July 2019 Socialist.Ca System Change Not Climate Change

Mass protests Challenging the return in Sudan CAQ’s racist Bill 21 Page 3 Pages 4-5

$2 | No 618 | July 2019 socialist.ca System change not climate change

hen former California governor general growth of awareness around oppression more taxes and that the government should be world – the Green New Deal is becoming a focal and 2020 presidential candidate and colonialism amongst young people creates more responsible for redistributing wealth. In point for this new radicalism. John Hickenlooper addressed the a beautifully volatile mixture. general, they prioritize spending over balancing The GND is designed to boost employment Wconvention of California Demo- Latest data show that 48% of Canadians are the budget in order to alleviate systemic issues and push towards a zero emission future. It will crats, he was in for a rude awakening. As one just $200 away from insolvency and 26% are like income inequality, and are skeptical of free take massive pressure to be implemented, but it of the many centrist democrats, he is worried broke at the end of each month. market fundamentalism. is a starting point for the drive towards a bright- about the shift to the left happening at the base The ideological bonds that have tied gener- When asked to choose, 54 per cent suggest er future. The ruling classes of the world will of the party. ations to the idea that capitalism is the best on that Canada would benefit from a more socialist oppose it. But if millions can be brought into When he told the assembled delegates that offer are increasingly weak amongst large layers system. the streets to fight for the plan, it can boost the socialism was not the answer, he was loudly of young people. This reflects similar polling in the US. The confidence of workers to fight for real change. booed. In 2015, according to the Canadian Millenni- decades long shadow that the crimes of the We need to fight for a strong class analysis A radicalization has been taking place over als Report conducted by Abacus Data, “Among USSR and Stalinism cast over the idea of so- in the GND. The dead end of saving the planet the past 15 years, and it is especially pronounced those aged 18 to 29, support for capitalism has cialism is a thing of the past. with different consumer choices or the “market amongst youth, students and young workers. plunged 12 percentage points in just two years. This pro-socialist sentiment isn’t going to go solutions” which are on offer by the 1% will not The multiple crises faced by “millennials” and Among that age group, 51% say they have pos- away, it is deepening as the crisis continues. work. the generation coming up behind them are fu- itive feelings about socialism, compared to just But the sentiment needs to be organized. It Students are planning a World Climate Strike eling this. Housing costs, lack of permanent 45% for capitalism.” can move off in many different directions unless for September 27. We can unite the energy of employment, student debt, a massive climate The same report found young people are more there is a strategy to push for radical ideas in young activists with the social power of workers crisis, mixed with the growing disgust at racism, comfortable with interventionist government a way that can gain traction and build a mass by pushing for support for the climate strike in attacks on LGBTQ rights, abortion rights and a action, believing that corporations should pay movement. In Canada – and in other parts of the every workplace and school. GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE SEPT 27 Rain Liberal hypocrisy on Forest climate emergency Café by John Bell Tories, Canada has only fallen further Union of BC Indian Chiefs exposed “consulting” with Indigenous groups. behind reaching the targets set in that lie. But the United Nations Declaration ust days after declaring a “cli- the Paris Accord. The year 2016- “Our lands are burning and on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples workers mate emergency”, PM Justin 17 alone saw a 12 million tonne flooding. Our fish are dying and (UNDRIP) to which Canada is a Trudeau announced his govern- signatory requires full consent from Jment was approving construc- Indigenous people before such win first tion of the Trans-Mountain pipeline. projects can proceed. Clearly no such The move raises the bar for govern- consent exists. ment hypocrisy to new heights. Greta Thunberg, the teen who is contract The pipe will carry Alberta’s inspiring an international wave of diluted bitumen from the tar sands to environmental activism, responded ports on the Pacific. The move will to Trudeau’s hypocrisy: “One second invigorate tar sands development that they declare a #ClimateEmergency has been declining because the price and the next second they say yes to of bitumen oil is too high. The tar expand a pipeline. This is shameful. sands are widely described as one of But of course this is not only in the most environmentally destructive Canada, we can unfortunately see the megaprojects on earth. same pattern everywhere…” Although Trudeau was hedging Activists here have a responsibility his bets, the pipeline approval has to expose and oppose Trudeau’s been a fait accompli for over a year, planet-destroying policies. That since his government bought out the means building solidarity with corporation Kinder Morgan’s existing PM Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau: doublespeak Indigenous people on the front lines pipeline for $4.5 billion of the stopping construction. It means taxpayers’ money. Building the new increase in greenhouse gas emissions. our people are suffering,” Grand exposing the hollow arguments for pipe will cost at least $7 billion more. Even before adding in the increased Chief Stewart Phillip said in the “strategic” voting that portray the pollution from more tar sands statement. “Now is not the time to Liberals as better than the Tories. Double-talk development, this means that Canada recklessly pursue environmentally Most of all it means building support Trudeau has argued that the only way is 200 years behind schedule to meet devastating projects while our for the International Strike Against for Canada to meet its climate change its targets set for 2030. territories suffer.” Climate Change being planned for reduction targets is to increase tar In order to justify his environmental Legal challenges are being the week of September 20. sands oil production and sales. This hypocrisy, Trudeau had to double mounted, but direct action is also The climate emergency is no joke, is a variation on the old “we have to down on a parallel line of double- being planned to stop the pipe from no empty slogan and no fig leaf for destroy the village in order to save it” speak around Indigenous rights. being built. First Nations along the governments dragging their heels as argument. He announcement was heavy on route are building houses to reinforce capitalism destroys the planet before While the Liberals campaigned rhetoric about consulting, and having their land claims and stop pipeline our eyes. Our children know this and won in part as having a better the support of, First Nations for the construction. Trudeau claims that his is the fight of their lives. Let’s all environmental record than the Harper pipeline project. The reaction of the government has met its obligations by support them.

After 3 months on the picket line, workers at Niagara Falls Rain For- est Café have won their first con- The names have been tract. The contract was ordered by the Ontario Labour Review Board arbitrator. The member of Workers United Local 2347 had been fighting for a changed to protect the guilty first contract since they organized over a year ago. by John Bell He can no more stop bullying the medical workers and teachers. He is “super agency”, it takes three hacks Their picket lines drew soli- people of Ontario than he could keep replaced by Rod Phillips, who has to usher in privatization through the darity from organized workers all Not content to grant themselves a 5 away from the Raptor’s parade. And been Environment Minister and lead- back door. Fullerton campaigned by over the region, like the delegation month holiday, the Doug Ford Con- since whatever goes wrong is always ing the charge against the “Carbon re-tweeting Islamophobic conspira- of bus drivers from Amalgamated servatives insist on keeping in the someone else’s fault, it’s time to Tax”. cy theories and posts from neo-Nazi Transit Union (ATU) local 1582 in public eye. Closing the legislature blame the supporting cast and shuffle The Lisas, both MacLeod and organizations, and Tibollo has been St. Catharines who joined in just doesn’t mean they can’t make our the cabinet. Thompson, were only following deemed a rising star for the enthusi- days before the settlement. lives miserable, it just means there is MPP Monte McNaughton is orders but they’ve both been scape- asm with which he has kissed Ford’s Tourists were encouraged not no chance to hold them accountable. moved from Infrastructure Minister goated for the chaos created in their ass at every turn. to spend their holiday money at a At least 2 million or so Toronto- to Labour Minister. McNaughton was portfolios, (Children, Community The premier who campaigned place where the employer steals nians got to tell him what they think against Liberal “gravy train” appoint- workers’ tips, condones sexual ha- of him when he had the nerve to crash ments seems hell-bent on surpassing rassment and takes the tourist tax the Raptors’ victory party. Accord- the old regime. The list of Tory in- and puts it in his own pocket. ing to the Orwellian spin doctors at siders doling out high-paying jobs to A number of the bus drivers the Premier’s office, the deafening family and friends grows longer each passing by continued to support chorus of boos and chants of “Fuck day. the workers by beeping their horn. Ford” were a tongue in cheek sign of The latest is Etobicoke MPP Kinga The actions of ATU and other affection, while the relatively kind Surma whose father Miroslaw has unions by cross-picketing is part a reception for Justin Trudeau was been hired as a policy advisor to new and welcome development of “sarcastic”. Ford. His main qualification seems to cross-union solidarity activity in University and college students be that he is a prominent anti-commu- Niagara. have received their assessments from nist with deep roots in the Tory party. The workers claimed bad faith OSAP, the Ontario Student Assis- Readers may recall a minor scandal bargaining by the owner/man- tance Program, only to discover the during the election campaign when agement of the Rain Forest Café. amount of their support cut by half. labour critic during Wynne’s govern- and Social Services; and Education). Ford himself was caught signing up Union rep Mike Ward told the press Around 400 special needs workers ment, and is a fan of “Right to Work” MacLeod takes over at Tourism, Cul- new Tory members in her riding while that concerns over tips and sexual providing support for families dealing legislation like that passed in some ture and Sport, while Thompson gets waiving the membership fee, a viola- harassment had been addressed in with autism received their pink slips. US states. There are strong rumbles Consumer Services, whatever that is. tion of election law. the new contract: “Both sides left Ford’s spokesperson assures us that that Ford is just waiting for the federal Carolyn Mulroney is out as Attor- The Ford government is in such dis- a little happy and a little disap- “the market will right itself”. Since election to pass before launching his ney General and is now in charge of array that he had to fire Dean French, pointed. You don’t get everything when are vulnerable young people assault on organized labour, and Mc- traffic gridlock and subways, sub- his closest advisor who cracked the you wanted but it’s something that grist for the market? And who is the Naughton would be an enthusiastic ways, subways as Minister of Trans- whip for the trained seals of the Tory works.” real victim here – why, Doug Ford, hatchetman. portation. Christine Elliott’s portfolio caucus. Firing French, a major cab- Strikers told supporters they go of course: “We’re helping them, and Vic Fidelli is out as finance min- as Health Minister is being broken up: inet shuffle and a $16K raise for 31 back to work fully expect manage- they’re protesting? ... I question that.” ister, booted down to the Economic Merrilee Fullerton will assist as Min- MPPs - I suspect that’s what it took ment to make life for them very There is no questioning Ford’s Development portfolio. Ford’s former ister of Long Term Care, and Michael to put down a major caucus revolt. A difficult. They do have plans in falling approval rating. The federal far-right hand man takes the fall for Tibollo is added as associate minister government in disarray, so afraid of place to train all picketers on how Conservatives want him out of sight, April’s massively unpopular “Open of mental health and addictions. It is being publicly ridiculed they cancel to remain calm, do their job and file hence the parliamentary holiday. But for Business” budget that overflowed interesting that while health services Canada Day. Now is the time to in- grievances. Ford isn’t the shy and retiring type. with austerity cuts and layoffs for are being lumped under a single crease the pressure.

2 Socialist Worker July 2019 INTERNATIONAL Huge protests in Sudan defy police attacks and call for an end to military rule by Charlie Kimber

Huge demonstrations swept Sudan on June 30, demanding an end to military rule. By 6.30pm Sudanese time protesters had reached the presidential police in the capital Khartoum, braving repeated police assaults and shots being fired in the air. A spokesperson for an opposition group told Socialist Worker, “Noth- ing on Earth stops the Sudanese people from their demand for human dignity, freedom, peace and justice. “No bullets, no teargas canisters, no violence whatsoever breaks their will and determination.” The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said four people were killed in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdur- man while one protester died after being hit by a bullet in the chest in the town of Atbara. Regime forces also opened fire on protesters in the eastern city of Kassala. Around 200 people were injured, some very seriously. The opposition to Sudan’s military rulers had called a “march No to military rule: Sudanese revolution demands a civilian government of millions” in an effort to step up the pressure on the Transitional are here for the martyrs of the 3 June district, witnesses said, while rallies the state of East Darfur and Alqadar- the United Arab Emirates. These Military Council (TMC). Sudanese sit-in,” said protester Zeinab. “We were also underway in other neigh- if city, capital of the state of Qadarif. are supplied and armed by Western police fired tear gas in an effort to want a civilian state that guarantees bourhoods of the capital. On the road Sunday is the first day of the work- powers, including Canada, and then disperse protesters in Khartoum. our freedom. We want to get rid of to the airport, security forces moved ing week in Sudan, and there were hand on these weapons to Sudan’s Tens of thousands of protesters were military dictatorship.” to block off crowds of demonstra- some strikes to join the protests. killer regime. chanting, “Civilian rule,” when po- “No one gave a mandate to the tors, an AFP agency correspondent These strikes, if they are spread The courage and determination lice attacked crowds in the northern military council, all the people are reported. Security forces used tear and generalized, can break the of the Sudanese people can over- Khartoum district of Bahri. They against the council,” said another gas against demonstrators in the cap- military. come the regime if they use all their also attacked protests in Mamura and protester who shouted out, “I’m the ital’s twin city of Omdurman and the The TMC has very little popular strength. That means breaking from Arkweit in the capital’s east. next martyr.” eastern town of Gadaref, witnesses support. It relies for its survival on outside arbitration and talks with the Protesters flashing victory signs said. the brute force of the murderous military, and building on the power and carrying Sudanese flags had Blood Huge marches also took place Rapid Support Forces and other of strikes and mass mobilizations. flooded the streets of the Al-Sahafa Others chanting, “Blood for blood” in Elobeid city, the capital of north units, and the backing of regional neighbourhood of Khartoum. “We took to the streets of the Jabra Kordofan, El Daein, the capital of powers Saudi Arabia, Egypt and • Reprinted from Socialist Worker UK US cancels war on Iran – for now

by Alistair Farrow and John Bell Regina was “buzzed” by Chinese fighter planes. According to Ottawa S president Donald Trump the Canadian naval presence was in pushed the button for air the region “fighting North Korean strikes on Iran. He then smuggling”. Canadian Forces activ- Ucancelled 13 minutes ity in the Asia-Pacific region have before the missiles launched—and been increasing as tensions between that’s according to Trump. Ottawa and China increase. The move came in response to The military budget allocated to the Iranian military shooting down a build new Canadian warships has just US drone which it claims was in its gone up by $8 billion, to $70 billion. airspace. The contract for the 15 ships went to Trump later said his decision New Brunswick’s billionaire Irving to back down was because he had family. No doubt the price tag will considered the civilian death toll. continue to soar before the supposed The US isn’t known for its record final delivery date in the 2040s. over concern for civilian life. More Meanwhile, Canada continues to likely is Trump was encouraged to sell armoured vehicles and arms to consider the political and military Saudi Arabia. Despite rising popular consequences of such a decision in opposition, the Liberals continue the light of his re-election campaign. Trudeau in lockstep with Trump’s rhetoric on Iran selling record amounts of small Both US secretary of state Mike arms and ammunition, and tanks Pompeo and national security advis- forces. And last Saturday Trump ans the hardest. And Trump’s wild lockstep with Trump’s rhetoric. “We worth $15 billion, that are used er John Bolton reportedly opposed declared vicious new economic veering increases the likelihood he are very concerned about the esca- against civilians in Yemen. Saudi the climb down. “If it was up to him sanctions on Iran would be imple- could yet pitch the US, Iran and the lation by Iran recently. We have a Arabia is also arming and support- he’d take on the whole world at one mented on Monday. whole Middle East into a catastroph- presence in the area through leading ing the brutal Sudanese military. time, OK?” said Trump of Bolton. “Look, you can’t have nuclear ic conflagration. in the NATO mission in Baghdad and In Britain courts have ruled that Despite backing down, Trump weapons. And if you want to talk Iraq.” He was explicit in his support these arms deals are illegal, as they was at great pains to demonstrate about it, good. Otherwise you can Trudeau: Trump’s junior for Trump, “our closest ally.” are being used to commit war crimes he is still up for a fight. US military live in a shattered economy for a partner This comes on the heels of an in- in Yemen. The 2019 election is a sources announced it had carried long time to come,” he said. New During his June 20 meeting with cident in the East China Sea, where chance to hold the Liberals account- out a cyber attack on Iranian armed sanctions will hit ordinary Irani- Trump, PM Justin Trudeau was in a Canadian warship, the HMCS able and stop Canada’s arms sales.

July 2019 Socialist Worker 3 Fighting hate Taking on bigots and police

Reclaiming the legacy of Stonewall in New York City from the street None of us are free until all of us are free

by Carolyn Egan Black racism, and, bigotry of all sorts including attacks on LGBTQ his is the 50th anniversary communities. There are horrific of the Stonewall uprising, examples in countries like Brazil often said to be the birth but we are seeing it in Canada as Tof the gay liberation well. The statistics show that hate movement in North America. crimes are increasing, including to the state Things change when they can violence. The extremist groups no longer stay the same, and of the right want to turn back The far right is getting bolder and has Police were no help. “Where was Hate contained in Toronto that night in a small bar in New the clock and once again have started openly attacking LGBTQ+ Detroit Police when armed Nazis In Toronto, supporters of PEGIDA, York City history was made oppressed people living in fear. activists and their allies. were marching with their NAZI a racist and Islamophobic organi- when members of an oppressed This is particularly significant FLAG shouting Homophobic slurs, zation, held a rally near City Hall, minority, led by transvestites and Governments encouraging since this year marks the 50th anni- anti-black racism, and white nation- a short distance from the scheduled people of colour, fought back. bigots The CAQ’s racist laws: the struggle continues versary since the Stonewall uprising. alism you ask? Serving and Protect- Dyke March. They were prevented The NYPD, like police in most Governments are working hand in The Stonewall riots were a series of ing THE NAZIS,” one activist wrote from marching by a large count- of the country, would often enter hand with them as we saw when by Chantal Sundaram & Deborah Murray spontaneous, militant demonstra- on Twitter. “It’s 2019 and cops are er-protest (see next article). “gay bars” to harass, humiliate, the Progressive Conservatives cut the number of new immigrants for through civil disobedience. In June, tions by members of the gay commu- escorting Nazis through a pride cele- The rise of far-right violence is assault and arrest those that they in Ontario tried to reverse the n the latest travesty of justice 2019 by 20 per cent last December. the CSDM adopted a motion to put off nity against a police raid that began bration. Disgusting,” another wrote. also escalating in Europe. Reported felt to be living outside the social new sex education curriculum represented by the governing Popular resistance will be crucial the law’s application until fall 2020 in the early morning hours of June The links between Nazi attacks homophobic hate crimes in London, norms of the time. But that night which was teaching tolerance and CAQ’s move to ban religious to challenging both laws in the courts. and to consult with parents, school 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the on the LGBTQ+ community and on UK have increased by more than was different, suddenly someone respect in our schools. This gives Isymbols in many parts of the And when it comes to applying the councils and unions before making Greenwich Village neighborhood of racialized people were made explicit 50% between 2014 to 2018. threw a rock from Sheridan Park encouragement to homophobes public sector, Bill 21 was forced into religious symbols ban, a willingness changes to its own regulations. New York City. by the actions of the neo-Nazis. De- In a recent incident a woman and at the police on Christopher to unleash their hate and their law by invoking a Parliamentary to defy the law will be critical as well. However, the Quebec school board The police raid at Stonewall was troit police chief James Craig said her girlfriend were attacked and Street, another called out for help violence. measure called “legislative closure” It would not be the first time people in federation (FCSQ) announced its part of a pattern of regular harass- that the neo-Nazis who showed up beaten on a London bus. Five young when they were being arrested, We saw this violence exhibited to shut down opposition debate. Quebec have openly defied an unjust intention to apply the law throughout ment by police of LGBTQ+ indi- at the city’s Pride parade also made men taunted the couple, demanding and then it happened, everyone recently at Pride events. In Québec’s new law bans the wearing law – and not only in the riots that the rest of Quebec in fall 2019. viduals in that period. Stonewall is chimpanzee noises directed at Afri- that they kiss. When they refused started fighting back. For those Hamilton, Ontario homophobic of religious symbols by civil servants refused conscription in two World In April, the Montreal Municipal widely considered the most import- can Americans as part of an attempt they were physically attacked, leav- involved it was an exhilarating “street preachers” were joined such as police, judges and crown Wars, but much more recently. Council unanimously adopted a ant event leading to the gay libera- to incite violence, hoping to recreate ing both women bloodied. experience, standing up to by far right groups and attacked prosecutors, and also public school In the 2012 Maple Spring , resolution condemning the law. tion movement and the modern fight the events of the infamous Charlot- Melania Geymonat and her girl- the repression they had been participants, assaulting those teachers. In addition to stoking racism thousands of students defied the Montreal mayor Valérie Plante had for LGBTQ+ rights in the US. tesville hate rally in 2017. friend Chris said they would not be subjected to for years. standing up to them. This bigotry and Islamophobia in society generally, restrictions on legal protest imposed said previously that police targeted intimidated into hiding their sexu- It was an era of tremendous and violence is being seen it threatens the employment and career by Bill 78 by refusing to obey by the law would be subject to the Nazis attack Detroit Pride Hate in Hamilton ality. Chris said, “A lot of people’s social change: the Black Power more and more, in an attempt aspirations of thousands. Teachers its requirement to provide march rules determined by the police force, The Detroit Pride parade this year The Pride event in Hamilton on June rights and basic safety are at risk. I movement, the women’s to reverse the gains that people already on the job will be exempt routes to police in advance of and emphasized municipal autonomy. was interrupted by a group of white 15 was also attacked by far-right hate want people to feel emboldened to movement, the movement have made through struggle over under a grandfather clause, but they demonstrations and by refusing to Before the bill was tabled Plante said nationalists carrying weapons and groups. These groups have been very stand up to the same people who against the Viet Nam war were the past decades. will lose it if they move to another stop marching at night. Thousands of that Montreal would be going ahead performing Nazi salutes. Video post- active in the city, holding near-week- feel emboldened by the right wing radicalizing people of all ages, In Toronto on Pride weekend, school or accept a promotion to the non-student supporters demonstrated with its plan to allow police to wear ed on social media shows one small ly vigils, and Pride organizers had populism that is responsible for the but particularly the young. The which was celebrating Stonewall, principal’s office. their defiance by coming out in front religious symbols, including the hijab. group of neo-Nazis marching while been warning that something could escalation in hate crimes.” system was being questioned a right wing group PEGIDA – which On the same weekend, the CAQ of their homes every night to bang on Now Plante says she will obey the someone yells “fuck you, faggots” happen. All who oppose racism, Islam- in fundamental holds strong used closure to pass a law restricting pots and pans (“casseroles”). Bill 78 law, though raising concerns about its into a bullhorn. The police response was to lay ophobia and anti-gay bigotry must ways and there The bigots were anti-immigrant Quebec’s immigration system, Bill was repealed along with the tuition application. How far she as mayor will They were members of the Na- parole violation charges against stand together and oppose the far were mass and homophobic 9. It lays the groundwork for a racist hike the students were fighting, and be willing to go in taking on the CAQ tional Socialist Movement (NSM), anti-fascists including Cedar Hop- right attacks. These events, and his- demonstrations outnumbered and views – held a Quebec values test that immigrants it demonstrated the impact mass by asserting municipal autonomy will which the Southern Poverty Law perton who, supporters say, was not tory stretching back to the Stonewall taking place that rally near City will need to pass in order to become Demonstration against Bill 21, passed into law by Quebec’s CAQ defiance of the law can have. depend on popular resistance. Center classifies as one of the largest at the Pride event. It took over a week riot, show that we can put no faith brought millions their message Hall spewing permanent residents. Although Since 2012, a climate of racism While other Quebec mayors have neo-Nazi organizations in the US. for them to charge Christopher Van- in the police to defend us against government Photo : Deborah Murray into the streets. hate. Over three imposing this test requires the go- has been deliberately stoked by the shamefully come out in favour, efforts This attack sparked outrage at the derweide with assault with a weapon neo-Nazi attacks. We must organize This gave drowned out hundred people ahead from the federal government, – and despite objections from both the to its constitutionality. Nevertheless, PQ, the CAQ, and also the Quebec are ongoing to lobby councillors to annual march, which drew 40,000 in spite of the fact that there was in our own defence and confront the confidence to came out to just passing such a law contributes Liberals and Quebec solidaire in the a motion was immediately filed Liberals, which poses a serious oppose the law, as in the municipality people and is the largest Pride event video footage of his attacks circulat- bigots whenever they try and raise those who previously felt that oppose it. They included members to stoking a climate of fear and hate. National Assembly – the CAQ pushed in Quebec Superior Court by civil challenge to the kind of solidarity and of Gatineau. There are also many in Michigan. ing immediately after the event. their ugly heads. they were alone, isolated and of faith communities, trade The new law is about moving towards through its divide-and-conquer liberties organizations seeking an civil disobedience that will be required behind-the-scenes efforts to provide marginalized. Homophobia and unionists from the International a merit-based application system and agenda in a single weekend. injunction and that the law be declared to resist this law. But a movement direct assistance to those affected. heterosexism were rampant in Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, deepens the false narrative about Rallies and sit-ins took place invalid – not on the basis of the against the religious symbols ban must Open defiance will be an uphill its election campaign to pass a law on for teachers. However, the newspaper union independent of the major teacher society, and many were closeted the United Steelworkers, the “good” and “bad” immigrants. in front of the National Assembly Charter, but arguing that it is criminal be built. What will happen now is a battle: the CAQ amended Bill 21 secularism and to cut immigration. But clarified that the results “hide a deep federations) called the ban a “witch- for fear of losing their jobs and Ontario Public Service Employees Both of these laws fly in the face in Quebec City, with hundreds of legislation and so outside provincial kind of guerilla warfare, to make it as at the very last minute, giving the like the Ford government in Ontario, division between younger and older hunt against the hijab.” Other unions their families. Union, the Canadian Union of of human rights and have nothing to Montreal protesters joining in on June authority. unenforceable as possible in practice. government power to ensure that the CAQ only has a Parliamentary Quebecois.” Those in the age group that oppose the law include: the CSN, A slogan that was used at Public Employees, a contingent do with secularism or the needs of the 17 to protest the religious symbols law A legal strategy can be effective if institutions such as school boards must majority, not a popular one. of 18-24 support teachers having the the CSQ, the Conseil régional FTQ the time, “none of us are free from the Dyke March, and many job market. They are about stoking which will target above all Muslim it is linked to popular resistance. In Guerilla warfare comply and imposing sanctions if they Polls do show a disturbing increase right to wear religious symbols while Montréal métropolitain, the FNEEQ, until all of us are free” spoke to young people. racism to deflect anger over austerity women. The next day, a week- the case of Bill 9, an injunction filed In the lead-up to the adoption of the do not, prompting many to predict this in support for laws that restrict those over 65 are radically against. and the FPEP. Collective agreements the solidarity that was building The bigots were greatly and the climate crisis, by appealing long hunger strike began against prior to the bill’s passage stopped the religious symbols ban, a number of could result in a “secularism police.” immigration and target Muslims, But when people are asked whether and the right to grieve discrimination among movements. Those that outnumbered, and their message to a politics of “identity” which has the religious symbols law. Those CAQ from trying to shred 18,000 municipalities and school boards This will only give confidence to far- and not only in Quebec. A May poll they support banning religious in the workplace under human rights stood up the night of June 28th, was drowned out by the strong nothing to do with Quebec’s legitimate participating expressed their desire to immigration applications already in declared their opposition, with some right racist forces mobilizing their conducted for Global News reported symbols they are not asked whether legislation will be an important line of 1969 became part of the history voices of those who stood up right to self-determination as a nation. demonstrate the human cost of the ban process as soon as the bill was tabled. pledging to defy it. own horrific “snitchlines” on the that almost half of Canadians surveyed they support people losing their jobs defence against the law. that everyday people make when together against oppression. This and the resolve to resist it. But while the injunction stopped In April, two independent school internet, which will target Muslim said that having racist thoughts was because of their racialized background The CAQ is dead wrong when it they take on the exploitation solidarity is a concrete example of From protest to defiance Even though it violates both the the CAQ from resetting the clock trustees, Violaine Cousineau and women above all. normal and acceptable. or religion. The actions that unions says this has “settled the secularism and oppression that capitalism what was meant by the decades Despite outrage over the immigration Canadian and Quebec Charters of on existing applications before the Jean-Denis Dufort of the Montreal Within Quebec, there is a huge are willing to take will be critical to issue.” The first battle against the law maintains. old slogan, “none of us are free law, and despite rallies and human Rights and Freedoms, the religious law was passed, it now allows the school board (CSDM) published an False consensus, generational divide. A Leger poll in exposing this false consensus. may have been lost, but the struggle Today, with the rise of the until all of us are free”. It was a chains around schools that showed symbols law was introduced by government to throw out a backlog open letter in Le Devoir calling on false mandate Le Devoir during the lead-up to the Sylvain Malette, president continues. And the struggle against it right worldwide we are seeing an fitting action for the anniversary of the lack of consensus in Quebec invoking the notwithstanding clause, of roughly 16,000 skilled immigrant their board to join the English school The CAQ claims it has a mandate for law reported that 59% of Québecois of the Fédération autonome de can build confidence to turn back the increase in Islamophobia, anti- Stonewall. society for the religious symbols ban intended to shut down any challenge worker applications. The CAQ also boards in actively defying the law all this because it promised throughout support a ban on religious symbols l’enseignement (FAE, a teachers’ attack on immigration.

4 Socialist Worker July 2019 July 2019 Socialist Worker 5 NATO at 70 – Part 3 Inter-imperial rivalry by Tom Leonard

Third in a three-part series, on the 70th anniversary of NATO. Previous installments have examined the alliance from its founding through to the end of the Cold War; and how the ensuing “peace” saw NATO’s rapid expansion and increasingly war-like actions.

his policy of enlargement is not an accident, but rather a reflection of the wider dynamic of competition in the interna- Ttional state system. In a capitalist economy, individual firms compete with each other for greater shares of a given market, and thus greater profits. The dynamic of competition in the economy compels individual firms – units of capital – to constantly seek technological innovations so as to produce their goods more cheaply and undercut their competitors. Those firms that fail to innovate go bankrupt, with their assets bought up by other firms. So there is a tendency in a competitive economy for individual firms to become smaller in number but greater in size over time. Eventually, a given market becomes dominated by a small number of very large firms. Think about internet search, for instance – after proliferation of different search engines in the 1990s, a very small number of firms dominate today, with one of them, Google, being preponderant. This market ‘maturation’ compels firms to seek out new markets elsewhere as they can no longer grow their profits in their home market. Protesting NATO in Chicago, May 2012 Photo: Debra Sweet, Flickr CC BY 2.0 So successful firms tend to grow beyond the borders of the state in which they’re based. This brings them into competition competition. the malfeasance of the U.S. President and his Russia is no substantial threat to the United with firms (capitals) based in other states, In some respects, the system is similar to a unfitness for office. However, seen through States or Europe, the logic of inter-imperial internationalizing the economic competition yard of school children dominated by a small the lens above, there is a logic to Trump’s competition dictates Trump’s desire to between units of capital and compelling number of very big kids. Smaller, weaker argument. disengage from Europe and NATO, to allow national states to compete with each other, states frequently see their own interests as Russia is not a peer competitor of NATO a focus of U.S. resources and effort on each defending the interests, markets and being served through alliance with one of or the United States, nor will it be, likely for containing China. profits of their ‘own’ firms. the bigger states, just as smaller, weaker generations to come. The same cannot be In all this, ordinary people in China, the So, the economic competition between children often ally with one of the schoolyard said of China, which may not yet be a peer United States and the rest of the world are capitalist firms tends to become political bullies for protection from the others and competitor of the U.S. but could grow to the losers, as vast resources are diverted competition between capitalist states. This the opportunity to enjoy some share of the become one. from useful ends like housing, healthcare political aspect of capitalist competition is spoils of their own bully’s behaviour. This According to the World Bank, the Chinese and education into a wasteful and dangerous conducted with all the means at a state’s was exactly the impetus that first drove the economy is now considered the largest single game of chicken played between rival ruling disposal – trade deals and regulations, tariffs, founding members of NATO, as Lord Ismay economy in the world by some measures, classes. What all this means for the future alliances both economic and military, and the alluded to when he stressed the necessity of and was growing at three times the rate of the of NATO is currently unclear, but nobody threat of or actual use of military force. ‘keeping the United States in.’ U.S. economy until 2016. Where economic should bet on the alliance lasting another The expansion of NATO is best understood So, far from being an alliance the primary competition occurs, military competition tends seventy years. through this lens. Russia and China are purpose of which was to defend democracy, to follow, and the Chinese state is already capitalist societies, just as are the United NATO can be better understood as an extending the reach of its military well beyond States and its allies, including Canada, and expression of the competitive dynamics of a its own borders. Territorial acknowledgment the other states mentioned here, such as Saudi capitalist economy and imperialist global state China has built artificial islands in the As settlers, we acknowledge our Arabia and India. All of them are locked in system. Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, occupation of lands that are the a system of competitive rivalry as each tries on which aircraft facilities and runways are Indigenous territories of Turtle Island. Donald Trump and What Next for to out-maneuver the other to gain a strategic being constructed. These have the potential to Furthermore, we support all struggles advantage. NATO? give the Chinese state the capacity to project There may very well be differences of Which brings this discussion back to the military power deep into the Southeast Asian for Indigenous sovereignty in whatever approach between this or that state, different United States and President Trump. The region and Indonesia, which is bringing forms they take by the hundreds of conceptions of what the ‘national interest’ is anniversary of NATO’s founding occurs at it into increasing conflict with the United First Nations and Inuit communities and how best to pursue it at a given moment, a time when Trump has openly demanded States. that have resided here for many and different conceptions of the ideal end-state NATO members contribute more resources to The Trump administration (and many thousands of years, and by Métis to which they all strive. But all of them are the alliance and bear more of the direct costs other observers) considers China the main locked in a competitive system of imperialism, of their own defence. This has been interpreted threat to American dominance. Given that communities that have developed in ultimately driven by the dynamics of capitalist in some quarters as yet another indication of U.S. resources are not infinite, and that the last hundreds of years.

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6 Socialist Worker July 2019 REVIEWS Doom Patrol The superhero antidote to Trump’s America by John Bell

I tuned in to Doom Patrol (Space Channel) with low expectations. Another superhero show, yawn. And this one from the DC universe, so full of angst-ridden billionaire vigi- lantes, uber-men and world saving princesses. So imagine my surprise when Narrator/Su- per Villain Mr. Nobody (Alan Tudyk) agrees. As he gleefully teases the audience: “More TV superheroes, just what the world needs. Have you hung yourself yet?” Mr. Nobody is the product of post-war Nazi experiments, fiendishly adept at manipulating the minds of his opponents, using their fears and insecurities against them as individuals and as a group. He is also the only character to regularly break the “fourth wall” and directly address the audience with comments on the proceedings. Is he manipulating us? And what a group our “heroes” are: Jane/ Crazy Jane (Dianne Guerrero), a woman with 64 personalities, each with their own power and/or liability; Cliff Steele/Robot Man (Brendan Fraser), a misogynistic NASCAR champion whose brain is all that survives a crash, only to be implanted into a clunky, retro robot body; Rita Farr (April Bowlby), a narcissistic 1950s film star who ingests a mysterious fungus while on a South Amer- ican location shoot, and turns to an elastic ooze whether she likes it or not; Vic/Cyborg sion of Niles Calder/The Chief (Timothy a cheesy drive-in movie, while Cyborg is weaken so much of the genre. I suspect that (Joivan Wade), a troubled teenager whose Dalton), physician, psychologist, inventor state of the art. Crucial supporting characters the usual fanboys who complain about too father (who has shady dealings with the and implacable opponent of Mr. Nobody. Is include Flex Mentalo, the jut-jaw muscle many women heroes or POC in their favourite military-industrial complex) has turned him The Chief a part of the shadowy government man from the ads in the comic books; a sci-fi franchises really dislikeDoom Patrol. into a part machine following an accident; intelligence agency, the Bureau of Normalcy, farting donkey that is actually a portal to It is hard to go further without spoiling the and Larry Trainor/Negative Man (Matt Bom- or is he trying to create a sort of super team another dimension; and Danny the Street, inventive, funny and genuinely touching plot er), a closeted “right stuff” sort of test pilot to bring it down? Before we can figure it out a gay-positive road that hosts gender fluid, that unfolds as this group of “loveable losers” whose body becomes inhabited by a mute he is kidnapped. Out of personal loyalty and cross-dressing entertainment, but constantly (Mr. Nobody’s words) unites. The heroes are being made up of electrical charge, but whose affection, each of our protagonists agree to has to move its location to evade the Bureau all disabled in one way or another (even The actual body is horribly disfigured by fire and band together, sort of, and rescue him. of Normalcy. Chief is in a wheel chair) – physically, men- nuclear radiation after a plane crash, and who If all this seems weird, it is. The writing is Is this the America of Donald trump’s tally or spiritually scarred. But rather than fall appears – except in flashbacks, of which there an amalgam of scatological humour, pathos MAGA fantasy? One thing that is clear, into the cliché of “overcoming” their hand- are plenty – wrapped head to toe in bandages and absurdist satire. The characters exist Doom Patrol is anti-fascist to the core, pres- icaps the Doom Patrol learns to accept and reminiscent of the Invisible Man. out of time, with a visual style that evokes ents its LGBTQ subplot in a wonderfully sub- fight on. Maybe we aren’t doomed after all. All of them find themselves in the man- multiple decades. Robot Man is right out of versive way, and avoids the sexist tropes that The Avengers: End Game by Toshi X. Tomori but, to follow the racial logic of the film, the Latinos, and Middle Easterners. Which brings for genocide. ones who are not on screen are the ones who me to the very odd killing of the only (signi- If these groups of people didn’t exist in our The Avengers: End Game was just re-released are the ideal candidates for genocide: Asians, fying) Asian in the film. He is supposed to be world (Asians, Latinos, and others) or if they with additional footages a little over a month a Japanese yakuza and his murder can be eliminated immediately, we can cut after it hit the theater. The film grossed over is justified by the fact that he’s not a down on pollution and stave off the “inevita- $2.7 billion worldwide and has been seen by good man. It’s a throwaway role but ble”—Thanos’ signature term of endearment over 100 million people. These numbers are they’ve cast a recognizable Japanese for himself. enviable for those of us are trying to build actor for what? a fifteen second part? The film doesn’t portray this idea as embod- mass social movements. As such, in a film He’s also wielding a samurai sword ied by Thanos as a completely evil plan. Not about genocide, it’s worth examining what in what is probably Tokyo, although I the stereotypical triumphant villain, Thanos is type of people are notably absent or discarded must say the whole scene looks like a shown living peacefully and in harmony with since their very lack of representation signals set dressed as Tokyo. In other words, his environment. He’s a hippie. It’s benevolent that they are the primary victims of the erasure. inauthentic. genocide that he was advocating for. Even his It’s a film teeming with surprise reappear- Has anyone seen yakuzas walk- much abused daughter vouches for him. It’s a ances; in fact, the casting and cameos makes it ing around with samurai swords in perverted idea, but it’s one being pushed by the a rather overcrowded film which is a bit ironic Tokyo? It’s such an inconvenient film; that perhaps it’s not so bad at all to sac- since the movie’s universe’s population has weapon of choice. It is more iconic rifice entire groups of people so that the other been wiped out by half. Which means there than practical, hence another layer half can live and it’s not such a farfetched no- is an oversupply of a certain group of people of inauthenticity with this charac- tion either (which should be the scary part) as while an underrepresentation or stark absence ter and scenario. It’s what gaijins this will be the likely scenario in the inevitable of another. imagine what yakuzas look like. decades to come. The film plays off the genocide ambiguous- His death is connected to Mexican The final image. It’s nostalgic. It almost ly. It may be a good thing since, based upon a narcos since the killer is actually counters the time machine logic than is set passing but by no means understated remark, one of our dear Avengers turned up in the film which it also violates. It’s a the environment has improved. Let’s push this vigilante. His motivation is that how mournful image of an America that can longer dismissed line just a bit further and connect could these evil people survive the be, whether because of degraded environment, it with the racially underrepresented people genocide when his family was killed precarious economy, MAGA, or whatever else in the movie: the film seems to say, rather off. OK, fair enough, but interesting- one can think of. The film thinks it’s showing a daringly, that by cutting human (though it’s ly the bad guys worthy of vigilante romantic image instead of a romanticized one all living creatures in the movie but whatever) justice and death are conveniently and this is the one true inauthentic point the population by half, we may escape or delay the located outside the US. It’s a faint, film makes: America is in decline. There will inevitable environmental catastrophe. faint signal in a system of signs and be no “to be continued” as usually concludes But who should be eliminated? It would signification, but I think this is where a Marvel film but a long deep slide into dark- seem Thanos just eliminated people at random, the film locates its ideal demographic ness.

July 2019 Socialist Worker 7 $2 | No 618 | July 2019 | socialist.ca Green New Democratic Deal: only a good start by Brian Champ underestimated: XR’s target is ‘net-zero’ emis- since 2005, due to coal power generation phase- be zero carbon. The nuclear fuel cycle is carbon intensive and new plant construction releases he Ontario NDP has unveiled their huge amounts of carbon – not to mention that Green New Democratic Deal. Subtitled nuclear waste will remain dangerous for tens of “Climate, Jobs, Hope,” it was passed thousands of years. Tat their convention in June. This is a positive response to the student climate strikes, Jobs Extinction Rebellion’s (XR) mass direct action The document states, “Transitioning to net-zero and the movement for a Green New Deal. emissions can add over a million new jobs” by These movements embrace inclusion and implementing “the world’s largest retrofit pro- diversity. They link climate action with Indige- gram” (5% or more of all Ontario buildings per nous allies struggling against ongoing coloniza- year), declaring support for low carbon “emerg- tion and genocide; with refugees and migrants ing industries” and by providing three guaran- forced to leave their home countries; with the tees: for Job Training, Community Support and struggle for decent wages and job security, par- Existing Industry Support. ticularly in racialized communities; and with There are good ideas in this section: the ret- workers in “dirty” industries facing job loss. rofit program and skilled job training for wom- This new turn of the ONDP is refreshing en, Indigenous, Black and racialized people are compared to the hypocrisy of the Liberal gov- good starting points. But “supporting” industry ernment approving the TMX pipeline the day to become carbon neutral is a weakness. after declaring a “climate emergency.” The latest IPCC report states that achieving But reacting is not enough: the proposals have net zero emissions “would require large-scale to address the crisis on the appropriate scale. So transformations of the global energy–agricul- how does the ONDP’s new plan stack up? ture–land-economy system, affecting the way in which energy is produced, agricultural sys- First steps tems are organized, and food, energy and ma- It is a step forward for the party, but not a fully terials are consumed.” This is a monumental worked out policy. According to Peter Tabuns, task, which requires more than just “support” the ONDP energy and climate change critic: sions by 2025. And given that those are global out and development of renewable energy pro- for industry efforts. Carbon intensive sectors of “The point of a Green New Deal is to have a emissions reductions, the share of reductions duction. There is still a long way to go. the economy need to be nationalized to rapid- serious conversation that leads to effective cli- for a carbon intensive economy like Ontario A good chunk of this fall is due to the decline ly lower carbon emissions on the scale that is mate action.” should be much greater. of manufacturing. This kind of incidental emis- required. The IPCC report last year set a goal of only The new ONDP target is “at least 50% below sions reduction does nothing for people who The ONDP has been pushed to make a few a 1.5oC rise in global average temperature. To 2005 levels by 2030, and achieving net-zero lost their jobs, nor does it imply a permanent steps along the path to a climate friendly econ- achieve this, global carbon emissions have to be emissions by 2050.” These targets exceed the solution, as a new boom could see emissions omy. The end of that path is socialism and it’s reduced by at least 45% below 2010 emissions IPCC targets, but are likely to become outdated rise again. up to the rest of us to build the strikes and mass by the year 2030. This is drastic, but still likely soon. Ontario’s GHG emissions have declined Wrongly, the plan considers nuclear power to movements that can get us there. VANCOUVER Solidarity with hospitality workers in operation in B.C. in 2017. by Michael Y.C. Tseng Truly, the backbone of the industry. Despite generating a steady flux of pres- utside the prestigious Rosewood tige and value, the hospitality workers in this Hotel Georgia, signs with the words service area find themselves faced with job “One Job Should Be Enough” flut- precarity, unsafe working conditions, and Otered among over 300 primarily hos- instances of harassment toward female staff. pitality staff protesting working conditions at The hotel industry in B.C. has been adopting the 5-star establishment. a practice of classifying workers as full-time Members of UNITE HERE 40 from Rose- staff and routinely assigning them less than wood, Four Seasons, Hyatt, Westin Bayshore 40 hours of work per week. The workers have and Pinnacle Habourfront in Vancouver are in to be available on-call, creating a catch-22 contract negotiations, calling for an end to the where a second or third job is needed to make rampant cuts to workers’ hours, and a com- ends meet, but the time to perform the labour mitment to “address specific concerns about has already been stolen in the first place. discrimination and harassment in an effort to “One recent summer, over 20 of my improve the working environment.” co-workers were on WCB (WorkSafeBC) be- One Rosewood Hotel worker explained that cause of injuries caused by the high workload due to the progressive cuts, they must work a in only two months. Even though my hotel is second job to make ends meet. Another work- making tons of money, I don’t even have sta- er pointed out a glaring irony that while Rose- ble 40 hours of work,” said Nym Calvez, Ex- wood has been rated the best hotel in Canada, ecutive Board member of UNITE HERE 40. its staff often lack the supplies to complete The picket line wound through the affluent their jobs and are concerned for their safety. hotel block of Vancouver and there was clear enthusiasm from the on-lookers and the work- “5-star hotel, 1-star jobs” End rampant cuts to workers’ hours in hospitality sector Photo: Michael YC Tseng ers alike. Members of ILWU 400, CUPE BC, A cook at the Rosewood, James Sugden said, BCGED and Hospital Employees Union, the “We provide a very high level of service at our industry represented $9 billion added to the increase of 40.3% from 2007.” Health Science Association, COPE, Tuition hotel and have been consistently recognized GDP of British Columbia in 2017. The indus- It is worth nothing that this rapidly growing Freeze Now and councillor Jean Swanson for our quality. We need jobs and wages that try generated more GDP than any other prima- industry depends on the service area of over- joined in solidarity. match the excellent service we provide to our ry resource industry. Mining came in second night visitation, accommodation and food. “We will be back,” the protesters chanted, guests every day.” at $4.9 billion. The B.C. government reported This specific service area made it possible for vowing a continuous class solidarity until the According to Destination BC Research and that “the tourism industry contributed nearly the 10.3 million tourists to visit the 19,243 workers receive the high job standards they Analytics, the value created by the tourism $1.2 billion in provincial taxes in 2017, an small to mid-size tourism related businesses have been providing in their services.