AUSTRALIA $1.50 · CANADA $1.50 · FRANCE 1.00 EURO · ICELAND KR100 · NEW ZEALAND $2.00 · SWEDEN KR10 · UK £.50 · U.S. $1.00 INSIDE FBI raids union hall of striking water workers in Puerto Rico — PAGE 4 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 68/NO. 41 NOV. 9, 2004 It’s not who you’re against, but what you’re for! Vote Socialist Workers in 2004! • Organize! Use union power to resist bosses’ attacks; for a labor party, based on the unions, that fights in the interests of workers and farmers • U.S. troops out of Iraq! Back right of semicolonial countries to get sources of energy they need, including nuclear energy, for economic development SWP presidential candidate in L.A., on last stretch of U.S. campaign tour BY NAOMI CRAINE said. “But it’s the LOS ANGELES—“I hope you do some- bosses who threw thing good for us,” a worker coming out of out the contracts the Farmer John meatpacking plant said and are cutting October 19 as he shook the hand of Róger wages, saying Calero, Socialist Workers Party candidate they need it for the company’s survival. The Róger Calero for President court, whose job Arrin Hawkins for Vice President is to preserve See list of all 44 SWP candidates, page 7 the capital of the ruling families, went along. If we for president, who was on the last stretch of mobilize union his campaign tour across the country. power to focus “The question is what we’re going to our fire on the do together,” Calero replied. The SWP bosses it’s not for Militant/Nick Castle campaign, he said, champions the need of sure they’ll go ahead with the cuts. And if Róger Calero (above, left), SWP candidate for president, campaigns October 19 out- workers to organize unions and make the they say they’ll carry out their threats to shut side Farmer John pork slaughterhouse near Los Angeles. Calero’s running mate Arrin existing unions more effective so that work- down, as some will, we should say that if a Hawkins (inset) campaigns October 15 at Sterlingwear garment plant in Boston. ers can fi ght the bosses’ attacks on wages company can’t provide decent wages, ben- and working conditions. efi ts, and safety then it doesn’t deserve to In discussions at the plant gate, Calero stay in business.” pointed to the tearing up of union contracts If these companies move anywhere in UMWA strikes Utah miners fight by US Airways four days earlier. The em- the country, or anywhere in the world, ployers try to fool workers by pointing to Calero said, the union should collaborate W. Virginia mine to reverse firing a bankruptcy court ruling backing US Air- with workers there to organize and fi ght the ways’ request to void the contracts, Calero Continued on Page 7 to maintain union of UMWA militant BY JAY RESSLER BY GUILLERMO ESQUIVEL Sunday, October 31 New York City SMITHERS, West Virginia—The United HUNTINGTON, Utah—“I had a two- Mine Workers of America (UMWA) called hour meeting with the company, and the a strike at the Cannelton mine near here bosses insisted that I was fi red because I Before the Vote: The Real Results of the October 7. Picket lines went up beginning refused orders from a foreman,” said Celso October 18. Panduro, a coal miner at the Co-Op mine 2004 U.S. Election Campaign Coal miners said they are fi ghting to here, after an October 21 meeting with the Speakers win their jobs back and to keep their union employers. “I never refused orders and the when the mine reopens. company union is not defending me at these JACK BARNES, Socialist Workers Party National Secretary Horizon Natural Resources owned grievance meetings.” The hidden centrality of the “union question”: the transformation this mine, along with the Starfi re mine Panduro is one of the stalwarts of the ef- in Hazard, Kentucky. The company shut fort at Co-Op to win representation by the of the working-class vanguard that has begun and the political down the two mines September 27, after United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), challenges before us declaring bankruptcy. Massey Energy has which, he says, is the real reason behind his The ongoing transformation of U.S. imperialism’s global military since bought both of them as part of the fi ring. The company union he was referring posture and political world strategy that will advance regardless of bankruptcy settlement and says it plans to to is the so-called International Association which party wins control of the White House or Congress reopen them with a workforce of its choos- of United Workers Union (IAUWU), which ing after January 1. All of Massey’s mines miners say is run and controlled by the The slow but steady politicization and factionalization of the offi cer Continued on Page 4 Kingston family, the mine’s owners. corps of the U.S. armed forces “The IAUWU president at the mine is Continued on Page 4 The implications for workers and farmers of the continued U.S. forces, Iraqi gov’t coarsening of bourgeois politics and militarization of the “homeland” The employers’ continuing progress in pushing down wages, make progress in push stretching out the workday, speeding up the line, and further to take control of Also Inside: weakening the unions—their answer to intensifi ed interimperialist 10,000 rally in Atlantic City competition and the opening stages of a world depression Fallujah, as U.S. planes to back striking casino workers 2 The undermining of Social Security, the never-ending assault on keep pounding militias Florida SWP campaign: ‘No’ on social solidarity, and the bosses’ drive to throw the young and the BY SAM MANUEL parental notifi cation measure, old of the working classes to the dogs U.S. troops and the Iraqi interim govern- ‘Yes’ to minimum wage increase 7 ment headed by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi ROBERTO VILLANUEVA, on new stage of the Utah Co-Op miners’ battle for a are making progress in their campaign to Arrin Hawkins addresses teachers union, and the political fi ght against the mine owner’s harassment lawsuit bring Fallujah under the control of the Al- lawi administration. The military action on strike, students in Iceland 7 CELEBRATE the reopening of the fi rebombed there, which has included sustained pound- Socialist Workers campaign headquarters in Hazleton, Pennsylvania ing of militia positions by U.S. warplanes Firebombed SWP campaign hall and tanks since October 15, is expected to in Pennsylvania refurbished, Reception 1 p.m. Program 2 p.m. Refreshments afterward be the toughest in the campaign to bring grand reopening held 9 about 30 Iraqi cities—where militias op- — 307 West 36th Street, 10th fl oor, Manhattan — posed to the U.S.-backed regime have Cuba said no to UN ‘inspections’ Sponsored by the Socialist Workers Party National Committee and Young Socialists been operating openly—under Baghdad’s in October 1962 ‘missile’ crisis 10 Hosted by the Socialist Workers Party in New York (212-629-6649) and Newark (973-481-0077) authority before elections scheduled for Continued on Page 10 For more information, call or go to www.themilitant.com Strikers at Atlantic City casinos and hotels hold solidarity rally of 10,000 BY ABBY TILSNER is having an effect on services, shutting AND HILDA CUZCO down some restaurants and forcing others ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey—In a to use paper plates and plastic utensils. In mass labor demonstration here, more than order to prevent a strike, the casino own- 10,000 striking casino workers and their ers at Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts supporters marched and rallied October 16 agreed to a three-year contract in Septem- to voice their determination to stay on the ber. Sands Casino Hotel announced they picket lines to win their fi ght for a decent would also sign a three-year deal. Borgata contract. Wearing T-shirts with union col- Casino & Spa already signed a similar deal ors and waving signs, they marched down last year. Pacific Avenue towards the boardwalk, At the rally, union leaders reported that slowing traffi c. the companies have been sending letters to Delegations from the Transportation union members begging them to quit the Workers Union, Service Employees In- union and return to work. The union reports Militant/Michael Ortega ternational Union, Laborers Union, Yale about 300 workers have crossed the picket Union members on strike at casinos rally October 16 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. workers unions, and others participated line. The casino owners claim the number in the event. Many arrived on buses from is closer to 1,000. Boston, New York, Las Vegas, Washington, “Even though I would like to go back to him down, and handcuffed and detained use of only the sidewalks for the march, D.C., West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Balti- work, I won’t do it. I support the union,” him. Peña fi led assault charges against the and this was enforced by police offi cers more, and northern New Jersey. said Theresa McNair, a cleaner at the goons. The casino bosses fi led a counter on foot and in patrol cars. Police chief Ar- The strikers are members of UNITE Hilton casino fl oor. “All of us are sticking complaint alleging criminal mischief. thur Snellbaker claimed that union leaders HERE Local 54. They are employed as together. Although some have crossed the Peña and one of his co-workers, Santos were responsible for keeping the marchers food and beverage servers, cooks, cleaners, line, the majority are still out.” DeJesus, were fired for “strike-related strictly on the sidewalk, but had led some and housekeepers by Harrah’s Showboat, The strikers have begun to face attacks misconduct.” onto the streets. About a week earlier, on Resorts Atlantic City, Bally’s, Claridge, by the bosses’ “security” outfi t. A unionist Three union offi cials, among them Lo- October 8, cops arrested about 80 strikers Caesars, Tropicana, and the Hilton casi- was surrounded by guards who were fi lm- cal 54 president McDevitt, were arrested who blocked the main thoroughfare into nos and hotels. They walked out October ing him while he was picketing, and when by New Jersey police after the rally and Atlantic City at the beginning of the busy 1 and have been picketing around the clock fellow picket Alberto Camilo Peña tried to charged with contempt of court. A court Columbus Day weekend to press their since then. reach a strike captain, the guards knocked order had restricted the unionists to the demands. The main issues in the strike are the length of the contract, which expired last September, and the subcontracting out of work. Representatives of the union and Meat packers in Toronto fight for a decent contract the casino owners met the day before BY JOHN STEELE later, who today constitute two-thirds of a tentative agreement with management. the rally—the fi rst time since the strike TORONTO—Workers at Quality the workforce. The leafl et was translated A union meeting to vote on the proposal began—with no results. Local 54 presi- Meat Packers, members of United Food into Mandarin, enabling the many work- was called for October 28. dent Robert McDevitt told the press that and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local ers who come from China to read it. The the casino bosses said, “We don’t want 175, took steps to strengthen their union in workforce, historically Portuguese in its John Steele is a member of UFCW Lo- to talk about anything except a fi ve-year the countdown toward the end of their six- majority, now includes many workers cal 175 and works in the boning room at deal.” The union is pressing for a three-year year contract, which expires October 31. from Asia, Africa, eastern Europe, and Quality Meat Packers. contract to set a similar expiration date as The contract codifi ed a 40 percent wage other parts of the world. contracts of other hotel and casino workers, rollback and other concessions after a In early October workers learned that which run out in 2007. Workers said this two-month strike in 1998-99 failed to push the only item of substance raised by the would strengthen their hand against further back the company’s concession drive. The company during the initial contract nego- employer attacks by making collective ac- employers’ cut and kill operation process- tiations was a demand to limit their use SUB SCRIBE TO tion possible on a nationwide scale. es 5,000 to 6,000 hogs a day. of washrooms to 20 minutes per week September was a record-breaking month At the end of August, a number of work- outside of the two 15-minute paid breaks for the casino bosses here. All the casinos ers who have seniority dating back before per day. The next day, the vast majority of PERSPECTIVA posted revenue gains, raking in nearly the 1998-99 strike drafted and distributed the more than 500 workers in all depart- $409 million, or almost 11 percent more an appeal for unity between workers who ments boycotted a lunchtime “employee MUNDIAL than the same period last year. The strike went through that walkout and those hired appreciation” free barbeque organized by A Spanish-language socialist maga zine the bosses. At an October 16 union meeting with a large turnout of the membership, 99 percent voted to give the negotiating committee a strike mandate. On October 18, workers in the cutting room—the largest department in the plant—went home after the 9.5 hours of mandatory work. Normally shifts in the Find out about Utah miners’ fight for union cutting room are scheduled at 10 or more hours. Up to now most workers have been After a 10-month strike, Co-Op min- working those hours. ers in Huntington, Utah, returned In response to this show of unity the to work July 12 and have continued bosses reduced the shift schedules in Special offer for new read ers: both the cutting and boning rooms to $5 for 4 months the battle for the union from inside. 9.5 hours. Send your order to Perspectiva Mundial, From day one of the strike the ‘Mili- On October 26, the union’s negotiat- 306 W. 37th St., 10th Fl., New York, NY 10018 tant’ has given weekly coverage to ing committee announced it had reached this important labor struggle. New subscribers can get two back issues of Co-Op miners speak at January 15 their choice to fi nd out more about it. meeting of longshore workers from address. By fi rst-class (airmail), send $80. ILWU Local 10 in San Francisco. Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: Send $65 Don’t miss a single issue! The Militant drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. Vol. 68/No. 41 Canada: Send Canadian $50 for one-year sub- Closing news date: October 27, 2004 scrip tion to Militant, 6955 Boul. St. Michel suite 202, Montreal, QC. Postal Code: H2A 2Z3. Editor: ARGIRIS MALAPANIS United Kingdom: £25 for one year by SUBSCRIBE TO DAY! Business Manager: MICHAEL ITALIE check or inter na tion al mon ey order made out Washington Bureau Chief: SAM MANUEL to CL London, 47 The Cut, Lon don, SE1 8LF, Editorial Staff: Róger Calero, Michael Italie, En gland. Martín Koppel, Sam Manuel, Doug Nelson, Republic of Ireland and Continental Eu- NEW READERS NAME and Paul Pederson. rope: £70 for one year by check or in ter na tion al Published weekly except for one week in Janu ary, mon ey order made out to CL London at above ❏ June, July, and September. address. France: Send 80 euros for one-year .$5 for 12 issues ADDRESS The Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 306 W. 37th subscrip tion to Diffusion du Militant, P.O. Box Street, 10th fl oor, New York, NY 10018. 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2 The Militant November 9, 2004 SWP candidates: ‘Free locked-up Vieques protesters’

BY LAURA GARZA it an even greater hardship for their families SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—“We won and legal representatives to see them. Two a victory in forcing the U.S. Navy out are scheduled to be released at the end of of our island,” said Francisco Medina, a this year, two by mid-2005, and one by 68-year-old fi sherman on the island of Vi- early 2006. eques. “But you must tell people that our One of the prisoners, José Pérez struggle continues to demand that the U.S. González, who was sentenced on Sept. government carry out a thorough clean-up 11, 2003, received the maximum sentence and turn over the land to our people.” of fi ve years and a $10,000 fi ne to be paid Medina was speaking to Nicole to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Sarmiento and Martín Koppel, Socialist Pérez González, who is from Mayagüez, Workers Party candidates for U.S. Senate has been transferred without explanation in Florida and New York, respectively. The from prison to prison—from Florida to Militant/Laura Garza Martín Koppel (foreground, with glasses), SWP candidate for U.S. Senate in New York, two visited Vieques October 16 to fi nd out Alabama. He is now in a penitentiary in taking part in October 16 picket line demanding freedom for Puerto Rican political about the current stage of the struggle af- Atlanta, Georgia. While in Alabama, he prisoners outside Guaynabo U.S. federal prison near San Juan, Puerto Rico. Three ter massive and sustained protests forced was held in solitary confi nement and was militants who helped lead the fi ght to force the U.S. Navy out of Vieques are held there. Washington last year to end the use of the denied the right to make any calls or have At left is Puerto Rican independence movement leader Rafael Cancel Miranda. island as a bombing practice range and access to written material. withdraw the Navy. Among those joining the pickets, chant- “Many people in Vieques have cancer,” ing and waving at prisoners who could be up against the imperialist government in ers, citing the difference it makes not only Medina said. “They [the U.S. Navy] don’t seen watching from windows, was Rafael Washington, which is an enemy we have for their eventual release, but also the have the dignity to clean up after what they Cancel Miranda, the pro-independence in common.” importance of maintaining contact with left: toxic water and unexploded shells. leader who spent over two decades in U.S. The socialist candidates later visited those beyond the prison walls while they They killed turtles, whales, destroyed prisons for his actions in opposition to the Cancel Miranda in Cabo Rojo, met with are incarcerated. land and water, and they don’t say anything colonial domination of Puerto Rico. independence activists in Mayagüez, and Upon their return to the United States, about it.…We are still fi nding out about “We stand in solidarity with those who also traveled to Aguadilla to speak with Koppel and Sarmiento began speaking at things they have done.” have fought for the withdrawal of the Navy Luis Rosa, another leader of the indepen- public forums and other campaign activi- “The struggle in Vieques is important from Vieques,” Koppel told the pickets. dence movement who spent about 19 years ties about their trip to Puerto Rico as part of because it shows it is possible to fi ght U.S. “We will use our campaign to get the in U.S. prisons. They both recounted the explaining their support for independence imperialism,” Koppel said in the exchange word out about these brothers who remain importance of the mass protest campaigns for Puerto Rico from U.S. colonial rule. with Medina. “At a time when Washington behind bars. We wanted to be here today that led to their releases. Cancel Miranda, wants the world to think they are invincible, to join in this activity as an elementary act Rosa, and activists from Mayagüez urged Nicole Sarmiento contributed to this that you can’t resist their demands, the suc- of solidarity with those who have stood ongoing activity in defense of the prison- article. cessful campaign to force the Navy out of Vieques shows that is not true.” Medina is a Korean War veteran. Taking part in that war opened up his eyes to how SWP candidates get good response at N.Y. college U.S. imperialism uses its military to try to are a precondition for social and political defeat working people and oppressed na- BY SAM MANUEL on page 2). BRONXVILLE, New York—“Don’t we “This is what the socialist campaign advances for working people. tions standing up to the Yankee colossus, Koppel answered that when the capital- he said, noting that he returned from that have a responsibility after making such a is like,” said Hawkins. She and SWP mess of things in Iraq?” That was the fi rst presidential candidate, Róger Calero, have ist politicians say they are against nuclear war and spent the last 50 years fi ghting the proliferation “They mean that they, the U.S. military. question by one of the students at Sarah been criss-crossing the country explaining Lawrence College here who took part in an their campaign platform to workers, farm- imperialists, should have the right to Medina described the attempts to drive nuclear weapons and nuclear power but fi shermen out during the years of Naval October 21 meeting titled, “Learn about the ers, students, and many other people. At working-class alternative! Meet Socialist the center of the socialist platform, she the oppressed countries should not. What exercises. “We would go to occupied ter- gives Washington—the only government ritory to get bait, to get sardines,” he said. Workers Party candidates on the ballot in said, is championing workers’ struggles NY in this election.” to organize unions and make the unions to ever use nuclear weapons against other “They would bomb and kill the sardines human beings—the right to say who should so we wouldn’t go to that beach to get bait The student noted that SWP vice-presi- they already have more effective to resist dential candidate Arrin Hawkins had called the bosses’ attacks on wages and working and should not have access to nuclear tech- any more.” nology?” Carlos Ventura, another fi sherman, said in her presentation for the immediate and conditions. unconditional withdrawal of U.S. and other “Are you for nuclear proliferation?” Six of the nine students present signed they suffered a lot because “shock waves up on the mailing list of the SWP campaign in the water from detonations hurt the coral imperialist troops from Iraq. asked another student. During her presen- “You have to start with a different tation, Hawkins had defended the right of and a couple volunteered to help get out and other species in the water.” Today the the socialists’ message on campus more fi shermen and others are demanding a real framework,” responded Martín Koppel, semi-colonial countries such as north Ko- SWP candidate for U.S. Senate in New rea and Iran to develop the energy sources widely, including after the November 2 —not cosmetic—cleanup of the island by elections. the U.S. government. They are also facing York. “Who is the ‘we’ that’s being talked they need, including nuclear energy, which the encroachment of capitalist developers about. The billionaire families that rule with plans to build hotels and other tourist this country try to make us think that ‘we’ facilities, driving up the price of land. Most have common interests with them. We, Despite bluster, ACLU and other of the land occupied by the U.S. Navy was the working people in this country and turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife our brothers and sisters in Iraq have com- Service, the fi shermen noted. Local resi- mon interests and a common enemy—the liberals support USA Patriot Act dents are demanding that it be turned over billionaire families and their government in to the community. Washington that has invaded Iraq. As long BY MAURICE WILLIAMS through the House of Representatives Koppel and Sarmiento also met with Is- as there are U.S. troops in Iraq there will be Liberal critics of the White House have 357 to 66. mael Guadalupe and Bob Rabin, longtime no solution to the confl ict there.” waved the fl ag of the USA Patriot Act in Senator John Kerry joined the majority leaders of the fi ght to get the Navy out of Koppel fi elded questions from the stu- assailing President George Bush for under- in the Senate to approve the act. He has Vieques. They are members of the Com- dents because Hawkins had to leave after mining civil liberties. A number of them, said in his presidential election campaign mittee for the Rescue and Development her talk to catch a fl ight to Iceland, where however, like the American Civil Liberties that he backs it and has called for slight of Vieques. The socialists were shown she went to campaign on the invitation of Union (ACLU), are not demanding that the modifi cations in the measure. The Demo- sites used by protesters who camped out the Communist League and the Young So- government dump this anti-working class cratic presidential nominee said provisions for months at a time on Navy-occupied cialists. In her remarks, Hawkins told the law. They support it and simply call for in the act that permit government spying territory. students that she would be meeting work- tweaking some of its provisions. on libraries, and secret “sneak and peek” Koppel and Sarmiento also visited a mu- ers, students, and others in Iceland and “Indeed, none of us is calling for a searches of people’s homes, “must be made seum showing the history of Vieques, and talk to them about the class struggle in repeal of a single provision in the USA smarter to better protect the freedom of the experiences of generations of islanders the United States and world politics. “The Patriot Act,” declared ACLU president law-abiding patriotic Americans while in fi ghting to regain control of their land. world is our battleground,” said Hawkins. Nadine Strossen in a debate sponsored by allowing our government to do everything Guadalupe said his organization plans The meeting was moderated by Jus- the New York Bar Association earlier this necessary to track down terrorists.” protests against the attempts by capitalist tine Davies, a student at Sarah Lawrence year. “What we are calling for are amend- The Patriot Act allows police to carry out hotel corporations, like Wyndham, to de- who helped organize the event. It was ments to particular provisions… which we arbitrary searches and seizures in private clare beaches for “private” use only. co-sponsored by the Political Union, a maintain are completely consistent with homes and businesses, expands police The socialist candidates then returned to student group on campus. Davies fi rst met the legitimate, indeed compelling security powers to wiretap phones and personal San Juan to join a picket held in front of the Hawkins during an August 28 march across needs that the government has set forward e-mail, allows domestic CIA spying, and U.S. federal prison there to demand freedom the Brooklyn Bridge in New York to defend and would also protect constitutional rights authorizes police to jail immigrants with- for six prisoners being held in connection women’s right to choose abortion. It was and civil liberties.” out charges as “terrorist suspects,” among with the Vieques struggle. On May 1, 2003, one of several protests in the city before the The ACLU calls for urging members of other provisions. This law builds on the the day the U.S. Navy offi cially pulled out of Republican National Convention. Congress to “support corrections” to the 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Vieques, a public celebration was held. Hawkins described to the students a Patriot Act. Last year, when some Demo- Penalty Act and other similar bills signed In a symbolic act, some of those at the lunch-time meeting with workers inside cratic Party politicians asked the group to into law by William Clinton. All these celebration took apart a small guard post. a sewing factory in Newark, New Jersey, call for repealing the measure, Timothy Ed- measures that have passed with broad bi- Washington then arrested 12 people, charg- earlier that day. She said it was a highlight gar, ACLU legislative counsel, responded, partisan sponsorship and backing lay the ing them with conspiracy and destruction of her campaign stop in the area. She also “That’s a crazy idea. There are some rea- groundwork for future assaults on trade of government property. Six of them re- described the October 17 march by nearly sonable things in the Patriot Act.” unions and the broader working-class main imprisoned, three at the Guaynabo 10,000 striking casino and hotel workers Many liberal opponents of Bush don’t movement, as well as other opponents prison. The other three were sent to far- and their supporters in Atlantic City, New mention how the bipartisan legislation of government policies, in the event of a fl ung prisons in the United States, making Jersey, she had taken part in (see article passed in the Senate 99 to 1 and sailed widespread labor radicalization. The Militant November 9, 2004 3 West Virginia strike Continued from front page posts for reaching out broadly for support. are nonunion. Many passersby show their support for the On October 21, nearly 1,500 miners, strike by honking horns. their families, and supporters packed the Massey Energy guards could be seen high school gym here in the town of Smith- videotaping pickets and visitors. ers, 30 miles southeast of Charleston, West The International Coal Group (ICG) Virginia. It was standing room only inside. owned by fi nancier Wilbur Ross bought The UMWA members and their support- most of Horizon’s mines. Ross specializes ers came to protest the tearing up of the in buying up bankrupt companies and rid- contracts at six union mines by Horizon ding them of “contingent liabilities,” like and to demand that the new owners of the pension and health-care plans. His Interna- properties recognize the union and negotiate tional Steel Group (ISG)—which bought contracts with the UMWA. up Bethlehem Steel, LTV, and Weirton Some 5,000 coal miners and retirees Steel—is now the largest steel producer in lost their health-care benefi ts and pensions the United States. when Horizon voided the union contracts. The ICG subsidiary Lexington Coal The company took the action after getting notifi ed the UMWA that it would retain the the okay from a bankruptcy court. current workforce at the union mines it took Militant/Tony Lane Darrell Keyes, president of UMWA Local over as part of its deal with Horizon and may UMWA picket at former Horizon coal mine October 21 in Cannelton, West Virginia. 5890 in Kentucky, said no strike action is negotiate with the UMWA. Miners demand Massey Energy, the new boss, rehire workers, negotiate with union. planned at the moment at the Starfi re mine. The October 21 meeting in Smithers was The strike at Cannelton makes UMWA organized by the UMWA after a massive on how the actions by Horizon and Massey, on the road in front of the mine. members eligible for medical coverage outreach campaign by members of Local aided by a federal bankruptcy judge, are Several speakers called for a congres- for six months from the union’s selective 8843, which included visiting some 8,000 adversely affecting coal miners and com- sional investigation into the bankruptcy strike fund. homes to win support for the UMWA cam- munities surrounding the mines. It will issue proceedings. UMWA members have set up picket lines paign to keep the former Horizon mines a report with recommendations. Roberts also said the UMWA is launch- at four entrances to the Cannelton mine, unionized. Organizers set up a large televi- UMWA president Cecil Roberts was the ing a campaign for bankruptcy law reform. which are being staffed around the clock in sion screen in the lobby for the overfl ow fi rst witness. “If Don Blankenship thinks “This is not just about what happened in eight-hour shifts. When Militant reporters crowd to follow the meeting. Delegations he’s going to scab these mines, we’ll have Cannelton, this is not about West Virginia or visited the picket line October 21, strikers were recognized from UMWA districts in coal miners in here from everywhere,” he Kentucky or Ohio,” he said. “This is about were installing insulation in the walls of northern West Virginia and Ohio. said, referring to Massey’s chief executive public policy in America. This is America’s the well-constructed shacks, preparing for Billed as a community impact hearing, offi cer. Roberts said he expects Massey will problem, and America has to fi x it.” a long battle through the winter. the meeting was presided over by a “Com- try to bring in replacement workers early He also called for creating a national Picket lines, at this point, are union out- munity Impact Board” that took testimony next year. He pledged to be in the front lines health care plan. “This bankruptcy didn’t occur because coal miners didn’t work hard enough. It didn’t occur because of low coal prices. It didn’t occur because of Utah miners fight for reinstatement of UMWA militant bad mining conditions,” Roberts said. He blamed corruption and mismanagement by Continued from front page Salt Lake City. According to Co-Op miners, atives should have a right to vote as seasonal, the Addington brothers, former owners of not defending me,” said Panduro, after three these three are also tied to the Kingstons. temporary, or offi ce workers. The UMWA Addington Enterprises, Inc. (AEI), which meetings with the company over the griev- An October 23 front-page article in the refuted this claim at a July 20–21 hearing in was reconstituted in an earlier bankruptcy ance against his dismissal. “He even refused Salt Lake Tribune reports that Ronald and Price, Utah, maintaining that all Kingstons as Horizon Natural Resources. to have one of my co-workers, Bill Estrada, Vicki Mattingly, who are listed as two of the working at the mine are related to the owners This was echoed by other speakers who as an interpreter at the last meeting because IAUWU “international offi cers,” attended and their loyalty is with “The Order,” as the expressed anger at the coal barons, espe- he also supports the UMWA.” The next and a court hearing in support of John Daniel Kingstons’ empire is known. cially the owners of Horizon and Massey, last step is a grievance review board meet- Kingston and his wife, Heidi Mattingly Fos- The hearing took place after a good num- whose relentless drive for profi ts has devas- ing, said Panduro, where the company and ter, who face ongoing allegations of physical ber of Co-Op miners who were on strike for tating consequences on coal miners, mining the IAUWU will have two representatives abuse and neglect of their 11 children. nearly 10 months returned to the job in early communities, and on the environment. each and a fi fth neutral person, mutually “The action drew about 50 family and July after a settlement between the UMWA William “Bolts” Willis, UMWA Local agreed to by both sides. According to the friends, including Heidi’s parents Vicki and and the company that the NLRB brokered. 8843 president, charged this was a well- “contract” between the company and the Ronald Mattingly, to the courthouse Friday C.W. Mining fi red all 75 miners Sept. 22, executed plan to circumvent the labor IAUWU, the side that wins a majority vote in support of the couple,” said the Tribune. 2003, for defending coworkers victimized agreements. of the fi ve people, wins the fi nal ruling. “The Mattinglys declined to comment.” by the company for their efforts to bring “The Addingtons turned a profi table op- Since the IAUWU is taking the side of the John Daniel Kingston is known for belt- in the UMWA. The miners also demanded eration into a fi nancial mess,” said Jennifer bosses, as it has always done, Panduro said, whipping his daughter, Mary Ann Kingston, better wages and safer working conditions. Tanner, a college student and daughter of he doesn’t seem to have much of a chance after she fl ed her forced marriage to John They were paid between $5.25 and $7 an a Horizon coal miner. She explained she through this sham grievance procedure. Af- Daniel’s brother, David Ortell Kingston. hour, while hourly wages for underground may no longer be able to afford the asthma ter this is exhausted, the UMWA has said it John Daniel Kingston pled guilty and miners in the U.S. average at least $17. The medicine she needs or to fi nish school as a will fi le a complaint with the National Labor served time in jail. NLRB ruled the miners had been fi red il- result of what the coal bosses did. Relations Board (NLRB) demanding his re- The Kingstons are a capitalist clan that legally and ordered the company to take Roberts reminded the audience of the instatement, Panduro said. has amassed an over $150 million business them back. strike against Pittston Coal in 1989 over The NLRB has recognized the IAUWU empire in six western states, including the Letters to the NLRB should be sent to: company plans to eliminate retiree health since 1979. But the miners say this is a boss Co-Op mine here. NLRB Region 27, attention B. Allan Benson, care. “Sixteen months later, Pittston did outfi t that has never represented them and The miners have been asking their sup- director, 600 17th Street, 7th Floor—North provide the health care,” Roberts said. That has worked on the side of the company porters to send letters on their behalf to the Tower, Denver, CO 80202-5433. Tel: (303) fi ght led to the passage of the 1992 Coal against the workers. Proof of that is the NLRB to set a date for a union representa- 844-3551; Fax: (303)844-6249. Copies of Act, a federal law protecting some UMWA fact that the IAUWU is a plaintiff along tion election at Co-Op and to rule in favor these letters and other messages of support retirees’ health-care benefi ts. with C.W. Mining, also known as the Co- of the UMWA’s demand to exclude members and fi nancial donations to the Co-Op min- Op mine, in a federal lawsuit the Kingstons of the owners’ family and other supervisory ers’ struggle can be sent to: UMWA District Jay Ressler is a member of UMWA Local fi led September 24 against the UMWA, 17 personnel from being eligible to vote. The 22 at 525 East, 100 South, Price, UT 84501. 1248 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Co-Op miners, and over 100 of their sup- bosses are claiming that over 100 of their rel- Tel: (435) 637-2037 Fax: (435) 637-9456. porters and several media—including The Militant—on charges of “unfair labor prac- tices” and “defamation.” The miners also provided affi davits to the NLRB showing Puerto Rico: FBI raids union hall of striking water workers that all three local IAUWU offi cers were bosses and relatives of the mine owners. BY LAURA GARZA the strike, but we have remained strong on at the airport. During a general strike in “My foreman before the strike, Dana Jen- BOSTON—In the middle of a strike the picket line,” said Luis Andino, the 1998 unionists blocked the airport. The kins, was the local president of the IAUWU,” by 4,300 water workers in Puerto Rico, president of the Humacao UIA chapter. FBI warned that under the Patriot Act said Bill Estrada. “Jenkins performed boss’s about 60 FBI and Internal Revenue Ser- Andino reported that the day after the any such action would now be considered duties, including disciplining workers, and vice agents raided the headquarters of raid about 500 unionists marched to pro- a “terrorist” act. On October 6, FBI offi - attended management meetings every the Independent Authentic Union (UIA) test the assault and show their solidarity cials made further threats, insinuating that week.” During the strike, the company October 20. They cordoned off the union with the strikers. Demonstrators included UIA members were planning “sabotage” replaced Jenkins with Chris Grundvig as hall for 15 hours, barring access to anyone, members of the electrical workers union against Puerto Rico’s water supply. These president of the “local,” the miners say. and carted off hundreds of boxes of con- (UTIER), the union of university employ- unsubstantiated charges have been widely Prior to the strike, the IAUWU never held fi scated fi les. FBI agents also held union ees (HEEND), and other unions that belong repeated in the press. any meetings and had the company deduct members for hours without allowing them to the Puerto Rican Workers’ Federation In a column in the daily San Juan Star, $8 in union dues from some miners against to see lawyers, refusing to let them leave (CPT). Andino also said electrical work- the paper’s managing editor, John Ma- their wishes. When C.W. Mining and the until they had been interrogated. ers held protest pickets at their worksites rino, described the goal of the assault on company union signed a “contract” in 2001, The U.S. government said the raid was throughout the island. A broader labor the union. The government, he said, needs several miners say bosses cornered workers part of an investigation of alleged fraud march was planned for October 27, he “to scale back the AAA workforce, and one by one and coerced them into signing and corruption in the union-administered said. Julio Fontanet, president of the Bar straightjacket job classifi cations and out- the document. In addition, two of the three health-care fund. The management of Association in Puerto Rico, protested the of-control benefi ts. It must also raise water local IAUWU offi cers, Dana Jenkins and the Puerto Rico government’s Water and detention of the unionists during the FBI rates, among the cheapest in the nation, to Warren Pratt, live at Trail Canyon Road, two Sewer Authority (AAA) has leveled these raid. He noted that two union lawyers who pay for needed improvements at the utility.” miles from the mine, where only Kingston charges against the striking union. AAA arrived at the UIA hall were told that agents Marino also noted that the actions by the relatives reside. The third officer, Chris bosses claim that they ended health-care had instructions from federal prosecutor federal cops against various unions may Grundvig, lives on the road to the mine and payments into the union fund, and unilater- Humberto García not to allow them to see have “people starting to suspect that the is a next-door neighbor to the mine superin- ally transferred health-care coverage into a those being held inside. island’s labor movement may be the target tendent, the miners report. Several miners private company, for the same reason. This The FBI had previously intervened of federal prosecutors.” provided the NLRB with this information action provoked the strike, which started against the union, showing up at the UIA The FBI has a long history of disrupting through a series of interviews a year ago, October 4. The union is also fi ghting to headquarters on August 26 to interrogate the labor movement in Puerto Rico—from said Estrada. The IAUWU admits it only hold back other concession demands. union members and “investigate” alleged frame-ups of union leaders to the use of has one “local,” at Co-Op, but claims it has The timing of the raid “is part of a plan statements by union president Héctor Lugo agent provocateurs during strikes, includ- three union international offi cers based in by the government of Puerto Rico to break that the UIA might take part in a protest ing in previous electrical workers strikes. 4 The Militant November 9, 2004 Stumping for socialism from Reykjavík to Seattle BY PAUL PEDERSON campaigners in Iceland maintained their “Here in Iceland we only hear about Bush and Kerry and lead in the effort by making maximum they are saying the same things,” said Gunnhildur Ólafs- use of Hawkins’s visit to get socialist dóttir, a striking schoolteacher in Reykjavík. Ólafsdóttir books and newspapers into the hands was talking to Arrin Hawkins, the Socialist Workers Party of those who were attracted to what the candidate for U.S. vice president, on October 25, during candidate had to say. Hawkins’s campaign visit there. At a pre-university in Reykjavík, 50 “Yes, they are both representatives of the war party,” students fi lled a classroom during the Hawkins replied. “Kerry’s main point is that he would be lunch hour to hear Hawkins. Immediately better at carrying out the ‘war on terror.’ But we work to after she spoke, hands were in the air for make it known that if you vote on November 2, you don’t questions. One student asked: “If you get have to vote between these two parties, there is a working- to power will your party not be corrupted Militant/Gylfi Pall Hersir class alternative—the SWP ticket.” like every other?” Arrin Hawkins, second from left, SWP candidate for U.S. vice president, As the 12-week drive to boost the readership of the “Working people need to overthrow the campaigning October 23 in Reykjavík, Iceland. Militant and its Spanish-language sister publication Per- capitalist system to create a new society spectiva Mundial passes the two-thirds mark, partisans of built on human solidarity, not the dog-eat-dog mentality walkout began September 23, eight Snokist strikers or sup- the socialist publications around the world are getting out we’re taught under capitalism,” said Hawkins. She pointed porters of their struggle have purchased subscriptions to the word about that working-class alternative to the capi- to the selfl ess internationalist course followed by the Cuban the two publications, along with a number of revolutionary talist parties in the home stretch of the U.S. elections. The revolution as an example of how working people can start books and pamphlets. Socialist campaigners have visited international drive is just ahead of pace on the Militant goal transforming social consciousness. Two students bought the picket line many times. and 24 subscriptions behind target on the PM. Socialist subscriptions to the Militant and a dozen signed up to get The subscription drive will continue through November notices of the local Militant Labor Forums. 21. Partisans of the SWP campaign say they won’t stop In the United States, meanwhile, socialist coal miners are stumping for socialism after election day. Militant/Perspectiva Mundial leading the effort in the trade unions to win new readers to “For the Democrats and Republicans, the campaigning Fall Subscription Drive the socialist press. “We are now at 22 Militant subscriptions ends on November 2,” said Martín Koppel, SWP candidate and 6 PM subscriptions,” reports Anne Nixon, a coal miner for U.S. Senate in New York. “But not the socialist cam- Aug. 28–Nov. 21: Week 8 of 12 who is organizing the effort. “We are very close to making paign. We will keep doing the same thing, standing with our goals of 30 Militant and 12 PM subs.” working people resisting the bosses’ offensive against our Militant PM In Seattle, SWP presidential candidate Róger Calero unions and the drive by imperialism against our brothers Country Goal Sold % Goal Sold swung through the state October 24 to campaign alongside and sisters in the oppressed nations. We continue getting out ICELAND 30 27 90% 2 0 the SWP senatorial candidate from Washington, Connie the platform and perspective of building the working-class SWEDEN 30 26 87% 5 2 Allen. On the picket line of striking cannery workers at alternative to the parties of capitalism 365 days a year.” UNITED KINGDOM the giant Snokist plant in Yakima Valley, Calero was well London 50 40 80% 12 4 Edinburgh 25 19 76% 2 0 received by workers who’ve gotten to know the socialist Ólöf Andra Proppé in Reykjavík contributed to this ar- UK total 75 59 79% 14 4 campaign in the month they’ve been on strike. Since the ticle. AUSTRALIA 55 36 65% 8 4 NEW ZEALAND Auckland 45 30 67% 1 1 4,000 Pathfi nder books sold in August-September Christchurch 35 20 57% 1 0 N.Z. total 80 50 63% 2 0 BY DOUG NELSON Members of the Communist League in the UK have UNITED STATES Taking advantage of the Pathfi nder Super Saver Sale also been giving more attention to working with the Houston** 80 70 88% 20 10 (see ad on page 6), which started mid-August, socialists in League’s supporters to expand placements in bookstores Craig, CO** 65 52 80% 20 7 the United States and other countries sold well over 4,000 and to get Pathfi nder books into libraries, Silberman con- Detroit 40 32 80% 10 8 books and pamphlets in August and September in work- tinued. “One major bookstore chain recently added three Des Moines 65 50 77% 25 20 ing-class neighborhoods, at political events, factory plant Pathfi nder titles to their ‘core stock’ list, which means all New York 180 134 74% 70 37 gates, book fairs, and weekly Militant Labor Forums. the chain’s branches will keep them in stock,” he said. Price, UT 50 37 74% 20 13 Distribution of books on revolutionary politics has also Despite these positive examples in September, how- Birmingham 40 29 73% 8 3 been an integral part of the activities of campaigners for ever, it was the lowest month for Pathfi nder book sales Newark 90 64 71% 25 15 overall this year. At the end of that month, which marked Seattle 55 39 71% 12 9 the Socialist Workers candidates in the U.S. elections this year. The sale was originally scheduled to go through No- the campaign’s halfway point, total sales for July-Sep- Omaha 55 36 65% 45 17 tember stood at just under $59,000—about 48 percent Cleveland 40 25 63% 10 4 vember 7, but has been extended to November 31. “This Atlanta 80 48 60% 20 10 will help socialist workers and young socialists use the of the $123,400 six-month goal for the last half of 2004, Twin Cities 105 62 59% 40 21 books to continue campaigning after the elections and or two percentage points behind pace. Sales in October, Boston 100 58 58% 40 16 follow up with those who have expressed interest in the November, and December need to average about $21,500 Tampa 40 23 58% 10 6 Socialist Workers Party campaign platform,” said SWP per month to make up the remaining $64,450. Washington 115 62 54% 21 9 national campaign director Norton Sandler. One reason for this is the relatively small sales to Los Angeles 150 80 53% 50 35 Members of the communist movement worldwide are bookstores, libraries, and campuses in the United States. Pittsburgh 65 34 52% 4 2 shooting to increase Pathfi nder sales by 10 percent in the These kind of sales tend to fl uctuate naturally from month Philadelphia 95 49 52% 10 0 last six months of 2004 compared to the fi rst half of the to month. But this underscores the importance of con- Chicago 100 47 47% 40 22 year. The goal is within reach. Making it, however, will re- sistent work to win new customers and convince long- Miami 100 40 40% 50 6 quire a concerted effort from now until December 31. term buyers to increase their orders in order to meet the San Francisco 125 49 39% 35 15 “As a result of the stepped-up election campaign- July-December goal. The key to this is attention by the NE Pennsylvania 55 19 35% 15 10 ing we’ve done this month, we have already exceeded leaderships of the local units of the communist movement U.S. total 1890 1139 60% 600 298 $2,400 in Pathfi nder sales for October—double our fi rst in each country to working closely with party supporters CANADA six months’ average of $1,200,” said Eva Braiman, a so- in their area to plan and carry out this effort. Montreal 32 19 59% 12 3 cialist campaigner from New York. This followed sales October is shaping up to be a better month in this Toronto 85 37 44% 18 4 of $3,400 in August and $1,800 in September. regard, said Ruth Cheney from Oakland, who helps coor- CANADA total 117 56 48% 30 7 Activists in Northeast Pennsylvania got an enormous dinate this work among SWP supporters nationwide. 14-day campaign* - 179 - - 31 Party supporters have been expanding their efforts Int’l totals 2245 1571 68% 668 343 boost in September from the response to the fi re bombing Goal/Should be 2300 1533 67% 550 367 of the Socialist Workers campaign headquarters there, to get Pathfi nder books into neighborhood and central *14 days of campaigning in New York Aug. 21–Sept. 3 at protests breaking all previous records by selling more than three libraries breaking new ground in several cities around and events leading up to and during the Republican convention times their average in the fi rst half of 2004. the country, including Miami, Chicago, Oakland, and **raised goal Campaigners in Houston and Washington, D.C., went Detroit. IN THE UNIONS over their goals in September—each selling more than “We’ve been setting Pathfi nder 10 percent Militant PM 100 books as part of campaigning for the working-class up meetings with local sales campaign Goal Sold % Goal Sold alternative in the November elections. Three weeks into librarians and city-wide July–Dec. goal UNITED STATES October socialists in Houston already have surpassed purchasing directors,” said $123,400 UMWA 30 22 73% 15 6 their September sales having sold more than $800 worth Willie Mae Reed, who UNITE HERE 50 28 56% 40 15 is part of a “library task UFCW 135 67 50% 150 65 of books, which is $200 above their goal for the month. As part of the Militant subscription drive, socialist force” that works with Jan.–June sales Total 215 117 54% 205 86 $112,000 AUSTRALIA campaigners have also been pressing to sell Pathfi nder other supporters around the AMIEU 8 4 50% books and pamphlets to workers in meatpacking plants, United States to get library $100,000 NEW ZEALAND garment shops, and coal mines where they work. At the placements. “Getting these MWU 2 1 50% end of the sixth week of the subscription drive, 17 books books into local libraries is NDU 2 1 50% and pamphlets have been sold to garment workers and 72 important because of the Total 4 2 50% in meatpacking plants around the United States. working-class and young SWEDEN Although socialist campaigners in nine cities and milieu they reach,” she Livs 2 1 50% 1 0 said. $75,000 CANADA towns across the Unite States sold at least 10 percent UFCW 6 3 50% 3 2 over their January–June monthly average in September, Also in September, sup- UNITE HERE 2 0 0% 1 0 the combined total was still about $1,200 short of the porters of the communist July–Sep. sales Total 8 3 38% 4 2 $9,560 combined goals for that month. movement broke a new $58,950 ICELAND record in book produc- At the same time, socialists in the United Kingdom, $50,000 Hlíf 2 1 50% New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden all made their goals tion. They delivered 20 Efl ing 2 0 0% in September. Pathfinder titles that “A number of things have combined to make Sep- month, which had to be tember the best month for Pathfi nder sales in the United reprinted largely because AMIEU—Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union; Kingdom this year, and we’re also doing very well in of the success of the Super $25,000 Livs—Food Workers Union; MWU—Meat Workers Union; October so far,” said Jonathan Silberman, who works at Saver Sale. They did so as NDU—National Distribution Union; UFCW—United Food the London Pathfi nder Books. “Last month we sold over they continued to stream- and Commercial Workers; UMWA—United Mine Workers of 600 books and pamphlets at three events in Europe: Fête line production to meet America; Hlíf—Union of Unskilled Workers in Hafnarfjörður; de l’Humanité in Paris, PCE Fiesta in Madrid, and the the expanding demand, Efl ing—Union of Unskilled Workers in Reykjavík. Gothenburg Book Fair.” Cheney said. The Militant November 9, 2004 5 Calero meets farmers in Tchula, Mississippi

BY SUSAN LAMONT Brown told Calero that the local cotton TCHULA, Mississippi—“The cotton gin, which used to hire local small farmers crop is good this year—about one to two on a seasonal basis to help with the cotton bales per acre—but prices are down,” said crop, is now hiring immigrant workers from David Howard, “so it’s still hard for the small Mexico. farmer.” Howard, president of the Mileston “Many of these workers are farmers Co-operative in the small Mississippi Delta themselves,” Calero told Brown, who was town, was explaining the economics of surprised to learn this. “They’re working cotton farming to Róger Calero, Socialist here to send money home to be able to Workers Party candidate for U.S. president, keep their land. You can approach them at a meeting for Calero held at the Co-op, as brothers, since they’ve experienced just October 17. “The price for cotton right now what you’re going through, and more.” Militant/Jeanne FitzMaurice is around 54 cents a pound. We need at least Several veterans of the 1998–99 strike at Róger Calero (center), SWP candidate for president, at Mileston Co-op in Mileston, 80 cents,” Howard said. “So we’re putting Freshwater Farms catfi sh processing plant in Mississippi, October 17, with farmers Roy Brown (left) and David Howard (right). the crop in storage and hoping the prices nearby Belzoni also attended the meeting. will go up.” “We wanted to come and thank you After the meeting, Joann Hogan, a former The day before the visit to Tchula, Cale- “It costs about $485 to plant an acre of personally for helping get the socialist can- striker, opened her home to Calero and his ro and his supporters campaigned at the cotton,” added Roy Brown, another Co-op didates on the ballot in Mississippi,” Calero supporters for a delicious home-cooked evening shift change at the big Avondale member, who is in the midst of bringing in told the group, which included several of the meal before the socialist presidential textile mill in Sylacauga, Alabama. Earlier his crop. “With the price so low, we only get SWP campaign’s electors in the state, six of candidate and his entourage returned to that day, he visited the Fiesta 2004 Latino $248 per acre. Sometimes we can’t wait for whom are from Tchula. Birmingham, Alabama. festival in downtown Birmingham. the price to go up, because the small farmers have to pay their loans. What would you do if you were elected to help this situation?” “The capitalists let the small farmers SWP candidates in New York campaign among bear the risks and costs of production, but can’t guarantee working farmers a decent meat packers at Hunts Point Meat Market in Bronx living,” replied Calero. “That’s why our program calls for an immediate moratorium BY WILLIE COTTON dozen workers from Schuster Meat Corp., he would return to give a report back. “Let on farm foreclosures and for government- NEW YORK—Martín Koppel, Socialist where the two used to work until recently. me tell you one thing,” said a Puerto Rican funded cheap credit for working farmers and Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate in The meat packers shook hands and took in- worker, hurrying to grab a bite to eat. “I’m price supports to cover production costs, so New York, campaigned among workers at formation about the SWP campaign and an for independence.” After hearing that Kop- working farmers won’t lose out, even when the Hunts Point Meat Market October 12 upcoming Militant Labor Forum, “Organize pel would be meeting Puerto Rican indepen- there’s a good crop, as is happening to you at two different coffee shops frequented by Unions! Use Union Power! Solidarity—All dence fi ghter Rafael Cancel Miranda, the and other small cotton farmers. These de- meat packers on their lunch breaks. Dorothy with One, One with All.” Upon seeing the worker left his phone number and asked for mands are not just for farmers. They deserve Kolis and Willie Cotton, SWP candidates title of the forum, one worker said, “That’s a report from the trip. the support of the whole labor movement for Congress in New York’s 16th and 15th what I’m talking about. What’s the union if While campaigning there, a butcher from and are part of building a movement of congressional districts, respectively, accom- you don’t use the power?” Schuster’s who had just been fi red joined the workers and farmers so they can fi ght to- panied Koppel. Koppel told workers that he was going team, asking socialist campaigners how the gether for their common interests.” Kolis and Cotton introduced Koppel to a on a campaign trip to Puerto Rico and that union can be made stronger. Koppel pointed to struggles such as the union-organizing fi ght by Co-Op coal Questions posed in the 2004 elections aren’t new miners in Utah and a similar one by meat packers that won the union at Dakota Pre- Lessons for the struggles of today and tomorrow mium Foods in Minnesota two years ago as examples from which workers can learn PATHFINDER SUPERSAVER SALE lessons on how to make their unions more effective. ALL PAMPHLETS $1 TO $3; ALL BOOKS $5 OR $10 Only by organizing unions and strength- ening those we have can we resist the at- The Lesser Evil? tacks by the bosses on our wages and by Jack Barnes The Changing Face of U.S. Politics working conditions, Koppel noted. He Why the “tactic” of backing Working-Class Politics and the Trade Unions also said that out of such struggles a labor candidates of any capitalist by Jack Barnes party based on the unions that fi ghts in the party will neither stop the An invaluable guide to the struggle interests of workers and farmers world- right-wing nor advance the for women’s liberation and its wide needs to be formed, “so that we can interests of working people. increased weight in working- fi ght on the political level, independent of “Let’s stop talking about in- class politics. This is a handbook the capitalist class and its parties, not only dependent political action for workers, farmers, and youth for economic demands.” A part of that, and start talking about in- repelled by the class inequali- dependent working-class he said, is not being afraid when bosses ties, economic instability, racism, threaten to shut down and move to Mexico, political action.”—Jack Barnes, 1965, women’s oppression, cop violence, The Working Class and or elsewhere, but try to organize any place from one of the three debates collected and wars endemic to capitalism, in this volume. the Transformation of Learning the bosses go. And we need to support the The Fraud of Education Reform Under and who are seeking the road to- struggle for sovereignty and economic de- $5 Capitalism — by Jack Barnes ward effective action to overturn velopment in the semicolonial countries, he In English, Spanish, French, Swedish, and that exploitative system and join said, where imperialist domination forces Icelandic. $3 in reconstructing the world on new, socialist foundations. In English, working people to emigrate. $1 Koppel also met with workers from Cuba and the Coming American Spanish, and French. $23 $10 Garden Manor Farms who recently won a Revolution by Jack Barnes $13 $5 * ‡ strike and representation by the United Food Capitalism’s World Disorder by Jack Barnes $23.95 $10 * ‡ and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and a THREE CLASSICS OF SOCIALISM Aspects of Socialist Election Policy $10 $3 contract earlier this year. A leader in that •The Communist Manifesto fi ght and a current shop steward, Papo, ate What Is American Fascism? by James P. Cannon, Joseph Hansen $8 $3 by Karl Marx, Frederick Engels $3.95 $2 * lunch with Koppel and the other socialist Problems of Women’s Liberation by Evelyn Reed $12.95 $5 •Socialism: Utopian and Scientific candidates. Papo said that Garden Manor workers are in a better position now to press In Spanish, ¿Sexo contra sexo o clase contra clase? $18.85 $10 by Frederick Engels $4 $2 for their interests than before the walkout. Abortion Is a Woman’s Right by Pat Grogan $4.50 $2 * •Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capital- Using union power, he said, they recently ism by V.I. Lenin $10 $3 * Notebook of an Agitator won a lunchroom inside the plant. by James P. Cannon $21.95 $10 NEW INTERNATIONAL: Papo pointed to several workers in the A MAGAZINE OF MARXIST POLITICS AND THEORY pizza shop and said, “I am proud of these The Second Declaration of Havana $4.50 $2 * ‡ guys. Through many diffi culties, they went ‘U.S. Imperialism Has Lost the Cold War’ by Teamster Rebellion $19 $10 * out on strike, where others didn’t.” Papo re- Jack Barnes—from New International No. 11 newed his subscription to the Militant and We Are the Heirs of the World’s Revolutions $14 $10 * ‡ said he looked forward to staying in touch. by Thomas Sankara $7 * ‡ $3 ‘Imperialism’s March Toward Fascism and Another worker from Garden Manor, Trade Unions in the Epoch of War’ by Jack Barnes—from New International No. 10 John, took down the information on how to Imperialist Decay $14 $10 * ‡ send a message of solidarity from his union by Leon Trotsky, with articles by Karl Marx and to the Co-Op miners in Utah and a letter to ‘Washington’s 50-year Domestic Contra Op- Farrell Dobbs $15 $5 the National Labor Relations Board asking eration’ by Larry Seigle—from New International that the NLRB set a date for a union elec- IN THE WORDS OF MALCOLM X No. 6 $15 $10 In Spanish 50 años de guerra tion in that mine. John and another worker •By Any Means Necessary $15.95 $5 encubierta [pamphlet] $7 $3 later bought copies of Teamster Rebellion •Habla Malcolm X $15.95 $5 ‘The Fight for a Workers and Farmers Gov- by Farrell Dobbs (see ad on this page). “I ernment in the United States’ by Jack Barnes like books like this,” John said. •Malcolm X Talks to Young People ‘The Crisis Facing Working Farmers’ by Doug Workers from other shops got SWP cam- [pamphlet] $4 $2 Jenness—from New International No. 4 $14 $10 paign brochures as well. A shop steward * available in Spanish ‡ available in French from another packing plant bought a sub- scription to the Militant and took Militant ORDER ONLINE AT: WWW.PATHFINDERPRESS.COM Labor Forum fl yers to distribute. Also available in bookstores, including those listed on page 8. Offer good until Nov. 30, 2004.

6 The Militant November 9, 2004 Calero visits L.A. SWP candidate speaks to striking Iceland teachers

Continued from front page try to fi re someone, do we go to the of- bosses at their new location. fi ce together? Do we fi ght on the shop “We need our own political voice, inde- fl oor to keep the worker’s job? We have pendent of the capitalist parties,” Calero to focus not on what we can lose if we continued. That’s why the SWP campaign fi ght, but what we can win if we stick is for a labor party, based on the unions, that together.” He pointed to the example fi ghts in the interests of workers and farmers of Co-Op miners in Utah fighting to 365 days a year, not only in the United States win representation by the United Mine but around the world. Prospects for such a Workers of America. These workers are party grow out of the struggle to organize organizing collectively against every at- and strengthen the unions, Calero stated. tack by the company, including insisting The SWP candidate pointed to the recent on their own translators when the bosses pressure by Washington and other imperi- try to fi re union militants, he said. alist powers on the government of Brazil Another worker said he had been at to let United Nations “inspectors” into its the company six years and conditions nuclear plants. The socialists have been ex- were really bad. He wanted to fi nd an- posing this hypocritical campaign by U.S. other job. Militant/Gylfi Páll Hersir imperialism and its allies to prevent gov- “A lot of people say they will go some- REYKJAVÍK, Iceland—“It may look strange to you for a vice-presidential candidate ernments they target from developing the where else, but many of those other jobs from the United States to be campaigning in Iceland, while the Democrats and the Re- energy sources they need, including nuclear are bad too. We can’t avoid the struggle, publicans are focusing on those states where the race is the closest,” Arrin Hawkins, the energy, he said. Electrifi cation is needed for either at this plant or anywhere else we SWP candidate for vice president, told more than 100 striking teachers gathered October economic development, which is a precon- go,” said Calero. 25 at their strike headquarters here (pictured above). “That’s because our campaign starts dition for social and political advances by SWP candidates for U.S. Congress with the world and with the fact that working people share the same interests. That’s why working people in Africa, Asia, and Latin Seth Dellinger and Wendy Lyons, who I’m interested in hearing about the teachers strike as it enters its sixth week.” America, he stated. are running in California’s 33rd and 34th The day had begun with a sale at HB-Grandi, a fi sh processing plant in Reykjavík. Calero and other socialist campaigners Districts, respectively, joined Calero for Workers stopped to talk to Hawkins. One bought a subscription to the Militant and got a warm response among hundreds of campaigning at the Farmer John plant another picked up a copy of the paper. workers going in and out of Farmer John, a gate when they got off work. Lyons works Hawkins spoke to 50 students at Menntaskólinn vid Hamrahlíd pre-university school, large pork slaughterhouse. United Food and at Farmer John and Dellinger works at a campaigned in working-class neighborhoods, and soapboxed in downtown Reykjavík. She Commercial Workers Local 770 organizes subsidiary plant across the street. also spoke at public meetings in Reykjavík and the University of Iceland. Fréttabladid, the plant, which employs more than 1,300 The next day, Calero spoke to about one of the two main dailies in the country, held an interview with the socialist candidate, workers. A good number of workers, how- 100 students in two classes at Los Ange- featuring it prominently in the paper. ever, are not members of the union. les Trade Technical College. After a brief —ÓLÖF ANDRA PROPPÉ “One problem is that the company hires presentation, students peppered Calero temporary workers,” a worker from the pork with questions about his campaign, his cuts department told Calero. “They work for party, and the SWP platform. duce all the wealth in society, along with human solidarity, he said. They help work- three months and then they’re out the door. Cecilia, a young woman with two chil- nature. The working class struggled to win ers undercut the dog-eat-dog competition They never get into the union.” dren, described how she had been denied unemployment benefi ts and the bosses try fostered by capitalism between those who “We need to look at how we can fi ght unemployment benefi ts and did not know to whittle away at them.” Jobless benefi ts have jobs and those who don’t. “The rulers for better conditions for all of us, including what to do. are part of a safety net workers fought for, teach the opposite, that this a ‘handout,’” temporary workers,” Calero said. “We have “That goes to the heart of our campaign,” which is necessary to keep them together, he said. to show that the union can count. When they Calero responded. “Working people pro- to maintain working-class solidarity, that is, The SWP campaign calls for a massive federally funded public works program that would put millions to work and meet press- ing social needs—like building schools and hospitals, and repairing roads and bridges. SWP campaign in Florida: ‘Vote No on parental “We need to combine the fight for this kind of jobs program with the defense of notification act, Yes to increase in minimum wage’ measures that affect all workers—unem- ployment, workers’ compensation, and BY RACHELE FRUIT Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parent- tion to put the amendment on the ballot four Social Security,” Calero said. In fact, the TAMPA, Florida—Socialist Workers can- hood went to court to block the amendment, times if he could. Supporters of the measure labor movement needs to mount a fi ght for didates in Florida are calling for a “No” vote arguing that the ballot summary leads voters collected over 500,000 signatures to put it the extension of Social Security so that it on an initiative that would require parental to believe they are preserving rights, when on the ballot. includes cradle-to-grave medical coverage notifi cation for teenagers to get an abortion. in fact the measure takes them away. The The same survey cited earlier showed that for all. They are also calling for a “Yes” vote on a fi rst sentence of Amendment 1 reads: “The 59 percent of those polled favor the Florida “You said 2 billion people are living with- measure that would increase the minimum legislature shall not limit or deny the pri- Minimum Wage Amendment. Businessmen out electricity. What kind of countries is that hourly wage in the state by $1. Both will ap- vacy right guaranteed to a minor under the have been waging a demagogic campaign happening in?” another student asked. pear as amendments to the state constitution United States Constitution as interpreted by against it. Calero pointed to a photo that appeared on the November 2 ballot. the United States Supreme Court.” “We call for a minimum wage at union in the Militant earlier this year of the bor- “We are taking a strong position against The October 9 Tampa Tribune cited a sur- scale—around what unionized workers in der area between Haiti and the Dominican Amendment 1, which is a blatantly reac- vey saying that 57 percent of those polled the building trades make,” Karl Butts, SWP Republic. The hills on the Haitian side are tionary attack on a woman’s right to choose favor the parental notifi cation amendment. candidate for Congress in Florida’s 11th almost completely bare of trees. Most Hai- and on the privacy rights of young women Amendment 5 would set a state mini- District, said October 23 during a public tians do not have electricity or any other in particular,” said Nicole Sarmiento, SWP mum wage at $6.15 an hour to begin six campaign meeting here. “At the same time, modern energy, and have to use fi rewood or candidate for U.S. Senate, in an interview. months after approval and to be indexed we urge everyone to vote for the $1 increase charcoal to cook that they can only get from Amendment 1, initiated by the state leg- for infl ation thereafter. The Floridians for as an elementary affi rmative action measure, cutting down the trees. The resulting defor- islature, says, “the Legislature is authorized All Political Action Committee sponsored which would ease a bit the squeeze on mil- estation has meant devastating fl oods and to require by general law for notifi cation to this measure. lions of working people and put us in a thousands of unnecessary deaths. “These a parent or guardian of a minor before the Rico De Shades, a member of the United better position to fi ght for a living wage.” conditions are imposed by imperialism,” termination of the minor’s pregnancy.” Food and Commercial Workers Union Local Wages, he said, are set from the bottom up. he pointed out. This initiative follows another reactionary 1625 in Plant City, told this reporter that he An increase by a buck is sorely needed by In Brazil, he said, one of the most indus- move by Gov. John Ellis Bush last spring felt so strongly about raising the minimum workers. “Vote Yes for Amendment 5!” he trialized “Third World” countries, nearly 40 who appointed a separate guardian over wage that he would have signed the peti- concluded. percent of the rural population is without the fi ve-month fetus of a se- electricity and 10 percent verely retarded woman who overall. The problem is more was raped in a state-licensed acute in Asia and Africa. group home. Bush did this Socialist Workers Party candidates across the United States “We also need to look at challenging a 1989 Florida The SWP presidential ticket is on the ballot in: Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, the question of electrifica- Supreme Court ruling that Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Vermont tion in this country,” Calero added. “There are millions fetuses can’t have guardians Alabama Iowa *Carole Lesnick, Board of Education of people in the United States because, it said, they aren’t Janine Dukes, U.S. Senate *Edwin Fruit, U.S. Senate Pennsylvania who have to decide monthly legally people. Clay Dennison, U.S. Congress, 7th C.D. Massachusetts Brian Taylor, U.S. Senate between food and the electric The Tampa Tribune favors California Andrea Morrell, U.S. Congress 1st C.D. John Staggs, U.S. Congress, 1st C.D. bill. There are parts of Missis- Amendment 1. An October 18 Dennis Richter, U.S. Senate *Laura Garza, Massachusetts state represen- George Chalmers, U.S. Congress, 2nd C.D. sippi and the Navajo Nation editorial stated that the “ob- Mark Gilsdorf, U.S. Congress 8th C.D. tative, Suffolk County District 1 Tim Mailhot, U.S. Congress, 11th C.D. that still have no electric- ligation—if not the express Chessie Molano, U.S. Congress 12th C.D. Michigan Martha Ressler, U.S. Congress 14th C.D. ity. In big cities like Miami, right—of parents to protect Seth Dellinger, U.S. Congress, 33rd C.D. Osborne Hart, U.S. Congress, 13th C.D. John Crysdale, Pennsylvania State Senate, there is ample electricity in and guide their children” su- Wendy Lyons, U.S. Congress, 34th C.D. Minnesota District 7 most neighborhoods; but persedes the right to privacy, Naomi Craine, U.S. Congress, 35th C.D. Bill Schmitt, U.S. Congress in 4th C.D. *Kristopher Barkanic, Pennsylvania General which is currently guaranteed areas like Little Haiti have Florida Nebraska Assembly, 116th District few street lights.” in the state constitution. Nicole Sarmiento, U.S. Senate Lisa Rottach, U.S. Congress, 2nd C.D. Texas Twice before, in 1989 and “What can you do when Karl Butts, U.S. Congress, 11th C.D. New Jersey Anthony Dutrow, U.S. Congress 7th C.D. they try to deport you?” 2003, the state supreme court Omari Musa, U.S. Congress, 17th C.D. *Ved Dookhun, U.S. Congress, 10th C.D. Jacquie Henderson, U.S. Congress 18th C.D. has ruled that parental notifi - another student asked, re- Lawrence Mikesh, U.S. Congress, 21st C.D. *Angel Lariscy, U.S. Congress, 13th C.D. Washington ferring to the successful cation laws violated the state Georgia New York Connie Allen, U.S. Senate constitution’s privacy provi- fi ght that prevented the U.S. William Arth, U.S. Senate *Martín Koppel, U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. government from deporting sion. Therefore, lawmakers Eleanor Garcia, U.S. Congress, 5th C.D. Willie Cotton, U.S. Congress, 15th C.D. John Hawkins, D.C. City Council–At Large who want to pass such a law Calero last year. “That’s my Illinois Millie Sánchez, U.S. Congress, 8th C.D. Lea Sherman, Delegate to the House of question too,” another student have to change the constitu- Maurice Williams, U.S. Senate Dorothy Kolis, U.S. Congress, 16th C.D. Representatives tion fi rst. said. “How do you fi ght?” Rebecca Williamson, U.S. Congress, 4th Ohio “We reached out and On August 2, the American C.D. Romina Green, U.S. Senate *on the ballot Continued on Page 10

The Militant November 9, 2004 7 German imperialism’s march to World War I Below is an excerpt from the “Junius ristic equipment and in imperialistic under- Pamphlet,” which can be found in Rosa takings (railroad building, the exploitation Luxemburg Speaks, one of Pathfi nder’s of mines, etc.) into the most infl uential fac- Books of the Month for November. Lux- tor in the nation. The latter has cemented emburg, a leader of Germany’s revolu- the money interests into a fi rmly organized tionary movement, wrote the pamphlet whole, with the greatest, most virile energy, as a scientifi c explanation of the growing creating a power that autocratically rules confl icts among the imperialist powers the industry, commerce and credit of the and the historical forces that led to nation, dominant in private as well as pub- the outbreak of World War I in 1914. lic affairs, boundless in its powers of ex- Copyright © 1970 by Pathfi nder Press. pansion, ever hungry for profi t and activity, Reprinted by permission. impersonal, and therefore, liberal-minded, reckless and unscrupulous, international by BY ROSA LUXEMBURG its very nature, ordained by its capacities The growth of capitalism, spreading out to use the world as its stage. Germany is under a personal regime, with strong initiative and spasmodic ac- tivity, with the weakest kind of parliamen- BOOKS OF tarism, incapable of opposition, uniting all capitalist strata in the sharpest opposition to the working class. It is obvious that this THE MONTH live, unhampered imperialism, coming Rosa Luxemburg speaking at mass meeting of German Social Democratic Party upon the world stage at a time when the in 1907. Imperialist Germany “became a rival of the world’s great naval force— world was practically divided up, with rapidly over a reconstituted Europe after the England,” Luxemburg said, and waged a “fi ght for supremacy on the ocean.” gigantic appetites, soon became an irre- war period of the sixties and seventies, par- sponsible factor of general unrest. ticularly after the long period of depression secured control of Egypt and created for each capitalist nation against every other, This was already foreshadowed by the that followed the infl ation and the panic of itself, in South Africa, a powerful colonial on the backs of Asiatic and African peo- radical upheaval that took place in the mili- the year 1873, reaching an unnatural zenith empire. France took possession of Tunis ples must sooner or later lead to a general tary policies of the empire at the end of in the prosperity of the nineties opened up a in North Africa and Tonkin in East Asia; reckoning, that the wind that was sown in the nineties. At that time two naval budgets new period of storm and danger among the Italy gained a foothold in Abyssinia; Russia Africa and Asia would return to Europe as were introduced which doubled the naval nations of Europe. They were competing accomplished its conquests in Central Asia a terrifi c storm, the more certainly since power of Germany and provided for a naval in their expansion toward the noncapitalist and pushed forward into Manchuria; Ger- increased armament of the European states program covering almost two decades. This countries and zones of the world. As early many won its fi rst colonies in Africa and in was the constant associate of these Asiatic meant a sweeping change in the fi nancial as the eighties a strong tendency toward co- the South Sea, and the United States joined and African occurrences; (2) that the Euro- and trade policy of the nation. In the fi rst lonial expansion became apparent. England the circle when it procured the Philippines pean world war would have to come to an place, it involved a striking change in the with “interests” in Eastern Asia. This pe- outbreak as soon as the partial and chang- foreign policy of the empire..... “ riod of feverish conquests has brought on, ing confl icts between the imperialist states Germany was to become the rival of the beginning with the Chinese-Japanese War found a centralized axis, a confl ict of suf- world’s great naval force—England. And BOOKS in 1895, a practically uninterrupted chain fi cient magnitude to group them, for the England did not fail to understand. The November of bloody wars, reaching its height in the time being, into large, opposing factions. naval reform bills, and the speeches that OF THE MONTH Great Chinese Invasion, and closing with This situation was created by the appear- ushered them in, created a lively unrest in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904. ance of German imperialism. England, an unrest that has never again sub- All these occurrences, coming blow In Germany one may study the devel- sided. In March 1910, Lord Robert Cecil PATHFINDER upon blow, created new, extra-European opment of imperialism, crowded as it was said in the House of Commons during a READ ERS CLUB 25% antagonisms on all sides: between Italy and into the shortest possible space of time, in naval debate: I challenge any man to give SPE CIALS DISCOUNT France in Northern Africa, between France concrete form. The unprecedented rapid- me a plausible reason for the tremendous and England in Egypt, between England ity of German industrial and commercial navy that Germany is building up, other and Russia in Central Asia, between Russia development since the foundation of the than to take up the fi ght against England.” Rosa Luxemburg Speaks and Japan in Eastern Asia, between Japan empire brought out during the eighties two The fight for supremacy on the ocean By Rosa Luxemburg and England in China, between the United characteristically peculiar forms of capi- that lasted for one and a half decades on From her political States and Japan in the Pacifi c Ocean—a talist accumulation: the most pronounced both sides and culminated in the feverish awakening as very restless ocean, full of sharp confl icts growth of monopoly in Europe and the best building of dreadnoughts and superdread- a high school and temporary alliances, of tension and developed and most concentrated banking noughts, was, in effect, the war between student in tsarist- relaxation, threatening every few years system in the whole world. The monopolies Germany and England. The naval bill of occupied Poland to break out into a war between European have organized the steel and iron industry, December 11, 1899, was a declaration of until her murder in powers. It was clear to everybody, there- i.e., the branch of capitalist endeavor most war by Germany, which England answered 1919 during the fore, (1) that the secret underhand war of interested in government orders, in milita- on August 4, 1914. German revolution, Rosa Luxemburg acted and wrote as a proletarian IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP revolutionist. Where to find distrib u tors of the Zip: 48244-0739. Tel: (313) 554-0504. 9698. E-mail: [email protected] Rosa Luxemburg Militant, Perspectiva Mundial, and E-mail: [email protected] CANADA Speaks takes us inside the political New International, and a full display of MINNESOTA: St. Paul: 113 Bernard St., battles between revolution and class Pathfi nder books. West St. Paul. Zip: 55118. Tel: (651) 644- ONTARIO: Toronto: 2238 Dundas St. collaboration that still shape the modern 6325. E-mail: [email protected] West, Suite 201, M6r 3A9 Tel: (416) 535- workers movement. $26.95 UNITED STATES 9140. E-mail: [email protected] NEBRASKA: Omaha: P.O. Box 7005. Zip: Special price: $20.50 ALABAMA: Birmingham: 3029A 68107. E-mail: [email protected] QUEBEC: Montreal: 6955 Boul St-Michel, Suite 202. Postal code: H2A Bessemer Road. Zip: 35208. Tel: (205) 780- NEW JERSEY: Newark: 168 Bloomfi eld American Labor Struggles: 0021. E-mail: [email protected] 2Z3. Tel: (514) 284-7369. E-mail: lc_ Avenue, 2nd Floor. Zip: 07104. Tel: (973) [email protected] 1877-1934 CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 4229 481-0077. E-mail: [email protected] FRANCE By Samuel Yellen S. Central Ave. Zip: 90011. Tel: (323) NEW YORK: Manhattan: 306 W. 37th “Brings to life the 233-9372. E-mail: [email protected] Street, 10th floor. Zip: 10018. 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The thieves’ disclosed that some of the widely tion, India has the world’s largest in the United Kingdom decided How generous—“Wilmington, honor role includes AT&T, Boe- used anti-depressant pills can pro- train network. The system is run to scrap the old system of using Delaware—Some cancer patients ing, Prudential, Caterpillar, Dis- mote suicidal tendencies among toilets that fl ush on to the tracks. will be eligible for free treatment ney, and Pfi zer, the top dog in the children and teenagers. A new fl eet of passenger cars are up to a year [And then?] under a medical blood-sucker racket. The FDA knew, and suppressed, equipped with retention tanks. state initiative. Funding for the information on this for at least Harry But passengers are confronted Delaware Cancer Treatment Pro- Hot new gadget—The Pen- eight years. Fumed a member of by the harrowing experience that gram targets patients who don’t tagon is considering a “benign” Congress: “There is something Ring all the toilets are “out of order.” have insurance and aren’t eligible new weapon for use in Iraq. It rotten in the FDA. No agency Manufacturers failed to provide for Medicaid.”—News report. looks like a satellite dish and will charged with public health should disposal means. be mounted on an armored Hum- have behaved with such indiffer- P.S.—Delaware is the home vee. It gives a burning sensation ence.” Not to quibble, but was it down and accidents not infre- Dow Chemical, killer corp.— base of DuPont, whose notorious that they say stops when turned indifference or loyalty? quent. Most recently, a train wreck “MIDLAND, Michigan—State record of pollution has created off. The Red Cross worries that it killed 20 and injured 100. India’s health offi cials warned against unknown numbers of cancers. could blind people, or be used to Welcome aboard—New read- rail minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, eating wild turkey, deer, and torture prisoners. ers are invited to contribute items declared that Vishwakarma, Hindu squirrel. They say dioxin lev- Big-time petty larceny— for this column. Send clippings by god of machines, is responsible for els downstream from the city’s Eighty two ranking corporations Faithful dogs—The Food and e-mail to: thegreatsociety@sbcgl the rail system. The rail minister Dow Chemical complex are skipped paying income taxes at Drug Administration guesstimates obal.net. For postal mail send to added: “So is the safety of passen- dangerous. Dow is [allegedly] least once in the past three years. that each year some 1,000 teenag- Pathfi nder Books, 4229 S. Central gers, it’s his duty, not mine.” negotiating about the cleanup of Each racked up $100 billion plus ers—many suffering depression— Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011. Firebombed SWP campaign hall in Pennsylvania reopened BY JANET POST least smoke-damaged. HAZLETON, Pennsylvania—“Holding Copies of some of the 70 messages of this meeting tonight is a big victory for po- support were on display too, including let- litical rights. It would not have been possible ters sent to Hazleton mayor Louis Barletta without the support and generous contribu- urging the apprehension and prosecution of tions of people around the world like your- those responsible for the fi rebombing. selves,” said Kristofer Barkanic October As the letters began pouring into the 16, at the grand reopening of the Socialist mayor’s offi ce, Barletta was asked about Workers Party campaign hall here. the arson attack on Hazleton Channel 13 Barkanic is the SWP candidate for TV. “There was a fi rebomb thrown into the Pennsylvania State Assembly in the 116th headquarters of a campaign on Wyoming District, which includes Hazleton. Street and we’re investigating that right The campaign hall, now reconstructed, now as we speak,” the Republican mayor had been fi rebombed in the early morning said. “And we plan to take swift action. It’s hours of Sept. 11, 2004. In the arson attack a a crime that we will not condone, and again, brick with incendiary material attached to it we’re going to do everything and anything to was thrown through the front window, ignit- bring these people to justice and take swift ing a slow-burning fi re and badly damaging action against them.” the front of the hall and burning campaign At the reopening meeting, Barkanic read literature. The smoke that fi lled the room some of the protest messages. “These letters rendered the center’s book stock unusable. have made it clear to the city administration Walking into the headquarters for the that acts of intimidation against those who reopening event and reception, participants express political ideas at odds with the gov- were struck by the hundreds of brand-new, erning parties should not be tolerated.” Militant brightly colored Pathfi nder books. “These Messages read included those from The SWP campaign hall in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, reopened October 16, after new books are just beautiful!” exclaimed Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of the Arch- rightist fi rebombing September 11 destroyed books and parts of the building. one contributor to the Rebuilding Fund, diocese of Detroit; René Villasboa of the which raised more than $4,000. More than Revolutionary Socialist Nucleus of Para- harassment.” being able to read, think about, and discuss 20 people attended the meeting, including a guay; Gillian Barker, philosophy profes- The main speaker at the program was Tim ideas. This is opposed to the very low level student from Penn State at State College and sor at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Mailhot, SWP candidate for U.S. Congress and coarseness of the political discourse a young worker from the Lancaster area. Pennsylvania; Carmen Febo San Miguel, in Pennsylvania’s 11th District. Mailhot is a we heard in the debates between Bush and The books and campaign material can executive director of Taller Puertorriqueño meat packer at Cargill Meat Solutions and Kerry and the rest of their campaigning. be seen through the newly rebuilt store- in Philadelphia; and Normand Faubert, vice- a member of United Food and Commercial “Here we have the lessons of 150 years of front window, glass door, and display area president of the Labatt Brewery Workers Workers (UFCW) Local 1776. Several of revolutionary struggle analyzing the politi- facing Wyoming Street in the middle of a Union in Montreal, Quebec. his co-workers have visited the campaign cal roots of imperialism, the exploitation of working-class shopping area. “The history of Birmingham, where headquarters during the reconstruction to workers, and the lines of resistance of work- Outside, above the window is an eight- bombings were carried out frequently express their support. ers around the world.” He said these books foot-wide sign reading “Socialist Workers against participants in the civil rights move- Mailhot underlined the importance of the are tools that workers can and do use today 2004 Campaign.” Inside, the headquarters is ment, clearly shows the grave danger in al- new books arriving in time for the meeting. in their struggles to organize unions and to now brightly lit with a new ceiling replacing lowing such an attack to pass without a seri- “Unlike the candidates of the capitalist par- make them more effective in resisting the the old soot-blackened panels. ous response,” said Shirley Hyche of United ties, we put great importance on workers bosses’ attacks. Since the fi rebombing, more than 100 Mine Workers Local 2368 in Birmingham, people have come by to inquire about the Alabama, in a letter to the Hazleton mayor. arson and wish socialist campaigners well. “If left unanswered, this assault will have a 25 AND 50 YEARS AGO Residents from throughout the region have chilling effect on the right to civil discourse bought more than 200 books that were the and to engage in political activity free from on why working people need the ERA. The Coalition of Labor Union Women, and the Women’s Affi rmative Action Committee SWP candidate for Senate campaigns at the UAW Regional offi ce in Cranford November 9, 1979 are also participating. Gloria Johnson, among cannery workers in Washington NEWARK—The United Auto Workers national treasurer of CLUW, will be the union has begun to put some muscle behind keynote speaker. BY JOHN NAUBERT through a stronger labor movement can we the Labor for Equal Rights Now campaign YAKIMA, Washington— On October 2, fi ght for a jobs program, for health care, for to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Connie Allen, Socialist Workers Party can- affordable housing, for solidarity with our Virginia. LERN has called for an education/ didate for U.S. Senate in Washington, and brothers and sisters in the ‘Third World’ action campaign for the ERA, including a campaign supporters joined the picket line who are resisting imperialist domination January 13 march and rally in Richmond, of cannery workers striking Snokist Grow- and demanding economic development, Virginia. ers. The workers—who can apples and pears and for making our gains long lasting by The fi rst move was made by the Region November 8, 1954 at this plant—are organized by the Western taking state power out of the hands of the 9 New Jersey CAP Council Women’s Com- The Department of Justice has been Council of Industrial Workers. They are capitalists.” mittee, which set up an ERA subcommittee staging a series of arrests of Puerto Rican fi ghting for their fi rst contract after winning Allen pledged to use her campaign to to educate the union’s 35,000 members and Nationalists and at the same time members union recognition 18 months ago. October build support for the strike. “I will en- organize buses for the January 13 march. of the Puerto Rican Communist Party. is the height of the canning season. courage everyone I meet to extend their Hundreds of LERN pamphlets called Following the conviction for “sedi- Rogelio Montes, a union organizer, used solidarity with you and join your picket Labor’s Stake in the ERA have already tious conspiracy” of 13 Nationalists, who a bullhorn to introduce the socialist cam- lines,” she said. been distributed in auto assembly and parts received maximum sentences, the FBI ar- paigners. “The Socialist Workers Party has During a lull in picketing, workers gath- plants in New Jersey. One thousand more rested 11 alleged leaders of the Puerto Rican supported many struggles here in Yakima, ered around Allen to discuss more what she are on order. C.P. Nine were arrested in Puerto Rico, one Toppenish, and Sunnyside,” Montes told a had talked about. After reading through the A UAW brochure on the ERA—put out in New York, and one entered the U.S. from group of 60 strikers. SWP campaign platform, Maria, a packing by the International—is also being distrib- Mexico to face trial. All were charged with “What you are doing by standing up to worker, commented, “That’s what we need, uted in large quantities. violating the thought-control Smith Act. Snokist is important,” Allen told the work- 30 hours work with no cut in pay.” The women’s committee is also putting These arrests were followed on Oct. 30 by ers, as a campaign supporter translated her Two strikers subscribed to Perspectiva out a green-and-white UAW ERA button the roundup of nine Puerto Rican National- remarks into Spanish. “Like the Co-Op min- Mundial, the Militant’s sister publication and T-shirts with the UAW symbol adver- ists in Chicago and two in Puerto Rico. ers in Huntington, Utah, who are fi ghting in Spanish. A third renewed his PM sub he tising the Richmond march. These will The timing of these arrests, the “dramat- for a union, your struggle shows the way had fi rst purchased while he was on strike certainly start a lot of discussions on the ic” early dawn invasion of homes, the care- forward for the labor movement. At the heart several years ago at Washington Beef, a assembly lines. ful alternation between arrests of Nationalist of the SWP campaign platform is joining nearby cut-and-kill plant. During a visit to To coincide with the LERN week of lo- and arrests of Stalinists, the wide circle of workers like you fi ghting to organize unions the picket line a week earlier, another three cal activities December 2–9, the UAW will arrested, all indicates that the FBI is engaged and to make our unions more effective. Only strikers had subscribed to the Militant. host an educational meeting December 3 in an elaborate multiple frame-up. The Militant November 9, 2004 9 EDITORIALS Attack in Fallujah Continued from front page early next year. UK defense secretary Geoffrey Hoon an- Protest FBI raid in Puerto Rico nounced October 21 that 850 British troops would be sent We devote part of our editorial space this week to against the union show that the real purpose of the Patriot to Baghdad to take up positions previously held by U.S. publishing the following statement, released October Act and other “homeland security” measures is to lay the troops being redeployed to Fallujah. London took this step 22 by Martín Koppel and Nicole Sarmiento, Socialist groundwork for using government police agencies and U.S. at Washington’s request. Workers Party candidates for U.S. Senator in New York armed forces to target unions resisting the employer offen- Two days later the U.S. military said it had captured a top and Florida, respectively. Both just returned from a trip sive and others who oppose Washington’s policies. leader of Tawhid and Jihad along with fi ve other suspected in Puerto Rico (see article on page 3). If the U.S. government and its political police get away militia members, according to Reuters. On October 26 the military also claimed to have killed a top leader of the The Socialist Workers campaign condemns the blatant with this attack, they will be emboldened to go after other unions in Puerto Rico. If unanswered, this attack can have group in an air strike that destroyed four homes. Another strikebreaking raid by FBI and IRS agents on the hall of 17 individuals accused of leading or being members of the water workers union in Puerto Rico. similar repercussions in the United States. The Puerto Rican labor and pro-independence movements are very such militias were reportedly captured in outlying areas of We call on the labor movement and all working people the city in predawn raids. in the United States to join with our Puerto Rican sisters familiar with FBI spying and disruption operations, which were widely exposed after the 1978 Cerro Maravilla af- Tawhid and Jihad has taken responsibility for several and brothers in telling the U.S. government: hands off the kidnappings and beheadings of hostages, and bombings unions! fair, in which the police entrapment and murder of two pro-independence youth implicated U.S. police agencies. against civilian and other targets in Iraq. Many of those In the midst of a hard-fought strike for a contract by the killed in such bombings have been Iraqis attempting to Independent Authentic Union (UIA) against the Puerto It was later revealed that the local police, in collaboration with the FBI, had secret fi les on more than 100,000 Puerto join the National Guard and police at recruiting stations, Rican government’s Water and Sewer Authority (AAA), along with civilian bystanders. The group also took credit 60 FBI cops and IRS agents raided the union headquarters Rican unionists, independence advocates, antiwar protest- ers, and others. for the recent execution-style killing of 50 newly trained October 20 under the cover of investigating accusations of unarmed Iraqi soldiers on their way home on leave after “health-care fraud” and corruption by UIA union offi cials. The U.S. labor movement has plenty of experience with the use of racketeering and “fraud” charges as a cover for completing training, said CBS News. The group is led by It is under this same pretext that the water authority has Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. demanded that the union turn over control of the workers’ government intervention in union affairs. Such moves are an attack on the right of the union ranks to choose their U.S. warplanes and tanks have kept up a bombardment medical insurance program to a private outfi t. The cops of Fallujah as the Allawi government prepares for a major occupied the union headquarters for 15 hours, detained and own leadership and control their union, and should be unconditionally protested by labor and other supporters ground offensive. According to Reuters, smoke could be interrogated union members while denying them access to seen rising from the Shuhada area of the city, an alleged attorneys, and carted off hundreds of boxes of union fi les. of workers’ rights. The FBI’s war on the Puerto Rican unions, independence stronghold of militias. In one bombing attack, a family They are now fl oating the idea of a grand jury investiga- of six, among them four children, were reportedly killed tion, whose purpose would be to frame up UIA members movement, and other social struggles underscores the real- ity that Puerto Rico is a U.S. colony. A successful struggle when their home was hit. The U.S. military denied killing and smear the union. the family, saying that its warplanes struck “safe houses” In a previous antilabor attack, FBI agents showed up at for the independence of Puerto Rico is in the interests not only of the Puerto Rican people but of the vast majority of used by Tahwid and Jihad. the UIA headquarters August 26 to “investigate” alleged U.S. military vehicles cut off a northwestern entrance to statements by union president Héctor Lugo that the UIA the people of the United States. We have common interests and a common enemy: the wealthy U.S. rulers and their the city and used loudspeakers to warn residents to turn over might take part in a protest at the airport, and to warn that militia members “or the night is near.” The Allawi regime blocking the airport, as the Puerto Rican labor movement government in Washington. Every struggle against U.S. colonial rule in Puerto Rico, such as the fi ght to free all has demanded that al-Zarqawi be handed over to its forces. did during the 1998 general strike, would be considered a The lead negotiator between the interim government and the “terrorist” act and a violation of the reactionary Patriot Act. Puerto Rican political prisoners and the successful move- ment to get the U.S. Navy out of the Puerto Rican island militias in meetings aimed to avoid a full-scale assault on On October 6 FBI offi cials made further threats, insinuat- the city said October 26 that the Allawi administration has ing that UIA members were planning “sabotage” against of Vieques, reinforces the struggles of working people in the United States. broken off the talks. But the Iraqi defense ministry denied Puerto Rico’s water supply. that negotiations had ended, according to al-Jazeera TV. These actions reveal the fact that the FBI and other FBI, IRS hands off the Independent Authentic Union! Fallujah lies in the heart of the “Sunni Triangle,” an U.S. political police agencies are enemies of the working Solidarity with the water workers strike! Free all Puerto area of central Iraq where the Baathist regime of Saddam class and act to serve and protect the bosses. The FBI raids Rican political prisoners! Independence for Puerto Rico! Hussein has had a strong base. It is now a center of the militias opposing the U.S.-led occupation and the interim regime installed by Washington. Fierce battles took place 1962: Cuba said no to UN ‘inspections’ in Fallujah in March and April when U.S. forces laid siege to the city following the deaths of four military “contrac- “All this talk about inspection is one more attempt to Washington that Cuba confronted four decades ago. tors.” Their burned and charred remains were strung from a humiliate our country. We do not accept it. In October 1962, when U.S. spy planes photographed bridge over the Euphrates river as many residents cheered. “This demand for inspection aims to validate the U.S. Soviet missile launch sites under construction in Cuba, U.S. Marines were ordered to prepare an assault on the city presumption that it can violate our right to freely act within the U.S. rulers set on a course that pushed the world to the ostensibly to capture those responsible. our own borders, that it can dictate what we can or cannot edge of nuclear war. The siege ended on April 30 with the announcement do within our own borders. And our line on this is not only a Most U.S. commentators treat the events of October 1962 that the occupation authority had negotiated an agreement line for today; it is a view that we have always maintained, as a Cold War showdown between the two superpowers, to replace the Marines by establishing a Fallujah Brigade without exception. in which Cuba was at best a pawn, at worst a raging mute headed by former Iraqi army offi cers. The brigade never “In the revolutionary government’s reply to the joint offstage. In that scenario, the people of Cuba do not exist, engaged the militias and was dissolved in September. resolution of the U.S. government, we said the following: nor in fact do the tens of thousands of Americans across the Washington continues to draw lessons and make tactical ‘Equally absurd is its threat to launch a direct armed at- country who acted to oppose U.S. imperialism’s prepara- adjustments from that experience as with its efforts to wipe tack should Cuba strengthen itself militarily to a degree the tions for a military assault. out the Mahdi militia of Muqtada al-Sadr based in Najaf United States takes the liberty to determine…. We have not As Tomás Diez Acosta demonstrates in his book October and Sadr City, a suburb of Baghdad. Newly U.S.-trained surrendered nor do we intend to surrender any of our sover- 1962: The ‘Missile’ Crisis As Seen from Cuba, the roots of Iraqi National Guard and Special Forces troops joined U.S. eign prerogatives to the Congress of the United States.” that crisis lay not in Washington’s Cold War with the Soviet Marines in routing the Mahdi militia from Najaf at the This is the fi rm reply Fidel Castro, prime minister of Union, but in the drive by the U.S. government to overthrow end of August. After suffering heavy losses in Najaf, and Cuba at the time, gave on Oct. 30, 1962, to U Thant, sec- the “fi rst free territory of the Americas.” This is what Cuba a month-long daily bombardment of his group’s positions retary-general of the United Nations. U Thant had come to became after workers and peasants overthrew a U.S.-backed in Sadr City in September, al-Sadr agreed the fi rst week in Cuba to convey a demand by Washington and the UN Se- dictatorship in 1959 and opened the road to socialism in October to turn over large caches of heavy arms in exchange curity Council that Havana allow two teams of UN snoops: the Americas. The acceptance by U.S. president John F. for money and amnesty for Mahdi militiamen deemed by one on the ground and one from the air, to verify that Soviet Kennedy of the offer by Soviet premier Nikita Kruschev the government not to have committed any crimes. nuclear missiles that had been installed in Cuba were being to withdraw the missiles—an offer broadcast worldwide Some 2,000 Iraqi soldiers fought alongside 3,000 U.S. removed, as Moscow had already announced to the world it over Radio Moscow without even informing the Cuban troops in sweeping anti-government militias from Samarra was doing. The Cuban government also rejected the request government—was how the stand-down of the two strate- the fi rst week in October. The U.S. commander in charge that Soviet ships carrying the missiles and launch pads be gic nuclear powers was announced. But it was the armed of the attack on Samarra praised the performance of Iraqi inspected at Cuban ports by the Red Cross. mobilization and political clarity of the Cuban people, and troops, crediting them for driving a militia force from an It is salutary to remember this determined stance in de- the capacities of their revolutionary leadership, that stayed important mosque in the city. fense of national sovereignty on the 42nd anniversary of Washington’s hand, saving humanity from the consequences That success, said USA Today, has left some Iraqi sol- what is known as the “Cuban Missile Crisis” of October of a nuclear holocaust. diers itching to get to Fallujah. “The insurgents there will 1962. Especially at a time when demands for UN “inspec- Havana’s unequivocal rejection of UN “inspections” run like the rats did at Samarra,” said Maj. Walid Shaker, tions” under the banner of nuclear “nonproliferation” by at the end of the October 1962 crisis was consistent with a member of a new U.S.-trained Iraqi police commando Washington and its imperialist allies have become the order this course. For those interested in delving into the lessons unit, the paper said. of the day, all directed against semicolonial countries. And of this experience for today, we highly recommend Diez “If there is an offensive in Fallujah, it will have to involve when governments that have succumbed to such imperial Acosta’s book—including the transcript of the exchange Iraqi security forces,” said British Brig. Nigel Aylwin-Fos- pressure—like that of Brazil most recently—face nothing between Castro and U Thant (see www.pathfi nderpress.com ter, deputy commander in charge of training and organizing approaching the U.S. naval blockade and threats of war by or book centers listed on page 8). the new Iraqi force. There are 108,000 trained and equipped Iraqi personnel with a goal of deploying 270,000 by the middle of 2006, said British Army Lt. Gen. John McColl. U.S. commanders told USA Today that a ground offen- sive in Fallujah will look very different from the debacle in March and April and that Iraqi forces will take a larger Correction Calero in Los Angeles role. “These people mean business,” said McColl. The article “Workers strike ‘Green’ Soapworks in Continued from Page 7 In another development on October 21, a U.S. military Scotland,” which appeared in the October 26 issue, won broad solidarity in the fi ght against the government’s court in Iraq sentenced Staff Sgt. Ivan Frederick to eight incorrectly identifi ed Anita Roddick as a “Green attempt to deport me,” said Calero. “To wage a fi ght we years in prison for his role in the abuse and torture of Iraqis Party campaigner.” The error was introduced in the need two things: political clarity and to mobilize all the jailed at the Abu Ghraib prison. Frederick, the highest rank- editing process. Roddick is the founder of the Body forces that will respond. I had the help of my party, the ing of eight soldiers charged in the case, had his sentence Shop, the company that owns the Scotland plant. SWP, in organizing this kind of defense. “Always remember reduced from 10 years to 8 in a plea bargain in which he She is a liberal fi gure in the United Kingdom who that working people are the majority,” Calero continued. agreed to cooperate with the prosecution in pending cases. presents herself and her company as “socially and “Mobilizing solidarity is possible because of that. It’s the Frederick’s attorney, however, said he plans to appeal the environmentally friendly.” She is not currently a opposite of what we are taught from day one: ‘Look out sentence, calling it “excessive.” member of the Green Party. On her website Rod- for number one.’” The Army also announced it will court-martial Spc. dick says she backed the Green Party campaign of During his visit here, Calero also campaigned outside Charles Graner and Sgt. Javal Davis early next year. Gra- Ralph Nader for U.S. president in the 2000 elec- American Apparel, a sewing factory with 2,000 workers, ner faces up to 28 years in prison if convicted. Graner, tions. She is currently supporting Democratic and in the downtown garment district. He was interviewed Davis, and Frederick are all enlisted reservists and have presidential nominee John Kerry. by La Opinión, AP, and EFE. said they were following offi cers’ orders. No offi cers have been charged. Seth Dellinger and Nan Bailey contributed to this article. 10 The Militant November 9, 2004 Louisiana paper covers tour of SWP nominee for VP The following article appeared in the for themselves. Reluctant to reveal much October 11–17 issue of the Louisiana about herself or her family, Hawkins did say Weekly, a newspaper published in New that her age and race were not a handicap. Orleans, which is oriented toward the She rather said that taxing conditions in the Black community. The article is based on U.S. affected workers everywhere, drawing an October 2 visit by Socialist Workers a comparison with the fi ght for women’s Party vice-presidential candidate Arrin rights, which was won in small steps. Hawkins to Tulane University in New “Wages are being lowered. It does have a Orleans. It is reprinted by permission. different impact on different nationalities,” she said. “People need to organize indepen- BY JAN CLIFFORD dently the way Malcolm X said.” “What makes you think you have a One of the major programs the SWP chance of being elected Vice President?” would put into place if elected is a massive Socialist Workers Party candidate Arrin public works program, much like the WPA Hawkins must hear that question in every in the 1930s. They would organize workers, interview she gives. Indeed, the white-hot artists, and planners; putting people to work U.S. presidential race seemed to be taking in the national interests instead of corporate place in another world far from the coffee interests. “Social security was won through shop on Tulane University’s campus last struggles on the streets in the l930s,” she Saturday. Students filed lazily through, Militant/Brian Williams added. “We deserve health care and we or sat outside in the gauzy sunlit heat as The photo above of Arrin Hawkins (right) campaigning October 1 at Houston street deserve benefi ts.” Hawkins explained why her party still mat- fair appeared along with this article in the Louisiana Weekly. If elected, the SWP would also immedi- ters in America. ately withdraw U.S. troops from around the “We’re on more ballots than ever before the British when people demanded a bill of Green Party and Ralph Nader, they are still world. “Troops do not serve an altruistic pur- and we are able to respond to being on the rights,” Hawkins said. capitalism-based and would work within pose. They protect U.S. (fi nancial) interests ballots,” Hawkins said. Hawkins, 29, is the The cornerstone of Hawkins’ position the same systems as the Democrats and and our young men to die to protect those only African-American woman running in as a candidate is that resources such as tax Republicans. interests. France had 800 contractors before the 2004 race. Her presidential running breaks, health care, and fair representation So, how would the SWP implement gov- the war and now have none,” she said. mate is Róger Calero, associate editor of should care, and fair representation should ernance of the nation without the machinery She denied being an isolationist and the Spanish-language magazine Perspec- be cycled back to the people who produce of the major political parties? Hawkins re- contended that the war on terror was a tiva Mundial. She immediately thanked the goods and services in the American econo- peated her position of organizing people to label manufactured to allow the U.S. to voters who were responsible for the SWP my: the working class. She spoke repeatedly produce programs and systems that would act as an aggressor. “The U.S. was the fi rst making it to the Louisiana ballot. of the “attack” on the working class, citing radically reorganize the U.S. economy. She and only country to use a nuclear bomb,” Hawkins was in New Orleans for a talk trends such as cutbacks on benefi ts, longer said that in her campaigns she repeatedly Hawkins said. and reception sponsored by the Tulane work hours, the Bush administration’s pro- met people disenchanted with the current According to the U.S. Constitution, pre- Politics Club. Poised and trim in a blue posed legislation to eliminate overtime pay, parties and systems. requisites for being elected to offi ce in the pinstriped suit and short cropped hair, she and cutting safety corners to protect profi ts. The SWP does not employ polls, but U.S. require one to be at least 35 years of fl ashed an easy smile, behind which were She offered an alternative to “a small minor- Hawkins does pay attention to the national age and U.S.-born. Since Hawkins is 29, and some not-so-easy ideas. ity of the capitalist ruling class.” debates and other polls. She’s interested in Calero was born in Nicaragua (although a “We start with the working classes,” she “That’s where the attack on the working what people are saying. “It’s important to permanent U.S. resident), their race is said. “We meet with students, workers, and class begins, and now it’s on increasing know what they’re saying and respond to clearly for something beyond the White begin to talk about politics.” layers of the middle class,” Hawkins said. it.” House. Hawkins said, “People will continue That, said Hawkins, is the primary strat- She said that corporations’ and business Building and supporting strong trade to vote for the individual, not the party. As egy of the Socialist Workers Party—trusting owners’ profi ts are dropping and driving unions and empowering “semicolonial things develop in this country people will that bringing together the nation’s constitu- the movement to outsource American jobs. countries” such as Cuba and Venezuela to begin to break from the big parties. As the ency will produce workable systems that “Our enemies are not workers in Mexico and acquire and develop stabilizing resources resistance deepens, more people will look benefi t that same constituency. It was, after China—they are our allies,” Hawkins said. are bedrock goals of the SWP. Hawkins for alternatives.” all, the strategy of the founding fathers when “The tax money is there. Why not tax the has been on the front line of some impor- they won a new nation from England and billionaire families who own the corpora- tant issues, paying her dues and winning her founded it on democratic principles. “We tions? The national sales tax is a regressive candidacy. She helped build the April 25, MILITANT have a tradition to draw on—the war against tax. If you can’t make it work with this sys- 2004 March for Women’s Lives in Washing- tem, we need a new system,” Hawkins said. ton, D.C., in which thousands of pro-choice LABOR FORUMS “We think the working class is capable of women participated. She has worked as a running the country in their own interests. baggage handler, garment worker, and was NEW YORK CALENDAR What do the billionaire parties do?” involved in a union fi ght at the American Manhattan Hawkins referred to the Democrat and meat packing plant in Chicago, where she The meaning of the Nov. 2 U.S. elections Fri., NEW YORK Republican parties as billionaire parties mobilized a community to win severance Nov. 5, Dinner 7 p.m., Program 8 p.m., 307 W. 36 Manhattan St., 10th fl . (north elevators) Suggested donation: serving corporate interests, with a monopoly pay and health care after the plant closed $5 dinner, $5 program. Tel: (212) 629-6649. Memorial meeting for Palestinian Human on the election system. She said that the ex- without notifying workers in advance. Rights Activist. Celebration of the life of Farouk Abdel-Muhti, who died July 21, 100 days after clusion of alternative parties from national When asked if she was perceived as an his release from a 718-day federal detention. debates and media coverage illustrates that agitator in the workplace, Hawkins cor- CANADA Speakers: Shane Kadidal of the Center for Con- monopoly, and that major parties are moving rected the language. “I’m political, not an Toronto stitutional Rights, attorney Lynne Stewart, and more and more to the political right. She agitator. I’m conscious of class and people’s It’s not who you’re against but what you’re radio commentator Amy Goodman. Sat., Nov. 13, contended that the assault on the working rights, but I’m also a good worker. I come for. Speaker: Arrin Hawkins, SWP vice-presi- 6 p.m., SEIU Local 1199 Auditorium, 310 W. 43 class will continue and escalate, whether in on time and do a good job.” She also en- dential candidate, Sat., Nov. 6, 4 p.m. 2238 St. betw. 8th and 9th Aves. Tel: (212) 674-9499. Bush or Kerry wins the election. As for the couraged people to read and make decisions Dundas St. West. Tel. (416) 535-9140. LETTERS CPUSA and fascism and -operated Jackson Advocate an edict by the administration no intention of revising the ban, worse than it was. In the October 19 Militant, Mau- newspaper has enjoyed a historic of the University of California students occupied the adminis- The leadership of the “com- rice Williams wrote an article on connection with the struggle for banning “all political activity tration building and 763 were memorative” event clearly the Communist Party’s support for Black rights in Mississippi. Fire- on campus.” The administrators arrested. The crises provoked by wanted students to subordinate John Kerry in the upcoming U.S. bombs and acts of vandalism have primarily imposed their ban to the arrests led to a repudiation of every humanitarian demand to presidential elections. failed to close it down. The red bait- attempt to shut down student the ban by the University faculty, the “Defeat Bush” drumbeat. The CPUSA’s position is that ing of SWP presidential candidate support for and participation in and, within a matter of weeks, to There were no speeches about George W. Bush is the gravest Róger Calero and vice-presidential the civil rights movement. But a capitulation by the administra- the war in Iraq, or the imperialist danger to humanity and borders candidate Arrin Hawkins point to it conveniently also covered such tion. Students took advantage of role of the U.S. around the world, on fascism. However, Bush is not its vote for dead-end, bankrupt student activities as support for the opportunities created by the or the bipartisan attacks on work- a borderline fascist, he is a main capitalist politics to deal with Black the Cuban Revolution and the Free Speech Movement to build ers, African-Americans, women, stream Republican capitalist poli- oppression. Speaking to leaders of early opposition to the Vietnam support for the movement in op- or immigrants. There was some tician. black newspapers last March, Terry War. position to the Vietnam War, and talk about the threat posed to But even if Bush were a fascist, McAuliffe, head of the Democratic Campus political groups, to continue and broaden support civil liberties by the Patriot Act, the working-class vanguard would National Committee, pledged to use including the Young Socialist for the civil rights movement. promptly undercut by Kerry when never urge a vote for Kerry, or Nad- the Black newspapers to get Kerry Alliance (of which I was a rep- Last week’s events largely con- he confi rmed during his second er, or any other capitalist candidate elected. A vote for Roger and Arrin resentative), formed an organiza- sisted of an attempt to rally sup- debate with Bush that he sup- or party, as a way to stop fascism. and support of their program puts tion to seek student support for a port for the “Kerry for President” ported the Patriot Act. Support to democratic imperial- conscious-minded working-class reversal of the ban. Early in the campaign. The low point came The planners of the anniversary ism is no way to stop fascist im- Black people on the proper path fi ght the university bosses brought when, speaking from a platform events refl ected a narrow section perialism, but this was exactly the to battle against national Black a cop car on campus and arrested erected over a police car, Howard of the former leadership of the CPUSA’s line in the late 1930s (and oppression. a non-student sitting at a table for Dean called on the crowd to sup- FSM, and did a serious disservice remains so today) under the banner Ken Morgan the Congress on Racial Equality port “getting tough” with Iran and to that movement. of the “Popular Front.” This led to Baltimore, Maryland (CORE). Thousands of students North Korea. Syd Stapleton the defeat of the Spanish Revolu- sat down around the police car and Speaking as a participant in Bow, Washington tion and the victory of fascism in Free Speech Movement refused to allow it to move. After one of the panels on the history of Spain followed by the second world The second week of October three days, the university offi cials the FSM, I pointed out that 1964 imperialist slaughter. a series of events took place in agreed to negotiate the issue, and had also been an election year, The letters column is an open Only a revolutionary struggle by Berkeley around the 40th an- the crowd dispersed. pitting a conservative Republi- forum for all viewpoints on the workers against the capitalism niversary of the Free Speech The negotiations, which went can, Barry Goldwater, against a sub jects of interest to working system can stop fascism. Movement. on for two months, gave the “mainstream” Democrat—Lyn- peo ple. Dan Fein Unfortunately, most of the activists a chance to win the don Baines Johnson. If students in Please keep your letters brief. New York, New York program made a mockery of that overwhelming majority of the Berkeley in 1964 had abandoned Where necessary they will be struggle. For those who aren’t student body (of 25,000 or so) their struggle to ring doorbells for abridged. Please indicate if you Red-baiting in Mississippi familiar with the Free Speech to their cause. When the admin- a Democrat, I said, the history of prefer that your initials be used The 66-year-old Black-owned Movement, it was a response to istration fi nally showed that it had the 1960s might have been much rath er than your full name. The Militant November 9, 2004 11 Brazil yields to demand by Washington, OKs nuclear ‘inspections’ BY MICHAEL ITALIE electrifi cation. Neither the U.S. government Washington succeeded in encroaching nor the UN agency accused the government on the sovereignty of Brazil with Brasilia’s of Brazil of intending to produce weapons- decision to open up the Resende uranium grade uranium. But they warned Brasilia enrichment plant to United Nations inspec- that blocking IAEA agents would set a tions. Brazilian science and technology min- precedent that the governments of Iran, ister Eduardo Campos said October 16 that north Korea, or others could follow. “inspectors” from the International Atomic Washington’s line of attack was provided Energy Agency (IAEA) would be permitted “scientifi c” backing with the publication of to observe “certain areas” of the plant but “Brazil’s Nuclear Puzzle” in the October 22 would “protect the technological and trade edition of Science magazine, a journal pub- secrets.” Days later the IAEA agents were lished by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control. “The rest of the world should Getty Images/Vanderlie Almeida in the plant. UN International Atomic Ener- help the United States convince Brazil… to The Workers Party government of Brazil gy Agency “inspectors” (above) be a good nuclear citizen,” states the article. had denied the IAEA entry to the plant earlier arrive October 19 at nuclear The Wisconsin Project operates under the this year. The new agreement grants the UN power plant in Resende, Bra- auspices of the University of Wisconsin, agency access to the pipes and valves of the zil (left). Under pressure from and is funded by Washington and private machinery at the plant, but not parts of the Washington and other impe- foundations. centrifuge system that Brasilia says are based rialist powers, Brasilia yielded The authors of the Science article, Liz on original and proprietary technology, the in early October, allowing the Palmer and Gary Milhollin, write that with New York Times reported October 20. snooping by the UN agency into its current capacity the Resende plant, near Under the banner of “nonproliferation” parts of the Resende plant. of nuclear weapons, the IAEA has been Rio de Janeiro, has the potential “to make Washington’s tool in the U.S. rulers’ efforts fi ve to six implosion-type warheads per year.” In response to the Science article, Brazil’s president of the Brazilian Association of to pressure Brasilia to curtail its produc- This fi gure could grow to as high as 60 within science and technology ministry stated, “The Nuclear Energy, according to Reuters. He tion of nuclear fuel to expand the country’s a decade, they claim. They warn that the Re- weakness of the arguments and frivolity of said the space needed to produce weapons- sende plant’s capacity to produce enriched the claims can only be due to disinformation grade uranium would be much larger than uranium “confers what is known as ‘break- or bad intentions.” Noting that uranium for exists at Resende. Poultry workers out capability’—the power to make nuclear nuclear arms must be enriched to 90 percent, There are two nuclear power plants in weapons before the world can react.” compared to the 3.5 percent enrichment at Brazil now, and the government is consid- Most worrying to the Science authors is Resende, the president of the country’s Na- ering building a third. Resende will supply in Canada strike that any UN concession to Brasilia “will tional Nuclear Energy Commission said, centrifuges for the other nuclear facilities. In set a precedent for Iran and for any other “We simply do not have the technology” to November 2003 the Brazilian government for better wages, country that decides to build an enrichment produce weapons-grade uranium. launched “Electricity for All,” a program to plant” while a signer of the Nuclear Non- “The article was not based on any scien- provide power to 2 million rural households suffi cient hours proliferation Treaty. tifi c calculations,” said Edson Kuramoto, without access to electrical power. BY SÉBASTIEN DESAUTELS MONTRÉAL-NORD, Quebec—“We’ve accepted small raises for 10 years, now the Tehran tests new missile, resists imperialist company owe us that,” said Carlo Désir, president of the Union of Volailles Marvid workers, affi liated with the Confederation pressure to curtail nuclear energy program of National Trade Unions (CSN). “There are 10 foremen working 40 hours a week BY SAM MANUEL agency’s demand. cerns about Iran acquiring more nuclear guaranteed, while we’re being sent home.” Iran has successfully tested a new long- London, Paris, and Berlin have offered technology and capability,” he said. Between 80 and 90 workers at Volailles range ballistic missile, according to an Oc- Iran access to civilian nuclear technology In October 2003, under intense pressure Marvid, producing kosher chicken, have tober 20 announcement by Iran’s defense and trade deals in exchange for Tehran from Paris, Berlin, London, and Moscow, been on strike since September 13 to minister Ali Shamkhani. The missile, an halting all uranium enrichment activities. the Iranian government announced it would demand sufficient hours of work and improved version of the Shahab-3, has an The proposal also includes providing Iran agree to demands of the IAEA to allow sur- higher wages. They are earning on aver- estimated range of 1,250 miles. That dis- with a light-water reactor and contracts to prise inspections of its nuclear facilities and age Can$11.44 an hour and are demand- tance places Israel and parts of Europe well purchase nuclear fuel. sign on to the “additional protocol” to the ing Can$18 (U.S.$1=Can$1.25). This is to within its range. The new Shahab, which A number of government offi cials im- nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). compensate for the few hours of work they means meteor in Farsi, is reportedly based mediately called the offer unacceptable. The NPT provides cover for the imperi- get and to earn closer to parity with other on the design of the north Korean Nodong-1 “Any proposal which deprives Iran of its alist powers to have nuclear weapons but workers in the poultry industry, according with modifi ed Russian technology. legitimate right to a fuel cycle is not ac- bars other nations from acquiring them. to Désir. Since the company opened a new The same day, Israeli president Moshe ceptable,” said Hossein Mousavian, foreign It subjects other governments, in semico- production line a few months ago, the Katsav responded by asking, “Why does policy chief of Iran’s Supreme National Se- lonial countries, in particular, to a range workweek has been reduced to an average Iran need rockets with the range of 3,000 curity Council, according to Reuters. of requirements, including regular reports of 20 hours, which is not even guaranteed, kilometers?” According to Reuters, Iranian president and inspections of their nuclear research and workers on the picket line said. The announcement about the long-range Mohammad Khatami said if Iran’s right to energy facilities. While the treaty suppos- “Why would I go back in without a missile came one day before Paris, Berlin, develop peaceful use of nuclear technology edly guarantees the right of any nation that good contract when I’m getting more and London offered what they called a “last were guaranteed, Tehran would “present ev- signs on to it to develop nuclear power for money picketing,” said Glorieuse Dorvil, chance” for Tehran to avoid being referred erything necessary to prove that Iran will not energy generation, the IAEA, the agency who has worked for 26 years in the com- to the United Nations Security Council for produce an atomic bomb. But we will not formed to oversee adherence to the NPT, pany as a packer and in the cut line. She possible sanctions because its nuclear en- give up our rights.” has been increasingly used by imperialist pointed out that picketers get Can$200 a ergy program does not meet the approval On October 24 Iran formally rejected the powers since the 1991 war on Iraq to slow week from the union’s strike fund. “We of Washington and its imperialist allies. On offer from the three European governments. down or stop any states from developing don’t know how many hours we’ll work October 24, Tehran rejected the proposal. It asked the three to come up with a “more nuclear energy altogether. any given week,” she added. “We can’t The UN’s International Atomic Energy balanced” proposal. As a gesture of good will, the Iranian continue like that.” Agency (IAEA) has been “investigating” The Iranian government has explained government voluntarily halted enrichment Samy Israel has been working for four Iran’s nuclear program for more than two a number of times that it has mines that of uranium last year. In exchange, London, months there. Even though he is still on pro- years. Washington charges that under the produce uranium and is developing plants Paris, and Berlin promised to ease Tehran’s bation, he joined the picket line. He stayed at guise of building nuclear power plants, with the capacity to enrich it. The proposal access to modern technology and to bloc work with a back injury to avoid being fi red. Tehran is secretly trying to develop nuclear to forego this step and import enriched Washington’s efforts to refer Iran’s case to His job is to hold the chickens while rabbis weapons. Tehran has countered that it uranium from abroad will make its nuclear the UN Security Council. Tehran restarted cut their throats. “When I get home, it’s like needs to develop nuclear power to meet the power plants dependable on foreign gov- uranium enrichment this summer after the my hands don’t belong to me anymore. In- country’s growing energy needs. ernments and would be more costly. “We three European governments reneged on side there,” he said, pointing to the plant, At its September 18 meeting the IAEA cannot rely on other countries to supply our their promises. “human beings have no importance.” approved a resolution demanding that Iran nuclear fuel, as they can stop it any time due In pressuring Tehran to agree to surprise Workers are picketing the company six “immediately” suspend all activities related to political pressure,” said Khatami. inspections, European governments—par- days a week, since bosses don’t work on to enrichment of uranium, including the The U.S. government has expressed its ticularly Paris and Berlin, which did not Saturdays. Strikers organize a very lively manufacture or import of centrifuge com- displeasure with Paris, Berlin and London’s follow the U.S. lead in the war on Iraq— barbecue every Sunday in front of the plant, ponents, the assembly and testing of centri- proposal, according to the Financial Times. hoped to keep the U.S. rulers at bay. They dancing and singing to the music out of fuges, and the production of feed material. “We haven’t bought on, signed on, or en- differ with Washington on how best to speakers placed on a van. Enrichment of uranium is necessary in the dorsed it,” said State Department spokes- advance their imperialist interests in the Militant reporters witnessed an attempt production of nuclear energy. The resolution man Richard Boucher. He also made clear region vis-à-vis Iran. France, in particular, by workers to delay the entry of a van carry- said the IAEA would decide at its November Washington’s opposition to Iran having has substantial trade with and investments ing chickens inside the plant on October 24. 25 meeting what actions to take against Iran access to nuclear technology, peaceful or in Iran, including selling components to The stand off lasted nearly 45 minutes. should Tehran fail to comply with the UN otherwise. “We fundamentally have con- Tehran for its nuclear plants.

12 The Militant November 9, 2004