• AUSTRALIA$2.00 • BELGIUM BF60 • CANADA$2.00 • FRANCE FF10 • ICELAND Kr150 • NEW ZEALAND $2.50 • SWEDEN Kr10 • UK £1.00 • U.S. $1 .50 INSIDE Opponents of Mark Curtis step up campaign in Des Moines THE .:..... PAGES 8-9 A SOCIALIS T NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTER ESTS OF WORK IN G PEOPLE VOL. 56/ NO. 13 APRIL 3. 1992

End U.S. war threats! s.Afrl_ca . . d. d vote vzctory says SOCia 1ISt can I ate for anti-

BY GREG McCARTAN NEW YORK-Socialist Work:ers Party ~ apartheid candidate Ed Warren got off to a quick start here this week in his campaign for U.S. Senate. struggle Following a March 16 press conference announcing his electoral bid, Warren was interviewed on three of the city's major radio BY DEREK BRACEY stations, WBAI, WLm, and WKRS. He at­ AND GREG McCARTAN tended the trial of five cops charged with the In a victory for the struggle to bring an murder ofa Puerto Rican youth, then boarded end to white minority rule in South Africa, a train for Peoria, Illinois, where he took part white South Africans voted by a more than in the March 22 rally to support the United 2-1 ratio in favor of moving ahead to scrap Auto Workers' strike against Caterpillar. apartheid and institute a government based "I call on Washington to end its rapid on one person, one vote. moves toward war against the people of Iraq, "Today is a great day for my country, Libya, and Korea," he said in response to a especially for the young people," Anna question on radio station WUB about his Breytenbach, a 23-year-old white South Af­ campaign platform. "None of my opponents rican, told the press. "Our generation believes nor any of the members of the Democratic that apartheid was immoral. The older gen­ and Republican parties have said one word eration merely believed it was unworkable. against these new plans for imperialist ag­ That is a big difference, and that is why I gression abroad. think the young of South Africa will lead the "In addition to their agreement on domes­ country to true racial reconciliation." tic policy," he told the talk show host, "this Approximately 2.8 million votes were cast fact shows that work:ing people and youth in the March 17 referendum, one of the need a socialist alternative to the twin parties W..Shington is threatening to launch military actions against Iraq, Korea, and Libya. largest turnouts in the country's history. The Continued on Page 2 None of the Democrats and Republicans have opposed these new plans for aggression. question on the ballot was: "Do you support the reform process begun by the State Pres­ ident on February 2, 1990, and which is aimed at reaching a new constitution through negotiation?" About 1.9 million, or 69 per­ Mass rally backs Caterpillar strike cent, voted "yes." Feb. 2, 1990, is the date when the African BY PRISCILLA SCHENK came in buses organized by their unions and company's plants in central Dlinois. Cater­ National Congress and other organizations PEORIA, illinois -Thousands of union­ in car caravans from all over the Midwest, pillar is the world's largest manufacturer of fighting apartheid were unbanned. ANC ists gathered here March 22 in a resounding filling the Peoria Civic Center. Many had to earth-moving equipment. president Nelson Mandela was released from show of solidarity for the United Auto Work:­ watch the rally by closed-circuit television On a bus from Des Moines to the Peoria nearly 30 years of imprisonment one week ers union on strike against the giant Cater­ in the exhibit hall. rally, UAW president John Sheldaho, from later. The regime later lifted a series of laws pillar company. Estimates on the rally size About 10,800 out of 16,000 UAW mem­ Local 450 at John Deere Co., explained that used to suppress the struggle against apart­ ranged from 15,000 to 20,000. Participants bers at Caterpillar are on strike at the this strike " really has a bearing on us. They're heid. trying to pit one plant against the other. Who­ South African president F. W. de Klerk: had ever will take the most concessions, they'll introduced the referendum and campaigned Rally to launch try it on the next one. What's number one for for a "yes" vote. He heartily welcomed the us is solidarity. Hopefully today's rally will endorsement of his government's decision to show the kind of support this strike has." open negotiations with all political parties, a Socialist Workers 1992 The rally began with announcements from process begun in December under the name hundreds of union locals contributing food Convention for a Democratic South Africa Presidential Campaign and money to the strikers. Among the largest (CODESA). delegations were UAW members from John "Today," he said at a rally of supporters Hear: Deere. They announced they had collected outside the parliament in Cape Town, "we James Warren, candidate for U.S. President $47,000atplantgates for the UAW's Adopt­ have closed the books on apartheid." A.-Striker Fund. Unionists from Minnesota Estelle DeBates, candidate for Vice-President to Florida and from Iowa to Pennsylvania Hailed by democratic movement took the microphone to announce contribu­ The overwhelming approval was hailed Sunday, March 29, 1:30 p.m. tions to support the strike. Delegations in­ by the revolutionary democratic movement cluded veterans of strike battles. Members of in South Africa and its supporters around the New York City the United Mine Work:ers of America from world as well. Days Inn 440 W . 57 St. The lllinois, Indialla, and West Vtrginia were In an ABC News " Nightline" interview, between 9th and 1Oth Ave Militant there. 'They tried this union busting at Ted Koppel asked Mandela if he "ever (Manhattan 59th St. Columbus Circle stop Pittston Coal," a coal miner said, "but we dreamed it possible some 20-odd years ago, on the A,B,C,D, and 1 trains) Labor stopped them there and we 'II stop them here." when you were a political prisoner on Forum At the front of the civic center a banner Robben Island," that white South Africans Admission: $5. Continued on Page 6 Continued on Page S Unemployed and students $2.50 presents For more information call (212) 675-6740 'Militant' supporters to launch 9-week Paid for by Socialist Buchananism: Workers 1992 campaign international subscription drive April4

What it is BY BRIAN WILLIAMS provideawork:ing-classanswertothedriveon Supporters of the Militant are launching a the part of the ruling rich toward new wars, and how to fight it nine-week international subscription drive worldwide depression, and increased attacks Hear: beginning April 4 to win 3,600 new readers. on the rights and living standards of work:ing We appeal to all our readers to join in this people. Jack Barnes, national secretary effort. At the center of the drive will be spreading Socialist Workers Party The drive, which will run through June the word of the Socialist Work:ers Party elec­ 5, also includes selling 750 subscriptions to tion campaign of James Warren for President Saturday, March 28, 7:30p.m. the Spanish-language monthly Perspectiva and Estelle DeBates for Vtce-President of the Mundia/; 200 to the French quarterly United States, as well as the dozens of local New York City L' internationaliste; and I ,450 copies of the SWP election campaigns being run through­ Marxist theoretical magazines New Inter­ out the country. Pub I ic School 41 116 W. 11 th St. Manhattan (near 6th Ave.) national, Nueva lnternacional, and Nou­ These candidates are the socialist alterna­ Admission: $5. Unemployed and students $2.50 velle lnternationale. All totalled, supporters tive to the dead-end anti-working-class solu­ For more information call (212) 727-8421 aim to win 6,000 new readers for these tions put forward by capitalist politicians publications. today. Work:ing people and youth will be Militant supporters will use the effort to Continued on Page 14 Socialist Workers candidate calls for halt to U.S. threats against Iraq, Korea, Libya

Continued from front page world - bring your troops, warships, nu­ of war, racism, and economic depression. We clear weapons, bombers, and hit squads urge young people, unionists, working farm­ home now," he said during the hour-long talk ers, students, and others to join with the show on WLIB. socialist candidates in this fight." "At the center of the drive to war is the Warren, a packinghouse worker and mem­ sharpening world economic crisis. U.S. im­ ber of the United Food and Commercial perialism is facing stiff economic competi­ Workers union said the war moves include tion from its Japanese and German rivals," the following: he said. "It hopes to use its military might to • Along with the government of its own advantage, to compensate for its France, Washington urged all U.S. citi­ declining power." zens to leave Libya immediately. London, Paris, and Washington are tightening an Attends trial of cops embargo of the country by seeking United Warren also attended the trial of five New Nations Security Council approval for York City cops charged with the murder of suspension of air travel, a ban on arms Federico Pereira, a 2 1-year-old Puerto Rican. sales, and other steps. In February 1991 Pereira was sleeping in a "These moves are done under guise of car with the light on inside. Five cops grabbed Libya's refusal to tum over to the U.S. the youth, threw him to the ground. hand­ 'justice' system two citizens of Libya cuffed and beat him, hog-tied him, then Washington accuses of bombing a jetliner choked him in a "camel-clutch" choke hold. in 1988," Warren said. "As in the case of Pereira was dead within minutes. Iraq, U.S. imperialism wants to establish While cops and their supporters packed a government that will more readily do its the courtroom, Warren extended his solidar­ bidding. U.S. corporations want to do to ity to the mother of the victim and her family. the people of Libya what they do to work­ "Our campaign calls for the prosecution ing people at home-deepen their ex­ and jailing of the cops who murdered ploitation and oppression in order to Federico," he said fo llowing the hearing. bolster company profits." 'The brutality they mete out to working • Claiming the right to bomb North people - especially Blacks, Latinos, and Korea because it is supposedly building a other members of oppressed nationalities - nuclear weapon, Washington is preparing is the flip side of the organized violence of the political ground for an attack on that the ruling rich against peoples around the country. Citing unnamed high-level world." sources, a New York Times article says Noting the large and well-organized tum­ that while a "full scale crisis is [not] Im­ out by supporters of the five officers, the minent," the situation "could change socialist candidate said "such mobilizations quickly . . . if any evidence emerges that are one face of incipient fascism. Along with New York Socialist W>rkers candidate Ed W..rren explained, "The brutality they mete North Korea has begun to produce weap­ Republican presidential candidate Patrick out to working people is the flip side of the organized violence of the ruling rich against ons-grade plutonium." Agreement by the Buchanan, street mobilizations to shut down peoples around the world." North Korean government late last week abortion clinics, and organizations like the to allow inspection of its nuclear facilities White Student Union in Minnesota, the ac­ by June undercut this campaign some­ tions by the cops are a product of the working class who are subject to the worst Wilder in Virginia, Supreme Court Justice what, Warren noted, but the threats re­ rightward direction of the Democratic and pay and jobs and who are put outside pro­ Clarence Thomas, New York Mayor David main. Republican parties. tection of the Bill of Rights." Dinkins, and others don't represent us - • U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers were sta­ "The cops no longer just beat you, they This drive also aims at clouding over the they attack us, sometimes with more ven­ tioned in Britain in early March. Meanwhile, get political when you protest their brutality. fact that it is the economic and social system geance than those politicians who are white. the Pentagon has also delivered a detailed They justify their actions, stating the cops are of capitalism that is the root cause of the These politicians and judges try to advance plan to President George Bush for bombing needed to protect the population against crises working people face today, the sena­ the interests of the wealthy class they are Iraq. More warships and aircraft carriers have 'criminal elements'- usually meaning torial candidate said. "As in earlier times of either a part of or hope to serve. They want been moved to the Mideast as well. The youth, Blacks, and working people," Warren great crises of capitalism, the only solution to get away from the vast majority of the Pentagon openly states an initial military said. ''They tum the victims of capitalism the wealthy rulers have is world war, brutal­ Black population, who are workers. strike will include the use of cruise missiles into the criminals." ization of workers at home, and curtailment "Sharpton's participation in some small launched from submarines, F- 11 7 Stealth But as the Pereira case illustrates, police of hard-won rights." protest activities doesn't make him funda­ bombers and other warplanes, and the B-52s. do not "serve and protect" but organize daily mentally any different from other Demo­ "As with Korea, Washington justifies violence in order to intimidate and send a No support to Democrats, Republicans cratic Party politicians. He seeks to do the bringingmoremassivedestruction,death,and warning to working people. They are a breed­ On the WLIB call-in talk show Warren same thing they all do -to get us to rely on hardship on the Iraqi people because Baghdad ing ground for fascist elements, he said. was criticized by several people for running him to solve the problems capitalism has is building a nuclear bomb," the socialist "Patrick Buchanan's demagogy and his against AI Sharpton. A high-profile preacher visited upon us. We can't rely on anyone but candidate said. "The U.S. government is the attempt to make scapegoats of immigrant who is Black, Sharpton is running in the ourselves, our capacity to be political people only government in the world to have used workers, Jews, and others gives the cops and Democratic primaries. who are part of the world, and our ability to these weapons against humanity. It currently their likes political cover for their action," "I stand on what Malcolm X taught us: wage tremendous struggles that can change has them stationed around the world for use Warren said outside the courtroom. 'They that neither the Democratic nor Republican the world." in threatening peoples who rise up and say hope to define who is •American' and who parties represent our interests and that both Before leaving for Peoria, Warren ex­ 'enough' to the economic and social catastro­ is not They seek to divide and weaken the have sold us out," Warren said. "Malcolm plained he would be attending an abortion phe capitalism has brought upon us. ability of working people to organize a fight called the Republicans the wolves and the rights rally in Buffalo, New York, April 11. "We call on Washington to get out of the by creating whole pariah sections of the Democrats the foxes. By that he meant that The action is planned to build support for while one tries to curry favor with working protests against Operation Rescue mobiliza­ ,------The Militant LAbor Forum Presents------, people and the other is more openly probusi­ tions at clinics in the city April20. On March ness, both represent interests opposite from 31 he will be going with campaign support­ ours." ers to a protest against tuition hikes planned Cuba 1992: Meeting the Challenges The Black population is class-divided, the at City University of New York campuses. Confronting the Revolution candidate said, with a wealthy layer that is He encouraged everyone, especially young removed from the working class. "Governor people, to join him in the actions. Hear: bank. to above address. By fmH:lass (air­ Mary-Alice Waters The Militant mail), send $80. Asia: send $80 drawn on a Closing news date: March 23, 1992 U.S. bank to 410 West St, New York, NY National Committee 10014. Canada: send Canadian $75 for one­ Editor: GREG McCARTAN year subscription to Societe d'Editions AGPP, member of Socialist Managing &titor: GEORGE BUCHANAN C.P. 340, succ. R, Montreal, Quebec H2S Workers Party, editor of Business Manager: Brian Williams 3M2. Britain, Ireland, Africa: £35 for one Editorial Staff: Derek Bracey, Estelle De­ year by check or international money order 'New International.' Just Bates, Seth Galinsky, Martin Koppel, Paul made out to Militant Distribution, 47 The Cut, returned from l 0-day Mailhot, Argiris Malapanis, Brian Williams. London, SE I 8LL, England. Continental Eu­ reporting trip to Cuba for Published weekly except for next to last week rope: £50 for one year by check or interna­ in December and biweekly from mid-June to tional money order made out to Militant the 'Militant.' mid-August by the Militant (ISSN 0026- Distribution at above address. Iceland: Send 3885), 410 West St., New York, NY 10014. 4,000 Icelandic kronur for one-year subscrip­ Telephone: (2 12) 243-6392: Fax (212) 727- tion to Militant, P.O. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. 0150; Telex, 497-4278. Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark: 400 NEW YORK Pacific edition printed in Wanganui, New Swedish kroner for one year. Pay to Militant PHILADELPHIA Zealand, by Wanganui Newspapers, Limited. Swedish giro no. 451-32-09-9. New Zea.land: Fri., April 3 Correspondence concerning subscrip­ Send New Zealand $90 to P.O. Box 3025, Sat., April 18 tions or changes of address should be ad­ Auckland, New Zealand. Australia: Send 7:30 p.m. dressed to The Militant Business Office, Australian $75 to P.O. Box 79, Railway 7:30p.m. 410 West St., New York, NY 10014. Square Post Office, Railway Square, Sydney 19 1 7th Ave., Manhattan Second-class postage paid at New York, 2000. Australia. Philippines, Pacific Islands: (at 2 1st Street) 1906 South St. NY, and at additional mailing offices. POST· Send Australian $75 or New Zealand $100 to Donation: $5 Donation: $5 MASTER: Send address changes to the Mili­ P.O. Box 3025, Auckland, New Zealand. tant, 410 West St., New York, NY 10014. Signed articles by contributors do not nec­ for more information For more information Subscriptions: U.S., Latin America: for one­ essarily represent the Militant's views. These call (212) 727-8421 call (215) 546-8218 year subscription send $45, drawn on a U.S. are expressed in 'editorials.

2 The Militant April 3, 1992 Pro-choice group denied campus recognition

BY ESTELLE DeBATES hierarchy. Cardinal Law strongly objected to On February 19, the administration of the meeting, saying that providing a forum Boston College denied recognition to for someone who supported women's access Voice for Choice, a 50-member student to abortion was inappropriate for a Catholic group that defends a woman's right to university. choose abortion. Frances Kissling, president of Catholics The Jesuit-run university issued a state­ for a Free Choice, said that since 1989 abor­ ment saying it denied recognition because to tion-rights groups have increased their organ­ recognize a group whose "fundamental izing at Catholic universities. Attempts to premise is to be supportive of the moral deny these groups a place on campus "only acceptability of abortion is not compatible strengthen the resolve of students to stay with the reverence for life that this University involved," says Kissling. "It becomes then espouses." not just an issue of abortion; it becomes a The Pro-Life Coalition, an antiabortion larger issue of students engaging in political group on campus, has received official activity and free inquiry." recognition and funds from the college. Voices for Choice activists have been cir­ The group agreed with the administra­ culating a petition in support of their recog­ tion's decision to deny recognition for nition among faculty and students, and or­ Voice for Choice, stating that the question ganizing a protest letter campaign addressing was not one of "just another view being the rights of students to engage in political represented on campus" but of an illegit­ activity and free inquiry. They are also or­ imate view that supports "the destruction ganizing buses to the AprilS march on Wash­ of human life." ington, D.C., to defend abortion rights. The decision puts Boston College in line with other Jesuit universities including Julie Canty and Lisa Boehmerfrom the Bos­ Fordham, Georgetown, and San Francisco, ton Young Socialist Alliance contributed to Militant/Dennis Chambers where pro-choice student organizations have this article. Students from Loyola, a Catholic school, on November 1991 Chicago march. been denied recognition, but have received limited rights, including the use of campus facilities for meetings. Last spring, when Boston College facili­ ties were used to sponsor a meeting for Faye King not called as witness in cop trial Wattleton from Planned Parenthood, the campus came into conflict with the church BY HARRY RING Jose de Sosa, head of the NAACP in Even the "bare bones" prosecution presen­ LOS ANGELES - The prosecution de­ neighboring Ventura County where the trial tation had been damning for the cops. All cision not to call Rodney King as a witness is being held, said he wondered if the pros­ four are charged with felony assault. Two against the four cops who beat him evoked ecution "is doing enough" to present its case face additional charges of filing false reports. an initial response of surprise and dismay. effectively. Antonio Manda, the doctor who treated King 's lawyer, Steven Lerman tried to put A legal commentator for one TV station King at the emergency room described the March for Women's Lives the best face on the prosecution decision. On spoke of the "bare bones" character of the lacerations on King's face and scalp. These TV, he said King was prepared to take the prosecution case. required some 20 stitches, including several witness stand but his testimony was not key This consisted mainly of the widely to close up a wound inside his mouth. to the trial. viewed video of the beating of King, and He added that King suffered bruises over He also speculated that King might be testimony from various expert witnesses, his entire body. Later X-rays show that his called by the prosecution as a rebuttal wit­ cops, and several nurses and doctors who had ankle had been fractured. WeWotlt ness, or perhaps by the defense as a hostile treated King afterward. Contrary to the initial cop story that King defense witness. Not one of the bystanders who witnessed had been "out of control" under the influence Asked how King felt about not being asked the beating was called to testify. of PCP and alcohol, Manda, an emergency to testify, he responded that King, understand­ Attorney Lerman said he had offered the room specialist, testified that King was not ably, had not looked forward to taking the prosecution as many as 50 names of eye­ under the influence of PCP. A later urinalysis Go+MMifiij!M+ Back! stand but was ready to do so. Pressed further, witnesses who could have taken the stand. confirmed this. Lerman added, "He was a little let down." When the prosecution completed its case, Manda added that he also did not think King's aunt, Angela King, who has been defense lawyers made motions to throw the King was drunk. When a defense lawyer Abortion Ricllts & attending the trial regularly, indicated dismay case out for lack of evidence. argued that a blood test showed that he was, in a few brief remarks to a TV interviewer. · Presiding judge Stanley Weisberg rejected the doctor shrugged and responded, 'That's Reproductive Freedom Asked why her nephew had not been called, these motions, indicating that the videotape a legal definition." A,k02kk11k'am11WJ'I...w A ~~Orpn.u-blAOat.& she replied, "I have no idea. I was surprised alone was sufficient evidence to proceed with Lawrence Davis, head nurse at the emer­ PA:ip.GlJ:t~ tO •w~ 'V •' . o~ ...... myself." the case. gency room, testified that when King was trundled in on a gurney, he was resisting the handcuffs and restraints that shackled him. But he was lucid and cooperative. Pittsburgh police gun down Black youth When the defense argued that King may have suffered his lacerations by scraping his face on the ground, nurse Davis responded and Dixon started to walk away, the cops When the ambulance came, it rushed the BY MATILDE ZIMMERMAN there was no evidence of dirt or gravel in the jumped out, at least one with his gun pulled, cop whose shirt had been shot to the emer­ PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania- A wounds. coroner's inquest into the police shooting of threw McClendon against the car, and gency room and left Dixon's body lying in a Davis described how the two defendants a young Black man in the Pittsburgh suburb stopped Dixon. pool of blood on the sidewalk. who accompanied King to the hospital had of Wilkinsburg has resulted in a hung jury Hopp testified that he told Dixon several A forensic pathologist and a ballistic ex­ mocked and taunted him as he lay strapped on the question of whether police officer times to take his hands out of his pockets, pert testified at the inquest that, in addition on the gurney. Michael Hopp should face criminal charges. and that when Dixon took out his left hand to the four bullets from Hopp's gun that Learning that King worked at Dodger Sta­ The Police Chief's first version of the he had a small pistol in it. Hopp said he heard Dixon took in the torso. he was also shot dium, Laurence Powell said, "Did you see February 21 shooting of Duwayne Dixon, Dixon say the words "it's empty." Hopp's once in the head at close range with a small­ the game we played tonight. ... We played 26, bore no relationship to the facts that came partner Thomas Kocon began hitting Dixon caliber bullet from the gun the police claim hard ball.... We hit quite a few home runs." out at a March 9 public inquest. News reports in the head with his pistol, and the two cops Dixon was carrying. The daily newspaper The nurse said King responded, "You guys the night of the shooting and next morning wrestled Dixon to the ground. Hopp said he and television news have reported that Dixon said a police officer's life had been saved by then heard what he though was a gunshot, shot himself in the head, although there was did have a pretty good game tonight." his bulletproof vest when a "drug suspect" and pumped four bullets into Dixon's chest. no evidence presented at the inquest about Stacey Koon, the sergeant who had taken opened fire on him, and that the drug suspect "We're trained to shoot center man," the cop who fired that shot. A number of neighbors charge of the beating of King, experienced a died in the shootout. told the crowded courtroom. testified that they heard additional shots sev­ legal blow when his commanding officer According to the cops' own testimony at Contrary to initial reports, Kocon was eral minutes after the original burst of gun­ testified that Koon had initially reported the inquest, Dixon and his friend Leroy Mc­ never shot at all and his bulletproof vest was fire, after backup police vehicles had arrived. to him that King had suffered "minor injuries Clendon were just standing on a street comer completely undamaged. A loose shirt Kocon The pathologist said only that the chest ... a split lip when he hit the pavement." at about 8:30 p.m. Friday when three cops in was wearing got caught between Hopp 's gun wounds and head wound were close together And Powell was set back when the judge an unmarked car pulled up and asked if they and Dixon's body in the scuffle and got in time, that it was impossible to determine refused to bar from evidence the notorious "were holding." When McClendon said "no" several bullet holes in it. which was first, and that either would have computer message he had sent from his patrol been fatal. car soon after the victimization of King. That The unusual public inquest was called message declared: Father victimized for lack of welfare aid for son because Dixon's family complained to the "I haven't beaten anyone this bad in a long press about inconsistencies between the cops' time." BY SETH GALINSKY for help, except for a small quantity of food initial story and the condition of Dixon's In a hopeless effort to undercut the impact While Democratic and Republican stamps. body. 'The courtroom was packed with rela­ of the message, Powell's lawyer argued that Party presidential hopefuls rail about wel­ Instead of offering more aid after the in­ tives, community representatives, cops, and "it shouldn't be taken at face value.... It's fare rip-offs and make promises about put­ cident came to light, the state charged Roupe the press. After a full day of testimony, the common for officers to engage in banter of ting an end to welfare, one recent incident with felony child neglect March 6. coroner's jury of six men and women delib­ this kind.... " highlights the plight of those forced to try According to an article from the Associ­ erated for several hours and declared itself Perhaps sensing what a fool he was mak­ to survive on welfare, and how the victims ated Press. the Department of Health and "hopelessly deadlocked" on whether the ing of himself, the lawyer dropped the argu­ get blamed for the situation they find Human Resources refused to comment on shooting was accidental, justifiable, involun­ ment in mid-sentence. themselves in. the case or on reports that Roupe had received tary manslaughter, or criminal homicide. The In presenting its case, the prosecution scru­ An 11-year-old boy's frostbitten feet had only $60 of food stamps two months ago. press has reported that one of the issues the pulously avoided any hint of the underlying to be amputated in early March. He had been Instead, a spokesperson said the department jurors were concerned about was whether the issue - the brutality and racism of the police living with his father in an abandoned bus in could take custody of the child away from police had any justification for stopping the department. a remote area of West Virginia. the father. two young men in the first place. Now Dis­ Reading a transcript of the proceedings, The father, Douglas Roupe, told authori­ The Roupe's only groceries when they trict Attorney Robert Colville is to decide you would never realite that Rodney King ties that the state's Department of Health and were found were bottles of ketchup and mus­ whether to bring criminal charges against is a Black man who was savagely beaten by Human Resources had refused his requests tard. Hopp. four white cops.

April 3, 1992 The Militant 3 Cuban-American journalist murdered in New York City

BY MARTIN KOPPEL Rico, including previously unpublished in­ The Puerto Rican Senate announced it will formation. One chapter was to be devoted to investigate whether the March 11 murder of the assassination of Carlos Muniz Varela, a a prominent Cuban-American journalist in young Cuban-born activist in Puerto Rico New York is related to his recent testimony who advocated normalization ofU.S.-Cuban s'tR... at Senate hearings. The hearings are focusing relations and who ran a travel agency that 1\t'.t'<*" -&' on the 1978 police assassination of two pro­ organized trips to Cuba. A death squad in­ independence activists in Puerto Rico. volving Cuban rightists and Puerto Rican _.0 &ri AU~ The journalist, Manuel de Dios Unanue, cops has been tied to his 1979 murder. In a t\,~N~\1 ' was also planning to publish documents phone interview Raul Alzaga, a colleague of he said tied right-wing Cuban terrorists to Mufiiz and now director of Muniz's travel death squad activities and police repres­ agency, said De Dios had recently requested sion against the Puerto Rican indepen­ his collaboration in obtaining documents on dence movement. Mufiiz's assassination. DeDios,fonnereditorofNewYork'smain A week before De Dios's murder, the Spanish-language daily, El DiariolLa Prensa, ultrarightist Miami-based magazine Cr6nica had testified February 27 at Senate subcom­ published a full-page article denouncing his testimony at the Cerro Maravilla hearings. Militant/Michael Pennock mittee hearings on the Cerro Maravilla case. St.riking transit workers on the picket line in Pittsburgh 1be case is named after a mountain where "It is shameful that a Cuban, a pro-Castroite, police ambushed and murdered two youths has the nerve to sit and testify against digni­ whoauthoritiesclaimed were terrorists trying fied figures in Puerto Rican politics who have to blow up communications towers. This of­ dedicated their lives to public service." Pittsburgh transit workers. strike ficial version was proven false, sparking an The magazine remarked ominously that ongoing scandal that has implicated top the journalist had visited Cuba and inter­ BYMUCHAELPENNOCK determined. Most workers do not expect Puerto Rico and U.S. officials in the planning viewed Cuban officials several years ago, PITTSBURGH - The 2,700 workers a long strike. and subsequent cover-up of the killings. "just as did Carlos Mufiiz Varela, who re­ who operate and maintain the buses, trol­ Many workers are upset with what they DeDios testified that former Puerto Rican ceived justice in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on leys, and subways of Port Authority (PAJ) see as PAT's refusal to bargain seriously. police chief Desiderio Cartagena had visited April 28, 1979, for allegedly being an agent here went on strike March 16. The union­ They point out that it was PAT that, in New York in 1978 just days before the Cerro of Cuban security." ists had been working without a contract 1986, got rid of the law which mandated since 1, 1991. Maravilla murders and told him in an inter­ De Dios was born in Cuba and raised in Dec. binding arbitration. The current law per­ view held at New York police headquarters Puerto Rico. In the late 1970s he was part of The vote to strike came at a spirited mits strikes. It also prohibits PAT from that a wave of terrorist attacks by proin­ the "Committee of75," a group of prominent meeting of Amalgamated Transit Union hiring replacement workers. dependence groups was about to take place Cuban-Americans who favored better U.S.­ Local 85 held the previous day. More than The media and government officials are on the island. The Senate hearings have Cuban relations. According to current El 95 percent voted to approve the strike, their blasting the striking union workers. Dem­ shown that in the late 1970s police and the Diario editor Fernando Moreno, De Dios first since 1976. ocratic P-arty county commissioner Tom FBI themselves carried out bombings that wrote several articles for the paper in 1978 The union demands center on a wage Foerster called the soike " the ultimate act they attributed to proindependence activists, on terrorist activities by the right-wing Cuban increase, continued•cost-of-li ving and of violence on a community." Media cov­ in a campaign to smear the independence exile group, Omega 7. He received numerous health-benefits protection, and an increase erage is dominated by the strike's effect movement as terrorist. death threats and EI Diorio's offices were in pensions. PAT management is seeking on business and the 285,000 daily riders. · In sworn testimony at the hearings, Car­ bombed by Omega 7 that year. concessions. According to workers on the There is almost no coverage of the strikers' tagena attempted to contradict De Dios and The journalist later left El Diario to start picket line the authority wants to institute views. The union plans to distribute post­ claimed he did not even know the journalist. two other magazines in which he denounced a two-tier wage system. cards to the public to send to PAT express­ drug traffickers in the New York area. The ing support for the union. But photographs showing the police official The five major work locations are pick­ local media has emphasized reports specu­ with DeDios at the time ofthe 1978 interview eted 24-hours-a-day by up to several dozen lating that De Dios was killed because of his Michael Pennock is a member of United were produced at the hearing, making it likely workers at each location. The mood is Steelworkers of America Local/196 . Cartagena-one of the key figures in the antidrug campaigning. planning and cover-up ofthe Cerro Maravilla events - will be indicted for peljury. The day after De Dios's murder, in the early morning, Puerto Rican radio station Debate erupts on North Carolina school plan WUNO received an anonymous phone call from a man identifying himself as a Cuban BY BRUCE KIMBALL ary 3. The election was held March I0. Prince's campaign said, "Without a mech­ who warned, "What happened to Unanue is GREENSBORO, North Carolina - A At a March 7 campaign program spon­ anism for promoting and ensuring deseg­ going to happen to Marco Rigau and Perez sharp debate broke out here in the election sored by the Militant Labor Forum, Prince regation, this proposal is little different Viera," referring to the Senate Judiciary for Guildford County School Board in a summarized how many others viewed this from the old idea of neighborhood schools. Committee chairman and the Senate inves­ discussion on a proposal caUed Schools of attack: "Our supporters took this issue to an Desegregation will require concrete, pos­ tigator conducting the hearings. Two more Choice. NAACP-sponsored vigil in Raleigh against itive action to become a reality." threatening calls were made to the radio Opponents of the Schools of Choice plan, the state's flying of the Confederate Flag, to The socialist campaign coincided with station that day and a similar one to Senator under which financing for each school would a hearing on the impact of budget cuts on budget cuts, lay-offs, homelessness and Rigau's office. be in proportion to the number of students children, to coworkers, and to the commu­ other setbacks to working people in North Days before his death, De Dios had told who "chose" to attend it, spoke at a public nity. Everywhere, people were outraged and Carolina. Around the time Prince an­ friends he was preparing a book documenting hearing held by the County Commission. saw the danger posed by remarks like this. r nounced his campaign, workers at Cone the Cerro Maravilla case and terrorist activ­ Some commissioners interrupted and at­ also raised this at a program for candidates Mills' Granite ,finishing plant in nearby ities by right-wing Cuban exiles in Puerto tacked opponents of the plan as they were March 5 that was televised." Haw River were told that nearly 300 of presenting their ideas. Schools ofChoice is a nationally discussed the 400-strong workforce would lose their Following this, at a commission meet­ idea that was heralded in President George jobs by the summer. ing on February 27, Commissioner Katie Bush's America 2000 Education System Prince's campaign issued a statement. Dorsett accused fellow commissioner plan, which he introduced about a year ago. pointing out that job losses in this area, Chuck Forrester of bullying speakers who The idea has also received strong support like those in the rest of the country, are a opposed the plan. Forrester replied that he among Democrats. result of a deepening economic crisis. had been intentionally rude to Socialist The goal of Schools of Choice is to Prince put forward a proposal for a shorter Workers Party supporters who criticized create a marketplace for education, where workweek with no cut in weekly pay, and the plan at the hearing. "As far as I'm schools survive or fail based on their abil­ fo r affirmative action for Blacks and concerned these people are scum," he said. ity to attract students. Plans vary, with women- those hurt the most by this cri­ "So yeah, I meant to be a little bit con­ some allowing students to choose private sis. "It's particularly ironic," Prince com­ frontational to the socialist pigs, but I'm and church-run schools. The one proposed mented, " that I'm working seven days a proud of that." for Guildford County is limited to existing week - 50 to 60 hours - and others are This comment, which was carried in the public facilities. being thrown out of their jobs due to a lack Greensboro News and Record, has caused a While the term implies that opportuni­ of work. It's one of the best examples of lot of discussion and protest in the commu­ ties will be expanded and that there will the chaotic, irrational nature of the capi­ nity. An editorial in the paper March 4 com­ be more freedom in education, it is really talist system." mented, " ... members of the public don't designed to undercut efforts to desegregate This statement was distributed wide ly have to pass an ideological litmus test in order schools, to weaken teachers • unions, to in the Greensboro area. It was particularly to address their concerns to elected represen­ disguise budget cuts, and to further privat­ well-received by workers at the Highland tatives. Even County Commissioners are ize education. Yarn Mill in High Point, where the com­ bound by the First Amendment's protection Supporters of Tony Prince joined others at pany has claimed victory in a union de­ of speech and petition." the County Commission's public hearing in certification drive. On election day Prince A letter printed by Tony Prince, SWP opposing the Schools of Choice plan. a nd his supporters campaigned at the candidate for the school board, the next day plant, distributing dozens of statements added: "It's an attack on the right of small Proposal will lead to resegregation and selling three issues of the Militant. Several workers wore stickers and buttons political parties - like the SWP-to func­ Rebecca Banks, pres ident of the for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile tion, and an attempt to narrow down who is Greensboro chapter of the North Carolina Workers Union, and said they were going and who isn't legitimate." Association of Educators (NCAE), affili­ to keep fighting for the union. Prince, a textile worker at Fieldcrest Can­ ated with the National Education Associ­ El Prensa non and a member of the Amalgamated ation, said the proposal will cause "elitism Bruce Kimball works at Cone Mills and is a Manuel de Dios Unanue, former editor C lothing and Textile Workers Union and lead to an unhealthy resegregation of member of the Amalgamated Clothing and of Spanish-language daily 'EI Diario.' (ACIWU), announced his campaign Febru- schools." A statement distributed by Tony Textile Workers Union.·

4 The Militant April 3, 1992 Vote a victory for antiapartheid struggle

Continued from front page the referendum to that of a "no" vote. The would vote in support of such a referendum. battle in South Africa, the paperreported him Mandela responded that he had "never as saying, was "between the white Christian doubted that such a moment would arrive. on the one side, and the communist Anti­ Otherwise, we would not have opted for a christ African National Congress on the policy of nonracialism where South Africans other." stop thinking in terms of the color of a In a statement after the vote the ANC said person." . "the White electorate, in their thousands, cast He had earlier told the press in South a vote in support of CODESA and the nego­ Africa that rapid steps must be taken to bring tiation process." an end to the current regime. "Ending apart­ heid is not just announcing the results of a 'Dangers in racial exercises' referendum - it means there should be "The right wing extremists do not speak enough houses, more medical facilities, and on behalf of the majority of White South better pensions for blacks. Apartheid is far Africans. They are, however, a dangerous from over. Above all, I still cannot vote in and desperate minority who stubbornly wish my own country." to cling to a discredited past," the statement Apartheid, meaning "separate" or "apart," said. "The appeals to racial chauvinism and is the name given to the social system in the ethnic passions around this referendum South Africa of white minority rule based on campaign illustrate the dangers inherent in complete segregation of the Black popula­ racial and ethnic exercises of this nature." tion. Africans were driven from the land, The statement welcomed the vote, which denied citizenship rights in the land of their it characterized "not as an endorsement of birth, and forced to become a giant reserve the National Party and its policies. It was a of cheap labor in the mines and mills and on ' Yes' vote for democracy! This is a position the white-owned farms. in accord with that of the majority of Black Built on the earlier policies of the colonial South Africans whose voice could not be powers, apartheid was extended and system­ heard in yesterday's referendum." The ANC atized by the National Party government that statement encouraged the parties opposed to came to power in 1948, representing the the referendum to "accept defeat with grace country's capitalist ruling families. Since and join CODESA." whites represent only a small minority of the Militant/Ruth Haswell population, massive state-organized violence Prior to the vote the ANC took a position Nelson Mandela, left, with ANC chairperson Oliver Tambo after ANC ra lly. was carried out on a day-to-day basis to objecting to "any exercise giving whites a maintain the undemocratic system. veto power over the future of our country." It called for a "yes" vote and actively cam­ out when he told a reporter that the party "has the growing support for the ANC and its fight paigned in support of the measure. Struggle forces concessions got to take some of the blame, because they for a democratic republic. He casts his reac­ But due to widespread struggles inside had us in the trenches for years with black tionary course in the cloak of defending the After the results were announced, Man­ South Africa and setbacks dealt to the fear." Afrikaner "nation." A "no" vote in the refer­ deJa said all efforts should tum to speeding regime's expansionist plans in southern Af­ "We have no place to go," Afrikaner Re­ endum, he said, was "a vote for the people up the negotiations to rapidly establish an rica in the late 1980s, the regime was forced sistance Movement (AWB) member Ertjies and for self-determination." He told the interim government. "The purpose of the to begin a process of granting concessions to Yeates told the New York Times. "We believe South African Press Agency that his party interim government will be to supervise the the revolutionary democratic movement led this land was given by God to us. We believe did not advocate a return to apartheid rule, transition from an apartheid to a democratic by theANC. there must be a plan to bring white people to but favored a "commonwealth of indepen­ state," he said at a March 19 press confer­ In the two years since being unbanned, this tip of Africa. "·Descendants of the Dutch dent nations" in the country where whites ence. "We are demanding that should be Mandela and the ANC leadership have used settlers, many Afrikaners have in the past would "take the necessary measures" to gov­ done as soon as possible." the newly won political space to mobilize the portrayed their conquest of South Africa as ern themselves. The next round of the Convention for a population and explain their political per­ a divine right. South Africa's Transvaler reported that Democratic South Africa is scheduled for spectives to the widest numbers possible. Conservative Party leader Andries Treur­ AWB leader Eugene Terreblanche changed April. The ANC is pushing for an interim They have sought to unite the country's nicht is spearheading the attempt to undercut his original stance of calling for a boycott of government to be chosen at that time. working people and others who have come to oppose apartheid in a struggle for a " non­ racial, nonsexist, and democratic South Af­ rica." Text of Mandela interview on 'Nightline' De Klerk called the referendum February 20 after his ruling National Party lost a seat The following is the transcript of a tel­ Q. At your own news conference earlier I mean, obviously, you know it a great deal to the right-wing Conservative Party in a evised interview with Nelson Mandela, today, you were still calling on the rest ofthe better than those ofus in this country-they by-election. president ofthe African National Congress world to maintain its sanctions against South take the position that they want their own The Conservative Party, along with a col­ (ANC), on the U.S. news program Night­ Africa. One would expect that President de white homeland. lection of ultrarightist and fascist organiza­ line. The March interview was con­ Klerk and his allies would say, "Come on, tions vehemently opposed to the moves away 18 A. Well, we understand that, but the Afri­ ducted by Thd Koppel. Mandela spoke now, Mr. Mandela, give us a break. Haven't from apartheid already taken by the govern­ can National Congress is the last organization from the ANC headquarters in Johannes­ we shown our good faith and can't we work ment, called for a "no" vote on the measure to accept the partitioning of South Africa. burg, South Africa. hand-in-hand and allow these sanctions fi­ and ended up more politically isolated. When the policy of the bantustans was initi­ nally to be dropped?" An intense debate over the future of the The interview refers to the March 17 ated in the early '50s, we rejected that on country took place during the four weeks whites-only referendum called by South A. We say sanctions were introduced in principle, and we have maintained that atti­ leading up to the vote. Major businesses spent African president F.W. de Klerk on the order to induce South Africa to abandon tude. It would be grossly inconsistent on our regime's course in negotiations with the $1.2 miJlion to advertise for a "yes" vote. apartheid and, secondly, to give political part now to allow this demand simply be­ Those opposing the measure received a revolutionary democratic movement in rights to the majority of South Africans. cause it is made by a tiny minority of whites. boost when former president P. W. Botha that country. The referendum, which was Neither of those two objectives has been urged a "no" vote, saying, "I cannot partici­ approved by a 2-1 margin, asked: "Do you achieved. We are on the way there, but we Q. Now that the referendum has been support continuation of the reform pro­ pate in what I perceive as a direction of are not yet there. It would, therefore, be passed, and passed by an oveTWhelming ma­ cess, which the State President began on suicide for my own people." premature for us at this stage to call for the jority, what are your predictions about the Feb. 2,1990, and which is aimed at a new lifting of sanctions. level ofviolence, which has indeed risen over Rightists play on fears Constitution through negotiation?" (see the past few weeks in South Africa? accompanying article) Q. Do you totally trust President de Klerk The rightist organizations have played on A. Well, we cannot prevent the right wing the fears of majority rule and racist hatred of now? The two of you, after all, have had a Question. I wonder, Mr. Mandela if you couple of years now to take one another's from starting violence. In fact, they are busy Blacks instilled by the regime for decades. ever dreamed it possible some 20-odd years with violence now. They have been bombing They also play on the growing uncertainties measure, and you have been able to watch ago, when you were a political prisoner on him close up as he moves politically in what schools and similar other places. But it is the of a layer of white workers, farmers, and Robben Island, that the day might come when responsibility of the regime to put an end to middle

Continued from front page International Union; International Ladies' declared March 22 "Adopt a Slriker Day ­ Garment Workers' Union; and the Ameri­ All Labor Supports CAT Workers." Signs can Federation of Teachers addressed the and banners, balloons, T-shlrts, hats, and but­ rally. tons made a colorful array of slogans of sol­ A representative of the National Union of idarity: "Workers Against Dirty Dealers," Metal Workers of South Africa, which orga­ "No to Takeaways," "Can 't Bulldoze nizes Caterpillar workers in that country, Labor," and "Proud to be Union." brought greetings to the strike. "The question Jerry Brown, president of UAW Local of solidarity has become the most important 974, with 6,400 striking members in Peoria, issue in the struggle in South Africa," he said. welcomed everyone to the rally. "On behalf "Our successes are not the result of handouts of the UAW Cat [CaterpiUar) workers, thank but the result of struggles we are engaged in. you for your overwhelming show of support We are in solidarity with all of you. Victory This will boost the morale and strengthen the is on our side. The unity and determination resolve of the UA W. We will not let union here are signs that your success is at hand." busting play in Peoria." A letter from Lane Kirkland, president of the AFL-CIO, said, "You and your families Among those bringing greetings to the are not alone. Your are asking for nothing rally were Rich Walts, president of the more than fair treatment. There is no justifi­ American Federation of Labor in Illinois; cation for Caterpillar not meeting your de­ George Kourpias, president of the Interna­ mands." tional Association of Machinists; the presi­ Owen Bieber, international president of dent of the National Association of Letter the UA W who chaired the rally, said, "The Militant/Paul Mailhot Carriers; and the international vice-presi­ UA W did not get where we are today by dent of the American Federation of State, March 14 rally in Dacatur, Illinois to back Caterpillar strike. United Auto Workers running from a fight that was forced on us. County and Municipal Employees. Official union is locked in battle with company over demand for takeback contract. We're not going to run away from the Cat delegations from the Service Employees' fight, no matter how long it takes." Bieber announced that "if we can't nego­ tiate this contract in the next weeks, then we Explosion kills four at West Virginia Inine will take the Cat story throughout this entire country. We will expand the knowledge and support for this strike." BY CLAY DENNISON they were not hurt and they made it to the The Morgantown, West Virginia, Domin­ BLACKSVILLE, West Virginia- A surface safely. ion-Post quoted United Mine Workers pres­ The rally ended with a march through powerful explosion on March 19 killed four Bl acksville No. l is in an especially ident Richard Trurnka on the explosion at downtown Peoria to the Caterpillar corporate workers and injured three at Consolidation gassy coal seam. The mine releases more BlacksviUe. He said the deaths "offer stark headquarters. Coal Company's Blacksville No. I mine in than a million cubic feet of methane each witness to the fact that in the mining industry Priscilla Schenk is a member ofUnited Auto northern West Virginia. A large accumula­ day. Mines this gassy are supposed to be there's no substitute for tough health and Workers Local /672 in Des Moines, Iowa. tion of methane gas was ignited as workers inspected by the Mine Safety and Health safety standards. lowered pipe through a concrete seal on a Administration (MSHA) more often than "There can only be one of two explana­ production shaft.. other mines. tions for why these workers died. Either the None of the dead or injured were miners. After production ceased in June there have employer wasn't complying with the law, or Thla publication Is avallable ln They were surface workers involved in seal­ been checks. MSHA inspectors have written microform from Univeraity the law itself is simply inadequate when it Microfllma lnternatioaal. ing the mine, which was pulled out of coal three "significant and substantial" violation comes to protecting workers' lives." production by Consol on June 4, 1991. Three Call toll free 1·800-521·3044. Or mall lnqu.lty citations since October l, although the nature to: University Microfilms Lnternational. 300 of the dead were employees of one of several of these violations has not been made public. Clay Dennison is a laid-offmin er and mem­ North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. MI 48106. non-union contractors hired to work on the Blacksville was one ofthe mines that the U.S. ber of UMWA Local 1949. final shutdown of the mine, and one was a Department of Labor alleged to be tampering Consol engineer who was killed by the blast with coal dust sampling devices. as he stepped out of his car. The injured were This is not the first disaster at Blacksville. also working for a contractor. In 1972 nine miners died when a fire was University students plan contingents The blast twisted the steel structure of a started by a piece of equipment being moved seven-story building above the shaft. Bodies on underground track about a mile from the for San Francisco pro-choice march were thrown a hundred yards, tom by the shaft. Miners caught downwind from the fire explosion. Sheet metal was flung a quarter of died in the smoke. The mine was eventually BY CATHLEEN GUTEKANST dan, California Lieutenant Governor Leo a mile and people reported hearing it fifteen sealed for more than five months to put out SAN FRANCISCO - Activists are or­ McCarthy and Secretary of State March miles away. A fire ignited by the blast was the fire. ganizing here to publicize the San Francisco Fong Eu. put out in two hours. One of the questions that will be investi­ March for Women's Lives. The March 29 The March and Rally will assemble at The exact cause of the methane ignition is gated in this new disaster will be why meth­ protest, in conjunction with the April 5 march 11:00 a.m. Sunday, March 29 at Justin Her­ under investigation by state and federal au­ ane could be allowed to build up in the shaft, in Washington, D.C., is to defend the right to mann Plaza at the Embarcadero in San Fran­ thorities, the company, and the miners union. even though work was not completed on it. safe and legal abortions. cisco and march to the Civic Center fora rally Two federal mine inspectors and 12 of the Ventilation fans are still pulling air through The San Francisco Bay Area Pro-Choice at 1:00 p.m. 29 Blacksville miners who are not yet laid off other areas of the mine in order to disperse Coalition is organizing volunteers for Satur­ Buses are being organized from Sacra­ were underground at the time of the blast. but methane there. day and Sunday leafletting and posting up in mento, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, the community, and phone calling in the eve­ and other California cities. For more infor­ nings at the office of the National Organiza­ mation or to volunteer to help call (415) tion for Women (NOW). 255-1989. For information on chartered Several campus chapters of DARE (De­ flights to the Washington, D.C., April 5 Subscribe fend Abortion Rights Emergency) at San March call (415) 861-8936. Francisco City College, San Francisco State University. and University of California­ to the Berkeley are organizing contingents from their schools. Students at the University of CALENDAR California-Santa Cruz sponsored a teach-in NEW YORK Militant on reproductive rights in February to build for the March 29 rally. Manhattan For unequaled coverage on: Rally Against Tuition Hikes! Save CUNY (City Some 250 people attended, the majority of University of New York). Tuesday, March 31, • The struggle for a new ,..___..,_._ whom marched from the campus following noon, at Lehman College, the Bronx. Sponsored South Africa - the teach-in to picket a phony ''Pregnancy by CUNY/Comm un ity Coalition. For more infor­ •the challenge posed by -- Clinic" in downtown Santa Cruz. This clinic mation: (212) 650-3924. promotes adoption referrals and uses scare New York Socialist Workers Campaign Open ultrarightists like Buchanan · tactics to try to deter women from seeking House. Meet Ed Warren, SWP candidate for U.S. •actions against police abortions. Senate and SWP congressional candidates. Tues­ brutality The March 29 demonstration has been day. March 31,5-9 p.m. 191 7th Ave. 2nd floor. Donation: $4. Tel: (2 12) 675-6740. •the fight to defend endorsed by NOW, the American Civil abortion rights Liberties Union, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, and I 00 other organiza­ TEXAS tions and individuals, including the Cali­ Houston Victory Against Police Brutality. Attend the fornia Teacher's Association (State Mark Curtis Defense Rally. Speakers: Clarence ~ ------·------Counc il) , Latinas for Reproductive Brandley, frame-up victim who won his release 0 Special introductory offer: $10 for 12 weeks Choice, San Francisco Mayor Frank Jor- from death row and prison; Kathie Fitzgerald, Socialist Workers Party. and member United 0 $15 for 12 week renewal 0 $27 for 6 months 0 $45 for 1 year Food and Commercial Workers; Tom Kleven, Name ______San Francisco professor, Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Sat., March 28. Recep­ Reception following tion and video, 3 p.m.; program, 4 p.m. Room Address ------''--- abortion rights march 264, Law School, Texas Southern University. City------State ___ Zip ______Sponsor: Houston Mark Curtis Defense Commit­ The Socialist Workers Party cam­ tee. For more infonnation: (7 13) 522-8054. Union/School/Organization Phone paign invites you to a: reception. Come and meet the Socialist Workers can­ ICELAND Clip and mail to The Militant, 410 West St., New York, NY 10014 didates. Reykjavik · 12 weeks of the Militant outside the U.S.: Australia and the Pacific, $A 10 • Britain, £6 • Sunday, March 29, 3- 6 p.m. General Meeting of the .Icebnd-Cuba Friend­ canada, Can$12 • Caribbean and Latin America, $10 • Europe, Africa, and the Middle Pastels Cafe,1400 Market, by Fell St. ship Association. Speakers: Johann Bjomsson, East, £10 • France, FF80 • Iceland, Kr1 000 • New Zealand, NZ$15 • Sweden. Kr60 2 blocks from Civic Center in San Francisco recently visited Cuba; Gylfi PaJ..l Hersir, speaking For more information call (415) 282-6255 on CUba and World Politics Today. Sat. March 28,2 p.m. MIR Hall, Vatnsstig 10.

6 The Militant April 3, 1992 WORLD Armenian, Azerbaijani regimes NEWS step up war over disputed area BRIEFS

As the conflict escalated the military com­ US. sailors captured on spy ship missioner of Armenia announced that the in 1968 return to North Korea republic was forming "self-defense battal­ The North Korean government is prepar­ ions" of reservists, which Russian television ing to welcome crew members of the former reports described as a "prototype of the Ar­ spy ship USS Pueblo on a goodwill visit to menian army." Azerbaijan has also started to the country. North Korean forces captured organize its own army. The 5,000 troops of the U.S. ship in the Sea of Japan, off the the former Soviet Union have been pulled North Korean coast, in January 1968 and out of the region. imprisoned the crew until the following De­ Reports of the raid on Khojaly sparked cember. The 83 crewmen were released after mass demonstrations outside the Parliament U.S. president Lyndon Johnson was forced in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku. Political oppo­ to admit that Washington was spying and to nents of Azerbaijani president Ayaz Muta­ apologize for the incident. Johnson reneged Libov accused him of not protecting Azeri on the apology after the crew's release. lives in the disputed territory and called for The visit was first proposed by some of all-out war against Armenia. Mutalibov, who the crew members. Eight crew members and was elected six months ago, resigned under their families are planning to go, but none of pressure March 6. the ship's officers. "All this fighting is taking place on Azer­ baijan territory, our sacred land," declared Thousands strike in Greece to Seyavush Velimamenov, one of the Baku protest wage freeze regime's chief administrators in Nagorno­ Karabakh. He said his government would A wave of strikes engulfed Greece as press ahead with the war. Parliament voted to freeze government Armenians in Nagomo-Karabakh have employees' wages. Thousands of workers been blockaded, supplied only by helicopter. protesting the wage-freeze bill have shut Azerbaijan had previously cut off all fuel to down mass transit, state-owned banks, public Armenia, causing hundreds of enterprises utilities, tax offices, and customs services there to shut down. since March 10. School teachers joined the In the last four years some 2,000 Armenians and Azerbaijanis have died in armed strike March 12. Greece's economy is in clashes over claims of which republic should rule the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Turkey, NATO discuss intervention serious trouble with an annual inflation rate In Turkey, which borders on Armenia, of 18 percent, the highest in the European Community. BY MARTIN KOPPEL The Armenian regime justified the raid some in the ruling class have pushed for Armed clashes between forces sup­ saying it was carried out to stop the shelling intervention on the side of Azerbaijan. Turic­ Unions strike in Lebanon of the enclave's capital by Azerbaijani forces. ish capitalists view the former Soviet repub­ ported by the governments of Armenia and demanding price controls Azerbaijan have left scores of people dead In retaliation Azerbaijanis crossed into Na­ lics of Central Asia as an important potential and forced tens of thousands to flee gomo-Karabakh and launched an armored maricet and source of cheap raw materials, A strike to protest a burst of inflation Nagorno-Karabakh in recent weeks. assault on the town of Askeran, firing volleys and are alarmed at the growing political paralyzed most businesses and government Fighting in this predominantly Armenian of rockets. Dozens of people were killed in instability in the region. offices in Lebanon March 6. After a sharp enclave, located inside Azerbaijan, has in­ the street fighting. In addition, two predom­ A leading opposition figure, Mesut decline in the currency's value, the prices of tensified since the breakup of the Soviet inantly Armenian villages in Azerbaijan were Yilmaz, has publicly called for military in­ food and other basic supplies such as gasoline Union last year. attacked. tervention. President Turgut bzai proposed suddenly soared. Lebanon imports about 85 The regimes in the former Soviet repub­ The assault on Khojaly was one of a that Turkey "scare the Armenians a little bit" percent of its basic needs. lics of Armenia and Azerbaijan both claim series of raids in which Armenian and by blocking Armenia's only export route to The one-day walkout was called by the sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azeri villages have alternately been block­ the Black Sea. General Federation of Labor Unions, which which had a population of 188,000 at the aded, shelled, and torched by opposing Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel advo­ demanded that the government enforce a start of the conflict. Some 2,000 Arme­ guerrilla forces both in Nagorno-Karabakh cated a more cautious position saying, "One price-control system. The cabinet formed a nians and Azeris, the main nationality in and in what had been mixed population step too many by TurKey would put the whole committee to set and monitor prices and Azerbaijan, have died there in the last four areas in both republics. world behind Armenia." Turkish foreign ordered police enforcement. years. Until recently Azerbaijan held the upper minister Hikmet Cetin, who traveled twice The latest fighting flared up at the end of hand in the province, with Soviet military to Azerbaijan in early March, urged the U.S. Tensions rise in Zimbabwe over February when Armenian guerrillas attacked backing. Since the collapse of the Soviet government to play a more active role in the moves to distribute land Union, Armenian forces have stepped up their conflict. the majority-Azeri village of Khojaly. At Forced by wide dissatisfaction among the least 200 Azeris, mainly farmers, were attacks, driving tens of thousands of Azeris Meanwhile, a conference of imperialist country's worKing people, the government slaughtered. into the Azerbaijan republic. Continued on Page 13 of Zimbabwe has stated it will go ahead with plans to forcibly acquire arable land held by white farmers and distribute it to landless peasants. The ownership of the best land by Jobless in Bulgaria scrape together a living 4,000 white farmers has been the most con­ tentious political issue since the country won BY JON HILLSON think it will be terrible here for maybe two of which showcase sexually explicit, full­ its independence from Britain in 1980. SOFIA, Bulgaria -"Hey, let's make a more years, then it will get better." No one color photos of women and, occasionally, Meanwhile most of the 10 million people, deal, let's make a deal," 13-year-old George buys anything from her table. men. 99 percent Black, live on small plots of says, with a grin, in English. "It's more difficult in the winter,'' she says, "It is supposed to get better,'' a hotel semiarid land with no ownership rights. The He is the envy of dozens of other vendors, "when there are fewer tourists." woricer tells me, "but now the same people move comes during the worst drought this who peddle their wares in icy breezes in a On the quiet campus, there are no political who always had everything get rich, and the century, which has forced this country, usu­ small, unnamed park a few blocks from posters. The literature tabl.es -like book­ people with nothing have less. There are no ally self-sufficient in food, to import huge Bulgaria's parliament. stores - are dominated by romance and ad­ jobs for young people." quantities of grain. Capitalist farmers in The string of tables feature family heir­ venture novels, religious books, exposes of Zimbabwe, the World Bank, and the govern­ looms, used toys, hand-knit sweaters, shawls, the former Stalinist "Communist" regime, ments of Britain and the United States have beads, World War II medals, military uni­ and pornography. vigorously protested the move. forms, other bric-a-brac and. as collector's Nikolay smiles at Emilia's prediction of items, likenesses of Lenin. the future. "She's an optimist," he says. "I Japanese diplomat heads United Nikolay is a 33-year-old optical engineer, have absolutely no idea what will happen Nations force in Cambodia next. I want to get out, now." jobless for six months. "The industry has Yasushi Akashi, head of the United Na­ A reporter mentions to them that the eco­ completely shut down," he says. He spends tions force of 22,000 troops being dispatched nomic situation in the United States is bad, four to five hours a day in the park, selling in Cambodia, arrived in Phnom Penh March and getting worse, for working people. They hand-painted cups made in Russia and 15 to take authority over the country. Akashi, look at him in disbelief. ballpoint pens. a UN official from Japan, spent the previous His Russian wife is also without woric. "It George, a few tables down, sells Russian five days in his native country pleading with is very difficult," he explains. "Her mother camera lenses, binoculars, Soviet army sur­ Tokyo to foot one third of the $2.8 billion and father still live in Russia. They have plus, beluga caviar -all for dollars. "How bill for the troops. nothing, and we have to help them out." In about infrared laser binoculars," he implores. Twice since the Persian Gulf war, Japan's two hours, he sells one pen, for roughly 40 "I got everything." George, an adjacent ven­ ruling party has failed to pass a bill author­ cents. dor says, "is the best of all of us." izing Japanese military deployment abroad A number of people in the bazaar are old. In most shops, fresh meat and produce are under the UN flag. ''They are worried," Nikolay says, "because scarce. The standard fare is hard sausage, there is talk of cutting their pensions. We hard cheese, and bread. Many stores have a Albania's economic disintegration have 9 million people in Bulgaria, and more massive supply of bottled peas. devastates health care than 2 million are on pensions. So they come Homeless people have begun to appear, here and sell what they can." Unemployment, begging. They are old, infirm, silent, sitting A drastic fall in industrial and food produc­ he says, is "officially, 20 percent. But prob­ on sidewalks, their backs to buildings, hold­ tion is taking a heavy toll on health-care in ably more. 1 have friends who work but ing out a hand, sometimes exposing an open Albania. The intensive care ward at the largest haven't been paid in half a year." sore or bruised limb. children's hospital in the capital, Ttrana, bas only one respirator, which stops during the How do they make ends meet? "You do a Near the edge of downtown, police stand frequent electric~ty failures. Surgical instru­ little of this, that, borrow," he says, shrug­ watchfully near an auto-delivery truck, as a ments are often sterilized in boiling water. The ging. burgundy Mercedes sedan is wheeled into country's infant mortality is 32 deaths per Next to him, 2 1-year-old Emilia, a student the tiny, one-car showroom of the new deal­ Militant/Jon Hillson ership. Passersby pause and stare. Bazaar in Sofia, Bulgaria. Growing un­ 1,000 births, the highest in Europe. Govern­ at the nearby national university, sells Lenin ment statistics show that between 25 and 30 pins and Russian-made caps. "I don't have a On the main drag, clusters of people stop employment is forcing many to seek percent of children are malnourished. job," she says. "Hardly any students do. I at newsstands to buy the national press, some ways to make ends meet. April 3, 1992 The Militant 7 Rightists step up attack on Curtis defense l Offensive follows Curtis's victory in lawsuit against Des Moines cops

fi'ftr-•· srem=m mr =w-_an iR

BY CHRIS REMPLE Curtis's lawsuit against police brutality. Car­ DES MOINES, Iowa - Backers of the than was invited to an interview on KUCB. police frame-up of Mark Curtis have stepped After he arrived at the station Morris also up their activities here in recent weeks. showed up and intervened in the program. Their actions occur in the context of the He threatened Maurice Williams, a Des ongoing fight against police brutality in Des Moines activist in the defense effort, when Moines, which has brought to public view the Williams later attempted to leave with Car­ widespread nature of police violence against than. stating, "We can settle this outside." worldng people and youth in the city. The new Again he told Williams, "You better watch offensive by these rightist forces also comes yourself, young man, and stay away from on the heels ofthe January 31 victory by Curtis me." in a federal civil rights lawsuit. The judge in the case ruled that two Des Moines cops Red-baiting violated the political activist's constitutional Morris was also present when activists rights when they viciously beat him after his were on the air promoting attendance at one arrest four years ago. of the city council hearings on police brutal­ Mark Curtis is a former packinghouse ity. After Dudley Allison, a leader of the worker who was framed up on charges of anti-cop-violence effort, mentioned that the rape and burglary in March 1988. At the time, victory in the Curtis lawsuit was important Curtis was in the middle of an important fight for the overall fight against police brutality, to defend 17 immigrant coworkers at the Morris launched an attack on the Mark Curtis Swift/Monfort plant who had been arrested Defense Committee and the Socialist Work­ and threatened with prosecution and depor­ ers Party. During a break in the show, Morris tation by the Immigration and Naturalization told two supporters of the defense effort and Service police. The INS raid was part of SWP members that he would "deal with company and government efforts to divide them later,'' another in a series of violent packinghouse workers and attack their wages threats to those who refuse to stop backing and working conditions. The raid happened the Curtis fight. after a wave of bitterly fought strikes by Several prominent spokespeople for the meat-packers throughout the Midwest. station have assisted Morris in his campaign. Curtis was beaten by the police at the time Sister Mary Hadasha, an announcer at of his arrest. One of the cops told him what KUCB, organized a two-and-a-half-hour in­ his real crime was, calling him "a Mexican terview and call-in show featuring Keith, his lover, just like you love those coloreds." wife Denise, and Demetria Morris. Demetria Curtis has served three-and-a-half years of a Militant/Linda Marcus is the young woman allegedly attacked by 25-year sentence. Mark Curtis together with ANC leader Susan Mnumzana in September 1988. Frame­ Curtis. The radio show marked the first time up of Curtis depends on maintaining the credibility of cops and the courts. Since his March 4, 1988, arrest Curtis has she has spoken out publicly since Curtis's won backing for the fight to win his freedom. trial. She said on the radio show that she is Thousands recognized that the employers warning to others, thereby restricting the widespread doubts about his unjust convic­ now 19 years old and wants to speak out on and their government use frame-ups and po­ political space open to working people. tion. Despite the enormous pressure Curtis her own. The defense committee had never lice beatings as part of the offensive against The Mark Curtis Defense Committee, refused to cry "uncle" or to give up contin­ named her in any of its literature. the rights and standard of living of working formed by Curtis's coworkers, fellow union­ uing his political work even while incarcer­ people. ists, and opponents of police brutality and ated. The forces behind the frame-up and Calls photos 'fake' Many saw joining Curtis's battle as a way frame-ups has thus attracted support locally those seeking to see Curtis's party, the So­ Morris made a number of charges and to continue the same fight he was involved and around the world. cialist Workers Party, pushed back in its threats during the radio show, including that ability to engage in political activity were in prior to his arrest - forging working -class Like other workers tangled in the court Curtis's charges against the cops who beat compelled to continue their attack. This an­ him were fake. He claimed to have four unity. system Curtis did not receive a fair trial. But tilabor and right-wing campaign has found photos of Mark Curtis that showed the bruise If the cops and the city had been able to the prosecution and forces supporting it get away with this attack they would have failed in their central objective: making the a wam1 reception among those who look to on his chin moving to different areas of his silenced a vanguard worker and sent a clear frame-up politically convincing. This has left or collaborate with the government, the cops, face. A caller to the show disputed Morris's and the employers against worldng people assertion, pointing out that the police would seeking to defend themselves from today's certainly have not missed such a major forg­ harsh economic and social conditions. It has ery during their trial. $17,730 collected to aid Parole won a hearing among some who hold posts Using other such outright misrepresen­ as labor officials or who claim to speak for tations Morris also threatened to file a women's rights or Black rights. lawsuit against Nick Castle, producer of Now! Fund for jailed unionist The frame-up of Curtis and the state's the documentary The Frame-up of Mark ability to deny him parole rest fundamentally Curtis, claiming his "family was filmed BY PAUL MAILHOT cently taken a goal of raising $2,000 for the on maintaining the credibility of the police without .. . permission." Supporters of framed-up union and polit­ fund and plan a public meeting soon. and the courts. These agencies, however, Much of what Morris presented on the have suffered a string of sharp blows over show came down on the side of the cops and ical activist Mark Curtis are pushing ahead Supporters of the defense campai~n the past year bolstering Curtis's claim that on efforts to raise tens of thousands of dollars showed the video On Trial to a gathering of against the protests in the city, adding his the cops who testified against him were not for the Parole Now! Fund. 12 workers from work places in the Stock­ voice to those who urge calm and collabora­ telling the truth. tion with the police. He showed he was not According to the Mark Curtis Defense holm area March 6. This video is based on a above red-baiting the protests in doing so. Committee based in Des Moines, Iowa, as television program originally shown in the Recent revelations of March 17, $17,730 had been collected. United States about Mark Curtis's trial.lt was Speaking of Curtis's lawsuit against the The police department has been shaken by The special fund will help meet the signifi­ shown on Swedish television a few years ago cops, Morris said he "was at their trial in revelations of the theft of money from the cant expenses involved in helping to win with subtitles. The video showing spurred support of them [the cops] and I'm still in police narcotics unit safe, charges of racism justice for Curtis. Legal fees for his parole considerable discussion about the issues support of them and I will always be in and sexism, a felony conviction ofone officer, fight and the federal appeal of his conviction raised in his trial and about what forces are support of [the cops] for the simple reason and the firing of a sergeant for theft. A former come to $45,000. New literature, ongoing behind the campaign to keep Curtis in prison. that the evidence against them was fabri­ police department public relations officer expenses for the defense committee, and cated. Three workers from the ABB Cable plant was also convicted for holding a gun to his debts the committee has incurred add up to "Yes, he [Curtis) did receive a few bruises decided to meet again and see another video wife'sheadandholdingoffthecopswhocame another $30,000. about the case, The Frame-Up ofMark Cur­ at the police department, but he did not to arrest him. The explosion of protest after receive the extent of injuries that's being The fund was launched after Curtis's re­ tis, by Nick Castle. Two workers from the the brutal beating of Larry Milton, and the cent court victory against two Des Moines Scania auto plant south of Stockholm who displayed in comparison with Larry Milton. victory of Mark Curtis, have further deepened Larry Milton's photographs are not faked, cops who beat him when he was arrested were unable to make it to the gathering plan the crisis of police credibility. March 5, Supporters are being asked to get together in two weeks for another they are not handmade. Now Mark Curtis's 1988. New steps are being taken now by sup­ to hold activities and raise money in their showing of On Trial. photographs are faked and ... there was the porters of the police to derai I the victory won use of makeup on this." He added, "my areas for the fund. Supporters in Sweden have translated sev­ by Curtis, to close down the political space objection to" the Socialist Workers Party is Supporters of Curtis held a public forum eral pieces of literature on the case including opened by that victory and the ongoing fight the "attempt to use the Larry Milton case to in Atlanta February 22 and raised $860 for the Parole Now! Fund appeal. A mailing is against cop violence, and to reinforce the further their own cause.'' the fund. More than 45 people heard a panel being prepared to go out to all supporters of battered image of the cops. Morris's red-baiting focused on the of speakers which included Felix Jean-Guil­ the Curtis fight in Sweden, Norway, and A central role in this campaign is currently Community Support Force, an organiza­ laume from the Haitian Ministry, Cleto Finland. being played by Keith Morris and some of his tion in the struggle against police brutality Montelongo of the Amerjcan Indian Center, relatives. Morris, a small businessman who is Broek Carlsten from the North Atlanta High Marla Puziss from Atlanta and Birgitta /sacs­ in Des Moines. "At all three of [the City Black, is the father of the young woman who Council hearings], we bad people walking School chapter ofAmnesty International, and son and Anita Ostling from Sweden contrib­ uted to this article. was allegedly assaulted by Curtis. up and down the aisles with signs, agitat­ Marla Puziss speaking for the Mark Curtis Morris has intervened a number of times Defense Committee. ing signs. At the Callahan School they got to attack Curtis over the air on radio station totally out of hand. These people work for Carlsten presented a $200 check for the Labor news in the Militant KUCB, a Black-<>riented station that played the SWP, this is your Socialist Workers Parole Now! Fund. The donation represented an important role in the early stages of the Party, trying to agitate a situation on," he part of the proceeds from a benefit concert The Militant stays on top of the anti-police-brutality fight. said. students at the high school had organized after most important developments in One incident occurred when Eddie Car­ Several activists called the station and said hearing a presentation about the case at their the labor movement. You won't than - the first Black mayor of Tchula, Mis­ the Community Support Force was respon­ school. Ten students also attended the forum. miss them if you subscribe. See sissippi, a former frame-up victim, and a sible for the signs and pickets. Morris's state­ the ad on page 6. Mark Curtis supporters in Sweden are also Curtis supporter- came to Des Moines for ment echoes claims by the cops that the stepping up their activities. They have re- a February 8 rally to build on the victory in protests were a result of extremist forces and

8 The Militant April 3, 1992 agitators, rather than a response to the daily ing the recesses in the trial, they socialized violence of the police. with the cops who beat Curtis and the city Continuing his red-baiting, Morris attorneys defending them. claimed that the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ There is broad outrage here against the mittee had attempted to "defraud the public police beating of Larry Milton. Many see out of the their money," by turning it into a that Curtis's victory against the Des Moines money-making venture of the SWP. "This is police dealt a blow to the city and police something that is going to be looked into at attempts to keep a lid on the issue. a later date." Curtis supporters explain they have found ''That's the main reason we're here," he it easier to explain the role of the cops in the said on the show. "The SWP is seizing upon frame-up of Curtis as a result. More working the Larry Milton incident to try and refurbish people can see the vicious actions of the or restart their campaign for Mark Curtis. police in their daily, working lives and are enroll more members, and make more mon­ Mililani open to recognizing the stakes posed in de­ ey. It's quite a money-making business that fending a vanguard worker such as Curtis. they've had," he said, adding the extraordi­ Mark Curtis after Marcb 4, 1988, beating by Des Moines police. The rise in activity of the coun­ nary claim that the party had "made in excess tercampaign against Curtis, with Morris's of a million-and-a-half dollars, just off this." to either break him or dampen the defense tempted to drag the defense committee into straightforward anticommunist, and procop Addressing a caller from the Community effort, Morris stepped in with an "Open Let­ the lawsuit as a defendant. This effort to statements, is an attempt to close down that Support Force, Morris warned them to be on ter" published by an anti-labor outfit called silence thedefense fight failed, but an $80,000 the lookout for members of the SWP. "As space, reinforce the deteriorating image of the Workers League. This central propaganda judgement was levied against Curtis. the police, and turn up the pressure on Curtis you stated, you currently are not aware of piece of the procop campaign raised new Morris and his wife have also attended and the fight against his frame-up conviction. members of the SWP being in your group. charges against Curtis as well as his party each of three parole hearings for Curtis and However, let me forewarn you the SWP has Those who back Curtis in Iowa say they and a large layer of its leadership. presented a long, written statement demand­ are redoubling their efforts and going on the their fingers in a lot of pots. They are a very ing the Iowa State Board of Parole not release well-organized group and what they do is Morris launched a fmancial harassment offensive to answer Morris and others who lawsuit against Curtis and Kate Kaku, Curtis's Curtis unless he breaks and admits his are organizing to close down the new space place people in different various organiza­ "guilt." tions ... this is an assignment." The caller wife and a leader of the international defense won with the recent victory and protests. from the Community Support Force ex­ fight. The lawsuit sought to break Curtis and Morris and his relatives attended - on Opponents of the frame-up aim to build on plained that the group works with all who burden him for life by imposing a large mon­ behalf of the police- the November 1991 the blow Curtis dealt to the cops in his civil want to fight against police brutality. etary penalty against him. Morris later at- trial of Curtis's police brutality lawsuit Our- rights suit, by winning others to the fight. The attack against Curtis dovetails with Morris's general conduct in the meetings and at actions demanding an end to police brutal­ ity. Morris attended and spoke at the first mass Attempt made to seize Curtis damage award meeting at the Union Baptist Church after the beating of Larry Milton, who had worked for BYJOHNSTUDER To pursue this claim, Curtis would have pay Curtis and his attorneys fees. Arguments Morris's hauling business. Morris subse­ DES MOINES, Iowa-The Des Moines had to appeal Wolle's ruling against the cops, were also heard on who should be awarded quently attended and spoke at the first City City Council has voted to pay Mark Curtis jeopardizing the entire victory. By accepting the money. Council meeting on police conduct, attended over $61,000 in damages, attorney's fees, and financial responsibility for the cops' actions Flagg represented Keith and Denise Mor­ by about 500 people nearly all of whom were costs following his victory in a federal law­ the city implicitly acknowledges its liability ris, who were present at the hearing. George there to protest Milton's beating. While de­ suit holding two city cops liable for violating in the matter. Eichhorn, representing Curtis, told Judge ploring the beating, Morris has supported and his civil rights. But a battle is shaping up over After the federal court ruling, Stuart Pepper Wolle that Morris's move to seize the funds collaborated with the police extensively. whether Curtis is entitled to any of the award. and Jeffrey Aagg, attorneys for Keith and should be rejected. Curtis charged that the cops violated his Denise Morris, parents of the woman Curtis Themajorityofthosefunds - the$49,000 A 'viable solution' witb tbe cops civil rights by beating him following his was falsely accused of attacking, moved to in attorneys fees- are due to Curtis's law­ During the two-and-a-half-hour talk show arrest in 1988, and Federal Judge Charles seize both the damage award to Curtis and the yers, Eichhorn explained. The civil rights law on KUCB, Morris explained his proposals Wolle ruled in Curtis's favor January 31. fees the city has agreed to pay his attorneys. under which Curtis won was written to ensure on the next steps in the fight for justice for The city council voted to accept financial Pepper and Flagg represented the Morrises that attorneys who prosecute such suits Larry Milton. liability for the verdict against the cops and in a civil suit filed against Curtis more than against government agencies receive com­ "I firmly believe that it is time that we now to pay Curtis $12,236.54 in damages and two years ago. Basing themselves solely on pensation for their efforts. The fees must be extend our hands across the table in the good interest, as well as costs, and $49,000 in the frame-up conviction won by the cops, the paid to the lawyers, he argued, not put up for meaning of friendship and try and negotiate attorney fees. Morrises demanded money damages from grabs to be stolen by anyone with claims our way out of this and try and work out a Curtis agreed to drop a secondary claim Curtis. against the person who ftled the suit. This viable solution," he said. " In any negotiation against the city in his suit when the city would challenge the fundamental intent ofthe people of both parties must be willing to offered to pay the damages and attorney fees. Financial harassment civil rights statute, Eichhorn explained. accept certain things, and they must be will­ The claim, which had been separated out Curtis, a prisoner, and his wife, Kate Kaku, The $12,000 in damages and interest ing to give certain things." from the trial of the cops. charged that Des a steelworker, have no wealth or assets. The awarded to Curtis should also not be turned Morris's role in furthering the cop frame­ Moines city officials condone regular cop real role of the Morrises' lawsuit was to exert over to the Morrises, Eichhorn said. Curtis up of Curtis is not new. ln the period before racism and brutality, leading the two cops pressure on Curtis and Kaku by threatening has already stated in written documents that Curtis's trial, Morris attacked the Pathfmder who beat Curtis to believe they could do so life-long financial harassment. the funds should go to his lawyers for their Bookstore in Des Moines, smashing the front and get away with it. Polk County Judge Arthur Gamble ruled work in defending him against the Morris windows and causing $2,000 in damages. Judge Wolle's ruling had virtually ex­ that Curtis's conviction precluded him from harassment lawsuit. He and his supporters The police refused to arrest or prosecute him cluded Curtis from being able to win on this challenging the lawsuit and awarded a judg­ have not yet raised all the funds to cover this for this crime. additional claim. The judge held the cops ment of $80,000 against Curtis to the debt. who beat Curtis had consciously violated his Morrises. Curtis's attorneys have followed all the Workers League rights, but acted outside the scope of their At a March 17 hearing before Judge Wolle, legally required steps to be awarded the When Curtis's conviction in 1988 failed employment as police officers. city attorneys reported on the agreement to money, Eichhorn reported, and did so before anyone else. Aagg has not. Instead, Flagg's papers were improperly filed, as he mistak­ enly attempted to garnish the income of the two cops who were found liable for brutal­ Literature available from the izing Curtis. Mark Curtis Defense Committee Curtis seeks no financial gain In addition, Eichhorn said, Curtis is not seeking any personal financial gain from his The Stakes in the Worldwide Political Campaign to Defend victory. Mark Curtis by John Gaige. A pamphlet that explains the political At issue is a crucial political right If background to Curtis's case, the frame-up, and unfair trial. 25 pp. $1. victims of government frame-ups and cop The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis, a VHS video produced by brutality carmot use the funds they win in HollY~Nood director Nick Castle. This effective 49-minute documentary such civil rights cases to pay their attorneys, has clips from 1V news broadcasts on Curtis's fight for justice; scenes from the they will not be able to get lawyers to take ~ Pl111lf1;1/0ER The trial; and interviews with Curtis, his wife Kate Kaku, and others. This video is on their fight for justice. available for the cost of reproduction and shipping. $15. Aagg told Judge Wolle that the entire Frame-up of award should be handed over to Keith and S tate of Iowa v. Mark Stanton Curtis. Transcript of September 1988 jury Denise Morris. Arguing that, since it was Mark Curtis trial proceedings that found Curtis guilty of rape and burglary. 446 pp. $30. Curtis and not his attorneys who formally by Margaret Jayko Brief from Mark Curtis's successful lawsuit aga inst Des Moines won the case, the money is his and all of it police. This document details the record of cop brutality in Des Moines over the - both damages and attorney fees -should This pamphlet tells the story of Mark past decade. 20pp. $1. The judge's ruling in this suit is also available upon now be the Morrises'. Q.n1is, a unionist and fighter for request. Acknowledging that he may not have fol­ immigrant rights, VJho is serving a lowed all the proper legal procedures in filing 25-year sentence in an b.va pison on his papers, Aagg said that he and his clients tnmpOO-up rape charges. 71 w .. $5. For these and other materials (including in Spanish) write or call the Mark Curtis Defense were still entitled to the money. Order from Pathfinder, 410 West St., New Committee, P.O. &x 1048, Des Moines,lowa 50311. Phone (515) 246-1695. Bulk Judge Wolle armounced he would with­ York, NY 10014. (Please include $3 for quantities are available. Payments should accompany orders and checks can be made out hold a ruling until at least March 24, and postage arKi handling.) to Mark Curtis Defense Committee. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery. gave attorneys for all sides four more days to file additional legal arguments.

April 3, 1992 The Militant 9 Strike wave closes U.S. plants in Mexico

BY JERRY FREIWIRTH MATAMOROS, Mexico- A wave of strikes in late January and early February hit the mLiquiladora assembly plants that domi­ nate this burgeoning city across the border from Brownsville, Texas. More than 13,000 workers struck as union contracts covering 50 of the approximately 80 mLiquila plants expired. The majority of those on strike work for General Motors subsidiaries. "During the four days we were on strike, not one worker went into work," said a union delegate at Gobar Industries, a GM-owned wheel stamping plant. The main issue in the strike, he said, was the demand for a 30 percent wage increase. Inflation in northern Mexico ran almost 20 percent last year. The average wage at the assembly plants on the Mexico-Texas border is about $1 an hour. The federal minimum wage-and the staning wage for many maquiladora workers - is half that. The treaty establishing the maquiladora plants was signed by the U.S. and Mexican governments in the 1960s. Big tax breaks were offered to companies that would build factories in northern Mexico to assemble components imported from the United States. These components are then shipped north across the border for final assembly, with no U.S. duty charged except for the added value of the assembly process. U.S. firms benefit Amy Zuckerman/lmpact Visuals The U.S. firms further benefit from this A ltUlquilodora in Nogales, in northern Mexico. U.S. companies were given big tax breaks to build these factories. \\ages are low and arrangement because of the low wage scale there are virtually no health and safety regulations. The average wage at these plants is $1 an hour. in Mexico and because they are virtually exempt from adherence to health and safety lawns and landscaping. Surrounding the in­ some 35,000 workers in Matamoros. ment to raise wages by 25 percent, saying regulations. dustrial park, however, are poverty-stricken Workers at Deltr6nicos, which employs that I 0 percent to 15 percent was the level Some 500,000 workers are now employed colonias (neighborhoods) where many of the 4,500 workers, mostly women, to assemble they wanted. in close to 2,000 maquiladora plants stretch­ workers live. While conditions in some colo­ 3 million car radios a year, went out on strike Gonz3.lez's arrest was viewed by many as ing from Matamoros on the Gulf of Mexico nias have improved in recent years, most in the second wave January 28. They settled the direct result of pressure by U.S. compa­ to Tijuana on the Pacific Ocean. Relatively remain vast shantytowns, with no running the next day. One Deltr6nicos worker said, nies on the Mexican government. "I was in sleepy border towns have been transformed water, sanitation, or electricity. Homes are 'The union people told us we were on strike Matamoros on Saturday and there were big in the process, as workers from other areas constructed of scrap lumber, cardboard, and and we all walked out. We can't live on what smiles on everyone's face," Ricardo Solis, a of Mexico converge there to seek jobs. This tin over dirt floors. they pay us." No picket lines were set up, leading industrialist from nearby Harlingen, process has accelerated as the Mexican econ­ she said, but after red-and-black strike flags Texas, told the Brownsville Herald. 'The omy deteriorates and unemployment, always Strikes settled quickly were hung up, all work stopped. federal government has flexed its muscle and high, reaches new levels. Faced with walkouts in eight major Maquiladora Association officials said shown that the union has been getting in the Most maquiladoras in Matamoros are lo­ maquiladora plants and with the threat of they settled so quickly because the compa­ way of growth.'' cated in one of two large industrial parks on more to come, the Maquiladora Associa­ nies they represent are unable to withstand There were differing opinions among the city's outskirts. The FINSA industrial tion of Matamoros, the bosses' negotiating lengthy work stoppages. General Motors many workers as to the meaning of park north ofd owntown is dominated by auto body, settled quickly. Most strikes lasted now operates on a "just-in-time" system, Gonzalez's arrest. "This guy is corrupt, we parts plants, nearly all with direct ties to only one to four days, resulting in agree­ which means that they keep very low inven­ all know that," said one worker at Gobar. "If General Motors. In fact, GM operates 34 ments for an immediate 25 percent wage tories of parts and equipment he cheated on his taxes, that's wrong ·and he maquila plants across the northern tier of hike. Maquiladora workers are organized While agreeing to a 25 percent wage should pay." Mexico, employing more than 40,000 work­ by the Union of Day Laborers and Indus­ increase, the Maquiladora Association Other workers disagreed, saying the ers. The plants are modem-looking, with neat trial Workers (SJOI), which represents won some concessions on work rules. bosses would use the arrest to weaken the Prior to the strikes the bosses demanded union. But nearly everyone agreed with one the institution of a 24-hour, 3-shift work worker who said, "If the boss thinks he can schedule and an expansion of the work­ take away our pay raises, we should go out Pathfinder reprints pamphlet week from 40 to 45 hours. No details on on strike again." these concessions were made public by A protest against Gonzalez's arrest was either employers or union officials, and issued by Owen Bieber, president of the on genocide against Indians most workers had heard no details. United Automobile Workers in the United States. The UAW International sent a dona­ BY MIKE TABER attention to the ongoing fight by Indian peo­ Union head arrested tion of $ 15,000 to aid the SJOI. Last October, as millions watched base­ ples throughout the Americas for their rights But just three days following the settle­ Many maquila workers expressed anger ball's World Series on TV, they saw scenes and dignity. ments, the Mexican government intervened that the promised wage increase had not yet of Native Americans and their supporters The commemoration ofthe SOOth anniver­ on the side of the bosses. The longtime head shown up on their paychecks. "Twenty-five protesting the degrading and racist portrayals sary of Columbus's discovery of America of the SJOI, Agapito Gonz3.lez Cavazos, was percent may sound like a lot," a day-shift of Indians by spo.rts teams. This is symbol­ also brought considerable media attention to arrested on his way to a negotiation session worker at Gobar said in an interview. "But ized by the Atlanta Braves. and its "Toma­ the consequences of that event for the at a Matamoros hotel and charged on a long­ prices are really high here, almost as high as hawk Chop." continent's native inhabitants. standing indictment for evading $54,000 in across the border. You can hardly feed a As a contribution to this discussion, Path­ During this year's football Superbowl in personal income taxes. family on what I make a week." Minneapolis won by the Washington Red­ finder Press has just reissued Genocide The next Monday, the Maquiladora Asso­ skins, several thousands again marched out­ against the Indians: Its Role in the Rise of ciation announced it intended to renegotiate 'A virtual cesspool' U.S. Capitalism by noted Marxist author side the stadium to demand an end to the already agreed upon contract settlements. The poor living conditions created by the George Novack. racist depiction of Native Americans. Vari.ous company officials told the press low wage-high price squeeze in Matamoros Written in 1948, this popular pamphlet Actions such as these have drawn renewed in Matamoros and Brownsville that they are made even worse by the dumping of toxic examines the nature of Indian societies were unhappy with the association's agree- prior to the settler conquest, and explains Continued on Page 12 why these communal-based societies were incompatible with rising U.S. capitalism. It describes how genocidal means were P~per backs Native American protest inevitably utilized to break native resis­ tance and drive the inhabitants off their BY BRIAN WILLIAMS "tomahawk chop," and against the Washing­ land. Understanding this history is essen­ The Oregonian has become the first news­ ton Redskins at the Superbowl football con­ tial to fighters for social change today, paper ·in the United States to adopt a policy test. Novack states. of not mentioning names of sporting teams Some subscribers to the Oregonian, which Answering the contemporary defenders of that are derogatory to Native Americans. is published daily in Portland, Oregon, ex­ capitalism who minimize both the signifi­ "I think it's just great," said Yvonne Swan, pressed opposition to the paper's new policy, cance of the contributions of Native Ameri­ a spokesperson for the American Indian calling it an overreaction to concerns raised cans and the campaign of extermination used Movement in San Francisco. "We have very by Native Americans. against them, Novack concludes, "It is the few victories. This is a victory." "It's creating a lot of awareness and edu­ capitalist proprietors who are the barbarians The Sporting News, a national circulation cation," stated Clyde Bellecourt, a founder in the midst of modem society, resorting in weekly, is thinking about adopting a similar of the American Indian Movement and Genocide against the Indians, by their desperate struggle for survival to the policy. "I think it's a terrific symbolic ges­ spokesperson for the National Coalition on George Novack most fiendish weapons and practices. To re­ ture," stated Sporting News editor John Racism in Sports and Media. "It's not a trivial $2.00 move them from the seats of power is the Rawlings of the Oregonian's decision. "I matter. If it's so trivial, why don't they get Available from bookstores listed on page 12 or central task of our generation." think it's going to give people everywhere rid of the names?" from Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, NY Genocide against the Indians sells for $2 something to think about." The coalition includes more than 50 orga­ 10014. Please add $3 for postage and handling and is available from Pathfinder bookstores Native Americans and their supporters nizations including the Urban League, the· for first title; $.50 each additional one. listed on page 12, or from Pathfinder, 41 0 have organized protests at the World Series National Organization for Women, and the: West Street, New York, NY 10014. baseball games against the Atlanta Braves' Anti-Defamation League of B 'nai B 'rith. j

10 The Militant April 3, 1992 Opening vistas on women's hidden prehistory

Mbnuur's Evolution: From Matriarclull Clan to Patri­ a meeting in New York City to celebrate her life and work. archol Family, By Evelyn Reed, 491 pp. New York: Speaking on behalf of the leadership of the Socialist Workers Pathfinder, 1975. $21.95 paper. [See special offer below.] Party - the party Reed was a leading member of from 1940 until the day She died- Mary-Alice Waters gave an exten­ BY MARGARET JAYKO sive tribute to Reed. "Defense of the family," opposition to abortion rights and affinnative action, and scapegoating unmarried mothers have ' A tremendous vista' become the stock-in-trade of a growing number of capitalist "Evelyn Reed was a materialist," began Waters. Waters politicians. "Family, faith, and country," for example, are the described her own reaction to reading the manuscript of watchwords of ultrarightist Patrick Buchanan's bid for the Woman's Evolution prior to its publication. "A tremendous Republican Party presidential nomination. vista had been opened up," recalled Waters. "Evelyn had Pathfinder's decision to publish an attractive reprint of provided thoughtful and generally convincing answers to Woman's Evolution: From Matriarchal Clan to Patriarchal some of the most complex and difficult questions about humanity's origins." Reed, Waters emphasized, was a Marxist, a rebel, and "an IN REVIEW anthropologist who applied the scientific method of dialec­ tical materialism. She was an evolutionist. Change is uneven, novel, and contradictory. Combinations occur. Chance and Family as part of celebrating March as Women's History causality intenningle. But change occurs according to under­ Month, therefore, is especially timely. standable laws. Stages of evolution are discernible. It is an unparalleled aid to youth and working people who "As Evelyn researched and analyzed her material," con­ want to know the scientific answer to those who would argue tinued Waters, "she came to realize the true scope of women's that women have always-and "naturally" - been inferior hidden prehistory- the role that those creatures she affec­ to men. In uncovering women's leading role in the develop­ Militant/Flax Hennes tionately dubs the 'feminids' played in humanizing and so­ Evelyn Reed ment of human civilization, Reed also debunks the notion cializing - in creating us all. She understood what a pow­ that society has always been divided into exploiti.ng and erful weapon the truth about our own prehistory could be in exploited social classes; and that marriage, religion, private society are buried. This book is a contribution to unveiling women's hands." property, and the oppressive state apparatus are eternal. that remarkable record. Workers and youth who read Woman's Evolution today The new colorful cover, designed by Toni Gorton, features 'The matriarchy is one of the most hotly contested issues will also find "a tremendous vista" opens up. This becomes artist Nancy Spero's Egyptian Mourning Women. in a hundred-year controversy between contending schools especially important now, when reading and discussing as in anthropology. This book atfrrms that the maternal clan well as protesting and resisting, become so important for The matriarchy system was the original fonn of social organization and workers and youth as part of preparing a vanguard that can The book is divided into three parts: "The Matriarchy," explains why. It also traces the course of its development and act in the face of the wars, deepening class polarizations, and 'The Fratriarchy." and "The Patriarchy." In the introduction, the causes of its downfall." conflicts that capitalism has in store. Reed explains the book's basic premise. The product of more than 20 years of research, Woman's This political preparation necessarily includes understand­ "The early history of half the human species - wom­ Evolution has been used as a source by others who have ing-and explaining to others - the real roots of women's ankind- has largely been hidden from view. To bring it written on these topics since. It has been translated into Farsi oppression and the centrality of the fight for women's eman­ to light requires a reinvestigation of anthropology, where (spoken in Iran). French, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish. cipation to the struggle against capitalism. Reed's book is a the role and accomplishments of women in prehistoric Reed died in 1979. On AprilS, 1979,500 people attended unique contribution to that understanding. Women's History Month Special U.S. debates Israel policy 25% discount through AprilS for Pathfinder Readers Club members Continued from Page 16 parliament that would assume control of the Woman's The Origin of Novak column demonstrate a "relentless ef­ occupied territories. Evolution: From the Family, fort by the anti-Israeli hard corps in American The intifada and the delegation's partici­ Matriarchal Clan Prfvate Property, diplomacy and intelligence to destroy what's pation in the talks have helped to win over to Patriarchal Family and the State left of the U.S.-Israel alliance." many working people in the United States to By Evelyn Reed. By Frederick Engels. "The severity of what is going on now lies the side of the Palestinians. Assesses women's role in the in the fact that it is public and harsh," wrote Classic work traces Hertzberg in his article noted the results ftrst stages of human the origin of lhe Joel Marcus, a commentator for Haaretz. of a December poll in the United States, civilization and refutes the oppression of women. myth of women's naturally "The campaign of leaks [and] accusations which asked, "Who is more responsible for $13.95 (discount against Israel are additional nails in the coffin subordinate position in Jack of progress toward peace in the Middle society. $21.95 price $10.95) of the special U.S.-Israeli relationship." East. the Arabs or the Israelis?" (discount price $ 16.95) The simmering dispute, along with the continued existence of the Palestinian upris­ For the first time ever, he noted, a plurality Avai.lable from bookstores listed on page 12. or from Pathfinder,410 West St.. New Yorio:. NY. 10014. Include ing known as the intifada, has also opened, of 41 percent blamed the Israelis, while 27 $3 shipping. $.50 each additional title. For Readers Club card send $10 to Pathfinder at address above. perhaps for the first time since Israel was percent blamed the Arabs. founded in 1948, public criticism of the Is­ raeli government by leaders of U.S. Zionist organizations. Arthur Hertzberg, former president of the Drive registers advance in sales to unionists American Jewish Congress and cochairper­ son of the Advisory Council of the World BY BRIAN WILLIAMS were sold to members of UAW Local 1776, rican Trade Unions. Jewish Congress, explained this process in This week marks the conclusion of a nine­ which organizes the Willow Run Assembly Last week United Food and Commercial the March 5 issue of the New York Review week "sales to industrial unionists" campaign plant, earmarked for closing by GM." Workers members bought 15 Militants in of Books. for the Militant and other socialist publica­ In addition, supporters in Detroit sold 12 Osceola, lowa, at the Jimmy Dean pork "Now even American Jewish leaders who tions. Militants, 2 subscriptions and 5 copies of the sausage plant, which is slated for closing in During this effort, I, 176 copies of the used to insist that public criticism of Israel book How Far We Slaves Have Come! at a the fall. Supporters in St. Louis sold 25 was a fonn of betrayal," he writes, "have Militant and Perspectiva Mundial were re­ conference on the struggle against apartheid, Militants and 2 subscriptions to United Auto begun to admit publicly what they have ported sold in plants and portals throughout which heard speakers from the African Na­ Workers, and I 2 papers to members of the known privately:'' that the Israeli govern­ the United States. tional Congress and Congress of South Af- United Mine Workers of America. As the final chart printed below indicates, ment has no intention of serious negotiations with the Palestinians. socialists in the nine listed industrial unions sold 123 Militant subscriptions - 70 percent Sales to industrial unionists, Jan. 18-March 19 "Even Israel's most dogmatic supporters of the goal -and 188 copies of the Path­ in America can no longer entirely brush aside Union Weekly No. sold Percentage finder book How Far We Slaves Have Come! Subscription INo . of I:How Far We ~ ~o. of the troubling thought that the Palestinians Sillles p Militant sold of renewal goal renewals Slaves Have books sold -66 percent of the goal. Militant distribu­ 111" weekly 2031 sold Come!' book goal have good reason to be angry," Hertzberg tors in the United Auto Workers union admits. 'Their human rights are being vio­ u.s. (UAW) helped lead the way. They surpassed lated; they are being pushed about and treated ACfWU 20 11 55 12 8 25 9 both their subscription and book goals, and inhumanely." exceeded their weekly sales targets during lAM 60 25 42 30 21 55 28 ILGWU 14 0 0 3 4 15 4 Growing support for Palestinians the past two weeks. The challenge facing Militant distributors OCAW 40 4 10 19 13 50 38 Hertzberg, who continues to support Israel within these unions will be to convince as UAW 40 52 130 20 26 40 47 and oppose a Palestinian state, argues that "if many as possible among the hundreds of UFCW 40 24 60 20 16 25 16 Bush made loan guarantees depend on workers who bought single copies of the UMWA 8 13 163 whether Shamir stops current construction paper during the past couple of months to 7 6 17 17 on the West Bank [as opposed to futu re become regular Militant readers by purchas­ USWA 45 30 67 30 18 30 19 construction as is now the Bush administra­ ing a subscription to the paper. UTU 45 12 27 35 11 30 10 tion position] he would have more support Reporting from Detroit, UAW member us. 312 171 55 176 123 287 188 both in Israel and in the US than he apparently John Sarge writes, "The Militant's cover­ TotalS thinks." age of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Canada While U.S. foreign policy interests have strike against Caterpillar Inc., the an­ diverged from Tel Aviv's, Washington re­ ACfWU 3 0 0 ACTWU-Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers nounced GM plant closings, and the deep­ Union; CAW - Canadian Autoworkers Union; /AM - CAW 4 9 mains a mainstay of the Israeli state, supply­ ening struggle against apartheid in South 220 International Association of Machinists; /LG WU- ing $1.8 billion a year in military aid and Africa have helped the paper's supporters lAM 5 3 60 International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union; OCAW- $1.2 billion in economic assistance. step up circulation among fighters in the ILGWU 5 5 100 Oil, Chemical and Atomic IM:>rkers; UAW- United Auto At the latest round of Middle East peace Detroit area. Workers; UFCW - United Food and Commercial USWA 4 0 0 Workers: UMWA - United Mine Workers of America; talks in Washington, D.C., U.S. officials "At a gathering of over 1,500 unionists to Canada 21 17 81 USWA - United Steelworkers of America; UTU- United chastised the Palestinian delegation for turn­ commemorate the 1932 Detroit Hunger Thtals Transportation Union. ing their daily briefings into propaganda ses­ March where five workers were killed by sions. What irked the U.S. officials was the Ford Motor gun thugs and Dearborn cops, • Includes copies of Perspectiva Mundial and L'intemationaliste sold this week. Palestinian proposal for a 180-seat elected 47 Militants were sold. Many of these papers

April 3, 1992 The Militant 11 - MILITANT LABOR FORUMS------The Militant Labor Forum is a weekly candidate for Fulton County Commissioner, $3. Tel: (801) 355-1124. free-speech meeting for workers, farmers, member United Food and Commercial Workers CANADA youth, and others. All those seeking to Local 442. Sat., March 28, 5 p.m., reception; Montreal 7:30 p.m., forum. 172 Trinity Ave. SW. Dona­ WASHINGTON Iraq-Libya-Korea: Say No to New Imperial­ advance the fight against injustice and ex­ Seattle ploitation are welcome to attend and par­ tion: $3. Tel: (404) 577-4065. ist War Preparations. Sat., March 28, 7:30 Auto Workers Strike a t Caterpillar: The State p.m. 6566, boul. Saint-Laurent. Donation: $4. ticipate in these discussions on issues of of U.S. Labor Movement and the Fights Tel: (514) 273-2503. importance to working people. ILLINOIS Against Employers' Offensive. Speakers: Mark Chicago Downs, member International Longshoremen's Toronto At the Militant Labor Forum you can Solidarity with Nationair and Caterpillar express your opinion, listen to the views of Rally to Kick Oft' Illinois Socialist Workers and Warehousemen's Union; Kevin Hirsh, mem­ Campaign. Sat., March 28, 6 p.m. reception; 7 Workers-The Stakes for All Working Peo­ fellow fighters, and exchange ideas on ber International Association of Machinists ple. A panel discussion. Sat., March 28, 7:30 how best to advance the interests of work­ p.m. raiJy. 545 W Roosevelt Rd. Donation: $5. Local 2202; Mark Severs, member Socialist Tel: (3 12) 829-6815 or 829-7018. p.m. 827 Bloor St. West. Donation: $4. Tel: ers and farmers the world over. Workers Party and lAM Local2202. Sat., March (416) 533-4324. 28, 7:30 p.m. 1405 E Madison. Donation: $3. Tel: (206) 323-1755. CALIFORNIA IOWA Des Moines Los Angeles Protest Cop Killing: Protest Racist Attacks! WASHINGTON, D.C. ICELAND Solidarity with UA W Strike at Caterpillar­ Sat., March 28, 7:30 p.m. 2105 Forest Ave. Do­ Defend a Woman's Right to Abortion! Build Reykjavik Reports from Peoria, Illinois, Solidarity Rally. nation: $3. Tel: (5 15) 246-8249. the AprilS March for Women's Lives. Speak­ General Meeting of the International Forum Sat., March 28, 7:30 p.m. 2546 W Pico Blvd. ers: Paula McKenzie, president, D.C. NOW; Association for Old and New Members. Sat., Donation: $4. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Beth Beck, spokesperson, Outreach Committee April 4, 1 p.m. Klapparstfgur 26. 2nd floor. Tel: Origins of the Myth of Race. Speaker: Rodney MARYLAND of Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force: (91) 17513. Holt, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., April4, 7:30 Baltimore Scott Marders, University of Maryland Campus p.m. 2546 W Pico Blvd. Donation: $4. Tel: (2 13) The Origins of Women's Oppression. Speaker: Pro-Choice Advocacy; NeiJ Wheeler, Young So­ 380-9460. Rachele Fruit, Socialist Workers Party, member cialist Alliance. Sat., March 28, 7:30 p.m. 523 The Fight for Abortion rights: A Report Back Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers 8th St. SE. Donation: $3. Tel: (202) 547-7557. NEW ZEALAND From the April 5 March for Women's Lives. Union. March 28, 7:30 p.m. 2905 Greenmount Auckland Speaker: Pat Nixon, Socialist Workers Party; Ave. Donation: $3. Tel: (30 I) 235-0013. U.S. Threatens War. Speaker: representative of others. Sat. , April II, 7:30 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m. WEST VIRGINIA Communist League. Sat., March 28, 7 p.m. La 2546 W Pico Blvd. Donation: $4. Tel: (213) Morgantown Gonda Arcade, 203 Karangahape Rd. Donation: 380-9460. MASSACHUSETTS Abortion: The Fight to Keep It Safe and $3. Tel: (9) 793-075 Boston Legal. A panel discussion. Sat., March 28, 7:30 Figh ting the Employment Contracts Act. CONNECTICUT Anti-Semitism: What It Is, Where It Comes p.m. 242 Walnut St. Donation: $3. Tel: (304) Speakers: Ray Bianchi, leader of Amalgamated From, and How To Fight It. Speaker: Karen 296.0055. Workers Union; Tony Gibson, member Engi­ New Haven Ray, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., March 28, neers Union, and Communist League. Sat., April The Origin of Women's Oppression and the 7:30 p.m. 605 Massachusetts Ave. Donation: $3. • 4. 7 p.m. La Gonda Arcade, 203 Karangahape C lass-Struggle Road to Emancipation. Tel: (617) 247-<>772. Rd .• Donation: $3. Tel: (9) 793-075. Speaker: Andrea Morell, Socialist Workers Party. Tues., March 31. 7:30 p.m. Dwight Hall Wellington BRITAIN U.S. Threats Escalate As Washington Plans Library, Old Campus, 67 High Street. MISSOURI London St. Louis War. Sat., March 28, 7 p.m. 23 Majoribanks St., Ireland: British Government Should Negoti­ near Courtenay Pl. Donation: $3. Tel: (4) 384- U.S. Prepares New Wars: Threats Against ate Without Conditions. Communist League FLORIDA North Korea, Iraq, Libya; Japan-Bashing are 4205 Election Candidates Call For Troops Out! South Africa: Crisis of the Apartheid Regime. Miami Prowar Propaganda. Speaker: Jim Garrison, Speaker: Rich Palser, Communist League elec­ The Caterpillar Strike: First-hand Report on Sat., April 4, 7 p.m. 23 Majoribanks St., near United Auto Workers LocalllO. Sat., March 28, tion campaign. Sat., March 28, 7:30p.m. 47 The Ma.rch 22 Solidarity Rally in Peoria, Illinois. Counenay Pl. Donation: $3. Tel: (4) 384-4205. 7:30p.m. 1622 S Broadway. Donation: $3. Tel: Cut, SE I . Donation: £2. Tel: 71-928-7993. Speaker: Roger Bland, Sociali st Workers Party, (3 14) 421-3808. member lAM. Sat. March 28, 7:30 p.m. 137 NE The General Election: Communist League 54th St. Donation: $3. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Candidate Explains Challenges Facing Work­ PENNSYLVANIA ing People. Speaker: Brian Grogan, Communist SWEDEN How to Fight Buchananism -The Socialist League Candidate for Southwark and Answer in 1992. Speaker: Dan Fein. SWP can­ Philadelphia Stockholm Bermondsey. Sat., April 4, 7:30p.m. 47 The Cut, didate for U.S. Senate. Sat., April 4, 7:30 p.m. Support Caterpillar Strikers: A report back What Do Workers and Farmers Have in SE I . Donation: £2. Tel: 71-928-7993. 137 NE 54th St. Donation: $3. Tel: (305) 756- from March 22 solidarity rally in Peoria, llli· Common? Speaker: lnge Hinnemo, Communist 1020. nois. Sat., April 4, 7:30 p.m. 1906 South St. Sheffield League, metalworker at Alfa-Laval. Sat., March Donation: $3. Tel: (2 15) 546-8218. Ireland: British Government Should Negoti­ 28, 3 p.m. Vikingagatan 10 (T-bana St ate Without Conditions. Communist League Eriksplan). Tel: (08) 31 69 33. GEORGIA Election Candidates Call for Troops Out! Atlanta UTAH Speaker: Jonathan Silberman, cochair Sheffield Support Caterpillar Strikers. Speakers: Mi­ Salt Lake City Communist League election campaign. Sat., guel Urate, Socialist Workers Party, member Labor Fights Back: The Caterpillar Strike. March 28, 6 p.m. I Gower St., Spital Hill. Dona­ By Malcolm X United Auto Workers Local 882; Ed Hill, SWP Sat., March 28, 7:30p.m. 147 E 900 S. Donation: tion: £ 1. Tel: 0742-729469. Malcolm X Talks to Young People $9.95 By Any Means Strike wave closes U.S. plants in Mexico Necessary $13.95 Continued from Page 10 to Matamoros to support the maquiladora or oppose takebacks, others said. Malcolm X on chemicals by the maquiladora owners. Under workers. This opinion was held even among On February 13, the Maquiladora Associ­ Afro-American History $7.95 a binational agreement, maquilas are sup­ many who support the " Buy America" cam­ ation of Matamoros announced that all addi­ Malcolm X Speaks paign pushed by union officials. posed to ship their hazardous wastes back to tional contracts between the owners and the (cloth) $16.95 the United States. But transport and disposal Aiding the maquila workers' fight to gain Union of Day Laborers and Industrial Work­ of these materials is very expensive, so most a living wage, it was argued, would make it ers were settled. An agreement was reached Malcolm X: wastes are stockpiled , dumped, or buried in more difficult for the bosses to pit U.S. and to increase all wages by 20 percent. The Last Speeches $15.95 theborderregion. ln 1989,theEnvironmental Mexican workers against each other. A vic­ Protection Agency reported only 12 notifica­ tory by Mexican workers in the border areas Jerry Freiwirth is an oil refinery worker at Available from Pathfinder bookstores listed on would cut across the bosses' ability to Shell Oil in Houston and is a member ofOil , page 12 or by mail from Pathfinder, 41 0 West tionsofhazardous-wasteshipmentsacross the St.. New Vorl\, NY 10014.1nclude $3.00forpost­ entire California and Arizona border. There threaten to move plants to Mexico when Chemical and Atomic Workers Union Local age and handling. were 85 in 1990. workers in the U.S. demand a better contract 4-367. The result of these policies is an ecologi­ cal disaster. A June 1990 American Medical Association report described the region as "a virtual cesspool and breeding ground for in­ - IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP fectious disease." Chemical wastes and raw Where to find Pathfinder books and MINNESOTA: Twin Cities: 508 N. Snelling BRITAIN sewage dumped into rivers and canals have distributors of the Militant, Perspecliva Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: (612) 644-6325. London: 47 The Cut Postal code: SEt SLL. caused widespread abdominal illness, hepa­ Mundial, New lnte17UIIUJnal, Nouvelh In­ MISSOURI: St. Louis: 1622 S. Broadway. Tel: 71-401 2293. titis, cancer, and birth defects. In one El re17UIIUJnale, Nueva lnternacional, and Zip: 63104. Tel: (314) 421-3808. Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehill. Postal Paso, Texas, neighborhood, 35 percent of L 'inte17UIIUJ1Uilisle. NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Zip: code: M4 4AA. Tel: 061 -839 1766. children 8 years old and under are infected 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. Sheffie.ld: I Gower St., Spital Hill, Postal with hepatitis A, and 85 percent to 90 per­ NEW YORK: New York: 191 7th Ave. Zip: code: S47HA. Tel: 0742-765070. UNITED STATES 10011. Tel: (212) 727-8421. cent of adults contract the disease by the age ALABAMA: Birmingham: I II 21st St. CANADA of35. South. Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079, 328- NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2000- Montreal: 6566, boul. St-Laurent. Postal The strikes in Matamoros received signif­ 3314. C S. Elm-Eugene St. Zip 27406. Tel: (919) 272- code: H2S 3C6. Tel: (514) 273-2503. 5996. icant media coverage in Houston and other CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico Thronto: 827 Bloor St. West. Postal code: Texas c ities. The potentially explosive Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. San OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O.Box 19484. Zip: M6G !MI. Tel: (416) 533-4324 45219. Tel: (513) 221-2691. Cleveland: 1863 Vancouver: 1053 Kingsway, Suite 102. power of the maquiladora workers clearly Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. W. 25th St. Zip: 4411 3. Tel: (216) 861-6150. Postal code: V5V 3C7. Tel: (604) 872-8343. made members of the employing class on CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing ad­ PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 both sides of the border very nervous. ICELAND dress: P.O. Box 16751, Saybrook Station, West South St. Zip: 19 146. Tel: (215) 546-8196. Pitts­ Reykjavik: Klapparsti'g 26. Mailing address: This coverage, in tum, sparked discussion Haven. Zip: 06516. burgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: (412) P. Box 233, 12 1 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. among some workers in the refineries and FLORIDA: Miami: 137 NE 54th St. Zip: 362-6767. other plants throughout the Houston area. 33 137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. MEXICO TEXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Zip: Mexico City: Nevin Siders, Apdo. Postal 27- These discussions came in the context of GEORGIA: Atlanta: 172 Trinity Ave. Zip: 77oo4. Tel: (713) 522-8054. 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. 575, Col. Roma Sur. Mexico OF. increasing calls for protectionism by top of­ ILLINOIS: Chicago: 545 W. Roosevelt UTAH: Salt Lake City: 147 E 900 South. ficials of the AFL-CIO. In particular, the Rd. Zip: 60607. Tel: (312) 829-6815, 829- Zip: 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1124. NEW ZEALAND proposed U.S.-Mex.ico "free trade" pact is Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Karan­ 7018. WASHINGTON, D.C.: 523 8th St. SE. Zip: gahape Road. Postal Address: P.O. Box 3025. loudly opposed by the union tops, who say it Des 20003. Tel: (202) 547-7557. IOWA: Moines: 2 105 Forest Ave. Zip: Tel: (9) 793-075. will mean more U.S. corporations relocating 50311. Tel: (515) 246-8249. WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madison. Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (upstairs). KENTUCKY: Louisville: P.O. Box 4103. plants south of the border. Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Postal address: P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3)656-055. Echoing this view, some workers ex­ Zip: 40204-4103. WEST VIRGINI A: Morgantown: 242 Wellington: 23 Majoribanks St., Courtenay MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2905 Green­ pressed the opinion that maquila workers are Walnut. Mailing address: P .O . Box 203. Pl. Postal address: P.O. Box 9092. Tel: (4) 384- mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. Zip: 26507. Tel: (304) 296-0055. 4205. takingaway"American" jobs. They see Mex­ MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 605 Mas­ ican workers as direct competitors. A com­ sachusetts Ave. Zip: 02 11 8. Tel: (617) 247-6772. AUSTRALIA SWEDEN mon view was that U.S. unions, especially the MICHIGAN: Detroit: 5019~ Woodward Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills, Sydney Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10. Postal code: United Automobile Workers, should go down Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 831 - 11 77. NSW 2010. Tel: 02-281-3297. S-113 42. Tel: (08) 3 1 69 33. 12 The Militant April 3, 1992 - GREAT SOCIETY------....:.-..------Thrrorists, right? -In Puerto Think you ' re crazy? -In Labor in a free market - Last ing cards for that relative or friend It can and does - "Can the Rico, the U.S. Justice Department Greenville, South Carolina, a letter year, U.S. workers put in less hours, who's been fi.J"ed. American press stand up to General tracked down three noncitizens who from the county social services but produced more. Explains the Electric. Procter & Gamble, R.J. assertedly voted in recent elections. agency arrived at the home of a man chief economist for New York's Some

Continued from Page 7 The privileged bureaucrats who rule pions of the fight for national liberation in onstrated in Baku to mourn those killed by and Eastern European governments in Brus­ Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia have all their republics. Soviet troops and to demand an end to the sels discussed the possible intervention by put their own social position ahead of the Mass protests began in Nagorno-Kara­ occupation. NATO "peacekeeping" troops in conflicts in interests of working people. The rulers in bakh and the Armenian republic in 1988. The All along, the Communist Parties of the former Soviet Union. Some government Moscow have carried out a policy of Great main demand was for the enclave to be Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the regimes ministers at the gathering said NATO inter­ Russian c hauvinism agains t both integrated into Annenia. Demonstrators said that replaced them in power, claimed to vention in Nagomo-Karabakh might be con­ Azerbaijan and Armenia. This reactionary Annenians in Nagorno-Karabakh lacked Ar­ defend " national" interests. The only ac­ sidered in the near future. Russian foreign course began in the late 1920s when the menian-language schools, books, and televi­ tion that the former central regime in Mos­ minister Andrei Kosyrev said he welcomed Stalin-led bureaucracy consolidated its sion and faced other forms of cultural and cow took was to use force and intimidation the idea. rule. It was a complete reversal of the economic discrimination by Azerbaijani au­ against both nationalities. The people of Media reports have described the war in perspective championed by the Bolshevik thorities. Nagorno-Karabakh never consented to the Nagorno-Karabakh as simply part ofan "age­ Party under Lenin's leadership, based on The Soviet government responded by arbitrary changes of administration im­ old dispute between Christian Armenia and supporting the right to self-determination putting Nagorno-Karabakh under the di­ posed on them. Muslim Azerbaijan," as a New York Times and a policy of affirmative action to de­ rect rule of Moscow. Several months later The disintegration of the Stalinist regime article put it. velop the economies of republics like Ar­ it turned the area's administration back to in the Soviet Union and the declaration of menia and Azerbaijan whose peoples had Azerbaijan. The Armenian republic then independence of its various republics have Decades of bureaucratic r ule faced systematic national o ppression voted to incorporate Nagorno-Karabakh. led to changes in the government structures The real cause of the conflict, however, is under the czars. ln 1990, when a rebellion broke out in but the rule of a privileged bureaucracy not ethnic or religious differences but the The current regimes in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan, Moscow - with Washington's remains. The governing castes in Armenia decades of bureaucratic misrule and national Annenia are fighting to stabilize their rule blessing-sent in the army to occupy the and Azerbaijan have taken advantage of the oppression in the former Soviet Union. and grab more resources by posing as cham- republic. In response I million people dem- weakened central apparatus in Moscow to seek greater power and wealth for them­ selves, while trying to keep a lid on working people's ability to freely discuss and carry Laura Gray cartoons in New York library out political activity. Former Azerbaijani prime minister Muta­ BY ETHEL LOBMAN contemptuously dropping ashes from his ies of all the cartoons so, that the originals libov is a good example of this. When the NEW YORK-Some 500 political car­ cigar on slaughtered bodies and soldiers' - which are drawn in charcoal, chalk, and August 1991 coup took place in Moscow his toons by Laura Gray are now kept in the graves. ink and can therefore easily be damaged ­ regime indicated support for it but made a Tamiment Labor Library here. and are avail­ In the March 26, 1956, Militam that cov­ are better protected. quick about-face when the coup failed. able for public viewing. ered the Montgomery bus boycott, Gray Laura Gray left a legacy of political car­ ln September Mutalibov was elected un­ Paging through the nine loose-leaf vol­ shows a large figure of a young Black man toons that can be studied and used by working opposed as president of Azerbaijan. Rival umes that hold copies of the cartoons. which lying on the ground and beginning to break people and fighters for a better world. sections of the bureaucratic caste boycotted Laura Gray created for the Militant from the ropes that are binding him, while tiny Those wanting more information or who the election, claiming it had been rigged. 1944 until I 957, a short time before her death, Ku Klux Klan figures try to retie them. wish to see the Laura Gray collection should These forces are now using the conflict in one is struck by how vividly they highlight Laura Gray was already a recognized artist phone the Tamiment Library at: (212) 998- Nagomo-Karabakh as their main issue in an the events of those years. when she began drawing cartoons for the 2635. effort to gain power. Practically every cartoon has its relevance Militant during World War II. Her paintings today. For example, in the August 18, 1945, and sculpture had been exhibited in the Chi­ Militant with its bold headline. "THERE IS cago Art Institute, in private galleries and - 25 AND 50 YEARS AGO--- NO PEACE!" referring to the end of World Works Progress Administration exhibits. War n, Gray depicted a swollen tuxedo-clad The Tamiment Labor Library is part of A new statement was drafted, essentially capitalist, with the dollar sign emblazoned New York University's Bobst Library on THE identical with the flfSt, and it was approved. on his shirt, standing atop the earth holding Washington Square South in New York City. a bulging bag marked WAR PROFITS and Tamiment has made high-quality photocop- MILITANT Pnu 101' THE MILITANT April 3, 1967 ftUI UIMI DIN TMI INUIIIYI OP YMI WO«Itl ... "OPU

N £ '1? y()RK, NY P'IVE Vietnam war was not a local here. issue, and that Montauk's statement was "not in compliance with the city charter." The fired union militants, by the admission Consequently, he said, he would suppress of the union officials themselves, had resisted the statement. Goggin refused to detail his company attempts to institute a vicious objections to Montauk's campaign state­ speedup and pay-cutting system in the ir di­ ment in writing. vision. All four of the fired shop stewards were Negroes. When Montauk went before the city coun­ cil to protest, he was denied the floor and The most damning part of the Stalinist threatened with eviction if he attempted to leaders' actions in this case is their own speak. admission, put out in a statement in the name Supporters of the socialist candidate held of the local union, that reprisal against the a picket line at City Hall to protest this un­ four militant job stewards "is the result of an democratic procedure. The American Civil investigation which was originally requested Liberties Union intervened on behalf of by the union" - that is, the Stalinist offi­ Montauk.lllen the city attorney informed the cials. ACLU that with a few "minor changes," As a further move to intimidate the work­ Montauk's statement would "comply" with ers, and enforce the company's speed-up and the city charter. Actually, the city charter does pay-slashing drive, the Stalinist leaders have not give the city attorney the right to censor called a union meeting where they intend to Laura Gray cartoon in Dec. 7, 1953, issue of the 'Militant' depicts witch-hunting the views of candidates printed in the bro­ engineer the expulsion of the fued shop stew­ effor ts of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. chure. ards from the union.

April 3, 1992 The Militant 13 - EDITORIALS 'Militant' launches Major advance in South Africa subscription The outcome of the referendum in South Africa, with the foundation of apartheid rule. The ANC has reached out • more than two-thirds of the whites voting for the negotiations to all interested in fighting for justice in South Africa with to end minority rule, was an affirmation of the course the the perspective of a nonracial, nonsexist society. catnpaign African National Congress (ANC) has led in the fight to Since it was unbanned in 1990. the ANC has addressed dismantle apartheid. itself to the widest possible number of people to win them Continued from front page When asked if 20 years earlier he would have thought to its perspective. It has mobilized the population to fight particularly interested about the fighting perspectives this the day would come when whites in South Africa would against apartheid and to pressure the government, which campaign provides today. At protest actions against cop vote overwhelmingly to dismantle apartheid, ANC president defends that system. violence and in defense of women's rights, among striking Nelson Mandela replied: "We have never doubted that such The negotiations between the government, the ANC, and workers, at plant gates. on college campuses, and at mines a moment would arrive. Otherwise, we would not have opted other political parties on the creation of a new constitution are and mills. those looking to discuss and act in politics will for a policy of nonracialism where South Africans stop a result of this fight. The vehicle for these discussions, the want to get 12 weeks of the Militant. thinking in terms of the color of a person." Convention for a Democratic South Africa, is the key stepping The candidates provide answers to the ultrarightist, in­ A rapid move toward a new government is now on the stone in the fight to break racial oppression in South Africa. cipient fascist solutions being put forward in capitalist agenda. The ANC is pressing for an interim government to South African president F.W. de Klerk called for the politics today by Patrick Buchanan, David Duke, the anti­ replace the current regime as a result of the next round of referendum in response to pressure by right-wing whites abortion outfit Operation Rescue, and the White Student negotiations in April. This would set the stage for elections seeking to defend the system of racial privileges. But the Union at the University of Minnesota, as well as the right­ to a constituent assembly, in the first elections involving all result of the vote was an overwhelming rejection of their wing campaign against imprisoned unionist and political South Africans. backward, reactionary views. activist Mark Curtis. TheANC has, for decades, been leading a struggle to break The ANC, while stating that no vote could unravel the April S demonstration the oppressive grip of apartheid and the devastation it has fight to change the social order, campaigned for a "yes" vote meant to miJlions of working people in the country. It has among whites. They hailed the outcome of the vote as an The circulation drive will be launched in the United States sought to unite all those who reject the premise of apartheid expression by many whites in favor of the principle of one in a big way in Washington, D.C., April 5 at the national and draw them into the fight for a democratic South Africa. person, one vote. The fight to destroy apartheid and the demonstration to defend a woman's right to choose abortion. It has rejected the attempt of the capitalist rulers to divide victory this will represent for workers around the world has Many of the tens of thousands of young fighters who will and isolate working people on the basis of race, which was taken a major step forward. be attending this action will be interested in reading the Militant's perspective on how to defend abortion rights and the broader working class fight against capitalist exploita­ tion and oppression. Well-organized subscription tables at this event and sales on the buses going to and from the action can help win many new subscribers. Israel, Jew-hate, and U.S. policy The Militant will continue to carry articles by worker correspondents on developments in the labor movement In a news analysis of the deteriorating relations between This divergence between the United States and Israel such as the important strike by United Auto Workers mem­ Washington and Tel Aviv, the New York Times notes that accelerated with the war against Iraq. Washington succeeded bers against Caterpillar. Covering the fight against cop neither President George Bush nor Secretary of State James in putting together an anti-Iraq coalition with the Arab brutality from Los Angeles to Newark will remain an Baker "carne into office with a deep emotional commitment regimes and shunting Israel to the side. important feature of the paper. to the relationship with Israel." Bush and Baker also seek to gain stability for U.S. interests Supporters in nine other countries are also gearing up for But this alone does not explain the rift that has opened in the region by attempting to find some way to end the the drive. These include: Australia, Belgium, Brita in, Can­ up in ruling circles over Washington's policy toward Israel. Palestinian rebellion known as the intifada. They hope that ada, France. Iceland, New Zealand, Mexico, and Sweden. Why does Baker make disparaging remarks about ~ews by forcing Tel Aviv to grant concessions, they can derail the A scoreboard listing the goals adopted by Militant supporters now? And what has led to a situation where right-wing Palestinian struggle. in cities throughout the United States and internationally commentator William Safire feels the need to publicly will appear in next week's issue. But this is too much for Safire and others in Washington criticize White House policy on the Mideast for being Communist workers in industrial unions in the United who take Israel's side. They worry that if the United States "pro-Arab?" and confmns that Baker indeed said, "F ... States and other countries are adopting goals for distribution continues to move away from its "special" relationship with the Jews, they didn't vote for us?" of the socialist press to coworkers. Israel, this will encourage Palestinians to press for further A big part of the drive will be well-organized sales and Far from being a matter of emotions, the bitter split among demands, rather than bringing stability. the ruling class's right wing is based on cold-blooded, cal­ campaign activities on Saturdays, when Militant supporters culated but diverging assessments of how best to defend Bush and Baker are not about to pull the rug out from can spend four to five hours at literature tables set up on their interests. under Israel by cutting off all military and economic aid, busy street comers, and going door-to-door in working White House policy reflects the changes that have oc­ anti-Semitic comments aside. Far from it. But they want a class neighborhoods. curred in the Middle East over the last 25 years. In the past, chastened Israel - one that will do what Washington de­ Special regional trips to cities and rural areas where the the bourgeois regimes in countries like Egypt, Syria, and mands. Militant is not regularly sold can help introduce the news­ Saudi Arabia were too unstable and unreliable from the Workers who support the Palestinian struggle for justice paper to workers, farmers, and students in many new places. standpoint of imperialism. should be dead opposed to the anti-Semitic remarks of Baker. Maintaining a regular presence on college campuses and But, with the consolidation of the capitalist class in those Palestinian fighters also have nothing to gain from Baker's reaching out to high school students will be another impor­ countries, the situation began to change. The process was remarks. Instead they will find important allies among tant aspect of this drive. helped along by Israel's success in inflicting military defeats Israel's workers and farmers of Jewish origin, who more Supporters can build on their experiences over the past on Arab regimes in wars in 1967 and 1973. The Saudi, and more find themselves forced to struggle as the Zionist several months- from selling to members of the United Egyptian, and Syrian rulers sought to cut a deal with impe­ regime tries to push down their standard of living and drags Auto Workers union on strike against Caterpillar, to on-the­ rialism. The fortress state of Israel became less and less vital them into further wars against the Palestinian and Arab job sales to unionists. In New York and elsewhere salespeo­ for the defense of Washington's interests. peoples. ple report an upturn in interest in the Militant as well as in books and pamphlets published by Pathfinder. Consistent attention in that city has meant weekly sales of 150 papers. A similar effort in Atlanta has resulted in at least 50 people purchasing the Militant each week. We urge all our readers to participate in this circulation For a world without borders campaign. Also, if you haven't done so already, you can As economic conditions continue to deteriorate in the by the New Jersey Department of Health found that Hispanic sign up for the Militant's special introductory subscription offer of 12 weeks for $10. (See coupon on page 5). You can United States and the major industrialized countries of workers, many of whom were immigrants, suffered finger also order bundles of the paper for $ 1.05 a copy, and take Europe and the Pacific, rightist forces have targeted immi­ amputations at a rate almost six times higher than white grant workers as the source of the problem. Their racist and, workers. The fatality rate for Hispanic construction workers a subscription goal for the drive. To order papers write to the Militant at 410 West Street, New York, NY 10014. at times, violent campaign against immigrants has gained was three times as much as for white workers. momentum. Employers use the illegal status of many immigrants to According to conservative columnist Samuel Francis, keep them in permanent fear of being turned into the "The main motivation of Third World immigrants is to gain government and deported. This threat makes it possible for access to the material miracles of capitalism," In reality, the the bosses to impose the superexploitative conditions ''miracles ofcapitalism" have produced the poverty and wars through which they profit so handsomely. These conditions that fuel immigration. In many Third World countries a large in tum drive down the wages and working conditions of all percentage of workers subsist only on a few hundred dollars workers. a year. Workers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia also face The depression that has begun in the United States is a governments that carry out repression so as to keep their product of the long-term economic trends in the capitalist countries safe for capitalist investment. system. In spite of a possible upturn in the business cycle, U.S. immigration officials admit that the 1.13 million conditions will continue to get rougher for working people. undocumented workers they arrested last year represent only The big capitalist corporations will continue to go after our a portion of the immigrants who make it into the United living standard to try to tum around their falling profit rates. States. The scapegoating of immigrant workers shines the spot­ Patrick Buchanan's campaign for president of the United light away from the profit system and the economic crisis States is the most prominent of the various rightist moves for which this system is responsible. It divides workers being made today, with its chauvinist appeal for "America against each other and weakens our ability to fight back. fll'St." But Buchanan's anti-immigrant demagogy is merely The only way we can put up serious resistance to the bosses' an extension of the present and longstanding hostile policies attempts to make us pay for their crisis is to unite, not only of the government toward immigrant workers. Earlier this in this country but across borders. year the Bush administration put Buchanan's immigration Workers, in truth, have no country. Increasingly working views into practice when it ordered the detention of fleeing people are being forced to sell their labor power in countries Haitians on the open sea and then sent them back to their far from where they were born. Capitalism has driven the repressive and poverty-stricken country. working class to migrate by the millions - more than at What immigrant workers face in the United States and any time in history. other imperialist countries is not high-paying jobs and un­ Working people have a stake in promoting a world without limited welfare benefits as many capitalist politicians would borders so that immigrant workers are not turned into greater have us believe. Immigrants end up in the worst jobs, with victims and scapegoats of the capitalist system, and so that Militant/Paul Mailhot the worst pay, and the worst safety conditions. For example, working people the world over can unite to change this Spring sales campaign will build on success of selling a recently published study of on-the-job injuries in 1985-86 system once and for all. 'Militant' to Caterpillar strikers and otber unionists.

14 The Militant April 3, 1992 Jury acquits activists in toxic waste protest

BY JOANNE KUNIANSKY in East Liverpool and surrounding commu­ defendants could argue that their actions Dr. Paul Connett said that their protest AND KATE DAHER nities in Ohio, West Virginia, and Permsyl­ were necessary to stop WTI. Beth Newman action was not reckless but carefully pre­ EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio - Twenty­ vania. Many families attended the rally. representing Green peace's Midwest Toxic meditated. He said that "the government nine protesters were acquitted of criminal There were steelworkers from Weirton, West Campaigns explained that this put "WTI on has been reckless - reckless as far as the trespass charges here February 14, after a Virginia, autoworkers from Lordstown. trial as much as the defendants who were human beings who live in this commu­ four-day trial. They were charged last Octo­ Ohio, and chemical plant workers from standing up for their beliefs." nity." The jury retu rned with the not-guilty ver­ ber for climbing over the fence of a toxic Monaca. Permsylvania. Students from Pitts­ Defense lawyers argued that the "hazard­ waste incinerator under construction by burgh and a carload from Bloomington, In­ ous, dangerous, illegal. and even life threat­ dict after one hour and fifty minutes of de­ liberation. Waste Technologies Industries (WTI). diana, were there. ening activity to which the company plans The arrest took place as close to one thou­ Judge Melissa Syers-Emmerling's deci­ to engage, necessitated the actions of the Joanne Kuniansky and Kate Daher are mem­ sand marched to the incinerator site, which sion to allow a necessity plea by the defense defendants to go on the property and stop the bers of Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers has been the target of many protests during was an important victory. This meant the construction." Local 8-74 in Pittsburgh. the decade-long fight to stop wn. The incinerator, scheduled to begin op­ erations this spring, will handle about 60,000 tons of toxic waste a year. The site is 1,100 feet from an elementary school in Anti-Duke pickets discuss politics a poor, residential neighborhood of East Liverpool. The Environmental Protection Agency is­ with workers attending rightist rally sued permits for the plant in 1984. Since then, building so close to a school has been out­ lawed. BY BILL LAMBERT Reproductive Freedom," and "Defend Immi­ A woman, seeing the YSA's sign "No to Defense witness Dr. Herbert Needleman, AND RANDY WARREN grant Rights." Inside the rally, Duke hit on Dukeism, Defend Affirmative Action," said, a psychiatry and pediatrics professor at the LEAGUE CITY, Texas - Young Social­ "illegal" immigration. "If not stopped, Mex­ "I really agree with you. My husband is University of Pittsburgh, said that lead levels ist Alliance members and other Militant sup­ ico will reclaim Texas, costing jobs, causing making me come to this, but I'm going to in the air believed to be safe in 1984 have porters joined in a picket line outside a rally crime, and more welfare," he said. "It's about express my opinion." She was carry a hand­ since been determined unsafe. Toxic waste for ultrarightist presidential candidate David time we fight to preserve the integrity of the lettered sign that said "Hatred never benefit­ incineration does not destroy heavy metals Duke here February 27. They also joined in Texas-Mexico border." ted any human being." Her husband ex­ like lead and arsenic, which are released into discussions with the mainly young working­ Militant supporters sought to engage rally­ plained, "I just want to hear his stump speech. the air and in the ash. Another concern of class crowd attracted to the rally. Twenty goers in discussion. I went to hear Jesse Jackson." opponents is the creation of new toxins when people bought copies of the Militant, most "I'm not against anybody 's race, but I want Some of those who attended Duke's rally waste is mixed together and burned at high of them people waiting to get into the rally to go to college and r don 't have any money," were members of right-wing groups. But the temperatures. or leaving it. said a high school student who went to the big majority of people who Militant support­ Each day of the trial the observation room Some 700 people filled the Civic Center rally. "They have these funds for Blacks but ers spoke with attended the rally to see what was filled with opponents of W11 wearing auditorium in this town near Houston to bear not for me. That's not fair." Duke had to say. Many agreed with at least buttons and T-shirts. Duke. In · the rally, Duke attacked affirmative part of what they heard, but were open to Over 300 braved bitterly cold weather Several working people came to join the action programs, saying: "If it was wrong to discussion. "I agree with Duke on welfare," to rally in downtown East Liverpool on picket line because they saw on TV that Duke discriminate against Blacks, it's wrong to said one, "but I'd I ike to read your newspaper, the opening day of the trial. Jim Kester, a would be speaking. ''I'm against David Duke discriminate against whites." too." member of United Auto Workers Local and everything he stands for," said one such The Militant salesperson pointed out that In the rally, Duke's call for drug testing 1714, introduced union local president woman, an oil company employee. Her hus­ the government is cutting access to education for welfare recipients was met by prolonged David Kimmel, who told the crowd band, a refinery worker and member of the for all working people. and that Duke is seek­ applause. "We have not encouraged welfare " You're going to win this fight." Other Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union, ing to pit victims of these cuts against each recipients to produce anything except for speakers included three of the defendants: explained he was equally opposed to Duke, other. The student and a friend pooled their children," he said. Dr. Paul Connett, a chemist from upstate but didn't feel comfortable joining the pro­ funds to buy a Militant, which explained that "I can't stand it," said another woman test. The woman bought a copy of the New York; actor Martin Sheen; and Terri Mili­ fighting to defend affirmative action can help leaving the rally. " I came because l don 't Swearingen, a longtime community leader tant and a pamphlet on the Mark Curtis case. unify the working class to meet these attacks. trust what the media says" about Duke, she of the fight against WTI. Many of the 30 who picketed were mem­ Another group of four young men dressed explained. "But I can't take any more of this. According to the East Liverpool Eve­ bers of the gay rights group Queer Nation. like "skinheads" faced jeers of "Nazi" from Do you have any anti-Duke literature?" she ning Review, WTI plant manager Samuel Some pickets shouted slogans like "poor some pickets as they walked toward the rally. asked the salesperson. who sold her a copy Kasley said the rally was "not significant white trash, poor Nazi trash," at rally-goers. While waiting in line to get in, one of them of the Militant. to us." He said, " It's just actors and rabble Others took a different approach, chanting approached a Militant salesperson. When rousers from out of town that have stirred "we need solutions, not scapegoats." told it was "a working-class, socialist news­ Randy Warren is a member of International things up." YSA members joined in the picket with paper," the four of them put together their Association ofMa chinists Local 5 I 7 in Sug­ In fact, opposition to W11 is strongly based their own signs. with slogans like: "Defend money to buy a copy. ar/and, Texas .. -LETTERS------Prison conditions Reading has always been my sal­ ment's ban on elections-and the vation, my medium in this one-sided very real prospect of an Islamic I haven 't received any of your scheme of things. fundamentalist Party wirmingifelec­ papers in a couple of years now, and Well, I won't hold you longer. In tions were held. The latest news is I would like to. I have been trans­ closing I would like to quote our that the government has instituted a ferred to a maximum security suppressed comrade, George L. ban on the Islamic Front and has prison. Jackson: begun attacking the mosques. This prison is a new prison, and ''1bere will be a special page in C. M. the guards are not used to dark the Book of Life for the men who Philadelphia, Pennsylvania skinned people, so when it first have crawled back from the grave. opened, ·they beat all people of This page will tell of utter defeat, Klan protest color viciously. The beatings have ruin, passivity, and subjection in one slowed down now, because of breath, and in the next, overwhelm­ I would like to comment on the hundreds of lawsuits being filed, ing victory and fulfillment So, take Martin Luther King rally in Denver but the guards still look at people care of yourself, and hold on." and on other local Klan activities. of color as if they came from an­ A prisoner While 20,000 to 27,000 people other planet. Burkeville, Virginia rallied to celebrate Dr. King in Jan­ The other day they had a shake­ uary, KKK and other far-right group down and took all of the shampoo members held their own public from us. They claim a prisoner threw Enjoys 'Militant' meeting two blocks away across a some shampoo in a guard's face, so I enjoy reading my subscription park. because of that no one can have to the Militant with its coverage Governor Romer had attempted ~:t HAVE A ~M . " 111 HAVE A NIGH'l'MAAE." shampoo. of around the world news. I hope to block the KKK meeting for that -I<'E.v. ~IN~~ KIN&, JR. - ROONEY KING- So now we are not allowed skin that you will continue to focus on particular time and place, but was lotion, shampoo or hair grease. We current events in Cuba and South overruled by a federal judge with the are not allowed the items we need Africa today. Those two countries local Klan leader, Shawn Slater, rep­ in order to take care of our personal are going through some difficult resented by the ACLU. hygiene. times, due to outside factors, but There was massive publicity There's no TV or radio either. In the path of these struggles will over these legalities. Fighting this prison for any small argument offer examples for socialism the broke out as cops tried to get Klan or disturbance they will send in a world over to follow. Keep up the members away via sheriff's buses. awareness forum. The college spectably. Slater often manages to squad of goons called the moving pressure on oppression. Cops went from mace to tear gas team, all dressed in black, with A prisoner president ruled against Slater's come across as the nice guy next and clubs to dispersing people appearance on grounds that secu­ door with a reasonable message. shields, helmets, and clubs and Woodbourn , New York back upon the crowd. Some in the mace. Their job is to beat you sense­ rity would be too costly. The Mary Walter crowd attacked police cars, and ACLU and the club filed a civil Denver, Colorado less. They use this moving team a Algeria crackdown started fighting among them­ lot rights complaint saying the col­ I've been following the govern­ selves. lege denied club members their The letters column is an open A prisoner Two Fort Lewis College groups, Mi,.,eral Point, Missouri ment crackdown in Algeria - in the constitutional free speech rights. forum for all viewpoints on sub­ papers-there have been a few the Black Student Organization and An agreement was reached with jects of general inter.est to our items in the Militant's world affairs the United Coalition Against Preju­ the club paying security. readers. Please keep your let­ A beautiful gesture colurrm. How about a more substan­ dice, plan to boycott classes and Ft. Lewis College has a high per­ ters brief. Where necessar y I wish to express my sincere ap­ tial piece? sponsor a "unity fest" respectively centage of Native American and they will be abridged. Please in­ Jlreciation for the Militant, and my The conflict puts a lot of secular when Slater is at the college. Chicano students. dicate if you prefer that your prisoner subscription ... it is a Algerians in a difficult spot -be­ The political science club had The local Klan is trying a new initials be used rather than your beautiful gesture. tween opposition to the govern- asked Slater to speak at a racial twist- acting and speaking re- full name. April 3, 1992 The Militant 15 I ( THE MILITANT White House blocks loan guarantees as U.S. rulers debate policy on Israel

BY SETH GALINSKY According to Evans and Novak, Israel is A bitter debate has broken out in ruling worKing with China in a search for new allies class circles over White House policy toward out of fear that "any early return to the old Israel. The immediate cause of the dispute, intimacy" with Washington is out. which has been raging in the pages of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal Israel supporters clearly upset and in Washington corridors is the refusal of Clearly upset at the tum of events, sup­ the Bush administration to grant $10 billion porters of the Israeli regime have launched of loan guarantees to the Israeli government charges of anti-Semitism against the Bush without conditions. administration. On March 6, former New Unwilling to agree to restrictions on its York mayor Edward Koch claimed that Sec­ settlements in the occupied West Bank and retary of State James Baker had used obscen­ Gaza Strip, Israel has for all practical pur­ ities when talking about the loan guarantees. poses dropped its request for the U.S. loan Baker's alleged statement, "F. . . the Jews. guarantees. They didn't vote for us," was printed in full An attempt by members of Congress to in English in banner headlines in Haaretz, a reach a compromise between the White leading Israeli daily. House and Tel Aviv broke down March 16 Well-known right-wing columnist Wtl­ when the Bush administration rejected the liam Safire attacked the White House, and proposal because it released some of the confliilled the charges of anti-Semitism. funding guarantees without a freeze on set­ "Though constrained by the rules of deep tlements. Israeli defense minister Moshe background, I can confliill that Mr. Baker Arens said his government would rather did say that, with the same vulgarities that abandon the loan guarantees than "renounce made it so memorable to two high officials the right of Jews to live in Judea and Sama­ on two different occasions. President Bush ria," referring to the occupied territories. and his top staff know he did," wrote Saftre. The Israeli government's intransigence on According to Safire, the leaks are the work the settlements has also provoked a rift of the "pro-Arab" officials who "embar­ among leaders of Pro-Israel groups in the rassed at having supported Iraq before Ku­ United States, many of whom have openly wait, and irritated at criticism of the intelli­ criticized the government ofpremier Yitzhak gence blunder that ended the war prema­ Shamir. turely, [are) out to seize control of mid-level Tel Aviv has been trying for a year to obtain policy planning." He charged that Bush has the loan guarantees, which it claims are nec­ "a lifelong pro-Arab tilt." essary to house thousands of Russian Jewish A few days later in a column in the Times, immigrants. liberal columnist A.M. Rosenthal added his Palestinians in occupied Gaza Strip resist house-to-house search by Israeli troops. The Wall Street Journal in a March 6 view that the leaks along with the Evans­ Continuing intifada has helped prompt debate in U.S. ruling class and rifts among U.S. editorial said: 'The substance of U.S. policy Continued on Page U Zionist organizations on stance toward Israel. is astonishing. The Bush administration ·is trying to topple the only democratic govern­ ment in the Mideast "lflsrael were to halt settlements, it would Buchanan's chauvinist views on immigrants be conceding the principle that Jews have no right to live in, say, Hebron, the town where Judaism was born," the Journal continued. find echo among other capitalist politicians "The White House seems to be veering to the view that in the post-Cold War world BY PAUL MAILHOT He concludes his article by joking, if the migration to the United States is expected to Israel has diminished strategic importance, Republican presidential candidate Patrick Zulus "heard a speech by Tom Harkin, they be nearly I million people this year. The and the Arab regimes have increased impor- Buchanan's campaign has set the tone for might decide to eat him." government makes huge efforts to keep out tance.'' openly racist public attacks on immigration Leaving aside the fact that Zulus are not immigrants from the Third World. For exam­ ln a move to further pressure Israel, by conservative forces in the past few months. cannibals and many do speak English, the ple, border guards apprehended I .13 million sources within the Bush administration Buchanan's views have shifted the discus­ message of such racist articles is that "real people trying to get in the country last year. leaked reports to both the Washington Times sion on immigration far to the right, in a close Americans" are white and English speaking. and the Wall Street Journal about the illegal parallel with the campaigns of fasci st-type This is who the ultraright defines as "the Israeli export of U.S. weapons to China and politicians in France and elsewhere in Europe people"- those whom the government South Africa. who campaign on anti-immigrant resent­ should serve first and foremost. Swedish workers According to the New York Times. the ment. Immigrant workers are being made a Just aS with Buchanan's racist appeals, protest government disclosures are related to "a private guerrilla convenient scapegoat for the increasingly Buckley's outrageous defense of Buchanan war that is under way in the Administration difficult conditions the economic crisis is received no round of denunciation from the layoffs and cutbacks between pro-Israel and anti-Israel bureau­ imposing on worldng people. other major party contenders. crats." Although Israel's role in arming the apart­ Buchanan charges that immigration is Others who echo Buchanan's demagogy BY BIRGITTA ISACSSON heid regime in South Africa. among others, changing fundamentally what kind of coun­ also discuss immigrants in less than human STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Four thou­ has been public knowledge for years, Wash­ try the United States is. "Since 1965, a flood terms. Syndicated columnist Samuel Francis, sand people demonstrated in Uppsala, just tide of immigration has rolled in from the ington had previously turned a blind eye to writing earlier this year, provides a good north of here, to protest the city council's the violations. This time there are plans to Third World, legal and illegal .... If present example of this. "Dlegal immigrants from austerity plans. release a report by the U.S. State Depart­ trends hold," he warns, "white Americans Third World cultures are moving across the The Uppsala city council plans to ftre will be a minority by 2050." ment's Inspector General's office, proving U.S. border in human herds that defy enu­ 1,500 public employees, mainly teachers, meration," he writes. "Not since Genghis the accusations. "People have a right to decide on immi­ day-care workers, and those caring for el­ The leaks themselves have provoked some gration, when and where folks come from," Khan rode out of the Asian steppes has the derly people. About 15,000people hold such heated exchanges showing that the roots of he added, explaining that it would be prefer­ West - Europe as well as the United States jobs in Uppsala, a city of 150,000. the debate go much deeper, to Israel's declin­ able to assimilate a million Englishman than - encountered such an alien invasion." "For teachers this means that if you have ing deteriorating relationship with Washing­ a million Zulus. Francis decries the "high birthrate that worked less than 15 years you can be ftred," ton - which accelerated with the U.S.-led immigrants from underdeveloped countries said a teacher at Ferlinschool, one of the war against Iraq - while U.S. imperialism Buchanan's views defended bring with them," and is pushing for laws schools to be closed. strengthens its alignment with the Egyptian, These views have received support from that would deny automatic U.S. citizenship The demonstration was called by the mu­ Saudi, and Syrian regimes. other conservative figures. In February Wil­ to the children of legal resident mothers. He nicipal workers' unions and a new organiza­ The debate also shows the depth of the liam F. Buckley, a well-known conservative claims that the United States is in danger of tion called The Future of Uppsala, consisting divisions among right-wing supporters of the columnist, headlined an article "Buchanan's being "overwhelmed and destroyed by the mostly of parents of schoolchildren. Bush administration. point was a reasonable one." ln it he takes flood" because "the government - at state, After the demonstration 150 people Right-wing columnists Rowland Evans issue with the "bum rap Buchanan is taking local, and federal levels - isn't worldng to crowded the regular session of the city coun­ and Robert Novak released a column on the matter of the Zulus and the Brits." keep illegal immigrants out cil to make their voices heard. March 16 charging that Israel had sold to "The British speak English, they come While the major candidates for the Dem­ City governments throughout Sweden China missiles incorporating U.S. tech­ from a country that is governed by the mother ocratic and Republican nominations don't go have proposed austerity measures, which nology. The two used the article and the of parliaments, they are by and large Chris­ to the extremes of Buchanan and other fig­ threaten to eliminate the jobs of40 ,000 putblic reported sales to take a swipe at Tel Aviv tians, or at least exposed to Christian culture, ures who echo his scapegoating, immigrant employees within three years. Librru ~es for its role in "trying to push the United and they are white-skinned," Buckley asserts, workers won't be greeted with a welcome schools, and public swimming pools will ~ mat from either Bush, Clinton, or Brown. States into sending arms to Iran early in adding, '1'he Zulus speak no English, know closed down in 1993. That year, city gove~1 - the Reagan administration. That caper nothing of democracy, and are black­ The major industrialized countries are aU ments wiiJ get 7 billion kronors less from t. .. brought on the Iran-Contra scandal." skinned." experiencing massive immigration. Legal im- state budget (6 k.ronors = one U.S. dollar).

16 The Militant April 3, 1992