• AUSTRALIA$2.00 • BARBADOS $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 Interview with ANC leader on mass action campaign THE -PAGES 8-9 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED I N THE I NTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 56/NO. 31 September 4. 1992 U.S., allies, prepare to Convention props up unleash air war on Iraq flagging BY FRANK FORREST AL Eighteen months after the U.S.-led impe­ rialist slaughter of Iraq, Washington and its Bush allies are preparing to launch an air war against the Baghdad regime. Their aim is to • deal Baghdad a blow, bringing closer the campaign day when Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. This week Washington is working out BY PAUL MAILHOT details on establishing a military command The Republican Party recently concluded responsible for implementing an air security its national convention in Houston, Texas, zone in southern Iraq. hoping to shore up the flagging George But their goal of establishing a protector­ Bush presidential campaign. ate beholden to Washington's interests is as The convention underscored the deep cri­ elusive as ever. sis in the Bush campaign and the Republican Washington's war in the Gulf created new Party. More than a third of all Republicans problems for American imperialism in the in Congress and many prominent governors Gulf region. declined to attend the convention, fearing too close an identification with the party The war set in motion unforeseen and un­ standard bearer. The continuing disastrous controllable forces and has opened new con­ effects of the economic downturn on the flicts and wars. This is seen clearly in northern great majority of working people in the Iraq where the Kurdish people are fighting for United States, and the fact that the Repub­ self-determination. Turkey has been conduct­ licans represent the status quo has put the ing military operations against bases of the Bush campaign far behind. Turkish Kurd groups in Iraq. Most of the Hoping to divert attention from the real victims have been Iraqi civilians. problems facing working people today - Meanwhile, Iraqi military forces have im­ sions among contending class forces and torial pages of the big-business press. joblessness, the threat of war, racism, at­ posed an economic embargo on the north between different states, and has led to Between now and the November election, tacks on abortion rights, the crisis in health and continue to shell Kurdish positions. In growing conflicts among the imperialist the administration is determined to use its care - Republicans projected the Bush April, 40,000 Kurds were forced to flee their powers themselves. warmaking powers to reverse the sharp de­ campaign as the guardian of "family val­ homes as a result of Iraqi artillery fire. Some Within the capitalist class in the United cline in Bush's reelection bid. ues:• (See editorial, page 14.) I00 ,000 Iraqi troops are amassed at the edge States it has set off sharp tactical divisions, In an article headed, "An October Sur­ Bush also sought to place the entire blame of this region. debates, and recriminations, which are re­ prise?" columnists Evans and Novak com­ for the economic crisis on the Democratic­ Tile war's outcome has exacerbated ten- flected to one degree or another in the edi- Continued on Page 14 controled Congress, overlooking the fact that both parties have had fundamentally the same domestic policies for more than a decade. Pro-choice activists win big victory; Religious and conservative speakers, Continued on Page 3 keep Houston abortion clinics open Imperialists BY SARA LOBMAN offer women abortions. August 20. "Ten, zero; ten, zero," chanted HOUSTON - Abortion rights activists "Despite their best efforts, they haven 't several hundred activists defending Planned have won a big victory here by successfully done a thing," Bernadette Gillece, site coor­ Parenthood on August 21. They were refer­ weigh military defeating a two-week-long attempt by anti­ dinator at the West Loop clinic, told a cheer­ ring to the score -ten days of victory for abortion forces to close down clinics that ing crowd of several hundred the night of defenders of abortion rights. Tile antiabortion campaign, called Oper­ intervention ation Guard Our Prebom (GOP), included forces organized by Operation Rescue, Res­ Join Youth for Warren and DeBates cue America, and the Lambs of Christ. It in Yugoslavia was timed to coincide with the Republican James Warren and EsteUe DeBates an internationalist and working-class Party national convention. BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS are the Socialist Workers ca.ndi.d6tes voice in politics. On lines defending The clinic defenders, organized into Working people of all nationalities con­ tinue to be brutalized in Bosnia-Herze­ for U.S. president and vice-president. clinics and a woman's right to choose, Houston Defending Choice, outrnobilized The campaign i.s a socialist alternative in protests against police brutality, at the rightists and prevented them from block­ govina as the ruling gangs of the former to the twin parties ofwa r, racism, and strikes and union rallies, socialist cam­ ading a single clinic. Yugoslav republics pursue their war over economic depression. paigners are there b uilding the strUg­ Loretta Kane, a national staff person for turf and resources. gle. They advance a perspective of the National Organization for Women In the meantime, one week after the * * * building an international working-cla88 (NOW) who has been helping to organize United Nations Security Council authorized Youth for Warren and DeBates is movement against the drive to World the defense here, reports that at the height military intervention in Bosnia, Washing­ made up of students, young· workers, War Ill and the ravages of the capital­ of the fight more than 750 defenders were ton, Bonn, and Paris have issued calls for and other young people who want to ist economic-crisis. Become a part of on the street - at least 400 came out every tighter sanctions against Serbia and Monte­ join the struggles today and help raise this campaign today! day. negro. With the exception of an August 18 rally The government of Germany favors the in front of Planned Parenthood, where about total prohibition of transit traffic through 0 Yes! I want to join Youth fOr Warren and DeBates! 450 antiabortion protesters faced 300 clinic Serbia. It also proposes to dispatch multina­ 0 I want to help petition to put the socialist campaign on the ballot. defenders, it appears that no more than 250 tional police and customs units to patrol the antiabortion people were ever mobilized Danube River and the countries neighboring I will help set up a meeting for the candidates at my school _ union _com­ 0 city-wide. At that rally the clinic defenders Serbia. Former German foreign minister munity organization _ . were able to keep Planned Parenthood open Hans-Dietrich Genscher explained that, be­ 0 I want to join other supporters at street comer campaigning and plant gate while keeping 450 people stationed at other cause such an operation would not require eYents. clinics around town. army troops, Germany could participate. 0 I want to help organize a meeting for Youth for Warren and DeBates members. An important turning point came on the "The UN sanctions are beginning to take morning of Monday, August 17, when about a heavier toll on the people of Serbia," said ~me ------­ a dozen members of the Lambs of Christ Zorica Trifunovic in an August 22 telephone Add~ ------and Rescue America charged into the de­ interview from Belgrade. Trifunovic is a City ______State ______Zi p ____ fense line at the West Loop Clinic. leader of the Antiwar Center in Belgrade, Clinic defenders had assumed that the which has organized several actions against Phoae Ace --- antiabortion forces would not attack there the war. the does Send M Seeialilt ~ 1992 Ca•peip, 191 7th A•a~ae , New York, NY I toll (%1%) 675-6'140. since clinic not do abortions on The government of Yugoslav president Continued on Page 4 C'.Gntiaued Oil ~ 10 North American trade accord won't stop trade wars- page 6 ~ IN ~ BRIEf______

Georgia crushes Black Sea Cuba's deputy foreign minister, says Ha­ region rebellion vana has taken heart from its recent ad­ mlSSlOn to the Caribbean Tourist Tanks and armored vehicles rolled into Russia organization, over the objections of Puerto Sukhumi, the capital ofthe semiautonomous Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. region of Abkhazia in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, August 18 as Georgian troops took control of most of the area sur­ China welcomes foreign banks rounding the capital. More than 50 people Foreign banks are aggressively pursuing were killed in four days of fighting. the Chinese market again, after an extended Georgian president Eduard Shevard­ Georgia hiatus that followed the June 1989 govern­ nadze, the former Soviet foreign minister, ment crackdown on student demonstrators sent in troops to crush a rebellion by the ..·.• in Tianamen square in Beijing. Bank invest­ Abkhazian parliament, which declared its .•.:< ments are rising along with foreign direct independence from Georgia in July. Geor­ :-. ..·· · invesunents. gian troops occupied the Parliament build­ Since the mid 1980s, Beijing has allowed ing, raised the Georgian flag, and decreed foreign banks to operate branches in the an 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew. A mili­ country's five special economic zones along tary council was appointed to govern the Azerbaijan the coast. All major Chinese cities except region. The fighting was complicated by Shangai where 12 foreign banks have Moscow's decision to send in paratroopers branches, were off limits. Since January, ostensibly to evacuate Russians who were Turkey four major cities have since received the vacationing at Sukhumi. Of Abkhazia's green light from the People's Central Bank 500,000 people at least 90,000 are ethnic of China to begin screening applications by Abkhazians, a largely Muslim, Turkic­ foreign banks to open branches: Canton, speaking group. The rest are mostly Rus­ Tianjin, and the northern port cities of Dal­ sians and Georgians. ian and Qingdao. On August 9 a riot broke out outside the Bank of China in Shenzhen, Polish miners join strikes workers July 26 and asked the government point to as a sign of an upturn even if a weak which is adjacent to Hong Kong, as 50,000 to nullify the contract. That would legally one. would-be-investors rushed for a chance to Workers at four Polish coal mines went permit the company to fire almost 15,000 buy stocks offered by the bank. About 9,000 on strike August 18 to protest the of the 16,000 employees who are union ANC debates abortion rights police fired tear gas and shots in the air to government's austerity measures. They members. The workers organized an as­ disperse the crowd. joined copper and auto workers who have sembly of union delegates that called for A recent article in the August 1992 issue been on strike since July. 'This is just the special union elections to replace the union of Mayibuye, published by the African Na­ beginning," said Marek Opasnik, a spokes­ leadership. The government panel has rec­ tional Congress (ANC) of South Africa, Vietnam economy rebounds man for the union that called the strike. ognized only the old union leadership as points to a debate within the ranks of the After a period when Vietnam's economy 'There will be many more mines and facto­ the workers' representative. Volkswagen organization on abortion rights. Anne Hil­ was facing deep difficulties, there are signs ries joining if the government doesn't start now says the workers can go back under ton, ofthe ANC Pretoria Witwatersrand Ver­ of a rebound. Exports of oil and rice have negotiations on our 21 demands." the terms of the rejected contract with eeniging (PWV) Health Committee, reports significantly contributed to the country's These demands include an end to wages averaging $15 per day, a 20 percent that the recent ANC policy conference re­ ability to cope with the loss of much of its Poland's 13 percent unemployment, "the increase over previous wage levels. The ferred back to the ANC branches the issue trade with the former Soviet Union. The immediate abandonment of the current cha­ company also says that dissident union of whether to support legalization of abor­ country is now running a trade SUIJ>IUS for otic and fraudulent privatization," lower in­ leaders and other workers who led the tion. the first time since Vietnam was reunited in terest rates, and ending of strict wage con­ work stoppages will be fired. 'The abortion issue was raised seriously 1976. Inflation has slowed to about 30 per­ trols in state-.owned industries. at only one regional policy conference: that cent a year, the lowest in a decade. Govern­ of the PWV," writes Hilton. The resolution ment authorities are taking steps to increase Recession in Britain drags on presented at that meeting proposed that '\blkswagen ends Mexico lock-out foreign invesunent. They are also selling While Britain's recession is lurching to­ abortion should be made available on de­ some state enterprises, although at a much Volkswagen of Mexico announced Au­ wards its second anniversary, there are no mand through a national health service. "In slower pace than their Chinese counter­ gust 18 it would rehire about 90 percent of signs of a speedy recovery. Unemployment debate at the PWV meeting, a strong anti­ parts. its 16,000 employees and end a lockout at rose to a five-year high in July to reach 2.75 abortion argument was put forward by a its plant in Puebla, 70 miles east of Mexico million or 9.7 percent. Joblessness has risen number of men who outnumbered the City. The announcement came after a gov­ steadily for 27 months in a row. The number women delegates by nine to one," Hilton Pro-Aristide Haitians attacked ernment panel agreed to the company's re­ of those who are long-term unemployed, said. "Some of the sentiments expressed The body of Matine RemiJien -a lead­ quest to nullify its contract with the union defined as being out of work for more than were that 'the ANC doesn't stand for murder ing supporter of ousted Haitian president August 17. a year, also jumped to 905,000, the highest and killing,' " she added. Jean-Bertrand Aristide - turned up in the On July 21 Volkswagen workers in since July 1988. Personal bunkruptcies were The article points out that to get a legal morgue in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, August Puebla began a series of work stoppages up by 30 percent in the fJ.J'St half of 1992 as abortion now in South Africa a woman must 18, one day after he was arrested. Last to protest a contract that had been signed compared with the same period last year. At be referred by a doctor to two other doctors month Rernilien cofounded a pro-Aristide between the union leadership and manage­ the same time, manufacturing output in­ for assessment. Only 40 percent of the ap­ party, the Louvri Baye, which means "Open ment July 2 but rejected by the majority creased slightly in the second quarter of plicants are successful. In 1990, of the 868 the Gates." of the workers. Volkswagen locked out the 1992, a statistic some government officials legal abortions, 69 percent were for white According to independent Haitian media women. Illegal abortionists face penalties of at least 20 civilians have been killed this five years imprisonment or a fine of 5,000 month by security forces. rand. In Miami, three leaders of Veye Yo. a Haitian solidarity group, were robbed and Subscribe Cuba seeks to join Caricom seriously wounded by gun shots August 11. All three individuals- Fritz Belizaire, Cuba is seeking increased economic Pierre-Louis, and Menos Baptiste- had now! links with its neighbors in the Caribbean. received anonymous threats because of their It has asked to be granted observer status political activity in favor of restoring Aris­ to the 13-nation Caribbean Economic tide as president of Haiti. The Militant reports on: Council (Caricom.) The request is likely to be followed by an application for full • the fight for membership. Ramon Sanchez Parodi, -ARGIRIS MALAPANIS abortion rights mail), send $80. Barbados: Send $75Bds for • Washington's drive one-year subscription to P.O. 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2 The Militant September 4, 1992 S. African youth leader visits framed-up unionist

BY MARK CURTIS country. Nonwhites are still forced to live in Bantustans, You don't get to meet a leader of the South African freedom similar to Indian reservations in the U.S. struggle every day, especially if you're in prison. So the visit Negotiations between the ANC and the govenunent began by Andile Yawa,leaderofthe Youth League ofthe African Na­ last year but came to a stalemate this spring when the gov­ tional Congress, ignited a lot of excitement at the medium se­ enunent refused to agree to free elections to a constituent as­ curity unit of the Iowa State Penitentiary here. sembly that would draft a democratic constitution. When we found out that Yawa would be coming, many in­ Yawa explained that the violence, like the recent massacre mates responded enthusiastically, asking me to express their at Boipatong, was not "Black-on-Black crime" or the op­ solidarity with the people of South Africa and giving me ques- pressed people fighting each other for power. A group called the Inkatha Freedom Party, which has provoked the attacks, was exposed as having financial support from the govern­ ment and police. At the Boipatong massacre for example, BEHIND police transported Inkatha thugs to the township in police buses and vans, according to eyewitnesses. Inkatha leaders PRISON have played on the pride many Zulus have in their tribe's history of fighting the British and on loyalty to their king to WALLS turn them against the ANC who they claim are "terrorists." This month's strike called by the ANC was "90 percent effective" in bringing workers across the country off their tions to relay to him. What about the violence, the massacres, jobs in protest of the govenunent's lack of faith in negotia­ tions and it's part in the violence, said Yawa. During the and the ' Black-on-Black' crime they have been seeing on their Andile Yawa, president of the \\brld Federation of Dem­ strike, he said, a huge demonstration marched to the capitol, television screens? What changes have been made since Nel­ ocratic Youth (WFDY) and a National Executive Com­ Pretoria, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. Once son Mandela's release from prison? What did he think about mittee member of the African National Congress Youth South Africa participating in the Olympics for the first time? there, they took down the South African flag and replaced League, visiting Mark Curtis at the Iowa State Peniten­ it with the ANC's colors. And what can we, those who live in the United States, some as tiary in Ft. Madison, Iowa, August 13. Yawa had been prisoners, do to help their democratic revolution? Yawa said he had mixed feelings about the Olympics ­ touring the United States to report on the current stage Contrary to some expectations, Yawa, a slim young man proud of the South African athletes who competed for the of the South African revolution. Yawa told Curtis, ' You first time, and brought home a medal, but disappointed for with a big smile, looked and dressed just like one of us. remain our comrade despite being behind these dungeon When we walked around the small visiting yard, his big all the years that the majority of the population had no access walls. In every publication [ofWFDY] that we have, your smile faded a little. "Mark, to see you in prison," he said, to sports equipment and training. name will be in it. The world must know of your fight.' shaking his head. But he knows about prison, as I found out. Even though he recognized that prisoners' political activ­ Yawa told me about how he was arrested in 1984 during ity is limited, he was glad to suggest some actions we could student demonstrations against apartheid. He was held for take here. Writing protest letters to South Africa's govern­ ward, and the next day. three months without charges under South Africa's laws. ment and solidarity messages to the ANC was one idea he I was personally moved by meeting Andile Yawa, a When his bail was finally set and paid he was released, but suggested. Another was to write to the political prisoners representative of this monumental freedom struggle for all had to sign in at the local police station every morning and still held in South Africa's jails. Yawa promised to send us humanity. He was extremely generous in offering me sup­ night. After signing in one night, Yawa and eight others left addresses and materials for our education. port in the fight against the frame-up that put me in prison town and climbed over mountains by foot, crossing into the Besides myself, a couple of other prisoners were able to and keeps me here, locked up but not separated in the real country of Lethoso and then to freedom abroad. briefly meet Yawa in the visiting yard, including the inmate sense from the world revolutionary movement. Thank you who took our picture and another who was also on a visit. They Andile Yawa and the African National Congress for remind­ Yawa talked to me for two hours about the changes in were both as excited to meet Yawa as I was. Quite a number of ing us that our struggles are inseparable and that the South South Africa. The ANC has been "unbanned," legalized, and inmates waved to us during the visit from the prison dining hall African Revolution will be a victory for us all. he is now free to return without being arrested. and from the dormitory. After Yawa left, someone asked who Blacks and whites can now legally use the same park was visiting me, because he had seen "all kinds ofguy s" stand­ Mark Curtis is a union and political activist incarcerated at benches and beaches and marry each other, but these are ing on chairs in the rec hall trying to get a look at my visitor. the Iowa State Penitentiaty in Ft. Madison, Iowa. He has relatively small concessions. Only whites are allowed to vote The photo I brought back with me of Yawa and the answers to served nearly 4 years of a 25-year sentence on frame-up or to own land in the 80 percent of the best land in the their questions were the main topic that night at supper, after- rape and burglary charges. Convention props up flagging Bush campaign

Coqtinued from front page mention of the platfonn in his acceptance frequently from the Bible." Socialist candidate DeBates explained, such as Pat Robertson, denounced Demo­ speech. "Washington's planned attack against Iraq cratic candidate William Clinton and his Many delegates to the convention sup­ Buchanan speaks to delegates is a central issue in politics today. The U.S. wife Hillary for promoting "a radical plan ported a woman's right to choose abortion Among the convention's keynote speak­ rulers are driven toward war to salvage their to destroy the traditional family." and attempted to lead a fight to change the ers was ultrarightist Patrick Buchanan. He crisis-ridden system - that's the case platfonn. But the Bush campaign fought off denounced Clinton and his running mate whether it's an election year or not. But now Right-wing agenda a challenge to the anti-woman plank by Albert Gore, for being "radicals" who try to many officials in the Republican adminis­ The tone of the convention was set by the appealing for unity and loyalty to the pres­ portray themselves as "moderates." Bu­ tration also see it as the only way for Pres­ openly right-wing platform adopted by con­ idential ticket. chanan pledged his full support to the Bush ident Bush's badly battered campaign to vention delegates on the first day. The doc­ Estelle DeBates, Socialist Workers vice­ campaign. have a chance of succeeding. ument called for measures to support prayer presidential candidate, who was in Houston "A president is also commander in chief, "Working people and youth have a big in the schools,and the teaching of cre­ to participate in actions to defend abortion the man we empower to send sons and stake in mobilizing against this war dan­ ationism; labelled homosexuality a "deviant clinics against Operation Rescue, noted, brothers, fathers and friends, to war," Bu­ ger. Both the Democratic and Republican lifestyle" and opposed legislation guaran­ "many Republican delegates joined the chanan said. "Which of these two men party tickets support resumption of mili­ teeing equal rights for gays; attacked the picket defense lines. They came to the con­ [Bush or Clinton] has won the moral author­ tary attacks on Iraq. In fact it's the one welfare system; proposed harsher measures vention hoping to change the party platform, ity to call on Americans to put their lives at issue where Bush can count on getting to block immigrants from coming into the but were so disgusted that they came out and risk? I suggest, respectfully, it is the patriot uncritical support from his Democratic country; and demanded a law that would did the one thing they could do to defend and war hero, Navy Lieutenant J.G. George Party challenger." permit abortions "under no circumstances." abortion rights, which was to help stop Op­ Herbert Walker Bush." The Wall Street Journal reported August eration Rescue." Buchanan echoed the theme of Bush's 20 that many Republican candidates im­ DeBates further commented on the con­ acceptance speech delivered later in the con­ mediately disavowed the platform. Rod vention proceedings by saying, "The idea vention that more wars were on the horizon Cuban youth leader Chandler, a Republican senatorial candi­ that the Republican Party, any more than the and that only Bush was competent to lead visits United States· date, called it, "A document right out of Democratic Party, is interested in the wel­ the assaults. the Dark Ages." President Bush made no fare of working class families in the United "There wi ll be more foreign-policy chal­ lbis Alvisa Gonzalez, a researcher States is a fraud. They decry women who lenges like Kuwait in the next four years," at the Center .for Studies of Youth .in work, but it is precisely the attacks on the stated Bush. "Terrorists and aggressors to Ha:vana, Cuba, is currently visiting the standard of living of working people that stand up to, dangerous weapons to be con­ United States to speak on many cam­ have taken place - under Democratic and trolled and destroyed. And I look forward to puses about young people and Cuba Republican administrations - in the past being the first President to visit a free, dem­ today. She will visit nine cities. two decades that have forced millions of ocratic Cuba." A second Cuban youth Jeader,Jo¢ women into the work force. President Bush made no mention in his "More women in the work force m'akes it acceptance speech of the moves his admin­ Antonio Conre,pcionR~ugel ; ~ill ~ip Gonzalez. starting$eptember 2. He.is possible for women to be economically in­ istration is preparing to once again go to war at for against Iraq. also a researcher the Center dependent and more capable of fighting for Stu,dies of :Youth. · their rights," continued DeBates. "That's what Bush, and the class he represents, is so Clinton backs war moves For mo~ informati

September 4, 1992 Tbe Militant 3 Houston: pro-choice fighters win victory

Continued from front page much bigger agenda than abortion rights." Monday. Most volunteers had been rede­ Following the victory at West Loop, Op­ ployed to other clinics, leaving only 70 at eration Rescue, Rescue America, and the West Loop. About 50 of these formed a Lambs of Christ spenr most of the rest of two-person deep defense line across the the week roaming from clinic to clinic look­ parking lot entrance, while 20 went to guard ing for opportUnities to block access to cli­ the door. ents. In most cases, there were so many About 80 abortion rights opponents had people mobilized to defend a clinic- with been rallying across the street for several reinforcements pouring in from other clinic minutes when the clinic manager drove in sites - that the antiabortion forces were re­ for work. While the clinic defenders tried to duced to holding a brief prayer vigil and figure out whether it was possible to let her moving on. They also organized several through, Rescue America and Lambs of rallies at the courthouse. Christ seized the moment of confusion to On August 20, 16 abortion rights activists rush the line. were arrested for criminal trespass at the Militant/Sara Lobman Women's Pavilion clinic when they were Abortion rights fighters kept all the Houston clinics open Attack by antiabortion forces forced to go on clinic property to defend the They went at the pro-choice activists, grab­ door as antiabortion activists rushed towards bing at belts, stomping toes, and trying to yank it. Police had not stopped the attackers at the Bubba Rardin, who drives a wrecker, was An evening rally on Thursday, organized clinic defenders' arms apart as they tried to property line. While the clinic had requested eating with friends at the diner. He agreed. "If to coincide with the end of the Republican push them to the ground. "It felt like you were the defense volunteers, the property man­ a woman wants to get an abortion, she should Party convention, became an impromptu up against a moving building," one clinic agement was hostile. be able to. It's no one else's business," he said. evaluation of the week's experience. "Peo­ defender said later. At one point an antiabor­ The incident has deepened discussions On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday ple around the world will celebrate Hous­ tion attacker grabbed another out of her among abortion rights fighters about the role nights, the Women's Action Coalition ton," Estelle DeBates, socialist candidate wheelchair so a third could use it as a battering of the police. On August 22 it was an­ (WAC) drum corps performed in downtown for vice-president told the hundreds of ram. A dozen abortion rights activists suffered nounced that all charges had been dropped. Market Square to a crowd of 500. Many mostly young people. Robertson summed minor injuries in the attack. up the feelings of many. "I've never been The fight to defend abortion rights during clinic defenders had heard them on the lines. In spite of the viciousness of the attack, so active in my whole life, or felt so good the past two weeks has had a deep impact on They would show up at antiabortion "hit" the defense line held for over five minutes. sites to lead songs and chants. "Can't rule about myself," she said. When it fmally broke, the clinic defenders a broad layer of working people throughout my body, can't rule my mind, can't run my "Despite their best efforts, they weren't immediately reorganized their forces. About the city. One young man commented on the broad range of people driving by who re­ life, cause I run it fine," go the words to one able to do a thing," Gillece said. "We 40 rushed to the door to reinforce the de­ chant. learned that we don't have to rely on the fense there. Others, along with reinforce­ sponded to the "honk for choice" sign he was cops or anyone to get things done. We have ments that had been pouring in from around holding. "Bus and truck drivers, men and An open mike at the programs sponsored women, all kinds of people honk,'' he said. the power to do it ourselves." the city, quickly reformed the line. by WAC gave young women a chance to Within seconds a solid defense again pro­ Joanne Rosenquer and Carol Kernan, speak on subjects from the oppression of At a final victory celebration held at a tected the clinic lot. The quick action of the waitresses at the diner across from the Pas­ women, to the war in Yugoslavia, to the local restaurant on Saturday evening, clinic defenders prevented all but about 25 right­ adena clinic, offered water and soda refills strike at the Appletree supermarket. A huge defenders gleefully shared tales of the ists from entering clinic property. Those 25, to clinic defenders. "It's the woman's pre­ slide show on women's rights was projected week's experiences and made plans to con­ unable to penetrate the solid defense at the rogative," Joanne said. onto the side of a nearby building. tinue defending the abortion clinics. door, sat at the feet of the clinic defenders. Only after the clinic was secure did the cops enter and begin to arrest the attackers. The Houston Chronicle reports that 41 antiabor­ Youth for Warren and DeBates join battle tion demonstrators were arrested, some when they threw themselves in the path of the police vehicle holding those already in custody. By the time the police began the arrests, in Houston to defend right to abortion more than 250 people were defending the clinic, chanting and singing. BY SARA LOBMAN As news of the victory at "Fort West HOUSTON - The socialist campaign Loop," as it has become known, spread, it of James Warren for U.S. president and LO gave a tremendous boost to the confidence Estelle DeBates for vice-president got a big of abortion rights fighters across the city. boost here when several young fighters who ''They hit when they thought we were vul­ had been defending Houston's clinics from nerable - which we were, but they still antiabortion attacks decided to become in­ couldn't get through," Gillece explained. volved in Youth for Warren and DeBates 'They were prepared to go to any length to (YWD). close the clinic, but we held them back." Campaign supporters, including De­ Laura Robertson. a clinic defense leader, Bates, joined with hundreds of others to agreed. "We went into Tuesday [August 18] prevent members of Operation Rescue and feeling a lot more confident. We had some other antiabortion groups from closing the experience and we knew we could keep clinics down during the Republican Party them from the door," she commented. convention. In addition to joining the clinic Students, unionists join defense lines defense, the socialist campaigners tried to take every opportunity to introduce the cam­ The largest turnout of clinic defenders paign to the other young fighters. 175 copies yet, 750, occured August 18 as people who of the Militant and 7 subscriptions were sold had seen the news or heard about the previ­ 1ll II and 275 signatures were collected to win Militant/Sara Lobman ous day's events came out. New forces con­ official write-in status for Patti Iiyama, so­ tinued to join the defense lines as the week Youth for \\arren and DeBates members who joined Houston clinic defense battle. cialist candidate for U.S. Congress in the went by, replacing those who had to go back 29th C. D. Stickers of all kinds were popular of the economic and social crisis. to work or school. on the lines, and YWD was quick to put out the Communist Manifesto. For example, several students from St. DeBates also spoke to a women's discus­ its own: "Pro-Choice, Youth for Warren and DeBates, who this year has traveled to Johns school, a local college, showed up at sion group. She pointed to the opportunity DeBates, the Socialist Alternative in '92." South Africa, North Korea, Japan, Canada, the Houston Women's Clinic on Tuesday to bring people with many different beliefs DeBates got an enthusiastic reception from and Britain to talk about the socialist cam­ morning. Rice University students returning into the fight to defend abortion rights. paign, reported that there is deep interest to Houston from summer vacation carne out the abortion rights fighters. Bill Lambert, a ''Chants li.ke 'take your rosaries off my participant in YWD and socialist candidate everywhere in the fight for abortion rights to the clinics. ovaries' or other anti-Catholic and antireli­ in the United States. On Wednesday several high school stu­ for U.S. Congress in the 22nd C.D., explained, gious slogans only make it harder for people dents from the Episcopalian High School "Youth for Warren and DeBates had a big to joint the fight," DeBates said. DeBates also stressed that it is only by joined the clinic defense. Will Hayes, 15, presence at the clinics. We are viewed as DeBates was able to speak to a rally of organizing and mobilizing in the streets that explained that seeing pictures of women serious fighters who will continue to defend 2,000 pro-choice activists on August 15 that abortion rights will be defended. "This is who had been killed or injured from illegal abortion rights even after Operation Rescue was sponsored by the National Organization real politics, not who gets elected to sit in abortions had convinced him to fight to leaves town." for Women (NOW) and another, of about the White House," she said. "Through this defend abortion rights. "Going back to that Travis Coover and Will Hayes, both 15- the same size, that was called by local ac­ process a new generation of fighters will - would be horrible,'' he said. year-old high school students, joined De­ tivists for August 20. in the words of Malcolm X - gain a sense As the fight continued, some industrial Bates and campaign supporters for some In each, DeBates stressed several points of their self worth." workers and union members began showing informal discussion one day after clinic de­ to the young fighters coming into politics At a victory celebration and campaign up to defend the abortion clinics. This in­ fense. "1 don't think there's much difference around the .fight to defend a woman's right rally after the final day of clinic defense, cluded nearly a dozen oil workers from between the Democrats and Republicans," to choose abortion. "The fight we are wag­ DeBates addressed the growing threat of Houston, members of the Oil, Chemical, and Hayes said. "They're both bureaucrats." ing is an example not only to others who are another U.S.-led war against the people of Atomic Workers union. Marie Underhill, a He asked what DeBates thought about Op­ the victims of this government's wars, rac­ Iraq. Laura Robertson, a student at the Uni­ flight attendent for Continental Airlines, eration Rescue. "They have a broader agenda ism, and economic catastrophe, but to versity of Houston and a leader of the clinic where workers just voted in the Interna­ than just fighting abortion rights," DeBates women who are fighting for their rights defense, plans to arrange speaking engage­ tional Association of Machinists, came to explained. "They argue that the downfall of around the world. What we do will affect ments for the socialist candidates at her defend the clinics. society is a result of women working outside what happens concerning abortion rights campus. Lambert reports that a campaign Bruce Little, a 23-year-old Black factory the home, controlling our bodies, and fighting from Ireland to Spain, from Canada to South table at Rice University, also in Houston, worker who goes to school at night, came for our rights. They scapegoat women for Africa," DeBates said at the NOW rally. In has already opened up the possibility of the in on Saturday. "A lot of people are able to things like crime and drugs." The socialist addition, YWD members helped build socialist candidates participating in a debate see through Operation Rescue's religious altemative,ontheotherhand,pointsthefinger classes that DeBates gave, including one on there and speaking on the campus radio demagogy," he commented. "They have a at capitalism and fights to unite all the victims the South African revolution and another on station.

4 The Militant September 4, 1992 Socialist petitioners fight for ballot status

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS in Iraq and Yugoslavia. idate I ,800 of these names, leaving the cam­ on that state's ballot. Socialist campaigners have been well re­ "The George Bush administration has paign 276 short of meeting the requirement. In Montpelier, the state capital, signs on ceived as they have petitioned around the brought us war in Iraq, the invasion of Pan­ Dozens of letters have been sent to the campaign tables defending abortion rights country for ballot status for James Warren ama, assaults on a woman's right to choose board of elections from unionists, lawyers, and calling for justice for framed-up union for president and Estelle DeBates for vice­ abortion, the spread ofracist attacks, and gov­ professors, and young people expressing the and political activist Mark Curtis prompted president. ernment backing for a fierce employer assault support for Parks's democratic right to ap­ much discussion. In Burlington, supporters In mid-August supporters in Wishing­ against working people," said Nebbia. pear on the ballot. organized a public class on the Communist ton, D.C., successfully completed a six­ "The Clinton-Gore ticket is no less com­ On August 12 after a heated exchange of Manifesto. week petitioning drive, collecting 4,400 sig­ mitted to imperialist war to defend the in­ opinions, the election board agreed to grant Through nine days of intense petitioning, natures for the socialist presidential ticket. terests of the super-rich," she said. "Clinton Parks additional time to show that the dis­ campaigners succeeded in selling 219 Mili­ More than 50 people, mostly young workers has offered Bush a blank check to rain death qualified signatures are valid. tants, 7 subscriptions, 4 New Internationals, and students, signed for more information and destruction on Iraq. He has been even Socialist Workers candidates in Cincin­ and almost $200 worth of Pathfinder litera­ or to help out with the campaign. more energetic than Bush in advocating that nati were also granted an extension at a ture. In addition 60 new endorsers of the In Iowa, Warren and DeBates were certi­ the U.S. begin bombing 'Serbian targets' in ballot hearing held August 13. One candi­ campaign were obtained from all over Ver­ fied for ballot status after supporters turned Bosnia-Herzegovina and tighten the em­ date lacks a mere 38 signatures, according mont. Many of these endorsers expressed in­ in 1.600 signatures on nominating petitions bargo on Serbia." to the election board. terest in setting up a speaking event for one for the socialist candidates. In Cleveland, campaign supporters have Meanwhile, socialist campaigners have of the candidates this fall. At a news conference announcing the been locked in a fight with the Cuyahoga collected an additional 8,000 signatures on completion of the petitioning drive at the County Board of Elections for the right of petitions to place Warren and DeBates on The following people contributed to this state office building in Des Moines, SWP Ronald Garmez Parks, Socialist Workers can­ the Ohio ballot. article: Mike Fitzsimmons in Washington, congressional candidate Ruth Nebbia ex­ didate for Congress, to appear on the ballot. In Vermont, campaign supporters col­ D.C.: John Studer in Des Moines; Susan Parks had filed 3,109 signatures June 1. The plained that the socialists will be campaign­ lected nearly double the I ,000 signature Hope in Cleveland; and Bill Lambert and election board then announced plans to inval- ing aggressively against the U.S. war moves requirement to place the presidential ticket Roz Howell from Vermont.

DeBates dicusses U.S. war The fight to put socialists on the ballot in 1992 drive with sailors in Seattle WISCONSIN BY HARVEY McARTHUR Another said he had no opinion on the war SEATTI...E - "We are totally opposed to and would tight "because I signed a contract the policies of the U.S. government and are to fight when they tell me to." Many, how­ campaigning against its threatened wars in ever, agreed with DeBates on the need for a Iraq and Yugoslavia," Estelle DeBates told broad discussion about the war and the right dozens of sailors here July 3 1. DeBates, the of Gls and other working people to partici­ Socialist Workers candidate for vice-presi­ pate in making such decisions. dent, spent time talking with sailors from the Several sailors bought copies of the Mil­ aircraft carrier Nimitz and other warships itant and hundreds took pieces of campaign moored along the Seattle waterfront. "We're literature. One young sailor looked carefully not against Gls," she explained. "We think through the many books on the campaign you and other workers and farmers should table before deciding to buy a copy of Mal­ discuss and decide if we go to war or not." colm X Talks to Young People. Two others made their way to the local Pathfinder Campaign supporters set up a literature Bookstore and bought a dozen pamphlets by table on the sidewalk at the entrance to one LOUISIANA Lenin and Fidel Castro. of the piers where the ships had tied up and DeBates also spent two hours talking with • District of Columbia: petitioning is completed passed out tl yers to sailors going to and from rail workers on the night shift at a Burling­ the ships. A few refused to speak with the ton Northern yard breakroom. After meeting Supponers of the Socialist Workers 1992 Campaign are petitioning to put James Warren for U.S. socialist candidate and some just rushed by DeBates, one worker decided to rearrange president and Estelle DeBates for vice-president on the ballot in 19 states and the District of Columbia. on their way to a night on the town. Many In addition. effons are underway to place on the ballot socialist candidates for Congress and Senate in his work schedule so he could attend a did stop. however. often saying they were many of those states plus Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, where antidemocratic restrictions have campaign rally the next evening. " It was a worried about reports that Washington was made petitioning for the socialist presidential candidates prohibitive for the 1992 elections. meeting of li ke minds." he said later. "We've preparing to launch new military attacks got to get more workers to start coming to against Iraq. these meetings." On the ballot "See that ship over there," said one Petitioning is under way sailor, pointing to the guided missile crui­ Harvey McArthur is a member of UTU Petitioning is completed ser Reeves. "If a war starts, we'll be the Local 845 and a switchperson on the Bur­ Militant map by Eric Simpson first to go." lington Northern. Socialist Campaign in the News rqiJgJtJdores James Warren: 'There is no multiparty system'

The following article appeared in the He believes that a successful campaign executive official of imperialism." he will use this power." June 29 issue of Trabajadores, newspaper consists in placing the SWP on the ballot in Warren assures that "there is no multi­ Warren believes that the "capitalist class" of the Cuban \\brkers Federation (CTC). a large number of states as a working-class party system in the United States" and this of his country - a section of which would The translation from Spanish is by the and internationalist alternative in the 1992 explains the Perot phenomenon, because also be affected - is debating whether to Militant. elections. But in addition, "we can win a pe<;>ple do not see how to advance within the use or destroy Perot. If they decided on the layer of those who are already fighting," he framework of the two traditional parties, the latter they would do so by discrediting him BY ERNESTO MONTERO ACUNA said, "if we take maximum advantage of the Democrats and Republicans. This is princi­ or putting forth alternative policies. But he For James Warren, Socialist Workers crisis of world imperialism today." pally true of the middle class, who are the could base himself on the supposed integrity Party candidate for president of the United He considers it important to use the po­ ones that elect the candidates in the pri­ of the army and choose Colin Powell as States, "the Cuban revolution is also ours tential that exists to build a party that will maries. vice-president, if he reaLly wanted to be and is part of what we are fighting for in the have an impact on U.S. politics in the future, They [the middle class] ''are in a total president. world." and to do so in the only place that really panic," he said, "as a result of the social The SWP candidate stated that "Perot is Warren, who visited Cuba for several matters - the streets. crisis in the United States, which is part of the most important fact in U.S. politics and days. said that "identification and solidarity He characterized last week's rail strike in the current worldwide depression." a reflection of its decay." But he thinks the with the Cuban revolution is a responsibility the United States as very important, because Regarding the so-called Perot phenome­ Republican candidate has the greatest of all conscious people in the United States." of its magnitude and length. In his opinion non, he said "it is something totally new" chances of winning, because the Democrats But he points out that the ties "go beyond the Los Angeles riots are a confirmation of and that "never before had one of the tradi­ are identified with tax increases. solidarity." the failure of capitalism. tional parties been faced with the threat of being destroyed," which is what could hap­ Referring to the two-party system, he Describing the current U.S. political sit­ Commenting on the cost of the present said, "Both are imperialist parties and have uation, he explained that "it is not possible election campaign, he said that "each of pen if one of them was displaced by the Texas millionaire. always agreed on foreign policy. They had for a candidate of a communist party to win the three major candidates will end up differences on domestic policies. but in the If elected, "Perot says that he will go the elections." However. "if we carry out a spending $25 million or more. And Perot early 1980s they began to agree on this has even raised the possibility of svending beyond the executive and judicial branches good election campaign, we can take advan­ too." tage of the opportunity to build a stronger, $100 million to occupy a position that to fix the current disaster, but this is a more influential party with a greater impact would pay $200,000 a year. It is irrational horrendous perspective from the point of That is why "now they are not different that can attract the youth." to spend all this money to become the view of the working class, against whom from each other." September 4, 1992 The Militant 5 U.S., Canada, and Mexico sign accord to form trade bloc BY MARTIN KOPPEL in North America. This measure is aimed Negotiators for the U.S., Canadian, and particularly against Japanese auto manufac­ Mexican governments signed a trade accord turers, which have gotten a foothold in Mex­ August 12. The North American Free Trade ico. Agreement (NAFTA), as it is known, would Stiff rules will require that textiles and create the largest trading bloc in the world. garments be manufactured entirely in North The agreement was reached at a time of America to be traded duty-free. Owners of worldwide depression and intensifying eco­ U.S. apparel companies thus hope to shift nomic rivalry between U.S., Canadian, Jap­ more of the labor-intensive part of the cloth· anese, and European capitalists. ing industry-such as cutting and sewing­ "The principal challenge now facing the away from Asia to Mexico. United States is to compete in a rapidly Other textile manufacturers oppose the Auto plant in Mexico. Signing of North American trade agreement will not stop changing, expanding global marketplace," trade agreement, fearing it will sharpen their increasing trade conflicts, especially between United States and Canada. President George Bush declared in a press competition from Mexican companies. conference announcing the signing of the for the first time since the 1930s. The government of Mexico has been pact. He hailed NAFTA, saying it would Canadian capitalists eager to reach a trade agreement with its strengthen the U.S. economic position in the Several trade disputes between the two The Canadian government entered into powerful imperialist neighbors. This is the world. countries have exploded in recent months. the NAFfA talks to maintain the conditions Mexican capitalists' response to the world The treaty. the text of which has not yet of its 1988 trade agreement with the United In June, U.S. steel companies used anti­ dumping laws to charge Canada and 20 economic crisis, which has ravaged Mex­ been made public, was concluded after 14 States. other countries with dumping steel, that is, ico. months of negotiations. If approved by the More than 75 percent of Canada's trade selling below cost. The Canadian govern­ legislatures of all three countries, it will take is with the United States. This puts reces­ The real minimum wage in Mexico has ment retaliated by naming U.S. companies effect on Jan. l, 1994. sion-battered Canada in a vulnerable posi­ fallen by more than half over the last de­ as unfair sellers in Canada. The main elements of the proposed agree­ tion, given the sharpening trade wars be­ cade. Official unemployment has risen to ment are the following: tween imperialist powers in the world. It Such antidumping laws, now covering 10 I 8 percent and even more workers are un­ • Customs duties on nearly 10,000 prod­ hopes the agreement will reduce trade con­ percent of total U.S. imports, will allow U.S. deremployed. ucts from tomatoes to car windshields will flicts with the United States. companies to continue suing foreign busi­ Since the failure of a U.S.-sponsored be eliminated, some immediately and others In addition. Canadian capitalists are com­ nesses and slapping tariffs on them despite debt-reduction plan, Mexico's foreign debt over a period as long as 15 years. peting for a bigger share of markets and the "free trade" agreement. has again risen above $ 100 billion. In the • Protectionist conditions were estab­ investments in Mexico and other Latin Barely three weeks before the signing of name of paying the debt, the government lished to block Japanese and European com­ American countries. NAFTA, Washington imposed a 50 per cent has slashed social programs. raised prices, panies with plants in Mexico from shipping The trade agreements, however, cannot duty on beer from Ontario, in retaliation for and laid off thousands of workers. their products duty-free to the United States. change the fact that U.S.-Canada trade con­ "discriminatory" practices against U.S.­ • The treaty will open up Mexican bank­ flicts continue to increase, not decrease. made beer. Washington has demanded huge 'Free trade zones' ing, insurance, securities. and state-owned This intensifying competition is driven by retaliatory duties on shipments of Canadian Since 1985 the government of President companies to U.S. and Canadian invest­ the steadily dropping profit rates that have lumber, carpets, and cars built in Canada by Carlos Salinas de Gortari has pursued pol­ ment. pushed the capitalist world into depression Japanese companies. Continued on Page 12 The owners of most large U.S. businesses - from Caterpillar to the Bank of America and textile companies like Guilford Mills Inc. - greeted the trade agreement enthusi­ Socialist candidate: Defend Malcolm X school astically. The Wall Street Journal said it would "create a free-trade zone stretching from the Yukon to the Yucatan." from racist threats in Detroit white enclave The first industries to benefit are likely to be autos, textiles, electronics, telecommuni­ BY ARLENE RUBENSTEIN percent and about 45 percent for males. big blow." Harris said in an interview. "All cations, and petrochemicals. all of which DETROIT- James Harris. Socialist According to a report by the Children's working people -Black and white ­ already have been expanding their invest­ Workers candidate for U.S. Congress in the Defense Fund, based on the 1990 census, should join with the parents and students of ments in Mexico. 15th District, demanded that "the Detroit 46.6 percent of children in Detroit live in the Malcolm X Academy in this fight." Har­ The pact has support in both the Repub­ school board and the city administration poverty, a 6.7 percent jump since 1979. ris signed up to be a monitor, and is encour­ lican and Democratic parties, although it is guarantee the absolute safety" of children at Detroit is number one on a list of 168 aging abortion rights activists and union likely to be hotly debated in Congress. Dem­ the Malcolm X Academy. cities in the United States for children members, as well as his campaign support­ ocratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton Harris was speaking at an August II under 18 who live in poverty - homes ers, to sign up and be part of this effort to stated, "J believe we could have a free trade school board meeting discussing the contro­ with incomes under $9.885 a year for a defend the academy. family of three. agreement with Mexico that would be good versy over plans to open the public elemen­ Arlene Rubenstein is a member of United for the country" but said he would do more tary school in Warrendale, a mostly white Meeting condemns racist attacks Food and Commercial Workers Union than Bush to "save jobs" supposedly threat­ Detroit neighborhood. Local 26 and a meat-packer at Thorn Apple ened by the accord. The sharply divided meeting was at­ The opposition to the academy has Valley in Detroit. tended by 500 residents of Warrendale. The sparked a response in Detroit's Black com­ Free-trade and protectionist capitalists big majority of the crowd opposed the munity. The Detroit NAACP called a "Com­ Because the United States remains the academy's presence. They broke into loud munity Support Meeting for the Malcolm X New International no. 7 dominant economic power relative to its applause when shouts like "Is this the forc­ Academy and for the Education of All Our imperialist rivals in the world, Washington ible integration of Warrendale?'' and "Open Children, on August 11, which was attended Opening Guns of has been the biggest force for eliminating your school in a crack house" repeatedly by over 250 people. This followed the many of the existing obstacles to the free imerrupted school superimendent Deborah school board meeting. Speaker after speaker World War III flow of U.S. capital and goods. McGriff. condemned the racist attacks. Participants at The wealthy U.S. and Canadian ruling Dozens of Detroit police were on hand the meeting included Detroit school board Washington's Assault families seek greater access to labor, raw for the meeting and passively watched as president Frank Hayden; Ernest Lofton, in­ on Iraq materials, and markets in Mexico and the groups of racist youths tried to intimidate ternational vice-president of the United by Jack Barnes rest of the continent The chairman of East­ the Black parents and teachers, as well as Auto Workers union; Helen Moore, of Black man Kodak Co. expressed the hope that the supporters of the academy from Warrendale Parents for Quality Education; candidates pact would "unleash a surge of trading ac­ who attended the meeting. Many Detroit for public office, and others. tivity with Mexico, already our third-largest police, who are required to be city residents, Tandrea Black, president of the Mal­ trading partner and fastest-growing mar­ live in Warrendale. colm X Academy parents' organization, ket." The Malcolm X Academy is one of three explained, "I believe those people's While stronger U.S. businesses favor such schools in Detroitthat opened their doors threats. We are concerned with the safety $12 such "free trade" policies to break down in 1991- 92 as all-male academies. A lawsuit of our children." Black said that although barriers to new markets, weaker capitalist by the American Civil Liberties Union and parents believe they have a right to the interests have pushed for relatively greater the National Organization For Women Legal Warrendale site, "If we move into a neigh­ use of protectionist measures as a weapon Defense Fund ruled that these schools must borhood where we'd have a culturally against their competitors. admit girls. The school has a regular curricu­ compatible climate, we would consider Some of the loudest opposition to lum but uses methods which its supporters that a victory." NAFTA has come from agribusiness, which describe as "African-centered" with a "Rites Others at the meeting disagreed. "I am Also available m: is heavily protected with tariffs. The United of Passage program of mentors, tutors, and opposed to moving, tired of running. We Spanisll-NIM!Ill1 bUemacional no. 1 $13 States currently imposes more than 500 dif­ extended school activities." Many teachers at should let everyone in the world know about French-Nouve/k lntemationale no. 4 $13 ferent tariffs on food imports, such as duties the school are members of Teachers for Afri­ this," said William Washington. One parent of 40 percent on frozen orange juice. can Centered Education. of a Malcolm X Academy student said in an As a result of heavy lobbying by groups The Malcolm X Academy was housed interview that she would take her son out of like the Florida citrus growers' association, previously at the Woodward Elementary the school if it was moved. "It's about fight, NAFTA will maintain tariffs and quotas on School; the Leslie Elementary School in self-respect, and dignity." !>}'Jack Barnes. Examines the process of building a party of ·socialist werkers in almost half of agricultural trade between the Warrendale was chosen as the new site for Several committees were set up, includ­ today's world of imperialist wars and United States and Mexico for a period of up the Academy, according to McGriff be­ ing a committee to organize monitors to economic crisis. 346 pp. $18.~5· · to 15 years. cause, "it was the only available building in protect the children while they are attending .. Other key components of NAFTA show repairable condition." school. Fifty-five people volunteered. Available from Pathfinder bookstores'-tisted that it is far from being a model of free trade. More than 170,000 students are enrolled Socialist candidate Harris also partici­ on page 12, or by mail from Pathfin

6 The Militant September 4, 1992 Kosovo faces repression from Belgrade

BY ANNE HOWIE In 1974 Kosovo was granted autonomous dissolving the Kosovo parliament private shops as well. But in the following AND NATASHA TERLEXIS status following demonstrations demanding Strikes and demonstrations rocked the months, 64,000 workers were dismissed, PRISTINA, Kosovo -From the mo­ a republic. area in response to each turning point in this and many shops were forced to close for 6 ment you enter Kosovo, tension is palpably " In 1981 student demonstrations revived process, followed by more repressive mea­ months to a year." Surroi explains that it is in the air. At the approach to the area's main the demand for the status of a republic sures against the population. no small matter for the union to function city, Pristina, all incoming and outgoing within the federal state of Yugoslavia," Sur­ "Five hundred thousand Albanians dem­ today, since it has "200,000 members - all vehicles are stopped, boarded by armed po­ roi explained. " Such ideas were met with onstrated in Pristina in November 1989," of them fired." lice, and checked for young men evading increasing repression." 1l1e authorities says Surroi. This was followed by strikes of Workers dismissed have "no access to the draft claimed the Albanian government was be­ construction, mine, and other workers. any form of social security payments." Kosovo is a plateau of good farmland hind these demands. Writing the slogan The Independent Trade Union of Kosovo Many live on food sent to the towns by surrounded by mountains. Ninety percent of "Kosovo Republic" usually carried a sen­ its 2 million inhabitants are ethnic Alba­ tence of six years, according to the Minority nians. As Yugoslavia disintegrates, a tug-of­ Rights Group based in London. Since 1981 war is going on over demands for indepen­ Serbs and Montenegrins have emigrated dence raised by many Albanians in hopes of from Kosovo, accusing ethnic Albanians of a better future and the attempts by the gov­ intimidation. Since 1985 the situation of ernment of Serbia to maintain its control Serbs in Kosovo began to feature promi­ over the region. nently in the Serbian press, the rights group 1l1e village homes in the area are built in says. In 1987, 60,000 Serbs signed a peti­ the traditional manner, with interior court­ tion, alleging "genocide" against Serbs in yards surroWlded by high walls. This pre­ Kosovo. dominantly agricultural area has seen con­ The Minority Rights Group reports that siderable industrial development in the past "there appears to be no basis for the highly four decades. It was a major producer of emotive charge of genocide." electricity for the former Yugoslavia and is the site of coal and other mines. Serbian nationalism promoted Today factories surrounding Pristina In the 1990 elections in Serbia, the former seem to be closed for the most part with Communist Party, renamed the Serbian So­ broken windows and tall grass in the yards. cialist Party, won by a landslide. President Around a stark center of government build­ Slobodan Milosevic ran on a program of ings wind communities of pre-fabricated uniting Serbia once again, protecting Serb housing dotted with small shops and cafes. minorities in other republics, and deepening Police guards in town carry semi-automatic moves toward the market system. The same weapons and a tank stands at the entrance year nationalist regimes came to power in of the police station. Photographs of the city the other republics of former Yugoslavia, Protest by ethnic Albanians in Kosovo in early 1990. Crackdown by Ser bian government center are not permitted. promising greater economic prosperity. has sparked strikes and demonstrations over the last few years. The victorious partisan struggle against Their moves to secede from Yugoslavia Nazi occupation in World War ll turned into were accompanied by restrictions of the (ITU) was formed in 1989. Starting with relatives and others in the countryside. a deep-going revolution, actively involving right of these nationalities. hundreds of thousands in Yugoslavia. Farm­ construction workers, it began to recruit Thousands have sought work abroad. In Serbia, the alliance of opposition par­ ers and working people from the cities of all members in all industries and services, dis­ Surroi stated that I ,657 medical person­ ties which is presenting a program of oust­ illusioned by the unions dominated by the nationalities, including Albanians, partici­ nel have been dismissed, aU Albanians, pated. By the mid 1940s the vast bulk of the ing the Milosevic government and stepping former Communist Party, which were not leading to the closure of 38 clinics in country's industry had been nationalized, up efforts to stop the war in Bosnia shares seen as representing the interests of Alban­ Pristina alone. " Many medics now work on the view that Kosovo should remain part of while 95 per cent of arable land was distrib­ ian workers. a voluntary basis." the republic of Serbia. uted to small peasants who previously had 1l1e membership of ITU, according to For more than a year now, Albanian lan­ none. In 1988 the Serbian government began Surroi, includes "only a small number of guage schools - from elementary schools the process of changing the constitution of Serbs, maybe four or five." The ITU, in to Pristina's university- have been closed. Gains under revolution Serbia, in order to eliminate Kosovo's au­ September 1990, organized a one-day gen­ Previously, Kosovo had a parallel school In the years that followed, Albanians tonomous status. This was complimented in eral strike protesting the new labor law. system in both Albanian and Serbo-Cro- were recognized as a distinct national group July of 1990, when Belgrade cracked down, "Most of industry shut down, and 3,000 Continued on Page 12 for the first time, their language became one of Yugoslavia's official languages, and Al­ banians won the right to education in the vernacular. Baltimore martial law proposal sparks debate 1l1e country's first 5-year plan was inau­ gurated in 1947, including an allocation of BY MALCOLM JARRETT destroy our ability to use those rights in our mikes, the meeting was wrapped up with additional resources to the more economi­ AND YVONNE HAYES current battles against racism, cop brutality, responses by Mayor Kurt Schmoke and Po­ cally backward regions of Yugoslavia. BALTIMORE, Maryland- A debate economic injustice, and war." lice Commissioner Edward Woods. Aaka Surroi, member of the Council for broke out here at an "anticrime summit" At the meeting a floor microphone was Woods cited programs already in place to the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms organized by the local chapter of the Na­ opened up to victims of the shootings and control guns and establish a "violent crimes (CDHRF), based in Pristina, Kosovo, says tional Association for the Advancement of others from the community to express their task force." that Kosovo realized the highest level of Colored People (NAACP). views. 1l1e first to take the floor was the Mayor Schmoke said the city is hiring economic development since its existence George Buntin, executive director of the mother of three-year-old Andre Dorsey. more cops and that he supports federal leg­ following these measures. Baltimore NAACP, promoted the group's killed by stray bullets a month ago just a islation to conven old military bases into In spite of this, Kosovo remains the poor­ proposal that martial law be declared in block from Mount Sinai Church. She de­ national "boot camp" prisons for youth. est region of former Yugoslavia. According parts of the city. " What we really want is the scribed the devastation her family had suf­ to Mihailo Markovich, a Serbian academi­ National Guard troops, but we want [the fered. Following a few speakers, the mike More cops is no solution cian and vice-president of the ruling Serbian city] to control it," he said. was turned over to half a dozen area minis­ SWP candidate Gaige was among those Socialist Party, if the average of leading The July 29 meeting took place in the ters. Each sounded familiar themes: the so­ left standing at the microphone when the economic indicators for aU republics in wake of several shoot-outs in the streets. lution to crime, the drug trade, and the pres­ meeting was shut down. 1980 were 100, then Kosovo would be at 28 Amo ng the bystanders killed or wounded ence of weapons in the streets is faith and "None of the speakers tonight offered a as compared with Slovenia at 230. In the have been children and infants. Fearful of family. " Afro-American men need to stand perspective for working people," Gaige early '80s the economic situation began to allowing their children to play outside, up and be men, begin taking care of our said. "Their ideas- faith, family, and more deteriorate, Surroi explains. some workers call the streets a war zone. women, respecting our women," said one cops- are the solutions raised by the ene­ 1l1e "summit" at Mount Sinai Baptist preacher. mies of working people, from Bush and church drew a standing room crowd of more All of them called for better collaboration Clinton to Perot, Buchanan and Duke. than 400 -workers from the neighbor­ with the police and government officials. 'The real criminals are the employers and hoods, community activists, church and A speaker from the floor picked up on the the source of crime and violence is their NAACP leaders and city officials. Partici­ ministers' views, saying that responsibility system, which daily robs working people of pants entered the building through a phalanx for the drug trade lies with parents who the wealth we create, and which is respon­ of uniformed cops, and had to ftle past them should begin to bring their children up right, sible for violence and carnage from the inside the church to reach their seats. Uni­ and should tum them in to the authorities if killing fields of Iraq to the streets of Balti­ formed police, three rows deep, were also they appear to be involved with drugs. more," the socialist said. "Instead of calling seated in the choir stalls on one side of the Each speaker who called for more cops for more cops, we need to set our sights on front of the church alongside the mayor, was met with a mix of applause and boos, building a working-class movement to fight several city council members, and other of­ cheering and jeering. Some speakers were for jobs, affirmative action, an end to racist ficials. shouted down. One or two speakers from and sexist discrimination, and against the Buntin opened the meeting, explaining the floor pointed out that the drug trade is march toward war in Iraq and Yugoslavia. that the call for martial law was made to "get big business, and placed responsibility for "A fight for working-class solutions people's attention" and recruit them to the the influx of drugs on Washington's door­ would begin to rebuild human solidarity and NAACP. He said that the NAACP does not step. "It was cocaine money from t.he streets would reduce violence within our commu­ favor the suspension of civil liberties that of our cities that financed the arms for the nities," Gaige stated. 'The real lesson of Los accompanies martial law, but pointing to contras," one community activist said. Angeles is not that we need troops in the recent events in Los Angeles, he said, Rather th.an meeting to discuss martial law, streets but that we need a leadership that will " When the troops were on the corner, we we need a tribunal to expose the real crim­ organize a fight to defend the Rodney Kings didn't have shooting in the streets." inals." and other victims of the criminal capitalist "Suggesting the imposition of martial law A minister of the Nation of Islam offered system." -even just to 'get peoples attention' or up his program as a solution. He pointed to calling for more cops is extremely danger­ the example of Washington, D.C., where the Malcolm Jarrell is a warehouseman and ous," responded John Gaige, Socialist Nation of Islam mobilized its forces in sev­ member ofthe International Brotherhood of Workers candidate for U.S. Senate from eral neighborhoods to police the streets and Teamsters. Yvonne Hayes is a member of Maryland, in an interview after the meeting. educate people in the Muslim religion. United Steelworkers of America Local 'These measures strip working people of the With a long line of people from the com­ 14019. Jarrett is running for Congress on rights we have fought for and won, and mWlity still waiting to speak at the floor the Socialist Workers Party ticket.

September 4, 1992 The Militant 7 ANC leader on campaign of mass action 'Central question in negotiations is the transfer of power,' says Mnumzana

The following interview with African extent that it remains a political force - not have an appointed government and the next size of majority you needed in order a take a National Congress leader Neo Mnum­ as powerful as it was four decades ago and phase would be to elect an interim Parlia­ decision on majoror important questions they zana was conducted July 15 in Johannes­ certainly on its way out- but still signifi· ment whose major task would be to draft a then said. "I would think you would need an burg, South Africa, by Estelle DeBates cant enough not to be walked over unduly. constitution. 80 percent majority decision." and Greg McCartan. The objective is democracy. That is the But even when discussing form you are We had said a two-thirds majority deci­ Mnumzana is a member of the Sec­ ultimate impact we hope the campaign of not actually discussing constitutional issues sion would suffice because one, it has uni­ retariat's Office of ANC president Nelson mass actions will have on the current sirua­ - the understanding being that those issues versal precedent. Two, South Africa itself Mandela, political assistantto ANC deputy tion: to transform it, to speed up the process will become more relevant the more you agreed to a two-thirds majority in Namibia president Wllter Sisulu and Chairperson of transition and democratization, and to move toward the creation or election of this where the situation is arguably comparable Oliver Tambo, and head of Foreign Policy install a democracy in the country. interim Parliament, which will be the body to the situation in South Africa. Research for the ANC. In the Department which will discuss constitutional issues. As Even in the past in its own racist parlia­ of International Affairs, be directs work in Q: What does the ANC mean when it says far as the agenda is all about form there is mentary experience the regime had success­ Europe and the Americas. it is fighting for majority rule? no problem. fully insisted on a 51 percent majority to With the exception of Working Group U decide on major issues of governance and Question: Could you explain why the Afri­ A: By majority rule we mean a system in of Codesa, which dealt with constitutional constitution-making. can National Congress has called the cam­ issues, the work of the paign of mass actions and what its goals five working groups Minority veto power are? were almost all deliber­ We were hard put to understand where ating on form and proce­ they had come up with this 80 percent Answer: The campaign of mass actions has dure. This is where the majority and ofcourse they couldn't explain four objectives. One is to impart a greater problems that led to the it themselves. It then became very clear to sense of urgency around the need to search collapse of Codesa II us that we were seeing this insistence to for a peaceful resolution to the South Afri­ first manifested them­ protect group and minority rights in a new can conflict. Another is to generate political selves. guise. Because when you say you need an pressures in support of the peace process. We went through in­ 80 percent majority in order to carry a Third is to campaign against the scandal tentions and we went decision, instead of transferring power to and corruption in which the government is through forms relatively the majority in terms of its ability to make involved and at the same time to campaign easily. People said, "Oh, decisions, you are actually transferring against the illegitimacy of this government. it is just a matter of time power to the minority enabling it in fact to The fourth objective of the campaign is that before we jump ahead on frustrate the ability of the legitimate major­ it become an instrument of political educa­ substantial issues." It ity to make decisions. In all known parlia­ tion around issues that affect the masses in didn't happen. We ran mentary experiences it is difficult enough their daily lives. The campaign will try to into a snag in Working under normal circumstances to marshal a show how, in a democratic society, some of G~:oup II because it two-thirds vote on important issues. What these issues can be resolved and how a raised the issue which is more if you say 80 percent? democratic society can create the only basis central to the whole ex­ It became very clear that the regime was for a lasting solution to some of these prob­ ercise of the negotiations not only seeking to ensure that the minority lems. -the issue which is in­ retain the power to veto the will of the ma­ In this process people prepare themselves timately linked to the ob­ jority, but that the new dispensation would for democracy in terms of their ability to jective of our struggle: both guarantee the survival of the National function effectively in making their will the question of transfer Party and its continued wielding of power far known. This also ensures that democracy is of powe~:. This is at the in excess of its political strength, as measured not a one-shot thing but a continuing pro­ heart of the whole con­ by electoral performance. cess. Ultimately, the objective of progres­ stitutional exercise. sive forces is to go on struggling to ensure We immediately understood that we had hit the jugular of the issue - the question that democracy becomes more effective and Question of power of power. You might say that the contradic­ more democratic all the time. Militant/Margarethe Siem When you talk about As far as its impact on the government is tion of the fact that we seemed to be making African National Congress leader Neo Mnumzana the creation of a united, progress at a miraculous rate from Decem­ concerned you have to draw a distinction nonracial, nonsexist, and between its tactical impact and strategic ber last year to June this year came to the which the majority not only has the right to democratic South Africa surface. In six months you moved from impact Tactical impact would be defined in it is implied that sooner or later the forces of this case as getting the regime to be a more express itself freely, but that the system has nobody talking to anybody into a situation racism, the forces of minority domination, in which people are talking together so well. responsible party to the negotiations - rec­ an obligation to translate that expressed will into a dispensation which advances the le­ must surrender their power. They must sur­ We wished it could have happened. But ognizing its own limitations, its illegitimacy, render their power in order to empower the and persuading it to say that it cannot hold gitimate interests of the majority. when it didn't we understood that maybe process of democratization. This is the issue we were too optimistic. the entire process of democratization ran­ A democratic majority that Working Group II ran into. som to the strength of its weakness. So that is where the whole question of When we talk about a majority we are There had been intimations on how the negotiations is hung up, on the question of We think, for example, it is very counter­ regime was going to relate to this issue and productive for the regime to go to Codesa talking about a democratic majority, a dem­ the transfer of power. The regime showed ocratic majority which recognizes all funda­ it had come up before. In 1989 the regime very clearly that it was not ready to surren­ [Convention for a Democratic South Africa] issued their five-year plan and they said, and say, "After all, we are the legitimate mental human rights and which takes a nom­ der power in order to empower the process inative position against oppression and ex­ "OK, apartheid must go." But they said as of democratization. government and we cannot be persuaded to well that there must be a democracy that surrender power." ploitation in whatever form against what­ ever section of society. ensures the rights of the minorities are not Q: What are the social and economic inter­ Tactically, you want to push the regime violated, that they are protected. They were so it shifts from that position. We also mean a democracy which recog­ ests the regime seeks to protect in demand­ nizes its obligation not to obliterate minor­ talking about "group rights." ing such veto powers? Two, you want to create a situation where We pressed them to explain what they it becomes clear even to the regime that it no ities or to trample over their fundamental human and civil rights. meant by group rights. It turned out they A: You remember the hysteria that was longer has the initiative. The initiative is pass­ based this whole notion of power-sharing on precipitated by the very mention of the ing into the hands of the democratic process. the ludicrous assumption that the people of Q: Could you say the government came to possibility of nationalization. They were You want to be able to do this by ensuring that South Africa are a very uneasy aggregate of prepared to forget everything else you were the brink of agreeing to these demands in the masses, through this campaign of mass incompatible racial and ethnic minorities. In saying and just latch onto this one thing, the negotiations but then backed off? Is the action, send a signal to the regime saying: other words, you cannot talk about a major­ that the ANC might nationalize. That was outcome different from the ANC's expecta­ "We cannot afford your time-delay tactics. ity in South Africa because whoever you are an admission in the end that propeny was tions? Too much is at stake. What is at stake is more -either racially or ethnically - you come an important component in terms of the than the survival of your party, but the future A: I think we were actually the victims of from a group which is a minority. objective of our struggle, as well the objec­ of the whole country." This is the message the momentum of expectations. You can cut We were very quick to say to them that they tives of those who are resisting- the that must come from the masses. out the process into three phases and see are making a fundamental mistake in equating forces of reaction. Show where power resides how, with each advance, expectations rose a demographic majority with a democratic In South Africa of course if you ask your­ higher. majority. A democratic majority transcends selfa question, who are the people who have? In terms of the strategic impact you are The first phase was the expression of racial and ethnic bounds in the sense that it the answer is: it is the minority. The people actually aiming at a transformation of the intentions and commitment of the different unites people who defend democracy and don't have. The majority of white people political playing field in the country. You do political parties in terms of those intentions. who want to build a democracy. This has don't have. It is a very tiny minority which this by making it clear that even though in As they say, the road to hell is paved with nothing to do with whether you are white or has and they naturally want to protect what formal terms power resides in the hands of good intentions. So Codesa I was basically Black, Xhosa. Zulu, or whatever. they have. When you start to talk about re­ the regime, in terms of history, it is the good intentions. Everyone said, "Yes, we The assumption behind this power-sharing distributive justice, the first thing they think people who have the power in their hands want democracy, we are through with apart­ proposal was fundamentally flawed and has of is that they are going to loose everything -they've got the power to force the regime heid." nothing to do with what needs to be done in they have won thanks to apartheid. So, they and the government to grind to a standstill. We tended to read too much into that little this country. Ifanything, it is actually a throw­ must have some power to frustrate efforts We have economic power which can be agreement. back to apartheid, which, if you lilce, has been toward redistributive justice. translated into political power in favor of the The next phase was the deliberation on agovemmentoftheminority,fortheminority, In the end it is about power and property, process ofdemocratization. In the process you form, forms through which you were going by the minority, and through the minority. which are very closely interlinked. are isolating the regime and showing that it is to translate these intentions into reality. In When you talk about power-sharing and an becoming an increasingly minor player in the arrangement for the protection of minority this specific case it was going to be the form Q: How do you respond ro the charges in siruation. This is essentially the strategic im­ that the process of transition should take in group rights you are talking about apartheid. pact of the campaign of mass actions. the press that the mass action campaign is terms of governance. And again there were, They seemed to be retreating from that a result ofANC president Nelson Mandela It's important having said that to under­ relatively speaking, no problems in terms of position for a while. We heard no more about conceding to militant youth and trade line that the target of the campaign is not fundamental differences between the vari­ that - not at Codesa I, not inside the working unionists who are tired of negotiations? the regime but bringing apartheid down and ous parties. Everybody said, " yes, of groups - but it came back on the eve of creating democracy. The regime is inciden· course," we will have a two-phase contin­ Codesa II and it came to full bloom at Codesa A : Mass action campaigns in South Africa tal to that enterprise and is significant to the uum of governance. In the first phase we'll II itself. When we came to the question of the are as old as the ANC. if not older. What

8 The Militant September 4, 1992 would you call the defiance campaign of 1952, which was led by Nelson Mandela? In 1957 when the women of South Africa marched up to Pretoria to protest against pass laws, that was a mass action campaign. But nobody was saying at that time that the leadership of the ANC was succumbing to pressure of radical elements. Everybody recognized those campaigns were a very understandable part of the strategy of the national li beration struggle in South Africa. The broad mass action campaigns to which the regime responded with things like the Sharpeville massacre-those were mass action campaigns. The things the stu­ dents were doing in 1976 from June 16- those were mass action campaigns. During the period of the state of emergency, from 1985 to 1989, the mass democratic move­ ment struggled through mass action cam­ paigns. So we are hard put to understand why people treat mass action campaigns as if they are a completely new thing in the South African lexicon of struggle. After all Militam/Greg McCartan these decades of mass action campaigning, Cosatu march of30,000 in Pretoria, July 13, 1992. Mass action campaign reaches out to millions of working people. all of a sudden this indicates that the lead­ ership of the ANC is succumbing to the pressure of radicals. struggle for that objective then armed strug­ years to make this possible? people are joining the organization since gle is used; if the situation is transformed the mass action campaign began. Is this A: It is the transformation of the situation and we think there is a chance to move even true across the country? Attempts to divide ANC itself which is undoubtedly the fruit of the further toward that objective through nego­ efforts of the people in struggle. A: The campaign is going to further politi­ And of course which radicals are you tiations we use negotiations. There is no The fact that the ANC is unbanned ­ cize an already politicized situation. It's talking about? According to interested ob­ discontinuity, just a shifting of tracks - a along with all the organizations of the peo­ going to do this in rather specific ways: servers who could not be said to be impartial different packaging of strategic options with ple -and that you don't just have to stop tying people's day-to-day concerns to the to apartheid, the ANC has always been di­ the intention of always moving forward. So at making a general appeal to an indiscrim­ objectives of the struggles, showing people vided one way or the other. Either we are there is no question of radicals or whatever inate body of people has made an enormous why under the present circumstances cer­ divided between radicals and moderates, be­ prevailing upon the leadership to abandon difference. Today you talk to your own tain things are not possible, and how under tween communists and anticommun.ists, you one track in order to adopt another. could go down the line. membership - whether it be the member­ different circumstances these things will ship of the ANC, Cosatu [Congress of South become possible. The one thing that has been constant is Move the struggle forward African Trade Unions), or the party [South It more than supplements the type of that none of those divisions have ever been There is a very simple reason for launch­ African Communist Party] and say, "Okay, political education you make available to made to fit the ANC. At one point the ANC ing the campaign of mass actions - to carry we are going into this mass action campaign members of the ANC because now you are was going to be divided between the hawks the struggle forward. All of us in the ANC and you, in your millions, are going to be literally politicizing the whole country. So and the doves who were e ither opposed or would get very worried, for instance, if we the disciplined, cutting edge of this cam­ in a way, this campaign cannot but help in favor of the negotiation process, but we began to say, "Shouldn't we compromise on paign." That hasn't happened in South Af­ being a recruitment drive for the triple alli­ knew this wasn't going to materialize. the objective of a united, nonracial, nonsex­ rica since the ANC was banned in 1960. ance [the ANC, Cosatu, and SACP]. We In a more general sense the ANC has not ist. and democratic South Africa? Okay, The fact that it is now possible to throw fully expect that at the end of the campaign functioned like a monorail in struggle. We maybe we could have a nonracial, united in miUions of people who are disciplined the ranks of the ANC and the other organi­ followed any number of tracks at any one South Africa. not necessarily a democratic members of progressive organizations is zations which are members of the triple given time, depending on the objective situ­ or not necessarily a nonsexist South Africa." what makes the difference. alliance will have swelled significantly. ation on the ground. And we have never Then we would be in serious trouble. thought that the different strategies we have But as long as you don't hear that objec­ Q: Since the unbanning ofthe ANC broader Campaign of education for democracy used were mutually exclusive. In certain cases tive has been subject to alteration it simply layers of the population have been drawn to As I said at the beginning, we want to see they were mutually reinforcing, as a matter means the forces are on track in struggle and its ranks, including from the middle class. this campaign as a campaign of education of fact When people say to you, "Negotia­ the struggle is moving forward. Recently five members of Parliament who for democracy. If it is going to be that, we tions are struggle," they mean it, because we belonged to the Democratic Party joined the are going to popularize the political posi­ are not negotiating for the sake of negotiating, ANC. Has the ANC become more or less of tions of the ANC and increase our ranks. we are negotiating for an objective, which is Q: This mass action campaign is unprece­ an organization that is made up of and Since we've committed ourselves to a cause a democratic South Africa. dented in its scope and participation. What represents workers and rural toilers? which might go via elections, the more If at one point it is important to use am1ed steps has the ANC taken over the past two troops we have the better, in terms of the A: There is no way it can be less. In the past chances of having our positions prevail in you can say with a lot of accuracy that a the end. from Patlifinder ------, majority of people of this country are work­ ers and peasants. Today you can go further New, expanded edition Q: Is this one of the reasons business orga­ and say that, with the rapid growth of the nizations and the government have come labor movement, this majority that has al­ out against mass action? DIE STRUGGI..£ IS MY Uft. ways been there has become the most highly Nelson Mandela organized political formation. If you are A: In a general sense I think that is a con­ .. My political beliefs have been explained .. . talking about majority rule, which majority cern, but in a more specific sense what is in my autobiography, The Struggle is My Life." are you talking about if it does not include important to them is that the campaign is the workers and the peasants? going to hit them where they keep their - Nelson Mandela. July 1989 If it is understood that majority rule means hearts - in their pocketbooks. That is their New edition Includes speeches following Mandela's a system which facilitates the transformation main worry. release from prison. 281 pp., 32 pp. of photos. of the will of the workers into reality, insofar The government is concerned that the btbllography, index. $12.95. as this is directed at improving their circum­ mass action campaign will leave it com­ stances in life and providing them the neces­ pletely stripped of the power to govern. HOW FAR WE SLAVES HAVE COMEI sary security, then of course you have to take Once you have a government that cannot Speeches by Mandela and Castro at July 26, the workers and peasants more seriously. govern, you don't have a government. I 1991, celebration In Cuba. 83 pp.• $7.95. In don't know any governrnent that has been Spanish, $9.95. Millions support ANC campaign inclined to commit suicide. Q: Has the ANC been successful in winning They would have no problems with the NELSON MANDELA: SPEECHES 1990 a broader layer ofthe population to support mass action campaign if the objectives of 'INTENSIFY n1E STRUGGLE TO ABOUSH APAR'Il-IEID' it, even if they have rwt yet joined? our struggle did not pose a direct threat to Seven speeches follOWing Mandela's release from prison. the monopoly of property and the use of 74 pp., photos, notes, $5. A: Each member is expected to be a property to deny people their fundamental leader of this campaign to ensure discipline, human and civil rights and to maintain their 'New lntei'MtloMI' no. 5 consistent political direction, and continuity. regime of repression and exploitation - lliE COMING REVOLtmON IN SOurH AFRICA If you want to use the multiplier factor you they would have no worry. Jack Barnes can say that for every ANC member that you If this was a mass action campaign for can deploy on the picket lines or behind the the purpose of bringing more people into lliE ANC FREEDOM CHAR'IER barricades you can count on at least six more the Christian movement. they would fi­ 1liE FlJI'URE BELONGS TO mE MAJOR11Y non-ANC people who are supporters. You nance it. There would be no talk about how Oliver Tambo cao count on maybe 20 more people who it might spawn violence or accentuate the 198 pp.. $9. are not necessarily supporters of the ANC, economic crisis - there would be no prob­ but identify with the objectives of the cam­ lem there. But the campaign is putting their Avatlable from Pathfinder. 410 West St.. New York. NY paign. So. in terms of scale and quality it real interests on the line. Sooner or later 10014. Enclose $3 shipping and handling, 50, each really is unprecedented. you' ll be able to see who is on what side additional book. Mandela speeches and 1be Comlng Revolution in South Afrtca" also available in SpaniSh . and who stands for what. I think this is what Write for catalog. Q: When visiting the Venda Bantustan we lies behind the hysterical response of the spoke with an ANC leader who said more government.

September 4, 1992 The Militant 9 TV program exposes New Zealand cop frame-up The Remand of Ivan Curry: Television New Zealand constituted the sole evidence against him. for drunken driving. When by chance another deaf prisoner documentary, produced by Keith Hunter. 64 minutes. Bail was denied on the grounds that Curry was a con­ was able to explain to him that he bad been charged with fessed child murderer. the boy's murder, Curry attempted suicide. When the case BY JAMES ROBB Curry has been deaf since he contracted meningitis at finally came to trial, a jury found him not guilty. AUCKLAND, New Zealand- ''The Remand of Ivan the age of 12 months. He has never learned to speak in The screening of this documentary in July of this year Curry" tells the story of how an innocent man spent two complete sentences, but communicates in isolated words sparked several days of public discussion in the news and gestures. media. The Police Association criticized the documentary Through reconstructions of the trial proceedings, inter­ as "one-sided." Police Minister John Banks admitted that IN REVIEW views with Curry, his lawyers, interpreters, and friends, the it "raises serious questions about police procedure," and documentary calmly and dispassionately reconstructs the referred the matter to the police complaints authority. process by which the full and literate confession statements Much of the public discussion bas centered on providing were constructed by the police. An interpreter for the deaf years in prison on account of a phony confession concocted for the special needs of deaf people accused of crimes. explains how he himself wrote the final sentence of the by the New Zealand police. While this is an important issue, the biggest question raised statement and instructed Curry to copy it word by word. In 1988, police in Wanganui were called to investigate by "The Remand of Ivan Curry" is the credibility of the death of a 15-month-old boy, Curry's nephew. Curry The documentary also reveals the most probable expla­ police-station confessions as evidence. and his wife had been staying at the house where the boy nation of the child's injuries: when his mother and aunt and his mother lived. The boy's body was found with returned home to find the boy unconscious, they attempted, This case throws doubt on the credibility of such con­ severe internal chest injuries. Curry had been alone in the frantically and forcefully, to apply cardiopulmonary resus­ fessions at a time when they are being used more widely house with the boy when he was last seen alive. citation. to obtain convictions. After interviewing Curry and the two women, the police Three days after Curry's arrest, the two women went to In March of this year, for example, a new precedent wac; arrested and charged Curry with murder, saying he had the police station to discuss this possible cause of death. set when an Auckland man, Kalefa Puaga, was convicted confessed to punching the boy. A further written confes­ No record of this meeting was kept by the police, who of rape solely on the basis of a confession videotaped while sion, certified as true and correct and signed by Curry, was considered the case "solved." police were questioning him on an unrelated matter. No obtained at the police station. When Curry was committed Curry spent almost two years in prison awaiting trial. complaint was ever made. Puaga was sentenced to preven­ for trial at a preliminary hearing, these two confessions During most of this time, he believed he had been jailed tive detention -an indefinite sentence - in May. Oregon rightists promote anti-gay rights vote

BY SETH GALINSKY ''The whole point of these initiatives," of gays and lesbians has anything to do with bian speaker' at Oregon State University to ''The anti-gay rights referendum in Ore­ DeBates said, "is to play on the fears, es­ reactionary groups like the Man/Boy Love ban her from speaking," she noted. gon is an attack on the rights of all working pecially of the middle class, and invent Association, which seeks to eliminate age­ The "No on Measure 9" effort to defeat people," said Estelle Debates, Socialist scapegoats for the economic decline, inse­ of-consent laws." the rightist initiative has garnered support Workers candidate for U.S. vice-president. curity, and social crisis of capitalism - in "Measure 9 bas nothing to do with protect­ from a diverse coalition, Young reported, "This right-wing campaign is dead serious this case, homosexuals. We will see more ing children from sexual abuse," she stated. including the Oregon State AFL-CIO, the and must be answered." attacks like these as the depression deep­ "Instead, OCA uses these arguments to try to Oregon Education Association, the Public DeBates was referring to a referendum ens." intimidate anyone who does not agree with Employees' Union, and the American Fed­ that will be on the ballot in Oregon in No­ 'The proponents of Measure 9 tell out­ their right-wing agenda" eration of State, County, and Municipal Em­ vember, backed by the Oregon Citizen's right lies to win support,'' the socialist con­ ''The right to privacy is an essential dem­ ployees. Alliance (OCA). tinued. "Gays and lesbians do not receive ocratic right won through hard struggle," "We need to get out the truth about this The Citizen's Alliance submitted 136,000 any special privileges in hiring, housing, or DeBates explained. ''The government measure's attack on democratic rights," De­ signatures, many more than the 89,000 min­ education, but in fact have been the victims should not be advocating, discouraging, or Bates said. "We need to mobilize workers, imum required to place the anti-gay rights of discrimination at all levels of govern­ have any opinion whatsoever on consensual unionists, students, and everyone we can to Measure 9 on the ballot. ment" relations between adults." take on the reactionary views of the promot­ "State, regional, local governments . .. "It is also a slander," DeBates said, "to "The OCA also wants to limit the right to ers of Measure 9. That is the only way we shall not be used to promote, encourage, or claim that defending the democratic rights free speech. They specifically target a 'les- can defeat this initiative." facilitate homosexuality, pedophilia, sa­ dism, or masochism," Measure 9 states. It specifically instructs public school author­ ities and other government bodies to teach Imperialists weigh military role in Yugoslavia that homosexuality is ''abnormal, wrong, unnatural, and perverse and that these be­ Continued from front page Herzegovina," with Banja Luka as its capi­ prison camps under his control and return haviors are to be discouraged and Slobodan Milosevic had just announced a tal. property seized by force. But he insisted avoided." series of across-the-board price increases. Last week, anti-Muslim rioting in that refugees are fleeing of their own ac­ "Cultural diversity is the buzzword being "Electricity went up by 67 percent, rail tick­ Bosanska Gradiska, 30 miles north of cord. used to make homosexuals full-fledged mi­ ets by 80 percent, and the price of bread Banja Luka, claimed 500 lives. An official norities that require civil rights protection," doubled," she said. of the UN High Commissioner for Refu­ Croatian 'ethnic cleansing' Lon Mabon, a leader of the OCA, told the In a reversal of previous policy, the Brit­ gees (UNHCR) told Newsweek that local New York Times. "Homosexuality is not a More evidence has begun to surface re­ ish government announced August 18 that authorities abetted the rioting by armed civil right, but an aberration." cently that Croatian government forces are it is ready to send 1,800 ground troops to gangs. As part of the propaganda campaign to conducting similar campaigns of "ethnic Bosnia to escort UN convoys delivering "It was like a party," be said. ''The crowd back Measure 9, Mabon is using edited cleansing." food. Under a new NATO plan drafted in was going from house to house, throwing videotapes from gay pride marches, high­ Ed Vulliamy, a reporter from the Man­ Brussels August 20, mechanized infantry grenades in, lighting ftres, and laughing." lighting banners from the "Bay Area Sado­ chester Guardian, visited a Croatian prison forces would accompany UN convoys to Local Serbian authorities categorically de­ masochists" and ''The North American camp outside Capljina in Bosnia-Herze­ Sarajevo from the Adriatic port of Split in nied the claims, blaming the violence on a Man/Boy Love Association." govina. The camp was run by soldiers of the Croatia. The NATO plan proposes a force failed raid by Croats. In Colorado, a similar ballot initiative Croatian Defense Association (HOS), the of 6,000 to 11 ,000 troops. Opposition to these crimes is widespread. would amend the state constitution to pro­ military arm of the right-wing Croatian In some towns Serbians from Bosnia have hibit "protected status" for gays and lesbi­ The U.S. administration, however, re­ Party of Rights. The soldiers were dressed protected prisoners held in detention camps ans. mains hesitant to commit any ground troops in black and sported Ustasba signs. Ustasba to the conflict. U.S. officials say they are from rightist militias, putting their own lives was a fascist group that headed a short-lived 'A well-organized campaign' only prepared to give air cover to any at risk. In many cases they are protecting independent Croatia in collaboration with old friends and neighbors on the other side The main organizers of the anti-gay rights ground troops deployed. the German occupying forces during World of the prison fence. referendum in Oregon are a group of conser­ U.S. deputy secretary of state Lawrence War II. Eagleburger said August 21 that Washington There are no signs of an ebb in the vative church leaders, said Carol Young, a In this and other camps many Serbs, "in­ is worried the Yugoslav war might spread to months-long shelling of Sarajevo, Gorazde, spokesperson of the Campaign for a Hate Free cluding civilians, are being held in harsh and the autonomous region of Kosovo in Serbia, Bihac, and other cities that remain under the Oregon, a statewide coalition fighting the humiliating - though not inhuman - con­ and to the republic of Macedonia. control of Bosnian or Croatian army forces. measure, in a phone interview August 22. ditions," he wrote. It is not only HOS that Karadzic is using the bombardment as a ''They are very well-organized," Young is holding undeclared civilian prisoners. "At Onslaught continues in Bosnia negotiating card leading up to the London said. "And they are proud of their affilia­ another camp run by the official Croatian tion with Pat Robertson," a well-known The war for the partition of Bosnia­ conference on the Yugoslav war, set to begin August26. military police, men and women who say right-wing preacher with a syndicated Herzegovina continues to rage. One side is they are civilian captives are also held, in The governments of France, Britain, and radio and television program, who also led mainly by Radovan Karadzic 's Serbian defiance of the Geneva Convention," he a few other countries are expected to sup­ made an attack on gay rights a key part of Democratic Party, with behind-the-scenes added. his speech at the Republican Party conven­ backing from Belgrade. The other side is led port the division of Bosnia along ethnic The International Committee of the Red tion in Houston. by Mate Boban 's Croatian Democratic Lines as the way to achieve a quick end to Cross recently stated that "innocent civil­ The OCA has backed right-wing candi­ Union, which is supported more openly by the war. Washington says it opposes such a ians" are being held in inhumane conditions dates for office, Young said, and backed the Croatian government. division. in camps run by Serbian, Croatian, and efforts to restrict a woman's right to choose As many as 200 homes are being de­ In Kozarac, a town between Prijedor and Muslim forces. abortion. stroyed every day. "Not only is there mas­ the iron ore mine at Omarska, there were Young noted that OCA attempts to link sive destruction of buildings but there are once 20,000 Muslims. Now, a reporter for Croatian police have also begun rounding supporters of democratic and civil rights for no windows left [in Sarajevo]," Charles the British Economist reports, it is de­ up male Bosnian refugees in Croatia, most gays to groups Like the Man/Boy Love As­ Lamuniere, director of the UN department stroyed. of them Muslim, and shipping them back to sociation, which advocates the "right" of of humanitarian affairs, told the London Serb authorities in Bosnia told the Bosnia for forced induction into military adults to have sexual relations with children. Financial Times. If the war persists, as UNHCR they had a list of 28,000 people units fighting Karadzic's army. Mate Gra­ ''That's already illegal," she stated. "You many as 2 million people in Bosnia could who wanted to leave Bosnia "voluntarily." nic, a Croatian government vice-president, don't need some amendment to the consti­ be at risk from lack of food and heat when The hitch is that those departing can get exit acknowledged August 18 that the practice tution for this." the cold winter months approach. papers only if they sign a document relin­ violated the rights of those involved but The OCA has set up the No Special Karadzic's troops have consolidated con­ quishing all claim to their property and pos­ claimed it was necessary to bead off a social Rights Committee to promote its anti-gay trol of some 70 percent of Bosnia. A corridor sessions. explosion in Croatia rights effort. One of its leaflets bas sub­ "cleansed" of nearly all Muslims and Croats "There is no ethnic cleansing," said "It's forcible mobilization," Mefail headings like "Protecting our children now stretches 200 miles from Belgrade to Karadzic in a widely publicized interview. Jasikovic, a cook from the northern Bosnian from an unhealthy lifestyle," "No special the northwestern Bosnian city of Bihac. The "but ethnic shifting. We are doing it to city of Prijedor, told the New York Times. rights for private behavior," and "Misuse area under Karadzic's control has been protect people." On August 21 Karadzic "You have no idea whose army you will end of Public Funds." named the "Serbian Republic of Bosnia- pledged be would attempt to close all up in. Private army? Who knows."

10 The ¥iJitant September 4, 1992 Fund to reconstruct Pathfinder print shop

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS Building Reconstruction Fund. volunteered their time and energy to work. One of the highlights of the International Novack, who died July 30. was a leader on this project. Socialist Conference held August 5-9 in of the communist movement in the United I (A full acount of the achievement of the Oberlin, Ohio, was a slide show and feature States for nearly 60 years, and was closely library project appears in the August issue presentation entitled, "Reconstruction of the associated with the publisrung work of the of the International Socialist Review, avail­ Pathfinder Building- Expanding the Rev­ Socialist Workers Party. able from the Militant for $1.50.) olutionary Arsenal." Close to 850 people The launcrung of the Novack Reconstruc­ The print shop produces the Militant, attended the conference. tion Fund took the form of a lively - and Perspectiva Mundial, New International, The presentation included an appeal for very noisy - auction, as master of ceremo­ and Pathfmder books. It also generates extra funds to complete the reconstruction and nies Craig Gannon, who is the director of income through commercial printing. modernization of the Pathfinder BuiJding. the reconstruction project, called out for The reconstruction of the shop bindery, Located in New York. City, the Pathfinder pledges of different amounts which began in June, aims to create more Building houses the editorial and business The George Novack Pathfmder Building space and an efficient modem printing fa­ offices of the Militant. Perspectiva Mundial, Reconstruction Fund has a deadline of De­ cility. "As George Novack always ex­ New International, and Pathfinder Press, the cember I for payment of pledges. Results plained, each expansion and improvement national offices of the Socialist Workers will be published in the Militant starting of our print shop prepares us for the bigger Party, and the Pathfinder print shop. next week. class battles and the bigger Militant runs to Rebuilding the Pathfinder print shop is come," said Margaret Trowe organizer of the final, and most challenging, stage of the Openings for communist ideas the steering committee of the Pathfinder reconstruction project. The upgrading will As part of the slide show Militant staff print shop. provide clean and modem surroundings, writer Argiris Malapanis reviewed the inter­ For the shop reconstruction project to pro­ with more space, better lighting, and a safer national trips undertaken during the past ceed while the print shop continued to pro­ factory environment. several months by socialist campaigners and duce, it was necessary to stop warehousing The International Expansion Fund was Militant reporters to South Africa, Japan, large volumes of paper in the limited floor launched in August 1990. It makes possible Cuba, Nicaragua, Yugoslavia, Brazil, and space of the shop. "Our watchword now is major capital expenditures designed to Argentina. 'just-in-time inventory,'" said Jason Redrup, strengthen the ability of the communist "Communists have turned outward all a member of the shop steering conunittee. movement to produce the political weapons over the world to meet youth and working To enable the reconstruction work to pro­ needed by working-class fighters to chart a people resisting the future offered by capi­ ceed rapidly, the entire warehouse section course against the ravages of capitalism. talism," Malapanis stated. "Today there Militant/L. Paltrinieri of the print shop was turned over to the Contributions to the fund have come from exist the biggest openings in our lifetime to W>rking on the floor of the new Path­ construction brigade. This has meant plac­ such sources as trust funds, insurance payouts, get communist. literature in the hands of fmder print shop bindery ing in storage for the next 10 months several inheritances, buyouts, and contract-signing fighting youth and working people around pieces of vital bindery equipment. bonuses. They have ranged in size from the the world." Pathfinder's most popular titles. Once the plant infrastructure is in place, minimum of $1,000 to one donation of Alan Harris, who has been centrally in­ "The world is opening up further for Path­ the next target will be to upgrade the print­ $200,000. volved in promoting Pathfinder literature in finder," said Harris. "as is shown by the ing equipment. A centerpiece of this effort Expansion fund coordinator David Prince Britain for the past two decades, explained, orders we have received in the lac;t weeks will be the reconstruction of the four-unit reviewed the tremendous response the cam­ "Today, Pathfinder books, pamphlets, and from a book distributor in Japan for 600 web newspaper press, which is more than paign fund has thus far received. Prior to the New Internationals are read, studied, and Malcolm X titles ... and by the dozens of 20 years old. start of the International Socialist Confer­ discussed by a growing number of vanguard orders and letters we receive from military 'Rebuilding every square foot' ence $1.8 million had been pledged by 169 workers, farmers, and youth around the bases, from individual soldiers, and other contributors, with more than $1.6 million of world, who are hungry for literature that workers in uniform." "We are rebuilding every square foot of points the way forward. Wherever we seri­ this collected. This included $311,000 from Harris outlined the new titles Pathfinder the existing print shop," explained Ken rail workers in the United Transportation ously promote Pathfmder titles, it leads to will be producing in the coming months. A Riley, a member of the reconstruction crew. increased sales.'' "We have just built a new entrance between Union who contributed as a result of Spanish-language edition of the Communist During the past six months, orders for the two buildings in the print shop and dug buyouts and signing bonuses. It also in­ Manifesto has just been published. Coming cluded nearly half a million dollars from Pathfinder books from large wholesale book soon will be the French-language edition of a pit for the installation of a new 10,000- supporters in Britain, Canada, France, Swe­ distributors such as Waldenbooks, Ingram, Che Guevara: Economics and Politics in the pound lift table and stairway." This will den, and New Zealand. and Baker and Taylor have substantially Transition to Socialism, by Carlos Tablada. make the movement of equipment and ma­ An additional $1 million dollars will be increased, Harris reported. Sales by major terials between the printing and bindery Other titles include: Lenin's Final Fight; needed to complete the reconstruction of the commercial bookstores account for the vast areas faster, easier, and safer. Plans are also Malcolm X: February 1965, The Final majority of Pathfinder's sales. in the works to expand the mezzanine on print shop and to purchase new printing Speeches; To Speak the Truth, with speeches equipment. The remainder of Pathfinder's sales come the shop's second floor, which will add an by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara at the At the conference more than a quarter of from the 36 Pathfinder bookstores around additional 600 square feet for production. United Nations; Carlos Fonseca Speaks; a million dollars was raised in pledges to­ the world, whose supporters take literature Riley described several of the other pro­ and a new issue of the journal New interna­ ward this project. A portion of this came tables to a great variety of political activi­ jects the crew bas undertaken. It has been tional, on the rise and fall of the Nicaraguan ties, workplaces, and university campuses. redoing the plumbing- tearing out old from further pledges of $1,000 or more to revolution. the International Expansion Fund. Another The distribution of Pathfinder books in floor drains and laying new pipe- and Mamie Klement of Sydney, Australia, de­ $120,000 was raised at a special session South Africa has taken a giant leap forward, installing a network of wires for the new scribed her experiences participating in an following the slide show in which everyone Harris stated. Recently a long-established phone and computer system. international team that promoted Pathfinder at the conference participated. This session publisher and distributor based in Cape "The biggest job we have right now is literature at recent book fairs in Sydney and launched the George Novack Pathfmder Town signed a contract to sell some of leveling the floor," Riley stated. There is an Havana, Cuba. "These exhibitions allow us 18-inch drop in the floor from one end to the to make contact with thousands of people at other. It will take several dump nucks full of Rescuing works of Marx, Lenin, in Moscow a time and to establish relations with buyers sand and 10 or ll truckloads of concrete." for bookshops, wholesalers, and libraries," "The construction crew is based on a she said. simple, but deeply revolutionary concept­ During the past year Pathfmder has also volunteer workers mobilized and organized participated in book fairs in London; Mon­ in a brigade," said Peter Evans, a member treal, Canada: Tehran, Iran; and at the meet­ of the executive committee of the recon­ ing of the American Booksellers Associa­ struction project. "The brigade stands on the tion in Los Angeles. In the next two months best traditions of the world communist Pathfinder plans to attend major book fairs movement, and being a volunteer on it is a in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Frankfurt, Ger­ big political experience." many. During the past 16 months, 89 people have participated in the brigade. Volunteers Pathfinder library project have come from cities throughout the One of the big accomplishments of the United States as well as from Australia, reconstruction crew this past spring was the Britain, Canada, France, Iceland, New Zea­ renovation ofthe fourth floor ofthe Pathfinder land, and Sweden. Building, where the offices for Pathfinder The brigade spans several generations of Press and an attractive library are located. working-class fighters. To date, 24 brigade "The library is a working tool for the members have become candidates for mem­ production of our movement's periodicals, bership in the Socialist Workers Party. books, and pamphlets,'' explained Frank Evans made a special appeal for skilled Forrestal, a leader of the Socialist Workers electricians, plumbers, brick masons, or car­ Party. "What we have assembled in this penters with concrete-form experience to library is an honest account of the gains, volunteer for the brigade for the next several Militant experiences, and fights of the Marxist move­ months. This will be essential to increase Progress Publishers' warehouse in Moscow, where Pathfinder representatives are ment." Among the invaluable items on file tbe brigade's productivity for the successful attempting to rescue works of Marx, Engels, and Lenin from pulping. here are materials on the history of the completion of this final stage of the recon­ Cuban revolution, the history of the struction project. workers' movement, transcripts of speeches To contribute to the George Novack One of the projects funded by the finally abandoned all pretenses of being by working-class leaders like James P. Can­ Pathfinder Building Reconstruction Fund, International Expansion Fund is pur­ communists. They have since begun turn­ non and Malcolm X, some 150 tape record­ use tbe coupon below. chasing volumes of writings of Karl ing huge quantities of these valuable ings of talks and classes given by leaders of Marx, Frederick Engels, and V.I. Lenin books into pulp. the Socialist Workers P~ from the 1940s Enclosed is my contribution of$ ...... from warehouses in Russia. These com­ Supporters of Pathfinder Press have through the 1970s, and much more. to the George Novack Pathfinder Building munist leaders of the working-class gone to Moscow to rescue and ship back Setting up the new library in the Path­ Reconstruction Fund. movement left a huge legacy in books to the United States as many of these finder Building was a huge undertaking, Name ...... and articles that incorporate the lessons volumes as possible. Pathfmder will pre­ explained Marilee Taylor, a member of the Address ...... of centuries of struggle and world poli­ serve and warehouse these books, and International Ladies' Garment Workers' City ...... State ...... tics. make them available to working class Union from Newark, New Jersey. For seven Zip ...... Phone ...... With the disintegration of the Soviet fighters throughout the world and all those weeks this spring, more than 200 supporters Send to George Novack Pathfinder Union, the ruling bureaucrats in Russia who want to study these writings. from 23 cities in the United States as well Building Reconstruction Fund, 406 West St, as from Britain, New Zealand, and Canada New York, N.Y. 10014.

September 4, 1992 The Militant 11 -MILITANT LABOR FORUMS------The Militant Labor Forum is a weekly Donation: $3. Tel: (617) 247-6772. fense Lines in Houston. Hear an eyewimess 47 The Cut, SE I. Donation: £2. Tel: 71-928- free-speech meeting for workers, farm­ report. Sat., Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. 1906 South St. 7993. ers, youth, and others. All those seeking MINNESOTA Donation $3. Tel: (215) 546-8218. Sheffield to advance the fight against injustice and St. Paul The Communist Manifesto Today. A Report exploitation should attend and partici­ Celebrate the Life and Contributions of WASHINGTON from the International Socialist Conference held pate in these discussions on issues of im­ George Novack to Building the Communist Seattle in Ohio. Sat., Aug. 29,6 p.m. I Gower St., Spital portance to working people. Movement. Speakers: Doug Jenness, chairper­ Stop US. War Moves Against Iraq! Speaker: Hill Donation: £1. Tel: 0742-729469. At the Militant Labor Forum you can son, Twin Cities SWP, member, United Steel­ Bob Bruneau, Socialist Workers Party, member, express your opinion, Usten to the views workers of America Local 15199; Charles International Association of Machinists Local Scheer, retired rail worker, worked with Novack 751A. Sat., Aug. 29, 7:30p.m. 1405 E Madison. NEW ZEALAND of fellow fighters, and exchange ideas on Donation: $3. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Auckland how to best advance the interests of work­ in defending Minneapolis frame-up victims in 1940s, founding member of the SWP; Karen Open the Borders to Yugoslav Refugees. A ers and fanners the world over. Stocks, member Youth for Warren and DeBates. • panel of speakers. Sat., Sept. 5, 7 p.m. 203 La Sat., Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. 508 N Snelling Ave. Gonda Arcade, Karangahape Rd. Donation: $3. CALIFORNIA Donation: $3. Tel: (612) 644-6325. Tel: (9) 793-075. San Francisco AUSTRALIA Christchurch The Fight for \\Omen's Rights Thday. A panel MISSOURI Sydney Union Resistance to the Employment Con­ discussion. Sat., Aug. 29, 7 p.m. 3284 23rd St. New Zealand Workers: Ally or Enemy? tracts Act. Sat., Sept. 5, 7 p.m. 593a Colombo St. Louis Speaker: Brigid Rotherham, Communist St. (upstairs). Tel: (3) 656-055. (near Mission). Donation: $3. Tel: (415) 282- Open the US. Borders to the Haitian Refu­ 6255. League candidate for Mayor of Auckland, gees! US. Hands Off Haiti! Speakers: Dr. Rene member, New Zealand Engineers' Union. Sat., Wellington Julien, Concerned Haitians and Friends; Fred Sept. 5, 6 p.m. 66 Albion St., Surry Hills. Do­ The 1992 International Socialist Conference: FLORIDA Stanton, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., Aug. 29, nation: $3. Tel: 02-281 3297. Report·Back by a Participant. Speaker: Brigid Miami 7:30p.m. 1622 S Broadway. Donation: $3. Tel: Rotherham, Communist League candidate for Defend Abortion Rights! Stop Operation Res· (31 4) 421-3808. mayor of Auckland. Sat., Aug. 29, 7 p.m. 23 cue! Speaker: Jill Fein, Socialist Workers candi­ Iran and Ne.ighboring Republics of the former BRITAIN Majoribanks St.. Courtenay Pl. Donation $3. Tel: date for U.S. Congress. Sat., Aug. 29, 7:30p.m. USSR. Speaker: Ma'mud Shirvani, recently vis­ London (4) 384-4205. 137 NE 54th St. Donation: $3. Tel: (305) 756- ited Iran. Sat., Sept. 5, 7:30p.m. 1622 S Broad­ Yugoslavia-An Eyewitness Report. Speaker: The Cuban Revolution Today. Sat., Sept. 5. 4 1020. way. Donation: $5. Tel: (314)421-3808. Anne Howie, participant in Militant reporting p.m. 23 Majoribanks St., Courtenay Pl. Donation team to Yugoslavia. Sat., Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. 47 $3. Tel: (4) 384-4205. NEW YORK The Cut, SE L Donation: £2. Tel: 71-928-7993. GEORGIA No More Gulf Wars! Speaker: Communist Atlanta Manhattan League representative. Sat., Sept. 5, 7:30p.m. 47 SWEDEN Defend Immigrant W>rkers' Rights!: Hispa­ Hear Estelle DeBates, SWP candidate for US. The Cut, SE I . Donation: £2. Tel: 71-928-7993. Stockholm nic \\brkers Threatened in Chamblee. Sat., vice-president. Fri., Aug. 28,7 p.m. 191 7th Ave. How Millions Fight Apartheid Today: Eye­ Why is the Abortion Issue Such a Headache Aug. 29,7:30 p.m. 172 Trinity Ave. S.W. Dona­ Donation: $4. Tel: (212) 675-6740. witness Report from South Africa. Speaker: for Bush? Speaker: Communist League repre­ tion: $3. Tel: (404) 577-4065. Reception and Open House with Estelle De­ Shellia Kennedy, member of Militant reporting sentative. Sat., August 29, 4 pm. Vikingagatan Bates SWP candidate for U.S. vice·president. team to South Africa. Sat., Sept. 12. 7:30 p.m. 10 (T-bana St Eriksplan). Tel: (08) 31 69 33. Mon., Sept. 7, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. 191 7th Ave. MASSACHUSETTS Donation: $4. Tel: (212) 675-6740. Boston The Pittsburgh Press Strike. Speaker: Sheila Ostrow, Socialist Workers Party, member, PENNSYLVANIA Belgrade represses Kosovo ILGWU Local 445 in Pittsburgh. Sat., Aug. 29, Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. 780 Tremont St. (comer Mass Ave.) Defending Abortion Rights: On the Clinic De· Continued from Page 7 The UN sanctions against Serbia are hit­ atian through all levels of education. ting the people of Kosovo hard, after the "The Albanians are not going to school economic dislocations of the past period. North America free-trade pact because they don't want to study the history "People are really suffering now. The eco­ of Serbia,'' a Pristina-area Serb high school nomic base just keeps going down and Continued from Page 6. exploit workers on both sides of the bor­ student said in an interview. "But they live down," she adds. der" and pollute the environment. Team­ in this country. they have to." icies to open Mexico's economy to foreign Has she found support for the human investment. It has reversed many protection­ sters officials oppose the treaty because it Surroi, on the other hand, said that the rights struggle among the working people ist measures and sold off hundreds of state­ would allow Mexican truckers to transport Serbian government introduced a new cur­ of Serbia? " I have given up looking to them cargo into the United States; currently owned companies. riculum which was not accepted by Alban­ for help,'' Surroi responds. "Things have cargo must be transferred to U.S. trucks at "Free-trade zones" have been estab­ ian teachers. "They were asked to sign a gone too far. Only Albanians care about the border. lished, particularly along the U.S. border, loyalty oath to Serbia, and were fired on what's going on here." where foreign-owned companies have set While shedding tears over the plight of refusal." Despite the fact that their diplomas up 2, I 00 assembly plants known as workers in Mexico, the union officials' real On May 24 ethnic Albanians held par­ are not recognized, says Surroi, students liamentary elections in Kosovo. The Serb­ maquiladoras. The companies are allowed line. as the United Auto Workers magazine continue to receive instruction and to grad­ Solidarity put it in a full-page ad, is: "Keep ian government refused to recognize these to bring machinery and raw materials duty­ uate out of the private homes of volunteer Our Jobs Here." Their perspective is to tie elections. Ninety six out of 130 seats went free, exploit Mexican labor at the minimum teachers. wage of 68 cents an hour, and export the the interests of workers to the profit con­ to the Democratic League of Kosovo, the products back to the United States or Can­ cerns of their employers. Albanians killed new name of the Kosovo wing of the old ada with reduced customs duties. Meanwhile, the response of workers in Communist Party, which disintegrated. Free-trade policies have thus been an ex­ Mexico has been of a different sort. In recent A CDHRF report states that "since 1989 Ibrahim Rugova, the party's president, panding reality in Mexico for several years weeks, thousands of auto workers at the the Serbian police and anny arbitrarily recently held talks with Lord Carrington. before NAFTA. Trade with the United giant Volkswagen plant in Puebla have gone killed 96 Albanians, mostly young people. the European Community envoy to Yugo­ States has tripled since 1986. Some $20 on strike to reject the employers' proposed Eighteen of the victims were minors. No slavia, as well as with the prime minister billion in foreign investment has poured into concession contract. Some 20,000 textile police officers or soldiers have been ar­ of Greece, seeking support for Kosovo's Mexico in the last year and a half alone. workers have shut down 200 factories in rested." independence. While U.S. companies account for 60 central Mexico for more than a month, op­ Many Albanian youth are due to be percent of the foreign investment, a substan­ posing company demands for speed-up and drafted into the anny of Yugoslavia, which At present, the province is effectively tial amount is coming from Germany, Brit­ harsher work rules. Oil workers have also now comprises just Serbia and Montene­ under military rule by the Belgrade-con­ ain, and Japan. struck against proposed layoffs at the state­ gro. "Nobody wants to join up," says Sur­ trolled anny. Government and economy are Besides knocking down thousands of owned company. roi. in the hands of the local Serb minority. tariffs, the proposed pact would phase out Mexico's long-standing legal restrictions on foreign banks, insurance companies, IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP--- and securities firms doing business there. U.S. oil companies will be encouraged to Where to find Pathfinder books and Zip: 63104. Tel: (314) 421-3808. BRITAIN expand drilling services and production of distributors of the Milikmt, Perspectiva NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Zip: London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SEI 8LL. petrochemicals, although the Mexican con­ Mundial, New lnternaJiomd, Nouvelh In­ 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. Tel: 071-928-7993. stitution still bars foreign ownership of ternalionak, and Nueva InternacionaL NEW YORK: New York: 191 7th Ave. Zip: Manchester: Unit 4, 60 Shudehlll. Postal lOOll. Tel: (212) 727-8421.n oilfields. code: M4 4AA. Tel: 061-839 1766. UNITED STATES NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2000-C For Mexican capitalists the new agree­ ALABAMA: Birmingham: Ill 21st St. Sheffield: I Gower St., Spital Hill, Postal S. Elm-Eugene St. Zip 27406. Tel: (919) 272- code: S47HA. Tel: 0742-765070. ment also means greater access to U.S. mar­ South. Zip: 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079, 328- 5996. kets and edging out its Latin American and 3314. OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O.Box 19484. Zip: CANADA Caribbean rivals. Salinas declared that CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2552-B W. 45219. Tel: (513) 221-2691. Cleveland: 1863 W. Montreal: 6566, boul. St-Laurent. Postal NAFTA was "inevitable because we already Pico Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (2 13) 380-9460, 25th St. Zip: 44113. Tel: (216) 861-6150. code: H2S 3C6. Tel: (514) 273-2503. have a very intense trade relationship [with 380-9640. San Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: OREGON: Portland: 2310 NE 8th #1. Zip: Toronto: 827 Bloor St. West. Postal code: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. 97212. Tel: (503) 288-0466. M6G I MI. Tel: (416) 533-4324 the United States] and the agreement will CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing ad­ PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 Vancouver: 3967 Main St. Postal code: V5V bring order to that relationship. The longer dress: P.O. Box 16751, Saybrook Station, West South St. Zip: 19146. Tel: (2 15) 546-8196. Pitts­ 3P3. Tel: (604) 872-8343. it takes, the more it will benefit our compet­ Haven. Zip: 06516. itors." burgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: (4 12) FLORIDA: Miami: 137 N.E. 54th St. Zip: 362-6767. ICELAND NAFfA will grant Mexico a million­ 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Reykjavik: Klapparstfg 26. Mailing address: 1.5 TEXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Zip: 77004. GEORGIA: Atlanta: 172 Trinity Ave. Zip: P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (9 1) 17513. ton sugar quota, allowing it to outsell Car­ Tel: (713) 522-8054. 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. ibbean sugar producers, who complained UTAH: Salt Lake City: 147 E. 900 South. MEXICO about this measure. ILLINOIS: Chicago: 545 W. Roosevelt Rd. Zip: 60607. Tel: (3 12) 829-6815, 829- Zip: 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Mexico City: Nevin Siders. Apdo. Postal27- As in Canada and the United States, the 7018. WASHINGTON, D.C.: 523 8th St. SE. Zip: 575, Col. Roma Sur. Mexico DF. current trade agreement is opposed in IOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. Zip: 20003. Tel: (202) 547-7557. NEW ZEALAND Mexico by a minority section of the cap­ 50311. Tel: (515) 246-8249. WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madison. Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Karan­ italist class that favors heavier reliance on KENTUCKY: Louisville: P.O. Box 4103. gahape Road. Postal Address: P.O. Box 3025. protectionism to defend its national class Zip: 40204-4103. WEST VIRGINIA: Morgantown: 242 Tel: (9) 379-3075. interests. MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2905 Greenmount Walnut. Mai ling address: P.O. Box 203. Zip: 26507. Tel: (304) 296-0055. Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (upstairs). The trade union officialdom in the United Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (410) 235-0013. Postal address: P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 656-055. MASSACIRJSETTS: Boston: 780 Tremont States and Canada, and a wing of it in AUSTRALIA ~llington: 23 Majoribanks St., Courtenay St. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. Mexico, oppose NAFTA, echoing the pro­ Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills, Sydney Pl. Postal address: P.O. Box 9092. Tel: (4) 384- MICHIGAN: Detroit: 50191!2 Woodward NSW 2010. Tel: 02-281 -3297. 4205. tectionist arguments of these bosses. Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 831 -1177. For example, U.S. Teamsters union MINNESOTA: Twin Cities: 508 N. Snelling BARBADOS SWEDEN president Ron Carey denounced the ac­ Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: (612) 644-6325. Bridgetown: P.O. Box 891. Tel.: (809) 436- Stockholm: Vi.kingagatan 10. Postal code: S- cord, saying it would allow employers "to MISSOURI: St. Louis: 1622 S. Broadway. 7723. 113 42. Tel: (08) 31 69 33.

12 The Militant September 4, 1992 GREAT SOCIETY------Sleep \\ell -"Federal regula­ errunent is building a processing ing a cigarette for a Black youth. corde. $48,800 per person. And what was your tax bill? - tors are asking owners of37 nuclear plant for nuclear weapons waste at "They used to make us pick it ,"the Former vice-presidential candidate a Savannah River site in Georgia. caption declares. "Now they want Share and share alike -The Geraldine Ferraro and her spouse It's years behind schedule and, a us to smoke it." South American continent may be own a real estate company which federal study found. when it 's fin ­ mired in poverty, but, Forbes mag­ netted $162,468 last year. After tot­ Harry ished, it may not work, Meanwhile. Cows need it more? -Johnson azine excitedly reports, it now ing up the deductibles, they paid some of the world's most radioac­ and Johnson, the pharmaceutical boasts 22 billionaires in six coun­ $1,263 in taxes. Ring tive waste is stashed in 51 under­ company. markets an anticancer tries. That's compared to 10 1 in the ground tanks at the site. Nine of drug that can cost as much as $3,000 United States alone. Homes? Later - The United these have already begun leaking. ayear.AccordingtoCNN,American States boasts more golf courses than Cyanamid produces the very same New beginning- When dicta­ any other industrialized nation. reactors to implement short-term Whack - In Harlem, where to­ formula for livestock. The cattle ver­ tor Ferdinand Marcos and his backup plans for monitoring possi­ bacco is reportedly the leading sion goes for $15 a year. spouse Imelda were booted out of It figures - In the advanced ble meltdowns, after finding that a cause of adult deaths, a health co­ the Philippines, she left behind countries of the West. researchers safety device used for that purpose alition has placed ads throughout " If it's six o'clock this must be 1,200 pairs of shoes. But apparently found, dog and cat food contains could fail." - News Item the New York subway system. The ... " - tired of those ho-hum bud­ she's rebui lding her collection. In more riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A, ad features a cowboy skeleton, sug­ get vacations? Check outthe around­ Hong Kong, she scooped up six and iron than the same quantity of The can do system -The gov- gestive of the Marlboro man, light- the-world flight in a supersonic Con- pairs of crocodile shoes for $5,806. refugee rations. Court orders full payment of legal fees to Curtis

BY PRISCILLA SCHENK refused to let the jury even be told that he County Judge Arthur Gamble awarded a Judge Wolle's June 29 order dismisses DES MOINES - "A big victory- both had been beaten by police officers after his judgement of $80,000 against Curtis to the the Morrises· attempt to seize the attorney in my fight for justice and for all those arrest - let alone the brutal and unpro­ Morrises. fees and damages awarded to Curtis. Wolle battling against police injustice." voked character of the beating." When Curtis won his civil rights lawsuit concurs with Curtis's efforts to defend one That was the response of Mark Curtis "For those who haven't heard of Mark against police brutality, the Morrises' attor­ of the important intentions of the civiJ rights when his attorneys, Bill Kutmus and George Curtis or who have not really looked at the neys moved. They said Gamble's ruling two law, explaining, "The purpose of an attor­ Eichorn, told him that Federal District Court facts about his frame-up, this ruling will years earlier entitled the Morrises to get all ney fee award under section J 988, however, Judge Charles Wolle had ordered the City help us get a new hearing and win new the award Curtis won. is to compensate a plaintiff for attorney fees of Des Moines and police officers Daniel support," Studer said. The civil rights law under which Curtis expended in vindication of the plaintiff's Dusenberry and Charles Wolf to pay more Not everyone was pleased with Curtis's won was written to provide that attorneys civil rights ... .If the attorney fee award is than $60,000 to Curtis. victory, which came in the middle of another who prosecute such suits against govern­ paid to persons other than the plaintiff and The monetary award concludes a fede.ral fight against police brutality: the case of ment agencies be repaid for their efforts. plaintiff's counsel. that salutary purpose civil rights lawsuit that Curtis had filed Larry Milton who was beaten by Des would be defeated." against the city and police three years ear­ Moines cops in December 1991. Political rights at stake "We pledge to use this victory to intensify lier. Curtis charged that they had violated Political forces who back the police At issue is a crucial political right. If our efforts to press for Mark's release on his constitutional rights by viciously beating moved to attack and defuse the mobiliza­ victims of government frame-ups and cop parole," defense committee coordinator him in the city jail on March 4, 1988. The tions in response to the police beating of brutality are not able to use the funds they Studer explained. cops beat Curtis after falsely accusing him Milton. The ruling in favor of Curtis became win in proving their civil rights were vio­ To get involved in this fight for justice, of rape. a central target. lated to pay their attorneys, they will find it contact the Mark Curtis Defense Commit­ In ordering the payment of more than Denise and Keith Morris had publicly much more difficult to get lawyers to take tee, Box 1048, Des Moines, Iowa 503 I 1 $49,000 in legal fees and $ 11,000 in com­ backed the cops against Curtis's lawsuit on their fight for justice. (515) 246-1695. pensation to Curtis, Judge Wolle rejected They attended the trial in the case every day, In addition to the attorney fees in this a challenge from Keith and Denise Morris, and explained they were there in support of case, Curtis owes his lawyers more than the the parents of the woman Curtis was ac­ the cops. They fraternized with them and the How to wrtte·Mark Curtis amount of the $11,000 damage award. His cused of raping. The Morris's attorneys city attorneys. lawyers petitioned the court to award them ltn Address letters to Mark Curtis had asked the court to pay the money to Attorneys Stuart Pepper and Jeffrey Flagg, this money as well. #805338, Box 316 JBC Doon, Fort Madi­ the Morris famil y. representing the Morrises, filed papers with son, loNa 52627. Sender's full name and Curtis has explained from the beginning Judge Wolle demanding that the damages and The attorneys for the Morrises argued that since Curtis - not his lawyers - formally address must be in upper left of erl\"e­ that he was framed-up on rape and bur­ attorney fees awarded to Curtis be denied him lope. Sign name in full end of letter. won the case, the money was his, and all of at glary charges because of his union and and given to the Morrises instead. cards and photos less than it, both damages and attorney fees, should Greeting political activities. He was arrested and Pepper and Flagg based their motion on 8'\12 x 11 inches are permitted. beaten just hours after speaking out pub­ a civil suit they prosecuted for the Morrises be handed over to the Morrises. licly in defense of 17 Mexican and more than two years ago. In this suit, the Salvadoran coworkers. Morrises argued that Curtis's criminal con­ Sentenced to 25 years in prison, Curtis viction entitled them, as ·the parents of the - 25 AND 50 YEARS AGO-- remains a political activist in prison and is alleged victim, to money damages. Polk BoutelJe can carry out: "Everyone's help is appealing his conviction in federal court. TH£ needed. Signatures must be gathered; post­ "[Charles) Wolf and [Daniel) Dusen­ ers, leaflets, buttons and stickers made and berry [the cops who beat Curtis) used h-o~~r Patk-firl~ distributed; tours scheduled; radio and TV excessive force against the plaintiff," MILITANT time secured; meetings, rallies and protests Wolle had ruled January 17. "The court Published in the lnlereu of the Working Peopl• organized. In 1968 every black community, finds not credible the officers' testimony September 4, 1967 Price 1or high school, college, factory and army base that plaintiff was trying to bite and kick The in the country that can be reached must learn them ....R easonable officers confronting Plans for organizing a nationwide youth that there is an alternative to voting for war. the situation would not have believed it racism and oppression." was necessary to strike plaintiff in the face frame-up of campaign to back 1968 Socialist Workers and groin- and pummel him bloody­ Party presidential candidates Fred Halstead in order to remove his pants ... land) ... and Paul BoutelJe were announced here Mark Curtis today. a reasonable person would have known THE MILITANT that the Fourth and Fourteenth Amend­ Melissa Singler, an initiator of "Young • u • t.ltMIO IN fMI INl'IIISU Of TMI W08tll ... PIOfOU ments to the constitution prohibit the beat­ APackinghouse Socialists for Halstead and Boutelle." re­ N FW YOlk, NY ported they would campaign for the antiwar ing they gave plaintiff." September 5, 1942 At that time. the City Council voted to Worker's and black power spokesmen nominated by take responsibility for the cops' actions. The the Socialist Workers Party. Some new light was shed on the character week after the June 30 ruling, Kutmus and fight for Justice Miss Singler said that a meeting is being of the second ·•war for democracy" when Eichhorn, Curtis's attorneys, received planned sometime this fall for young people President Roosevelt announced last week a checks from the city totaling $63,909.35. from all over the country who are interested plan to strengthen the regime of the fascist by Margaret Jayko in supporting the Socialist Workers ticket. dictator of Spain, General Francisco Franco. Largest award in years The meeting will discuss how to take this by ·•an important step" to put the govern­ This Curtis's victory has made a significant socialist campaign onto every college cam­ ment "on its feet economically." pamphlet pus and high school in the country. impression in Des Moines. An article in the teUs the Along with this spoken pledge of finan­ July 18 Des Moines Register reported that story of Several attractive posters put out by the cial aid and blessings to Franco if he remains city officials acknowledged the Curtis Mark Young Socialists for Halstead and Boutelle neutral in the war goes the implied assur­ award was the largest against the Des Curtis, a were displayed. ance that no efforts will be made by the Moines cops in recent years. unionist The views of the two socialist candidates "democracies" to establish in Spain any of According to a city report, Curtis's vic­ andD~hter on the major questions facing this country the "freedoms" which Roosevelt so often tory more than doubled the amount the city for are summarized by their young supporters: proclaims and which were abolished by paid to settle or pay court-ordered awards Jmml~rant "Halstead and Boutelle stand for the imme­ Franco through the Spanish Civil War of involving police brutality since 1985. rl~hts, who diate withdrawal of American troops from 1936-39. Plainly, Roosevelt sees nothing "We believe this ruling will bring closer Is se"ln~a Vietnam. They will be campaigning to build wrong with fascists who are on his side or the day when Mark Curtis will win his t5-year the massive October 21 mobilization to con­ neutral. freedom," John Studer, coordinator of the sentence In front the warmakers in Washington, D.C. Almost every week Roosevelt makes a Mark Curtis Defense Committee, told the an Iowa "Halstead and Boutelle support the right speech or a statement denouncing the crim­ prison on press. "The fact that the cops lied about of black people to control their own com­ inal cruelty or inhumanity of the Axis chiefs, trumped­ munities and determine their own future. beating him - and were found guilty in up rape but apparently he is quite satisfied to collab­ federal court - casts a a pall over the entire chutes. ''They support the Cuban revolution as orate with a goverrunent headed by the arrest and conviction. It raises questions 71 pp., the example other colonial peoples should butcher of tens of thousands of Spanish about the testimony of police officer Joseph $5.00. look to in their fight for liberation. workers and many heroic fighters of other Gonzalez, the central witness against Mark A'*aUable at Pathfinder boolt­ "Halstead and Boutelle stand for a total lands, including the United States, who went at his trial. And it raises anew the denial of stores listed on paee It or by mall break with the two parties of war and racism. to Spain to help the Loyalists in the Civil his rights when the judge refused to allow from Pathftnder, 4 to West St., New They call for the formation of a labor party War. the jury to know that Gonzalez had been York, N.Y. 100t4.Add$5.00forpost­ based on the trade unions." The American workers must not Jet them suspended for lying and brutaHty in a pre­ aee and bandUn~ . Tile call for support indicates some of the down! No help to the butcher of the Spanish vious case. It reminds us that the judge activities Young Socialists for Halstead and workers, Franco!

September 4, 1992 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS U.S. prepares Important victory in Houston new Iraq war Continued from front page Abortion rights supporters, opponents of police brutal­ The fight to defend the right to abortion will not go ment, "In an effort to repeat past glories and exploit his ity, unionists, defenders of democratic rights, those who away. Just weeks before the victory in Houston was won, foreign policy strong point, President Bush has amassed a oppose Washington's wars abroad, and all working people Missionaries to the Preborn, an antiabortion group, suc­ wealth of new intelligence justifying a massive air attack can take heart from the defeat of Operation Rescue's two cessfully mobilized 4,000 people to briefly close down a against Saddam Hussein in a pre-election surprise that week campaign to blockade abortion clinics in Houston, Milwaukee clinic. might revive Bush's forlorn presidency." Texas. Restricting or denying women abortion rights is part of In "Saddam to the Rescue," right-wing New York Times This victory follows earlier ones in Buffalo, New York; the efforts by the rulers to heighten the burdens on working columnist William Safire writes that Hussein is Bush's best New York City; and Boston. Like those, it was won by the women and undermine their self-confidence. "poll-booster." Safrre urges that any surgical strikes against mobilization of hundreds of people, mainly youth, in the As the crisis of capitalism advances, bringing with it Baghdad be connected to "removing Saddam and ending streets, to physically defend the clinic doors. Out of these more wars and economic depression, the attacks on the Baathist threat to the region." battles a new generation of leaders is emerging, prepared women's rights will increase. Organizations like Operation In the Washington Post article "Saddam Won," Charles to organize the fight necessary to defend the right of Rescue, Rescue America, and the Lambs of Christ feed on Kmuthammer argues that the issue is not Baghdad's vio­ women to control their own bodies. the insecurity, fear, and resentment that a layer of the lations of UN rules. "The issue is Saddam 's general resur­ The overwhelming majority of people in the United middle class and sections of the working class feel in the gence and his new bid for power in the region." States are in favor of the right to abortion. The fight in face of this crisis. Since the end of the war, Iraq's armed forces have Houston shows that a broad movement can be built to Mobilizations, along the lines of those organized in refurbished one large air base, reactivated others and re­ defend this right. Among the clinic defenders were high Houston, are the only road forward. Working people wiU vived air-defense networks as a part of their increased school and college students, unionists and other workers, increasingly fmd it necessary to bring their organized activity in southern Iraq. religious people including Protestants and Catholics, and power, through the industrial unions, into this and other In a similar vein, the ultraright National Review edito­ people who look to the Democratic and the Republican fights, from the fight against police brutality to the struggle rialized: "No military or political program makes sense parties. against imperialist war. that does not have as its aim the replacement of Saddam Hussein by a more tractable regime." 'Bush needs extravaganzas' Still more bluntly, New York Times columnist Leslie Gelb wrote, "Mr. Bush must resort to foreign extravagan­ zas for November. He cannot hope to turn the economy 'Family values' and capitalism around in the next 70 days." All accounts point toward a deeper military intervention Unable to offer any proposals to alleviate the crisis of the problem - the capitalist system and the policies by Washington. The only debate is over how far to go at facing millions of working-class people in the United that the Democrats and Republicans pursue to shift the this stage. States, the Republican Party convention staked out "family burden of the economic crisis onto the backs of working This past week Britain and France authorized sending values" as the theme of President Bush's reelection bid. people. fighter aircraft into the region to help enforce a proposed "The traditional family is under assault,"declared the Promoting "family values"- whether by Bush and "no-fly zone" in southern Iraq. platform adopted by Republican convention delegates, and Quayle or Clinton and Gore- is basically an attempt to They will join a large U.S. military build-up that includes, speaker after speaker accused Democratic presidential as­ shift onto working people the responsibility for what the according to the Manchester Guardian, "up to 190 land and pirant William Clinton and his wife Hillary of leading the capitalist system is doing to us. carrier-based combat aircraft, 19 warships in the Gulf, 18 in the Mediterranean, 6 in the Red Sea, an unknown number charge. Not only do the Democrats and Republicans have no Laws that guarantee women the right to abortion, sepa­ of attack submarines, and 5,000 troops in Kuwait." In all, real proposals to overcome joblessness and declining liv­ 23,800 U.S. military personnel are in the region. ration of church and state, equal rights for homosexuals, ing standards, but even the minimum social programs that welfare for poor people, and other social programs are the Iraqi air attacks on Shiite civilians in the southern part provide aid to dependent children, health care, education, of the country are the pretext for the latest war moves root of society's ills, according to the Republicans. Only a housing, and social services for the poor and working return to the traditional family and moral values, as exem­ against Baghdad. By cynically posturing as a protector of people are being cut back so that more money can be the Shiites - something it refused to do at the close of the plified by the president's own family, can turn the country diverted to aid business out of its crisis. around. Gulf War- Washington figures it will be easier to win The strains and pressures that afflict the family are Bush condemns Congress for being big spenders when public opinion to support its war aims. caused by the normal workings of capitalism. Under this it comes to social programs, but that is a charge that the In an attempt to slow Washington down, Baghdad system, where the labor of working people is exploited for Democrats who control Congress can honestly deny. And agreed to allow UN officials to inspect the southern the benefit of the wealthy few, the working class is being Clinton explains that working people shouldn't expect marshes where Iraqi Shiites are reported to be under attack. more social spending under his adrninis.tration. The Re­ driven down to ever more desperate conditions. Brent Scowcroft, Bush's national security advisor, said publican platform also echoes the views of Clinton himself The effects of the long economic downturn are having the proposed no-fly zone, which encompasses all of Iraq on welfare since he portrays himself as the candidate who a devastating impact on many families - not the Bushes south of the 32nd parallel, had been "solidified" Any can "put an end to welfare." helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft Baghdad uses against the or the Clintons, but many working-class families. Not only Shiites within that area will be open game to U.S. and allied are more women being forced to work but increasingly The big-business parties are worried about the crisis of warplanes. more children as well. "family values" because they are concerned that, as more The editors strongly disagree with that The "traditional family" - with husband working and women gain a measure of economic independence, they New York Times perspective, arguing that shooting down any Iraqi aircraft wife at home- is a distinct minority in today's society. also gain more self-confidence to fight for their rights. that try to repress "rebellious Shiites in southern Iraq ... The standard of living that used to be attainable with one James Warren and Estelle DeBates, the Socialist presi­ would be legally untenable and politically unwise." income now must be met with two family members work­ dential ticket, are using their campaign to promote the real The proposal to establish a no-fly zone is not popular with ing. Soon it will be three and more. concerns that working-class families value and want to most of the surrounding regimes. Syria has rejected it out­ Blaming women who work for the deteriorating social fight for -the right to a job and a decent standard of right, and Egypt has stated its opposition to any attempt to conditions in the country is a diversion from the real source living. "partition"lraq. Iran has warned Washington to stay clear of Iraq. During the 1990-91 Gulf War, Cairo and Damascus not only furnished important political cover for the U.S war, but they contributed troops to the multinational force, some 35.000 from Egypt and about 20,000 from Syria. Keeping up squeeze on Iraq Workers' fight is international On the economic front, the rulers of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia call for keeping Iraq out of the world oil markets The recently concluded negotiations by the U.S., Mex­ The cause of the growing unemployment is not foreign as long as possible. The market is saturated and prices are ican, and Canadian governments over the North American imports or trade agreements. It is capitalism. This system generally weak. If Iraq were allowed to sell, world prices Free Trade Agreement (NAFfA) have sparked sharp de­ is dragging us into depression as it did in the 1930s. would drop further, cutting into Saudi and Kuwaiti profits. bates in all three countries. The predominant section of the Employers seek to take advantage of the permanent The UN economic embargo against Iraq is now two employers in all three countries has promoted NAFTA. competition for jobs that workers face under capitalism. years old. Recently, as part of the growing imperialist Other employers have pushed for maintaining more pro­ The only way working people can successfully fight for pressure, the embargo has been tightened, particularly tectionist measures favorable to their own interests. Both jobs is not to increase this competition but to overcome it along the Jordan-Iraq border. Eyewitnesses say the number sides appeal to working people for support, claiming that - by uniting in a common struggle as a class against the of trucks crossing the border has dwindled to a trickle. either "free trade" or protectionist policies will save jobs. bosses' profit drive. The new tight controls result from a visit to Amman this Labor officials in the United States and Canada­ The labor movement can take this road by launching an summer by Robert Gates, director of the Central Intelli­ echoing the bosses - argue for anti-import measures on international fight around these basic demands: gence Agency. According to the New York Times, "The the basis of "protecting American jobs" or "Canadian • Shorten the workweek with no pay reduction to create United States, Britain and France, which have stationed jobs," respectively. They try to give a progressive cover to jobs for all. warships outside Aqaba to enforce the sanctions, have also this chauvinist, pro-business position by alleging concern stepped up searches of cargo vessels using the port to look • Cancel the Third World debt that is squeezing working over increased exploitation of Mexican workers under for banned Iraqi imports or exports." · people around the globe. NAFTA. Labor officials in Mexico likewise back either Despite the sanctions, Iraq says that 70 percent of the the "free trade" or protectionist sections of the capitalists • Defend the rights of immigrant workers-for an open damage Washington inflicted during the war has now been in Mexico, tying the workers' fate to that of their masters. border and freedom of travel. repaired. The Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, a New York­ The fact is that free trade and protectionism are two sides As capitalists seek to expand their access to raw mate­ based newsletter, said that Iraq has "rehabilitated a signif­ of the same coin. Both are weapons used by capitalists to rials and labor throughout North America, they will keep icant portion of its oil producing, exporting and refming defend their profits against competitors. squeezing workers through wage cuts, speed-up, longer capability." The U.S.-led attempt to form a North American trading work hours, and union-busting. These conditions are pro­ The Iraqi currency has been devalued from about 14 bloc is a response by the ruling classes in all three countries voking resistance. Outstanding recent examples are the dinars to the dollar to 22 or 24. This is reportedly the result to the growing world depression and heightened competi­ militant strikes by Volkswagen workers and textile workers of a CIA and Saudi Arabian destabilization plan offorging tion between capitalist powers. in Mexico; the fight by locked-out steelworkers in Ravens­ dinar notes in order to create hyperinflation. What should be the position of working people? Karl wood, West Virginia; and strikes by gold miners and fish There has also been a sharp drop of imports into the Marx explained in a similar debate in the labor movement plant workers in western and eastern Canada. country. In July, Baghdad executed some 42 merchants on in 1848 that protectionism and free trade are both policies This resistance provides growing opportunities for charges of speculation and profiteering. With food prices wielded by the employers. Under either one, he pointed working-class fighters to reach out to each other across skyrocketing from the currency devaluation, Iraqi work.ing out, workers "will go to the wall." national borders in order to wage a common fight. people have suffered the most.

14 The Militant September 4, 1992 California farm workers rally for wage increase

This column is devoted to re­ revival of the union. out these cuts for unionized retir­ for medical coverage, and an in­ In Denver more than 1,000 mem­ porting the resistance by working "We will win," he said, "but we ees as contracts expire. Its contract crease in medical deductibles. bers of CWA Local 777 joined in people to the employers' assault have to be united." Chavez hailed with the United Auto Workers, Axible, a manufacturer of transit one of several protest actions. In on their living standard, working recent victories won by fann work­ (UAW), which represents 7,000 buses, is a major industry in Seattle several hundred telephone conditions, and unions. ers and the UFW in the Coachella active and 20,000 retired workers, Loudonville, a town with a popula­ workers and supporters rallied at a \\e invite you to contribute and San Joaquin valleys. expires Oct. l, 1993. Cuts would tion of 3,000 in central Ohio. De­ downtown plaza August 13. short items to this column as a In the Coachella Valley, fann begin October 1 this year with the spite earlier concessions, union US West announced August 16 way for other fighting workers workers who had not received wage expiration of its contract with the members have held onto a base that a tentative agreement had been around the world to read about increases in eight years organized United Plant Guard Workers of wage of about $14 per hour. Many reached with the CWA. The accord, America. Benefits of nonunion re­ travel 30-40 miles from around the which must be approved by 39,000 tirees would be cut Jan. 1, 1993. area to get to work. CWA members, provides a 12.1 ON THE PICKET LINE The UAW announced that the The union gave up concessions percent wage increase over three union would ask a judge to block in 1983 to help General Automotive years and a 13 percent increase in and learn from these important three weeks of protests. This began the cuts. Corp. buy the plant from Grum­ pensions for all U S West workers struggles. Jot down a few lines to June 5 when 600 workers walked Bill Casstevens, UAW secretary­ mond and the membership doesn't with an additional 2 percent pen­ let other Militant readers know off their jobs in the vineyards. On treasurer, said that the union under­ want to give up any more. As one sion increase for operators. The about what is happening at your June 8, another 1,200 marched out. stood the "difficult nature of Navi­ picket put it, "This is concession agreement also preserves paid workplace or in your union. H 1be Salinas rally came in the star's financial difficulties." bargaining, and I don't want any health benefits for retirees. there is an interesting political wake of these UFW organized He continued, "What's needed part of it." Meanwhile, in Seattle, CWA discussion going on at work, we walkouts and protests against low here are serious negotiations that Part of the company's initial de­ members are walking picket lines would like to hear about that too. wages and dangerous working con­ balance the needs dictated by the mands included the introduction of at the Book Publishing Co., a small ditions. A central demand has been company's situation with the rights a second wage tier, with new hires CWA-organized shop. Some 30 Demanding their first wage in­ to ban the use of a number of car­ and needs of its workers." making $4 per hour less than cur­ workers struc!c more than three crease in nearly a decade, 3,500 cinogenic pesticides on grapes. The Company officials claim the cuts rent employees. Audrey Gore, an weeks ago; only four have crossed fann workers marched in Salinas, UFW has been organizing a boycott are needed to keep Navistar out of assembler at the plant, explained, "I the picket line. The company has California, July 27. of grapes and has set up pickets at bankruptcy. don't want to lose the cost ofliving, also hired a dozen strikebreakers. The streets of Salinas were an stores in the San Jose area. The company's chief financial and it just isn't fair to have a lower The workers rejected the bosses' starting wa,ge." ocean of red and black flags, the Chavez appealed to all workers officer, Robert Lannert, said that offer of a 3 percent wage increase colors of the United Farm Workers present at the rally to sign union Navistar expects to reach an agree­ Axible president Edward Kra­ and are demanding "at least enough (UFW) union, carried by jubilant cards. He also urged everyone to join ment with the UAW on the cuts. "I vitz claims concessions are needed to maintain what we got in the last because of "extremely competitive workers and members of the com­ a vigil in Sacramento, the state cap­ don't think there's going to be a contract and keep up with infla­ munity to chants of"Se ve, se siente, itol, at the Agricultural Labor Rela­ strike about this," he said. "I think competition in a depressed transit tion," explained striker Mary Keils. market." He further defended the Ia uni6n esta presente" and "Chavez tions Board (ALRB) offices. 1be the UAW is smart enough to know "I've never been on strike be­ company stand, telling the Ashland sf, contratistas no! ("It's clear, you ALRB has been sitting on a number the facts and will represent their fore," she added, "and taking part Times Gazette, can feel it, the union is present" and of complaints filed by the union, constituencies in a constructive "We simply must in this one is exciting. I wouldn't manner." ask that our employees not expect "Chavez yes, contractors no!") Ce­ which resulted from the growers' re­ trade this experience for any­ No one has yet asked the workers or demand an automatic improve­ sar Chavez is UFW president fusal to negotiate with the UFW fol­ thing." ment in each and every new con­ As the march proceeded through lowing union certification votes. and retirees of Navistar in Indianap­ "I'm proud of what we're do­ tract." town many people joined in and olis and Fort Wayne, Indiana; ing," said Steve Bonner. "A lot of Strikers disagree with Kravitz voiced their support for the UFW. Springfield, Ohio; and Melrose people could have just gone and Navistar demands big cuts Park, lllinois, what they think and see his demands as part of the Clearly evident was the support in health benefits gotten another job, but we're going from Teamsters Local 890, whose would be a constructive solution. general assault on workers over the to see this strike through." blue flags stood out against those of Navistar, the biggest maker of past decade. medium and heavy trucks in the theUFW. Steelworkers in Ohio The following people contributed to 1be UFW won a major victory United States, went to federal court strike bus manufacturer Communication workers this week's column: Ved Raj in San in 1979 by breaking the $5-an-hour July 28 seeking approval to slash Steelworkers shut down pro­ rally for decent contract Jose, California; John Sarge. mem­ medical benefits for its 40,000 re­ wage barrier in negotiations with duction August 10 at Axible Corp. Members of the Communica­ ber of United Auto Workers Local tirees and their families. the vegetable growers. Most grow­ plants in Loudonville and Dela­ tion Workers of America (CWA) 900 in Wayne, Michigan; Michael ers, however, have refused to nego­ The company also announced ware, Ohio. By a vote of 584-46, in Denver, Colorado, and Seattle, ltalie, member ofUnited Steelwork­ tiate contracts since the early plans to cut benefits for its 13,000 members of United Steelworkers Washington, participated in rallies ers of America Local 14919, and 1980s. Since then wages at most active workers. of America (USWA) Locals 4781 demanding a decent contract lead­ Sandra Nelson, member oflnterna­ companies have been frozen at The reductions the company and 8265 rejected management's ing up to the August 15 deadline tional Association of Machinists $5.50 per hour. wants would cost each retiree be­ last offer and went on strike. The for the expiration date of their Local 1130, in Cleveland; Harvey Chavez addressed the rally at the tween $330 and $3,400 a year. Tiley company's proposal included a contract with U S West Telephone McArthur, member of United end of the march, saying that this would also lose dental, vision, and three year wage freeze, a cut in company. The company operates Transportation Union Local 845 in protest marked the beginning of a hearing care. cost-of-living adjustments, the in­ in 14 states from Minnesota to Seattle; and Ron Richards in Colo­ fight for wage increases and the Navistar said it plans to carry troduction of monthly payments New Mexico and Washington. rado. -LETTERS 'Miscarriage of Justice' But to young fighters seeking Party "tribal violence," claiming its answers to such questions as, "Is root cause is hostility between We are three innocent black there really 'democracy' in the Zulu-speaking Inkatha members brothers in British penal dustbins United States?"; "Is capitalist so­ and non-Zulus in the ANC. Dube for crimes we did not commit In ciety as we know it the highest said this characterization was false. June 1992 Estelle DeBates, S.W.P. form of civilization possible?"; "Is When lnkatha hit squads mount candidate for vice president, came the struggle of the international a train to sow terror, none of their to visit me in prison to offer her working class for socialism still passenger victims "have their tribe support and strength for our fight on the agenda in a century that written on their forehead," Dube ag~st the barbaric miscarriage of gave us Stalinism, two world said. "Their common identity is justice the police and law courts wars, and the atomic bomb?"; and, simply that they are Black work­ impose consistently ~ound the "Hasn't Marxism been discredited e.rs." world on innocent working people. by the intellectuals?", Novack's The ANC "is not an ethnic party, I would like to thank Estelle and works have no rival as recruiting but the party of all the people of the S.W.P for spreading our cam­ tools to the communist movement. South Africa he said. Its supporters paign and for the knowledge they In fact, as he told me himself two come from all ethnic groups, in­ shared with me about the brutal years ago, this was his main pur­ cluding Zulus. injustices carried out throughout pose in writing them in the first "The ANC's perspectives have the capitalist world. Brothers and place. never been based on ethnicity, but sisters, our struggles are not in vain. Knowing this, I am confident on a political program. The differ­ It is possible to win victory against that the greatest homage's to ences between the ANC and other any injustice of any kind if we join George Novack will be found in organizations are not tribal differ­ each other's struggle. the ranks of the young workers ences, but political ones." Send letters of support to the and students who, armed with assistance program and I would interim government made up of all Cindy Jaquith M25 Three Campaign, 46 such weapons as Democracy and share your publication with inmates forces that came together in the Detroit, Michigan Atherfold Road, Clapham North, Revolution and The Long View of who would like to read it. Convention for a Democratic South Oapham, London, SW9 9LW. History, will fight their way We five are a group of convicts Africa. The Militant special prisoner Raphael Rowe through the mountain of lies struggling to form unity with all pris­ The interim government needed, fund makes it possible to send Leicestershire, Britain taught them in school, become oners regardless of race or religion. said Dube, must be one that takes reduced-rate subscriptions to control of the state bureaucracy, the Editor's note: An article on the communists, and join the fight for I thank you in advance for the prisoners who can't pay for budget, the anny and police, and M25 case appears on page 16. a better world. chance to review your publication. them. To help this important And if the silent treatment from A prisoner local governments in order to pre­ cause, send your contribution to bourgeois editors means anything, Somers, Connecticut pare for the election of a constituent Militant Prisoner Subscription George Novack it is that this prospect has not oc­ assembly to draft a new constitution. Fund, 410 ~st St., New York, Such an assembly cannot be demo­ It neither surprises nor offends curred to me alone. ANC leader speaks NY 10014. me that George Novack's death Peter Anestos · cratically chosen under the current regime, the ANC leader continued. went unnoticed in the capitalist Washington, D.C. Some 50 people turned out for a The letters column is an open press. I expected nothing more public talk here July 25 by Jabu "Apartheid is still very much in ex­ forum for all viewpoints on sub­ from the paid shills of the ruling Dube, information officer in Can­ istence," he pointed out, noting the jects of general interest to our class, who, fmding their job getting Requests the 'Militant' ada for the African National Con­ institutionalized oppression of Afri­ readers. Please keep your let­ harder all the time, have no stom­ I would very much like to be gress (ANC). cans and the simple fact that they are ters brief. Where necessary they ach for recognizing a man whose granted the chance to review your Dube told his audience that the still denjed the right to vote. will be abridged. Please indi­ life wort so powerfully exposes the publication. Would you please current campaign of mass protests De Klerlc has labelled the mur­ cate if you prefer that your ini­ social and economic system they place my name on your mailing list. led by the .ANC is aimed at forcing derous attacks on ANC supporters tials be used rather than your full defend. I run an underground prisoners' the apartheid regime to cede to an by backers of the Inkatha Freedom name.

September 4, 1992 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT London Black youth fight frame-up

BY JULIE CRAWFORD conviction that he wouldn't speak to any­ The M25 prisoners asked their families and bigger every day. I'm on a path, a AND JOYCE FAIRCHILD one. Then he decided to fight. to help them campaign outside the prison. mission for freedom and I'm going to get LONDON -From behind bars, three "First I went on a hunger strike and fought Joanne Rowe and Valerie Davis, both sisters it." Black youths have been actively fighting to physically," said Rowe, "but then I started of the prisoners, are leaders of the defense For more information on the M25 Three reverse their frame-up and conviction for a to use the pen and paper, which is the most effort. Campaign, contact Joanne Rowe or Valerie crime they did not commit. The M25 Three powerful weapon .... My life sentence is Pointing to the success of the defense Davis at 46 Atherfold Road, Clapham North, Campaign, as their public defense effort is going to be used to educate myself to fight campaign, Rowe stated, "At the beginning London SW9. Telephone: 071-738-7477. known, has helped to expose the true face for justice. I was in a box. There was only family and of justice for working people in the British "I want to see the police officers in my close friends. Now the whole world is Joyce Fairchild is a member of the Trans­ court system. case and others who committed the crime opened up. Suddenly it just happens. There's port and General Workers Union at Heath­ On December 15, 1988, two men were brought to trial," explained Rowe. a window in my cell but its getting bigger row airport. attacked and robbed in a field off the M25 motorway near London. One of the men died of a heart attack. Two further armed robberies occurred that night as well. Imme­ Strike ends at Nova Scotia fish plant diately after the attack, one of the victims described the attackers as two white men BY MONICA JONES and one Black man. MONTREAL-By a margin of three The police proceeded to arrest three votes the strike of 80 members of Canadian Black youths. Within days they picked up Auto Workers (CAW) Local 1970 at Clear­ Michael Davis and Raphael Rowe, and in water Fine Foods in Arichat, Nova Scotia, early January 1989 arrested Randolph John­ ended on July 2 amid considerable contro­ son. versy. The three were charged with committing The union went on strike May 14 after murder. robbery, and grievous bodily harm. working without a contract for a year. The On February 26, 1990, a majority white jury right of women to continue working in the found them guilty. plant was a central issue of the strike. In the The trial was a mockery of justice. Davis end the company succeeded in driving the and Rowe had positive alibis from seven 20 women out of the plant. other people whom they were with at the Clearwater opened in 1987 and in 1990 time the crimes were committed. Some key agreed to transfer women workers to live witnesses changed their stories following lobster operations when it shut down the interviews with the police. Additional evi­ cooked lobster section, where women had dence proving Rowe and Davis could not been working. The union wanted to make have committed the crimes was simply ig­ this agreement permanent and part of the nored. new contract but the company refused. The In an interview with the Militant con­ company claims the work, pulling crates of ducted during a June 16 visit to Swaleside lobster from holding tanks, is too heavy for prison, Raphael Rowe described how dur­ women. But Lana Boudreau said, "I trained ing the trial the defendants were not even a lot of those men in jobs that they say I'm allowed to explain their case. "They shut not capable of doing." me up," said Rowe. "They didn't let me The union considers the work heavy for speak." men and women alike. Paul Tyrrell, a mem­ The M25 robberies occurred in what is ber of the local bargaining committee, ex­ known as the "stockbroker" section of Lon­ plained that "Oearwater used the issue to don, a residential area where businessmen try to divide the work force." Militant/ Monica Jones live. Striker Genevieve Boudreau said in an Union members on picket line in Arichat, Nova Scotia. End of strike saw a setback to 'The police are not interested in solving interview, "We were good enough for five rigbt of women to continue working in plant, which was a central issue in the fight. crime, just politics," explained Rowe. "In years since the plant opened but now they the stockbroker belt they just want bodies. don't want us." When they frame us up it's not just us who The new contract includes a letter of un­ men on two shifts plus about a dozen stu­ ing and the use of scabs. Together with are affected, it's our families, friends, ev­ derstanding that states women will get dents hired since the strike. the strikers, the unionists pushed through eryone. And the victims of the crimes and called to work in peak seasons- 8-10 Clearwater processed lobster during the police lines and entered the plant, sending their families who thought justice had been weeks of the year- but only at the strike with replacement workers who scores of scabs, security guards, and com­ done. company's discretion. "It's written that 25 stayed in the plant 24 hours a day. Lobster pany managers fleeing by helicopter. Clearwater ended its attempt to keep the 'There are only two laws in this country. regular men get called before the women, was escorted through picket lines by the plant running. One for the rich and one for the police. We but they could call 30 men and we can't Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its don't have any laws," said Rowe. grieve it. In my opinion, women won't get riot squad. Instead they began threatening to close The M25 Three Campaign was started by back in," Tyrrell said. Six weeks after the On June 11, hundreds of unionists mo­ the plant down. This was the situation facing the prisoners themselves. Rowe explained end of the strike no women have been re­ bilized in Arichat. from across Cape Breton the strikers when they came to the July 2 that initially he was so angry at the wrongful called. The work force is down to 30 regular Island in Nova Scotia against union-bust- meeting. According to Tyrrell and Lana Boudreau, another member of the bargain­ ing committee, workers attending the meet­ ing believed it was an information update only. Almost half the strikers were not pres­ Racist attacks on the rise in Britain ent. But the contract was put to a vote and BY CELIA PUGH families as well as local community and ners and shops display "William Weekes accepted 25-22. All four members of the MANCHESTER, England-Racist at­ antiracist organizations. The committee has Must Stay" posters. Speakers have been local bargaining committee recommended tacks are on the rise in Britain along with been organizing for a national demonstra­ addressing public rallies and distributing rejection. government moves to deport immigrant tion August 22 in Manchester. leaflets aboa~t the case. According to Lana Boudreau, 'The rea­ workers and restrict the ability of refugees In a related development, the Manchester son the vote went through is because the to obtain asylum here. 'William Weekes Must Stay' Campaign Against the Asylum Bill is re­ CAW national office threatened to withdraw Some 70,000 racist incidents are esti­ On July 11, demonstrators marched newing its opposition to proposed govern­ strike funds. It's the same package we voted mated to occur in Britain every year. Ac­ through Moss Side - the Afro-Caribbean ment legislation to restrict refuge to asylum down twice before." cording to police figures, a racist attack section of this city - to protest government seekers. Plans include support for a national Immediately after the strike Clearwater occurs every 28 minutes. moves to deport William Weekes. Weekes demonstration, and a national conference began firing workers. Eight workers, includ­ In January 1992, Siddik Dada, a 60-year­ who was born in Monserrat has been living October 15 in Manchester, which will be ing Lana Boudreau, were ftred, mostly for old shopkeeper was hacked to death in a in Manchester for the past 14 years. He has organized by the British Refugee Council. "illegal activities during the strike," or in racist machete attack. Four days later Mo­ been married to a British citizen for six The June 25 London Guardian reported Boudreau's case because during the recent hammed Sarwar, a 46-year-old taxi driver, years, which makes him eligible for British that, in 1990, 44,800 people applied for strike she "participated in improper and se­ was dragged from his cab and brutally citizenship. refugee status, compared to 11,600 in 1989. rious action ... [and for] irresponsibility in beaten to death. A gang of white youth has In September 1989, after Weekes was The British government acted on 4,690 of not taking proper action as a committee been arrested and charged with both mur­ arrested for a driving offense, the police these cases, granting full refugee status to person." The union ftled grievances protest­ ders, though the cops deny there was a racist checked his immigration status and found only 9 percent, compared to 32 percent in ing the firings. Now the cases go to arbitra­ motive for the killings. that he had forgotten to submit his passport 1989. tion. On the day Mohammed Sarwar's body for formal endorsement. The Mohammed Sarwar and Siddik Dada Despite the bitter end to the strike and the was released, more than one thousand taxi "This is how these immigration laws are Memorial Committee can be contacted c/o continual attacks from the company many drivers and members of the community ac­ used," said John Weekes, William WFA, 9 Lucy Street, Old Trafford, Man­ workers see the fight as being far from over. companied it from the mosque to the airport Weekes's brother. "If William had been a chester, M15 4BX. William Weekes Must According to Tyrrell, "We're not finished for a flight to Pakistan. A convoy of more white South African or European, they Stay can be reached c/o South Manchester with it yet" than 800 cars brought pan of the city to a would not have checked him out or de­ Law Centre, 584 Stockport Road, standstill. Taxi bases stopped work for the poned him." Longsight, Manchester Ml3. Monica Jones is a member of the Interna­ procession. Since the beginning of 1992, campaign­ tional Association of Machinists Lodge In May a memorial committee was ers supported by Weekes's family have been Celia Pugh is a member ofthe Amalgamated 2309 and works at Canadian Airlines at launched with the backing of the victims' fighting this deportation. Many street cor- Engineering and Electrical Union. Dorval.

16 The Militant September 4, 1992