Bolivia: Una gran resistencia 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 61 No. 47 Nov. 21, 2019 $1 Racist coup in Bolivia sparks resistance By Sam Ordóñez joined right-wing protests, and the Armed Fernando Camacho, ultra-right- growers’ union he had led before becom- Forces announced on television that they ist leader of the opposition movement, ing president. After sheltering 20 MAS Nov. 15—Evo​ Morales, president of the were calling for Morales’ resignation, thus entered the Palacio Quemado to take a members in its embassy, the Mexican gov- Plurinational State of Bolivia, resigned on also joining the coup d’état. photo kneeling before the flag and the ernment offered asylum to the president, Nov. 10, along with the vice president and It didn’t matter that the government Bible. At his side, a pastor declared, and at the time of this writing Morales is the majority of his cabinet. This happened had already accepted what the protesters “Bolivia belongs to Christ.” in Mexico City. after the national police abandoned their were supposedly asking for: new elections In the following days the situation Meanwhile, in the streets of Bolivia a defense of the elected government and with a new Supreme Electoral Tribunal. developed that should not surprise those great resistance to the coup is develop- who know the history of Latin America: ing—​to defend democracy and also to The police forcefully repressed protests reject and resist the racism unleashed by in working-class neighborhoods and the coup victory. killed at least six people, persecuted civil In the city of El Alto, near the admin- servants and elected officials of the rul- istrative capital of La Paz and famous for ing party Movement Toward Socialism its history of overthrowing dictators, the (MAS), and arrested union, peasant and inhabitants, mostly Indigenous peoples, Indigenous leaders. forced the withdrawal of the national The coup became a reality when the police, who had to ask for reinforcements army and various sectors of the police from the army. joined it, but it was also the result of a In the rest of the country, unions, campaign of terror against the Indigenous Indigenous organizations, peasants, fem- majority of the country and all those inists and other social movements began who supported the “process of change” to mobilize as well. From various points of MAS. Those who carried out this ter- in the country they are now arriving in La ror are, apart from the business sector, Paz, where marches and roadblocks are groups of the extreme right. They have a increasing. neocolonialist ideology and include the worst characteristics of evangelism. Members of the coup After he resigned, Evo Morales first “The sign of the cross on the handles of retreated to the Cochabamba region. swords.” That is the title of the first part WW PHOTO: STEVAN KIRSCHBAUM Boston march, Nov. 16, against coup in Bolivia. More U.S. protests on pages 6-7. There he was protected by the coca Continued on page 7

Winning stay of execution WORKERS ON THE MOVE Next step: Free Rodney Reed! Seattle: Disabled, elderly By Gloria Rubac Reed, an African-American man, people defeat Veolia 4 was wrongfully convicted in 1998 of Nov. 17—​It was a peoples’ vic- raping and murdering a young white Portland rally: tory! It was a legal victory! On Nov. woman named Stacey Stites. He was 15, Texas’ highest criminal court sentenced to death after the prosecu- ‘Defend DACA!‘ 4 indefinitely stayed Rodney Reed’s tion withheld exculpatory evidence Nov. 20 execution date. His case from Reed’s defense team and after ‘McStrike’ for living wage, was remanded back to trial court just the state’s witnesses testified to false no sexual abuse 5 five days before he was to be legally evidence. lynched by the state of Texas. Continued on page 8 Rodney Reed WW PHOTO: GLORIA RUBAC Iowa union wins first contract 5 Boycott Wendy’s 8 Police out of Oakland schools! 3 Bolivia, lithium and China 9 Subscribe to Workers World ☐ 4 weeks trial $4 ☐ 1 year subscription $30 Violence, racism & football ☐ Sign me up for the WWP Supporter Program: workers.org/donate Editorial 10 Name ______

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Street ______City / State / Zip ______Korea 10 Cuba 10-11 Gaza 11 Workers World Weekly Newspaper workers.org 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011 212.627.2994 Yellow Vest protests 11 Page 2 Nov. 21, 2019 workers.org Harvard Act on a Dream this week protests newspaper’s call to ICE ◆ In the U.S.

By Genevieve Lechat Rodney Reed wins indefinite stay of execution . . 1 Cambridge, Mass. Harvard Act on a Dream protests newspaper, ICE . 2 Black Organizing Project wants cop-free schools . .3 Nov. 15—​Harvard College Act on a Dream Mike Africa Jr.: ‘Born on the MOVE’ ...... 3 (AOD) launched the #CrimsonListen campaign today with a petition, boycott, teach-in and Elderly, disabled people’s victory vs. Veolia . . . .4 surprise action at a ceremony intended to wel- Portland: ‘Defend DACA!’ ...... 4 come new leadership at the Harvard Crimson, On the picket line ...... 4 Harvard’s student newspaper. McDonald’s workers take on sexual harassment . .5 Undocumented and at-risk im/migrant stu- dents and workers had endured a disturbing ’McStrike’ in eight countries ...... 5 September incident where the Crimson actually First union contract at Iowa General Mills plant . .5 called Immigration and Customs Enforcement to U.S. protests say ‘NO to fascist coup in Bolivia!’ . .6 solicit its comment following a militant “Abolish Activists return to Ft. Benning to Close the SOA! . 6 ICE” rally organized by AOD. AOD is fighting for DACA recipients to be Connecting anti-racism to anti-imperialism . . . . 7 granted permanent citizenship. AOD considered ‘Boycott Wendy’s’ ...... 8 the invited “comment” as collaboration with ICE, NYC protest: Let Gaza live! ...... 11 in that those who speak out despite their status could be targeted. Student reporters broke proto- PHOTO: GENEVIEVE LECHAT ◆ Around the world Middle of door sign reads “Stop endangering undocumented students.” col by not disclosing their intention to contact ICE Racist coup in Bolivia sparks resistance . . . . . 1 when they interviewed AOD rally participants. Crimson leadership doubled down when criticized for this joined the action. This group is connected to the univer- Bolivian leaders denounce U.S. role in coup . . . .9 disclosure lapse, pointing to “journalistic standards.” sity’s dining hall workers, who are represented by UNITE Bolivia, lithium and China’s BRI ...... 9 In the wake of this incident, many have pointed out that HERE Local 26. The dining hall workers have mounted Koreans say no to Trump ...... 10 the Crimson’s record for seeking comment from agencies militant struggles for justice for workers with Temporary Report from anti-imperialist gathering in Cuba . . . 10 protested on campus has been totally inconsistent. Protected Status; they are also in solidarity with immi- The launch of #CrimsonListen today starkly highlighted grant and undocumented students and oppose any col- Yellow Vest protests show anger in France . . . . 11 the willfully ignorant position of the storied student news- laboration with ICE. Palestinians resist Israeli renewed attack on Gaza .11 paper leadership amidst the attacks on im/migrants in the A sign of the boycott’s success is that students say many Cuban medical personnel return from Bolivia . . .11 U.S. As Black and Brown student editors walked out and stories have been scrapped or published without typical joined groups of protesters stationed at each entrance sourcing. The Crimson has also been expressing more ◆ Editorial leading to the planned ceremony, a smaller group locked than usual interest in campus workers’ issues and calling Violence, racism and football ...... 10 themselves in to engage in champagne horseplay, spray- union stewards from Local 26. But union stewards have ing and sipping at the repurposed “celebration,” while the been refusing these “opportunities” because they will not ◆ Noticias en Español crowd chanted and affixed placards to the doors. be scabs for the Crimson to use against their comrades in Solidaridad con la resistencia en Bolivia . . . . . 12 Four workers representing the Harvard TPS Coalition Act On a Dream. ☐

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Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist people are gunned down by cops and bigots on a regular Vol. 61, No. 47 • Nov. 21, 2019 party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We are a basis. Closing date: Nov. 20, 2019 multinational, multigenerational and multigendered orga- The ruthless ruling class today seeks to wipe out Editor: Deirdre Griswold nization that not only aims to abolish capitalism, but to decades of gains and benefits won by hard-fought strug- Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, Martha Grevatt, build a socialist society because it’s the only way forward! gles by people’s movements. The super-rich and their Monica Moorehead, Minnie Bruce Pratt Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of the political representatives have intensified their attacks on world and the planet itself in the neverending quest for the multinational, multigender and multigenerational Web Editors: Ben Carroll, John Steffin ever-greater profits. working class. It is time to point the blame at—and chal- Production & Design Editors: Gery Armsby, Sasha Capitalism means war and austerity, racism and repres- lenge—the capitalist system. Mazumder, Scott Williams sion, attacks on im/migrants, misogyny, LGBTQ oppres- WWP fights for socialism because the working class Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, sion and mistreatment of people with disabilities. It means produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should Sue Davis, S. Hedgecoke joblessness, increasing homelessness and impoverishment remain in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capi- and lack of hope for the future. No social problems can be talist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially Contributing Editors: LeiLani Dowell, G. Dunkel, solved under capitalism. owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guaran- K. Durkin, Teresa Gutierrez, Betsey Piette, Gloria The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one tee basic human needs. Rubac has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the Mundo Obero: Alberto García, Teresa Gutierrez, education or anything else—unless they can pay for it. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Carlos Vargas Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even make and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP Copyright © 2019 Workers World. Verbatim copying it to college. Black, Brown and Indigenous youth and trans branch near you. ☐ and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. If you are interested in joining Workers World Party contact: 212.627.2994 Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published weekly National Office Bay Area Durham, N.C. Philadelphia except the last week of December by WW Publishers, 147 W. 24th St., 2nd floor P.O. Box 22947 804 Old Fayetteville St. P.O. Box 34249 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Phone: New York, NY 10011 Oakland, CA 94609 Durham, NC 27701 Philadelphia, PA 19101 212.627.2994. Subscriptions: One year: $30; institu­ 212.627.2994 510.394.2207 919.322.9 970 610.931.2615 tions: $35. Letters to the editor may be condensed and [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] edited. Articles can be freely reprinted, with credit to Atlanta Buffalo, N.Y. Houston Salt Lake City Workers World, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY PO Box 18123 335 Richmond Ave. P.O. Box 3454 801.750.0248 10011. Back issues and individual articles are available Atlanta, GA 30316 Buffalo, NY 14222 Houston, TX 77253-3454 [email protected] on microfilm and/or photocopy from NA Publishing, 716.883.2534 713.503.2633 404.627.0185 San Antonio Inc, P.O. Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] A searchable archive is available on the Web at Austin Charlotte Knoxville, Tenn. San Diego www.workers.org. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] A headline digest is available via e-mail subscription. Boston Cleveland Minneapolis Tucson, Ariz. Subscription information is at workers.org. 284 Amory St. 216.738.0320 [email protected] [email protected] Boston, MA 02130 [email protected] Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. Pensacola, Fla. Washington, D.C. 617.522.6626 Dallas [email protected] [email protected] POSTMASTER: Send address changes to [email protected] [email protected] Workers World, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl. Portland, Ore. West Virginia New York, N.Y. 10011. [email protected] [email protected] workers.org Nov. 21, 2019 Page 3 Oakland, Calif. Black Organizing Project wants to remove police from schools

By Judy Greenspan Supporters of the People’s Plan Oakland, Calif. included the Oakland Is Not for Sale Coalition, consisting of teachers, parents At a Nov. 13 rally of over 200 Oakland and students, protesting the board plan to residents, parents, teachers and students, close 24 Oakland flatland public schools. the Black Organizing Project officially The coalition has incorporated the BOP released its “People’s Plan for Police-Free demand of no police in Oakland schools Schools.” into their campaign. BOP has been organizing in Oakland The board was never able to regain con- since 2011 to stop the funding of school trol of their public meeting, so they left police and the deployment of any police to go to their private chambers upstairs. in Oakland public schools. BOP and Not for Sale members turned Jessica Black, a BOP organizer, wel- the meeting into a public forum—​indict- comed everyone and gave a short his- ing the board for racist policing and school tory of the fight to dismantle the Oakland closures. The students in the Not for Sale school police department. She outlined Coalition eventually occupied the board the major points of the People’s Plan, members’ empty seats and held a short including phasing out the school police meeting highlighting community issues. department by 2020, using the saved Black Organizing Protest protest, Nov. 13. WW PHOTO: JUDY GREENSPAN Jessica Brown called the People’s Plan funding to hire more counselors and “historic.” She challenged the board retraining school employees to be respon- A group of Black students read excerpts by board members to silence BOP and its to join this trend that is happening all sive to the needs of all students. of the People’s Plan at the rally. “You can- message, speaker after speaker addressed around the country. “You can either stand Jackie Byers, another BOP member, not allow 73% of students arrested to be the board using their own sound sys- with BOP and be in solidarity that this referred to the last Oakland Unified Black (who are 26% of students enrolled) tem—​since the board kept turning off school district is going to end the school- School Board meeting where teachers and claim to be for equity and putting the microphone. to-prison pipeline ... or you had better get and parents were attacked by school students first. The district’s commitment Black Organizing Project members out of your seats,” Brown concluded. and city police for protesting Oakland to providing ‘sanctuary’ for immigrant hand-delivered copies of the People’s For more information about this strug- school closures. She said, “If you can be students and families rings completely Plan to board members. Parent after par- gle, check out the Facebook page of the afraid of going to a school board in fear hollow as long as OUSD fails to stop the ent took the podium to demand that the Black Organizing Project. The People’s of being harmed … or just for raising your hemorrhaging of Black students and fam- board respond to the plan and remove Plan can be found at tinyurl.com/ voice, imagine what our students face in ilies from OUSD due to the toxic climate police from the schools. webt8tr/. ☐ the classroom every day at the hands of created by policing, criminalization and police. They have to face law enforce- push-out.” ment at the BART, they have to face law BOP has been collecting data on this Mike Africa Jr. enforcement in public housing, in their racist policing for nearly 10 years. communities and in their own schools.” Speak-out at board meeting Byers went on to note that BOP has ‘Born on the MOVE’ been calling for the abolition of the police Following the rally, BOP organizers led from the schools for a long time. The the large group, which included members community activist called upon everyone of the Oakland Education Association, By Monica Moorehead to join the “Black Organizing Project to the teachers’ union, inside La Escuelita to New York finally say enough is enough!” bring their message to the school board. According to the 11-page People’s Plan, This was the first scheduled board meet- Mike Africa Jr. presented an engross- the police have historically profiled and ing after teachers and parents were bru- ing, dynamic one-person narrative, “Born arrested a disproportionate number of talized by the cops. on the MOVE,” for almost two hours here Black students in the schools. BOP is call- Family members, activists and students at the Solidarity Center on Nov. 16. He ing for the school district to set up a real marched up to the podium and took over began this emotional, political journey “sanctuary district” to protect Black and the regularly scheduled public comment by describing how his mother, Debbie Brown young people in the schools. section of the meeting. Despite attempts Africa, gave birth to him by herself in secret on Sept. 15, 1978, while she was incarcerated. Debbie Africa along with Mike Jr.’s father, Mike Sr., are mem- bers of the MOVE 9, falsely arrested and imprisoned in 1978 for the murder of a white Philadelphia police officer, who in WW PHOTO: HENRY LUNA reality was killed by friendly fire. Mike Africa Sr., Mike Africa Jr. and Debbie Debbie Africa, with the assistance of Africa. another MOVE 9 member, Janet Africa, was able to keep Mike Jr.’s birth a secret Mike Jr. reiterated a number of times before it was made public during a court that the aim of the repressive state was to hearing. The baby was shown to all 63 kill women, men, children and animals. inmates on the same cell block to confirm Mike Jr. also spoke of the horrific MOVE the baby’s birth and to safeguard his life. bombing that took place on May 13, 1985, MOVE drew the ire of the Philadelphia when the Philadelphia police dropped repressive state starting in 1977—​led an incendiary bomb by helicopter on the by the late commissioner of police and MOVE house, killing six adults and five mayor, Frank Rizzo, who militarized the children. The bombing ignited the burning police. On Aug. 9, 1978, the Philadelphia of over 60 houses on Osage Avenue. police and fire department attacked the The adult survivor of the bombing was MOVE house with machine gun fire, Ramona Africa, who was almost burned water cannons and more. MOVE mem- alive. She was unjustly arrested and found bers were savagely beaten, including an guilty of “riot” and “arson” and spent seven eight-month pregnant Rhonda Africa, years in prison. No one was arrested or whose baby was delivered stillborn. convicted for dropping the bomb. Mike Jr. provided some historical back- Mike Jr. detailed the great joy that he ground on the majority Black communal felt when his mother and father were group, which follows the teachings of John released from prison, four months apart, Africa. MOVE believes that all people, all in 2018, after spending 40 years incarcer- animals and all nature should live in har- ated. Only two of the MOVE 9, Delbert mony and cooperation, void of oppression Africa and Chuck Africa, are still in and exploitation. Mike Jr. named the Rev. prison, awaiting parole. Merle Africa and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Phil Africa died of cancer in prison. Che Guevara, Fred Hampton and Jesus Mike Jr. gave credit to Pam Africa, Christ as revolutionaries assassinated MOVE member and leader of the for their radical beliefs. He spoke of the International Concerned Family and reactionary system that only cares about Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, for mak- “making money,” “locking people up” and ing him not feel ashamed of being born “trying to stop revolution.” in prison. ☐ Page 4 Nov. 21, 2019 workers.org Elderly, disabled people’s victory vs. Veolia By Jim McMahan Veolia’s destructive practices. forcing Veolia to allow the union back in Seattle Stop Veolia Seattle has helped organize Seattle. The Boston struggle beat off the demonstrations of people with disabilities entire political establishment there in Disabled and elderly paratransit rid- and the elderly at King County Council league with Veolia, which was involved in ers in Seattle have won a victory over the where they have spoken out about Veolia’s a vain attempt to break the Boston School corporate criminal, Veolia corporation, bad service. To get picked up, riders have Bus Drivers union. which for years has delivered negligent had to wait long periods of time out in As the struggle went on groups such service to the disabled riding public. King the rain and cold. At other times the bus as the Transit Riders Union; ADAPT, a County Metro Transit, which controls will circle the city because of poor rout- civil rights, direct-action organization for the Access Paratransit, just got rid of its ing practices. The King County Auditor’s disabled people; and Disability Rights contractor, Veolia, after years of public Office found that the county paid Veolia Washington joined the struggle and allied pressure and organizing. The Stop Veolia with Stop Veolia Seattle. more the longer that a rider was on the IMAGE: STOPVEOLIASEATTLE.WORDPRESS.COM Seattle organization worked in solidar- bus; so long trips were incentives. King County released a Request for ity with Access drivers and also had the Proposals for paratransit in 2017 that central city, almost completely bypassing support of the Boston School Bus Drivers Veolia’s union busting didn’t even comply with the Americans closed-in Palestinian neighborhoods. union, United Steelworkers Local 8751. In 2008, when Veolia won the lion’s with Disabilities Act, and the coalition shut But after many years of organizing Access, with a large fleet of buses, has share of the Access contract, they broke the it down. The pressure from the alliance of and through groups like Stop Veolia been controlled by transnational Veolia drivers union, Amalgamated Transit Union organizations finally forced the county to Seattle allied with the BDS movement, since 2008. The Veolia empire is rich and Local 587, and drivers were forced to take dump Veolia this summer. Stop Veolia and unions and communities around the extremely well-connected within the cap- wage cuts. Veolia secured a contract with Seattle held a victory party with many dis- world, Veolia’s “profits before people” italist system, in both public and private the county which Metro said would save abled and elderly people. The new contrac- policies have been pushed back. enterprises in 48 countries. They special- the county $1 million. After three years, tor for Access will be closely monitored. In August 2015 Veolia announced it was ize in privatization of public services and though, the county paid Veolia $7.7 million Veolia will no longer make profits from selling all its enterprises in Palestine and assets. They have gobbled up government more than before—​with less service. negligent service to the disabled in Seattle. Israel because the BDS movement cost it contracts in transportation, water privat- A few years later the workers won back a Veolia is also a target of the BDS over $24 billion in lost contracts, marking ization, sewage, trash or “environmental union with Teamsters Local 117. This came (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) a major victory for BDS and the struggle services” and “energy services.” right on the heels of the Boston School Bus movement due to Veolia’s exploit- to free Palestine from racist, Zionist rule. Veolia has a record of bribery, racist Drivers’ victory over Veolia in the fall of ative contracts with Israel in occupied Veolia has lost many contracts around the environmental destruction and attacks 2016, a struggle which Stop Veolia Seattle Palestine. Veolia built a light-rail tran- world, but will remain a threat “til every on unions. There is also a legacy of suc- had supported and publicized. Organizers sit line from illegal Israeli settlements battle’s won!” (Lyrics from “Which side are cessful working-class organizing against in Seattle credit the Boston victory in on the outskirts of Jerusalem into the you on?” by Florence Reece) ☐

Outside, SSM-SLU nurses, represented by National Portland: ‘Defend DACA!’ Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United, stood in the rain passing out flyers explain- By Lyn Neeley On the ing SSM-SLU’s poor treatment of the workers and Portland, Ore. the bosses’ greedy tactics. Four incognito protesters snuck in and placed fliers on dining tables explain- Members of the Oregon DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood ing the nurses’ situation. The disruption was a suc- Arrivals) Coalition shared their stories during the “Defend picket line cess, with labor-friendly politicians, United Auto By Alex Bolchi and Sue Davis DACA, Home Is Here” rally on Nov. 12. An estimated 250 peo- Workers members and other allies joining the rank- ple gathered to call on the Supreme Court to reject Trump’s No to charters, resegregated and-file fight that night. attempts to terminate the DACA program. Organizers said, “We The National Nurses Organizing Committee is call- are Oregonians and we want to shift the narrative of what undoc- schools in Little Rock, Ark. ing out SSM-SLU Hospital for bad faith bargaining umented experience is.” and unprecedented anti-union tactics. These creative Teachers in the Little Rock School District went In Washington, D.C., several thousand DACA supporters nurses are demanding safe staffing levels, workplace on strike Nov. 14 to protest the Arkansas Board of demonstrated chanting, “Sí, se puede.” Rallies also took place violence prevention, competitive pay and family leave. Education’s vote in October to no longer recognize in other cities, such as New York and locations in California. (Labor Tribune, Nov. 4) Let’s support their fight! Protesters included DACA recipients, their supporters and teen- their union, the Little Rock Education Association, age immigrants who were too young to qualify for DACA when it when the contract expired Oct. 31. Educators was first established in June 2012 by President Barack Obama. warn that the white-dominated state legislature, Grad student workers protest Trump appealed to the U.S. Courts of Appeals to terminate which took control of the largely African-American NLRB’s anti-union ruling DACA in 2017. The program allowed 800,000 young people 23,000-student district in 2015 after there were low brought to the U.S. when they were children to work and study test scores in several schools, is once again push- The Trump-dominated National Labor Relations without fear of deportation. ing a plan to privatize education [code for charter Board proposed a rule Sept. 30 that would reverse Instead of waiting for a decision from the Courts of Appeals on schools] and resegregate the school system. the 2016 decision that graduate student workers at DACA, Trump requested a review by the U.S. Supreme Court, a “We have no other option at this point,” LiREA private colleges and universities are employees who process normally reserved for unique circumstances. President Teresa Knapp Gordon told the Nov. 15 have the right to vote for collective bargaining. The Last June, 660,880 DACA recipients and their advocates filed Payday Report: “They use our children as pawns in American Federation of Teachers responded by set- lawsuits against ending DACA. Some of these lawsuits include their privatization scheme, and we, as educators, feel ting up AFT Academics, which held demonstrations NAACP v. Trump; Regents of the University of California, et we have a moral obligation to stand up for our stu- in Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14 al. v. Dept. of Homeland Security; and Batalla Vidal v. Nielsen. dents and protect them.” to protest the anti-union ruling. These lawsuits resulted in injunctions that temporarily stopped In addition to demanding restoration of their bar- A statement on aft.org noted that graduate work- DACA from ending. gaining rights, the LREA wants to see full local con- ers “teach university level courses, publish work, On the day of the Nov. 12 rally, the U.S. Supreme Court began trol of the district restored after five years as originally and do research that brings our institutions pres- reviewing the lawsuits regarding the “legality” of ending DACA. stipulated. However, the state wants to extend that to tige, grant money, and lucrative patents—yet we Their decision is due next spring. Before the hearing, Trump schools with D and F ratings. But, says social studies have no real power over the decisions that impact tweeted, “Many of the people in DACA, no longer very young, teacher Megan Perctyman, “Schools that are rated D our work and lives.” are far from ‘angels.’ Some are very tough, hardened criminals.” or F all have minority populations and are located in To support labor rights of grad student workers, He continued, “If Supreme Court remedies with overturn, a deal communities that are high minority and high poverty. sign the petition on aftacademics.org during the will be made with Dems for them to stay!” By dividing schools up based on these ratings, it’s cre- public comment period ending Dec. 16. A recent Harvard study, “The Long-Term Impact of DACA: ating de-facto segregation in Little Rock.” Forging Futures Despite DACA’s Uncertainty,” found that 76 “The schools that have the grade of D or F are actu- Union victory for University percent of DACA recipients had doubled their yearly salaries, ally those schools that need us the most as educators,” due to completion of job training, licensing and certificate pro- says Lakeitha Austin, who teaches at a D-rated school. of New Mexico faculty grams. (tinyurl.com/v3l4uzb/) “So to have the D or F schools segregated from other Faculty at the University of New Mexico’s five The Oregon DACA Coalition is fighting to protect DACA recip- schools and put on a plan different from other schools campuses voted overwhelmingly Oct. 16-17 to union- ients, their families and all immigrant communities on a national is just not fair.” It’s blatantly, obviously racist! ize with the American Federation of Teachers and scale. They are calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the the American Association of University Professors. highly successful DACA program and not put immigrant youth St. Louis nurses take union One major reason to unionize was going 20 years at risk of deportation, which endangers the future of hundreds of without a pay raise! thousands of members of communities all across the U.S. fight to bosses’ corporate gala Full-time faculty voted 500-305 to unionize, while Thousands of DACA recipients must submit paperwork cost- On Oct. 17 nurses at SSM Health St. Louis part-timers and adjuncts gave the AFT and AAUP a ing $1,000 to remain in their own homes. Without protection, University Hospital not only defeated manage- 256-26 landslide. The faculty’s organizing committee, they could lose their jobs, homes, families, along with general ment’s decertification vote, but the next day they United Academics of the University of New Mexico, safety from being deported. One organizer said, “No one who took their struggle to SSM-SLU’s posh corporate will set up two bargaining units to start detailing their was raised in Oregon should be forced to pay and prove to the gala! Inside the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown bargaining strategy. (aft.org, Oct. 19) Congratulations government that they deserve to stay in their home.” St. Louis, SSM-SLU’s corporate leaders, donors and to UNM professors and teachers in their decisive For more information, go to oregondacacoalition.org. ☐ philanthropists gathered to enjoy a lavish dinner. move for workers’ democracy at work! ☐ workers.org Nov. 21, 2019 Page 5

Class action lawsuit McDonald’s workers take on sexual harassment By Kathy Durkin laughable if it weren’t so destructive to Burke. Fight for $15 joined the workers in Their bold action inspired many workers. tens of thousands of workers being left this struggle. McDonald’s workers continue to fight While hundreds of McDonald’s work- to fend for themselves. We are taking Courageously, Black, Latinx and the scourge of sexual abuse, taking on ers walked off the job in Michigan on Nov. McDonald’s to court to demand it use its im/migrant McDonald’s workers led a the world’s second-largest employer. 12 to demand a $15 per hour minimum immense power to address [this] perva- 10-city walkout in the first multicity strike Whether in the streets or in the courts, wage, the right to unionize and an end sive abuse.” (Nov. 12) in the U.S. against workplace sexual they keep the struggle going. Their mes- to workplace sexual abuse, a class-ac- Eve Cervantez, an attorney for harassment on Sept. 18, 2018. Lacking sage: No one should have to face sexual tion lawsuit was being filed in state court McDonald’s workers, added: “McDonald’s union membership, they took great risks. assault to earn a living! ☐ against the multibillion-dollar company. is among fast food’s worse offenders Michigan McDonald’s workers and the when it comes to protecting the workers American Civil Liberties Union charged who make the company’s success possi- Fast food fightback! the corporation with enabling a “sys- ble. Employees should not have to endure temic problem of sexual harassment” in violations of their humanity and bodily its restaurants across the U.S. For years, autonomy, as the price of a paycheck.” ’McStrike’ in eight countries employees have filed complaints against Let the workers lead! bosses who physically assaulted, verbally By Martha Grevatt abused and demeaned them—​and then The lawsuit seeks $5 million to com- retaliated if they resisted—​with reduced pensate workers at the Mason eatery, Close to 1,000 McDonald’s work hours, unfair transfers and firings, implementation of “worker-centered and other fast food workers or forced them to quit. Company officials anti-harassment policies, worker-led and supporters held a noisy ignored these grievances. mandatory training,” and “a safe system of march and blocked traffic in Jenna Ries, the named plaintiff and for- reporting [abuse], investigation, discipline Detroit Nov. 12. They called mer McDonald’s employee, says a manager and protections against retaliation.” (labor- for an end to sexual harass- verbally and physically attacked her for two press.org, Nov. 13) These policies would be ment, $15 an hour pay and years at an eatery in Mason, Mich. When implemented in all its franchises—​93 per- “unions for all.” The action she resisted, he threatened to fire her. She cent of McDonald’s restaurants. was part of an international PHOTO: FIGHT FOR $15 constantly feared she would lose her job. Jamelis Fairley, a Fight for $15 move- “McStrike” of low-wage Detroit McDonald’s workers, supporters march Nov. 12. Out of solidarity with “countless survivors” ment leader and McDonald’s worker in workers in selected cities in of sexual harassment at McDonald’s work- Sanford, Fla., insists that new McDonald’s Brazil, Chile, Canada, Belgium, France, In London and around England, places, Ries took legal action. CEO, Chris Kempezinski, hear work- England, Germany and the U.S. multiple McDonald’s restaurants were The lawsuit charges that Mason restau- er-survivors’ stories and let them and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib spoke struck to demand “£15 an hour, guaran- rant’s managers ignored heinous harass- their advocates direct the solutions. She at the Detroit action, saying, “Corporate teed hours and a union.” Workers there ment and assault, which represents a stresses that nothing can change for the greed is a disease in this country and threatened more strikes if conditions pervasive “toxic work culture” emanating workers without their involvement. you are going to stop it. When you walk and pay do not improve. from the “very top.” It cites McDonald’s Lois Jones experienced six months out they lose money. … If there is a place The Starbucks Coffee Union in Chile CEO Steve Easterbrook’s ouster a week of relentless sexual misconduct at a to start this movement it is the city of carried a banner reading, “I am a stu- earlier for violating company policy by Durham, N.C., restaurant. After report- Detroit.” (fightfor15.org) dent, also a worker.” In Germany the having an inappropriate relationship with ing it, managers accused her of lying Jenna Ries, a plaintiff in a class chant was “fast food workers united.” a “subordinate.” No surprise: Easterbrook and contemptuously called her “stupid.” action lawsuit over sexual harassment Belgian workers expressed solidarity got a multimillion-dollar exit payment. Jones strongly advocates unionization to at McDonald’s in Mason, Mich. also with workers in Detroit. The ACLU press release quotes Gillian protect fast food workers from abuse. spoke. Her store manager repeatedly In all the actions workers were loud Thomas, senior staff attorney at the The effort to combat workplace sex- made sexist comments and eventually and determined, telling McDonald’s organization’s Women’s Rights Project: ual harassment has intensified since the sexually assaulted her. “Sexual harass- bosses what they want and that “if we “McDonald’s says it is powerless to stop #MeToo upsurge began two years ago, ment is unacceptable” was the message don’t get it, shut it down!” ☐ the sexual harassment occurring in its inspired by the movement’s African- on a large lead banner in Spanish. franchise restaurants. That would be American founder and organizer, Tarana Workers win first union contract at Iowa General Mills plant By Mike Kuhlenbeck By standing together and showing the the company from years past, they have Cedar Rapids, Iowa company the real impact this could have been putting their profits over workers on our families, we have shown what and their families. The workers at the General Mills plant having a union is all about. This contract In the spring of 2018, 625 full-time here ratified their first union contract on has the potential to change the lives of so positions were eliminated. The plant had Nov. 14, after a hard-fought battle with the many in our community.” been increasing its reliance on low-paid company. Members of the Department In a RWDSU statement on Nov. 15, labor supplied by temporary agencies. Store Workers Union (RWDSU) Local Vice President Roger Grobstich said they This caused great concern to full-time 110, the General Mills workers have been worked hard to avoid a strike. Since the employees who feared their jobs would be seeking better pay, better treatment and company agreed to come back to the table “undercut” or eliminated altogether. The job security. the following day, it was an admission company was “bleeding” employee bene- RWDSU banner PHOTO: RWDSU WEBSITE On Oct. 31, during contract negotia- that “they know their workers are critical fits, and General Mills reduced workers’ tions, General Mills offered the approxi- to their own success. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, allowed absences from five days to three. increases and a ratification bonus, con- mately 520 workers what they called their was built on cereal, and General Mills The workers voted to join RWDSU tract provisions include an additional six “last, best and final offer,” which did not cereal needs to ensure our city continues to on Jan. 9. Affiliated with the Food and days paid time off each year, maintain- secure any of the key provisions the work- thrive. This worker-led negotiations com- Commercial Workers (UFCW), which ing long-held benefits, scheduling that ers were demanding. Instead, the workers mittee has shown our city what it means represents over 1.3 million workers in the preserves the three-shift system, limit- were offered an “empty contract,” accord- to stand up to corporate America tonight. U.S. and Canada, RWDSU also represents ing the number of temporary employees, ing to a Nov. 1. RWDSU press statement. They are doing so to protect their jobs, workers at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar adding new full-time entry-level positions “The contract also seeks to install unfair their families, and our local economy.” Rapids and Coles Quality Foods in North and grievance procedures with just-cause scheduling practices and third-party sub- If General Mills had refused to accept Liberty. language for discipline. General Mills will contracting that could move jobs from their core conditions, the workers would By standing in solidarity and reject- also be required to “meet and confer” with Cedar Rapids to non-union facilities have walked out. ing General Mills’ final offer, the workers the union prior to any subcontracting or nearby or abroad,” the statement read. forced the company back to the bargain- in case of a projected plant closure. When the vote took place at the Local General Mills workers join the RWDSU ing table to avoid a strike. After the contract was ratified, Sarver 110 Union Hall on Nov. 6, 99 percent of The possibility of a strike had been said, “I am thrilled to know we will all be the membership voted it down. After the looming at the plant for quite some time, Workers win new contract going to work tomorrow with the peace results were announced, the union nego- long before the Nov. 6 vote. A tentative contract agreement was of mind of a strong union contract. Over tiating committee agreed to meet with General Mills, headquarted in reached Nov. 8. The worker-led nego- 500 families can sleep well tonight know- representatives of the company the fol- Minneapolis, employs over 40,000 work- tiating committee “worked tirelessly to ing their needed benefits are secure for lowing morning. ers worldwide. The company is known for secure a strong contract that stops the the next three years. The strength of our General Mills worker Tim Sarver, who producing popular name-brand cereals, bleed out of long-held needed benefits,” union during these first contract negoti- has been with the company for over 37 fruit snacks and other foods commonly according to a RWDSU press statement, ations was extraordinary. I am proud to years, described what had been happen- found on store shelves. and recommended the workers vote in say that a union contract is now part of ing at the union hall during that week as The company website talks about “put- favor of it. The new three-year contract every balanced breakfast that comes from “the true definition of solidarity. … Our ting people first” when it comes to careers was ratified Nov. 14. our General Mills plant.” (KWWL.com, members stand strong at General Mills. at General Mills. Based on the actions of In addition to annual hourly wage Nov. 14) ☐ Page 6 Nov. 21, 2019 workers.org

U.S. activists unite to say ‘NO to fascist coup in Bolivia!’ By Workers World staff solidarity rally titled “No coup in Bolivia! U.S. out of Latin America!” This united As news of the U.S.-backed coup d’état demonstration at City Hall called out the in Bolivia and the Nov. 10 forced resigna- long history of U.S. imperialism in the tion of President Evo Morales hit the air- Americas, with speakers connecting the waves and social media, activists around U.S. role in the genocide of Indigenous the globe took to the streets to demand peoples, the colonization of Puerto Rico Morales’ return to office. Protests began and the theft of parts of northern Mexico, on Nov. 11 in multiple cities in the U.S., as well as the need for U.S. workers to see home to many of the multinational corpo- themselves as part of a global class. rations behind the coup. A second round Numerous passersby joined the demon- of demonstrations was organized for Nov. stration as speakers connected the con- 16 in support of the heroic resistance of ditions for workers in Philadelphia, the the Bolivian people, especially Indigenous Philadelphia poorest of the 10 largest cities in the U.S., activists and workers, against the coup. WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE to the struggles of workers in Bolivia, Haiti, Chanting “Evo Morales, we’re with you! Venezuela and beyond. The demonstrators No to the U.S.-backed coup!” activists ral- also demanded that FMC, a major lithium lied at Park Street Station on the Boston mining corporation headquartered in Common on Nov. 16. An emergency coa- Philadelphia, keep its hands off Bolivia’s lition of anti-imperialist, pro-socialist, natural resources. This action showed peace and justice groups; students and the potential for broader unified actions youth climate activists; and trade union- against U.S. wars, sanctions and coups. ists came together in staunch defense of In Durham, N.C. a crowd of 30 anti-im- President Evo Morales and the workers perialist demonstrators gathered down- and Indigenous peoples of Bolivia. town Nov. 13 to demand an end to the The demonstration was cosponsored coup against President Evo Morales by the Committee for Peace and Human and an end to U.S. interference in Latin Rights, which has held weekly anti-war America. A simultaneous rally was held vigils in Boston since the first Gulf War in Raleigh. in 1991, along with Workers World Party. San Francisco Over 100 people came out Nov. 11 in Sam Ordóñez, of Fight for Im/migrants PHOTO: MICHAEL PETRELIS San Francisco to demand “Stop the U.S.- Everywhere (FIRE), led the rally. He backed fascist coup in Bolivia.” The pro- spoke of his family being forced to test, which was organized by Answer flee U.S.-backed fascist repression in attracted many organizations, activists Guatemala and how these same condi- and artists from across Latin America tions are now being imposed on the peo- who denounced the coup and demanded ple of Bolivia by the U.S.-CIA-backed that Bolivian President Evo Morales be military coup and dictatorship. Juan returned. Organizations giving solidar- Gonzalez, representing the Council of ity messages included the Task Force Mayan Elders, reminded the crowd, “We on the Americas, Coalition for Peace in are on Indigenous land and this entire Colombia and Workers World Party. hemisphere is stolen land.” On Nov. 12, in Portland, Ore., around Speakers represented Indigenous and two dozen people gathered at Terry D. im/migrant rights; workers struggles in Schrunk Plaza to speak out against the Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela; Portland, Ore. recent coup in Bolivia. Holding signs disability and union rights; and the local PHOTO: RUSSEL LUM opposing U.S. imperialism and the lies student climate strike movement. Dario spread in corporate media, the demon- Zapata of Colombianos por la Paz urged Voice of the Boston School Bus Drivers IAC, PSL and Struggle—La Lucha. stration attracted people finishing another the crowd to support the upcoming union, Green Rainbow Party—Greater On Nov. 11, around 75 Philadelphia rally that supported DACA (Deferred national strike in Colombia on Nov. 21 in Boston Chapter and the Boston May Day activists came together for a protest Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients defense of workers and human rights. Jill Coalition. against the coup. The action started with and opposed Immigration and Customs Stein, 2016 presidential candidate for the Chanting “USA-CIA, Hands off a rally at City Hall and ending with a Enforcement’s racist war on im/migrants. Green Party, also spoke. Bolivia!” demonstrators took to the march and an impromptu demonstration In Seattle a demonstration on Nov. 16 Endorsing organizations included streets for a spirited march to the John F. inside the 30th Street Amtrak train sta- against the U.S.-engineered coup against United American Indians of New England, Kennedy Federal Building in Government tion. The event was cosponsored by Party the Morales-led government of Bolivia Suffolk University Marxist Student Center, to draw attention to the U.S.- for Socialism and Liberation and Workers was held downtown. The action, called by Organization, Committee in Solidarity CIA’s criminal involvement in the mili- World Party. Answer, included at least five other par- with the People of El Salvador, Mass. tary coup against Indigenous leader and On Nov. 16, Philadelphia activists ticipating organizations. Peace Action, Workers World Party, Party socialist President Evo Morales. from Black Alliance for Peace, Philly for Socialism and Liberation, United In New York a rally was held at Boricua Committee, MOVE, Coalición Contributing writers: Nathaniel Chase, National Antiwar Coalition, United for Columbus Circle in Manhattan on Nov. 16. Fortaleza Latina, International Action Judy Greenspan, Joshua Hanks, Phil Justice with Peace, International Action Sponsoring groups were Answer, Workers Center, Workers World Party and Party Hauser, Jim McMahan, Betsey Piette, Center, Answer, Team Solidarity—the World Party, December 12th Movement, for Socialism and Liberation joined for a Maureen Skehan and Scott Williams. Activists return to Ft. Benning to Close the SOA!

By Dianne Mathiowetz region for the benefit of U.S. corporations. ages of victims killed in the violence insti- Columbus, Ga. The following year the first march to shut gated by SOA-trained military. down the School of the Assassins — as it is The SOA, a military training facility On Nov. 16, 1989, six Jesuit priests, known in Latin America — was held at Ft. founded in 1946 as part of the U.S. Cold their housekeeper and her 16-year-old Benning. Over the past 30 years, tens and War foreign policy to deter any threats to daughter were murdered by a special tens of thousands of people, many coming imperialist domination of the region, over battalion of Salvadoran soldiers whose back year after year, have marched, sung the years established relationships with leadership was trained at the School of and committed various acts of civil dis- key figures in the armed forces of South PHOTO: SOA WATCH the Americas housed at Ft. Benning in obedience to bring attention to the crim- and Central American countries. Columbus, Ga. This atrocity was just one inal legacy of the SOA. The list of SOA graduates who engaged against the masses of people. of many being committed by the right- This year, from Nov. 15 to 17, veterans in massacres, assassinations, torture and The knowledge that at least seven lead- wing government against social justice of this struggle were joined by high school disappearances of Indigenous, union and ers of the coup in Bolivia against demo- movements in El Salvador. and college-age youth to continue the cam- community leaders, and who launched cratically elected Indigenous President The 1989 massacre prompted the paign to close the SOA. There were nightly coups and became military dictators, is Evo Morales were SOA graduates— such establishment of SOA Watch, a grassroots vigils at the concertina-wired gates to Ft. long. From El Salvador, Honduras and as General Williams Kaliman Romero organization dedicated to exposing the Benning, a day-long series of panels and Guatemala to Argentina, Brazil, Chile and who trained at SOA in 2003—under- role of the U.S. government in maintain- discussions, and the Sunday processional Colombia, there is an SOA connection to scored the continuing need to win the ing oligarchic structures throughout the with the solemn intoning of the names and the repression and brutality committed demand: “Close the SOA!” ☐ workers.org Nov. 21, 2019 Page 7 ‘You can’t call yourself anti-racist if you’re not anti-imperialist’

The following slightly edited remarks against the It’s time for us on the left to show solidarity. fascist coup in Bolivia were made by Makasi Motema on Because you can’t call yourself anti-racist if you’re not behalf of Workers World Party at a Nov. 16 protest held anti-imperialist. at Columbus Circle in New York City. Along with WWP, You can’t call yourself an ally of Black and Brown lives the protest was sponsored by Answer, International over here if you condone the overthrow of Black and Action Center, December 12th Movement, Party for Brown governments over there. Socialism and Liberation and La Lucha. You can’t speak about justice and then repeat the lies of the U.S. State Department. Solidarity is about consistency. In order to truly understand solidarity, you must Solidarity is about making sure the politics you hold understand that when you see the words, written by inside of your home match the politics you hold outside the New York Times, saying, “This was not a coup,” of your home. you should also remember the words of the New York It’s about making sure the politics you hold in your Post, saying, “He [referring to a turnstile jumper in NYC community match the ones you hold outside your arrested by police] was reaching toward his waistband.” WW PHOTO: BRENDA RYAN community. The people of Bolivia understand solidarity. Makasi Motema speaks in New York City on Nov. 16. You can’t say you practice solidarity if you have one They understand that the capitalist class will stop kind of politics inside your country and a different kind at nothing to steal the resources of Black, Brown and communities and our class. of politics outside your country. Indigenous people who dare to struggle together. We too must struggle. And we too must win. You can’t be an anti-racist in the U.S. unless you are They understand that white-supremacist violence Because, and this is no exaggeration, the entire world an anti-imperialist overseas. does not respect borders. is depending on us. That’s not consistent. That’s not what solidarity looks They understand that their fight is our fight and that The entire world hopes and prays that people of con- like. our fight is their fight. science within the U.S. will one day bring this great, Because if you’re anti-racist, you know that the U.S. That’s why, as we speak, the people of Bolivia are lumbering machine of imperialism and exploitation to police attack, murder and lie about Black and Brown organizing and mobilizing. a grinding halt. people in our streets. They are rallying to fight back. That one day, the people of the world will have the And if you’re anti-imperialist, you know that the They are willing to do whatever they need to do to toss freedom of self-determination without the threat of U.S. military attacks, murders and lies about Black and out the coup plotters and their imperialist masters. exploitation. Brown people all over the world. So what do we need to do? But that one day will only come when we show TRUE There is no difference. We here, in the imperial core, have a tremendous solidarity and commit ourselves to unite, to organize, to So it’s time for us on the left to get our politics right. responsibility. struggle with every muscle fiber in our bodies. It’s time for us on the left to get consistent. We too must organize. We too must unify our The choice and the responsibility are yours. ☐ Racist coup in Bolivia sparks resistance

Continued from page 1 revolutionary leader Lenin elaborated: The Constitution of 2009 for batteries used in electric cars. In gen- the bourgeois state—​and in the Latin The fascist movement that formed the eral, it is indispensable for solutions to of “The Open Veins of Latin America” American context one can also speak vanguard of the coup could not have gen- the climate change crisis proposed by by Eduardo Galeano, and it fits the coup of the neocolonial state—​at the criti- erated the necessary chaos for the coup “green capitalism.” A few weeks before in Bolivia. By its own public comments, cal moment will serve only bourgeois without a social base. As was evident, this the coup, Morales had cancelled an agree- the “civic” movement led by Camacho—​ interests. base was motivated by strong racism and ment with a German firm to develop its which is really a fascist movement—​ It was obvious that the country’s police a desire to massacre the Indigenous peo- lithium reserves and had begun negotiat- demands the “return of Bolivia to Christ.” forces did not sufficiently change their ples and destroy their cultures. ing with China. The core of this movement is the alli- character during the years (2006-19 of In this context, it must be understood There is no doubt that the climate cri- ance between the country’s old colonial Morales’ presidency) of MAS’ process of that one of the most important achieve- sis requires technological solutions that elite, businesspeople and evangelical change. At the critical moment, they served ments of the process of change, perhaps depend on lithium, but the question is churches. These groups overlap, and their their old oligarchic masters. After the coup over and above economic growth, was the who should benefit from its develop- objective is the restoration of the crio- materialized, they removed the Wiphala establishment of the Plurinational State ment: the people who with their labor llos—European-identified​ settlers—and​ from their uniforms and began a campaign with the Constitution of 2009. extract it from the earth and—​accord- their neocolonial version of Christianity. of anti-popular terror in the streets. The first clause that provokes the anger ing to the government’s industrialization The initial acts of the coup leaders, Williams Kaliman, who was then of the heirs of the colonial elite is that for plans—process​ it, or the transnationals, after Evo resigned and before appointing commanding the Bolivian armed forces the first time it established a legally secu- in this case mainly German imperialist an interim president, were to remove the and who “suggested” to Morales that he lar Bolivia. That is why the coup plotters corporations? Wiphala, the flag of Indigenous Andean resign, was trained at the School of the now enter with the Bible in hand. The oligarchy of the country, even if it peoples, from government buildings and Americas—​which has since changed its Along with the separation of religion manages to put aside its racism, becomes to take photos kneeling before the Bible name without changing its character. This and the state, this Constitution decrees enraged again when it remembers the and the national flag. In their celebra- is the U.S. military academy that trains the equality of 36 Indigenous languages mines lost in nationalization. It shouts tions this movement’s members burn the Latin American officers and has produced and Spanish as official state languages. and prepares its coup when it sees what Wiphala and attack the original peoples’ the worst dictators, war criminals, and Every territory has at least one offi- it considers its profits “wasted” on edu- symbols, which they call “satanic.” facilitated genocide on the continent. cial Indigenous language in addition cational programs, a universal health When the coup plotters finally named Bolivian media also discovered that a to Spanish. Indigenous nations gained system and financing the emancipation a senator, Jeanine Añez, “interim presi- group of graduates of that academy, includ- explicit representation in the legislature. of the country from the International dent,” she proclaimed herself president ing several members of the high command, Under it, judicial offices are elected by Monetary Fund. while surrounded by the military. She did had already conspired to overthrow the vote. Lithium is only part of the wealth of the this in a nearly empty legislative chamber government. (tinyurl.com/yf7estss/) This Constitution breaks with centuries Bolivian subsoil. Hydrocarbons and min- with no quorum or majority political bloc Morales’ government had closed the of colonialism and neocolonialism that erals are also important. The same can be present. They were absent because two- foreign military bases in the country, and have dominated the entire continent, and said of Bolivia’s agricultural products. thirds of the elected representatives are in 2008 stopped sending its military to for the first time created a framework for But whatever the resource, the desire from MAS and the police prevented them train in the United States. Morales even a state that was not controlled by colonial of the oligarchy is the same throughout from entering. started an anti-imperialist school, but elites. the continent: to sell mineral and agricul- Añez is linked through her spouse to apparently it wasn’t in time, and the tural resources to the transnationals, to Colombian Uribism—​named after the lackeys of imperialism were able to stay Lithium, other natural resources, lower salaries and therefore the quality of death-squad former Colombian President in high command. economic factors in coup life to its minimum level, and to keep the Álvaro Uribe. She entered the palace The only good thing is that these lack- The 2009 Constitution decrees that difference for themselves. holding a Bible larger than her head. eys are now unmasked, and their true the country’s natural resources are the Consequently, the resistance that is On the other hand, the coup needed, intentions are undeniable. It falls to the exclusive domain of the Bolivian peo- being organized in the face of the coup, and received, the collaboration of the people, in the process of organizing resis- ple, administered by the state. It also in addition to defending the rights of National Police and the Armed Forces to tance to the coup, to develop their own declares a maximum limit on private land the original peoples, represents the class materialize. This collaboration was the armed forces originating from the masses ownership. struggle and the opportunity to create a key difference between the Bolivian coup of people. Only then will these armed Bolivia has one of the largest reserves new state power outside the control of the and the failed coup attempt in Venezuela forces be able to serve as the basis of state of lithium, whose value is on the rise oligarchy. This resistance thus deserves earlier this year. power free from oligarchic and imperial- because it is the essential raw material the support of the working class around It is proof of the idea that Russian ist influence. the world as well as all anti-racists. ☐ Page 8 Nov. 21, 2019 workers.org ‘Boycott Wendy’s’

Farmworkers with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their allies marched in midtown Manhattan Nov. 18 demanding real transparency and verifiable human rights protections in Wendy’s produce supply chain. CIW built the Fair Food Program, a unique worker-led monitoring and enforcement campaign that has ended sexual harassment, forced labor and other long-standing human rights violations in the Florida fields and beyond. All the largest fast-food companies—​McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell and Chipotle—​along with nine major food retailers, including Whole Foods and Walmart, have joined the program. workers, who harvest Wendy’s produce, a voice if their estamos en la lucha,” protesters took their demands for But for years, Wendy’s has refused to open its supply rights are violated and leaves them vulnerable to ram- farmworker rights to 280 Park Avenue where they pick- chain to the Fair Food Program. Instead it uses widely pant sexual assault, widespread violence and systemic eted the hedge fund Trian Partners, Wendy’s largest insti- discredited, for-profit social auditing companies to wage theft. tutional shareholder. monitor its suppliers’ operations, which effectively deny Chanting “Boycott Wendy’s” and “Wendy’s escucha, — Report and photos by Brenda Ryan Next step is to free Rodney Reed!

Continued from page 1 literally hurts. I miss my brother. I know my brother wants exoneration before freedom. Just hours after the Texas Board of But we just want him home.” Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously to Even though many celebrities have come recommend to the governor that Reed be out for Reed, it is the grassroots activists given a 120-day stay of execution on Nov. 15, who have worked for the last 20 years to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued bring justice for Reed. It is the community an indefinite stay of execution. rallies, university meetings, marches and The court cited concealed information, vigils that have brought out families, stu- false testimony and possible innocence dents and activists. in its last-minute decision to stay the exe- There were 130 planned rallies across the cution. Reed’s case had captured national country this weekend, and activist Shaun and international attention in the last few King, with Action PAC, sent word they were months with the help of almost daily vigils, still on after the stay was announced. protests, marches and rallies. Alamo Heights High School students in After well-known celebrities began speak- San Antonio gathered in the town plaza ing out against his execution, there was an on Nov. 16 where Magoli Garcia, 17, and avalanche of support from politicians from her classmates rallied. She thought of the both major bourgeois parties, athletes, civil protest in her humanities class after they rights organizations and just everyday peo- watched documentaries such as “13th” ple who saw the Reed case as just one more that explored slavery and how that flowed lying, racist attack on a person of color. directly into the U.S. prison system. She Finally, after over 21 years, all the evi- told the San Antonio Express News, “Even dence that will prove that Reed could not though we’re small,” she said, “we’re have committed the murder will be heard mighty, and we want to be heard.” (Nov. 16) in a court of law. In Houston on Nov. 17 people gathered at the federal courthouse and marched to City Over two decades of torture Hall. The rally chair explained the latest Reed, along with his parents, siblings and news and encouraged everyone to keep up whole extended family, has had to endure the fight. A high school debate teacher said the painful trauma of living on death row she was going to have her students learn and waiting for Texas to murder him. about the death penalty. Reed’s mother, Sandra Reed, his father, In Austin on Nov. 17, activists again gath- Walter Reed, and his five brothers have ered outside the governor’s mansion in an fought and fought for two decades. They emotional rally. Rodrick Reed spoke. He survived an execution date in 2015. thanked everyone for all their work and After Reed’s father died in 2015, his sacrifices and said on a Facebook live feed, mother and brother, Rodrick Reed, have “This isn’t victory. We won a small battle, spearheaded the family’s efforts to get jus- WW PHOTO: GLORIA RUBAC but the war is still going. Victory will be tice. For the last several months, Rodrick and when Rodney comes home to his family his spouse, Wana Akpan Reed, have traveled Following the indefinite stay, Rodrick area and returned to his 60-square-foot cell and we can be whole again. We are plan- the country speaking out for Rodney. Reed posted on his Facebook page: “It feels for 23 hours a day, seven days a week, being ning a lot more actions; we’re just getting From the steps of the U.S. Supreme so good to finally breathe. But this fight is not fed through a tiny slit like a caged animal. warmed up. So, lace your boots up tight and Court to New York to Ohio, they have spo- over with! While we celebrate this victory, We have to keep fighting hard while we have get ready to fight! Free Rodney Reed!” ken at events in Austin, Dallas and Houston. we cannot lose momentum or motivation. this powerful momentum. Rodney needs to They’ve held press conferences, marched, I think to myself every day, I wonder what be freed. Period. We are focusing 100 per- Rubac is a longtime leader of the Texas rallied and held countless actions in their Rodney is doing right now? Remember this: cent of our energies on bringing Rodney Death Penalty Abolition Movement in hometown of Bastrop. Rodney will be removed from death watch home alive. . . . We miss Rodney so bad it Houston. Invest in Workers World! The end of the year is traditionally when people show the ultimate goal of breaking To renew or join, write their appreciation for what matters most to them. capitalism’s chains. checks to Workers World and How can you show your gratitude for what Workers Right now, you can renew mail them, with your name and World gives you 51 weeks a year? your membership in the address, to 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Not only can you renew your membership in the Workers World Supporter Floor, New York, NY 10011. Or Workers World Supporter Program or join the program, Program or join the pro- donate online at workers.org/donate/; but you can also show your appreciation by remember- gram and help WW tell it’s easy to set up monthly deductions. ing Workers World in your will. That will ensure the working-class truth year round. To find out how to put Workers World in paper will continue well into the future to bring read- Members receive a year’s subscrip- your will, write to the program. ers news and Marxist analysis that never appears in the tion to WW, a monthly letter about corporate media. timely issues and five free subscriptions to Help build Workers World—​for You can promote Workers World’s global agenda give to friends for a donation of a minimum of today and for the future! for justice, equality and revolutionary socialism—​with $75 or $100 or $300 (only $25 a month). workers.org Nov. 21, 2019 Page 9 Bolivian leaders denounce U.S. role in coup

By John Catalinotto in the legislature and refuses to recog- Camacho and some others be expelled Given how far U.S. imperialism and nize self-appointed head of state Jeanine from Bolivia, that the Armed Forces its Bolivian lackeys have gone in their Nov. 18 − Despite massacres in the Añez, a reactionary evangelist who pub- return to their barracks, and that new attempt at counterrevolution, it is hard to major cities of El Alto, La Paz and licly insults Indigenous peoples. elections be scheduled within 90 days. imagine how they would suddenly offer Cochabamba that killed 24 people in The coup regime plans to use bru- The reactionary, pro-imperialist role of concessions. That means the best way the last five days, the resistance to the tal force to stay in power even while it the Organization of American States has to avoid civil war would be if the rank pro-imperialist coup regime has grown attempts to give its rule a constitutional been exposed. The charge of “electoral and file of the Bolivian military—​which and spread to other areas and major cities cover. It even pronounced an edict Nov. fraud” in Morales’ Oct. 20 victory at the is majority Indigenous peoples—​would in Bolivia, including Santa Cruz, which is 15 offering impunity to police and troops polls was a completely invented pretext refuse to shoot at the popular movement a stronghold of the Bolivian rich. for killing Bolivian civilians—​an hour that has been spread extensively by the and revolt. During the week since a combination of before the massacre in Cochabamba. imperialist-controlled media. There have been some reports of a racist, anti-Indigenous mobilization and Añez has threatened to charge MAS leg- As Morales pointed out in his Nov. 17 friendly interaction between the protest a police-military mutiny forced President islators with promoting “subversion.” interview, the OAS audit found irregular- marches and the troops. Nothing reported Evo Morales from office on Nov. 10 and Despite the murders, mass resistance ities in only 0.22 percent of the polling so far has shown a decisive break within caused him to take asylum in Mexico, the to the coup continues to grow, espe- places. That’s 1 in 500 and that wouldn’t the military and troops joining the popu- following has become clear: cially among Bolivians who identify as have affected the outcome. lar movement. Videos have shown, how- U.S. imperialism played a central role Indigenous and organized workers from In other countries around the world ever, that the masses of the people are in financing and coordinating the coup all peoples. Defying the threat to their there have been demonstrations support- appealing to the troops to join them. movement. That was a charge Morales lives, mobilizations from the Indigenous ing the return of Evo Morales to preside The responsibility of anti-imperial- made in an interview from Mexico on city of El Alto announced plans to block- over Bolivia and an end to the repres- ist forces outside Bolivia is to follow Nov. 17, saying, the coup was planned in ade adjacent La Paz, the administrative sion of the popular movement. Some the example of those in the other Latin the U.S. Embassy and he “fell into a trap.” capital. Anti-coup protesters still head of the largest have been in São Paulo, American capitals and do everything pos- Morales also accused the Armed Forces of toward the capital from other cities. In Guatemala City, Caracas, and in Buenos sible to assist and support the still grow- being lined up with the “neoliberal forces” Cochabamba, protesters burned down a Aires. ing resistance of the Indigenous peoples and the “oligarchy,” but not the entire police headquarters. and workers of Bolivia. military, mainly the commanders. Civil war? Demands of the resistance The coup makers are caught in a con- Speaking from Mexico, Morales has Sources for this article were reports tradiction: They want to look legitimate, While it is unclear if there is a unified said that he wants to do everything pos- by Marco Teruggi, most of which but they can’t allow the legislature to national leadership in the resistance, sible to prevent a civil war in Bolivia. He have been published on workers. function under constitutional rules. there seems to be general agreement to has called upon the armed forces to refuse org, and other reports published in Morales’ Movement Toward Socialism demand that Añez resign, that she and to shoot at Bolivians. And he has offered resumenlatinoamericano.org. (MAS) party has a two-thirds majority coup leaders Carlos Mesa, Fernando to participate in negotiations.

A motive for the imperialist-backed coup? Bolivia, lithium and China’s BRI By Joshua Hanks for its quinoa, coffee and soy.” (Xinhua, Aug. 30) Details are still emerging about the The BRI has been a regular focus of recent coup in Bolivia, which removed attacks by the Trump administration, President Evo Morales from power. especially from Secretary of State Mike Under Morales, the first Indigenous pres- Pompeo and the rabid war hawk and ident in Bolivia and in South America, recently ousted national security adviser the government nationalized key indus- John Bolton. tries and raw materials, directing prof- In an interview last year with right- its to social programs that benefited the wing talk radio host Hugh Hewitt, poor, largely Indigenous population. The Pompeo called China’s infrastructure results were overwhelmingly positive, projects “something that I think would greatly reducing extreme poverty in one be bad for each of those countries and of the world’s poorest countries. certainly presents risk to American inter- One reason for the coup could involve ests.” (Washington Examiner, Oct. 16, Bolivia’s friendly relationship to the 2018) People’s Republic of China. This same Mike Pompeo said in an Morales visited Beijing in June 2018 April 15 speech at Texas A&M University: State-owned lithium extraction complex at Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. PHOTO: PABLO COZZAGLIO and met with President Xi Jinping to dis- “What’s the cadet motto at West Point? cuss further deepening of ties between You will not lie, cheat, or steal, or toler- economic output, Shenzhen alone has development of its lithium reserves must the two countries. Morales said then, ate those who do. I was the CIA director. more electric buses than the entire U.S. benefit the Bolivian people and that the “China’s support and aid to Bolivia’s We lied, we cheated, we stole. It’s—it​ was and a massive fleet of all-electric taxis. government is “determined to indus- economic and social development never like—​we had entire training courses. It In addition to becoming a center of trialize Bolivia and has invested huge attaches any political conditions,” adding reminds you of the glory of the American the high-tech green economy, Shenzhen amounts to ensure that lithium is pro- that Bolivia expected a closer strategic experiment.” (Video on YouTube) aims to be a “socialist model city” that cessed within the country to export it partnership in the future and was joining “will be the world’s first modern power- only in value-added form, such as in bat- China’s Belt and Road Initiative. (Xinhua, Strategic role of Bolivia’s lithium house not built on the road of capitalism, teries.” (TeleSUR) June 19, 2018) While China’s BRI investments and but by practicing socialism with Chinese By contrast, the imperialist West has The global trade and infrastructure trade deals with Bolivia are diversified characteristics,” wrote He Lifeng, minis- traditionally extracted raw materials project covering 68 percent of the world’s and include many agricultural goods, ter of China’s National Development and while suppressing industrialization in population, the BRI features investments undoubtedly Bolivia’s most important Reform Commission, in a Sept. 10 article colonized countries, keeping them poor many times larger than the U.S. Marshall resource is lithium. Lithium, used to in People’s Daily. and underdeveloped. The imperial core Plan that helped rebuild Western Europe make batteries for everything from smart- China is investing heavily in Bolivia’s countries maintain a monopoly on the after World War II. It’s intended as an phones to electric cars, is one of the key lithium sector, using its state-led eco- high value-added industries that rely on outlet for China’s excess industrial capac- elements powering the rise of high-tech, nomic model to do so. Bolivia’s lithium raw materials extracted from colonized ity while stimulating economic growth in low-carbon economies. Lithium demand reserves are at a high altitude and require countries, selling back finished products poor countries. The BRI would estab- is expected to more than double by 2025. industrial processing, but Bolivia lacks at an inflated price. Bolivia under Morales lish a new international economic order Bolivia has nearly 70 percent of the the needed capital and technology. sought to break this colonial pattern and based on mutual respect and noninterfer- world’s lithium reserves. Xinjiang TBEA, a publicly owned use its resources to benefit its people, not ence, outside the grip of Washington and China has positioned itself as a key Chinese company, recently won a con- foreign imperial powers. Brussels. player in the high-tech sector, with the tract to jointly develop lithium sources Utilizing a state-led economic model, This summer, “Bolivia made its first- city of Shenzhen taking the lead as China’s in Bolivia’s Coipasa and Pastos Grandes Bolivia worked closer and closer with ever shipment of beef to China as China Silicon Valley. Rapidly transforming from regions, with Bolivia’s nationalized lith- China, provoking the consternation of seeks to find sources of agricultural a sleepy fishing village in the 1970s to a ium mining company controlling a 51 per- Western imperialists who seek to snuff imports other than the U.S. China also futuristic megalopolis that rivals nearby cent share in the venture. out any alternative to the neoliberal cap- has purchase agreements with Bolivia Hong Kong in terms of population and Morales has stated that the country’s italist world order. ☐ Page 10 Nov. 21, 2019 workers.org

editorial Violence, racism and football

Cleveland is a midwestern city of Rudolph did not sustain any injury from the disparity in punishment, Smith drew has never been true when capitalist team roughly 400,000 people. Not much that the hit to his head. critical comments online. Others com- owners’ profits go up and down based happens there makes national news. But The NFL suspended Garrett for the mended him. (Sports Illustrated, Nov. 15) on winning or losing. Winning is every- even the New York Times covered the entire season, postseason and perhaps This is not an isolated incident. Racism thing to them. When winning depends on Nov. 14 brawl between members of the even extending into next season. Pouncey has permeated the NFL since its founding in aggressive behavior, doesn’t that foster a Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh and Ogunjobi were also suspended for 1920. While 70 percent of NFL players are culture of violence? How else to explain Steelers in the National Football League. three games and one game, respectively. Black, when it comes to “leadership” only the seemingly irrational flaring of tem- With the Browns leading 21-7 and only Rudolph, who by many accounts insti- five out of 32 quarterbacks and only two pers, which hurt the players involved, eight seconds of play left, the game’s out- gated the fight, was not suspended or even head coaches are Black. The Washington, their team and their fans? come was certain. Browns defensive end ejected from the last few seconds of the D.C., and Kansas City team names are still If Myles Garrett can be chastised for Myles Garrett tackled Steelers quarterback game. Max Kellerman, a white cohost of racist slurs against Indigenous people. endangering another player, what about Mason Rudolph, bringing him down after the popular ESPN program, “First Take,” Colin Kaepernick has been barred for the the team owners, who demand players a pass had already been thrown. Rudolph commented Nov. 15 that this was obviously last three years from playing for taking a risk their health and safety every time tugged on Garrett’s helmet and tried to unfair, stating that Rudolph should have knee during the national anthem to protest they play? The longterm health conse- deliver a knee to the groin. In retaliation, gotten at least a one-game suspension. racist police brutality. quences of repeated head trauma are Garrett pulled Rudolph’s helmet off. Black ESPN commentators—​most Professional sports is a lucrative source well-documented. Denied decent health While Rudolph’s teammates were notably the Emmy-award-winning of profits under the capitalist system of care, retired players suffer needlessly restraining Garrett, the quarterback Michael Wilbon, co-host of “Pardon the exploitation. That’s why the NFL mirrors from lifelong injuries. charged Garrett, who swung Rudolph’s Interruption”—​along with USA Today all the evils of capitalist society, including The multimillionaires and billionaires helmet and hit him on the head. Browns echoed Kellerman’s views. sexism as well as racism. As Smith also who own the teams and ultimately “call defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi shoved The players union is appealing all three points out, “While this [Nov. 14 fight] the shots” tend to be reactionaries. Browns Rudolph. Steelers center Maurkice suspensions. is an isolated incident, violence against owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are brother Pouncey kicked Garrett in the head. women is an epidemic. Numerous players and sister-in-law and political supporters Garrett has been widely attacked for Few dare call out racism across the league are making millions of of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam—​who was using Rudolph’s helmet “as a weapon.” Garrett, Pouncey and Ogunjobi are dollars playing every week while victims instrumental in defeating the union at Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield Black. Rudolph is white. Yet few voices [of their sexist assaults] are subjected to the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. Art and Coach Freddie Kitchens immedi- in the sports world, even those decrying reliving nightmares in their lives as stadi- Modell, who owned the original Browns ately denounced Garrett’s behavior, but the lack of fairness, dare to utter the word ums full of people are cheering.” and moved the team to Baltimore, was a Kitchens later pointed out that Garrett “racism.” The inconsistency in imposing long-time Republican Party supporter. “understands what he did” and was penalties was somehow due to favorit- A pervasive culture of violence Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft, the billion- “embarrassed.” Garrett apologized “to ism toward quarterbacks—​or toward Capitalist culture is also reflected in aire owners of the Dallas Cowboys and New Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our the Steelers. But whatever the motive, it’s the overriding culture of violence in the England Patriots, respectively, are proud entire organization, our fans and the hard to conceive that the players would NFL that the Browns-Steelers scuffle epit- Trump supporters. NFL” the very next day after the incident. not view the NFL’s actions as racism. omizes. Winning a football game depends Professional athletes, even the high- (Yahoo Sports, Nov. 15) Sports commentator Pete Smith on defense as well as offense. That means est-paid, are workers under capitalism. Pouncey’s comment defending his wrote: “The lack of action against Mason physically tackling the opponent. Other They have a right to safe working condi- own conduct in the melee—​that Garrett Rudolph, the one who started everything than hockey, boxing and wrestling, few tions, including stress management. They “could have killed” Rudolph—​has that would transpire and escalated the sports demand as much aggressive phys- have a right to a nondiscriminatory work become a common refrain. That was pos- situation, is troubling and now raises ical contact. environment. sible, according to specialists in sports questions about race.” For merely sug- The old adage, “It’s not whether you But under capitalism, these rights are medicine, but highly unlikely. In fact gesting that racism might be a factor in win or lose, but how you play the game,” hard to come by. ☐ Koreans say no to Trump Int’l gathering reinforces By Deirdre Griswold daringly putting his foot across the line of demarcation. The Democratic People’s Republic of But it was all for show. The U.S. has done anti-imperialist solidarity Korea has rejected the latest proposal by nothing since then to lower its very real By EMQ Vincent and the Grenadines; and a rep- the Trump administration for a summit hair-trigger threat of war on the peninsula. Havana, Cuba resentative of the Communist Party of meeting. The February summit in Vietnam was China. All stressed that coordination On Nov. 18, the DPRK Foreign Ministry broken off when Trump and his hawkish Nov. 11—​The Anti-Imperialist and unity against neoliberalism and said in a statement: “Three rounds of “security adviser,” John Bolton, handed Meeting of Solidarity for Democracy in defense of democracy were urgently DPRK-U.S. summit meetings and talks were Kim a document that called for “fully dis- and against Neoliberalism (Encuentro needed. The assembly declared the year held since June last year, but no particular mantling North Korea’s nuclear infra- Antimperialista de Solidaridad por la 2020 as a year of left counteroffensive. improvement has been achieved in DPRK- structure, chemical and biological warfare Democracia y contra el Neoliberalismo) The struggles to Free Lula in Brazil (he U.S. relations. And the U.S. only seeks to program and related dual-use capabilities; was held at the Havana Convention was freed Nov. 8) and to win indepen- earn time, pretending it has made progress and ballistic missiles, launchers, and asso- Center Nov. 1-3. dence for Puerto Rico were also raised. in settling the issue of the Korean peninsula. ciated facilities,” according to the British The conference was attended by more Six breakout sessions took place, “We are no longer interested in such news agency Reuters. than 1,200 delegates from around the including “Solidarity with Cuba and talks that bring nothing to us. As we have Imagine the outrage in the U.S. imperi- world, with nearly 100 coming from other just causes” held at the Latin gotten nothing in return, we will no lon- alist military/diplomatic establishment if North America. Notable large delegations American School of Medicine (ELAM), ger gift the U.S. president with something the scenario had been reversed—if​ Kim had included movement representatives from “Integration, identities and common he can boast of. If the U.S. truly wants to handed Trump a document demanding the Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil and Chile, struggles” and “Strategic communica- keep a dialogue with the DPRK, it had bet- U.S. dismantle its doomsday weapons that as well as delegates from as far away as tion and social struggle/decolonization ter make a bold decision to drop its hostile are used to threaten the whole world! Vietnam and New Zealand. and the culture war.” policy toward the DPRK.” The DPRK has no bases abroad. It is The meeting was opened by Fernando Gail Walker of the Interreligious When Donald Trump met with Kim involved in no foreign wars. Its weapons Gonzáles, a “Cuban Five” hero of the Foundation for Community Organization Jong Un, leader of the DPRK, in Singapore are purely defensive—an​ absolute neces- Cuban people and president of the represented the U.S. delegation at the in June 2018, it appeared to be a break- sity in a country that knows what it’s like Cuban Institute of Friendship with the front podium and had the honor of intro- through in relations between the two coun- to be attacked by the U.S. From 1950 to Peoples (ICAP). The meeting was closed ducing the closing plenary speakers. tries. Certainly, Trump used the meeting to 1953, every building over one story was by President of the Cuban Republic In his closing remarks, President Díaz- grandstand, projecting an image of a cou- bombed by the U.S. in one of the most Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Army Canel said in part, “A special greeting rageous leader ready to break with the past uneven wars in human history. General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secre- to all who resist and have come to the and resolve difficult issues. The DPRK survived because of the peo- tary of the Communist Party of the Cuban capital, which has always been, He repeated the gesture this February, ple’s iron determination to defend their Cuba; and President of the Bolivarian and will be, a meeting point for those meeting Kim in Vietnam. And in June, socialist system. That’s what U.S. impe- Republic of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro who defend peace and solidarity among Trump went to the demilitarized zone rialism can’t understand—​or defeat. ☐ Moros. Also attending were the Second peoples. The new generation of Cuban dividing the north and south of Korea, Cuban Communist Party Secretary José leaders, trained and educated by the Ramón Machado Ventura and Esteban historical generation of Fidel and Raúl, Lazo, president of the Cuban National are revolutionaries, socialists, faith- Assembly of People’s Power and the ful to Fidel and Martí, and we will not Council of State. yield a millimeter in our positions in Powerful addresses were made by a favor of independence, sovereignty and number of delegates, including Glesei social justice. And as a link with the Hoffman of the Workers Party of Brazil; peoples who struggle and resist, we will Dr. Hannah Bisiw of the National always uphold solidarity as a fundamen- Democratic Congress of Ghana; Prime tal principle to which we owe so much.” Pyongyang, capital of DPRK, leveled to the ground by U.S. bombs during Korean War (left); Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint (en.granma.cu, Nov. 4) ☐ Modern day Pyongyang due to socialist reconstruction (right). workers.org Nov. 21, 2019 Page 11 Yellow Vest protests show anger remains

By G. Dunkel plus union activists, they occupied the Nov. 16 why they came, the most common Camara, one of the organizers, explained: Golden Arrow (La Flèche d’Or), an unused answer was that nothing essential had “We are wearing the vests because we were Some 40,000 Yellow Vest supporters concert hall, setting up a “People’s House.” changed. Macron still favored the rich inspired by what is happening in France.” came out in the French streets Nov. 16 President Emmanuel Macron’s govern- and attacked the long-standing gains of (maliactu.net, Dec. 6, 2018) to protest in Paris as well as in Lille in ment has spent $19 billion in tax breaks the workers and the poor. A significant The French TV channel, TVMonde5, the north and Marseilles and Toulouse and subsidies for lower-income workers in number of protesters demanded “the end has a special report on the impact. in southern France, according to orga- France. This represents an annual average of capitalism.” (tinyurl.com/ryba9yr/, in French) nizers. It was the one-year anniversary of of about $900 per family—​that is, not much. The report starts with a quip from the the start of their movement. During the weekly Yellow Vest protests Impact of the Yellow Vests Ivory Coast army that it is prepared to While the weekly Saturday Yellow Vest throughout much of last year, cops severely The newspaper Le Monde occupies the send a brigade to Paris to help the French protests had stopped, workers and the poor and deliberately injured over 2,000 people, same space in French journalism as the army put down the “unrest,” in return for in France showed they are still angry. The blinding dozens. Few cops face charges for New York Times does here. Le Monde French “help” in Yamoussoukro, the cap- demonstrations were militant; many were these vicious attacks—and​ certainly no one quoted a protester who put the Yellow Vest ital of the Ivory Coast. It goes on to inter- vigorously and quickly attacked by the who gave the orders for them. movement in the international context: view Guy-Marius Sagan, a spokesperson cops, who declared them illegal. Macron spent months holding town- “Anger is growing worldwide as workers for the Senegalese FRAPP (Front for an Yellow Vest people employed some hall style meetings through areas of are becoming enslaved.” (Nov. 16) Anti-Imperialist Popular and Panafrican innovative tactics. In eastern Paris, France where support for the Yellow Besides its impact in France—​where Revolution) and Yacouba Katilé, secretary together with delegations from Extinction Vests was the strongest to try to weaken over 60 percent of the public support general of the National Union of Malian Rebellion, a Queer activist coalition, immi- support for the movement. its demands, even if they have reserva- Workers (UNTM). Both Sagan and Katilé grant rights activists, housing activists, Macron has remained true to his role tions about its tactics—​the Yellow Vest express support for the Yellow Vest strug- as an investment banker for Rothschild movement has had a major impact on gle for their democratic rights and against & Co. He has removed the wealth tax Francophone West Africa. French authoritarianism. that was directed toward the wealthiest In Mali, when people’s militias set up The Yellow Vest protests on Nov. 16 are of the wealthy. He is trying to “reform” nighttime patrols to protect their communi- seen in France as a warmup for the union- France’s retirement system so people ties against raids by Boko Haram affiliates, called general strike on Dec. 5 against have to work longer, pay more into it and they wear yellow vests to show whose side Macron’s so-called retirement reforms get lower pensions. He has cut spending they’re on. When a demonstration against and his cuts to education and medical on social services and medical care, espe- extending the term in office of parliamen- care. There appears to be real feeling that People in Bamako, Mali, in solidarity with cially emergency services. tarians was held in Bamako, Mali’s capi- the union movement and the Yellow Vest Yellow Vest movement, Dec. 2018. When French TV asked protesters on tal, participants wore yellow vests. Djibril movement have to be amalgamated. ☐ Palestinians resist Israeli renewed attack on Gaza By Minnie Bruce Pratt hundreds wounded. Housing units, thousands demonstrated at the border fence backed by U.S. imperialism. agricultural lands, poultry and vegeta- imposed by Israel, demanding their right to Throughout the Great March, Israeli Israel began pounding the Palestinian ble farms have also been targeted and return to their Palestinian homeland. The snipers opened fire at protesters, kill- area of Gaza on Nov. 12 with scores of air destroyed by the air raids. This tactic of majority of Gaza’s population descended ing over 300 Palestinians, including raids and artillery attacks. The assaults destruction, along with genocidal mur- from those violently expelled from their those clearly identified as journalists and renewed an ongoing Israeli military cam- der, has been employed by the Israeli homes and villages in 1948 when Zionist medics, and injuring more than 26,000, paign against Gaza that had been in a lull government since 1948 in an attempt to militias drove out 750,000 Palestinians according to the U.N. Office for the in recent months. subjugate or drive out Palestinian resis- in order to seize land for Israel’s creation, Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. ☐ Gaza has been described as the largest tance to colonization and occupation. open-air prison in the world, after nearly Arab members of the Knesset, the Israeli 2.1 million residents suffered 12 brutal Parliament, accused right-wing Prime New York City protest years of an Israeli-imposed state of siege. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of renewing During this time Israel has limited or cut and escalating the attacks on Gaza in order off complete access to food, water, elec- to secure his political survival. Netanyahu Let Gaza live! tricity and medical supplies, leaving the received a severe setback in recent Israeli Palestinian people there hungry, thirsty elections, narrowly losing reelection. A couple of hundred activists held an and in danger. Gaza continues to fight for its liberation. emergency rally in New York’s Times Now Israel has renewed its outright The day following the predawn attack on Square on Nov. 15 to protest recent Israeli targeting of Palestinian political and mil- Al-Ata, Palestinians fighters fired a barrage massacres in Gaza of 34 Palestinians, itary leaders in their homes. On Nov. 12, of some 200 rockets into Israeli territory. including eight children. The rally Israel claimed it had assassinated the top Al Jazeera Arabic’s Wael Al-Dahdouh, included continual chants, mic check, local commander of the Islamic Jihad, reporting from Gaza on Nov. 13, said there brief speeches and a militant march down Bahaa Abu Al-Ata, in his house in Gaza is a “high degree of anger” in the city. “The Broadway to Herald Square. City. His spouse, Asma Abu Al-Ata, was overnight [Israeli] operation reminded Participating groups included allegedly also killed. people in Gaza of previous assassinations NY4Palestine, Within Our Lifetime—​ The Israeli Defense Force asserted this that targeted Palestinian activists and United for Palestine, American Muslims was a “surgical airstrike” and that it also high-level commanders from Palestinian for Palestine, Samidoun Palestinian was “investigating” whether Gazan civil- resistance groups in their homes.” Prisoner Solidarity Network, Al-Awda ians were killed in the dozens of other air- Previous resistance in Gaza has also NY, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, International Action Center, Workers strikes and bombardments in November. been fierce, most recently in the year-long World Party, CodePink: Women For Peace, Struggle—La​ Lucha for Socialism, Jews In fact, scores of civilians have been Great March of Return, lasting from March for Palestinian Right of Return, and Labor for Palestine. killed in recent attacks on Gaza and 2018 through March 2019. Every Friday — Report and photo by Sara Flounders Cuban medical personnel return home from Bolivia

The following edited article was written Surgery specialist, who worked in the impact. felt the support of people who recognize by Yenia Silva Correa and posted Nov. 19, Bolivian department of Santa Cruz, “The lives saved are there, the grate- the value of Cuban collaboration, but at 2019 on the English website of Granma, referring to the period immediately ful patients are there, and the results other times, supporters of the coup took the official voice of the Communist Party following the coup against President Evo achieved by Cuba and its international advantage of our presence to defame Evo of Cuba Central Committee. Go to tinyurl. Morales Ayma. collaboration will always be there.” Morales and his government. com/txpvtpb to read the entire article. “But even in the moments of greatest Alfredo Escobar Bernal, gastroenter- “I had no doubt that, at all times, we danger, we did not weaken. We stayed in ologist, thanked the Cuban government were protected by our country’s authorities These past few days, doctors lending our positions until the last moment, sup- for not abandoning brigade members to through diplomatic channels, and by per- their services in Bolivia and Ecuador porting the health of the sister Bolivian suffer the consequences of the coup in sonnel responsible for the medical mission. have returned to the homeland, leaving people until it was no longer possible Bolivia on their own. They were always aware of our safety.” behind their patients, families with few to continue,” said García, a native of When the coup was consummated, he As of November 18, 431 health profes- resources, but very grateful to those who Bayamo, in the province of Granma. explained, he was in Santa Cruz and lived sionals had returned to the country from treated their ailments, living as neighbors “We return victorious. We do not feel moments of uncertainty, along with other Bolivia, with the arrival of another group in their communities. defeated. We come with our heads held colleagues, given the tension that eventu- expected shortly. Also returning are mem- “We have lived days of deep sadness, high, with our mission accomplished, ally triggered very serious confrontations bers of the Cuban medical brigade in of harassment, of physical mistreatment,” because no coup, nor any regime that may among Bolivians. Ecuador, where the government cancelled said Dr. Nirza García Valdés, a General take charge of Bolivia’s fate, can erase our “There were situations in which we the bilateral agreement in this sector. ☐ El capitalismo en un Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected] callejón sin salida Fred Goldstein utiliza las leyes de la acumulación capitalista de Marx, y la tasa decreciente de ganancia, para demostrar por qué el capitalismo global ha llegado finalmente a ¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 61 Núm. 47 21 de noviembre 2019 $1 un punto de inflexión.

LowWageCapitalism.com Solidaridad con la resistencia en Bolivia

Por Sam Ordóñez La primera cláusula que provoca la rabia de los herederos de la elite colonial es que 15 de noviembre—El día 10 de noviem- por primera vez estableció una Bolivia bre renunció Evo Morales, presidente del legalmente secular. Por eso es que los gol- Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, junto con pistas ahora entran con biblia en la mano. el vicepresidente y la mayoría de su gabi- Junto con la separación entre religión y nete. Vino después de que la policía nacio- el estado, decreta la igualdad de 36 idio- nal abonó su cargo y se unió a las protestas mas indígenas y el español como lenguas de la derecha, y las Fuerzas Armadas anun- oficiales del estado. Todo territorio tiene ciaron en la televisión que pedían su renun- como mínimo una lengua indígena oficial cia, uniéndose también al golpe de estado. ademas del espanol. Las naciones indí- No importaba que el gobierno ya había genas ganaron representación explícita aceptado lo que supuestamente pedían en la legislatura y los puestos judiciales los manifestantes: nuevas elecciones con ahora son electos por voto. nuevo Tribunal Supremo Electoral. Cada día hay una manifestación desde El Alto hasta La Paz. La resistencia sigue. Esta constitución rompe con los siglos Fernando Camacho, líder del movi- de colonialismo y neocolonialismo que miento opositor, entró al Palacio Quemado la retirada de la policía nacional, quienes Por otro lado el golpe no pudo mate- han dominado el continente entero, y por para tomar una foto arrodillado ante la tuvieron que pedir refuerzos del ejército. rializarse sin el apoyo de la Policía y las primera vez formaron un estado que no bandera y la biblia. A su lado, un pastor En el resto del país, los sindicatos, Fuerzas Armadas. Esta fue la diferencia estaba controlado por las elites coloniales. declarando que “Bolivia es de Cristo”. organizaciones indígenas, campesinos, clave entre este momento y el golpe fra- En los días siguientes se desarrolló feministas, y otros movimientos sociales casado en Venezuela, por lo que se deben El litio y los recursos naturales, una situación que no debe sorprender a empezaron a movilizarse también. Desde notar algunas cosas. factores económicos del golpe los que conocen la historia de América varios puntos en el país llegan a La Paz, Es una prueba de la idea que elaboró La constitución del 2009 se decreta Latina: la policía reprimiendo con toda donde las marchas y los bloqueos de Lenin: el estado burgués, y en el contexto también que los recursos naturales del fuerza a las protestas en los barrios popu- carretera van aumentando. latinoamericano se puede hablar también país son el dominio exclusivo del pueblo lares causando por lo menos seis muer- del estado neocolonial, en el momento Boliviano, administrado por el Estado. tes, persecución de los funcionarios y Integrantes del golpe crítico servirá los intereses burgueses. Declara un límite máximo en la propie- oficiales electos del partido gobernante “El signo de la cruz en las empuñadu- Lo primero es que quedó obvio que los dad privada de la tierra. Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS), y dete- ras de las espadas”. Así se titula la primera cuerpos policiales del país no cambia- Bolivia tiene una de las reservas mas niendo a los líderes sindicales, campesi- parte del libro, “Las Venas Abiertas de ron suficientemente su carácter durante grandes de litio, cuyo valor está en alza por nos, e indígenas. América Latina”, por Eduardo Galeano, y los años del proceso de cambio. En el ser materia prima esencial de las baterías El golpe se hizo realidad con la traición así fue el golpe en Bolivia. El movimiento momento que les convenía, regresaron a que usan los carros eléctricos. En general del ejército y varios sectores de la policía, “cívico”, en realidad fascista, liderado por las faldas de sus viejos amos oligarcas. Y es indispensable para las soluciones a la pero fue también resultado de una cam- Camacho quiere, por sus propios comenta- cuando se materializó el golpe, quitaron crisis del cambio climático que propone el paña de terror contra la mayoría indígena rios públicos, “devolverle” Bolivia a Cristo. la Wiphala de sus uniformes e iniciaron “capitalismo verde”. Unas semanas antes del país y todos los que apostaron por el El origen de este movimiento es la una campaña de terror en las calles. del golpe, Evo Morales había cancelado “proceso de cambio” del MAS. Los que alianza entre la vieja élite colonial del Williams Kaliman, el comandante de un acuerdo con una firma alemana para llevaron este terror son, aparte del sector país, los empresarios, y las iglesias evan- las fuerzas armadas bolivianas, fue entre- desarrollar sus reservas de litio, y había empresarial, grupos de la extrema dere- gélicas. En realidad son grupos con gran nado en la Escuela de las Américas, una empezado a negociar con China. cha con una ideología neocolonialista y coincidencia, y su objetivo es la restaura- academia militar de EEUU que ha pro- Sin duda la crisis climática requiere las peores características del evangelismo. ción de los criollos y su Cristo neocolonial. ducido los peores dictadores, criminales soluciones tecnológicas que dependen del Evo Morales se retiró a la región de Los actos iniciales de los dirigentes del de guerra, y genocidas en el continente, litio, pero la pregunta es quien debe bene- Cochabamba, protegido por el sindicato golpe, después de que renunció Evo y antes así como muchos de los oficiales. Medios ficiarse de su desarrollo: el pueblo que con de cocaleros que antes de ser presidente de nombrar un presidente interino, fueron bolivianos descubrieron también que un su labor lo extrae de la tierra y, según los había dirigido. Despues de refugiar a 20 quitar la Wiphala de los edificios guberna- grupo de graduados de esa academia, planes de industrialización del gobierno, lo miembros de MAS en su embajada, el mentales y tomar fotos arrodillados ante incluyendo varios miembros del alto procesa, o las transnacionales, en este caso gobierno mexicano ofreció asilo, y a la la Biblia y la bandera nacional. En sus fes- mando, ya habían conspirado para derro- principalmente las alemanes? hora de escribir Evo Morales está en la tejos sus integrantes queman la Wiphala y car al gobierno (tinyurl.com/yf7estss/). La oligarquía del país, cuando logra Ciudad de México. atacan a los símbolos de los pueblos origi- El gobierno de Evo había cerrado las dejar de lado a su racismo, se enrabia Mientras tanto, en las calles de Bolivia narios que consideran “satánicos”. bases militares extranjeras en el país, y nuevamente cuando se acuerda de las se está desarrollando una gran resisten- Cuando finalmente los golpistas nom- dejó de enviar sus militares a entrenar en minas perdidas en la nacionalización. cia al golpe, para defender la democracia braron Jeanine Añez al “presidente inte- EEUU. Incluso inició una escuela anti- Grita y prepara su golpe cuando ve lo que pero también en rechazo contundente rino”, que se autoproclamó rodeada de imperialista, pero por lo visto no fue a consideran sus ganancias “malgastadas” al racismo desatado por la victoria del militares en una cámara legislativa sin tiempo, y los lacayos del imperialismo en programas educativos, un sistema de golpismo. quórum ni banco mayoritario presente, pudieron mantenerse en el alto mando. salud universal, y financiar la emancipa- En la ciudad de El Alto, cercana a la capi- eligieron una mujer vinculada al uribismo Lo bueno es que ahora esos lacayos están ción del país del FMI. tal administrativa de La Paz y famosa por colombiano por su marido y que entró al desenmascarados, y sus verdaderas inten- El litio es solo parte de la riqueza del su historia de derrocar dictadores, los habi- Palacio levantado una Biblia mas grande ciones son innegables. Le cae al pueblo, en subsuelo Boliviano, también son impor- tantes, en su mayoria indigenas, forzaron que su cabeza. el proceso de organizar una resistencia al tantes los hidrocarburos y los minerales. golpe, elaborar sus propias fuerzas arma- Lo mismo se puede decir de los productos das originadas en las masas populares que agriculturales. podrán servir como la base de un estado Pero sea el recurso que sea, el deseo de libre de influencia oligarca e imperialista. la oligarquía es el mismo en todo el con- tinente: vender los recursos minerales y La constitución de 2009 agriculturales a las transnacionales, bajar El movimiento fascista que formó la los sueldos, y por lo tanto la calidad de vanguardia del golpe no habría podido vida, a su nivel mínimo, y quedarse con generar el caos necesario para el golpe sin la diferencia. una base social. Como se evidenció, esta En consecuencia la resistencia que se base se motivaba por un fuerte racismo y está organizando ante el golpe, además de un deseo de masacrar al indígena y des- defender los derechos de los pueblos ori- truir sus culturas. ginarios, representa la lucha de clases y En este contexto hay que entender que la oportunidad de crear una nueva fuerza uno de los logros más importantes del pública fuera del control de la oligarquía. proceso de cambio, quizás por encima Por lo tanto, esta lucha merece el apoyo del crecimiento económico, fue el esta- de la clase obrera de todo el mundo, así blecimiento del Estado Plurinacional con como de todos los antirracistas. ☐ la constitución de 2009. La Paz, Bolivia, 29 de octubre.