Response needed to attacks THE on Pathfinder Mural Page 14

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 53/NO. 46 DECEMBER 8, 1989 $1.00

El Salvador: represszon• Czechoslovak protests grows under score gains for rights

military-run BY PETER THIERJUNG ized by factory strike committees. Some contingents raised demands that cor­ Czechoslovakia, a country in Eastern Eu­ Subway workers in Prague announced to rupt CP and government officials be brought rope of more than 15 million people, was passengers in advance of the strike their to justice. Airline workers demanded that the government almost completely shut down on November intention to honor it and provided informa­ CP give up its private fleet of 15 jets used to 27 as millions joined a two-hour walkout to tion about rallies. Only hospitals, nursing ferry top officials around the world. BY GREG McCARTAN press the Communist Party to give up its grip homes, food stores, and a few other enter­ One Communist Party official estimated Events in El Salvador over the past two on power. prises continued to operate. between 6 and 7 million people participated weeks underline the extent to which the ci­ This action and the massive protests lead­ Together with students, writers, artists, and in the strike. It was the first massive protest vilian government of Alfredo Cristiani, ing up to it have shattered the CP and the middle-class professionals, workers marched since Aug. 23, 1%8, when more than 2 elected last March, has increasingly come structures of Stalinist repression. For the first in contingents in the capital city, Prague; in million workers stopped work to protest the under the domination of the U.S.-financed time in 40 years the door to practicing politics Vysocany, Prague's industrial area; in Soviet-led invasion that crushed a popular military forces and right-wing death squads. has been opened for working people. Bratislava, the country's second largest city; reform movement On November 23 as new repressive legis­ At noon on the day of the general strike in the industrial centers of Bmo, Ostrava, and Bowing to the pressure, the regime an­ lation was being prepared, Cristiani and miners, firemen, brewery workers, steel­ Rosice; and other cities and towns. nounced that most forms of press censorship armed forces Chief of Staff Rene Emilio workers, machinists, oil workers, communi­ had been lifted. Deputy Prime Minister Ponce announced the 30-day state of siege cations workers, construction workers, air­ Insist on democratic rights Jaromir Zak also said on state TV that au­ would not be lifted before December 12. The line workers, bakers, auto workers, welders, Protesters carrying banners and the thorities had decided to drop from the draft measure, which suspended civil liberties and and others downed tools and stopped their Czechoslovak flag converged in main of a new constitution the long-standing article gave the military powers to arrest and hold machines. squares across the country to demand free codifying the CP's dominant role in govern­ people for almost any reason, was declared More than 900 factories and businesses elections and an end to the Communist ment. November 12 in response to the nationwide were idled across the country, and urban mass Party's monopoly on power. The protesters In negotiations the following day with military offensive by the Farabundo Marti transit was halted everywhere. Workers' par­ also insisted on guarantees of freedom of leaders of Civic Forum, the main opposition National Liberation Front (FMLN). ticipation in the strike activities was organ- assembly, speech, and the press. Continued on Page 5 The new legislation introduced in the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly by Cristiani 's party, the Nationalist Republican Alliance (Arena), makes it a crime to possess or distribute material deemed to "subvert the Machinists' strike at Eastern public order." Secretaries, printers, or sign painters who accept such work face up to two years in prison. The new laws also give the U.S.-backed solid Dec. 8 actions called government broad powers to ban protests, strikes, and meetings. The recent fighting, in which rebels occu­ pied areas of the largest cities in the country, was the fiercest and most extensive in the 10-year civil war. Government forces inflicted thousands of casualties on the civilian population by ma­ chine-gunning and bombing neighborhoods in cities across the country from U.S.-sup­ plied gunships and jets. While open combat in the capital of San Salvador has died down, fighting in other parts of the country contin­ ues. "We are back to a totalitarian govern­ ment," Geraldo LeChevalier said of the new restrictions. He is a senior member of the Christian Democratic Party, which governed the country from 1984-1989. The party ab­ stained from voting on the new laws. The repressive legislation passed 45-0. As soon as the new get-tough laws were announced, AI Dia, a widely respected news program, went off the air in protest. "It is one thing to censor news from the guerrillas, but it is another to censor all political expres­ sion," said Narciso Castillo, director of the Striking Eastern Machinists in Miami organized march of 1,000 November 19, one of many actions spearheaded by lAM strikers program. ''There are some forces in the coun- . in recent months. Pittston Coal strikers helped lead protest. On November 22 the pilots' association ended their sympathy strike at try who are trying to take advantage of the Eastern; flight attendants' union did so the next day. situation to impose a dictatorship." The FMLN, over its Radio Venceremos, BY SUSAN LaMONT Eastern Airlines remains solid, despite the did everything within our power to win a just restated its desire· "t

especially Blacks and women. Working peo­ basis -for working people internationally were also frequently asked, What country in ple should not and will not accept these to join in a common fight. the world is an example of socialism? conditions without a fight, Hayes said. She During the campaign, Hayes kept working The socialist campaigners pointed to Cuba. pointed to the strikes by Eastern Airlines at her regular job at Cone Mills on the 7 :00 Cuba "has placed the fight for workers' rights workers and Pittston Coal miners as exam­ p.m. to 7:00a.m. shift. This meant she wasn't around the world at the top of its priority list," ples of resistance among workers. able to personally appear at all candidates' explained Hayes in a guest column in the forums and other campaign events. When News & Record. The column was titled, "A Ideas hit home to workers needed, campaign supporters would pinch hit Global View of the Mayor's Race." for her. This gave other workers and young These ideas hit home to workers in North people who were backing Hayes a chance to Support from coworkers Carolina. In recent years they have seen gain experience themselves in explaining the Hayes' coworkers at Cone Mills -many wealthy speculators make billions off the of whom she didn't know before the race corporate buyouts of the North Carolina­ socialist campaign's proposals. Producing campaign literature was also a started - were excited about her campaign based RJR Nabisco and Burlington Industries collective effort. A committee of campaign­ and the support it registered on election day. textile company. ers, including a high school activist who had Other workers were also encouraged. "You The socialist campaign issued statements met the candidate at an abortion rights rally, made some real good points with the cam­ on the fight for decent housing; how to beat worked with Hayes on preparing a statement paign," a leader of the Eastern strikers told back racist attacks, from New York City to on women's rights. Hayes the day after the election. The presi­ Virginia Beach, Virginia; and the battle to At a candidates' forum sponsored by the dent of the striking Machinists union local defend and extend women's right to abortion. Sierra Club and Audubon Society, one city called Hayes to thank her for using her cam­ Hayes' supporters also sold the Militant and council candidate said that Greensboro has a paign to support their strike. the pamphlet An Action Program to Confront poor transit system because the system was "By placing Greensboro in a world con­ the Coming Economic Crisis widely at fac­ dismantled and the buses sold to Argentina. text, understanding the crisis of our cities in tories and rail yards, on campuses, and in "We sent them buses and they send us dope," terms of an international crisis, and seeing working-class communities in the Greens­ the candidate - a former police officer - that working people need to organize to de­ boro area. The Action Program, which pro­ argued. fend ourselves, we can begin to take steps poses a fight for a shorter workweek, affir­ Socialist campaign spokesman Devin forward," Hayes explained in the News & mative action, and cancellation of the Third Oldendick blasted the statement as racist and Record column. Many workers and young World debt, was at the center of Hayes' ignorant. The social and economic crisis people agreed. campaign platform. wracking Latin America is caused by the During the campaign, three of Hayes' sup­ exploitation of U.S. and other imperialist porters in Greensboro decided to join the Support to Eastern strike banks and corporations, he pointed out, urg­ Young Socialist Alliance. Several students at The socialist candidate was frequently on ing support for cancellation of the Third the University of North Carolina in Chapel the Eastern strikers' picket line at Piedmont World debt. Hill are discussing forming a YSA chapter Militant/Arthur Hughes Triad International Airport. Whenever she Hayes 311d other campaign spokespeople there. Yvonne Hayes, Greensboro, North Caro­ was interviewed by the media, Hayes spoke lina, socialist mayoral candidate in re­ out in support of the strike. cent elections there. When Eastern resumed flights out of Greensboro in September, local businesses New brochure urges: 'Join and the Airport Authority cheered Eastern on. BY RICH STUART In one television appearance, Hayes called GREENSBORO, N.C.- During the re­ cent race for mayor here, Socialist Workers for firing the Airport Authority chairman for Young Socialist Alliance' his support to Eastern's strikebreaking. She Party candidate Yvonne Hayes received urged people to boycott Eastern and Conti­ 4,441 votes- 15 percent of the total votes The Young Socialist Alliance has recently battle to deepen the fight for socialism in cast in this industrialized southern city. nental airlines. produced an attractive, four-page brochure to Cuba, defending socialism as the only road The votes were one indication of the seri­ Because Hayes was the only candidate introduce young people to the YSA and its forward for the world's workers, and contin­ ous hearing Hayes got from working people running. against the . incumbent mayor, .the political perspectives. uing to provide an example of communist during her campaign -despite' attempts by media tried to downplay the impoJWice of The brochure begins with abrief sununllf)' leadership internationally," the brochure ex­ the employers, politicians, and big-business the race. Nevertheless, the race was seen by of Mark Curtis' defense case. Curtis is a union plains. media to portray the socialist candidate's many people as a contest between the wealthy activist and former YSA national chairperson The brochure urges youth to join the YSA ideas and proposals as irrelevant - at best powers-that-be and a textile worker who was who was framed up and jailed on phony rape and become part of the revolutionary struggle -for Greensboro. speaking on behalf of working people, espe­ and burglary charges in Des Moines, Iowa, to .end the system of capitalism and establish An editorial in the Greensboro News & cially the poorest. "You are really telling the last year. Curtis' frame-up is "an attack on all a workers' and farmers' government in the Record trying to brush Hayes' campaign truth," many of Hayes' coworkers told her. young people," the brochure explains. The United States. aside gives an idea of the rulers' approach. One qt~.estion Hayes often got from work­ rulers "don't want youth to do what Mark "As struggles around the world show, it is "Local government has more to do with ers.was for more explanation about her sup­ Curtis did 12 years ago in Albuquerque, New not enough to have good ideas. Youth have sewer lines and zoning spats than workers' port for the demand to cancel the Third World Mexico," when he joined the YSA. to organize to make them a reality. The Young rights," the editorial advised. debt. What does.this have to do with workers The brochure has sections that explain the Socialist Alliance is the revolutionary orga­ Hayes, a textile mill worker and member in the United States? she was asked. Hayes growing international capitalist crisis; the nization in this country that is acting today of the Amalgamated <;Jothing and Textile pointeiJ _to the skyscrapers go~g up in down­ mounting resistance in the U.S. labor move- · to put these ideas in practice. If these are your Worke.rs Union, argued.theopposite. Unem­ town Greensboro for the banks and insurance ment, as seen in the Eastern Airlines and perspectives then this is your organization. ployment, homelessness, and drug abuse in companies while at the same time the living Pittston Coal company strikes; the fight for Join us!" Greensboro are part of the growing interna­ conditions of workers in the city are deteri­ abortion rights; the centrality of the freedom Single copies of the brochure are available tional crisis of capitalism, she explained, as orating. The same financial giants are bleed­ struggle in southern Mrica; and the example at no cost from the YSA; multiple copies cost are other attacks on workers and farmers. ing working people in the Third World and Cuba provides for youth and toilers through­ 10 cents each. Write to YSA, P.O. Box 211, Hardest hit are the most oppressed workers, here, she explained, so there's a need- and out the world. "Cuba is engaged in a political New York, N.Y. 10011. THE MILITANT The Militant Closing news date: November 29, 1989 Editor: DOUG JENNESS Circulation Director: NORTON SANDLER TELLS THE TRUTH Nicaragua Bureau Director: LARRY SEIGLE Business Manager: JIM WHITE Editorial Staff: Susan Apstein (Nicaragua), Seth Galinsky Subscribe today! (Nicaragua), Yvonne Hayes, Arthur Hughes, Susan LaMont, Roni McCann, Greg McCartan, Selva Nebbia, Peter Thier­ jung. Published weekly except one week in August and the last 12 weeks for $4 - week of December by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: Editorial Of­ an $8 savings fice, (212) 243-6392; Fax 727-0150; Telex, 497-4278; Busi­ ness Office, (212) 929-3486. Nicaragua Bureau, Apartado From El Salvador to Czechoslovakia, the Militant 2222, Managua. Telephone 24845. covers the struggles of working people around the Correspondence concerning subscriptions or changes world. It features: of address should be addressed to The Militant Business • Firsthand reports of labor battles, from strikes Office, 410 West St., New York, N.¥.10014. at Eastern Airlines to the fightback in the coalfields. Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. and at addi­ 0 $4 for 12 weeks, new readers 0 $9 tor 12 weeks, re- tional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes • Regular coverage of advances being made by to The Militant, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014. Sub­ Cuban working people, and speeches by Fidel Castro ne~~ • scriptions: U.S;, Canada, Latin America: for one-year sub­ and other Cuban leaders. 0$17 tor 6 months 0$30 tor 1 year 0 $55 tor 2 years scription send $30, drawn on a U.S. bank, to above address. • Weekly reports on developments in southern 0 $1.00 tor An Action Progr1111 to Confront the Coming By first-class (airmail), send $65. Britain, Ireland, Continen­ Economic Crisis, a Pathfinder pamphlet. tal Europe, Africa: £22 for one year, £12 for six months, or Africa, including mounting anti-apartheid protests in Name ______South Africa and new stage in Namibian freedom £6 for three-month renewal. ·Send check or international money order made out to Militant Distribution and send to 4 7 fight. Address------The Cut, London SE I 8LL, England. Australia, Asia, Pacific: • News and analysis of worldwide capitalist crisis. City______State ____Zip ------send Australian $60 to Pathfinder Press, P.O. Box 153, Glebe, Phone UniorVSchooVOrganization ______Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia. • Coverage of developments in the Soviet Union Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent and Eastern Europe. Send to THE MIUTANT, 410 West St., New York, N.Y. 10014 the Militant's views. These are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant December 8, 1989 Labor battl~s, coalfield activity theme of St. Louis meeting

BY RONI McCANN workers in Eastern Europe fighting to break hospital workers strike and the fights waged ST. LOUIS -Traveling from Appala­ from decades of depoliticization and isolation by telephone workers, Boeing workers, and chian and western coal-mining regions, and from the world. others. At the center of this resistance is the from the South and Midwest, socialist activ­ Workers and their allies are fighting for nine-month strike against Eastern Airlines ists arrived here November 24 for a three-day freedom of travel, press, speech, and other and the UMWA's battle against Pittston Coal conference to discuss the political opportu­ democratic rights that have been won in many Group. nities in the United States today. The meeting capitalist countries, Barnes said. However, For the first time in 40 years there are registered a victory in strengthening the po­ we should make no mistake in thinking that national strikes that overlap in time, thus litical orientation of the Socialist Workers nationalized property can be reversed and providing the opportunity for them to inter­ Party to workers in the coal industry, their capitalism implemented without a civil war. connect. Eastern and Pittston workers are at communities, and their union. Abstract terms about markets and enter­ the center of this development. The meeting brought together some 270 prises are one thing, the SWP leader ex­ There's not only solidarity within the members, supporters, and friends of the SWP plained, but moves thaf cut into established strikes, which builds unity, said Gaige, but and members of the Young Socialist Alliance. social gains have been and will be fought. they reach out and link up with other battles International guests attended including two Barnes explained that the U.S. imperialists - solidarity that builds strength, confidence, coal miners from Britain and a garment have been dealt the biggest blow by these and staying power. The fighters begin to mix worker from Canada. Among the participants events. "Their long-term goal is to somehow it up, get to know each other, become knowl­ were members of more than 20 trade unions stabilize the world along the lines they drew edgeable about the problems imposed on including the United Mine Workers of Amer­ each other by the bosses. They begin to Militant/Greg Nelson in the Second World War and then tried to Union miner Mary Zins reporting at ica (UMWA) and two members of the Inter­ draw in other wars since. They aim to build identify with each other and break down false national Association of Machinists on strike impressions, prejudices, and divisions. meeting on Pittston strike, coal opportu­ a stable base from which to eventually con­ nities. at Eastern Airlines. quer those who fight against them and to "There is not only a shift in combat but in The conference was hosted by the St. Louis reconquer those who have gotten rid of cap­ consciousness as well," said Gaige. branch of the SWP whose members and italism. This aim," he said "is being dealt a The fights are having a political impact suffered in the UMWA strike at A.T. Massey supporters organized all details of the event. historic blow." inside and outside of the labor movement. Coal in 1984-85, the subsequent fights in the The weekend featured an international rally This is evident in other fights, around hous­ western coalfields, and how these struggles in defense of Mark Curtis, sponsored by St. Cuba and South Africa remain at the center ing, affirmative action, and abortion rights, led to the explosion of solidarity within the Louis supporters of the Mark Curtis Defense of resolving the crisis ofleadership on a world and by the response to the socialist press, he UMWA around the current fight against Committee, and a regional meeting of the scale, said Barnes, partly because of the rev­ said. Pittston. Young Socialist Alliance. olutionary weight of the Americas and the Gaige cited examples of recent sales teams They are confident and deteririllied to fight As participants exchanged accounts of po­ place of Cuba and the political weight of the to the coalfields - miners, strikers, more because UMWA miners made the strike litical work in their unions, on their picket battle for southern Africa. working people in general subscribing to, against Pittston their own, said Zins. They lines, and in their cities and regions, socialist But the most important reason, said reading, and using the Militant as a tool that did this when 44,000 UMWA miners walked activists were able to get a broader view and Barnes, is because "it's only where the most helps them understand the world and fight off the job in June for six weeks. appreciation of the impact this work has on intense, deepest fighting is going on, with the better. Zins described the important role played the labor battles unfolding today and of the greatest consequences for humanity, and with In his report, Gaige explained that when by socialist activists, along with fellow union increased responsibilities and opportunities fighters who are deeply committed to this struggles between workers and employers fighters, in the walkouts building support for they face as communists, particularly as co­ course, that communism can make its great­ sharpen, anti-working class outfits, with sig­ the Pittston fight. Since the walkouts have combatants in the fight of miners against est strides. It doesn't begin with good ideas nificant resources and tied to bigger forces ended, Zins explained, countless solidarity Pittston Coal Group and in the Eastern Air­ - it begins with the capacity to fight like no in society, zero in on working-class fighters rallies, demonstrations, and caravans to Vtr­ lines strike. one else fights." and labor battles seeking to do everything ginia have taken place and continue to take Barnes announced that the SWP will hold possible to divide, disrupt, and throw fights place that socialists have been a big part of 'Grand and glorious events' a national convention in May of next year in off course. -not only in the miners' union but in the The opening night of the conference fea­ Chicago, following months of discussion on The Workers League is such an outfit steelworkers, machinists, auto workers, and tured a Militant Labor Forum with SWP the big events in the world and the changed whose antilabor role must be explained po­ other unions as well. National Secretary Jack Barnes entitled "The pattern of working-class struggle in the litically, Gaige said. Pretending to be socialist The strikers' Camp Solidarity in Vtrginia, 'Failure of Socialism' and the Future of Com­ United States. they slander socialists, call fighters spies, and visited by more than 45,000 unionists and munism." sow division in the thick of battle when unity strike supporters in six months, has become Barnes began his talk declaring, "We are Conference marks a victory is needed and disagreements get worked out a place where fighters meet other fighters, living through grand and glorious events. SWP Trade Union Secretary John Gaige side-by-side in struggle. discuss, and reinforce each other. Zins, her­ What took 10 years in Poland, took 10 weeks opened his report on the "Changing Patterns Mary Zins, a member of UMWA Local self, had just returned from a week's stay in East Germany and 10 days in Czechoslo­ of U.S. Politics" by recognizing that far from 2295, reviewed the eight-month strike along with three other union members - vakia." losing the political orientation to the against Pittston Coal Group and outlined part of the solidarity efforts by her local in The tumultuous events taking place in coalfields that the party set out to strengthen political projections in the coal-mining re­ southern Illinois. Eastern Europe today are the beginning of two years ago, today socialists in the coal­ gions. Participants agreed with projections Zins · the end of decades of lying in the name of mining branches have thrown themselves Zins discussed the recent history of strug­ laid out for further strengthening the coal socialism, said Barnes. This disintegration of into the battles unfolding in the coal industry gle by union miners including the defeat Continued on Page 7 Stalinism in Eastern Europe, the Soviet and socialist activists in the UMWA, along Union, and Communist Parties throughout with other fighting miners, form part of an NEW YORK CITY* BAY AREA the world, means a blow dealt to one of the emerging rank-and-file leadership. greatest obstacles facing humanity -the il­ Gaige discussed the strike struggles that The 'Failure of Socialism' lusion that Stalinism is communism. have opened up in the United States today "There's not one centimeter," said Barnes, that socialist workers are living through, par­ "of socialism that is connected to Stalinism ticipating in, and that form a new pattern in and the Future of Communism ·and these bureaucracies, and with these par­ labor struggles. This comes after years of Discuss: ties and their Ieaderships." workers giving concessions without a strug­ Barnes explained that socialists should gle, he said. * The weight of the German Question in world politics welcome · and reach out to the millions of He cited the victory of the New York * The "triumph of capitalism" and the historic tasks of the working class * The importance of Ernesto Che Guevara, Malcolm X, Rights lawyer Boudin dies and Thomas Sankara in Eastern Europe today * Why Cuba and South Africa are at the center of Noted constitutional rights attorney Leon­ U.S. travel ban to Cuba in the mid-1%0s as resolving the crisis of working-class leadership on a ard Boudin died of a heart attack November well. world scale 24 in New York City. In 1963, when three members of the Young Boudin had been at the center of legal NEW YORK: Socialist Alliance at the University of Indiana battles with the government involving major in Bloomington were charged with conspir­ Speaker: Doug Jenness Editor of the Militant questions of constitutional law and demo­ ing to "overthrow the state of Indiana by force cratic rights for more than four decades. Saturday, December 2, 7:00p.m. and violence," Boudin took on the case. A Throughout that time he provided legal Public School 11 , 314 West 21 St. victory was scored when the charges were counsel for victims of government repres­ (between 8th and 9th aves., Manhattan) withdrawn in 1967. sion, doing so even when the groups or Boudin represented the Socialist Workers SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: individuals involved had little public support. Party and Young Socialist Alliance in the One of his most celebrated early cases historic court case launched in 1973 against Mary-Allee Waters Editor of New International came during the witch-hunt era of the late the FBI and other government police agen­ 1940s and early '50s. Boudin defended Judith Saturday, December 9, 7:00p.m. cies. Coplon, an employee of the Justice Depart­ Travelodge, 250 Beach St. at Mason, ment who became the first U.S. civilian tried The judge in the case ruled in 1986 that on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. the FBI's use of informers, disruption pro­ for spying for the Soviet Union. Sponsored by Militant labor Forums During those years he also became the grams, and break-ins was illegal and ordered general counsel for the Emergency Civil Lib­ the government to pay damages. These forums are part of three political conferences the Socialist Work­ erties Committee. The group was formed Boudin called the ruling "a contribution to ers Party is hosting over the next few weeks. Socialist activists on the because other civil liberties organizations re­ constitutional law, extending important new East Coast will meet in New York December 2-3. Activists from Califor­ fused to defend communists, those accused protection to the rights of all." nia, Pacific Northwest, and Southwest will attend a conference in San of being communists, and other victims of He was general counsel for the SWP and frandsco, December 9-t 0. The first of the conferences was held in St. thought-controllegislation. YSA, providing legal advice in a number of Boudin also represented the Cuban gov­ cases involving political rights. Louis November 24-26 and was attended by socialists from the Appa­ ernment's interests in the United States for A fuller article celebrating Boudin's life lachian and western coal-mining regions, the South, and Midwest. An the past 30 years. He defended students who and contributions will appear in a coming article on that meeting appears in this issue of the MUitant. had their passports revoked for defying the issue of the Militant.

December 8, 1989 The Militant 3 CUrtis greets Brif3.ill's release ofGuildford 4

Mark Curtis is a unionist and prison as an example to others who death penalty was imposed by a a dozen capitalist countries. For his rights of prisoners to share literature. political activist from Des Moines, would follow your lead. By impris­ Swedish court. contribution he won a commenda­ · In a letter to Curtis' warden the Iowa, who is serving a 25-year oning you, they attempted to sepa­ A protest campaign by workers tion from the commander of the Red organization said these measures are prison term in the state peniten­ rate you from the snuggle and force in Sweden, Europe, and the United Army, Leon Trotsky. He also be­ "attempts to cut Mark off from his tiary in Anamosa on frame-up you to suffer the pains of imprison­ States was mounted. More than 600 came an active member of the Bol­ supporters outside the wall and to charges of rape and burglary. ment. But you never separated from meetings were organized in the shevik Party. weaken his efforts to explain his The Mark Curtis Defense the snuggle, and you were never After V.I. Lenin died in 1924 and case and discuss politics with other Committee is leading an interna­ broken in spirit. Joseph Stalin began to assume prisoners. tional campaign to fight for justice "Your resolve inspired others in greater and greater power at the head "We, the Student Action Union, for Curtis. For more information the fight to demand your freedom. of a privileged bureacracy, Nilsson became endorsers of the Mark Cur­ left the Soviet Union. Despite tis Defense Committee at one of our Stalin's terror which was responsi­ previous conferences. We are now DEFEND MARK CURTIS! ble for the death of many of his demanding that both of the above comrades and friends, Nilsson re­ mentioned restrictions be removed, about the case or how you can It was this worldwide campaign that mained committed to the gains of for all prisoners. We fmnly believe help, write to the Mark Curtis vindicated you and forced the gov­ the Russian revolution. that an injury to one is an injury to Defense Committee, Box 1048, ernment to finally admit that it ille­ Throughout his long life Nilsson all." Des Moines, Iowa 50311; tele­ gally imprisoned you. Although remained a political activist sup­ phone (515) 246-1695. Prime Minister Thatcher considers porting the snuggles of the people • If you have news or reports on herself the 'Iron Lady,' and brags in Cuba, Nicaragua, Vietnam, and An international campaign is activities in support of Mark Cur­ about the 'intractableness' of her South Africa. In Cuba a school is being conducted by the Mark Curtis tis from your city or country, government, it is the fighters for named after him. Defense Committee to win Curtis please send them to the Militant. freedom around the globe who are Last year Nilsson escaped his and other prisoners the right to re­ proving to be made of iron and are confinement in a hospital intensive ceive literature and correspondence Recently the British government intractable. care unit in order to keep a promise in the language of their choice and was forced to release the Guildford "With your release, we have even to speak at a political meeting. to share literature with each other. Four, Irish political activists who more reason to be optimistic and to He became an endorser of the Prison authorities have denied Cur­ were framed up and jailed on bomb­ fight harder for the release of the Mark Curtis Defense Committee tis and other prisoners non-English ing charges in 1975. They served 14 Birmingham Six, Joe Doherty, and last year and wrote to Curtis in materials and letters claiming they years in prison. others. I am personally inspired by prison. Nilsson didn't want flowers are a "security" problem. Mark Curtis sent the following this victory and pledge to make it for his funeral, Pathfinder supporter You can help in this fight by send­ message to the Guildford Four: known in this place. It gives me Dag Tirsen wrote the Des Moines more strength in my own fight for ing a protest message of your own "Your release is great news! This defense committee. Instead he or from your organization to: John victory is a huge blow to British freedom." United States alone for Nilsson's would have wanted people to make A. Thalacker, Warden, Iowa State imperialism and will be welcomed defense effort. contributions to promote the fight of Men's Reformatory, Anamosa, • In 1917 a large demonstration to the oppressed around the world. by working people everywhere. It Iowa 52205. has thrown into the spotlight Supporters of the Pathfinder physically free him was called off Given Nilsson's strong support for Britain's illegal occupation of Bookstore in Stockholm, Sweden, after it became clear that the prison Curtis' snuggle, Pathfinder Book­ Copies should be sent to: Attor­ Northern Ireland, which always contributed 300 kronor (US$50) to warden had planned a bloodbath for store supporters decided to contrib­ ney General Thomas J. Miller, Hoo­ needed troops, rubber bullets, live the defense campaign in honor of demonstrators and had ordered ute to the defense committee. ver State Office Building, Des ammo, repression, Diplock courts, Anton Nilsson. guards to shoot Nilsson if anyone Moines, Iowa 50319; Paul prisons, and frame-ups to exist. Nilsson, one of the first support­ entered the prison. • Grossheim, Director, Department of "Your refusal to accept this occu­ ers in Sweden of Curtis' defense Nilsson was freed later that year The Student Action Union, ana­ Corrections, Capitol Annex, 523 E. pation designed to keep the Catholic effort, died on August 16. He was by the newly elected Social Demo­ tional organization of student activ­ 12th St:, Des Moines, Iowa 50309; population in an oppressed and 101 years old. In 1908 he was con­ cratic government. In 1918 he trav­ ists in the United States, has joined and the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ super-exploited status is what the victed and condemned to death for eled to Soviet Russia, becoming a the growing worldwide protest of mittee. British government put you in jail bombing a ship that housed scabs pilot in the revolutionary Red Army. prison authorities' prohibition for. The fight for a free and united during a transportation workers' He participated in battles to defend against Curtis receiving correspon­ Katarina Hamberg from Umea, Ireland is what the British govern­ strike in the southern Swedish city the newly.founded workers' repub­ dence and literature in languages Sweden, contributed to this week's ment hates most. They threw you in of Malmo. This was the last time the lic against the invasion by more than other than English and against the column. Rally presses fight for Curtis' rights in jail

BY RONI McCANN person or a fighter, and how high a political Jim Spaul, a member of the Kellingbery ST. LOUIS - "Being able to use the price the cops, frame-up artists, packing­ branch of the National Union ofMineworkers phone is something I wouldn't be able to do house bosses, and courts pay for putting Mark in Britain, told the crowd of the viCtimization if so many of you hadn't raised your voices in jail. miners suffered during the 1984-85 strike - in protest ... I want to thank you for that, for Like all fighters everywhere, the most pre­ some 1,000 fired by the British government. coming to the rally tonight, and for all the cious thing for Curtis is to have the space in As a member of the Justice for Miners Com­ hard work you've done on my behalf," said which to fight and the opportunity to do so, mittee, Spaul helps miners win their jobs Mark Curtis in a taped phone message played said Harris. By carrying out the activities of back. at the international defense rally here Novem­ the defense committee we can help Curtis Spaul also related the boost working peo­ ber 25. utilize opportunities he has. ple in Britain and around the world got with The event brought together nearly 300 Harris also informed the crowd of the latest the release of the Guildford Four. supporters of democratic rights and endorsers efforts organized by the Workers League to Heather Randle, national secretary of the of the Mark Curtis Defense Committee to disrupt the defense campaign. This group Young Socialist Alliance, informed partici­ hear an international panel of speakers dis­ masquerades as a socialist organization. In pants that members of the YSA will be putting cuss the campaign to defend Mark Curtis. doing this it pretends to support the snuggles their efforts behind an International Youth Curtis is a packinghouse worker and a of workers in order to better carry out a Appeal to win increased support for Mark political and union activist from Des Moines, campaign of disruption in the workers' move­ Curtis among young people. Iowa, serving a 25-year sentence in the Iowa ment. State prison in Anamosa. He was framed up Strikers across the country- meat-pack­ Hollis Watkins, a board member of the on charges of rape and burglary and beaten ers, paperworkers, airline workers, miners - Foundation for Children and Youth in Mis­ in the city jail after his arrest. are beginning to learn about and repudiate sissippi and longtime civil rights activist, John Hawkins, a member of the United the activities of the Workers League, Harris urged everyone present to give money to the Mine Workers of America Local 2368, co­ said. Mark Curtis Defense Committee. "This is a chaired the rally along with Ruth Haswell Harris discussed the recent victory the serious war we're waging," he said, "and it's from the National Union of Railwaymen in SWP won against the Workers League when not just a fight for Mark Curtis who happens South Wales, Britain. a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled against to be the victim this time." Militant/Greg Nelson Alfredo Alvarez is the chair of the Des Alan Gelfand who charged in a suit that the Former Tchula, Mississippi, mayor Moines Human Rights Commission and a SWP was run by FBI agents and therefore its Watkins introduced Eddie Carthan, farmer Eddie Carthan. member of the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ leadership should be removed. Gelfand, sup­ and former mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, mittee speakers bureau and co-chair of its ported by the Workers League, has through whom he met while participating in the Free­ outreach committee. Alvarez explained that the use of the courts kept the SWP tied up in dom Schools set up during the civil rights Also speaking were Adelheid Butkus of he was not an early supporter of the defense this suit for 10 years. movement. the South West Africa People's Organisation effort. He described the political atmosphere Carthan was elected mayor in 1977. and Kate Kaku, a member of the defense in Des Moines at the time of Mark's arrest New disruption suit Watkins described the campaign to remove committee's steering committee and wife of and relayed the events that occurred leading Now, said Harris, the father of the young him from office after he began to implement Mark Curtis. Kaku gave an update on the him to the conviction that Mark was indeed woman Curtis allegedly raped, together with programs that benefited the majority. activities of the committee, including the framed. the Workers League, is filing a suit against In 1981 and 1982 Carthan was convicted effort to get messages sent to Curtis' parole "Let there be no mistake in what we are Curtis, for damages suffered by the victim. on frame-up charges, including murder, and board around its November 8 hearing. here for to~ght," said Alvarez. "We are here Knowing he has no assets, they openly say spent time in state and federal prisons. He Several messages were read to the rally, for what will be a long snuggle, the snuggle that the suit is being filed the same time Curtis explained that it was the efforts of a defense including from two St. Louis alderpersons for justice, and one that we cannot afford to is filing against the Des Moines police for committee that freed him and urged all pres­ welcoming Curtis supporters to the city; Glo­ lose." the beating he got. The objective is to try to ent not to give up. ria Hoover for the Hoover family, victims of James Harris, Organization Secretary of keep the case on a criminal axis rather than "A lot of strong people, good people, are police brutality; Carroll Nearmyer of the the Socialist Workers Party, thanked the de­ a political one and see to it that Curtis gets in jail throughout this country and throughout Iowa American Agriculture Movement; the fense- committee for the opportunity to ad­ no monetary award for damages from the the world not because they are corrupt but Revolutionary Young Communists of dress the rally. Harris said that while we can't beating. because they refuse to become corrupt, not France; and from Filipino union leader have a direct impact on how long Curtis Harris stated that like other efforts of the because they are criminals but because they Dominador Mamangun. remains in jail, we can affect two things - Workers League to disrupt the defense cam­ are victims of a criminal society. So we must After the rally the newly released video whether Curtis comes out of prison a broken paign, this too can be driven back. free Mark Curtis and all political prisoners." The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis was shown.

4 The Militant December 8, 1989 Czechoslovak' protests score gains for democratic rights

Continued from front page Other student teams were sent to factories front, Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec made and enterprises across the country to appeal further concessions. These included promis­ for support for the protest strike. Posters and ing to name a new cabinet within several days leaflets proclaimed: "Workers join us for that would include non-CP ministers, grant­ freedom!" "Students against violence ask for ing the opposition access to the media and your help!" and "Strike for democracy!" the right to publish a daily newspaper, releas­ Most Czechoslovak students come from ing all political prisoners, and establishing a the middle class and many, except for some commission to investigate the beating of stu­ who take summer jobs in factories, have little dent demonstrators on November 17. direct contact with factory workers. "This is The Czech-based Civic Forum and its the first time most of us have actually had a Slovak ally, the Public Against Violence, dialogue with the workers," one student said. have issued additional demands to be ad­ "Every student who has gone to a factory, dressed in future negotiations. Among them and there are hundreds of us, has had to find are early free elections, guarantees of free­ a common language to make the workers dom of speech and religion, and the resigna­ understand. There has been a lot ofskepticism tion of President Gustav Husak, who has held to overcome and social barriers that are usu­ the post for 18 years and is the last of the top ally not crossed in this country," he added. "old guard" CP officials to hold office. Czechoslovakia is a federation of the Czech Long live the workers! and Slovak republics. As the daily demonstrations grew to mas­ sive proportions involving hundreds of thou­ Cop killing triggers upsurge sands, the chant became, "Long live the The stunning success of the protest strike workers!" Factories became battlegrounds was the cuhnination of an upsurge triggered and centers for debate. Strike committees A contingent of maintenance workers join massive demonstration in Prague organ· 10 days earlier, on November 17, when took form. ized by students and opposition political groups. Their banner reads: "We are with Czechoslovak police attacked a student dem­ · Miners in heavily industrialized Northern you!" onstration, beating beyond recognition and Bohemia were among the first to pledge killing 20-year-old Martin Smid. The killing support for the strike. By November 22 del­ Workers responded with shouts of "Resign! estroika-type policies to shore up their bu­ galvanized the population's repulsion for the egations of workers from around the country Resign!" In factories elsewhere, other CP reaucratic rule. Signals from the Kremlin regime's four decades of Stalinist terror and began to arrive in Prague to join the demon­ members also became isolated as they argued helped encourage the popular rebellion. This police-state regimentation. strations and announce their support. Elec­ against the strike. contrasted to the Kremlin's action in 1968 Students responded by shutting down col­ tronics and steelworkers from Kladno, near On the day of the protest strike, the rna­ when it ordered more than 650,000 Warsaw lege and university campuses, launching sit­ Prague, came to the capital with a banner chine works became a forum as opposition Pact troops to Czechoslovakia to crush a in strikes, and initiating the appeal for the reading, "Kladno is with you," and hundreds leaders addressed workers about their ideas popular movement for democratic reforms. walkout. Campuses were transformed into of signatures on petitions from other workers to overhaul the economy and overcome prob­ organizing centers. Charles University in supporting the strike call. lems caused by deteriorating industries, de­ Events shatter ruling group Prague became a national center to coordi­ The mood of workers at the big CKD clining labor productivity, and low economic Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev 's nate student activities and demonstrations. machine works on the outskirts of Prague, growth. manifesto favoring a "humane socialism" Faculty members, artists, and the actors' where turbines and compressors are pro­ was published the day before the general union quickly joined the students, closing duced, was typical. There workers voted Origins of the opposition strike. It echoed the "socialism with a human libraries, museums, concert halls, and the­ overwhehningly, 1,407 to 2, in favor of the Just a few days after the massive mobili­ face" slogan popular in Czechoslovakia dur­ aters and reopening them for political activ­ strike action. zations began, Civic Forum was formed by ing the 1968 events. ity. Even the Prague Symphony Orchestra Shortly afterward several busloads of the professionals, artists, and dissidents, some of On November 22 Moscow News published joined the student strike. "militia," the regime's organized thugs, oc­ whom were former CP members. The more a prominent Soviet novelist's apology to the Student work battalions emerged and pro­ cupied the plant in an attempt to prevent prominent leaders are members of dissident Czechoslovak people for the 1968 invasion duced leaflets, posters, and a newsletter students from approaching the workers or groups known as Charter 77 and the Com­ calling it "collective murder." Earlier in No­ called Young Front. Declarations and appeals distributing leaflets. By the next morning the mittee to Defend the Unjustly Persecuted, a vember, a local Soviet TV station broadcast were typed up for the daily demonstrations workers' objections forced the withdrawal of political defense organization. Charter 77 a sympathetic interview with Alexander that followed. Teams were dispatched in the militia. Then a ruling Politburo member, was formed after a group of intellectuals Dubcek, the CP leader deposed during the Prague and to regional towns to disseminate Miroslav Stepan, appeared at the plant to signed a charter in 1977 calling on the gov­ Soviet occupation. and post up leaflets. persuade the workers to ignore the strike call. ernment to grant democratic rights. Civic Confronted by the popular mobilizations, Forum has now grown to encompass repre­ which developed with lightning speed, and sentatives of students and workers. the lack of support from Moscow, the regime Factory strike committees were asked by had no perspective to meet the crisis. The CP, Young socialists' meeting Civic Forum leaders to remain on alert fol­ the political instrument of the bureaucracy's lowing the strike should more pressure be rule for more than 40 years, began to crumble. needed to confront a regime reluctant to On November 24 the entire Politburo re­ implement its promises. The workers' com­ signed. Some party organizations defected to sets Curtis support effort mittees have also been asked to forward their the opposition, local party leaders resigned, suggestions to Civic Forum representatives. and .splits developed in the regime. Rude BY JANE SHRIMPF Congress Youth Section Executive Commit­ "We consider the Civic Forum a temporary Pravo, the CP's main newspaper, spoke of AND ELIZABETH KEALY tee members. organization," Vaclav Havel, a prominent the Central Committee's paralysis and the ST. LOUIS - Members and friends of the Also endorsing are the Revolutionary dissident and leader of the group said. "We "political mummies" who dominate the lead­ Young Socialist Alliance held a regional Young Communists of France, the vice-pres­ hope we can dissolve it in the near future." ing circles. Czechoslovak TV began broad­ meeting here November 26. Tile event was ident of the United States Student Associa­ Once free elections are held, Havel said, new casting demonstrations and opposition events the frrst of three to be held as part of political tion, and members of the General Union of political parties would be formed making the Jive. conferences organized by the Socialist Work­ Palestinian Students and the Committee in coalition unnecessary. The existing Socialist The Czechoslovak events occur as the ers Party. Solidarity with the People of El Salvador Party and People's Party, former allies of the privileged bureaucratic castes throughout CP, broke with the Stalinist regime under the Eastern Europe are racked by crisis and ruling Some 36 activists participated in the meet­ (CISPES). impact of the wave of protests and lent sup­ Stalinist parties are disintegrating. ing along with an international guest from Participants also discussed the YSA's na­ port to the Civic Forum. Only a few weeks ago the East German West Africa and one from West Germany. tional fund drive and its importance in allow­ ing the organization to respond to the growing Czechoslovak CP leaders resisted Mos­ Socialist Unity Party (Communist Party) had The report presented by YSA National political opportunities among youth today. cow's pressures to adopt glasnost- and per- its ranking officials driven from office by a Secretary Heather Randle focused on defend­ massive protest movement. Multiparty elec­ ing Mark Curtis, a young packinghouse tions are expected to be endorsed by a De­ worker, unionist, and political activist serving cember 15 special SUP congress. a 25-year sentence on frame-up charges of Portuguese revolutionary murdered Despite discarding claims to being a Com­ rape and burglary. The YSA will be circulat­ munist Party, the newly named Hungarian ing an International Youth Appeal initiated Jose Carvalho, a leader of the Revolution­ munist and Socialist parties, the two trade Socialist Party suffered a defeat at the polls by the Curtis defense committee to gain sup­ ary Socialist Party in Portugal, was murdered union federations, the municipal councils, the on November 27. Voters rejected an attempt port for the case. on October 28 in front of the Lisbon offices associations of African workers, and leaders by the Stalinist party to arrange presidential Randle noted the importance of winning of the organization. of the antimilitarist campaign. elections so that it could have an advantage young activists to see this case as their fight Carvalho, 37, died after being stabbed by Portuguese President Mario Soares sent in a race against opposition parties. to defend democratic rights. Participants in members of a gang of neo-Nazi skinheads the PSR his condolences and the Portuguese The Bulgarian Communist Party boss the meeting discussed how this fight provides during a rock concert at the PSR offices held parliament unanimously approved a motion Todor Zhivkov was dumped recently as party an opportunity to broaden young people's as part of the antidraft campaign the party of condolence. leaders scurried to prevent a repeat of the understanding of the deepening class struggle had been involved in over the past year. The General Confederation of Portuguese East German rebellion. Some of the more in the United States by explaining the polit­ A worker at a typewriter factory for 15 Labor condemned the crime against the PSR draconian Jaws against democratic rights ical stakes involved in the frame-up of Curtis. years, Carvalho joined the International and trade union militant. "This tragic crime," have been dropped and an amnesty for polit­ Communist League, precursor of the PSR, in read the CGPT message, "is an indicator of ical prisoners has been declared. The international defense campaign, 1974 while in military service. He partici­ the growing violence ofextreme right groups, Having been reduced to a minority party which has won 6,000 endorsers to date, pro­ pated in the party's work among soldiers, and which until now have been treated with too in Poland, with the Solidarity trade union vides a basis for collaboration with other in 1975 helped to organize a broad struggle great an incomprehension and tolerance by organization holding a majority of govern­ youth groups in this country and around the for democratic rights within the army. the authorities of the country. ment posts, the Polish United Workers Party world. The success of this can be seen with Thousands of people attended his funeral, "This growth must be rapidly checked and (Communist Party) now plans to hold a con­ results from efforts made already such as the held 24 hours after his murder. Among those this shocking assassination must be severely gress to revamp its program, dropping any recent endorsement by two African National present were prominent leaders of the Com- punished," the union federation stated. pretensions to being a Communist Party.

December 8, 1989 The Militant 5 New York strikers appeal to Hudson Gen'l workers

Some 8,500 International Asso­ at informing workers at Hudson designated areas. The airport au­ strike headquarters after their union support workers on strike at Eastern, ciation of Machinists (lAM) mem­ and other lAM-organized subcon­ thority even hauled out barricades meeting the night before, caught a Pittston Coal company, and NYNEX bers struck Eastern Airlines tracting companies about the at one site. few hours sleep, and were up at 5:00 telephone company. Half the work­ March 4 in an effort to block the strike and seeking their support. Workers for other subcontracting a.m., ready to head for the picket ers there were strikers, including a company's drive to break the The November 22 picketing companies - Marriott, Dobbs, lines. group from a local Teamsters' strike union and impose massive conces­ was organized by striking Eastern Ogden Allied, Butler Aviation, and "Unions have to stick together," at Kraft/S.S. Pierce. sions on workers. Machinists' Local 10I8 with the others - were also interested in said Local 1056 member Dominic The rally began after a contin­ Backed by flight attendants and agreement of lAM officials at what the strike supporters were McGlashin, who also works on the gent of Communications Workers pilots, the walkout crippled East­ Hudson. A special leaflet ex­ doing. Many stopped and took leaf­ ramp. "Without the unions, we'd of America members, on strike at ern, grounding a big majority of plained the stakes in the fight at lets, as did workers from United, be in even more trouble." NYNEX in Lynn, entered the hall its 1,040 prestrike daily flights. Eastern and urged Hudson work­ American, and other airlines. Another large group of picket­ singing "Solidarity Forever." Since July Eastern has been try­ ers not to cross the strikers' picket "Union members were angry be­ ers came from International "Never have I been so proud," said ing to restart operations. By No­ lines. cause Hudson General workers are Brotherhood of Electrical Work­ CWA Local 302 member Nancy vember 1 it was scheduling 775 The picket lines were up before doing our work," said lAM Local ers (IBEW) Local 3. Bangstom. "I'm ready to walk daily flights. dawn, ready to meet Hudson 10 I8 member Gonzalo Solorzano, After shift change, many pick­ back in with my head held high." On November 22, the Air Line workers at shift change. Drivers explaining why the picketing was eters went over to the main termi­ The rally took place a few days Pilots Association ended its sup­ of the airport employee buses run organized. "We're out here to let nal to beef up the Eastern strikers' after the tentative regional settle­ port for the strike. The Transport by Hudson stopped at the picket people know we're on strike, and that regular picket lines. November 22 ment in the NYNEX strike had lines, took leaflets, and said they they're crossing our picket lines." was the day before Thanksgiving been announced. would pass the word inside. Most Local I 0 I8 members have been rais­ - one of the· busiest travel days Charles Bryan, President of SUPPORT Hudson workers were willing to ing this problem with lAM officials, of the year - and the airport was lAM District 100, which repre­ talk to the pickets. Many took leaf­ Solorzano explained. teeming with passengers. Loud sents striking Eastern Machinists lets; some said they would try to A dozen members of lAM Local chants from the picketers let thou­ in the United States and Canada, EASTERN talk to their union representatives 1056 from Trans World Airlines, sands of passengers and other air­ also spoke. about not doing struck work at mainly from Kennedy International port and airline workers know the United Mine Workers of America STRIKERS! Eastern. Some, however, would Airport, came to help with the pick­ strikers are continuing their fight. representative Tim Baker brought not talk to the pickets. eting. "We're out here to support our the crowd to its feet as he recounted Workers Union, which represents Minutes after the picket lines union brothers and sisters," said • the battle against Pittston. "We're not flight attendants, followed suit the went up, cops were swarming all Local I 056 member Larry Dwyer, a A chanting, cheering crowd of slowing down," Baker said. "We next day. over the picket sites, harassing TWA ramp worker. Several Local 1,500 unionists rallied in the Boston have a goal. We're only going back The Eastern workers' fight has strike supporters about staying in I 056 members had come over to the Teachers Union hall November 15 to when we have the contract we want won broad support from working signed." people in the United States and Cheers also greeted Myles Canada. Readers - especially Calvey, leader of IBEW Local Eastern strikers - are encour­ 2222, whose 6,000 members aged to send news of strike soli­ waged a militant strike against darity activities to this column. NYNEX. "After I04 days on strike, where untold sacrifices In New York more than I 00 were made, houses were sold, and Eastern strikers and supporters two strikers paid with their lives, from half a dozen unions turned we have a victory," he said, refer­ out November 22 for special ex­ ring to the tentative regional pact. panded picket lines at La Guardia "This strike has proven if you be­ Airport, targeting entrances where lieve in the union, you can win. Hudson General workers enter Let's continue the fight by sup­ and leave work. porting the Eastern strikers. Let's Hudson General is an lAM-or­ support the Pittston strikers until ganized subcontracting company they win too." that does fueling, ramp, and clean­ The rally was called by the ing work for Eastern and other Mlmanl/~>Us:an LaMont Massachusetts AFL-CIO. airlines. In the past several Workers from a half a dozen unions turned out before dawn to help Eastern strikers picket Hudson months, strikers in New York and General at La Guardia Airport November 22, including a Communications Workers of America mem­ Russell Davis from Boston contrib­ other cities have taken steps aimed ber on strike at NYNEX telephone company (third from left). uted to this column. Toronto airport workers back Eastern Machinists

BY ROGER ANNIS performed by supervisors only. One senior Hudson worker had a discus­ duction of part-time work, at a lower wage TORONTO- Of the 8,500 Machinists Bill Shipman, president of lAM Local sion with a newer worker who had applied rate and with fewer benefits than full-time union members who walked off the job at 2323 at Air Canada in Toronto, reported on at Eastern. "See those new employees at workers receive. And they have introduced a Eastern last March in a fight to defend their the progress of the strikes at Eastern Airlines AMR? They're starting at$7.10perhour. All multi-tier wage rate for newly hired workers, union, 25 are here, walking the picket line at and Boeing in the October issue of the local's the airlines would like to get us down to that beginning at almost one-half the full rate and Pearson International Airport. bulletin, Contact. wage," the senior worker said. "And once taking more than four years to reach the top. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, we're there, they'll try to take us all down That's a major reason many airline work­ The recent lAM District 148 convention, pickets go up for several hours at the Eastern even further. That's what the Eastern workers ers are following the progress of the Eastern which represents Air Canada workers across counter in Terminal I. Workers from other are on strike against and I'm supporting them strike. Canada, heard a detailed account of the East­ airlines stop by to hear the latest news on the like you wouldn't believe." em strike from newly elected lAM Interna­ "There's no question about the importance strike. tional President George Kourpias, Shipman Over that past 10 years, Canada's two of the Eastern strike for all airline workers," From the beginning, solidarity by other reports. About 75 delegates attended the con­ major airlines, Air Canada and Canadian said Local 2323 President Shipman. "The unionized airline workers has hampered vention, held in Calgary, Alberta. Airlines, have been on a drive to lower their airline bosses are watching this strike closely Eastern's ability to operate in and out of labor costs. There has been a massive intro- and will try to follow Lorenzo's example." Toronto. Even with the solidarity that has been "Cooperation from the other unions here shown with Eastern workers, many airport has been good," explained striking Eastern workers in Toronto are unaware of the strike shop steward Lawrence Seymour. "Before or assume it is over. The company is using the strike began, we went around to the this to try to "normalize" its operations. It has Books from Cuba arrive at unions at Air Canada, Canadian Airlines, begun to hire part-time workers for ramp Hudson General, Consolidated Fuels, and service work. Newer employees at Hudson CARA. They agreed to not handle Eastern General and Consolidated Fuels have re­ Pathfinder for distribution work. So far that's held up pretty well." cently been seen working on Eastern aircraft. Hudson General is a service company that BY JON HILLSON Most of the more than 40 titles are in subcontracts with airlines to handle fueling, Hudson workers discuss strike NEW YORK- A victory for opponents Spanish. They include Che periodista, a new ramp, and cleaning work; CARA is a catering Earlier in the strike, some Hudson workers of Washington's economic blockade of Cuba anthology of Ernesto Che Guevara's journal­ company. who accepted part-time work at Eastern were was scored November 14 when U.S. customs ism; Discursos escogidos: 1979-1983, the When Eastern resumed flights to Toronto convinced by the union to resign these posi­ officials at John F. Kennedy airport released collected speeches of the slain leader of the in early July, a bulletin was circulated from tions in solidarity with Eastern workers. nearly one ton of books and pamphlets from Grenada revolution, Maurice Bishop; El pen­ the International Association of Machinists Kevin, an Eastern striker now working at Cuba for distribution in the United States and samiento econ6mico de Ernesto Che restating the union's decision to refuse to Canadian Airlines, said he thought more other countries through Pathfinder Press. Guevara by Carlos Tablada, the prize-win­ handle all Eastern work. As a result, fueling union information bulletins were needed for Until this year, importing Cuban books and ning 1987 book on Guevara's concepts of the and food catering of Eastern planes is handled workers at Hudson and Consolidated to ex­ periodicals - like other Cuban goods - economic and social development of revolu­ by supervisors from the service companies. plain that the strike is still on and what the was virtually illegal under conditions of the tionary society. Cleaning and ramp work is done by nonunion issues are. U.S. trade and economic blockade imposed Works in Spanish by Karl Marx, Frederick Eastern workers. Some worked at the Eastern The recent hiring at Eastern has sparked in the early I960s. Engels, and V.I. Lenin, along with those of ticket counter and office prior to the strike; some discussions among Hudson workers A change in U.S. legislation, however, has Cuban independence fighter Jose Marti, are others have been hired since March 4. about the Eastern strike. Hudson laid off opened a small breach in the embargo, mak­ among the available books. Eastern now has five flights daily in and scores of workers in mid-November as a ing it possible for U.S. publishers to sign Several recent pamphlets featuring inter­ out of Toronto. Before the strike there were result of the takeover of Wardair, Canada's contracts to publish books by Cuban authors, views with Fidel Castro in English, French, eight. third largest airline, by Canadian Airlines. to import and distribute literature printed in and Spanish are in the initial shipment. The October I989 Load Sheet, the bulletin Some Hudson workers have applied for Cuba, and to export books from the United Many of these books will be available soon of the lAM local at Canadian Airlines in ramp work at Eastern, which is paying $8.10 States to Cuba. at Pathfinder bookstores around the world Toronto, reports on a recent struggle with the per hour. That's 50 cents more per hour than The 43 cartons imported by Pathfinder, a (see directory on page 12). company over the handling of Eastern trans­ the starting rate at Hudson and $1 more than New York-based publisher, is one of the To order a list of books from Cuba write: fer baggage and mail. The company has been the recently organized workers at AMR Ser­ biggest shipments of books from Cuba to Pathfmder, 4IO West St., New York, N.Y. forced to agree that all such handling be vices, American Airlines' service company. arrive in the United States in many years. 10014.

6 The Militant December 8, 1989 Sales driVe success is sign of interest in socialist politics 10,501 new readers internationally

BY JON HILLSON sbUction workers at the big Boise Cascade hnportant progress was registered in the paper mill near the Canadian border, along recently concluded nine-week international with their supporters, overran an in-plant scab campaign to enlist 9,000 new readers to the housing project in September. The teams sold Militant and four other socialist publications. 69 subscriptions to consbUction, paper, and Distributors worldwide sold a combined other workers in International Falls and Ft. total of 10,501 subscriptions to the Militant, Frances, Ontario, the site of another Boise Perspectiva Mundial, Lutte ouvriere and in­ Cascade mill. dividual copies of New International and Stock market dive Nouvelle lnternationale. Selling Militant subscriptions to Colorado coal miners. Three U.S. coalfield teams sold This is 117 percent of the goal of 9:ooo Concern among working people sparked 96 subscriptions to miners' union members. and includes 7,163 12-week subscriptions to by the dive of Wall Street prices on October the Militant, 1,300 more than initially pro­ 13 - within a week of the second anniver­ jected. sary of the 1987 crash - fueled interest in regular campus tables, occasional regional "a first ever" in Oakland, California, reports Distributors in Britain, Canada, France, the Militant's analysis of the capitalist eco­ teams, and efforts by student members of the a distributor from there. This was achieved Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden, and the nomic crisis, and how it's going to get much Young Socialist Alliance, like those at the after one distributor sold five copies of the United States topped their targets. worse. Sales of An Action Program to Con­ State University of New York at Binghamton magazine at a meeting for touring Cuban These advances are a barometer of the front the Coming Economic Crisis, a pam­ who signed up 41 new readers. artist Aldo Soler, "and suddenly we started interest among working people, particularly phlet published by Pathfmder, increased fol­ While the international drive made its goal selling them everywhere. The new covers those engaged in sbUggle, in learning more lowing the Wall Street price plunge. for Perspectiva Mundial, the Spanish-lan­ helped. We sold on the job, at tables, door to about socialist politics. The drive was also boosted by the fight to guage monthly, U.S. distributors fell short of door." Labor battles by Eastern Airlines workers defend abortion rights. Hundreds of activists their target by nine subscriptions. Over 300 subscriptions to Lutte ouvriere, and coal miners supporting the Pittston strike bought subscriptions leading up to and at Distributors were inspired to sell New In­ the French-language quarterly, were sold, stimulated sales to these fighters and those prochoice demonstrations held November ternational, the journal of Marxist politics, marking progress. But this figure lagged by sbUggling alongside them. Some 1,300 new 12. because of the reissue of No. 5 and No. 6. 20 percent of the goal accepted by distribu­ subscribers in the United States and Canada Distributors reported heightened interest The former features articles on the "Coming tors, indicating the continuing challenge of indicated that they are unionists. in the Cuban revolution as a major selling Revolution in South Africa" while the latter reaching out to French-speaking workers and point in winning new readers, especially stu­ presents two speeches on Cuba's rectification students with the magazine. Members of the International Association dents and young people. process by Fidel Castro, including the exclu­ Supporters of the international drive sold of Machinists, the union on strike against Nearly 1,400 new readers are college stu­ sive publication of "Renewal Or Death." 25 Perspectiva Mundial subscriptions in Eastern, bought nearly 250 subscriptions on dents, sales to whom reflected the success of Going over the New International goal was Puerto Rico and 16 in Mexico. airport picket lines, at solidarity demonstra­ tions, in union halls, and on the job. About 150 members of the United Mine Workers of America signed up to get the South Africa cops attack rail strike socialist newsweekly for at least 12 weeks. 'Three U.S. coalfield teams sold 96 sub­ scriptions to UMWA members with trips into BY RUTH HASWELL In 1987 a strike by 14,000 rail workers SARHWU general secretary Martin western Colorado, . Arizona, New Mexico, CARDIFF, Wales - South African police virtually paralyzed the transport system Sebakwane said the workers feel the dismiss­ southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and Vir­ shot and killed a striking rail worker Novem­ throughout Johannesburg. During the strike als were hidden layoffs, linked to the bosses' ginia- selling in trailer parks, at mine por­ ber 17. On the same day, 400 other striking eight SARHWU members were killed. Four plans to privatize portions of the transport tals, and local eateries. workers employed by the state-owned South more are on death row on charges relating to system. The union opposes these moves. African Transport Services (SATS) were the deaths of four scabs. A three-day international effort netted 17 SATS also reneged on an interim agree­ new UMWA readers on Cape Breton Island, fired. Since the strike began two weeks ago, One of the central issues that provoked the some 2,300 have been fired by the company. November 1 walkout was the escalating wave ment signed in September recognizing the Nova Scotia. These and other local experi­ union. The company then broke off all nego­ ences indicate that subscriptions can also The rail workers, who had been fighting of firings of union members. According to to make SATS negotiate with their union, SARHWU more than 1,000 workers from tiations. In addition to the issues of the dis­ regularly be sold at plant gates. missals and union recognition, SARHWU is Receptivity to the Militant was enhanced walked off the job in the Johannesburg area around the country have been dismissed since November 1. Workers in Cape Town, Dur­ September. These include union shop stew­ also pressing for a wage hike. Wages now by two important strikes through which ad­ stand at 600 rand a month (Rl 38 U.S. ban, and most towns in the province of Natal ards. = ditional new readers were won: the strike of cents) for Black workers. The union is de­ lAM-organized workers at Boeing and the also downed their tools. The South African South African Transport Services manage­ Railway and Harbour Workers Union ment imposed a new disciplinary code in manding an increase in the minimum wage one by Communications Workers of America to R 1,500 a month. members against the regional telephone com­ (SARHWU) estimates that 40,000 of its September and used it as a basis for the panies, especially the NYNEX strike in New members are now on strike. massive firings. , The shooting of the striking worker was England and New York. the culmination of a string of violent attacks Distributors from Austin, Minnesota, and against strikers since the walkout began. Minneapolis-St. Paul organized several One worker was stabbed with a reinforced teams to International Falls in the far north Pathfinder Fund over the top! steel rod and another shot and wounded. Still of .the state. It was there that striking con- another striker was stabbed while assisting a Pathfinder Press tious program of pub­ wounded fellow worker. publishes writings and lishing and promotion Sebakwane explained that SARHWU is Labor fights, coalfield seeking an urgent order to prevent SATS staff speeches by commu­ of revolutioncny books from assaulting more strikers. He pointed out activities discussed nist and working-class and pamphlets, Path­ that although provoked, the workers were exercising restraint on the picket line. Continued from Page 3 fighters such as Fidel finder launched a orientation of the party, including continuing Castro, Ernesto Che $150,000 fund in Au­ Jay Naidoo, general secretary of the reinforcement of SWP branches in the coal­ Guevara, Malcolm X, gust. Congress of South African Trade Unions mining regions with the aim of increasing the (COSATU), speaking at an annual gather­ number of socialist activists in the mines. Maurice Bishop, Tho­ With a couple of ing of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Activists also agreed to step up efforts to mas Sankara, Farrell days to go before the Britain on November 26 gave a description win support for Mark Curtis, a packinghouse Dobbs, James P. Can­ December 1 deadline, of the situation in Durban. "Last week," he worker, political activist, and unionist framed said, "workers at a railway station were at­ and jailed in Iowa. Victimization by the non, Nelson Mandela, the fund is over the top. tacked by police acting as ticket collectors. bosses, government, cops, and courts is Karl Marx, Frederick So far $150,035 has A number of workers were injured and a something many miners are familiar with. Engels, V.I. Lenin, and been collected. The number of police also. The police then fol­ Many have been and can be won to the lowed the union members into their union defense effort. Leon Trotsky. final total will appear offices and brutally assaulted them. One of the British miners at the conference, To ccmy out its ambi- in next week's Militant. "The police went away, but later returned a member of the National Union of with machine guns, iron rods, and batons. Mineworkers, noted the importance of ex­ D Enclosed is my contribution of$ Three unionists have been shot and scores pected legislation allowing women into the injured." mines in Britain and the discussions taking D !wish to pledge$ toward the fund. Messages protesting the repression against place on this. He expressed appreciation in Name the strikers can be sent to Anton Moolman, being able to talk with and learn from U.S. General Manager, SATS, Private Box X47, women miners. Address Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. Send let­ Participants agreed on the importance of 0~------~--- ters of support and copies of protests to using the socialist press, ·books, and other StatejProvince SARWHU, c/o SACTU, 8 Flowers Mews materials as weapons, urging efforts be made Zip/Postal Code_. ____Cotultry (off Archway Close), London N19 3TB, En­ to get them out as widely as possible. More gland. than a dozen volunteers signed up to be part Clip and send to Pathfinder. 410WestSt., New York. N .Y. 10014. of upcoming sales teams in the western and Ruth Haswell is a member of the National eastern coalfields. Union of Railwaymen in Britain.

,·December 8, 1.9~ .Tll,e _Mili~nt 7 Mark Curtis describes his first parole hearing BY MARK CURTIS activity. Last month my classification was changed from Level ANAMOSA, Iowa - My first annual parole hearing was When I began to detail the facts in my case, the board IV to Level V, and I was transferred to a new cell house. held in a large room here on November 8 at the Iowa State members stopped me and explained they were acting on the There are six levels in the Level Incentive Program here. Men's Reformatory. Three members of the Iowa Board of premise that I was guilty as charged. They said they were The higher the level, the more privileges you are entitled Parole, which is appointed 'by the governor, conduct the not going to review my case. Two board members are to. The best privilege in here is being able to make phone hearings at this prison two days a month. attorneys and told me the best avenue for review of my case calls, a privilege only those in levels V and VI have. We Others present at the hearing included my prison coun­ was the appeals process. are allowed five 12-minute calls each month. Another selor, the prison's Treatment Director, and a guard. The When asked how long they considered "enough time" to benefit is being allowed longer visits, four hours on week­ parents of the young woman I was falsely accused and be, a board member said the average length of time served days and three hours on weekends. convicted of raping were also present, although they took on a sentence of 25 years is six years. He said he expected Level V cell house has been remodeled over the last no part in the proceedings while I was there. me to do "less than the average." decade and is the most modem in this nearly 100-year-old The board members began the hearing byasking me how I asked them to move me to a minimum security jail or prison. Each cell is 10-by-11 feet with 12-foot ceilings. I was doing and what I was involved in. I explained my a work-release center where I could enjoy more freedoms, There is a toilet, and a hot and cold water sink. The cells participation in the Martin Luther King, Jr., Organization, time with my family and friends, and work a regular job. have a large fluorescent light. This is much bigger than the People misunderstand the role of the parole board, they said. four-by-nine foot cells in Level IV, which only have cold The board could only recommend such a move, but Depart­ water and a 60-watt light bulb. Cement block walls, metal BEHIND PRISON WALLS ment of Corrections officials would have to make such a doors, and windows facing inside and outside make for a decision. I requested a recommendation. At this point they more human environment in Level V cells. Level IV cells an iniTiate's group; my studies in Spanish, math, and history hesitated and appeared uncomfortable, and then said no. have crumbling plaster walls, iron bar doors, and are at the prison's school; my certification in welding after Even though I was not released, the hearing was positive. windowless. finishing the program; and my involvement in the basketball The board acknowledged the campaign for my freedom. There are two, three, or four bunks per cell on Level V. leagues and other athletic programs. Theywereunabletociteanyreasonstodenyparole,including I share a cell with two Black men from Waterloo, Iowa. Board members reported that they had received several character faults or misbehavior. Their tone lacked hostility. Floyd is in his 40s, and Bruce is in his 20s. We have known letters favoring parole for me, which they said "was good." The growing campaign by the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ each other for a while, and now we are good friends. As They also told me that more than a dozen of my supporters mittee and its supporters on my behalf brought this about. the new man, I had to take the top bunk, which is a climb were in a prison lounge area just outside the prison gate My continuing political work and the facts of my frame­ I'm still getting used to. We have a triple bunk, four shelves, watching the hearing on closed-circuit TV. The letters and up are well known here by inmates and jailers alike. I am three small cabinets, a desk, and two chairs. the presence of supporters impressed them. not isolated, forgotten, friendless, "on ice," or demoralized Having roommates is a welcome change after a year of According to the board no major disciplinary reports as those who put me in prison had hoped. So, I had a lot rooming alone, although it is a little trickier finding quiet appeared on my record. I actually received a disciplinary going for me that day. time for my reading and studying. Every night we watch report earlier this year in retaliation for a campaign I am Before the hearing, several fellow inmates warned me television, play board games, tell jokes, and have discussions. waging to receive Spanish-language books and magazines. not to get my hopes up. Most of them have mixed feelings I am not fighting for my release on the basis of being a But after I appealed and my supporters launched a protest about parole hearings, which are five-minute affairs for "model prisoner." I continue to be involved in fights for campaign, the prison authorities dropped the report and many and often end in disappointment. A friend told me rights here. These have included the right to communicate restored my rights. that the parole board even yells at some inmates. and maintain contact with the outside world in Spanish, One board member mentioned that my counselor made Still, to win an early release, everyone must go through French, and other languages and the rights of prisoners to positive statements about me. I also had excellent reports the parole board, and so hope always remains. Besides share literature. It includes the fight against racism here and for jobs I held in the license plate shop and the prison's having one's conviction overturned on appeal or being beyond the prison walls as part of the Martin Luther King, commissary. paroled, the only other way out of prison is to discharge, Jr., Organization; for the religious and cultural rights of Despite this positive review, the board decided to accept "flatten out." your sentence by serving time until half of the Native American prisoners; and for everything that expands the recommendations of the prison's classification commit­ sentence is served minus good conduct time earned. Right our ability to organize to better our conditions. tee and my counselor that I not be paroled at this time. The now my discharge date is in the year 2000. This also means doing everything I can to help lead and board members said I had not done enough time on my Prior to my hearing, several men indicated their support to be part of the efforts of the Mark Curtis Defense Com­ 25-year sentence. for me. A good friend led several believers in prayer on my mittee to overturn the police frame-up that put me here. I was prepared for the board's decision, but did not accept behalf at the prison chapel. it and argued for my release. My sentence, I pointed out, After the hearing everyone wanted to know what had Mark Curtis is a unionist and political activist serving a did not carry a required minimum amount of time spent in happened. Some were disappointed, a few were cynical, but 25-year sentence at the Iowa State Men's Reformatory in prison before becoming eligible for parole. I am eligible for most were encouraged when they heard about the support Anamosa on a 1988 frame-up rape and burglary conviction. parole now. My time here serves no useful purpose, I said, I received. They were impressed when I showed them copies (See page 4 for more information on the Mark Curtis and added that I am the same person that I was when I of the letters written to the parole board by prominent labor, Defense Comminee and activities organized by Curtis' entered prison and would not be pushed away from political Black, civil rights, and women's rights activists. supporters.)

: ~ Workers Party irl2nd ·round of Br3zil electi.)ns ,

The PT, founded 10 years ago by a group situation, the PT stated, "While it is true that litical program of their own." PT candidate Lula of trade union leaders, activists of various left the crisis is real, there should also be no doubt The struggle for governmental power, the groups, and left-wing Catholics, had shown that at this time the rule of the bourgeoisie PT states, "is linked with our policy of accu­ will face Collor in its vote-getting potential in the November has not reached a dead end.... At the same mulation of forces and the fight for hegemony December 17 run-off. I988 local elections where it won 36 district time that an extraordinary development of in society. Any deviation from this line, can offices - including the office of mayor in the productive forces of the Brazilian capi­ lead to the adventuristic position of placing the country's largest city and main industrial talist economy has taken place, an anticapital- the taking of power on today's agenda, or BY MARCELO ZUGADI center, Sao Paulo. It also won more than sAo PAULO, Brazil -With the backing I ,000 municipal seats and dozens of state and of the workers in the large industrial com­ federal deputy posts. plexes and the poor peasants of northern and Lula's showing at the polls is to a great northeastern Brazil, Luis Inacio "Lula" da extent due to the work carried out by the Silva, a union leader and former machinist, United Workers Federation, founded six came in second in the first round of voting years ago by the PT, hundreds of grassroots in the presidential race here. The second church groups headed by Catholic priests round will take place December I7. who subscribe to "liberation theology," and Lula has the support of the Workers Party peasant organizations. (PT), a mass party, and of the IS-million member United Workers Federation. Of the Contradictory position 21 candidates, he received I6 percent of the vote, coming in second after the candidate While the PT won a high percentage of most favored by the Brazilian capitalists, the vote in many northeastern parts of the Fernando Collor de Mello of the National country, totals for its candidates were not as Reconstruction Party. Collor received 28 per­ high as expected in many of the districts cent of the vote. governed since January by PT elected offi­ The winner will replace Jose Samey, who cials. This reflects the PT's difficulties in in 1985 became the first civilian head of state resolving the contradiction between advocat­ in 2I years. ing radical policies and taking responsibility for municipal administrations within the The elections are taking place in the con­ framework of a system where state and na­ text of the attempt by U.S. imperialism and tional governments are in the hands of the the capitalists in South America over the past capitalist parties. decade to replace military dictatorships with "democratic" governments. They aim, by After 10 months in office, the PT local constitutional means, to carry out the same administrations have obtained meager results antilabor policies previously imposed in implementing policies that will benefit through repression by the military regimes. working people. At its sixth national gathering, held last Brazil is facing particularly acute eco­ June to map out the final stages of its electoral nomic difficulties. It has a monthly inflation campaign, the PT acknowledged that in the rate of 40 percent and with a population of municipal governments the party had shown 145 million people, 40 million live in abso­ itself "below the extraordinary expectations Sao Paulo slum. Of Brazil's 145 minion people, 40 minion live in absolute poverty. lute poverty. Two out of three people suffer that society, especially the popular classes, malnutrition, and 20 million children live in has of the PT governments." the streets. Brazil's foreign debt to imperialist ist consciousness has yet to develop." lead to the political disaster of attempting to The PT resolution stated, "We still lack a bankers stands at over $120 billion. reform or administer capitalism." more defined administrative political pro­ The current stage, the PT document Lula ran as the candidate of the Brazilian gram, capable of polarizing and mobilizing pointed out, "is characterized by a rise in the In the second round of voting Lula and Popular Front - which includes the PT, the the popular masses politically and socially in social and political struggle of the workers, Collor will each be entitled to 20 minutes a Socialist Party of Brazil, and the ex-Maoist the tasks of everyday life." by the construction of their class struggle day of national radio and television time Communist Party of Brazil. Referring to the economic and political organizations, and by the initiation of a po- between November 28 and December 14.

8 The Militant December 8, 1989 Founders o·f,Iranian Communist Party on Pathfinder Mural BY AHMAD HEYDARI is on the mural is Haydar Amoghli. As a youth NEW YORK -Portraits of three found­ in the 1890s, Amoghli emigrated to tsarist ers of the Communist Party of Iran are on the Russia with his family. In 1904 he helped to Pathfinder Mural, which was dedicated here found the Social Democratic Party of Iran in November 19. They were recently painted by Baku. Like the Adalet party later, it was Mary Sears, a New York worker and artist. centered among the many oil workers from The three communist leaders are Ahmad Sul­ Iran, who were mostly Azerbaijanis. tanzadeh (Avetis Mikaelian), Haydar Amoghli played a prominent role in the Amoghli, and Jafar Pishevari. They join the Constitutional Revolution of 1905-09 in Iran, portraits of two other Iranian anti-imperialist which was inspired by the 1905 Russian fighters, Sattar Khan and Baqer Khan, who revolution and strived to end the shah's au­ were painted on the six-story mural last year. tocracy and safeguard the country's indepen­ Sultanzadeh, born to an Armenian family dence against tsarist Russia and British im­ in Iran, went to tsarist Russia in 1904 to study. perialism. He helped to organize a Social Three years later he joined the Caucasus Democratic group in Tehran, Iran's capital. Social Democratic Party. In 1912 he joined When the shah, with the help of tsarist Rus­ the Bolshevik Party. sian officers, staged his bloody coup and During the Russian revolution of 1917, established a reign ofterror, Amoghli escaped Militant/Margrethe Siem Sultanzadeh played a leading role in founding to the Caucasus. Portraits of Ahmad Sultanzadeh (left), Jafar Pishevari (center), and Haydar Amoghli the Adalat (Justice) party as a component of Sattar Khan and Baqer Khan in the were added to mural just before its dedication. the Bolshevik organization in the city of Azerbaijani city of Tabriz refused to capitu­ Baku, on the Caspian Sea. The Adalet party late to the shah. From two small neighbor­ been destroyed by Stalin and Pishevari did and established their own government. Work­ was based on the Iranian oil workers there. hoods ofTabriz they, along with a nucleus of not join the newly created Stalinist Tudeh ers in the British-controlled oil industry in It immediately joined the battle to defend the Social Democratic party members, waged an Party. He did not consider it revolutionary the south of Iran began strikes that took on revolutionary Soviet government against the armed resistance against the shah's forces and and criticized it for not supporting the na­ a political character and rallied the workers began to revitalize the tional rights of the oppressed Azerbaijani all over the country. Mujahedeen (also called Fe­ people. However, a revolutionary government like dayeen) organizations to lib­ the one in Azerbaijan wasn't established in erate the city. Amoghli Azerbaijan republic the country as a whole. Leaders of the Tudeh helped to raise funds, buy In 1945 Pishevari organized the Azerbai­ Party joined the cabinet of Prime Minister armaments, and organize jan Democrat Firgasi (Azerbaijan Demo­ Gavam who was trying to buy time for.the contingents of revolutionar­ cratic Party), which came to be known as capitalist regime against the revolution. ies in the Caucasus for the Firga Gavam negotiated with Stalin and promised fight in Tabriz. He later Firga 's central campaign was for to give the Soviet Union the concession for came to the city himself to Azerbaijan self-determination and to that end the unexploited oil fields in the northern part join the struggle. issued a call for elections to the provincial of the country after the internal situation After the shah's armies national anjoman (council). Working people became stabilized. Imperialist governments were defeated, Amoghli re­ responded positively and mobilized for the increasingly put pressure on the Soviet Union turned to Tehran to continue elections, but they were brutalized by police, to help dismantle the revolutionary govern­ political work under new gendarmes, and agents ofthe large landown­ ment in Azerbaijan. In the fall of 1946 the conditions. Although the au­ ers. Tudeh ministers in the Gavam government tocracy had been over­ Frrga called on the people to defend them­ were forced to resign and the shah started to thrown, Russian and British selves. Helped by Soviet troops, armed mi­ move against Azerbaijan cautiously, testing IRAN imperialists had intervened litias (Fedayeen) comprised of peasants and every step on his way. to rob the people of their workers overran the shah's gendarmes in the victory and the possessing countryside and his armies in the cities of Betrayed by Stalin 0 Miles 200 classes and landed aristoc­ Azerbaijan. By the end of 1945 the workers Pishevari called on the Azerbaijani people racy still dominated the gov­ and peasants had established their own gov­ to rise and repeat the heroic experience of ernment. Amoghli was ernment headed by Pishevari in Azerbaijan. the 1905-09 revolution. The Stalinist bureau­ forced to leave Iran in 1911 Immediately a deep-going land reform was cracy in Moscow opposed any resistance and and continued his political inaugurated and women in Azerbaijan gained got a majority in the Firga leadership to activity in tsarist Russia and the right to vote and be elected for the frrst renounce it in the name of "avoiding blood­ SAUDI Europe. time in Iran. shed." Thus betrayed, ·the shah crushed the ARABIA Amoghli joined the CPI The Azerbaijani language (Azeri Turkish), revolutionary government without a battle. at its 1920 founding con­ which had been declared illegal by the central Thousands of workers and peasants through­ gress in Enzeli and became government under Reza Shah was taught in out Azerbaijan were executed. The Kurdish one of its central leaders. He schools for the first time in decades. republic was also smashed by the shah's onslaught of counterrevolutionary forces. In was a delegate of the CPI to the Congress of The Frrga government immediately insti­ troops and similar executions took place. the heat of this fight, the party extended its the Peoples of the East held in Baku the same tuted economic policies that helped to im­ Shortly after these defeats the intransigent influence throughout the region, and its mem­ year, and served on the presidium of the prove the living conditions of working peo­ Pishevari died in prison in the Soviet Union bership rose to 6,000. congress. ple. under. conditions that many regard as an The Kurds also drove out the shah's armies assassination by Stalin's agents. Enzeli congress Soviet Republic of Gilan After the Red Army drove the British At that time the CPI was in a coalition imperialist forces from northern Iran in 1920, government in the Soviet Republic of Gilan, the party held its fitst congress in Enzeli and established after the Red Army drove the Protests win restoration of changed its name to the Communist Party of British forces from that region northwest of Iran (CPI). · Tehran. The government was headed by Sultanzadeh was a central figure in the Mirza Kuchek Khan Jangali, a nationalist and federal funds for AIDS art Enzeli congress, which approved theses on Islamic cleric who had led a guerrilla move­ the immediate tasks and perspectives of the ment against the British in Gilan. A rift soon BY MAREA HIMELGRIN of personal expression, and that our freedom developed between the CPI and Mirza revolution in Iran. He was elected as the NEW YORK -Close to 1,000 people of expression must be protected." national secretary of the party. Kuchek Khan. Among other differences, gathered outside the Artists Space gallery in Protests against the proposed funding cut Mirza opposed land confiscations of large After the party congress, Sultanzadeh at­ lower Manhattan on November 16 to attend mounted over several days, including prom­ owners for the benefit of the peasantry. tended the Second Congress of the Commu­ the opening of the art show "Witnesses: inent conductor and composer Leonard Bern­ nist International in Moscow and served on As the Gilan movement became more iso­ Against Our Vanishipg" and to protest an stein refusing to accept the National Medal the commission that drew up the congress' lated, the rift deepened and Mirza became .attempt by the National Endowment for the of Arts from President George Bush. "Theses on the National and Colonial Ques­ more hostile to the communists. Amoghli was Arts to withhold a $10,000 grant for the Frohnmayer backed down. Eight days tion." The congress elected him to the Exec­ imprisoned and executed by Mirza's follow­ exhibit. after announcing that he was withholding the utive Committee of the International. ers in September 1921. "Witnesses: Against Our Vanishing" ex­ grant, he reapproved it with a condition that Sultanzadeh helped to build the CPI into presses the personal reflections of New York the money be spent only for the exhibit and a working-class party that was deeply in­ Third portrait artists on the impact of AIDS on their lives. not for the accompanying catalog. volved in the trade unions. The third Iranian communist on the mural The denial of funding for the show was The second and last congress of the CPI is J afar Pishevari, born in 1893. Like the other the first application of a new federal law Another art exhibit about AIDS called was held in Urmiah in 1927 and adopted a two, he immigrated to tsarist Russia as a authored by Sen. Jesse Helms forbidding " Images and Words: Artists Respond to program to mobilize the working people youth. One of the founders of the Adalat appropriations for art that may be considered AIDS" that was to open on December 1 in against the proimperialist tyranny of Reza party, he edited its paper Hurriet. "obscene" or not "deemed to have serious New York was withdrawn. Administrators of Shah, the monarch of Iran. As political re­ After the Enzeli congress in 1920 he was literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." the gallery refused the artists permission to pression intensified. Sultanzadeh, along with assigned to Tehran to lead the party's trade John Frohnmayer, chairman of the Na­ display a banner on the building's facade with most of the other party central committee union work. He helped to organize the Cen­ tional Endowment for the Arts, justified the the words "All people with AIDS are inno­ members, were forced into exile in the Soviet tral Council of Federated Trade Unions and funding cutoff by characterizing the show as cent." Union. The communist leader was subse­ edited its paper. He was arrested in 1930 in political. The show's catalog, which con­ Barbara Tate, chief administrator of the quently imprisoned in the Soviet Union dur­ the wake of Reza Shah's offensive against tained a essay against censorship and critical Arts for Living Center of the Henry Street ing Joseph Stalin's purges and was executed democratic rights and working-class organi­ of Helms and other political figures, was a Settlement, reportedly told the exhibit's cu­ in 1938. At least three other central leaders zations and spent II years in prison. In 1941 focus of the censorship attack. rator that the banner was too political and of the CPI were also executed and the orga­ after allied troops occupied the country, 'This is a question of freedom of speech," that, in her estimation, those who produced nization was destroyed. Pishevari was freed. Susan Wyatt, the executive director of Artists the banner were not artists. The show has not Another founder of the CPI whose portrait When he was released, the CPI had already Space said. "I believe art is a form of speech, received public funding.

December 8, 1989 The Militant 9 Dec. '8 actions Will back Eastern strike Continued from front page after the announcement. Another striker, Ev­ ~heir strike. Some strikers heard about erett Brown, disagreed. "What kind of pres­ ALPA's decision at home, on the television sure can they put on Frank Lorenzo if they and radio news. "The phone at the union hall return to work?" was buzzing from strikers calling in to see if A third striker, Bob Maske, explained that · it was true," said lAM Local 1776 member the pilots and flight attendants "supported us Josefina Otero from Philadelphia. in the beginning and that support helped us. On the picket lines, lAM members tried But as it stands now, it's a battle that the to find pilots who knew what was happening. Machinists will have to fight." "Things look Pickets were dispatched over to ALPA offices bad," added Brown, "but we have to keep to get more information. It quickly became fighting." clear that the reports were accurate. "We're still on strike," said Mitch, who ALPA's decision carne a day after Presi­ worked at Eastern's air freight operations in dent George Bush vetoed legislation that Miami before the strike. "It was good to have would have created a congressional commis­ the pilots and flight attendants with us. But sion to investigate the strike and propose it's always been an lAM strike, and we're solutions for ending it. For months officials still on strike." of ALPA, 1WU, and the lAM had lobbied Many pilots and flight attendants were as heavily for the establishment of this "blue­ surprised as the Machinists to hear the an­ ribbon" panel. nouncement. As Machinists talked over how to respond An Eastern pilot who has been active in to ALPA and 1WU's decision to pull down the strike in Louisville, Kentucky, said other their pickets, initial reactions of disbelief and Militant/Michael Pennock pilots he talked to are "anxious to find out October 29 airport walkthrough in support of Eastern strike in Pittsburgh disappointment gave way to renewed com­ why the line was taken down so quickly. mitment to the strike. Many feel it is still a valid picket line and A group of six lAM members was on won't cross." ers and Eastern strikers have come to view does need is mechanics - 500 of them, ac­ picket duty at Washington, D.C.'s National At the meeting of the ALPA chapter in themselves as part of a common struggle ~ cording to one Eastern spokesman. Only a Airport the night of November 22. "I don't Boston, held the night of November 22, ten­ one that all working people have a stake in. few hundred Machinists have crossed the believe the pilots will do this to us," said one sions were high, several pilots reported later. Over the summer, resistance by the miners picket line and Eastern has had difficulty mechanic when the news began to come out. "No one is going to tell me what picket line was deepening and links to the Eastern strike hiring qualified replacements. "I can believe it," responded a striking I can walk," said one. were being forged. At the same time, how­ That's one reason why Eastern is using ramp worker. "You know, the pilots are not "I'm disappointed in the ALPA and 1WU," ever, support for the walkout at Eastern Continental planes and crews to meet its like us. They came out with us at the begin­ said flight attendant Lori McManus from among pilots was beginning to wane. flight schedule, and has requested that the ning when we weren't sure they would. Now Philadelphia. "There's not much to go back When Eastern began to resume flights in FAA give the company permission to post­ it's the Machinists. Now we're alone- and to. Eastern is still seeking pay cuts and longer July, August, and September, Machinists pone D~hecks on its planes. D-checks are we're going to stick it out." working hours- everything we've been spearheaded protests that gave the strike a major aircraft overhauls performed every Many Machinists at other strike centers fighting against. Going back gives Lorenzo second wind. These actions - which have 30,000 flight hours- about every five years. agreed. the go-ahead to do more. I think we should continued in many cities - showed renewed So far, the FAA has refused. "We should be proud of the way the pilots stay out." determination by many lAM members to came out and most proud of the flight atten­ continue their struggle. Growing debate among pilots dants, who were the least prepared, received Machinists fight for allies In New York, Philadelphia, Miami, and ALPA's move to end its participation in no strike benefits, and stayed strong," said The strike at Eastern began when lAM-or­ other cities, strikers also began to seek ways the strike followed months of growing debate striker Bob Evans, a ramp worker in Phila­ ganized ramp workers, aircraft cleaners, me­ to draw the lAM as a whole behind their within the pilots' association. delphia with 22 years at Eastern. chanics, stock clerks, and facility cleaners strike. This unifying effort is needed because The pilots are a professional layer among "I just think what they did in going back walked off the job, determined to defend lAM-organized workers at subcontracting airline employees, commanding salaries that is a big mistake. It's a blow to solidarity and themselves against Eastern's drive to break companies have been doing work for the range as high as $11 ,000 a month in some a plus for Lorenzo, and I'm disappointed," their union and force acceptance of wage and strikebound carrier since at least July. airlines, based on their monopoly of the pro­ Evans said. "The ALPA leadership ig saying work-rule concession's totaling $150million: The layer of Machinists who seek to mo­ fession. Usually .they have viewed their in­ the pilots can go back with their heads held When they hit the picket lines at one bilize union power behind their fight and who terests as more closely aligned with manage­ high, but from where I'm standing, it looks minute after midnight, March 4, the Eastern take day-to-day responsibility for moving the ment than with other airline employees. It like they're going back with their tails be­ Machinists began a battle that has strength­ strike forward has grown as the months have was the determination and unity ofthe East­ tween their legs. ened the entire labor movement and - after passed. The development of these new lead­ em Machinists .:...__ combined with the pilots' "Our strike is not over by a long shot," he years of retreat- given confidence to mil­ ers has been one of the strike's most important conviction that Lorenzo was ruining the air­ stated. "When the commission was vetoed lions of working people that resistance to the achievements. line and ·going after them in the process - by Bush, it just made me more determined." employers' offensive is possible. The broad support the Eastern strikers have that drew the pilots into the fight. Frank Lorenzo is the chairman of Texas won in the labor movement has also been key Of the 3,600 pilots who went on strike in Air Corp., which owns both Eastern and Other unionists fighting to defend them­ to sustaining the fight - now the longest March, about 870 had already crossed the Continental airlines. selves in the face of employer attacks - national strike battle in more than 40 years. picket lines to return to work before Novem­ Strikers are trying to figure out what the from hospital workers in New York to tele­ With the desertion of the pilots and flight ber 22. Several hundred have also left the pilots and flight attendants have to gain by phone strikers around the country - have attendants' officials, the strike's chief allies strike for other jobs. going back after so long on the picket lines, been inspired and aided by the Machinists' remain other unionists, inside and outside the About 1,600 of the 5,700 striking flight especially because Eastern says there are no struggle at Eastern. lAM - and above all the miners. attendants had crossed. jobs currently available for either group of The relationship between the Eastern strik­ The first breach in the unity between workers. ers and the fighters in the United Mine Work­ 'No jobs' ALPA, the lAM, and the 1WU followed "It might just be a legal maneuver," said ers of America, whose strike against Pittston Eastern says it has no jobs now for pilots Eastern's resumption of flights on a large ramp worker Garnett Pannell. He was on the Coal Group's union-busting began in April, and flight attendants returning to work and scale in July, when the number of daily flights picket line at National Airport a few days has special weight. More and more, the min- that they will have their names placed on lists jumped from 80 to 226. It had also become to be recalled as openings appear. clear by then that efforts by ALPA, lAM, and On November 28 ALPA officials began 1WU officials to force Lorenzo to sell the negotiating with Eastern on a back-to-work carrier were not going anywhere. Ortega hits Salvador gov't agreement. The airline has gone to court This led to a big wave of defections in seeking an order to block expected attempts August, after ALPA President Henry Duffy and Eastern ALPA head Jack Bavis encour­ Continued from front page tinue to defend the Central American peace by ALPA to win dismissal of pilots hired since aged the Eastern pilots to find a way to end plan and demand that El Salvador comply the strike started, or those in training, to make the president added, "we would have had to the strike. Hundreds of pilots and flight at­ with its provisions," Ortega told the meeting. room for returning pilots. break relations with the United States a long tendants crossed the picket lines at that time, time ago because they have been financing "Our position is clear," Ortega concluded. Eastern, which has lost $2-$3 million a giving Lorenzo the crews he needed to keep and arming the counterrevolution and giving "We are for a cease-fire and a real dialogue day since the strike started, has little interest building up flights and moving ahead with them surface-to-air missiles for several that could achieve peace and democracy in in returning many pilots and flight attendants his strike-breaking "reorganization" plan. years." El Salvador." to jobs that would be paid at the pre-strike Despite the number of pilots who crossed Ortega reminded the audience that U.S. higher rate. in August, the ALPA Master Executive Coun­ mercenary Eugene Hasenfus, who was shot Nicaraguan Defense Minister Humberto Because returning pilots still have a con­ Ortega also spoke about the accusations of cil at Eastern voted unanimously against a down over Nicaragua in 1986, took off from tract with Eastern, they would make salaries return to work at that time. Several ALPA the Ilopango military airport in El Salvador. the Salvadoran government on November27. averaging $72,000 a year - low for the in­ He stated that contra troops had recently used officials who wanted to end the strike were "There has been constant and permanent dustry, but much higher than the $27,500 a then replaced, including Bavis. aggression against Nicaragua from El Salva­ U.S.-made Redeye surface-to-air missiles year the airline is now paying newly hired against Sandinista aircraft. Three hundred of In early October the ALPA membership as dor, but Nicaragua has never proposed at any scab pilots. a whole voted by a narrow margin - 54 time breaking relations with El Salvador," he these missiles had been given to the contras Likewise for flight attendants. Those hired by the Reagan administration, he said. percent- to continue paying strike benefits said. "On the contrary, we have always since the strike started make $1, 110 a month, of $2,400 a month to the Eastern pilots. sought to follow a policy of negotiation to "Now these rockets also appear in El Sal­ compared to $2,300 earned by the average Since August, however, the presence of solve these problems." vador and they make a big fuss," the defense attendant before the strike. pilots and flight attendants on the picket lines By suspending relations with Nicaragua, minister said. "But wasn't it the Yankee gov­ Ground workers hired to replace striking had dwindled, although some remained part the Salvadoran government "is trying to ernment and the Salvadoran military them­ Machinists are making $6.00 an hour or less of strike activities. Many pilots doubted that cover up the crimes it has been committing," selves who gave these weapons to the irre­ - about 60 percent of the pre-strike average. another vote in ALPA would sustain the strike Ortega said. Referring to an agreement signed sponsible, terrorist, criminal contras? And Despite Eastern's resumption offlights and benefits. by the five Central American presidents in now these munitions end up all over the place, sales of gates, routes, and other assets, the August, Ortega stated, "El Salvador agreed who knows where and in whose hands or in company continues to sustain heavy losses, Striking Eastern MachinistsJosefina Otero to respect human rights. But it is not respect­ which markets?" under the impact of the Machinists' strike and from Philadelphia, Maggie Pucci from Bos­ ing the human rights of the Salvadoran peo­ Humberto Ortega announced that the mounting competition in the airline industry. ton, Rick Walker from Miami, and Nancy ple. Sandinista People's Army had been placed During the first nine months of 1989, Eastern Brown and Susie Wins ten from Washington, "Regardless of the attitude of the on alert because of "the tension that exists in lost $600 million. D.C., contributed to this artic/e,along with Salvadoran government, Nicaragua will con~ Central America at this moment." ·· One category of workers Eastern says it Bronson Rozier from Louisville, Kentucky.

10 The ·Militant J>ecember·s,- 1989 Malcolm X 'emerged as international figure'

Malcolm X: The Last Speeches, pub­ which Martin Luther King was leading. the fallen advocate for Black liberation is life - with a beard. Visually it is an indica­ lished by Pathfinder earlier this year, has When he eventually went back after ac­ affixing his face next to that of Che Guevara, tion of [him] on his own- after he left the received numerous reviews in the United complishing his mission, Malcolm X was a the Argentine doctor who fought beside Fidel Nation oflslam. That," she added, "was when States and internationally. changed man. As he put it, he was henceforth Castro during the Cuban Revolution. he was at his height. He had such integrity." Among the book's contents are the last a good Muslim, a good African, and a good "I think he belongs [among the revolution­ Asked how she feels about being chosen two speeches by Malcolm X to appear in freedom fighter. The speeches in this volume aries] on that wall," Carole Byard, an art to paint El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm print. These two speeches were delivered tell the story of this evolution in a way that teacher at the Parsons School of Design, said X), the African-American winner of anum­ on Feb. 15 and 16, 1965. Malcolm was only Malcolm can tell it. to a questioner during a break near the wall ber of awards and fellowships said, "I'm assassinated February 21, of the same Bruce Perry [the editor of the book] has on the comer of West and Charles Streets. honored to be asked by Pathfinder to place year. In addition, two radio interviews done a great service not only to Malcolm X "I think it is important to show Malcolm Malcolm X among those internationally re­ from 1964 and two speeches given on col­ but to the still continuing struggle of the as I remember him during the last year of his spected revolutionaries." lege campuses in 1963 are included. oppressed the world over. Malcolm X's The first items below are portions of two thoughts will always remain alive, as long as reviews of the book. The third item is the oppression remains anywhere. first half of an article reporting on the PATHFINDER inclusion of a portrait of Malcolm X in the • recently completed Pathfinder Mural. From the Nov. 27, 1989 Nation, by Joe Wood. AROUND THE WORLD From the magazine Africa Events, by GREG McCARTAN Abdul Muhammad Babu. At a December In March 1964, Malcolm X left the Nation 1964 rally in Harlem of the Organization of of Islam, the organization that had both nur­ Pathfinder Press, located in New GWR summarizes news and reprints arti­ Afro-American Unity, Malcolm introduced tured him into responsible adulthood and York with distributors in Australia, cles from the daily Granma. Subscrip­ shaken America's political consciousness. Britain, Canada, and New Zealand, tions are available through Pathfinder in The break was real. During the last eleven publishes the works of working-class Spanish, English, and French. months of his life, Malcolm made an eye­ and communist leaders who have The display for the paper caused some ,. opening pilgrimage to Africa and the Middle made central contributions to the for­ debate during the fair. Several people at­ East, and he publicly renounced Elijah ward march of humanity against ex­ tacked it as a "fascist-Nazi paper" and Muhammad's theology as unorthodox and ploitation and oppression. urged others coming to the booth not to racist. He also began pondering conceptual Pathfinder bookstores are located in buy it. ·:: alternatives to the movement's black nation­ 44 cities in seven countries. The ad­ Some immigrants from Cuba who'': alism, eventually deciding to activate a dresses of the bookstores are listed on came up to the table, however, disagreed, human rights campaign in America, and to page 12. and told people that the right-wingers r place new emphasis on brotherhood, interna­ were "liars." Four subscriptions to the tionalism, anti-imperialism, and, most impor­ Interest in events in southern Africa, paper were sold. tant, progressive action. particularly the battle of Cuito While several booths contained books He never failed to remind audiences that Cuanavale in southern Angola, was a and literature hostile to the Cuban revo­ while he didn't advocate violence, he did highlight of the discussions at the Path­ lution, many fair-goers were glad to find believe in the right to self-protection, partic­ finder booth during the annual African books by revolutionary figures. ularly in a country as racially inequitable as Studies Association Conference. Books by Pathfinder with speeches by the United States. And while white liberals The November 2-5 meeting, held in Fidel Castro, Malcolm X, and Ernesto and black (dare I say it) integrationists like Atlanta, was attended by some I ,500 Che Guevara were the most popular ti­ to stress his embrace of brotherhood, even a professors, scholars, publishers, and ac­ tles. A pamphlet in Spanish with cursory examination of his speeches reveals tivists from across the United States and Guevara's talk Socialism and Man in that Malcolm never changed his mind about countries in Africa and Europe. Cuba sold out early on in the fair. In all, what the chief enemy was: white American Promotional material on a video about $1,300 worth of books and literature racism. Cuito Cuanavale, where invading South were sold. The book's first two examples are standard African military forces were defeated by Black Muslim fare, delivered in 1963 to Angolan, Cuban, and South West Africa • predominantly white audiences at Michigan People's Organisation fighters, was Bob Miller writes from Washington, State University and the University of Cali­ snapped up by conference participants, D.C., that a standing-room-only crowd fornia at Berkeley. In the book's pair of radio said Doug Cooper. Cooper is a member of 250 filled the School of Business au­ interviews (December 1964), Malcolm dis­ of the Pathfinder editorial staff who par­ ditorium at Howard University to discuss Robert Parent tances himself from speeches like these, con­ ticipated in the conference. Malcolm X: The Last Speeches. tending that he was only "parroting" Elijah Malcolm X. New book of speeches and The video Response to the South Afri­ The November 7 meeting was spon­ Muhammad's propaganda. But as parrot pro­ interviews has been widely reviewed. can Escalation, a three-hour TV docu­ sored by the Pathfinder Bookstore, How­ pagandists go, Malcolm performed bril­ mentary, is being distributed by Path­ ard University Student Association, Car­ liantly, making points he would later alter but finder. ibbean Student Association, and the Babu as "the minister of cooperatives and never abandon. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. commerce from Tanzania, a man who is very Yet behind Malcolm X's incredible ability Three copies of the book In Defense of Similar events are being sponsored by closely associated with President Julius to pick metaphors from the air, and behind Socialism were purchased. It contains Nyerere," ofTanzania. his clarity and brutal earnestness, lurked a four speeches given in December 1988 Pathfinder bookstores around the world basic deception: Malcolm didn't believe a lot and January 1989 by Cuban President to discuss titles recently released by the As this volume of his last speeches and of what he was saying. But like any disci­ Fidel Castro on the 30th anniversary of publishing house. interviews testifies, Malcolm was emerging plined revolutionary, Malcolm felt he the Cuban revolution. The political im­ Imani Countess of the National Alli­ from a minor Black ghetto leader to an inter­ couldn't break ranks and did so only after portance of the victory over South Africa ance of Third World Journalists and the national figure of great potential. Only a few internal politics and personal disillusionment in Angola and the fight for independence Namibian Information Service told the months before his assassination, in Septem­ forced him out. for Namibia are discussed by Castro. D.C. meeting, "Malcolm explained that racism and the oppression and exploita­ ber 1964, he declared his liberation from Malcolm traveled through newly Growing interest in Thomas Sankara, tion of Blacks, Asians, and Africans was Elijah Muhammad while he was still on a postcolonial Africa, and thereby broadened the central leader of the revolutionary not accidental, but profitable for a mi­ pilgrimage to Makka [Mecca). Elijah's Black and sharpened his thinking. His essential government in the West African country nority- for business." Muslim was based on racial separation, but "Black Muslim" outrage, however, re­ of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, was "That," she continued, "is why the Malcolm saw in Makka that Islam was about mained, only with small complications. The also registered at the conference. fight against the oppression of Blacks "brotherhood of all men irrespective of their problems clearly did not come from his A selection of Sankara's speeches dur­ must be international." colour." broader understanding of internationalism or ing those years is published by Path­ When he returned from Makka, and after anticapitalism or brotherhood. Rather, finder as Thomas Sankara Speaks. Malik Edwards, the coordinator of the a long tour of Africa and Arabia, Malcolm Malcolm's new perspective was made more The highest selling title was Malcolm Malcolm X Day Annual Celebration founded a political movement known as the complicated by his realization that he hadn't X: The Last Speeches, with 27 sold. In held in Washington, D.C., said, "Mal­ Organisation of Afro-American Unity known his friends from his enemies, just like all, nearly $600 worth of Pathfinder titles colm stands out greater and greater every (OAAU), an out and out political movement the Uncle Tom house Negroes he harped on were bought by conference participants. day. We have to thank Pathfinder for pre­ designed to unite the Black American com­ in his Black Muslim speeches. Where in his serving the legacy of Malcolm." munity into a political force in the country, old scheme, after all, does one place Elijah? • Ike Nahem, representing the local and link it first with the African liberation The Last Speeches records Malcolm's The sixth Miami Bookfair Interna­ Pathfinder Bookstore, noted that The struggle and then with the world-wide anti­ most significant postrevolutionary change: tional drew some 300 exhibitions of pub­ Last Speeches documents the political imperialist movement. It was at this point that his realization that he could not be sure. lishers and booksellers from around the evolution in Malcolm's last year. Harold he incurred the wrath of the powers that were world . Hills, a Howard student, also partici­ beyond the confines of Elijah Muhammad. • The November 17-19 publishers' dis­ pated in the panel. This collection of speeches captures the From the New York Amsterdam News, play was preceded by a week of work­ evolution of his political thinking as he was Nov. 11 , 1989, entitled "Publishing firm shops, lectures, poetry readings, and • emerging from the ghetto oratory so to speak, keeps leaders alive," by Charles Bai/lou. other events with writers from Latin In Salt Lake City, Utah, 40 people at­ to a reasonably seasoned political thinker. America, the Caribbean, and the United tended an event to discuss In Defense of One can see clearly from these pages how Almost 25 years after his assassination the States. Alice Walker, author of The Color Socialism, reports Steve Warshell. The Malcolm was seeking a positive role for the name Malcolm X has garnered the kind of Purple and other books, drew a crowd of meeting, held at the Pathfinder Book­ Black American community in international recognition and respect not accorded to him 2,000. A broad range of Miami-area resi­ store, heard a panel of speakers, includ­ struggles, that were raging at the time in during his lifetime. Young rap performers not dents participated in the week-long fair. ing a presentation by the vice-consul of Africa and Asia. He saw the Bandung Con­ yet born when he was gunned down in the The event, reports Dan Fein from Mexico in Utah, Francisco Olaveria. ference of 1955 as the starting point of new Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965, inter­ Miami, was held at Miami-Dade Com­ "The Cubans give us and all Latin world-wide Afro-Asian solidarity and liber­ weave his name in their lyrics. munity College, Wolfson Campus. American peoples hope," he said. He ation, which also included the struggle of And now a publishing company known for Nearly half the books shown were in noted the leadership role played by Fidel Black Americans. its extensive publication of revolutionary and Spanish, reflecting the large number of Castro in the international fight against I first met Malcolm in Cairo during the progressive leaders has included the African­ participants in the fair whose first lan­ "the criminal debt burden imposed on eventful and historically crucial second OAU American grassroots leader to the heroes and guage is Spanish. There was also a siz­ the underdeveloped world," and apart­ [Organization of African Unity] Summit in heroines they have selected to cover a wall able participation of Haitian fair-goers. heid in South Africa. July 1964. He was lobbying the African of their six-story headquarters in Greenwich The Pathfinder booth featured a dis­ The meeting ended with a toast to the Heads of State to recognize the Black Amer­ Village. play of the Cuban newspaper Granma 30th anniversary of the Cuban revolu­ ican struggle as a universal "human rights And equally important, an African-Amer­ Weekly Review published in Havana. The tion. struggle," and not just a "civil rights" struggle ican woman who said she is an admirer of

December 8, 1989 The Militant 11 --CALENDAR------r-- NEW YORK~ CALIFORNIA can National Congress of South Africa Youth dom Struggle. Video and discussion. Sat., Dec. Section; representative of South West Africa 9, 7:30p.m. 4707 W Lisbon Ave. Donation: $3. Stop the U.S. War Los Angeles People's Organisation; Natasha Terlexis, So­ Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ The Los Angeles Premier Showing of the cialist Workers Party, Young Socialist Alliance. mation call (414) 445-2076. Video The Frame-Up of Mark Curtis. At the in El Salvador Sat., Dec. 9. Reception, 6:30 p.m.; program, Celebrate the Publication of home of director Nick Castle, Jr. In attendance: In Defense of 7:30p.m. 141 Halsey St., 2nd floor. Donation: Socialism by Fidel Castro. Reception and Kate Kaku, wife of Mark Curtis; John Studer, March & Rally $5. Sponsor: Pathfinder Bookstore. For more panel discussion. Sat., Dec. 16. Reception, 6:30 national officer of the Mark Curtis Defense information call (201) 643-3341. p.m.; program, 7:30p.m. 4707 W Lisbon Ave. Committee; Mark Pennington and William Donation: $3. Sponsor: Pathfinder Bookstore. Sat., Dec. 2, 11 a.m. Kutmus, lawyers in the case. Sun., Dec. 3, 3 For more information call (414) 445-2076. p.m. 2231 N New Hampshire. Sponsor: Sup­ NEW YORK porters of the Mark Curtis Defense Committee. Manhattan Times Square For more information call (213) 666-6842. Labor Solidarity Benefit: A Musical Tribute • 43rd & Broadway San Francisco to the Striking Workers of NYNEX, Eastern Manhattan Celebrate the Publication of Malcolm X: The Airlines, and Pittston Coal. Featuring: Hazel AUSTRALIA lAst Speeches. Reception and program. Sun., Dickens, Pete Seeger, and other special guests. Sydney Sponsors: Committee in Solidarity Dec. 3, 6 p.m. 3264 23rd St. Sponsor: Pathfinder Fri., Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Washington Irving High The Crisis in Eastern Europe and the Soviet with the People of El Salvador and Bookstore. For more information call (415) 282- School, 16th St. and Irving Pl. Tickets: $10. Union. Speaker: representative of Communist others. For more information call (212) 6255. Sponsors: New York Emergency Committee in League. Fri., Dec. 15, 7:30p.m. 181 Glebe Point 431-9251. Solidarity with the United Mine Workers of Rd., 2nd floor. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. America, Communications Workers of Amer­ For more information call (02) 692 0319. FLORIDA ica, International Association of Machinists Dis­ Miami trict 100, Transport Workers Union Local 553, The Crisis in Eastern Europe: A Socialist Air Line Pilots Association. For more informa­ BRITAIN Speakers: Luis Jarquin, member Amalgamated Perspective. Speaker: Pete Seidman, Socialist tion call (212) 673-5120 ext. 242. London Clothing and Textile Workers Union; others. Sat., Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. 6566, boul. St-Laurent. Workers Party, member International Associa­ Benefit Screening of Azul, a Film on Nicara­ The Fight for a 35-Hour Week. Speaker: Brian Donation: $3. Sponsor: Forum Lutte Ouvriere. tion of Machinists Local 1126. Translation to guan Poets. Showing, discussion, and reception Grogan, member Amalgamated Engineering For more information call (514) 273-2503. Spanish. Sat., Dec. 9, 7:30p.m. 137 NE 54th St. with filmmaker Roland Legiardi-Laura. Tues., Union and Communist League. Fri., Dec. 8, Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Ethical Culture Society, 2 W 7:30p.m. 47 The Cut, SE I. Donation: £1. Spon­ Eastern Europe: Failure of Communism or For more information call (305) 756-1020. sor: New International Forums. For more infor­ 66th St. Sponsors: Ventana, MEDICA, tec­ of Stalinism? Speaker: Steve Penner, executive mation call (01) 928-7947. NICA, The Writer's Voice, The New York Soci­ secretary Revolutionary Workers League. Sat., ILLINOIS ety for Ethical Culture. Donation: $5 (screen­ Sheffield Dec. 16, 7:30p.m. 6566, boul. St-Laurent. Do­ ing), $15 (screening and reception). Funds go Namibia: Victory for SW APO, Challenge to nation: $3. Sponsor: Forum Lutte Ouvriere. For Chicago toward medical and school supplies for Nicara­ Stop U.S. Aid to El Salvador! Speakers: Fr. Apartheid. Speaker: Mark Weinstein, member more information call (514) 273-2503. gua. For more information call (212) 529-9397. James Brockman, author Romero: A Life; repre­ Amalgamated Engineering Union. Wed., Dec. sentative of Comite El Salvador; Martin Koppel, 6, 7:30p.m. 2A Waverley House, 10 Joiner St. Vancouver Socialist Workers Party. Translation to Spanish. Donation: £1. For more information call (0742) Upheaval in Eastern Europe: The Stakes for NORTH CAROLINA 729469. Sat., Dec. 2, 7:30p.m. Wellington Ave. United Greensboro Working People. 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Translation to Span­ p.m. 2219 E Market. Sponsor: Pathfinder Book­ ish. Sat., Dec. 9, 7:30p.m. 6826 S Stony Island Resource Centre. Sat., Dec. 9, 2 p.m. store. For more information call (919) 272- SADACCA, 48 The Wicker. Donation: £1. Ave. Donation: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor 2958. ICELAND Forum. For more information call (312) 363- Sponsor: . Sheffield Pathfinder Bookcentre. For Eastern Europe and the Crisis of Capitalism. more information call (0742) 729469. Reykjavik 7322. Speaker: Devin Oldendick, Socialist Workers The "Failure of Socialism" and the Future of Party, member Amalgamated Clothing and Tex­ Communism. Speaker: Doug Jenness, editor of IOWA tile Workers Union. Sun, Dec. 10,7 p.m. 2219 E CANADA the Militant. Sat., Dec. 9, 3 p.m. Litla Brekka, Market. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Labor Montreal Bankrestrti. For more information call (91) Des Moines Solidarity with the Salvadoran People! 17513. The Fight for Independence and Freedom in Forum. For more information call (919) 272- El Salvador: Protest U.S. Aid to the Military 5996. Regime! Speakers: Mike Henry, director Latin American Human Rights Advocacy Center; Jon OREGON Bixby, Socialist Workers Party; Jose Luis Portland Pro-Palestinian Israeli journalist Gusmcin, former student at Central American Celebrate the Publication of Malcolm X: The University, El Salvador. Sat., Dec. 2, 7:30p.m. Last Speeches. Speaker~: Darrell Millner, chair, 2105 Forest Ave. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Mili­ Portland State University Black Studies; Lenny released after 18 mos. in prison tant Labor Forum. For more information call Edwards, writer and narrator of Malcolm X: In (515) 246-8249. Perspective; Rick Jones, director of The Meet· JERUSALEM- Asaf Adiv, a victimized visits. ing; Mamadou Toure, former president of the Israeli journalist, was released from prison With his release, Adiv was slated to join a Malcolm X English Club at his university in November 16 after serving an 18-month sen­ prison picket demanding that Ben Efrat be MICHIGAN Senegal; representative of Pathfinder Books. Detroit Thurs., Dec. 7, 7 p.m. 2730 NE Martin Luther tence. transferred from the isolation wing to the Celebrate the Completion of the Pathfinder King, Jr. (formerly Union). Donation: $2. For Adiv was an editor of Way of the Spark. political prisoners' wing. Mural. Hosted by Michigan Gallery. Sun., Dec. more information call (503) 287-7416. Published in Hebrew and Arabic, it Meanwhile, journalist and political activist 17, 5 p.m. 2661 Michigan Ave. Sponsor: Path­ solidarized with the Palestinian liberation Michel Warschawsky, who was recently sen­ finder Bookstore. For more information call WEST VIRGINIA struggle. tenced to prison, won a reprieve until the (313) 961-7867 or 831-1177. For this, Adiv and three other editors of Israeli Supreme Court hears his appeal. The Charleston the paper were railroaded to prison. court agreed to do this within two months. · The Miners' International Fight for Justice. MINNESOTA A panel discussion by working miners. Sat., Editor Yacov Ben Efrat, who was given a Warschawsky was director of the Alterna­ St. Paul Dec. 9, 7 p.m. 116 McFarland St. Donation: $3. 30-month sentence, is the only Spark editor tive Information Centre, which also stands in Why the Palestinian People Fight. A panel Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For more infor­ still imprisoned. solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. He discussion on the West Bank and Gaza uprising. mation call (304) 345-3040. Michal Schwartz was released last month was sentenced to 20 months in prison with Sat., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. 508 N Snelling Ave. The Fight for Liberation in Southern Africa: after serving 18 months. Ronnie Ben Efrat an additional I 0 months suspended. Donation: $2. Sponsor: Militant Forum. For A Historic Turning Point. Panel discussion. was released after nine months. His 'conviction was based on the police more information call (612) 644-6325. Sat., Dec. 16, 7 p.m. 116 McFarland St. Dona­ Adiv and Ben Efrat were held in a prison accusation that the Alternative Information tion: $3. Sponsor: Militant Labor Forum. For isolation wing since they were jailed. A top Centre had provided typesetting service to an NEW JERSEY more information call (304) 345-3040. prison official admitted this was done to "illegal" organization. The evidence was a Newark isolate them from political prisoners. pamphlet said to advise Palestinians on what Celebrate the Publication of In Defense of WISCONSIN All of the Spark prisoners were denied the to do during interrogation and torture by Socialism by Fidel Castro. Speakers: Zayid Mu­ Milwaukee standard one-third time off for good behavior. Israeli secret police. The center itself was also hammad, Frontline Artists; Wantu Zenzile, Afri- New Developments in the Salvadoran Free- They were also denied furloughs and open convicted and fined $5,000. -IF YOU LIKE THIS PAPER, LOOK US UP Where to find Pathfinder books and distrib­ MARYLAND: Baltimore: 2913 Green­ OREGON: Portland: 2730 NE Martin Lu­ BRITAIN utorsoftheMilitant,PerspectivaMundial,New mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. ther King, Jr. Zip: 97212. Tel: (503) 287-7416. London: 47 The Cut, SEl 8LL. Tel: 01-401 Internlllional, Nouvelle Internationale, and MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 605 Massa­ PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 9 E. 2293. Lutte ouvnere. chusetts Ave. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. Chelten Ave. Zip: 19144. Tel: (215) 848-5044. Sheffield: 2A Waverley House, 10 Joiner St., MICHIGAN: Detroit: 50191!2 Woodward Pittsburgh: 4905 Penn Ave. Zip 15224. Tel: Sheffield 3. Tel: 0742 729469. UNITED STATES Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 831-1177. (412) 362-6767. ALABAMA: Birmingham: 1306 1st Ave. N. TEXAS: Houston: 4806 Almeda. Zip: CANADA MINNESOTA: Austin: 4071!2 N. Main. Zip: Montreal: 6566 boul. St-Laurent, H2S 3C6. Mailing address: P.O. Box 11963. Zip: 35202. 55912. Tel: (507)433-3461. Twin Cities: 508N. 77004. Tel: (713) 522-8054. Tel: (205) 323-3079. UTAH: Price: 253 E. Main St. Mailing ad­ Tel: (514) 273-2503. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55104. Tel: Toronto: 410 Adelaide St. W., Suite 400, dress: P.O. Box 758. Zip: 84501. Tel: (801) ARIZONA: Phoenix: 1809 W. Indian (612)644-6325. M5V ISS. Tel: (416) 861-1399. 637-6294. Salt Lake City: 147 E 900 South. Zip: School Rd. Zip: 85015. Tel: (602) 279-5850. MISSOURI: Kansas City: 5534 Troost Ave. Vancouver: 1053 Kingsway, Suite 102, V5V 84111. Tel: (801) 355-1124. CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Pico Zip: 64110. Tel: (816) 444-7880. St. Louis: 4907 3C7. Tel: (604) 872-8343. Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. Oak­ Martin Luther King Dr. Zip: 63113. Tel: (314) WASHINGTON, D.C.: 3165 Mt. Pleasant St. land: 3702TelegraphAve.Zip94609. Tel: (415) 361-0250. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) 797-7699,797-7021. ICELAND 420-1165. San Francisco: 3284 23rd St. Zip: . NEBRASKA: Omaha: 140 S. 40th St. Zip: WASHINGTON: Seattle: 5 517 Rainier Reykjavik: Klapparstig 26. Mailing address: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255. Ave. South. Zip: 98118. Tel: (206) 723-5330. P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: (91) 17513. 68131. Tel: (402) 553-0245. FLORIDA: Miami: 137 NE 54th St. Zip: WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston: 116 Mc­ NEW JERSEY: Newark: 141 Halsey. Zip: 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Tallahassee: P.O. Farland St. Zip: 25301. Tel: (304) 345-3040. NEW ZEALAND Box 20715. Zip: 32316. Tel: (904) 877-9338. 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. Auckland: I 57 a Symonds St. Postal Address: Morgantown: 221 Pleasant St. Zip: 26505. Tel: P.O. Box 3025. Tel: (9) 793-075. GEORGIA: Atlanta: 132 Cone St. NW, 2nd NEW YORK: Brooklyn: 464 Bergen St. Zip: (304) 296-0055. Christchurch: 593a Colombo St. (upstairs). Floor. Zip: 30303. Tel: (404) 577-4065. 11217. Tel: (718) 398-6983. New York:l91 7th WISCONSIN: Milwaukee: 4707 W. Lisbon Postal address: P.O. Box22-530. Tel: (3)656-055. ll..LINOIS: Chicago: 6826 S. Stony Island Ave. Zip: 10011. Tel: (212) 675-6740. Ave. Zip: 53208. Tel: (414) 445-2076 NORTH CAROLINA: Greensboro: 2219 E Wellington: 23 Majoribanks St., Courtenay Pl. Ave. Zip: 60649. Tel: (312) 363-7322. Postal address: P.O. Box 9092. Tel: (4) 844-205. IOWA: Des Moines: 2105 Forest Ave. Zip: Market. Zip 27401. Tel: (919) 272-5996. AUSTRALIA 50311. Tel: (515) 246-8249. OHIO: Cleveland: 2521 Market Ave. Zip: Sydney: 181 Glebe Point Rd., 2nd floor, SWEDEN KENTUCKY: Louisville: P.O. Box 4103. 44113. Tel: (216) 861-6150. Columbus: P.O. Glebe. Postal address: P.O. Box 153 Glebe, Syd­ Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10, S-113 42. Tel: Zip: 40204-4103. Box 02097. Zip: 43202. ney NSW 2037. Tel: 02-660 1673. (08) 31 69 33.

12 The Militant December 8, 1989 -THEGREATSOCIETY------{ --- Meet Mr. Free Enterprise - culprit- proliferating Third World apartheid regime is advertising in a highway near Johannesburg to ad­ gold-plated necklace, $5,000for IS­ "To be candid with you, I think I cattle and sheep. Put them on a West German papers offering jobs minister last rites to a dying crash karat. could merchandise it."- Barry low-fiber diet, the EPA says, to re­ to skilled East German emigres. So victim was fined some $30 for ille­ Stuppler, a Los Angeles business­ duce their flatulence and resulting fat, says the South African consulate gal parking. She loves a good joke - man who offered the East German methane gas. Plus, add hormones to in Munich, 15 people have re­ Britain's Margaret Thatcher warned make them bigger and, thus, less sponded. They should have moved that the United Nations of impending numerous. This, the EPA enthuses, fast in Malvinas- The British environmental disaster, pledging would cut the greenhouse effect, Dangerous question - "The Is­ government said that after due con­ that Britain would do its share in "often at a profit." raeli government is unflinchingly sultation with the baking industry, it coping with this. Meanwhile, Brit­ following Dublin's lead on banning would ban potassium bromate, a ish energy planners said current car­ 'Harry No respect- When ex-attorney subversive publications. The Israeli "flour improver" that gives white bon dioxide emission levels in general Edwin Meese visited South­ army authorities controlling the bread a crumbly texture, extends Britain would increase 73 percent in Ring em Illinois University, he was Ketziot Prison Camp . . . have shelf life, and causes cancer. Scien­ 30 years. greeted by a crowd of students wear­ stopped Palestinian prisoners from tists first expressed concern about ing rubber pig noses and chanting: reading Shakespeare's Hamlet be­ the additive 15 years ago, and a Thought for the week-"A government $50 million for the Ber­ "Let's steal money. Let's tell lies. cause in his soliloquy, Hamlet pon­ definitive link with cancer was es­ lin Wall. substantial improvement [in curbing Guess who we are. Meese in dis­ ders whether to take up arms or tablished six years ago. carbon dioxide] will only be guise." suffer in silence." ho­ War on Datulence - Worried -An P achieved by pricing all energy at a about carbon dioxide, fluorocar­ blacht/Republican News, Dublin. A touch of class -"They walk significantly higher price than bons, and the greenhouse effect? A A free-world alternative­ around differently. They sit up today." - Robert Malpas, chair­ diversion. The Environmental Pro­ What with the brain drain of depart­ The ''new" South Africa - A straighter."- David Holland, who man of one of Britain's soon-to-be­ tection Agency has bared the real ing professionals, the South African Muslim clergyman who stopped on peddles dog jewelry - $80 for a privatized power companies. El Salvador repression grows under Cristiani gov't Continued from front page shipment. Duarte initially rejected the proposal, but tion of Salvadoran Workers' Unions to accept international mediation to begin White House spokesperson Marlin then offered a six-week postponement of the (FENASTRAS) were bombed. Ten people, talks with the military, instead of the govern­ Fitzwater said, "The president will press the elections. The rebels turned down Duarte's including several union leaders, were killed. ment, to end the war. Soviets to take action to insure that their allies proposal saying the time period was too short Thus, while putting on a facade of nego­ "This requires the goodwill of the United cease this outrageous behavior." to guarantee democratic elections. The tiations, the military-dominated government States to help move its allies in the armed FMLN then called for a boycott of the elec­ was more and more provocative, openly at­ Roots of the civil war forces and Arena toward a political solution," tions. tacking anyone who opposed it. Under these conditions the FMLN an­ the statement said. The military conflict grows out of social Before president-elect Cristiani took office and political conditions in El Salvador itself. nounced it would not participate in the Ven­ Cristiani responded that the rebels' propos­ in June, the FMLN declared its willingness In the late 1970s a powerful upsurge of labor, ezuela meeting. "We must not allow our als "lacked all seriousness." to negotiate and urged him to declare his presence in the dialogue to be used to cover peasant, and student struggles had begun to administration a "government in transition." Breaks relations with Nicaragua up the government's responsibility for that challenge the social inequality and political In September and October two rounds of restrictions in the country. The army-domi­ [the FENASTRAS] massacre." On November 26, following the crash of negotiations took place between the govern­ nated regime responded with increasing force Blocked off in the negotiations and facing an airplane said to be carrying surface-to-air ment and the rebels and a third round was and terror. missiles, Cristiani broke all diplomatic and scheduled for November in Venezuela. rising restrictions on democratic rights, the commercial relations with Nicaragua. Inspired by the victorious 1979 revolution rebels launched the military assaults Novem­ The Nicaraguan government, he claimed, over the Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua, In the negotiations the FMLN proposed a ber 11. FMLN spokesperson Salvador sent the weapons, capable of shooting down five organizations came together as a bloc date for the beginning of a cease-fire, the Samayoa said in Mexico City, "We had, and aircraft, to the rebel forces. He said the Nic­ and formed the FMLN. It undertook an armed integration of the FMLN into Salvadoran we have, only one thing in mind and that is araguans were behind the entire rebel offen­ struggle in the countryside, and called for a political life, the creation of one army, the to remove the present high military command sive. "people's government" and independence dismissal of 18 senior military commanders, from ·its position of absolute power." In addition Cristiani said he would not from U.S. political domination. and several other reforms. The regime has given no indication it is attend a meeting of the five Central American In an effort to wipe out the guerrilla strug­ The government responded by demanding willing to negotiate. And it has the bipartisan presidents scheduled for December 5r in Nic­ gle as well as other organizations of workers, the FMLN disband by January 1990 and backing and funds from Washington to con­ aragua. The summit was called to discuss the peasants, and students, the government has "cease hostilities so the people can live in tinue on its present course. Although a few disbanding of the U.S. ~backed contra:' fotces 'slain tens of thousands of trade · unionists·; peace." The FMLN called the government's congressional figures worried about Wash­ who have been fighting to overthrow the farm organizers, student activists, priests, and stance "a proposal for unconditional surren­ ington's image in supporting a regime that Nicaraguan government. Talks between the nuns. Death squads linked to the military der." carries out extensive human rights abuses, government and the contras have broken killed up to 200 people per week in the early While both sides agreed to the Venezuela $80 million more in funding was overwhelm­ down. 1980s. talks, it was clear the government was not ingly approved November 20. The U.S. State Department held the Soviet In 1984 Washington backed Jose Napo­ going to budge on its demands. Since fighting began the "government Union responsible for the purported arms leon Duarte of the Christian Democratic forces apparently took advantage of the fight­ Break in talks Party in the country's presidential elections. ing to settle old scores," reports the human Duarte promised peace, eradication of human At the same time death squads and the rights group Americas Watch. Australia protests: rights abuses by the military and government military stepped up their attacks. One such person was Guillermo Rojas, a death squads, and economic reforms. His A United Nations commission reported leader of the UNTS. He was dragged out of Stop U.S. aid candidacy won support from many working that hundreds were executed, tortured, disap­ his home and shot said a spokesperson for people and middle-class layers. peared, and jailed by the military and the the Salvadoran Human Rights C~mmission. to Salvadoran regime Washington hoped an elected civilian gov­ death squads in the past year. A witness to the November 16 assassina­ ernment headed by Duarte would be able to Leading opposition figures received death tion of five Jesuits and three others said the threats and protests were suppressed. On Oc­ 30 men "were wearing camouflage uniforms" BY MANUELE MANO politically isolate the FMLN. Despite initial tober 31 the offices of the National Federa- like the ones worn by "soldiers on the street." SYDNEY, Australia- Some 200 people success, $4 billion in US aid and an army turned out on short notice at the U.S. Con­ that has grown from 17,000 to 57,000 have sulate here to protest the bombing of cities not stemmed deepening social polarization in El Salvador. or the continuing military conflict. -10AND25 YEARSAGO-­ A delegation of prominent trade unionists The Duarte government was unable to stop and church and community leaders asked for workers, peasants, and students from organ­ display yet of sentiment against U.S. military a meeting with the attache at the consulate, izing. Groups that had ceased public activity TH£ MILITANT moves. but was refused. The action was organized because of the repression began openly op­ by committees active in solidarity with the erating again in the latter part of his admin­ Dec. 7,1979 peoples of Central America, Latin America, istration. Trade union and peasant organiza­ THE and the Caribbean. tions formed federations such as the National In response to Washington's escalating The demonstration opened a week of pro­ Unity of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), and war threats against Iran- with a U.S. naval MILITANT tests calling for an end to U.S. support to the groups pressing for peace organized large task force ominously steaming toward the Published in. the Interests of the Worlcin9 People Salvadoran regime, the bombing and strafing protests. Persian Gulf-Imam Ruhollah Khomeini de­ Dec. 7,1964 of civilian areas throughout the country, and The worsening economic situation hit clared November 26 that Iran's forces were human rights violations by the government workers and peasants hard. Agricultural pro­ on alert. NEW YORK, Nov. 30-Malcolm X de­ and military. duction has dropped, and unemployment has Khomeini called on every young Iranian nounced the "criminal action of the United Pickets continued at the consulate through­ risen to nearly 30 percent. More than 40 to take up arms to defend the country against States government in conjunction with Bel­ out the week. A petition circulated by pro­ percent of the population suffers from under­ U.S. military attack. gium in the Congo" last night at the first testers calling on the Australian government employment. Real wages have fallen by at "Equip yourselves and train yourselves Harlem rally of the Organization of Afro­ to publicly denounce the actions of the least half since 1980. and your friends for military purposes," American Unity since his return from Africa. Salvadoran regime was well received by This deteriorating economic situation and Khomeini said. passersby. Similar pickets were organized in the growing discontent with the Duarte ad­ Shortly after, a radio broadcast stated that "We want the world to know we don't like other cities around the country. ministration was the context for the March the Islamic Revolutionary Guards had for­ what Sam is doing to our brothers in the A march of 600 to the consulate topped 1989 presidential elections. mulated a nationwide program of military Congo," the Black nationalist leader de- off the week of action. A large number of Cristiani 's main slogan was "We need a training. They distributed weapons-training clared. . immigrants from Latin America participated, change." He promised to negotiate with the pamphlets to demonstrators outside the U.S. At a press conference held upon his arrival as well as a contingent of students from South FMLN to end the war, criticized Duarte for embassy, where 49 U.S. personnel are being at Kennedy International Airport on Novem­ Korea carrying a placard that read "U.S. Out freeing political prisoners, and supported a held by Iranian students. ber 24, Malcolm X was asked about the Of El Salvador and Korea." Placards con­ strong army. Reports from Tehran indicate there is alleged massacre of white hostages in the demning the Australian government for its In January, prior to the elections, the widespread sentiment among workers for Congo. He replied: "When Lyndon B. John­ silence on the atrocities in El Salvador were FMLN announced a peace proposal: If the arming the population to defend Iran against son began to finance [Congolese dictator als() carried by protesters. Duarte regime postponed the elections for six a U.S. attack. Oil workers had called for Moise] Tshombe's white mercenaries, it was The rally outside the consulate heard Oscar months, kept the armed forces and the U.S. organizing "nuclei of resistance." only natural to expect such things to happen. Cortez, representative of the Farabundo government from interfering in them, and On November 21 , the day after Washing­ The weight of the guilt is on the white mer­ Marti National Liberation Front in Australia. guaranteed democratic rights, the FMLN ton announced that a naval task force was on cenaries. It's too bad they had to die, but The FMLN is a bloc of five organizations would urge all its supporters to participate in its way to Iran, an estimated 2 million people when you shed tears for those hostages, shed waging the guerrilla struggle in El Salvador. the elections and respect the results. massed in the streets of Tehran in the largest tears for the Congolese who died too."

December 8, 1989 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS Why can't everyone Protest censors' attack on mural have a hotne? The campaign underway to defend the Pathfinder and speeches Pathfinder publishes are: Karl Marx and BY DOUG JENNESS Mural deserves the support of every fighter for social Frederick Engels, fighters in the working-class move­ U.S. Census Bureau officials, gearing up for their decen­ justice and every defender of democratic rights. Mural ments of the 1800s and founders of modern communism, nial headcount next year, are concerned about an additional supporters are urging messages be sent to New York who were forced to live most of their political lives in task they face. For the first time, they'll be counting the Mayor Edward Koch calling on the city authorities to exile; Eugene V. Debs, labor leader and socialist jailed homeless. The substantial number of people without ensure the mural and the Pathfinder Building on which it from 1918 to 1921 for opposing U.S. entry into World homes, which by conservative estimates runs into the hun­ is painted are not attacked. War I; Rosa Luxemburg, leader of the working class in dreds of thousands, warrants this if even the pretense of an Just as the scaffolding was coming down from the Germany, a communist, arrested in 1919 and assassi­ accurate count is to be made. two-year project on Manhattan's West Side, the big-busi­ nated; communists Farrell Dobbs and James P. Cannon, But something about this is bothersome. There appears ness newspaper the New York Post and right-wing colum­ founders of the Socialist Workers Party jailed in 1941 for to be a growing tendency to view the homeless as a nist Patrick Buchanan ran prominent editorials attacking opposing U.S. entry into World War ll; Augusto Cesar permanent category and to virtually institutionalize it as the six-story work of art. The Daily News editors soon Sandino and Carlos Fonseca, leaders of the struggle of the such. In New York, for example, efforts were made to followed with a sharp condemnation of the mural. Nicaraguan people who were both assassinated by the register homeless people as voters in the recent city elec- The November 24 News says the mural is "a salute to U.S.-installed Somoza tyranny; and Nelson Mandela, the men who by their ideas and examples and actions leader of the African National Congress of South Africa made the [Berlin] Wall possible and necessary." who has been imprisoned for 26 years for fighting to end It calls Pathfinder Director Steve Clark's statement at apartheid. LEARNING ABOUT the November 19 mural dedication that "there is no Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara, are "symbols of greater symbol of freedom than Fidel Castro and Che freedom" to workers and farmers the world over because SOCIALISM Guevara" a "blood libel of the human race, of mass homi­ of the revolution they helped to lead 90 miles from U.S. cidal proportions." Castro and Guevara are both depicted shores, which toppled the U.S.-backed Batista dictator­ tions. In some places public schools are establishing special in the mural. ship. In addition, their uncompromising stance, both in programs to meet the needs of homeless children. Shelters While claiming that Malcolm X and Martin Luther word and action, on the side of the struggle for freedom and soup kitchens are assuming a more permanent charac­ King, Jr., are "libeled" because they are included in the internationally has reinforced this fact for the last 30 ter. Most aid efforts accept the condition of homelessness mural, the News adds: "Not present, ironically, is Josef years. Guevara himself was assassinated in 1967 while rather than provide new homes. Stalin, Lenin's heir, the spiritual godfather of and role organizing a guerrilla struggle against the U.S.-supported This doesn't mean that the wealthy have accepted the model for Castro, Guevara & Co., the greatest mass mur­ Bolivian military regime. homeless sleeping in public transportation terminals and on derer in modem history." While attempting to smear the mural with the crimes of the sidewalks in their neighborhoods. In fact, there are The editors conclude with a provocative admonition Joseph Stalin, the editors of the News and Post hate the continuing efforts to get government authorities to keep that could only be designed to encourage vandalism of the mural because it portrays communism in a true way - homeless people out of sight. mural. It says R.I.P. should be painted at the top and the generalized lessons of the historic struggle of the In New York, for example, Operation Enforcement was NEVER AGAIN across the bottom. working class for its own, and all of humanity's, emanci­ launched in October to selectively enforce new rules ban­ The Post said the mural is a "bizarre celebration of pation. This includes the fight against national oppres­ ning panhandling, sleeping in subway stations or cars, and totalitarianism," and called for the mural to be "re­ sion, class exploitation, and imperialist domination. other such activities. In the Port Authority bus terminal, the moved." Stalin is not in the mural, and for good reason. Stalin­ old wooden benches have been replaced by "flip seats" that These attacks on the mural are cut from the same cloth ism represents the polar opposite of communism. There is require so much concentration to balance that sleeping or as other recent attacks on artistic freedom. They are part not one smidgeon of Marxism in it. even sitting long are impossible. and parcel of the current political censorship campaign The struggle today by the Salvadoran people against Gates are placed at the entrances of subways in Wash­ that resulted in legislation barring federal funding for art the bloody U.S.-financed regime, the miners in the ington, D.C., and San Francisco at night to keep homeless deemed obscene or offensive. coalfields of Appalachia, the airline workers at Eastern people out. The News, Post, and Buchanan rail against the $500 against Frank Lorenzo, the Cuban people who won't give Like charity and government aid, these repressive mea­ grant to the Pathfinder Mural from the New York State in to U.S. imperial demands, and others proves the News sures accept that homelessness is a condition of our society. Council on the Arts as well. These assaults on freedom of wrong when it asserts that the creators of the mural The fur coat and diamond necklace set just want it kept out expression- with the threat of termination of govern­ "failed to grasp the news sweeping the world. Marx is of their sight. ment funding and defacing of existing art work - must dead." But there's an irrepressible question: Why can't every­ and can be rebuffed by a serious and broad protest effort. While the News wrongly attributes the struggle of the one have a home? Why in the United States, with its vast Moreover, the fact that the visceral hatred for the mural working class to a single human being, the fact that the resources and highly productive labor force, can't everyone in these pieces is a response to the political content of the mural does portray the continued fight for working class be adequately housed? work raises the stakes in making sure the right-wingers, emancipation, and the place of communists in it, is what It's not for lack of factories to produce cement, steel rods, big-business media, or other censors are unable to sustain both big-business papers hate. Their campaign for politi­ roofing material, or plumbing and electrical fixtures. There a campaign against it. cal censorship and the destruction of the mural should be is more than adequate capacity to produce these and other Far from bringing injustice and denial of democratic vigorously opposed through a united response by support­ construction materials, and this could easily be expanded if rights to the countries they are from, the people portrayed ers of the mural and democratic rights. necessary. in the mural lead struggles against war, racism, exploita­ Protest messages should be sent to: Mayor Edward Moreover, no one could argue credibly that there is tion, and oppression. Most were victimized, jailed, or Koch, c/o City Hall, New York, N.Y. 10007. Copies can insufficient space to construct new housing. assassinated for their political activity. be sent to the Pathfinder Mural, c/o Pathfinder Bookstore, Nor is there a lack of construction workers or the facili­ Among the main portraits of people whose writings 191 7th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10011. ties to quickly train those who need more skills. There also could be plenty of funds if some of the tax revenues collected from working people were used for construction of new housing. It would, of course, mean cutting budget items such as warships, nuclear weapons, arms to Israel and El Salvador, and other expenses that we could and should do without. Even with a full-scale mobilization of forces to build Israel's nuclear buildup enough new housi.ng, it would take a little time to get the job done and everyone settled into a new home. With rather surprising candor, the New York Times has nuclear weapons "applies to Israel as much as to anyone But throughout the country there are tens of thousands endorsed the continuing moves by the Israeli government else." of vacant homes and apartments that could immediately be to advance its capacity to wage nuclear war. But when a bill was introduced in Congress to curb the made available to people without a roof over their heads. Pointing to an asserted threat to Israel's security by its transfer of nuclear technology, the Bush administration Within days most of the homeless could have a place to Arab neighbors, a November 16 Times editorial declares last month spoke sharply against it, warning that it could live. that "Israel has arguable grounds for having missiles and jeopardize a number of U.S. programs with Israel. Why doesn't this happen? Why can't the possible be not denying itself a nuclear capability against a threat to Washington's insistence on looking the other way made to happen? The answer comes down to one word: its survival." while the Israeli and South African rulers jointly develop profits. This may seem simple, but it's the fact. This can be The paper notes with satisfaction that "Washington has their nuclear weapons underlines the fraud of the claimed seen by looking at why so many people are homeless. shown understanding of Israel's desire to acquire nuclear U.S. support for sanctions against South Africa. A principal reason is that many people can't afford to weapons and missiles." pay rent or· buy a house, because they have no income or The Times editorial argued that Israel is justified in The editorial does wag a finger at the Israeli govern­ developing its nuclear arsenal because, among other it's too low. They are unemployed or trying to live on ment for collaborating with the South African apartheid things, it faces an alleged threat of chemical warfare by welfare payments, social security, or meager wages. Land­ regime in developing a joint nuclear missile program. lords, who rent houses or apartments to make money, kick Arab governments. The editorial neglects to mention that The editorial notes that with such nuclear cooperation, while Israel claims it is favorably disposed to the idea, it tenants out when they can't pay. And they'll leave apart­ the Israeli government is violating a U.S.-endorsed ments empty for months unless they can collect a rent. has yet to join the countries now negotiating a proposed United Nations embargo on arms for South Africa. The ban on chemical weapons. In the past decade, when so many professional and other paper advises that Israel does harm to its reputation "by middle-class layers have prospered compared to most associating itself with an outlaw state." There can be no argument with the Times' description working people whose real wages have fallen, contractors The Times editorial was prompted by reports that the of the South African regime as an "outlaw." and real estate sharks have had a market for building and Israeli and South African regimes have been cooperating But what about the Israeli government? It continues to selling middle- and high-rent buildings. They have also on the development of intermediate-range missiles. gun, gas, beat, and jail Palestinians for no other crime remodeled old buildings in poorer neighborhoods in order Israel provides South Africa with nuclear technology, than demanding their democratic right to self-determina­ to jack up rents. This is far more profitable than building much of it made available to Israel by the U.S. govern­ tion. low-rent housing that low-income people can afford. ment. In exchange South Africa is providing uranium for And the Israeli record also includes a series of savage Moreover, the federal government has drastically slashed Israel's nuclear weapons program. aggressions against neighboring Arab nations. construction of government-subsidized public housing and U.S officials have confirmed that last July, the Israeli The Israeli capitalist rulers are determined to perpetu­ the housing proposals announced by President George and South African governments tested a missile in South ate their domination over the 'Palestinian people and to Bush in early November would not rectify this. Africa with a 900-mile range. stand as a bastion for imperialism in the Mideast. Their To immediately halt all evictions, place the homeless in In September U.S. officials confirmed that Israel had nuclear buildyp is intended to further that reactionary vacant housing, and build new low-rent apartments would launched a test ballistic missile from somewhere near aim. challenge the profits of landlords and real estate specula­ Jerusalem, which landed in the Mediterranean 250 miles In the United States, working people and everyone else tors. Struggles by working people for these goals will north of Libya. concerned with peace and social progress should demand ultimately pose getting rid of the entire profit system. Only The U.S. State Department assures that the U.S. a halt to Washington's nuclear complicity with Israel and by taking the profits out of housing can everyone be guar­ government's claimed policy of opposing the spread of South Africa. anteed a home without fear of eviction.

14 The Militant December 8, 1989 Oil union conference debates women's rights issUes

BY JANICE LYNN wages, benefits, and working conditions of all workers can helps women get and keep jobs in the mines, talked about CONCORDVILLE, Pa.-"We Can Make a Differ­ be attacked." the support the Pittston strikers have received from wives, ence," a conference on issues of concern to working women Isn't this a divisive issue for the unions? some union children, high school students, neighbors, and the many and the unions as a whole, took place here a few weeks brothers asked, noting that many different viewpoints exist delegations of supporters who visit Camp Solidarity in ago. Sponsored by the District 8 Council Resource Center within the union on abortion. southwestern Virginia from around the country. of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW), Several union sisters responded. The unions taking up Nomonde Ngubo, an international representative of the the gathering attracted I25 union women and men. the issue of women's right to choose abortion, they said, United Mine Workers of America, showed excerpts of OCAW's District 8 includes six northeastern states. But would help to unify and strengthen our unions so that women videos about the Pittston miners' strike in Virginia and I987 union members came from as- far away as Texas, Idaho, could take part as equals in the labor battles that will be strikes by mine workers and others in South Africa. Montana, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as from Penn- unfolding. "As trade unionists, you have to think about yourselves Many conference participants had been part of the mas­ as internationalists," Ngubo said. "This has become a ne­ sive April 9 abortion rights march in Washington, D.C., and cessity. We must work together to end injustices in the UNION TALK spoke about the confidence it had inspired in them. Flyers workplace, and for human rights." were distributed for the November I2 prochoice Mobilize All the international officers of the OCAW attended the sylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, for Women's Lives demonstration in Washington, and many conference and participated in the workshops and plenary and Delaware. Some women were members of local union were planning to attend that action as well. sessions. executive boards or negotiating committees, while many The "Pro-union/pro-choice" buttons available at the con­ International President Joseph Misbrener spoke about the others held no union posts. ference were completely sold out. recent explosion at the OCAW -organized Phillips Petroleum Workshops included "The Right to Abortion -A Union At the coalition-building workshop, discussion revolved plant in Pasadena, Texas, where some I5 workers lost their Issue?"; "Affrrmative .Action: How We Won It and How to around support to the strikes of Machinists union members lives. Four women were among those hospitalized with Keep It"; and "Coalition Building: Reaching Out to Other at Eastern Airlines and mine workers at Pittston Coal severe bums, he said. Unions and the Community." Other workshops discussed company. At the closing plenary, conference organizer Robin Bry­ health and safety, working mothers, sexual harassment, and "If they are able to get away with defeating us, then every ant, a refinery worker from Pennsylvania, explained that the role of women in the union. airline worker is in trouble," said Cathy Brady, a striking the conference had been conceived of and organized not by The abortion rights workshop, one of the best attended, Eastern ramp worker from Machinists Local I776 in Phil­ professionals, but by working OCAW women who got sparked a serious and lively discussion about whether unions adelphia. "And once they're done with the airlines, they'll together on their days off and before and after work. should support the right of women to choose when and move to other industries." Two women refmery workers from an independent union whether to have children. The Eastern strikers "feel a close kinship with the Pittston at an Exxon plant said they were impressed with the 'The issue is one of control, and our unions have always coal miners," she stressed. November 4 conference and wanted to work with the fought to give us more control over our lives," said Cathy, Striking Eastern mechanic Amelia Lloyd said the biggest OCAW to help organize their workplace. an OCAW member from Delaware. challenge the strikers have to overcome is ignorance because There was enthusiasm for organizing another conference "For women to achieve equality, we must have the right many are not aware that the strike is still on. "This is labor's to involve even more OCAW womeri. to control our own bodies," said Claire Moriarty, a refmery time," she said, explaining the need for visible solidarity worker from Pennsylvania. "If part of our membership actions. Janice Lynn is a member ofOCAW LocalB-575 at the Merck remains unequal, our union :;trength is undermined and the Carole Davis of the Coal Employment Project, which pharmaceutical plant in Rahway, New Jersey.

-LETTERS Leonard Peltier and the Pathfinder Mural

Illinois steelworkers In our November 17 security prison at Leaven­ About 80 steelworkers and family issue we reported that a worth, Kansas, was re­ members marched outside National self-portrait of framed-up ceived after his image had Steel's division headquarters in Native American activist already been painted on the Granite City during lunchtime one and artist Leonard Peltier wall by a member of Arti­ day last month. had been added to the fact (Artists for Action, a "Human beings are not ma­ mural on the six-story group from Montreal). chines," "Pro forty-hour work­ Pathfinder Building in A portrait based on a week," and "When can I see my New York. daddy?" were some of the signs. The work by Peltier, "The most popular chants were "Over­ However, the self-por­ Great Walker," has been time, no! Eight hours, yes!" and trait provided by Peltier, put on the wall by Martin "They say giveback. We say who is currently serving Morena, a Chicano artist Millitar•tflvlar~~retl~e Siem fightback!" time in a federal maximum from Phoenix. Leonard Peltier (left) and "The Great Walker." The protest was organized as part of a shop-floor fight against the company's implementation of new down the illegal blockade of Cuba; Short-haul crews struck for one Angolan 'contras' the Angolan government and said schedules for workers in the Cold allow each country to hold true and day on August 18 after she was there is a need to disseminate infor­ Mill where I work. These schedules About 80 people attended a No­ free elections without interference, sacked. The strikers were told they vember 15 meeting at the Newark mation about Angola. end the 40-hour workweek, ·elimi­ financially or otherwise; recognize could only return to work if they Public Library on the situation in The decision of the Newark City nate II percent of the.crew, and force the government the people elect and signed a promise never to go on Angola. The meeting was chaired Council to establish a sister-city re­ workers to put in 16-hour days four not instigate a coup as they did in strike again. Manchester cabin by Larry Hamm of the People's Or­ lationship with a city in Angola is times a month. Chile; and remove military "advis­ crews refused to sign. ganization for Progress. Hamm an important step in the process of Everybody thought the protest ers" from all countries in the Amer­ The next day management sent was a big success. Most workers spoke of the recent victories in pressuring the U.S. government to icas. crews from London's Heathrow air­ southern Africa with the elections in from the Cold Mill attended along recognize the government of An­ Last but not least, Guantanamo port to work flights to Manchester, Namibia and the freeing of some with several from other depart­ gola, Chavis explained. naval base should be returned to its but as they landed, the crews were political prisonets in South Africa. ments. An Eas~rn Airlines striker rightful owner, the Cuban people, persuaded to strike by union repre­ A campaignwas launched at the and a coal miner from southern Illi­ and all U.S. military personnel sentatives. British Airways had to Adewale Troutman, the medical meeting to get I million signatures nois who is active in supporting the should be removed from Panama. hire taxis to get them back to Lon­ director of Health and Human Ser­ on a petition demanding that Presi­ Pittston strike also participated. A prisoner don. vices in Newark, presented slides dent George Bush and U.S. elected Pete Brandli Michigan City, Indiana Then the company used members from a delegation that visited An­ officials cease all support to the Granite City, Illinois of a new sweetheart organization, gola in August. The slideshow fo­ UNITA terrorists and recognize An­ Cabin Crew '89, to fly the planes. cused on victims of the war with gola. Behind these walls So marshallers, baggage . handlers, UNITA, the counterrevolutionary End U.S. intervention I had to write and let you know caterers, and cleaners were in­ organization aided by Washington During the discussion, Zayid Mu­ With the current events in Eastern that I received my Militant and to structed not to handle the flights. and South Africa. hammad of Frontline Artists spoke Europe and the Soviet Union's non­ say thank you very much for caring Meanwhile, workers at other air­ Average life expectancy in An­ about the role of Cuba in defending intervention policies, the United for us behind these walls. ports began to refuse to sign the gola is 46 years. Everywhere you the sovereignty of Angola and urged States is placed in a position to re­ I may be getting out in a few no-strike pledge. Management go, Troutman explained, there are people to do all they can to insure ceive worldwide criticism for its months and there are many things agreed to allow the strikers to return amputees from the war - men, that Cuba can continue to do "what policies. The Caribbean and Central I'd like to do with my life. But I to work with no conditions. women, children with no legs. Some a lot of us are not in a position to and South America must be allowed know I have to help others that are Chris Morris 35 precent of all clinics have been do." to determine their own destiny with­ in the same situation I'm now in. Manchester, England destroyed. J.L. Newark, New Jersey out interference by the American Only one physician exists for government. You all do beautiful work and don't ever think that you are not Appreciates 'Granma' . every 45,000 people, and all physi­ On "Meet the Press," Secretary needed. Thanks again for a job well I was shocked at first when I read cians have to travel with bodyguards The letters column is an open of Defense Richard Cheney stated done. Take care biz! that the Cubans decided to execute as they and other health-care work­ forum for all viewpoints on sub­ the Soviet Union must stop arming A prisoner Gen. Arnoldo Ochoa and three of ers are targets of UNITA. jects of general interest to our Nicaragua, which he says gives arms Angola, Louisiana his ringleaders. But later I read Raul readers. Please keep your letters to the freedom fighters of El Salva­ In the capital city of Luanda there Castro's speech and I realized that is no ambulance and you must be brief. Where necessary they will dor. Secretary Cheney doesn't un­ be abridged. Please indicate if one of the facets of the rectification carried or flag down a car to get to derstand the freedom ofEI Salvador you prefer that your initials Airline workers' victory is the negation of the principle that a hospital. nor does he say that American tax­ Immediately before the Industrial rank should have privileges. be used rather than your full payers are paying $1 million a day Tribunal was due to hear her case This is also borne out by the trial Troutman appealed for medical name. to prop up the Salvadoran govern­ on November 6, British Airways ad­ and imprisonment of the "embez­ aid to Angola and stressed the need ment. Without this aid, the people mitted they had unfairly dismissed zlers" of state property as well as the for a movement to stop UNITA sim­ The Militant special prisoner would have seized that bankrupt flight attendant Lynn Hooper and campaign to reform the Ministry of ilar to the movement built around fund makes it possible to send goveniment and would be on their offered her the choice of her job back Interior. If I dido 't have Granma, I stopping aid to the contras in Nica­ reduced-rate subscriptions to way to establishing a true people's with an unblemished record or the would be badly confused. I'm glad ragua. "It took masses of people to prisoners who can't pay for government. maximum compensation of around to see Pathfinder start to distribute do this," he said. them. To help this important World opinion should insist that £9,500 ($15,000). Managemental­ it, as I hope that will make it more Ben Chavis of the United Church cause, send your contribution the U.S. government dismantle the leged she had sold passengers cham­ regular. of Christ Commission for Racial to: Militant Prisoner Subscrip­ contras and any other mercenary pagne that was intended to be com­ Frank Pavelko Justice spoke on the role of the CIA tion Fund, 410 West St., New army they own and fmance; tear plimentary. Salt Lake City, Utah in aiding UNITA and destabilizing York, N.Y. 10014.

December 8, 1989 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Cuban artist on U.S. tour visits striking Pittston coal miners

BY PETER THIERJUNG wishes to Soler in his continued artistic en­ Miners on strike against Pittston Coal deavors and designated November 17 and 18 Group huddling around a coal-burning stove "Aldo Soler Weekend" in a special procla­ described the issues in their eight-month mation welcoming him to that city. strike to Cuban artist Aldo Soler on Novem­ At a meeting jointly sponsored by the ber 23. Pathfinder Mural Project and the Atlanta Bu­ Soler, who has been on tour in the United reau of Cultural Affairs at New VIsions Art States after painting the portraits of Fidel Gallery, Harriet Sanford, the bureau's direc­ Castro and Karl Marx on the Pathfinder tor, presented Soler with an Honorary Citizen Mural in New York, visited coal miners' Award from Atlanta's Mayor Andrew Young. picket lines an hour south of Charleston, At the request of Coretta Scott King, Soler West Vu-ginia. toured the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for One miner, who paints, shared photo­ Non-Violent Social Change. graphs of picket shacks he had decorated with A meeting was also organized for the union slogans. At a second picket line miners Cuban artist at Clark Atlanta University. asked Soler if there were coal miners in Cuba. Soler concluded his U.S. tour in St. Louis The Cuban painter explained that in Cuba at the Artists Coalition Gallery. Sponsors nickel and copper are mined and that miners, included Left Bank Books and the Latin like all workers in Cuba, are unionized and American Solidarity Committee. Following pay only 10 percent of their income for rent. his slideshow on contemporary Cuban art, Cuban children receive free education Soler fielded a variety of questions about his through college. "Maybe we should go home work as an artist in Cuba and about the Cuban with you," one striker said. revolution. While in Charleston, Soler spoke at a re­ The November 26 meeting concluded with ception hosted by The Art Store, a local art the presentation to Soler of a commemorative. gallery. More than $350 in donations was scrapbook of his tour across the United States raised during the tour in West VIrginia to and with petitions containing hundreds of cover costs. Militant signatures welcoming him to this country and More than 125 people heard Soler at a Cuban artist Aldo Soler meets with miners in Logan County, West Virginia. calling for further cultural exchanges. "I re­ November .16 meeting in Miami sponsored turn home knowing that there are many by the Pathfinder Mural Project and sup­ friends of Cuba here," Soler said. ported by Cuban organizations, including the Built through invitations and mailings by years dedicated with talent and loyalty to our Alianza de Trabajadores de Ia Comunidad the host groups, the meeting took place with­ Cuban homeland." During his swing through Maggie McCraw from Charleston, West (ATC -Alliance of Workers of the Com­ out threats or incidents from rightist Cubans. Miami some $1 ,000 was raised toward the Virginia; Pete SeidmanfromMiami; Maceo munity), the Antonio Maceo Brigade, and the A representative of the ATC presented costs of the mural. Dixon from Atlanta; and Kim Kleinman Church for the Reunification of the Families. Soler with a plaque saluting his "productive The Atlanta City Council extended its best from St. Louis contributed to this article. Vancouver gathering celebrates Che Guevara's legacy

BY JOAN CAMPANA human consciousness, a new ethics," said executive of the British Columbia Hospital the economy was minimized. But now with VANCOUVER, British Columbia­ Hilda Thomas, a provincial executive mem­ Employees Union, pointed out that "there are the rectification process launched in 1986 Some 200 people gathered here November ber of the British Columbia New Democratic those who think that perestroika, the use of "we are eradicating the roots of these capi­ 17 to celebrate the English-language publi­ Party (NDP), and a leader of the abortion capitalist market mechanisms, will help build talist methods," and Cuban workers will have cation of the new Pathfmder book, Che rights movement. socialism." a greater role in directing the economy again. Guevara: Economics and Politics in the George Lai, a representative of the African "In fact, this book offers some of the best Transition to Socialism. The evening featured National Congress of South Africa, com­ arguments against the extensive use of mar­ Socialism not in crisis the book's author, Cuban economist Carlos mented on the book's timeliness for nations ket mechanisms, the law of value, material Those who call on Cuba to return to the Tablada, as well as a broad range of other in the world that are "looking to restructure incentives, and so on in building socialism," planning methods used in the Soviet Union, speakers. It was sponsored by Pathfinder their countries." he argued. Tablada said, could instead "ask our brothers Books, recently set up in Vancouver. "Apartheid is dying and soon our people Elizabeth Stone, former managing editor and sisters in the Soviet Union and Eastern A standing ovation greeted the first will take power," he said. "To help prepare of Pathfinder and author of Women and the Europe to apply rectification." speaker, Roberto Aviles, representative of the for this, we must study the experiences and Cuban Revolution explained that Cuba "has "Cuba's experience is showing that human FMLN-FDR (Farabundo Marti National Lib­ thoughts of others, especially the rectification been doing what no other underdeveloped beings are not little animals moved only by eration Front-Revolutionary Democratic process in Cuba, and the thoughts of Che country has been able to do." She said, "this a stick or money," Tablada continued. Front) support group in Vancouver. FMLN Guevara." would not have been possible without a deep­ "We believe you can believe in socialism forces were engaging Salvadoran govern­ During the meeting, chairperson Katy Le­ going revolution in which the Cuban people and communism. We believe socialism and ment troops in open battle as the meeting Rougetel welcomed Luis Arturo Romero, sec­ took over the economic resources of their co.mmunism are not in crisis. It is possible unfolded. retary general of the Union of Guatemalan country, and began to build a socialist society." that some societies are in crisis. Maybe some Through Carlos Tablada's book, Aviles Electrical Institute Workers,andseveral mem­ Tablada was introduced by Jim Lindsay, a ideas of what socialism was are in crisis. But explained, we have seen "Che the scientist, bers of the International Association of Ma­ Vancouver doctor who spent three years in socialism is not in crisis. And we are confi­ interested in the economy, showing us in the chinists on strike against Boeing in Seattle. Cuba in the 1960s helping to develop the dent that these ideas will spread in the world," Third World the only road to build a society Among the many greetings received by the country's occupational health system. Lind­ Tablada concluded. really worthy of human beings." meetings' organizers was one from Gerry say is the past president of the Vancouver The translation of the last sentences into The book's importance was underlined in LeBlanc, aleaderofLocal9113 of the United Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association. English was virtually drowned out as a large greetings sent to the meeting from prominent Steelworkers of America in Tumbler Ridge, One of Guevara's greatest contributions, part of the audience who spoke and under­ Vancouver city council alderperson Harry British Columbia. "As a worker and union Tablada said, "has everything to do with the stood Spanish rose in a rousing ovation. Rankin. "I recommend that all progressive activist I would urge all my sisters and brothers participation of the masses. How is it possible Other greetings to the meetmg were re­ people read this book and pass it on to their in the labor movement in British Columbia to to have a revolution without the masses?" ceived from Mike Harcourt, leader of the friends. Now more than ever we need to take read this pertinent work," he wrote. "By con­ The people of El Salvador, he said, are not British Columbia NDP and the Official Op­ heart and rededicate ourselves to the struggle trasting our situation with that of workers who fighting for money. "The people fight for position in the British Columbia legislature; for a world in which ordinary people can have have taken part in the transition to socialism, ideas, for moral values. Why should we think Paul McKane, chairperson of the Vancouver proper food, clothing, shelter, medical care, we can find valuable assistance in charting that people cannot go on fighting like that Support Committee for the South African education, and the ability to develop them­ our own direction for significant political after taking power?" Congress of Trade Unions; the Chilean As­ selves to their full potential." change in this province and country." The methods used in the struggle are vital, sociation of British Columbia; the Latin Michel Prairie, editor of the new French­ Jack Nicol, president of the United Fish­ he continued. American Studies Association; and the Van­ language Pathfinder pamphlet, Le socialisme ermen and Allied Workers Union stressed that He reported that at several campus meet­ couver Tools for Peace. et /' homme Cuba (Socialism and Man in "the book is timely indeed, when socialists a ings students asked, "Why don't you estab­ Cuba) by Ernesto Che Guevara and Cuban all around the world have to examine the During his tour in western Canada Tablada lish perestroika in Cuba?" There was pressure President Fidel Castro, addressed the meet­ whole economic philosophy of socialism." also spoke to students and professors at uni­ on Cuba to do so, he said. ing. He emphasized the wide interest in Cuba "If Bush takes comfort from the fact of the versities in Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, found among students and working people Berlin wall corning down," he said, "there Cuba had already tried copying the eco­ Simon Fraser University and the University everywhere Tablada spoke. are other walls that must come down like the nomic and planning methods of other coun­ of British Columbia in Vancouver. wall the U.S. government has put up to isolate tries during the 1970s, Tablada explained. As Over the course of his 14-day Canada tour, New human consciousness Cuba" or the wall they have tried to build a result of the introduction of capitalist mar­ Tablada spoke to some l ,300 peopfe at four The book helped her to see that "socialism around Nicaragua. ket mechanisms the revolution began to go meetings sponsored by Pathfinder, and 15 is not just a new economiC system, but a new Mike Barker, a member of the provincial off course. Workers' involvement in running meetings on 12 university campuses.

16 The Militant December 8, 1989