally end the use of nuclear pow cials, La Raza National Law Student won to CLUW. There are also new 1976, in search of farm work. While er. . . . We would encourage other Association has established a National opportunities fo! CLUW to work with making their way through the desert Clamshell members who agree with us Committee of Concern to mobilize pub local women's · committees in the they were accosted at gunpoint by to join the Socialist Workers Party." lic opinion against this travesty of unions. three Anglos. But trying to convince people of a justice. By reaffirming the perspective con The Anglos bound the mexicanos socialist perspective does not mean, as The committee is seeking a Justice tained in its statement of purpose, and hand and foot and cut off their clothes. Conason asserts, that the SWP wants Department investigation and is en developing a program of action to to impose "orthodoxy" on the Clam One mexicano suffered cuts on an ear, coura~ng people to write Cochise implement that statement, CLUW can another in the genital area. The An shell Alliance. To the contrary, McCut County and Douglas officials demand become a force both within the unions glos branded one foot cheon and Cohen write, "What is campesino's ing prompt and effective prosecution. and within the feminist movement. By with a steel rod heated in a fire. needed now and will be needed in the Among those who. have already writ campaigning to reverse the Bakke The youngest victim was untied, future is an organization that everyone ten are UFW President Cesar Chavez; decision; by organizing the unions. to ordered to run, then sprayed with bird who opposes nuclear power can join, Zavala County, Texas, Judge Jose back abortion rights and pro-ERA shot. The Anglos beat another victim no matter what their beliefs on other Angel Gutierrez; and antideportation activities; by bringing labor contin with a rifle butt and then shot him. issues .... leader Bert Corona. gents to the November IWY confer "The Clamshell Alliance is that or They hung the third victim in a nearby ence, CLUW can begin to attract the ganization thai can lead the way to ravine-he managed to survive by young working women seeking leader building a massive and powerful move supporting his body against the ravine ship today. ment to save humanity from nuclear wall. Correction disaster, and we encourage those who A grand jury indicted George Hani Three errors were made in the news haven't already joined Clamshell to do gan, a wealthy Anglo rancher, and his story in the Militant September 2 so." two sons with the crime. But since then reporting on the demonstration It is only natural among activists in there has been an endless stream of against nuclear power that took place ... auto the Clamshell Alliance that there will delays. at Diablo Canyon last month. Continued from page 16 be much lively discussion. What particularly worries mexicano The demonstration took place Au The right to strike over local issues, Such democratic discussion can only residents of the area is the blatant gust 7, not August 6. Diablo Canyon is control over line speed, and the closing strengthen Clamshell, helping it anti-Mexican, "illegal alien" hysteria located halfway between Los Angeles of plants that are unsafe or overheated hammer out the best possible strategy surrounding the case. and San Francisco, not between Los are important demands. Struggles for and tactics, and attracting to it people A local newspaper, the Do'uglas Dis Angeles and San Onofre. such demands are necessary, but epi from many different viewpoints. patch, tried to justify the sadistic It was also incorrectly reported that sodic wildcats cannot subs~itute for a Red-baiting, on the other hand, crimes. An article purporting to give forty-six people had occupied the site of strategy to win back membership weakens the antinuclear· fight. That is area residents' reactions to the torture the proposed nuclear power plant. In· control of the union in the fight why those committed to building the was nothing more than complaints fact forty-six people were arrested for against the capitalist offensive. antinuclear movement should reject and diatribes against undocumented trespassing during the rally that took UAW President Douglas Fraser the methods of insinuation and distor immigrants. For example, one Anglo place at the site. There was no occupa seemed to hint at something like this tion used by Co nason. resident said he "could understand tion of the site.
26 ·ir©~~ lQJw ~~Orru A sampling of sketches by Copain. Published in 1974 to help celebrate the tenth anniversary of Intercontinental Press. Biweekly magazine brings The reproductions, of Revista quincenal que te you news and socialist entrega noticias y analisis various sizes, include analysis in Spanish. socialista en espaiiol. portraits of Hugo Blanco, Malcolm X, Bernadette Coming in the next issue: Vendra en el proximo Devlin McAiiskey, James • What's at stake in the numero: P. Cannon, Che Guevara, fight against 'Ia migra'? • l.Que es lo que esta en Leon Trotsky, and others, • Hugo Blanco writes on juego en Ia lucha contra some of them suitable for the situation in Peru to 'Ia migra'? framing. day • Hugo Blanco escribe sa An 8.5" x 11" soft-cover • The meaning of the bre Ia situacion actual en book at the original price Capitalism fouls things up. The opinion Bakke decision Peru of only $5. of an endangered species. • A Panamanian revolu • El significado de Ia deci tionist condemns the new sion Bakke canal treaty • Revolucionario paname Intercontinental Press P.O. Box 116 New York, N.Y. 10014 iio condena el nuevo tra Take advantage of our tado New York------, special introductory sub • Aprovecha nuestra oferta scription offer-3 months especial introductoria de for $2. One year for $10. 3 meses por $2. SOCIALIST WORKERS CAMPAIGN RALLY Un aiio por $10. D 3 months for $2/3 meses por $2. D One year for $10/Un aiio por $10. Sat. October 8, 7:30 p.m. Hear: Catarino Garza, candidate for mayor Name/Nombre Add ress/Di recci6n Earl Hall, Columbia University Broadway & 118th St. City/Ciudad· ______State/Estado ___ Zip
Clip and mail to/Recorte y envie a: Perspectiva Mundial, Box 314, Village Ausp: New York Socialist Workers 1977 Campaign Committee; Roger Rudenstein: treasurer Station, New York, N.Y. 10014
Socialist Directory ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP. YSA, Mililani Bookstore, E. 52nd Pl., 3rd Floor North, Chicago, Ill. 60615. St. Louis: City-wide SWP, YSA, 6223 Delmar. St. Philadelphia, West Philadelphia: SWP. Militant 314 E. Taylor. Phoenix, Ariz. 85004. Tel: (602) Tel: (312) 643-5520. Louis. Mo. 63130. Tel: (314) 725-1571. Bookstore. 218 S. 45th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 255-0450. Chicago, West Side: SWP, Pathfinder Books. 5967 Northside St. Louis: 4875 Natural Bridge Rd .• St. 19104. Tel: (215) EV7-2451. Tucson: YSA. SUPO 20965, Tuscon. Ariz. 85720. W. Madison. Second Floor, Chicago, Ill. 60644. Louis, Mo. 63115. Tel: (314) 381-0044. Philadelphia: City-wide SWP, YSA, 218 S. 45th St.. Tel: (602) 795-2053. Tel: (312) 261-8370. Westend St. Louis: 6223 Delmar. St. Louis, Mo. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. Tel. (215) EV7-2451. CALIFORNIA: Berkeley: SWP, YSA, Granma Book INDIANA: Bloomington: YSA, c/o Student Activities 63130. Tel: (314) 725-1570. Pittsburgh: SWP. YSA, Militant Bookstore. 5504 store, 3264 Adeline St. Berkeley, Calif. 94703. Desk. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP. YSA. 256 Broadway, Penn Ave .• Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206. Tel: (412) 441- Tel: (415) 653-7156. 47401. Newark. N.J. 07104. Tel: (201) 482-3367. 1419. . East Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, Indianapolis: SWP, 4163 College Ave., Indianapolis, NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque: SWP. YSA, P.O. Box State College: YSA, c/o Joe Morgan. 404 S. 1237 S. Atlantic Blvd .• East Los Angeles, Calif. Ind. 46205. Tel: (317) 545-3428. 4088, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106. Tel: (505) 256- Burrowes St.. State College, Pa. 16801. Tel: (814) 90022. Tel: (213) 265-1347. KENTUCKY: Lexington: YSA, P:O. Box 952 Univer 1796. 234-9916. Long Beach: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore,3322 sity Station. Lexington, Ky. 40506. Tel: (606) 233- NEW YORK: Albany: YSA, c/o Michael Kozak, 395 RHODE ISLAND: Kingston: YSA. c/o Box 400, Anaheim St., Long Beach, Calif. 90804. Tel: (213) 1270. Ontario St., Albany, N.Y. 12208. Tel: (518) 482- Kingston. R.I. 028!!1. Tel. (401) 783-1254. 597-0965. Louisville: SWP. Militant Bookstore, 1505 W. Broad 7348. TENNESSEE: Knoxville: YSA, P.O. Box 8344 Univ. Los Angeles, Crenshaw District: SWP, YSA. Path way, Louisville, Ky. 40203. Tel: (502) 587-8418. Binghamton: YSA. c/o Andy Towbin, Box 7120, Station, Knoxville, Tenn. 37916. Tel: (615) 525- finder Books, 2167 W. Washington Blvd., Los LOUISIANA: New Orleans: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder SUNY-Binghamton, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901. 0820. Angeles, Calif. 90018. Tel: (213) 732-8196. Bookstore. 3812 Magazine St., New Orleans, La. Ithaca: YSA, c/o Ron Robinson. 528 Stewart Ave .• TEXAS: Austin: YSA. c/o Mike Rose. 7409 Berkman Los Angeles: City-wide SWP, YSA, 1250 Wilshire 70115. Tel: (504) 891-5324. Rm. 13, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850. Tel: (607) 272-7098. Dr .. Austin. Tex. 78752. Blvd., Room 404, Los Angeles, Calif. 90017. Tel: MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2117 N. Charles New York, Bronx: SWP, Militant Bookstore, Libreria Dallas: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, 2215 Cedar (213) 482-1820. St., Baltimore. Md. 21218. Tel: (301) 547-0668. Militante. 2271 Morris Ave .. Bronx, N.Y. 10453. Crest, Dallas, Tex. 75203. Tel: (214) 943-6684. Oakland: SWP, YSA, 1467 Fruitvale Ave .• Oakland, College Park: YSA, c/o Student Union. University of Tel: ( 212) 365-6652. Houston, Northeast: SWP. YSA, Pathfinder Books. Calif. 94601. Tel: (415) 261-1210. Maryland, College Park. Md. 20742. Tel: (301) New York, Brooklyn: SWP. Militant Bookstore, 220- 2835 Laura Kopp·e. Houston. Tex. 77093. Tel: San Diego: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 1053 454-4758. 222 Utica Ave .. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213. Tel: (212) (713) 697-5543. 15th St., San Diego, Calif. 92101. Tel: (714) 234- Prince Georges County: SWP, 4318 Hamilton St. 773-0250. Houston, East End: SWP, 4987 South Park Blvd. 4630. Rm. 10, Hyattsville. Md. 20781. Tel: (301) 864- New York, Chelsea: SWP. Militant Bookstore. (South Park Plaza). Houston. Tex. 77021. Tel: San Fernando Valley: SWP, 10510 Haddon St. 4867. . Libreria Militante, 200'12 W. 24th St. (off 7th Ave.). (713) 643-0005. Pacoima. Calif. 91331. Tel: (213) 899-5811. MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, c/o Rees, 4 New Vorl<, N.Y. 10011. Tel: (212) 989-2731. Houston: City-wide SWP, YSA, 3311 Montrose. San Francisco: City-wide SWP, YSA, 3004 16th St. Adams St., Easthampton. Mass. 01027. · New York, Lower East Side: SWP. YSA. Militant Houston. Tex. 77006. Tel: (713) 526-1082. San Francisco, Calif. 9411). Tel: (415) 626-6288. Boston: City-wide SWP, YSA. 510 Commonwealth Bookstore, Libreria Militante. 221 E. 2nd St. San Antonio: SWP. 1317 Castroville Rd .. San San Francisco, Mission District: SWP, Socialist Ave .. Boston, Mass. 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4621. (between Ave. B and Ave. C), New York, N.Y. Antonio, Tex. 78237. Tel: (512) 432-7625. YSA, Bookstore, Liberia Socialista, 3284 23rd St., San Cambridge: SWP, 2 Central Square. Cambridge. 10009. Tel: (212) 260-6400. - P.O. Box 12110, Laurel Heights Sta., San Antonio. Francisco, Calif .. 94110. Tel: (415) 824-1992. Mass. 02139. Tel: (617) 547-4395. New York, Queens: SWP. YSA, Militant Bookstore, Tex. 78212. San Francisco, Western Addition: SWP, 2320 Pine Dorchester: SWP. 584 Columbia Rd., Room ·309, 90-43 149 St. (corner Jamaica Ave.). Jama1ca. UTAH: Logan: YSA, P.O. Box 1233, Utah State St., San Francisco, Calif. 94115. Tel: (415) 567- Dorchester. Mass. 02125. Tel: (617) 282-3850. N.Y. 11435. Tel: (212) 658-7718: University, Logan. Utah 84322. 1811. Fenway-South End: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books. New York, Upper West Side: SWP, YSA, Militant Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 461, Salt Lake San Jose: SWP, YSA, 957 S. 1st St.. San Jose, Calif. 510 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215. Bookstore, 786 Amsterdam. New York, N.Y. City, Utah 84110. 95110. Tel: (408) 295-8342. Tel: (617) 262-4620. 10025. Tel: (212) 663-3000. VIRGINIA: Richmond: SWP, YSA. Militant Book Roxbury: SWP, 1865 Columbus Ave., Roxbury, New York: City-wide SWP, YSA, 853 Broadway, store, 1203 W. Main St., 2nd ·Floor, Richmond, COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books. Mass. 02119. Tel: (617) 445-7799. Room 412, New York, N.Y. 10003. Tel: (212) 982- Va. 23220. Tel: (804) 353-3238. 916 Broadway, Denver, Colo. 80203. Tel: (303) MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor: YSA, Room 4103, Michigan 8214. WASHINGTON, D.C.: Adams-Morgan: SWP, 2416 837-1018. Union. U of M, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109. Tel: (313) NORTH CAROLINA: Raleigh: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Tel: (202). FLORIDA: Miami: SWP, YSA. Box 431096, South 663-8306. 5714 State Univ. Station, Raleigh, N.C. 27607. 797-7706. Miami, Fla. 33143. Tel.: (305) 271-2241. Detroit, East Side: SWP, 12920 Mack Ave .. Detroit, OHIO: Athens: YSA, c/o ·Balar Center. Ohio Washington, D.C.: Georgia Avenue: SWP, 700'12 Tallahassee: YSA, c/o Linda Thalman. 1303 Ocala Mich. 48215. Tel: (313) 824-1160. University, Athens. Ohio 45701. Tel: (614) 594- Barry Pl. NW. Washington. D.C. 20001. Tel: (202) Rd. #140, Tallahassee, Fla. 32304. Tel.: (904) 576- Detroit, West Side: SWP, Militant Bookstore. 18415 7497. 265-7708. 5737. Wyoming, Detroit, Mich. 48221. Tel: (313) 341- Cincinnati: SWP, YSA. 970 E. McMillan. Cincinnati, Washington, D.C.: City-wide SWP. YSA. 1424 16th GEORGIA: East Atlanta: SWP, 471A Flat Shoals 6436. Ohio 45206. Tel: (513) 751-2636. St. NW. Suite 701B. Washington, D.C. 20036. Tel: Ave. SE, P.O. Box 5596, Atlanta. Ga. 30307. Tel.: Detroit: City-wide SWP, YSA. 1310 Broadway, Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 2300 Payne. Cleveland, Ohio ( 202) 797-7699. (404) 688-6739. Detroit, Mich. 48226. Tel: (313) 961-5675. 44114. Tel: (216) 861-4166. WASHINGTON: Seattle, Central Area: SWP, YSA, West Atlanta: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 137 Ashby, East Lansing: YSA, First Floor Student Offices. Columbus: YSA. Box 106 Ohio Union (Rm. 308), Militant Bookstore. 2200 E. Union, Seattle, Wash. P.O. Box 92040, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. Tel.: (404) Union Bldg., Michigan State University, East Ohio State Univ .. 1739 N. High St. Columbus. 98122. Tel: (206) 329-7404. 755-2940. Lansing, Mich. 48823. Tel: (517) 353-0660. Ohio 43210. Tel: (614) 291-8985. Seattle, North End: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Book ILLINOIS: Champaign-Urbana: YSA, 284 lllini Grand Rapids: YSA, P.O. Box 6301, Grand Rapids. Kent: YSA, Student Center Box 41. Kent State store. 5623 University Way NE. Seattle, Wash. Union, Urbana. Ill. 61801, Mich. 49506. University, Kent, Ohio 44242. Tel: (216) 678-2489. 98105. Tel: (206) 522-7800. Chicago: City-wide SWP, YSA, 407 S. Dearborn MI. Pleasant: YSA. Box 51 Warriner Hall, Central Toledo: SWP, 2507 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, Seattle: City-wide SWP, YSA, 5623 University Way #1145. Chicago, Ill. 60605. Tel: SWP-(312) 939- Mich. Univ., Mt. Pleasant, Mich. 48859. Ohio 43610. Tel: (419) 242-9743. NE. Seattle. Wash. 98105. Tel: (206) 524-6670. 0737; YSA-(312) 427-0280. MINNESOTA: Minneapolis: SWP, YSA .. Militant OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore. Spokane: SWP. P.O. Box 672, Spokane. Wash. Chicago, North Side: SWP, Pathfinder Books, 1870 Bookstore. 23 E. Lake St., Mpls .• Minn. 55408. Tel: 3928 N. Williams. Portland, Ore. 97227. Tel: (503) 99210. Tel: (509) 326-2468. N. Halsted. Chicago, Ill. 60614. Tel: (312) 642- .(612) 825-6663. 288-7860 . Tacoma: SWP. Militant Bookstore. 1022 S. J St.. 4811. St. Paul: SWP, Labor Bookstore, 176 Western Ave .. PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, Edinboro State Tacoma, Wash. 98405. Tel: (206) 627-0432. Chicago, South Chicago: SWP, Pathfinder Books. St. Paul, Minn. 55102. Tel: (612) 222-8929. College. Edinboro. Pa. 16412. WISCONSIN: Madison: YSA. P.O. Box 1442, Madi · 9139 S. Commercial. Room 205, Chicago, Ill. Philadelphia, Germantown: SWP. Militant Book son, Wis. 53701. Tel: (608) 251-1591. 60617. Tel: (312) 734-7644. MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, 4715A Troost, store. 5950 Germantown Ave .. Philadelphia. !;>a. Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 3901 N. 27th St. Mil~aukee, Chicago, South Side: SWP, Pathfinder Books. 1515 Kansas City, Mo. 64110. Tel: (816) 753-0404. 19144. Tel; (215) Vl4-2874. Wis. 53216. Tel: (414) 442-8170.
THE MILITANT/SEPTEMBER 23, 1977 27 THE MILITANT ions! N.M. Raza Unida candidate tackles national issues By Harry Ring LAS VEGAS, N. Mex.-Juan Jose Pefia is convinced that in order for Chicanos to win their liberation they must forge their own political party. For the past six years he has been a central figure in building such a party here in New Mexico-the Raza Unida Party. Diree!tor of the ethnic studies depart ment at the University of New Mexico Highlands campus here, Pefta spends just about all of his nonteaching time working to build the partido. Now his schedule will be even more intense. Pefta has accepted the New Mexico Raza Unida nomination for U.S. senator. The election will not be held until November 1978, but he plans to be on the campaign trail a good year before the elections. In an interview at his campus office, Pena discussed some of the issues he intends to project in· the campaign. As the candidate for senator, Pefta said, he will tend to emphasize nation al and international issues. He will explain why many seemingly "local" issues can only be understood and Pefla speaking at rally in Rio Arriba County earlier this year solved in that broader context. He stressed that there must be a influx of mexicanos. So they're trying "This would remove them from their total amnesty-but not 'amnesty' in reordering of national priorities. The to get Mexico's cooperation, so the present 'illegal' status, and they could the sense of being pardoned for a billions spent on bombers should be United States can maintain the status begin to interact with people and crime. reallocated for a massive public works quo. They want to keep the Chicano contribute what they are able to "Eventually," he added, "the United program. If that were done, he argued, and Latino community from becoming society, rather than having to hide States should negotiate agreements to a job could be provided for each person explosive." from society." allow freedom of movement across who needs one. What position will he take on this Noting the present increased border borders, without quotas and without He doesn't think this will be easily issue? sweeps, Pena said, "These massive passports. I would see this as a move achieved. "Apparently," he said, As a basic solution, Pefta responded, deportations need to be stopped imme toward the eventual unification of the "neither Congress nor President Carter he would favor a reordering of the diately. There needs to be a program of Americas as a continent." is willing to put that money into jobs." economy. Use the money now being Commenting on Carter's professed poured into war preparations instead concern for human rights, Pefta fo to provide necessary social services, cused on the right of people to emigrate build mass transit systems, and clean 'New Mexico conference set freely from Mexico, and the efforts of up the environment. Do these neces By Neil Berns now." the Carter administration to clamp sary things, he said, "and we'll find we . ALBUQUERQUE, N. Mex.-The Archuleta explained that the com down on "illegal" immigration. have a labor shortage. We'll need Conference Committee on Immigra mittee is part of the national effort The administration, he said, is now immigration." tion and Social Impact has an focused around the Chicano/Latino seeking the cooperation of the Mexican And, he continued, "we should work nounced that it will hold a statewide conference to be held in San Antonio government to more tightly control the toward erasing the borders we now conference here October 8-9. October 28-30. flow of migration from that country. have with the Latin American coun Manuel Archuleta, conference Further information on the New "They have to find some way," Pefta tries. Immigration quotas should be committee spokesperson and Raza Mexico committee and conference said, "to get Mexico to keep its people scrapped. Unida Party candidate for lieuten can be obtained from 511 Iron Street, in Mexico. Otherwise the situation, as "The people who are here now," he ant governor of New Mexico, said SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico ·they see it, will get out of hand. There added, "should be given a choice. If the committee "unconditionally sup 87102, telephone (505) 247-3068; or have been statements made to the they want to become citizens, they ports the rights of undocumented 166 Bridge Street, Las Vegas, New effect that the entire life-style should immediately be made citizens. workers and demands that the feder Mexico 87701, telephone (505) 425- language, schools, customs, food If they wish to stay just to work, they al government stop the deportations 7511 extension 275. could all be changed by a massive should be given work permits.
"A cns1s for all Spanish surnamed persons within the US of A is D I endorse the National Chicana/Latino Conference on Immigration rapidly approaching. The very same man our Raza supported for the and Public Policy. presidency, now seeks to deport us.... We should have a working D Please send me more information on the conference. conference to draft a Latino agenda on our needs." D Enclosed is a donation of $ (Funds urgently needed.) -Jose Angel Gutierrez Name Address During August alone, 'Ia migra' arrested 35,000 people as "illegal City, State & Zip aliens" in the San Diego area-an all-time record. Now is the time for all supporters of human rights to plan a response to this stepped-up School/Organization harassment and deportation of undocumented workers. That's what International Committee on Immigration and Public Policy, 1927 West the national conference is all about. Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas 78807. Phone: (512) 227-1220.