Join a revolutionary organization fighting for socialism 9 Struggle-La-Lucha.org Vol. 3, No. 12 · June 22, 2020 Suggested donation: $1 Twitter: @StruggleLaLucha Facebook.com/strugglelalucha IN THE SPIRIT OF STONEWALL email: [email protected] Unite against racist police terror! mbracing the authentic meaning of “the spir- BALTIMORE it of Stonewall,” last year in New York City, the Reclaim Pride Coalition organized a huge, Emilitant, multinational, multigender, multigener- ational, youth-led march reclaiming the rebellious essence of the 1969 uprising outside the Stonewall Inn in the city’s Greenwich Village. Demonstrating the high level of political con- sciousness that exists within the LGBTQ2S com- munities and their organizations, the Reclaim Pride marchers’ demands reflected not only issues of im- mediate concern to the communities themselves — in particular, the ongoing violence against trans people, especially trans women of color — but also the militaristic imperialist policies of the U.S., like the ongoing attempts to overthrow the democrati- cally elected pro-socialist government of Venezuela. And now, a year later, that same high level of con- sciousness is visible in the magnificent mass mobi- lizations of anti-racist youth and their allies in every nook and cranny of this big country and, in dramatic shows of international solidarity, all across the globe. SLL PHOTO LGBTQ2S activists are hard at work in organizing many of these anti-racist, anti-police actions. Ad- Exclusive Eyewitness Report justments made necessary by the coronavirus pan- ATLANTA demic have made Pride organizing more challeng- ing, but the movement is not deterred. In San Diego, Community for example, which has a huge Pride march each July, the march itself has been cancelled in the interests of protecting the community from contagion. But, in protectors block shooters a significant act of solidarity with the Black-led up- rising against police violence, the local Pride orga- By Lizz Toledo nizers have announced a ban on the participation by “law enforcement agencies” in all Pride activities. June 20 — There were people Solidarity! As it should be right now, the focus of barbecuing, chanting and sign- decent revolutionary people all around the world is ing their name on a canvas at on stopping the racist killer police of the U.S. from this sacred site on this beautiful murdering people of color. But that struggle also sunny day at the Wendy’s where raises basic issues of racial and class injustice: the Rayshard Brooks was killed by At- need for free education through college for all; free lanta Police Department cops. quality health care, the lack of which has been ex- It was declared a cop-free zone posed by the high level of deaths from COVID-19 by protesters last week, when they among Black and Brown people; decent, affordable burned the Wendy’s to the ground housing; and the right to good paying jobs for all. in response to the brutal killing. Deserving the special attention of all who seek a just The atmosphere was solemn as we world are the call for reparations for slavery and rec- walked toward the memorial that ognition of the settler-colonial status of the United had been erected for Rayshard States entity on Indigenous land. Brooks by his community. The LGBTQ2S liberation movement and the Black As we entered the area, we were liberation movement are natural allies. They were stopped by armed protectors, who SLL PHOTOS both born out of the same fury. They both began as wanted to make sure that we were a rebellion against continuous police brutality on an Latinx. And then they waived us in saying, from a grey car with a oppressed community. “They’re okay. They are with us.” white man and a white In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court has just ruled that A white Dodge Charger suddenly stood woman inside were fired LGBTQ2S folk are covered under Civil Rights protec- still, burned rubber at the security point and into the crowd, injuring tions against being fired. This is a great victory and took off. Within seconds, shots rang out from one. Several shootings it’s no accident that two right-wing justices broke the car, while the armed protectors ran to- have occurred in Atlan- with Trump on this issue right now. It’s because of the wards the danger, firing at the Charger and ta throughout the week Black-led rebellion. The struggle of the most oppres- shouting to the crowd to take cover. of struggle for Black Lives, a struggle that sed elevates the struggles of the whole working class! With no cops in sight, the armed protectors has captured the hearts of the working- class The Socialist Unity Party/Partido de Socialismo were providing safety for their communities. If and oppressed people worldwide. Unido and Struggle-La Lucha newspaper salute the it wasn’t for our protectors it could have been a Black young men, armed and protecting growing unity between the LGBTQ2S communities massacre. But because they returned fire, the their community, was an awe-inspiring sight and the Black Lives Matter movement. The goal of cowards inside the Charger took off with bul- to see! It was truly electrifying! These young abolishing the economic, political and social in- lets chasing them. There was one injury, with people are not going to stand idly by and allow justices that plague the capitalist world can only one of the protectors being shot in the leg. cops or white supremacists to shoot us down be overcome by continuing to build these inspiring Witnesses at the scene stated that the exact without fighting back. This is what true com- bridges of solidarity and struggle. ₪ same thing happened last night, when shots munity-controlled public safety looks like! ₪

 ORGANIZACIONES PUERTORRIQUEÑAS: ¡LA DESCOLONIZACIÓN NO PUEDE ESPERAR!  RECORDANDO A STONEWALL, ¡UNÁMONOS CONTRA EL TERROR POLICIAL! 12 Page 2 June 22, 2020 STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA Port of Oakland shutdown commemorates Juneteenth

All 29 ports on the West Coast were and former political prisoner, said shut down on June 19 as dockworkers at the rally. She said she hopes that stopped processing cargo and rallied other labor unions will join in the to mark Juneteenth by calling for effort of “abolishing the police as an end to police terror and to honor we know them” and “re-imagining the lives of George Floyd, Rayshard public safety.” Brooks, Breonna Taylor and all the Other speakers included actor others killed by racist cops. Danny Glover, who called in to voice The epicenter was at the Port of support, and Michael Brown Sr., fa- Oakland, Calif., where the strike ther of Michael Brown Jr., the 18- ‘You represent the potential and the power of the labor movement,’ said Angela Davis. had been initiated by International year-old Black man who was killed Longshore and Warehouse Union in 2014 by Ferguson, Mo., police of- with raised fists. A troupe of drum- pressure for meaningful change.”We Local 10. ficer Darren Wilson. mers performed in front of City Hall don’t want to just ask for things to Ten thousand workers and sup- The protesters drove in a caravan starting around 1 p.m. as the crowd get better. We’re going to say, ‘It’s porters rallied to hear labor leaders and marched from the port to the swelled to thousands more around going to get better or else,’” he said. like Willie Adams, the first Black Oakland Police Department head- nearby Oscar Grant Plaza, named Gwendoline Pouchoulin displayed president of the ILWU, who said: quarters and on to Oakland City Hall for the Black man killed by Bay Area homemade signs that said “All Black “We’re not working today. We’re to rally again. The marchers wore Rapid Transit (BART) police officer Lives Matter” and a quote from au- standing in solidarity.” He said masks and volunteers handed out Johannes Mehserle on New Year’s thor Alice Walker: “The most com- dockworkers in Genoa, Italy, had water and hand sanitizer. Eve 2009. mon way people give up power is by also stopped work in solidarity. The mood in downtown Oakland Rapper and film director Boots thinking they don’t have any.” “You represent the potential and was exuberant as cars honked, music Riley said in front of Oakland City “I think if there’s a moment to the power of the labor movement,” by James Brown played and over 100 Hall that the port work stoppage and show up, it’s now,” she said. Angela Davis, a longtime activist bikers sped up and down Broadway other labor efforts would maintain – Lallan Schoenstein ILWU urges labor action to fight police terror

By Lallan Schoenstein began. Payday says many strikes ar- en’t reported and that the numbers On Juneteenth, an estimated are higher than they can track. “If 10,000 people flocked to the Port of the size of these strikes last week is Oakland in California’s Bay Area to any indication, Juneteenth will like- participate in the “West Coast Port ly be the largest day of strikes.” Shutdown.” The Juneteenth rally When protests erupted in late May started with longshore workers at against the murder of George Floyd the Port of Oakland holding a work in Minneapolis, members of Amal- stoppage. The massive group then gamated Transit Union Local 1005 marched to Oakland City Hall to hear refused to help the police transport from labor leaders. Watch the video protesters to jail. at https://tinyurl.com/ydbg8noy. Local 1005 issued a statement in The International Longshore and solidarity with the protests on May Warehouse Union called the strike for 28: “This system has failed all of us June 19 to shut down all 29 ports on in the working class from the coro- the West Coast for eight hours. They navirus to the economic crisis we are demanded an end to white supre- facing. ... This system has failed peo- macy, police terror and plans to pri- ple of color and Black Americans and vatize the Port of Oakland, which Black youth more than anyone else.” would take away essential jobs for Ryan Timlin, president of ATU Local working-class African Americans in 1005, explained: “The union gives the Bay Area. They called for unions you protection to exert your rights.” across the country to join them to Bus drivers with support of tran- take the lead in the fight against sit unions in cities like Boston, Cin- racist police terror. cinnati, Dallas, Philadelphia and Juneteenth commemorates the day New York have refused to transport that news finally reached Texas that police to protests or to allow police the Confederacy had been defeated to use their buses to take arrest- and that slavery had been abolished ed demonstra t ors away from the more than two years earlier in 1863. commu nities where many of these drivers live. They say this is a misuse Calling for labor to take action, Part of a commemorative poster commissioned by Clarence Thomas, a retired, 3rd genera tion Willie Adams, the first Black pres- of public transit. longshore worker, past secretary-treasurer of ILWU Local 10, and co-founder of the Million On June 9, work on U.S. ports ident of the ILWU, said: “Our union Worker March Movement, for the historic West Coast Port Shutdown on Juneteenth 2020. has a long history of confronting ground to a halt. On the West Coast, racism on the job, in our commu- The United Auto Workers said that Coast-to-coast walkouts the ILWU and on the East Coast nity and around the world.” Trent its members and allies across the The Juneteenth strike took place members of the International Long- Willis, president of ILWU Local 10, globe paused work for 8 minutes and after three weeks of walkouts and shoremen’s Association stopped said: “The wealth gap for Black and 46 seconds to honor George Floyd wildcats that spread coast to coast. work to mourn George Floyd for the Brown sisters and brothers is larger on Juneteenth. According to United A rank-and-file strike wave against amount of time that killer cop Derek than ever in history. It’s time to push Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local deteriorating conditions and an eco- Chauvin knelt on his neck. back!” The Juneteenth action was 3930, San Diego labor union mem- nomic slowdown began early in the Hospital workers and rehabil- initiated by ILWU Locals 10 and 34. bers joined in a Juneteenth Black pandemic. Black and Brown work- itation and nursing center work- Clarence Thomas, a retired ILWU Lives Matter caravan that took them ers, who were already struggling ers took similar actions. Members official and an initiator of the Mil- from San Diego to the La Mesa Police against the impact of racism, were of 1199SEIU, the country’s largest lion Worker March Movement, said: Department headquarters. more devastated than anyone. The health care workers’ union, knelt “ILWU Local 10 is in the vanguard of Boots Riley tweeted that some police murders of George Floyd and for 8 minutes and 46 seconds during the labor movement protesting and Tesla workers in the Bay Area were Breonna Taylor happened at a cat- a vigil. They networked through resisting acts of racist police ter- doing a direct action at the Tesla fac- astrophic time. The national revolt #WalkoutForBlackLives and #Black- ror on African Americans and other tory on Juneteenth. Organizers of the against racist policing was ignited. LivesMatter. people of color for more than a de- Atlanta protests against the death of Payday Report says the protests Research workers in scientific cen- cade. On Juneteenth, the coastwide George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks against police terror have more than ters and workers at universities have action at the point of production will called for a general strike of Black doubled the number of strikes re- joined the #ShutDownAcademia and demonstrate the power of the work- workers on that day, #StrikeFor- ported. They have counted more than #ShutDownStem strike. In the state ing class for radical change.” BlackLives. 500 labor actions since the protests Continued on page 4 STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA June 22, 2020 Page 3 Donald Trump’s June 1 coup attempt

By Gary Wilson spoke out were careful in what they said, making their objections to only On Monday, June 1, Donald Trump this specific instance of military called Attorney General William Barr, intervention. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dictatorship of capitalism Gen. Mark Milley to the White House, Because the state is based on where he got on the phone with the armed bodies — the army and police country’s governors and proceed- — and its auxiliaries, the prisons, ed to demand that they “dominate” courts and so on, even the most the streets, saying, “Most of you are democratic bourgeois government weak.” He told them that he was put- has a hidden dictatorship of capital- ting Gen. Milley in charge. ism. This is not necessarily a mili- Trump said: “We’re going to take tary dictatorship. But military dic- care of it. And we’ve got a number of tatorships are sometimes brought people here that you’ll be seeing. Gen. in to rescue a capitalist government Milley is here, who’s head of Joint in crisis, especially when there is a Chiefs of Staff, a fighter, a warrior, popular uprising. had a lot of victories and no losses. Karl Marx wrote on bourgeois And he hates to see the way it’s being Members of the D.C. National Guard “dominate” the steps of the Lincoln Memorial military dictatorships and the 1851 handled in the various states. And I on June 2, 2020. coup by Louis Bonaparte in France. just put him in charge,” according to Bonapartism, as the term was used a transcript of the recorded talk. cally, the Lincoln Memorial was oc- not support using the Insurrection by Marx, refers to a situation in The White House announced that cupied by a full National Guard unit Act. When he ordered the 82nd Air- which the military seizes control in Trump would give a speech later in dressed for battle. borne to stand down and return to a country sharply divided, with the the day. Although he didn’t mention The 82nd Airborne, based at Fort base, Trump countermanded it. military introducing selective re- this on the call, there were numerous Bragg, N.C., along with a military What followed over the next forms to co-opt the radicalism of the reports that the president intend- police unit from Fort Drum, N.Y., was few days was a counter move. One working class and peasant farmers. ed to invoke the Insurrection Act of headed to Washington. high-ranking retired military offi- In the process, Marx said, Bona- 1807 — used by President Andrew It was stunning enough that the cer after another, led by former De- partists preserve and mask the pow- Jackson to deploy federal troops to highest-ranking officer in the U.S. fense Secretary James Mattis, said er of the bourgeois ruling class. literally massacre a major slave re- military was walking around the they did not support military inter- Mattis said of Trump that he “does ILWU urges labor action to fight police terror bellion led by Nat Turner in Virgin- White House in battle fatigues, a man vention. Mattis compared Trump’s not try to unite the American peo- ia’s Southampton County. at war. That message was confirmed response to Nazi tactics. ple.” He then compared Trump to The Insurrection Act gives Trump that night with the general walking By Thursday, June 4, Milley him- the Nazis, sowing divisions. the authority to use the military to around the streets as if he were com- self apologized for his participation. A military dictatorship, even one put down protests. manding the troops in battle. Trump responded with a threat led by Donald Trump, is not fascism. The afternoon of June 1 saw the Trump didn’t invoke the Insurrec- to send the military to break up Mattis invoking Nazis was a blur, not unprecedented sight of Gen. Milley in tion Act, but according to a June 10 the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone meant to be clarifying. battle fatigues, with Attorney Gener- New York Times report, it was a very (CHAZ) in Seattle, a threat he repeat- What is characteristic of fascism, al Barr, on the White House grounds close thing. ed on following days. The threat re- as opposed to a military dictator- in advance of Trump’s speech in the In a press conference the next day, mains in place. ship, is the complete destruction Rose Garden. They appeared to be re- June 2, Secretary Esper said he did All of the military officers who Continued on page 4 viewing the troops which were lined up facing the protests in Lafayette Park across the street. Thousands and thousands of Socialism & Dignity heavily armed soldiers Suddenly, the whole nation wit- nessed the aggressive and violent We don’t need their cops action by 5,000 National Guard troops and federal agents, decked By Stephen Millies Connection” that flooded New York The Reagan administration cre- out in full body armor, to move the City with heroin was a CIA connec- ated the crack epidemic to fund the protesters out of the way just be- When the Pilgrims invaded the tion. Drug-dealing gangsters who contra terrorists who were trying to fore the president came out to speak Wampanoag nation in the 1620s, beat up striking French workers and overthrow the Sandinista govern- about dominating the streets, say- they didn’t find any police or jails. communists worked in tandem with ment in Nicaragua. ing, “As we speak, I am dispatching Such cruelty wasn’t necessary. U.S. spy agencies. Crack served as an excuse to in- thousands and thousands of heavily That’s because there were no rich Corrupt cops were also essential. carcerate hundreds of thousands of armed soldiers, military personnel or poor in Wampanoag society. A Nearly 100 pounds of “French Con- more people. Joe Biden was respon- and law enforcement officers.” community of equals doesn’t need nection” heroin were checked out of sible for many of the laws that filled Shortly after that, Trump led Barr, armed thugs with badges. Billion- the New York Police Department’s the prisons. Milley, Secretary of Defense Mark aires and banksters didn’t require evidence locker on Jan. 4, 1972, never Banks make vast profits by laun- Esper and others over to a church protection since these parasites to be found again. dering drug and crime money that’s where he famously held up a Bible. didn’t exist. Drugs help suppress communities estimated by the United Nations to A white National Guard command- Three people are killed by police from organizing for jobs, housing be as much as $2 trillion a year. er called the standoff in Lafayette on every average day in the Unit- and health care. That’s why CIA- Square “the Alamo,” implying that ed States. Almost 5 million people owned Air America, with 20,000 em- Tear down the walls! the White House was under siege. The are jailed every year, many of whom ployees, drenched the U.S. with dope Poor people in Paris started the Alamo was a fort in the colonial ter- can’t afford bail. during the Vietnam War. French Revolution by tearing down ritory of Texas, then a part of Mexi- More than 10 million people are “The Politics of Heroin in South- a hated prison called the Bastille on co, where, in 1836, white slave-trad- arrested annually by police armed east Asia” by Alfred McCoy exposed July 14, 1789. ers from the U.S. fought the Mexican with guns, clubs and mace. Almost these crimes. The CIA tried to stop The U.S. has thousands of bastilles. government for the right to own any of these arrests can result in the book from being published. Every one of them should be torn slaves. Mexico had abolished slavery. death or serious injury. Many do. All One of the reasons the ruling class down, including the immigration The Washington, D.C., Nation- are humiliating. sought to destroy the Black Panther concentration camps where children al Guard is sometimes called the The capitalist U.S. is a violent po- Party, assassinating dozens of its are kept in cages. “Praetorian Guard” because of their lice state. The wealthy and power- members, was because the Panthers Many of these U.S. bastilles are unusual chain of command almost ful spend around $200 billion a year fought against drugs. labeled “correctional institutions.” directly to the president. to have over 800,000 cops on the “Correction” was the term used by A secret federal police force also street and keep 2.3 million people in the slave masters to describe their appeared on the streets of Wash- prisons. Every cent of this money is torture of enslaved Africans. ington. Heavily armed and dressed stolen from the working class, both Louisiana’s Angola State Prison is in full body armor, this force had no employed and unemployed. on the site of a former plantation that identifying insignia. The Washing- had the same name. It was called An- ton Post reported that the unidenti- Cops push drugs gola because that’s where many of its fied forces were under the command Violence is promoted by the cap- enslaved African workers came from. of Attorney General Barr. italist state that pours drugs into Albert Woodfox of the Angola 3 en- The next day, perhaps symboli- poor communities. The “French Louisiana’s Angola State Prison. Continued on page 4 Page 4 June 22, 2020 STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA Fight for Black Trans Lives!

On June 14, communities coast- and Black Queer lives. to-coast stood up against murders In Brooklyn, N.Y., an estimated of trans women of color by police 12,000 people packed Eastern Park- and other bigots. At least 15 trans way in front of the Brooklyn Museum and gender non-conforming people for the Action for Black Trans Lives have been killed so far this year. rally and march, led by Black trans In Hollywood, many thousands women. Many wore white to echo from the LGBTQ2S community the historic NAACP silent march came out with handmade signs and against lynching. Speakers included banners, expressing rage over the the sister of Layleen Polanco, a trans police murders of George Floyd in woman who died at New York’s Rik- Minneapolis and Rayshard Brooks ers Island jail last year after prison in Atlanta, and took up the epi- guards refused to help her during a demic violence against Black Trans medical emergency. ₪ Socialism & Dignity: Trump’s June 1 coup attempt We don’t need their cops scription of the world’s first work- Continued from page 3 Trump could order U.S. troops to Continued from page 3 ing-class government, the 1871 Paris occupy U.S. cities to put down the of all working-class organisations Commune: uprising. But what he didn’t consider dured over 40 years in solitary con- — labor unions, civil rights groups, “No more corpses at the morgue, was that those troops could say no. finement there. His comrade, Her- socialist and communist parties, no nocturnal burglaries, scarcely In fact, most of the soldiers prob- man Wallace, spent 42 years in the and all the rights that go with them any robberies; in fact, for the first ably support the uprising. Many of “hole.” Wallace was released three — the right to strike, to organize, time since the days [of the revolu- the soldiers come from the Black and days before he died of liver cancer. to vote, free speech, free press and tion] of February 1848, the streets of Brown communities that are leading Prisons are concentration camps the other rights which have been the Paris were safe, and that without any the protests. More than 55 percent of for the poor. Ruchell Cinque Magee by-product of the class struggle of police of any kind.” the whole population of the country has been imprisoned in California the workers and oppressed peoples. There are calls across the coun- say that the burning of the Minne- for 57 years. That’s twice as long as It is all of this as a whole that char- try to defund the police. Los Angeles apolis police station was justified. Nelson Mandela was kept behind acterizes fascism, not just a single Mayor Eric Garcetti is suggesting a General Mattis made a veiled ref- bars in apartheid South Africa. part of it. mere $100 million to $150 million cut erence to the problem of the troops. Magee is being held because he The U.S. is in the midst of a great in the city’s $1.86 billion police bud- The soldiers could refuse to follow joined Jonathan Jackson in trying crisis, an economic and political get. New York City’s mayor, Bill de orders if they believed those orders to free Jonathan’s brother, Black crisis. Unemployment is in the tens Blasio, is proposing an even smaller were illegal. Panther Party Field Marshal George of millions, at levels not seen since percentage cut to the $6 billion that The Pentagon has plans in place Jackson. Jonathan Jackson was killed the Great Depression of the 1930s. its police department spends. for a military occupation of U.S. at the Marin County courthouse Homelessness has reached record These shell games won’t stop kill- cities. And a little more than a year on Aug. 7, 1970, along with William levels. For those workers who have ings by police. A genuine demand ago they did a practice run. A Penta- Christmas and James McClain. jobs, pay is at record lows, income for defunding the police is offered gon war game called the 2018 Joint This attempted jailbreak was as inequality at record highs. by the December 12th Movement in Land, Air and Sea Strategic Special righteous as the attack on Harper’s Before the coronavirus shut- New York City. Program, or JLASS, offered a sce- Ferry for which John Brown, John down, 44 percent of all U.S. work- D12 member Iman Essiet stat- nario in which members of Genera- Edwin Cook, John Anthony Copeland ers were in poverty, not even a liv- ed, “It is time to redirect the mil- tion Z, “anti-capitalist extremists,” Jr., Edwin Coppock, Shields Green, ing wage. Almost 120,000 have died lions of dollars budgeted to the launch a “Zbellion” in the U.S. in the Albert Hazlett and Aaron Dwight from COVID-19, with the spread of police to community-based orga- mid-2020s. Stevens were executed. the infection and the daily death toll nizations and social agencies which The JLASS war game was recent- California Gov. Ronald Reagan continuing. All of these have hit the are equipped to address issues such ly revealed because the Pentagon tried to railroad Dr. Angela Davis to Black and Brown communities the as drug abuse, domestic violence, played a visible role in Trump’s the gas chamber for Jonathan Jack- hardest, exposing the devastating children’s behavior in schools, men- move for military occupation of ma- son’s courageous deed, since he was conditions of racism in the U.S. tal health, homelessness, unem- jor U.S. cities. Secretary of Defense one of her bodyguards. On top of that came the murder ployment and poverty.” Mark Esper said on June 1, “I think We need to return Brother Ruchell of George Floyd by the Minneapolis The police have to be disarmed. the sooner that you mass and domi- and all the prisoners home to their police, the police murder of Breon- Their guns, clubs, mace, rubber bul- nate the battlespace, the quicker this families. na Taylor in Louisville, Ky., and the lets, tear gas and pepper spray have to dissipates and we can get back to the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery in Geor- be outlawed. So do their patrol wag- right normal.” Community control now! gia. In response, an uprising for jus- ons in which Freddie Gray was killed Apparently, the words “dominate Every real revolution frees pris- tice, against police terror, defending via a “rough ride” by Baltimore cops. the battlespace” came right out of oners and fires the police of the old Black lives and rights has swept the Almost none of the police in the the JLASS war game script. ₪ regime. Karl Marx gave this de- country. socialist People’s Republic of China have guns. The Black Panther Party raised ILWU urges labor action to fight police terror the demand for community control of the police. The National Alliance Continued from page 2 Became Such Powerful Opponents to kicking the cops out, full stop. Against Racist and Political Repres- Reform Efforts.” In New York state, 120 members of sion and its executive director, Frank of Washington, a general strike is The Writers Guild East formed the Workers United, a union representing Edgar Chapman Jr., are demanding being observed. first resolution to remove the Inter- 9,500 workers, joined the growing call this today. Growing demand: national Union of Police Assoc iations to kick police unions out of the labor The NAARPR wants an “elect- Police out of labor movement (IUPA) from the AFL-CIO, saying, movement. The union statement says ed Civilian Police Accountability The demand to disassociate police “As long as police unions continue that “Conflating our mission with Council that holds police officers -ac unions from the labor movement is to wield their collective bargaining that of police unions undermines countable for crimes such as assault, becoming a central issue. Marxists power as a cudgel, preventing reforms our solidarity. White supremacy is murder, torture and racial profil- have long argued that police, as a re- and accountability, no one is safe.” central to our system of policing — ing.” Such a council could fire racist, pressive arm of the capitalist state, In a June 18 roll call vote, the therefore, we urge the labor move- sexist and homophobic cops. are not workers and their organiza- Seattle Martin Luther King Coun- ment to cut ties with police unions.” The struggle for community con- tions are not real unions. ty Labor Council expelled the Po- They demand that the AFL-CIO trol is a stepping stone to abolishing On June 6, the New York Times lice Officers Guild. A resolution by expel the IUPA, the labor federa- the police. A movement of millions in carried the story “How Police Unions the Seattle teachers union called for tion’s major police union. ₪ the streets can stop the killer cops. ₪

The Social Evolution of Humanity BLACK AUGUST 1619-2019 tinyurl.com/vn3qvn5 Marx and Engels were right! Bob McCubbin tinyurl.com/vwarcv7 commemorates 400 years of Black freedom struggle. This study augments Frederick Engels’ ’Origin of the Family, Private Property & the State.’ This book examines the construction of a racial capitalist venture — slavery — focusing on social/sexual relations, in particular, the changing social status of women. where the histories of African, Native and working people overlapped. STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA June 22, 2020 Page 5 Defend Seattle CHAZ/CHOP — No police-military intervention!

By Greg Butterfield World Trade Organi- zation. Rally outside the boarded-up East Precinct In a month of extraordinary re- There are many ex- in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. bellions following the police execu- amples in history of the tion of George Floyd, one of the most people setting up their significant is the takeover of a six- own governing bod- block area around the Seattle Police ies and defenses, free Department’s East Precinct, where of the police and other the local community and activists capitalist institutions have established a police-free Cap- — from Nat Turner’s itol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), Rebellion to the Paris also called Capitol Hill Organized Commune to the Rus- Protest (CHOP). sian Revolution and “Hundreds of protesters have tak- every revolutionary en over several blocks of Seattle and manifestation since. transformed it into the Capitol Hill When the people rise, Autonomous Zone ... helping to am- and begin to under- plify nationwide protests while of- stand that the whole fering a real-world example of what system is their enemy, a community can look like without they naturally seek to police,” the Guardian reported. create and defend these “Protesters have filled several forms of self-orga- blocks and at least part of a park in nization, which have the artsy Capitol Hill neighborhood been called communes, of Seattle, after police abandoned U.S. military to put down anti-police This means 100% of funding, in- soviets, people’s assemblies, etc. their east precinct, following dan- terror protests, the movement must cluding existing pensions for Seattle Trump’s threats to unleash the gerous clashes between protesters take these threats seriously and Police. At an equal level of priority military to “retake” Seattle reflects and law enforcement.” not dismiss them as Trump’s usual we also demand that the city disal- the fear in the ruling class that this The people’s takeover of a small empty boasts. low the operations of ICE in the city modest expression of people’s pow- area of Seattle has sent panic through of Seattle.” er will inspire workers and youth to the halls of power, starting with Demands of Black collective The collective’s demands are bro- take similar measures elsewhere, the White House. President Donald A statement of demands from Black ken into four categories: the justice especially coming on the heels of the Trump has made several threats to leadership in the CHAZ, “Collec tive system, health and human services, burning down of the 3rd Police Pre- “retake” the city from the commu- Black Voices at Free Capitol Hill,” economics and education. They call cinct in Minneapolis. nity, whom he labels “domestic ter- explains, “This is no simple request for de-gentrification of the city and The rulers are right to worry. An rorists.” Trump implied he will use to end police brutality. We demand rent control; for hospitals and care attempt was made to establish an military force if Washington State that the City Council and the May- facilities to employ Black health care autonomous zone in Asheville, N.C., Gov. Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor or, whoever that may be, implement workers to serve the community; though it was subsequently crushed Jenny Durkan don’t move swiftly to these policy changes for the cultur- for Black and Indigneous history to by the police; while the governor crush the CHAZ. al and historic advancement of the be elevated in the state’s education of neighboring Tennessee issued a Trump’s threats have been echoed City of Seattle, and to ease the strug- curriculum; and many other urgent panicky warning against similar ef- by right-wing media slandering gles of its people. This document is needs of the city’s workers and op- forts in Nashville. Seattle Black activists with racist to represent the Black voices who pressed. From Atlanta to Minneapolis to terms like “warlords” and warning spoke in victory at the top of 12th & Oakland, and all over the world, about imaginary “antifa” violence. Pine after 9 days of peaceful protest Self-organization against system people are watching, learning and Fox News was exposed for using while under constant nightly attack Earlier this year, Seattle was drawing lessons from the Seattle doctored photos in its rabidly hostile from the Seattle Police Department. the site of one of the first major experience as they have from Min- coverage of CHAZ. “The Seattle Police Department COVID-19 outbreaks in the U.S., dev- neapolis and all the historic events In light of Trump’s attempted and attached court system are be- astating poor and oppressed com- of recent weeks. military coup in Washington, D.C., yond reform. We do not request re- munities and the health care sys- The urgent need now is for sol- on June 1, when the president or- form, we demand abolition. We de- tem. But the city also has a history idarity to defend the CHAZ from dered the clearing of protesters from mand that the Seattle Council and of militant struggles, from the 1919 attack, whether by Trump and the Lafayette Square by the National the Mayor defund and abolish the General Strike inspired by the Bol- Pentagon or the “liberal” authorities Guard and appeared publicly with Seattle Police Department and the shevik Revolution to the 1999 Battle in Washington State. Pentagon brass to threaten using the attached Criminal Justice Apparatus. of Seattle during the meeting of the One, two, three, many Seattles! ₪ Justice for Rayshard Brooks protest blocks Atlanta mayor

By Lizz Toledo 12. After being given a field sobri- ety test, a scuffle ensued when -po June 15 — Today, protesters shout- lice tried to arrest him for allegedly ing “No justice, no peace, no racist driving under the influence — a law police!” surrounded and blocked At- disproportionately enforced against lanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Black and Latinx people in Atlanta. car from leaving City Hall. This came The cops used a taser on Brooks after a weekend of rebellion in re- and put him in a chokehold, similar sponse to the murder of Rayshard to the one that killed George Floyd SLL PHOTOS Brooks by two white police officers and sparked nationwide resistance. in the city’s southwest, a poor work- In fear of his life, Brooks grabbed the on. They can’t now ing-class community. taser, broke out of the chokehold, claim that Brooks The community’s militant re- and ran. allegedly pointing a sponse has already forced the resig- As Brooks ran, he was shot three taser at them, while nation of Police Chief Erika Shields times. Two of the shots went into his he was running away and the firing of the cop who fired back and killed him. This has forced and at a long distance the killing shots at Brooks. Like the the Atlanta medical examiner to de- from them, justified his murder. and capital of the ruling class. It must murder of George Floyd in Minne- clare his death a homicide. Abolishing this institutionalized be replaced with community-con- apolis, Rayshard Brooks’ death was Even if Brooks was aiming the tas- racist police system is the rallying trolled public safety departments, captured on video which went viral. er at the cops, as they claim, police in cry of the most oppressed. It has specifically in the Black, Brown and Brooks fell asleep at a Wendy’s Georgia often testify in court to the never been about our safety, but in- Indigenous communities. Abolish drive-through on Friday night, June fact that a taser is not a lethal weap- stead about protecting the property the police, prisons and ICE! ₪ Page 6 June 22, 2020 TRUGGLE H A LUCHA S L SLL PHOTO: BENIE RAMOS Caravan against police terror draws community support

By Dulce Garcia memoration on social media. The commemoration began with Los Angeles — The recent death remarks from Celestinia Bishop, who of George Floyd due to police brutal- leads volunteer efforts at the ceme- ity has caused a lot of people to unite tery to clean a peoples’ landmark through this very heartbreaking and where Black slaves were also buried. difficult situation. It’s not the first Her grandmother, grandfather and time this has happened, and the peo- other close relatives were buried in ple want change. People want justice the cemetery. — not only for Floyd, but also for the She spoke about how she and her many others who have lost their lives family have been affected by police due to inhumane police officers. terror. Her son, who has disabilities, On Sunday, June 7, a “Community saw the latest videos on police brutal- Caravan Against Police Terrorism” ity and now has a fear of cops, whom was held. The caravan was hosted he thought were heroes at first. Bish- by Unión del Barrio and co-hosted op also stated, “If we were to cut each by Struggle-La Lucha, the Harri- other, we all would bleed the same.” et Tubman Center for Social Justice, Before the caravan left the Witness for Peace Southwest, the cemetery, I interviewed anoth- LOS ANGELES Socialist Unity Party, the Human er of the volunteers who par- Rights Alliance for Child Refugees ticipated in the caravan. She said: “I and Families, and Frente Indígena de want to support the community. To Organizaciones. In addition, over 40 live with respect from the people who organizations endorsed. should be protecting us. I am indig- Hundreds of vehicles joined the nant seeing these things happen to historic protest caravan. people from our communities. I came today to support this caravan be- Honoring Bunchy Carter cause I don’t want this to keep hap- We started at Woodlawn Cemetery pening to our future generations. in Compton, where Black Panther “I want this to change people’s Party leader Bunchy Carter, a victim views,” she continued, “and this time of the U.S. government’s Cointelpro change the world and have a peace- PHOTOS: REVO GRAFIA program, is buried. Former Black ful life,” referring to the changes she Panther Harold Welton gave a speech. would like to see happen in the com- From Watts, the caravan moved all has created stereotypes for people There were news reporters and other munities. She also expressed that the way through Los Angeles along of color. This, today, is how the U.S. people recorded and shared the com- she would like more respect from Central Avenue to the Los Angeles should be: people being united.” those who are called “hero cops.” She Police Department headquarters. The U.S. has never been great. It doesn’t want her grandkids to grow We got to City Hall around 3:40 p.m., has always had wars, racism, ste- up with the fear she grew up with. where another protest was already reotypes, violence and corruption going on. amongst the people. The people ‘The problem is the system’ There, one of the hosts of the pro- should be united, but for too long The caravan started moving around test said, “We speak the power, we the system has put fear into people 12:30 p.m., driving through Compton are here today protesting because to unite when it comes to any type of up to Watts. Moving through these you all want the power to speak,” re- situation. neighborhoods, we saw many peo- ferring to how the people want to be Now things are starting to change. ple outside their homes supporting heard, especially with injustice that Dulce Garcia (writer) and Benie the caravan. Some held posters while happens on a daily basis. Ramos (photographer) are journalists, others just watched and recorded “The problem isn’t our skin col- high school students and activists who SLL PHOTO: BENIE RAMOS from a distance. or. The problem is how the system helped organize the caravan. Black-Puerto Rican solidarity on the march

By Greg Butterfield NEW YORK

New York — Thousands of people filled the streets of Washington Heights, Harlem and El Barrio (East Harlem) on June 14 for a militant demonstration of Black-Latinx sol- idarity against racist police terror. Puerto Rican and Black Liber- ation flags waved side-by-side as people in these two proud neigh- borhoods, historically plagued by police brutal ity, economic neglect and racist gentrification, once again expressed their unity with demands gathered force as it wound through to “demilitarize, demobilize and de- Washington Heights and Harlem. fund the police.” As the roar of chanting marchers Sunday had earlier been slat- filled 125th Street, hundreds of peo- ed for the annual Puerto Rican community to take the streets. ple greeted them with a rally at the Day Parade, one of the communi- Signs and banners in Spanish Adam Clayton Powell State Office ty’s most significant cultural and and English, carried by communi- Building. Speakers included mem- bers of the Jericho Movement for political events. This year’s parade ty members, remembered not only SLL PHOTOS: GREG BUTTERFIELD was cancelled, how ever, due to the Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard political prisoners. A banner hung at COVID-19 pandemic. Brooks, but also the many Black and the base of the Adam Clayton Pow- on to the People’s Church in East But seeing the urgent need for sol- Latinx victims of the New York Po- ell statue bore the logo of the Black Harlem. Supporters of the National idarity with the Black-led uprising lice Department. Panthers and the demand: “Black Alliance Against Racist and Political that began in Minneapolis after the The march stepped off from community control of police.” Repression and Struggle-La Lucha police murder of George Floyd, free- Mitchel Square Park on 167th Street, After a long standoff with police at carried signs in the march calling dom fighters in New York’s Puer- near the Audubon Ballroom where the intersection of 125th Street and for community control and an end to to Rican community called on the Malcolm X was assassinated. It Africa Square, the march continued cop crimes. ₪ STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA June 22, 2020 Page 7 Thousands march against racist police system

By Lev Koufax

On Saturday, June 6, the Peoples Power Assembly led a demonstra- tion in Baltimore demanding justice for George Floyd and the abolition of the Baltimore Police Department. Other demands included not one more dollar for the police and com- plete community control. Approximately 8,000 people marched through the city, followed by over 200 cars. Marchers started outside the Harriet Tubman Solidar- ity Center on North Charles Street. The demonstration’s first stop was the Baltimore City Jail complex. As marchers chanting “Free them all!” approached, hundreds of prisoners could be heard chanting back “Black lives matter!” and “Thank you.” This demonstration is one of several to BALTIMORE visit the jail complex in the last two months as local organizers have de- manded universal testing and full personal protective equipment (PPE) for all prisoners. From the jail complex, the march traveled east to the Douglas Homes public housing development. The Rev. Annie Chambers, a PPA orga- nizer and former Black Panther, has The march culminated at the been holding free food giveaways to Maryland National Guard 5th Reg- the residents there since the begin- iment Armory. Marchers chose this ning of the pandemic. Demonstra- location to conclude because of tors wanted to show solidarity with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s plans the residents of Douglas Homes, who to send the Maryland National Guard find their homes a target for sale to to illegally occupy Washington, D.C. and redevelopment by wealthy Johns Speakers from the Ujima People’s Hopkins University. Progress Party and the Socialist Next, the march traveled to the Unity Party gave talks denouncing Baltimore City Police Headquarters. imperialism. This included a pow- SLL PHOTOS Marchers shouted “No justice, no erful message from UPP organizer Socialist Unity Party national Venezuela are echoed in police vio- peace! No racist police!” and “Money Brandon Walker, who argued that spokesperson Sharon Black talk- lence against oppressed communi- for jobs and education, not for police one cannot be anti-racist without ed about how the acts of war by the ties in the U.S. ₪ occupation!” being anti-imperialist. U.S. against countries like Syria and Protesters take to streets in solidarity with Minneapolis

By Kevin Niemann announced that it would not be in session through the weekend. In late May and early June, over Following another day of peaceful 30,000 protesters from the greater protests, police-protecting Denver Denver metropolitan area descend- Mayor Michael Hancock launched ed upon the Colorado State Capitol, a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., af- Civic Center Park and the surround- fecting residents’ ability to get food, ing streets to demand accountabil- shelter or medical supplies. ity for killer cops and vigilantes in On Saturday, May 30, despite the light of the murders of George Floyd, incoming curfew and several nights Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. of unprovoked police attacks against The mostly young, diverse and civilians, 10,000 Coloradans took to Black-led crowds surrounded the the streets demanding justice. Signs State Capitol building starting May reading “I Can’t Breathe,” the 28. Chants of “Say their names!” and last words of George Floyd, and DENVER “No justice, no peace! No racist po- “Solidarity with Minneapo- SLL PHOTO: KEVIN NIEMANN lice!” filled the Capitol Hill neigh- lis, Louisville and Georgia” could “Say his name!” “Ahmaud Arbery!” manding justice be brought to the borhood as several different groups be seen for blocks as a march went The curfew was eventually ex- murderers of Black lives. The Col- of protesters marched to block off through the downtown area. tended to last the entire week, and orado Calvary statue in front of the I-25 near Colfax Avenue. At the State Capitol, several thou- the National Guard was deployed. Capitol, dedicated to the soldiers who The protesters faced violence and sand people laid on the ground for However, angered protesters con- committed the genocidal Sand Creek threats from both fascist cops and nine minutes, echoing the time tinue to occupy Civic Center Park and Massacre against innocent Arapa- white supremacists. On May 29, a during which police choked George march nightly. This comes despite ho and Cheyenne Indigenous people woman drove into three peaceful Floyd. At the nearby amphitheater in the continued insistence of the po- during the Civil War, has been liber- protesters and fled from the scene, Civic Center Park, speeches by sev- lice on attacking the crowd unpro- ated with paint saying “ACAB” (“All while the Denver police began tear eral Black community leaders de- voked with tear gas and pepper bul- Cops Are Bastards”), “F*ck racists” gassing and shooting pepper balls in manded a stop to the racist police lets, causing several severe injuries and “Stop Kill ing Us” on the pedestal an attempt to disperse the protest- killings of people of color. and hospitalizations. and statue itself. ers. They also gassed several resi- “Say his name!” yelled a chant Similar gassings of peaceful pro- Denver stands in solidarity with dential neighborhoods. leader at the end of the speeches, testers also happened in nearby Col- other cities that believe the system The protests caused fear to the followed by the crowd’s fervent re- orado Springs. does not work for us and must be Colorado State Assembly, still in ses- sponse of “George Floyd!” Then, The people of Denver have had thrown out completely. Black Lives sion at the Capitol building, which “Say her name!” “Breonna Taylor!” enough of killer cops and are de- Matter! ₪ Page 8 June 22, 2020 STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA From high school activist: Getting radical during George Floyd protests

By Ripley Butterfield skinned Black people who The group erupted in cheers are not of mixed descent. I and applause at this and other I’m a tenth grade student from also need to listen to Black acts of solidarity. Brooklyn. For the past few months, trans people and be aware of The protesting experience I’ve been reflecting a lot on my polit- my privilege as a cis person. was one unlike any I can re- ical and activist identity, something Admitting this isn’t enough: member. Tips I had read on- I neglected for years. As a younger what do these actions entail line in activist resources kid, I went to dozens of protests with for me? How do I constant- really came into play — stay- my dad. I wasn’t unaware in doing ly ensure I am centering the ing tight at corners, moving so — I knew that I was supporting people in my communi- quickly and confidently, and people similar and different to me, ty who are the least privi- avoiding police interaction at those of varied race, religion, ability, leged? These questions have all costs. The cops were run- sexual orientation, gender identity fueled my devotion to fight ning alongside us in groups and so on. I understood that police the racism that permeates of five or six, rushing to bar- were bad, and were constantly hurt- the entire institution of the ricade every cross street they ing Black people. I held up signs and United States. could. A lot of younger pro- banners, posed for many photos and Of course, COVID-19 had testers seemed to get very did my best to chant along with the smothered any opportunity nervous watching them act so crowd. Although I didn’t complete- to attend physical protests. I ferociously, but the organiz- ly know what certain terms I saw spent a good chunk of time ers did a good job keeping ev- meant, like “communism,” “social- in “quarantine” thinking eryone moving. At intersec- ism” and “anti-imperialism,” the about all the demonstra- tions, white demonstrators importance of my participation in tions I’d attend once it was formed human chains to cre- things like worker’s rights protests all over. Or so I thought. ate a barrier between officers was not lost on me. Then, the video of George in riot gear and the main body I began to stop attending these Floyd’s murder exploded of protesters, who were most- events when I was a pre-teen. At onto the internet. ly Black and Brown youth. first, it just felt good to exercise I felt strongly that I should partic- SLL PHOTO I marched a little over an some choice in the matter. I was old ipate in my city’s protests. On Satur- uncertain terms that the only way to hour. In that time we dominated enough to watch myself for a few day, May 30, I went to two: first, a ral- achieve universal justice is to liber- many major streets in addition to hours while my dad was at a demon- ly in Harlem. The initial gathering, ate the oppressed and unite for the Parkside Avenue: Flatbush, Church stration, and it was a Saturday. Why which happened on 125th Street, was struggles of the working class. I was and Bedford avenues are just a few. go? This repeated again and again, kind of off-putting to me. Speakers biting my lip a little bit when she an- I didn’t witness any major conflict and eventually I was more passion- made repeated references to “Black nounced that a communist society between police and protesters until ate about my right to refuse to par- on Black crime” and the importance was necessary, because many white I was leaving. By that time, they had ticipate in protests than any sort of of keeping all protests peaceful. At protesters in attendance appeared to managed to separate the march into activist work. It wasn’t that I didn’t one point, a speaker said, “It is one be of a certain liberal-hipster-gen- three or four different groups, and it care about social issues, rather I felt thing to march, but it is another trifying type. I was afraid that this seemed as though each was starting disconnected from them. I think, thing to vote.” The constant empha- person, who I identified with and to be cornered. weirdly enough, it felt like “rebel- sis on voting as a primary means of admired so strongly, would be met I was a bit anxious heading home lion” to not fight injustice and op- progress made me uncomfortable with angry shouts. Instead, there alone. I kept finding myself on blocks pression, having been raised by a — it seemed to diminish the work was immense support amongst the lined with police cars and helicop- parent who always encouraged me to of protesters within an event full of protesters. I felt, in that moment, so ters seemed to be approaching from do so. Thankfully, my thinking has them. much hope for the broader move- all directions. I passed by a blood- changed a lot since middle school. As I stood in the crowd with my ment towards liberation. Others had ied protester being treated by street In the past year or so, I’ve started sign, I and other younger attendees great speeches too: one highlighted medics, and later stumbled upon reading revolutionary works on my awkwardly shuffled when question- the need to center and protect Black a blockaded group on a residential own and questioning the systems able statements echoed across the women and LGBTQ+ identifying block. I had to stop and watch for a that public education teaches us to sidewalk. The rally started to wrap up Black people. A group of three young moment — dozens and dozens of accept. I went to the highly publi- after about an hour and a half after my Black women led the crowd in chant- police cars sped onto this street and cized climate march in September arrival, and because I was unsure as ing a quote from Assata Shakur. “It is stopped in a frighteningly militant 2019, along with many other high to where nearby groups were march- our duty to fight for our freedom! It formation. Officers wielding batons school students. It wasn’t a great ing, I left. I decided to go straight to is our duty to win! We must love each and shields were sprinting out of experience for me. The entire ordeal the protest on Parkside and Ocean other and support each other! We their vehicles and towards the dem- felt performative, and staged. I kept avenues in Flatbush, Brooklyn. have nothing to lose but our chains!” onstrators, who were standing and wondering, as wealthy white stu- and so on. We repeated this again and chanting the names of police brutali- dents were photographed and inter- Youth in streets again, louder and stronger each time. ty victims. A helicopter lowered itself viewed around me, where were these I walked out of the train station until it was practically touching the activists during events protesting and into a huge crowd of protes- NYPD surveillance people protesting, causing danger- U.S. invasions of other nations? Or tors. The group spilled across mul- While standing on that street cor- ous whirlwinds and flying dirt. The inhumane treatment of refugees? tiple streets and into Prospect Park. ner, I could see a group of police of- group held strong, though. I would The image of an attractive white There were a good number of people ficers standing on top of a building have joined in resistance if my par- teen holding a sign that says “Save attending from their fire escapes opposite me. This was no shock. ents weren’t urging me to go home. our earth” is palatable to most me- across the street, too. I should also However, someone near me mo- This was all before 6:30 p.m. I dia, I suppose. mention that every person I saw was tioned to the crowd to look up — the found out later that evening that vi- wearing a mask to cover their mouth cops were flying a drone just above olent arrests started very soon after Passion for liberation and nose, except for police. Ahead our heads. It shouldn’t have been so my departure. This march was also I have since developed a strong of me, comrades took turns stand- startling considering the amount of the one in which two NYPD SUVs passion for the movement to lib- ing on a makeshift podium and ad- surveillance the NYPD conducts on a ran straight into a crowd of protest- erate oppressed people, especially dressed the thousands of protestors. day-to-day basis in New York, when ers. Video footage of that awful mo- Black people. Like most teens, my The speakers were all wonderful and protests aren’t even occurring. I still ment has been seen across the world identity has been a source of confu- came from a variety of backgrounds, felt deeply unsettled knowing I was at this point. Clearly, the NYPD and sion, contention and pride, all at the but one impacted me especially. I being watched so closely. all of the other police departments same time. In understanding myself wish I remembered her name — a As we started to march down in the United States do not exist to as a biracial Black lesbian, I have to young woman who introduced her- Parkside Avenue, thousands chant- “protect and serve” the people. They fight for my voice to be heard, while self as a Brooklyn high schooler. ed “No justice, no peace! Fuck these are actively harming and killing op- considering the privileges I have. I She went on to explain the count- racist-ass police!” Many protest- pressed communities. need to defend myself in homopho- less ways she and other students of ers offered food and water, as well I’m so glad that I attended these bic spaces and contexts, and in white color had been racially profiled. Her as personal protective equipment recent protests. I will no doubt go to or anti-Black ones. Yet, in fight- voice faltered with emotion as she (PPE) to those who needed it. As we many more in the future. Anything I ing oppression it’s imperative that I denounced killer cops, and demand- moved along, local residents of Flat- can contribute to the dismantling of step down and listen to Black people ed justice for George Floyd, Breon- bush showed support from their cars the police state, and of every single who are impacted by colorism. I am na Taylor, Tony McDade and others. and the sidewalks. A bus driver in racist institution that makes up this mixed, with lighter skin, and that The frustration and anger she spoke a stalled B41 bus, who was a Black country, is worth doing. makes my abuse in this oppressive with resonated with me deeply. woman, honked the horn in time Read the full article system much less violent than dark- The young woman declared in no with our chants and raised her fist. at tinyurl.com/y8rtd577. STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA June 22, 2020 Page 9 Black socialist leader: ‘Demands must clarify our reality’ By John Parker I and the Black folks I associate with believe that the vandalism and These words are inspired by Joe so-called looting are created by con- Biden telling us what it is to be Black. ditions that these youth did not cre- You see, not all Black folk look or ate. See, the rebellion that oppres- think alike. And not every organi- sion inspires is not going to always zation will have the same political look pretty, but it carries a message analysis of the events before our of warning to the powers that be, an eyes. Now, we respect all of those essential message that has the pow- honest organizations that hold dif- er to push them back. The monopoly ferent views on how we can go about corporations that run this country liberating ourselves, and we respect and own the politicians like Trump your right to choose what organi- and Biden are afraid of those re- zations you believe tell more of the bellions because it challenges their truth as you see it. And we encourage right to rule over us. you to find out and participate in the When the four cops finally got activities of all honest organizations charged — was that from us beg- PHOTO: UNIÓN DEL BARRIO to find what best fits. ging? No, it happened after a Minne- John Parker (right, in white shirt) speaks at press conference announcing community caravan against police brutality, June 4. So don’t let anyone tell you not to apolis police precinct got burned to attend a demonstration from any the ground. ing, because it leaves plenty of mon- to disband them by a mightier force honest organization. No one organi- ey for the purchase of the bullet that than their cops and military. zation owns the movement, nor any Disarm the police is aimed at my son’s head, or your We have the potential to become issue. Yes, if it’s a Black issue, then So I’m not one of those Black lead- daughter’s. that force. Not by begging or playing Black organizations should take ers who condemn our youth because This is an existential threat — within their rules, but by building the lead — but there are more than their messages or actions may not be this is life and death and the only the understanding of what’s needed a few, and just like we don’t all look perfect. I and the Black folk I asso- way to stop that bullet from killing and doing the things that make their alike, neither do our organizations. ciate with applaud them and will do my son or your daughter is to take system come to a halt. I’m a member of the Socialist Unity everything we can to amplify their their damn guns away. So, when we When we study history and social Party and its Black Caucus, which is a message and give them a platform say “Defund the police,” we must in- science in a serious way, as George member organization of the Nation- and guide them as well toward a rev- clude the demand to disarm the po- Jackson did, we’ll understand that al Alliance Against Racist and Polit- olutionary direction that is not con- lice immediately. Maybe there needs demands must clarify what is ac- ical Repression. You’d be surprised fined by the ideological limitations to be more emphasis on the gun be- tually needed to the people. We also at how many Black socialists and that this system dictates. cause, yes, we should also defund the need to understand that our Black, communists there are, like George There are some organizations that police, but that demand alone leaves Brown and Indigenous communities Jackson, a Black Panther and polit- are happy to replace one treacherous them holding guns. Too much wig- must have the right to banish these ical prisoner who was assassinated Black official cop with another cop, gle room for me. pigs from our neighborhoods and by the pigs. I mention George Jack- or are happy to hug or kneel with or the right to the resources to train son because we have to begin to tru- include pigs in their actions, or make Study like George Jackson did and develop our own community ly honor our ancestors by studying demands that are so weak they can See, we have to get serious and entities of safety and protection. them and the people they studied. easily be wiggled out of. study like George Jackson did. We are in a war — a war from an In regards to unity, we must get I and the Black organizations I Know who else George Jackson oppressor that is attempting geno- serious and, like Jackson, study associate with don’t want demands studied when he wanted to under- cide against us. And when you are Amilcar Cabral, the African commu- that give Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti stand the nature of the police in fighting genocide, you can’t play nist revolutionary liberator of Guin- — who praises the attack dogs in this country? He studied Lenin, the nice. You gotta scrap, you gotta bite, ea Bissau and his skillful guidance blue he sics on us — too much wiggle leader of the Russian Revolution. Le- you gotta do whatever is necessary for building the unity of the entire room. Because when the politicians nin understood that capitalism and and use any means to get that knee working class. have too much wiggle room, they use its superrich monopolies that run off your neck. That’s the kind of Now, some organizations or church it to wiggle a noose around our necks. things cannot survive without the Black revolutionary I am. What kind leaders (not all church leaders, mind There’s a shell game going on police protecting the wealth they of revolutionary are you? you) will tell you to denounce or right now with Garcetti’s budget. stole from you and me. To keep us If you’re the kind I think you are, strongly condemn our youth if, in See, he knows in this moment he’ll from protesting that theft against then maybe we should talk. Maybe the course of their displays of an- need to give an appearance of com- us, police are used to keep us in fear you should talk to the organizations ger, they happen to vandalize or take promise, so he’s already figured out as they push us further into poverty. with demands that are clear about back some of the wealth that is sto- the small pittance he’ll give away That right arm of capitalism — the what’s needed. Get in touch so we len from them 24/7 by this capitalist that still allows business as usual. A police — will never be negotiated or can build that mighty force whose system and the corporations that ex- couple hundred million dollars from voted away as long as capitalism ex- aim is to build a better world and ploit them. a $2 billion or more budget is noth- ists, unless the ruling class is forced take down this genocidal system. ₪ Now’s the time: Join a revolutionary organization fighting for socialism

We all know that something is and your children the right to live The Socialist Unity Party/Partido working classes. That’s what we need. deadly wrong with this system. Cap- without the fear of hunger, home- de Socialismo Unido is serious about But we’re not just about under- italism is failing to meet the basic lessness, sicknesss or the terrorism making revolutionary change. standing the science of society. Like needs for human survival. If you’re of racist police? And what is the most That’s why we use the well-tested Marx said, the point is to change a member of the working class, you effective way to fight back? science of social change, Marxism, it. That’s why you’ll find us in the don’t need a lecture from us tell- Any organization that aspires to to clarify what’s needed in society. streets from coast to coast, organiz- ing you what you already know — make revolutionary change in this It’s this science that helps us realize ing marches, hosting car caravans, especially if you’re Black, Brown, an country must not only answer those the overwhelming power of our class joining our communities in protest, im/migrant, a woman or LGBTQ2S. questions, but help communicate to take the reins of production, put- holding educational webinars and It would be good to know who al- those answers to our entire working ting us, the majority, the poor, the meetings, and spreading the word lows this system to continue to cause class. unemployed, the gig workers — you with our publication, Struggle-La massive death and poverty on the And in building up the conscious- and I, not the billionaires and the 1% Lucha. But with your help, we can continent of Africa, in Yemen, Haiti ness and independence of the work- — in charge of our lives. accomplish so much more. and Puerto Rico, or to sabotage the ing class, an organization worth It’s no accident that the countries So, if you’re looking for a socialist economic welfare and threaten war joining must also actively help build building socialism are the ones that group that is working towards build- against the people of Latin America. unity among our class and among have already stopped the rising tide ing a revolutionary, united work- Why do the Democratic and Repub- our progressive organizations, es- of COVID-19 infections and are ac- ing-class movement in this society, lican parties, both owned by the fi- pecially solidarity with the op- tively helping other countries fight then this is the organization for you. nancial and industrial monopolies, pressed peoples most acutely affect- the virus. They can do that because Fill out the form at the link and let enable this system to continue de- ed by this racist capitalist system of their production is not controlled us know when we can reach out to nying your parents, your neighbors war and poverty. by the rich, but by their respective you: tinyurl.com/yax39mso. ₪ Page 10 June 22, 2020 STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA Marines retool for war on China

By Scott Scheffer the pandemic and first phase of the U.S. rulers threatened Marine’s transi- the Trump admin- by China’s example As the COVID-19 death toll in the istration. The re- tion — stocking up U.S. approaches 120,000, the Trump orientation began on previously pro- Military contractors like General administration is relying heavily when the Obama hibited, land-based Dynamics and Raytheon have made on anti-China propaganda — in- administration em- cruise missiles. billions equipping the Marine Corp cluding wild accusations, right- braced then-Secre- A May 6 Reu- and drained funds from the U.S. wing conspiracy theories and rac- tary of State Hillary ters article reports Treasury that should have been used ist anti-Asian rhetoric that greenlit Clinton’s “pivot to U.S. Marines conduct a simulated that “having shed for people’s needs. No doubt there amphibious assault. physical attacks and racist assaults Asia,” which called the constraints of will still be lucrative contracts for against Asian Americans. for a stronger military presence in a Cold War era arms control treaty, them, in addition to the billions that Trump and his ilk need to distract the South China Sea to challenge Chi- the Trump administration is plan- will likely be handed over to AeroVi- from their own disastrous response na and gain access to Asian markets. ning to deploy long-range, ground- ronment for the “lethal unmanned” to the deadly pandemic, the deep But the right-wing coup in Ukraine launched cruise missiles in the drones and to Kratos Defense and capitalist recession, the epidemic of and Crimea’s refusal to be part of the Asia-Pacific region. … The Marines Security for their jet-powered violent police racism and murder, U.S. orbit, along with the war on Syr- will join forces with the U.S. Navy, drones. General Dynamics, Lock- and the brutality against protestors ia, ended up taking precedence. using small mobile units armed heed Martin and Huntington Ingalls demanding justice for George Floyd. Pentagon war planners are now with anti-ship missiles dispersed will all be vying for the billions it Slandering and attacking China be- going full-throttle to make up for along the so-called first island will take to build the new warships. came their chosen distraction. lost time. As generals and admi- chain — the string of islands that But this shift by the Pentagon But the animosity toward China rals came to Congress in March to runs from Japan, through Taiwan, is fueled by more than the usual isn’t limited to mere rhetoric. There demand more money for war in the the Philippines and on to Borneo, siphoning off of Treasury funds by are calls to make China pay repa- 2021 budget, it came to light that enclosing China’s coastal seas.” giant criminal corporations. rations, lawsuits against China by they were already thoroughly in- The transition means tanks and Regardless of concessions made several U.S. states, investigations of vested in preparations for all-out heavy weaponry are being dis- to capitalism by the People’s Repub- the origins of the virus by intelli- war against China. On March 5, Gen. pensed with, and fewer F-35 air- lic of China over the years of its de- gence agencies in Australia, Europe David Berger, commandant of the craft for the smaller mobile Marine velopment, the Chinese Communist and the U.S., an effort by the Trump U.S. Marines, outlined for the Sen- units. V-22 tiltrotor aircraft, heli- Party and the people of China set administration to forge an interna- ate Armed Services Committee a 10- copter units and shore-assaulting an example in the “People’s War” tional alliance to further sabotage year transition for the Marines that amphibious vehicles will be cut. Ac- against COVID-19. Their successful China, and a cutoff of funds to the is already underway. cording to a report by the Center for struggle against the disease trum- World Health Organization. The Marine Corps is retooling for Strategic and International Studies, peted amazing advances in science The heightened animosity from war against the People’s Republic the radical reshaping of the Marine and medicine, the superiority of the White House has prompted es- of China. For decades, the Marines Corps will transform it into a naval centralized planning and how hu- tablishment media to reference the have provided ground troops in the expeditionary force. manity is prioritized over profit. It Cold War, when imperialist hostili- longest reign of imperialist death The Marine Corps will be rede- is a victory in the battle for the con- ty meant the USSR, China, Cuba and and destruction in U.S. history, in signed to fight “within an adver- sciousness of the worldwide work- other socialist countries were under Afghanistan and Iraq. Now the plan sary’s” (read China’s) “bubble of air, ing class. constant threat of nuclear attack. is to leave that to the U.S. Army, and missile and naval power.” accord- A famous quote by the beloved And, in fact, the Pentagon is pre- for the Marines to become a high- ing to Gen. Bergen. It will require leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fi- paring for a war against China. The tech maritime force to operate more small groups of less visible, new- del Castro, goes: “A revolution is a possibility of a military confron- vigorously in the South China Sea ly designed warships, armed with struggle to the death between the tation can’t be ignored by anti-war and to augment the U.S. Navy. drones currently in development — future and the past.” Our people’s forces in the U.S. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear essentially jet-powered unmanned movement, strengthened enor- Forces Treaty (INF) ended in August fighter jets — to function in small mously by the working-class explo- Pentagon pivot to Asia long planned 2019, and the U.S. shunned efforts units with the ability to move inde- sion against police racist murders, The shift in U.S. military strate- to replace it. Without that treaty in pendently and deploy in and around has to be ready to defend socialism gy toward targeting China precedes place, the Pentagon is preparing the the South China Sea. in China — the future. ₪ Basque political prisoner on hunger strike for prisoners’ health

By Iña Martínez altercations and threats to his life tia said: “We are prepared to defend from guards and the director of the them [oppressed peoples and pris- “The Basque Country? How come prison in Murcia, where he is incar- oners] and fight for them against I’ve never heard of it?” cerated. This was because he asked the oligarchical powers that pull Someone in this country asked me for the proper personal protective the strings of fascism to perpetuate that question several years ago after equipment (PPE) to keep the prison- their privilege at the expense of our she detected my foreign accent and I ers safe from COVID-19. Not only did lives.” And the truth is that Spain told her where I came from. they not listen to him, but they con- remains a fascist state under a mon- I answered, “Maybe because we tinued to threaten his life. archy that signed the principles of a don’t have oil.” It was 2003, when So a month ago he started a hun- fascist dictator in 1975. the U.S. invaded Iraq. ger and thirst strike. After the first From the Basque Country, we have The Basque Country (“Euskal Her- 12 days, he is continuing only the always demonstrated our solidari- ria” in the Basque language) is a land hunger strike, but his health is de- ty with the Black community in the occupied by two colonialist states: teriorating rapidly. And, of course, U.S., the Palestinian people, the Sa- France and Spain. Geographical- Spain and its prison system could harawi people and all people world- ly, the Basque Country is where the not care less if he dies. wide living under occupation. And Nevertheless, there is a strong PHOTO: AHOTSA.INFO Pyrenees mountain range meets the Solidarity protest for hunger striking that solidarity is stronger than ever Bay of Biscay. feeling of solidarity with Patxi Ruiz Basque political prisoner Patxi Ruiz. these days. We have many political prisoners among other Basque political pris- I happened to hear comedian and as a consequence of a long struggle oners who followed his hunger and Elhadji Ndiaye, who was killed activist Lee Camp say something for freedom and socialism. Basque strike, and outside the prison, in the by Spanish occupation forces in Oc- like this: “As long as you hate other political prisoners are sent by the Basque Country, where people are tober 2016 in a very similar manner. people and other countries, you are Spanish and French prison systems on hunger strikes in solidarity. On Iruñea is the capital city of Nafarroa, distracted from placing your anger as far as possible from the Basque Ahotsa.info’s YouTube channel, you also the birthplace of Patxi Ruiz. in what your government is doing to Country, to the farthest corners of can see some of the actions in soli- The Spanish police never answered you.” That is how governments use Spain and France. Since the corona- darity with Patxi Ruiz. the popular demand to explain why racism to divide people. We need to virus hit Europe, our prisoners, like the young Senegalese Elhadji Ndiaye do the opposite and show solidarity all prisoners everywhere, have been Justice for George Floyd was first arrested for no reason and with each other. We are many. They mistreated. The Spanish prison sys- and Elhadji Ndiaye soon afterwards was dead in police are few. tem made it an objective to punish People in the Basque city of Iruñea headquarters in Iruñea. To this day, Free Patxi Ruiz and all political them even further. (also known by the Spanish name nobody knows the true facts and prisoners! In the case of Basque political Pamplona) have been holding sol- people are demanding answers. Free them all! prisoner Patxi Ruiz, there were some idarity actions with George Floyd As Basque activist Ainhoa Urru- Put killer cops in prison! ₪ STRUGGLE H LA LUCHA June 22, 2020 Page 11 Marines retool for war on China Puerto Rican organizations: Decolonization can’t wait! By Frente Independentista Puertorriqueño Message to the U.N. from Puerto Rican In this historic moment, the collapse of the land, their collective intellect, their human capi- Independence Organizations imperialist colonial economic model is self-ev- tal potential, and all with a wise policy of respect ident — a failed model sustained by excessive for the environment and its natural limits. Honorable Keisha Aniya McGuire public indebtedness benefitting the interests of The organizations of the Puerto Rican Na- President, U.N. Decolonization Committee financial vultures — leading to disastrous eco- tional Liberation movement work from different Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador nomic outcomes and without a national economic theaters to establish a new country — we know Permanent Mission of Grenada to the U.N. development plan for production; an economy how to create a representative power block that Today, June 14, 2020, on behalf of the organi- based mainly on the importation of goods from arises from all the collective outrage, and we will zations of the National Liberation Movement of the imperialist power, tax exemptions for large mobilize the forces of the people to confront and Puerto Rico and signatories of this declaration, foreign corporations and capital, promotion of defeat the oppressor by all necessary means. An we respectfully communicate to the honorable mass emigration of our population, dismantling important component in our process of decol- members of the U.N. Decolonization Committee of the country’s public educational system, pri- onization and national liberation is the support the urgency with which the colonial case of Puer- vatization of the health care system and the dis- from the international community. It is import- to Rico must be addressed as Puerto Rico remains mantling of civil and labor rights, all causing both ant that this Decolonization Committee and the under the imperialist rule of the United States. impoverishment and hunger in the population. U.N. General Assembly remain vigilant, listening Ever since the military invasion of Puerto Against all that abuse and domination, our to our complaints and enforcing the statutes that Rico on July 25, 1898, the strategies of colonial people have heroically struggled and resisted for declare colonialism an international crime and a rule have been implemented in accordance with the past 122 years. In confronting and fighting crime against humanity. the political-economic-strategic needs of the colonialism, we see its impact on the lives of our Due to the aforementioned, we request that the imperial power elites in Washington and to the people, which is exponentially worsened when U.N. Decolonization Committee conduct its 2020 detriment of the collective social welfare of the we confront forces of nature such as hurricanes, hearing on the colonial case of Puerto Rico in Puerto Rican nation. earthquakes and pandemics, while lacking the whatever manner is deemed appropriate so that Our country has historically been subjected to political and sovereign power to open our borders our claims are heard on behalf of our Nation. the most repressive strategies and techniques to international solidarity for effective disaster Signatory Organizations in Puerto Rico response. of manipulation and social control, among · Comité de Solidaridad con Cuba de Puerto Rico which include: Additionally, the parasitic and corrupt elites · Frente Socialista de Puerto Rico a) A direct military government. in control of the colonial government apparatus dedicate themselves to the looting of public funds · Jornada Se Acabaron las Promesas b) Imposition of the English language in the edu- and the material infrastructure of the country. · Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño cation system. Furthermore, our people have been subjected to · Partido Revolucionario de l@s Trabajador@s c) Persecution, jail and murders of men and the designs of a dictatorial Junta that constitutes Puertorriqueñ@s - PRTP-Macheteros women who confront and resist colonialism. the de facto government serving finance capi- d) Imposition of an economic model akin to loot- tal and imposed by forces of the imperial power · Movimiento Independentista Nacional Hostosiano ing by the imperial power in Washington. stemming from Washington. · Movimiento Ñin Negrón. e) Compulsory military service so that our young Against all this repression, the Puerto Rican Signatory organizations in the diaspora people continue to fight and resist. In the sum- people die in unjust U.S. wars. Frente Independentista Boricua and it’s members: mer of 2019, we wrote a glorious page in both f) Imposition of massive sterilization of Puerto national and international history, shaking off a · Comités de la Resistencia Boricua Rican women. puppet and corrupt governor who was forced to · El Grito g) Promotion of the mass exodus of our people. resign through the actions of a militant and in- · Friends of Puerto Rico Initiative dignant people. However, the unfinished agenda h) Abuse and plunder of our natural resources. · Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño de NY i) Militarization of our national territory. that raises the need to break the empire-colony relationship remains. The time has come to allow · Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico j) Exploitation of our land and seas by using space for that new Puerto Rico, bidding to be (Juntas NY y NJ) radioactive uranium dumps that have claimed born, to see the light and to flourish. · (PRTP-Macheteros) the lives of hundreds of Puerto Ricans because In the process of struggle and resistance, our · Puerto Ricans in Minnesota of their carcinogenic effects. people are discovering their capacity to bring · Puerto Rico Me Llama k) Imposition of a dictatorial board (called the about change, their right to have control over fiscal control board) which imposes measures their own destiny, their possibilities of building · Unión Patriótica Boricua (Florida Central) contrary to the well-being of our people and de- the foundations of a diversified national econ- · Virtual Boricua teriorates rights achieved by our working class. omy, their proper and most efficient use of our Source: ElFrentePR.org

Organizaciones puertorriqueñas: Por Frente Independentista Puertorriqueño ¡La descolonización no puede esperar! diversificada, uso adecuado de sus tierras, la in- Organizaciones firmantes en Puerto Rico Continua de página 12 teligencia colectiva, el potencial de sus recursos · Comité de Solidaridad con Cuba de Puerto Rico para decidir quienes entran y salen de nuestro humanos y naturales, con una sabia política de · Frente Socialista de Puerto Rico respeto a los limites ambientales y naturales. territorio, sin control político-jurídico-económi- · Jornada Se Acabaron las Promesas co efectivo. Las organizaciones del movimiento de Libe- · Movimiento Independentista Nacional Las elites parasitarias y corruptas en control ración Nacional Puertorriqueño que trabajamos Hostosiano del aparato de gobierno colonial se dedican al desde diferentes frentes para construir un nuevo saqueo de fondos públicos y la infraestructu- país, sabremos articular un bloque de poder que · Movimiento Ñin Negrón. ra material del país. Sometido nuestro pueblo, surja de toda la indignación colectiva y las fuerzas · Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño además, a los designios de una Junta dictatorial del pueblo para enfrentarles y derrotarlos en to- · Partido Revolucionario de l@s Trabajador@s que constituye el gobierno de facto del capital fi- dos los terrenos, por todos los medios necesarios. Puertorriqueñ@s - PRTP-Macheteros nanciero, impuesto por fuerza del poder imperial Un componente importante en nuestro pro- Organizaciones firmantes en la Diáspora ceso de descolonización y liberación nacional de Washington. Frente Independentista Boricua y sus miembros: El pueblo boricua está en pie de lucha y resiste. es el apoyo de la comunidad internacional. Es · Comités de la Resistencia Boricua En el verano de 2019 escribió una gloriosa página importante que este Comité de Descolonización en la historia nacional, al sacudirse de un gober- y la Asamblea General de la ONU se mantengan · El Grito nador títere y corrupto, obligado a renunciar por vigilantes, escuchando nuestras denuncias de · Friends of Puerto Rico Initiative medio de la acción del pueblo militante e indig- pueblo, expresándose, haciendo valer los estat- · Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño de NY nado. Quedando sin embargo la agenda inconclu- utos que declaran el colonialismo como delito · Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico sa que plantea la necesidad de romper la relación internacional y crimen contra la humanidad. (Juntas NY y NJ) imperio-colonia, para dar espacio a que ese nue- Por lo antes expresado le solicitamos al Comi- · (PRTP-Macheteros) vo Puerto Rico, que puja por nacer, vea la luz. té de Descolonización de la ONU a que este año · Puerto Ricans in Minnesota En el proceso de lucha y resistencia nuestro 2020, continúen efectuando las vistas sobre el · Puerto Rico Me Llama pueblo se va encontrando con su propia capaci- caso colonial de Puerto Rico, sean estas virtuales, dad de producir cambios, de su derecho a tener presenciales o de la manera que estimen perti- · Unión Patriótica Boricua (Florida Central) control sobre su destino, de sus posibilidades de nentes para que se escuche los reclamos libertar- · Virtual Boricua construir las bases de una economía nacional ios de nuestra Nación. Fuente: ElFrentePR.org Recordando a Stonewall, ¡Unámonos contra el terror policial!

Mensaje del Partido de Socialismo Unido y, en manifestaciones dramáticas de solidaridad bien remunerados para todos. Merecen la atención internacional en todo el mundo. especial de todos los que buscan un mundo justo el Los activistas LGBTQ2S están trabajando fuer- llamado a la compensación por la esclavitud y el brazando el significado auténtico del temente para organizar muchas de estas acciones reconocimiento del estatus colonial “settlers” de “espíritu de Stonewall”, el año pasado antirracistas y anti policía. Los ajustes necesarios los Estados Unidos en tierras indígenas. en la ciudad de Nueva York, la Coalición por la pandemia de coronavirus han hecho que la El movimiento de liberación LGBTQ2S y el A‘Reclaim Pride’ (Recobrando el Orgullo Gay) or- organización del Orgullo Gay sea más difícil, pero movimiento de liberación Negra son aliados na- ganizó una enorme marcha, militante, multina- el movimiento no se desalienta. En San Diego, por turales. Ambos nacieron de la misma furia. Am- cional, multi género y multigeneracional dirigida ejemplo, que tiene una gran marcha del Orgullo bos comenzaron como una rebelión contra la por jóvenes que reclamaban la esencia rebelde del Gay cada mes de julio, la marcha misma ha sido brutalidad policial continua en una comunidad levantamiento de 1969 fuera del Stonewall Inn en cancelada para proteger a la comunidad del con- oprimida. el vecindario de Greenwich Village. tagio. Pero, en un acto significativo de solidaridad En un voto de 6-3, la Corte Suprema acaba de Al demostrar el alto nivel de conciencia política con el levantamiento liderado por el pueblo ne- dictaminar que las personas LGBTQ2S están cu- que existe dentro de las comunidades LGBTQ2S gro contra la violencia policial, los organizadores biertas por las protecciones de los Derechos Civi- y sus organizaciones, las demandas de los man- locales del Orgullo han anunciado la prohibición les contra el despido. Esta es una gran victoria y ifestantes de Reclaim Pride reflejaron no sólo de la participación de “fuerzas de seguridad del no es casualidad que dos jueces de derecha romp- cuestiones de preocupación inmediata para esas estado” en todas las actividades del Orgullo. ieran con Trump sobre este tema en este momen- mismas comunidades, en particular, la violen- ¡Solidaridad! Como debería ser ahora, el enfoque to. Es por la rebelión liderada por el pueblo negro. cia continua contra las personas trans, especial- de las personas revolucionarias decentes en todo ¡La lucha de los más oprimidos eleva las luchas de mente las mujeres trans de color, sino también las el mundo es evitar que la policía asesina racista toda la clase trabajadora! políticas imperialistas militaristas de los Estados de los Estados Unidos asesine a personas de color. El Socialist Unity Party/Partido de Socialis- Unidos, como los intentos en curso de derrocar Pero esa lucha también plantea cuestiones básicas mo Unido saluda la creciente unidad entre las al gobierno pro-socialista democráticamente de injusticia racial y de clase: la necesidad de ed- comunidades LGBTQ2S y el movimiento Black elegido de Venezuela. ucación gratuita de grados primarios a universi- Lives Matter. El objetivo de abolir las injusticias Y ahora, un año después, ese mismo alto nivel dad para todos; atención médica de calidad gratu- económicas, políticas y sociales que afectan al de conciencia es visible en las magníficas movi- ita, cuya falta ha sido expuesta por el alto nivel de mundo capitalista sólo puede superarse si se con- lizaciones masivas de jóvenes contra el racismo muertes por COVID-19 entre las personas negras y tinúan construyendo estos puentes inspiradores y sus aliados en todos los rincones de este país marrones; vivienda digna y el derecho a trabajos de solidaridad y lucha. ₪

Organizaciones puertorriqueñas: Por Frente Independentista Puertorriqueño ¡La descolonización no puede esperar!

Mensaje a la ONU de Organizaciones Independentistas Puertorriqueñas Honorable Si. Keisha Aniya McGuire Presidenta, Comité de Descolonización de la ONU Embajadora Extraordinaria y Plenipotenciaria Misión Permanente de Granada en la ONU Hoy 14 de junio del 2020, a nombre de las orga- nizaciones del Movimiento de Liberación Nacio- nal de Puerto Rico, firmantes de esta declaración, le comunicamos respetuosamente al honorable Comité de Descolonización de la ONU, que es urgente que se atienda el caso colonial de Puerto Rico, que permanece bajo el dominio imperialista de los Estados Unidos. A partir de la invasión militar del 25 de julio de 1898, las estrategias de dominio colonial se han ido articulando de acuerdo con las necesidades político-económicas-estratégicas de las elites del poder imperial en Washington, en perjuicio del bienestar social colectivo de nuestra nación puertorriqueña. Nuestro país, históricamente ha sido someti- do a las más diversas estrategias y técnicas de manipulación y control social, entre las cuales podemos mencionar: a) Gobierno militar directo. FOTO: FRENTE INDEPENDENTISTA PUERTORRIQUEÑO b) Imposición del idioma inglés en el sistema de da de control fiscal) la cual impone medidas to acelerado y hambre en la población. enseñanza. contrarias al bienestar de nuestro pueblo y Contra todo ese andamiaje de abuso y domi- c) Persecución, cárcel y asesinatos de hombres y deroga derechos alcanzados por nuestra clase nación, nuestro pueblo ha luchado heroicamente mujeres que se enfrentan y resisten al colo- trabajadora. durante los pasados 122 años. Al enfrentar y nialismo. En el presente momento histórico se hace luchar contra el colonialismo vemos su impacto d) Imposición de un modelo económico de evidente el colapso del modelo económico co- en la vida de nuestra gente, que se dramatiza ex- saqueo, al servicio de los intereses del poder lonial, sustentado en el endeudamiento público ponencialmente cuando confrontamos fuerzas de imperial en Washington. desmedido, sometido a los intereses del capital la naturaleza como huracanes, terremotos y pan- e) Servicio militar obligatorio para que nuestros financiero; sin un plan de desarrollo económico demias, sin poderes políticos para abrir nuestras jóvenes mueran en guerras ajenas. nacional de producción, basado principalmente fronteras a la solidaridad internacional, sin poder en la importación de bienes, exenciones contrib- f) Imposición de esterilización masiva de mu- utivas al gran capital extranjero, fomento de la Continua a página 11 jeres puertorriqueñas. emigración masiva de la g) Fomento del éxodo masivo de nuestra gente. población, así como el des- h) Abuso y saqueo de nuestros recursos naturales. mantelamiento acelerado del i) Militarización de nuestro territorio nacional. sistema educativo del país, j) Uso de nuestros suelos y mares para practicas la privatización del siste- con artefactos y bombas de uranio radiacti- ma de salud, el desman- vo que cobro la vida de cientos de puertor- telamiento de derechos riqueños/as por sus efectos cancerígenos. civiles y laborales, gen- k) Imposición de una junta dictatorial (llama- erando un empobrecimien- Vol. 3, No. 12 June 22, 2020 Vol. 3, Núm. 12 22 de junio de 2020