THE MILITANT BERKELEY Published in the Interests of the Working People see pages 4,5,6,7 ,8,and 9 Vol 32- No. 29 Friday, July 19, 1968 Price 10c Seattle Black Panther Party to run two candidates for state assembly By Debbie Leonard and Will Reissner SEATTLE- E. J. Brisker, minister of Panther Party was running a political education of the Seattle Black Panther campaign in its own name. The campaign Party, told a crowd of nearly 100 at a will be based on the Black Panther Party's Militant Labor Forum sponsored by the 10-point program which calls for "freedom Young Socialist Alliance here July 5 that and power to control the destiny of the the Panthers will be running independent black community" and demands full em black candidates for the state legislature ployment, decent housing, exemption from this fall. the draft and decent education for Afro On July 7 Black Panther captain Aaron Americans. Dixon officially announced the candidates The program further demands an end at a rally of over 100 young Afro-Amer to the robbery of the black community icans. The two candidates will be Brisker by white businessmen, an end to police and Curtis Harris, Black Panther minister brutality, the release of all black prisoners of defense, and they will run in the black and trial of Afro-Americans by their community's 37th district, challenging two peers-Afro-Americans of similar age and white Democratic incumbents and a black economic status. Democratic candidate supported by the Locally, the Black Panther Party is 37th-district Democratic Committee. calling for a civilian police review board, Brisker is well-known in Seattle as a composed of members chosen by the com leader of the University of Washington munity, with the power to subpoena, obtain Black Student Union and Seattle SNCC. police records, and indict cops for brutality. Dixon, who announced the candidates at They are also demanding that several an outdoor rally, was recently sentenced Afro-American "public defenders" be on to six months in jail along with two other call whenever needed to counsel arrested defendants on charges stemming from a black citizens. sit-in at Franklin High School. They are Brisker stressed that the focal point of planning to appeal their convictions. (See the program is ''black control of the black July 5 Militant.) community"- control of housing, radio, E. J. Brisker, speaking at the rally, newspapers, cops, schools, businesses, projected the independent Black Panther places of entertainment. "There should be campaign as "the start of something very a Malcolm X movie theatre, a Malcolm X big- a history-making event." He pointed coffee house and Martin Luther King and out that this was the first time the Black (Continued on page 3) Student Mobilization, Resistance picket Humphrey in Philadelphia
By Fred Feldman PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia crimes" and "Support our G Is-bring them Student Mobilization Committee andPhila- home alive." delphia Resistance organized a demonstra- Speakers who addressed those gathered tion of over 100 to march and leaflet to hear Humphrey included Rich Feigen- here, as Hubert Horatio Humphrey ad- berg of SMC, Josh Markel of Resistance CANDIDATE. E. J. Brisker (front) at meeting announcing his candidacy for dressed the traditional annual patriotic and Swarthmore professor Thompson state assembly. Also nominated by the Black Panther Party was Curtis Harris. "event" at Independence Hall. Since the Bradley. To the left of Brisker is Black Panther captain Aaron Dixon, and behind him demonstration was called on only two During the previous July 4 Independence are two unidentified members of the Black Panther Party. days' notice, the turnout surprised many Hall demonstrations the police had ar- participants. rested leafleters. This time, Resistance won The group enthusiastically chanted a significant victory for civil liberties by "Bring the troops home now" and other coming armed with an injunction directing antiwar slogans. Among the signs were the police not to make arrests for Black transit workers "Hubert Humphrey-wanted for war leafleting. lead Chicago strike By Dan Styron a vote by secret ballot, the meeting was CHICAGO, July 9-Waymon Benson, adjourned. Dissatisfied members remain a leader of the transit strike which para ed, and after discussing their grievances, lyzed Chicago's transportation system they called for a wildcat strike effective over the Fourth of July weekend, an immediately. nounced today that a telegram has been Waymon Benson said that the leader sent to the International Transit Workers ship of the union was not representing Union demanding that Chicago Amalga the interests of the bus drivers. The leader mated Transit Local 241 be placed in ship hasn't been fighting for safer equip receivership pending new elections of ment and cleaner working conditions, for union officers. This is the latest in a series an end to three-piece work schedules of dramatic moves by the Concerned on weekends, and for regular procedures Transit Workers, a well-organized, pre in handling customer complaints and dis dominantly black caucus, which is success ciplinary action against transit workers. fully challenging the transit union's pre Bureaucratic Leadership sent leadership. Standing in the way of these and other A wildcat strike was called the evening demands, he stated, is a conservative of July 2 by the Concerned Transit Work leadership backed by the 3,500 retired ers, following an unusually heated regular workers. This leadership doesn't repre membership meeting of Local 241. In sent the 8,340 working bus drivers. To the course of the meeting, a motion was change this situation, the Concerned photo by Bruce Marcus made to end the practice of allowing Transit Workers demand that only those retired workers to vote at regular union presently working be allowed to vote at PICKET HUMPHREY. July 4 demonstration in Philadelphia. meetings. After the local's leadership re regular union meetings. The Concerned fused to take either a standing vote or (Continued on page 9) Page 2 THE MILITANT Friday, July 19, 1968
THE MILITANT Moncada Garrison, lS years ago Editor: BARRY SHEPPARD Business Manager: BEVERLY SCOTT Day of Solidarity plant where I work. Initiated by Published weekly by The Militant Publishing Ass'n., 873 Broadway, New York, an ex-mineworker with a flair N.Y. ~0003. Phone .533-6414. Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. for writing, letters were sent in Sub;;cnplton: domesltc, $3 a y~ar; Canada and Latin America, $3.50; other with Cuban people fo_reign, $4.50. By fi_rst class mwl: domestic and Canada $9.00; all other coun dividually to I. W. Abel [president tnes, $14.00. Au prmted matter: domestic and Canada,$12.50; Latin. America, of the United Steel Workers). Said $2~.00; Europe, ~27.00; Africa, Australia, Asia (including USSR), $32.00. Havana, Cuba Wnte. for sealed air postage ,rat~s. Signed articles by contributors do not nec. As you well know, the 15th an one: "I can't believe, sir, that you essanly represent The Mllitant s views. These are expressed in editorials. niversary of the assault on the will be content to agree to the Moncada Garrison will be com continuation of our bowing to Vol. 32- No. 29 .128 Friday, July 19, 1968 memorated on the 26th of July, ... political pressures applied to 1968, the year that was pro our union, resulting in the shame claimed by the Cuban people in ful economic position we hold This column is an open forum a mass rally as the Year of the in our community." Another: 'Do you realize that for all viewpoints on subjects of Heroic Guerrilla, in posthumous general interest to our readers. homage to Major Ernesto Che nearly haif our people work for less than $2. 7 5 an hour? Are Please keep your letters brief. Where Guevara, embodiment ofthehigh necessary they will be abridged. we giving up all hopes to regain est expression of proletarian inter Writers' initials will be used, names nationalism of our day. the protection of the cost-of-living clause?' being withheld unless authorization On that 26th of July in 1953, is given for use. a group of young people, con Another: "As our ... principal spokesman, don't you think a tinuers of the heroic fighting tra I am clear that this is the key ditions of the Cuban people, con more concrete statement of our aims in the coming contract nego to ")the spirit sickness of the West vinced of the justice of their cause and thus the area where revolu and certain of final victory, struck tiations should be issued; to bolster the sagging confidence tionaries must concentrate their at the powerful military garrison work in strategy, tactics, forces, of the Batista tyranny. . . . in your determination to lead us to individual solvency?' etc. Fifteen years have elapsed since Thus I am not criticizing The the beginning of our struggle, and "The loss of hope for a future in the economic sun is ... de Militant's competence in the areas almost 1 0 since the triumph of with which it deals-political and our last liberating feat, and yet stroying faith and pride in . . . economic. As a whole, though, the Cuban people live under the the higher echelons of our union it is not comprehensive, in failing perpetual menace of its century leadership." And more such appeals and explanations about to deal with the radical mutations old enemy, Yankee imperialism conditions on the job. of the sense (scientific), style the great genocide of the Viet Henry Austin (urban) and symbols (secular) namese people, the great exploiter that are overwhelming the East of all the people of the Third and the West as the cultural revo World. Revisionist demon lution brings the economic and The inhuman blockade of our political structures of society to country by the U. S. that is in Chicago, Ill. their knees. tended to force our revolution Although I found in The This is the imperative that I to the most complete isolation Militant a very penetrating grasp see for The Militant and socialists from our brothers of Latin Amer of the economic, political and so in general. Socialism as it was ica, of Asia, of Africa, and from cial condition of the West, The known in the past is dead, just our friends in Europe, makes even Militant is disappointingly lack as the western society from which more difficult the already difficult ing in any insight into the "edge" it sprung is dead. What is needed task ofovercomingunderdevelop of global revolution that is sweep is something similar to Mao's ment. ing man into a new era of human cultural revolution and the Red To help us defeat this isolation, ness-the cultural revolution. This is unfortunate and suicidal Guard- the elite troops of the to help us defeat the blockade, for a paper that ascribes to radical movement where the yellow man's we count on the militant solidarity revolution-especially in the con basic insight into life has been of our friends of all countries, text of the U.S., where all the old attacked and he has been forced who are the friends of the Viet bourgeois images that Americans to come to deal with the urban, namese people, the friends of all have lived out of are crumbling scientific world into which he is the just causes of humanity. On in the face of the urbanization, being ushered. This is radical this 15th anniversary of the computerization and seculari revolution. Everything short of assault on the Moncada Garrison, zation of their homeland. Who this is revisionistic and perhaps International Day of Solidarity is that body of troops that is more of a demon to bringing with the Cuban Revolution, we going to forge out the new image off a global revolution than the hope that you, whom we count of man? Who will embody the bureaucrats or the police can ever among our friends, will express new life-style that is demanded your friendship, your support of be. in our times? R.J. E. our cause, by actively partici pating in the acts of solidarity with the Cuban Revolution that surely will be celebrated in your country, or, if it is within your possibilities, by helping to orga (If you are inter•ted in the ideal af 3737 Woodward Ave., Detroit4B201.(313) nize talks, conferences, ex 1aciali1m, you can meet 1acia li1ts in your TE 1-6135. positions, parties, etc. city at the following addre11e1.) Ea1t l.an1ing: YSA, Mike Maniska leo, 614 We express our appreciation Michigan, Apt. 2. 351-0970. and thanks, and reiterate that CAUFORNIA: AtaiCCidero: YSA, Bill Blau, MINNESOTA: Minneapoli ..St. Paul: SWP, the Cuban people, faithful to the P. 0. Box 1061, Atascadero. YSA and Labor Bookstore, 704 Hennepin example of Che, faithful to the Berkeley-Oalllond: Socialist Workers Ave., Hall 240, Mpls. 55403. (612) example of the heroes of Mon Party (SWP) and Young Socialist Alliance FE 2-7781. cada, will remain firmly on the (YSA), 2519A Telegraph Ave., Berkeley MISSOURI: St. l.aui1: Phone EV 9-2 89 5, road that they have undertaken, 94704. (415) 849-1032. ask for Dick Clarke. under the leadership of our Com Colusa: YSA, John Montgomery, 1107 NEW JERSEY: Newark: Newark Labor mander in Chief, Fidel Castro. Jay St., Colusa 95932. Forum, Box 361, Newark 07101. EVER ONWARD TO VIC Los Angele1: SWP and YSA. 1702 Eost NEW YORK: Albany: YSA, Irving Sherman, TORY! Fourth St., LA. 90033. (213) AN 9-4953. 26 Willett St., Albony 12210. Cuban Institute for Friend San Diego: San Diego Labor Forum, New York City: Militant Labor Forum. ship with the Peoples P. 0. Box 2221, San Diego 92112. 873 Broadway (near 18th St.), N.Y. 10003. San Francisco: Militant Labor Forum and (212) 982-6051. Likes French coverage Pioneer Books, 2338MorketSt.,S.F.94114. OHIO: Cleveland: Eugene V. Debs Hall, (415) 552-1266. 2nd floor west, 9801 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Philadelphia, Pa. Santa Rosa: Young Socialist Alliance, 44106. (216) 791-1669. (The Madman) Your coverage of the French Stefan Bosworth, BOB Spencer. Kent: YSA, Roy S. lnglee, 123 Woter St. Revolution of '68 was very good. GEORGIA: YSA, P.O. Box 6262, Atlanta, N., Kent 44240. 673-7032. Please continue with more articles Ga. 30308. (404) 872-1612. Yellow Springs: Antioch YSA, Michael A reprint of a cartoon magazine put out by French on the European revolutionary IWNOIS: Carbondale: YSA, Bill Moffet, 406 Schreiber, Antioch Union, Yellow Springs students (Action Committee No. 1) on the revolu movement. S. Washington. 45387. 767-5511. T.R.B. Champaig,..Urbona: YSA, P. 0. Box 2099, PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: SWP and tionary developments there. This edition, published Stotion A, Chompoign, Ill. 61820. YSA, 686 N. Broad St., Philo. 19130. (215) by Berkeley, Calif., radical bookstore "Granma" Chicago: SWP, YSA and bookstore, 302 CE 6-6998. contains English translations and explanation's. Workers talk back S. Canal St., Rm. 204, Chicago 60606. TEXAS: Au1tin: YSA, Charles Cairns, 1803 to steel union tops (312) 939-5044. Enfield Ave., Austin. A nonprofit project published in solidarity with INDIANA: llaamingtan: YSA, Russel Block, Hou1ton: YSA, Dov id Shroyer, 1116 Detroit, Mich. 207 East2 nd St., Bloomington 4740 l. 339- Columbus St., Houston 78703. (713) JA 9- the revolutionary students of France. Steelworkers are the most poor 4640. 2236. ly informed workers. A great gap Evansville: YSA, Ronald Hicks, c/o Lyles, UTAH: Salt Lake City: Shem Richards, 957 separates the steelworkers from 638 E. Missouri, Evansville. E. First Ave., Salt Lake 84103. (801) 355- the top union echelons, who hard lndianapoli1: Holstead-Boutelle Cam 3537. 16 pages two colors ly inform them about the develop paign, P.O. Box 654, lndionapolis,lndiona, WASHINGTON. D. C.: YSA, 3 Thomas Cir 50( ing contract situation. Inherent 46206. cle, N. W., 2nd floor, Washington, D. C., in such gaps as this there is al MARYLAND: Baltimore: YSA, Toby Rice, 20005. (202) 332-4635. Order from: Granma Bookstore Merit Publishers ways the possibility of an unex 2402 Calvert St., Baltimore. WASHINGTON: Seattle: SWP and YSA, 2519A Telegraph or 873 Broadway pected explosive potential. MASSACHUSETTS: Ba1tan: Militant Labor 5257 University Way N. E., Seattle 98105 Berkeley, Calif. New York, N.Y. 10003 Illustrative of the need for ex Forum, 295 Huntington Ave., Rm. 307. (206) 523-2555. pressing their will was a letter (617) 876-5930. WISCONSIN: Madi1on: YSA, 202 Mo rion writing campaign initiated in one MICHIGAN: Detroit: Eugene V. Debs Hall, St. (608) 256-0857. Friday, July 19, 1968 THE MILITANT Page 3 rThe crisis continues' U.S. reporter in Paris
We reprint below excerpts from an article by Joseph Barry, which appeared in the July 4 issue of The Village Voice. Joseph Barry is a former ~olumnist for the New York Post and is now living in Paris.
PARIS, June 29-Will there be barricades this fall? De Gaulle had a [parliamentary] majority in May, and parliament was be side the point. A stronger majority could mean greater tension, a conflict of dif ferent powers. The crisis continues. If any thing, it worsens. It was a strange experience to go day after day not only to the Sorbonne, but also to the Citroen automobile plant. After the greatest strike in French history with the largest classical gains in wages and photo by Hermes hours, the workers returned to work with WORKERS MARCH. When leaders of CP finally called on workers to march an extraordinary combination of bitter May 29, 800,000 rank-and-file unionists turned out in display of desire for ness andcombativity. Theyfeltrobbed ... fundamental change. We may be seeing in France the first working-class rejection of what we blithely call the consumer's society ....As much as the products, they want a share in the French weekly reports production. Already the Communist-led CGT [General Federation of Labor] is losing ground to the Catholic-led CFDT [French Democratic Federation of Labor], on revolutionary youth because the latter is talking of human and moral demands, of the very nature of the The following, which we have translated express his disagreement, discuss. Respect them, have worker power, and the stu assembly line and the voiceless workers from the French, is a section of a longer for the rights of different points of view dents, who did the teaching, have the on it. The French workers ... have a article entitled, "The Troublemakers," by is sacrosanct. detonating power. De Gaulle, however, sense of alienation as acute as the French Katia D. Kaupp, from the June 19 issue Along with the March 22 Movement, has the police and the army and surely students, but not yet as clear. of Le Nouvel Observateur, a widely read the JCR were the only ones to fill the the impression, after the election, of pop So de Gaulle returns With his majority Paris weekly. The complete article de grand auditorium. Every possible space, ularity .... (The parallel to the Amer reinforced and the workers and students scribes the various left-wing youth groups including the entrances to the balconies, il!an experience is striking: the failure of with their sense of nothing gained and in France and the attitude of each during was occupied. In seats, on the floor, stand Congress, the possibility of a no-choice everything to be recommenced. There is the May revolutionary crisis. We reprint ing-everyone found a place as best he a new beat in the Latin Quarter meetings election, the return of the students to the here that portion of the article which dis could. It was as if Sartre were speaking. to a kind of syncopated tune: "It's only streets. And is there a sense of alienation cusses the Jeunesse Communiste Revolu From the JCR's founding in April1966, the beginning. Let's continue to fight!" But among the workers that might suddenly tionnaire ( JCR- Revolutionary Commu following their expulsion from the UEC, you hear it too in the factory suburbs, surface, as in France?) nist Youth). they have given total support to Vietnam briefer: "Wait until fall!" The workers are Before deciding on elections, de Gaulle (in particular the CVN [National Vietnam edgy. You don't read about it in the papers, had gone to Baden-Baden to consult with Finally, theJCR-Jeunesse Communiste Revolutionnaire (Revolutionary Commu Committees]) and to Cuba-this revolu but there are work stoppages at the drop his generals, particularly Massu .... tionary country outside the two blocs and The next day a brigade of tanks were nist Youth) ... It is mostly made up of what they consider a disregard, a dis which most clearly rejects "statist" politics. respect, a violation of the human condi moving through the Paris suburbs, but of youth previously thrown out of the UEC- Union des Etudiants Communistes They participated in the Liege [Belgium] tion. were unused because unneeded-the CGT Vietnam demonstration along with "tradi persuaded the workers to go back to work, [Union of Communist Students]. They were The elections are over ... Parliament tional'' Communists, social democrats, and promising victory at the polls .... expelled in 1965 for refusing to support will once again be sitting, not in judgment, various revolutionary groups (October The Spanish falangist paper Arriba has Francois Mitterrand's candidacy [a petty but on trial. Parliament as a peaceful 1966). And they were at the Brussels means to reform has thus far failed, and already saluted de Gaulle as a fellow bourgeois "left" politician backed by the CP in the French presidential elections]. International Conference organized by the it may not have much farther to go. Power falangist. It is premature, if not inaccurate. [European] youth movements standing to this fall will probably be back in the street De Gaulle is Gaullist. During the high point Their paper is Avant-GardeJeunesse(Van guard Youth). With them, as with the the left of the old organizations (February and more importantly, the factory- it is of May, a young revolutionary Marxist 1967). Three clear basic needs emerged here France differs so much from any had asked me whether de Gaulle might "anars" [slang for anarchists], you can be comfortable. These are nice people, good at Brussels: support for Vietnam; other country that has known student not revert to the French army to keep struggle against NATO and imperialism; revolt. himself in power .. "Never," I said. "It's humored, cheerful, "civilized": "You want to see us? All right, whenever you want. organization of political and practical co And then what will the government do not in his character. He despises the mil ordination among the movements. with its parliamentary majority that it itary, and besides he broke the French We meet epery evening in the Guizot auditorium." It is true that they are revolutionists. couldn't do in May? If de Gaulle has army." So much for character analysis They have always said so. They have electoral power, the workers, May taught versus Marxist analysis . . . . A meeting-and posters in all the cor ridors, everywhere, to inform people of always declared that the mounting revo it. Everybody agrees: "The JCR is doing lutionary wave in the world today poses a fantastic job at the Sorbonne. "The Gui the question of ''world socialism." But they wt auditorium has been full every evening. have never acted like a gang or a secret ... Seattle Black Panthers There the JCR would conduct a "course" organization preparing in the shadows in history or current events, rather similar to finish off capitalism! Only this: France (Continued from page 1) employees and the presence of armed Burns to the education the students would like is a capitalist country and just talking Malcolm X scholarship funds," he stated. detectives-who are not found in stores in their colleges. These sessions were al about socialism is enough to make it When questioned about the Black Panther in the white community. The picket line ways followed by enthusiastic discussion, tremble. There are some ideas that are Party's position on the draft, Brisker said, brought business to a standstill, and a and the enthusiasm was contagious. more frightening than guns. "We must take a hard position on the special detachment of cops arrived on Alain Krivine, Henri Weber, and Daniel war in Vietnam. We have no business the scene. The pickets shouted at a black Bensaid took turns. Krivine is a doctoral Dissention brews in Vietnam. The community must be pre cop placed in front of the store, ''Your candidate in history. He has a warm voice, pared to defend black brothers against brain has been washed inside and out a black mane of hair, and wears a nautical the military police when they try to rip by the hankies downtown." style outfit. He looks half like a prophet in the LBJ nest a brother off." The Black Panther Party Legal defense is another increasingly and half like a Central European intel We all know the American public's great is proposing service within the black com important aspect of Black Panther work. lectual. Weber is preparing a thesis for a affection for Lyndon Johnson. According munity as an alternative to the draft for In addition to the sit-in convictions, five master's degree in sociology. He has blue to Drew Pearson, writing in the current Afro-Americans. brothers have been charged with arson black eyes and hair. Bensaid has a BA issue of Look magazine, LBJ's decision Curtis Harris declared that a major and disturbing the peace; they were ar in philosophy and is writing a thesis on not to run again was influenced by the objective of his campaign would be in rested during the rebellion following Martin a topic that is quite apropos: "Lenin's following consideration: "'I think I could creased communication between black Luther King's assassination. Concept of the Revolutionary Crisis"! With get renominated. I think I could get re people and making the Black Panther At the Militant Labor Forum Brisker gold-flecked, mischievous eyes, he is the elected. But the stockholders are dis Party and its 10-point program known stated, "America is an imperialist and colo most relaxed. satisfied.'" in the community. He urged supporters nial power." Afro-Americans are "an inter All of them have an extraordinary gift "The final clincher" in LBJ's getting out to get the word out about the campaign nally colonized people." for extemporaneous speaking- what a dif while the getting is good, says Pearson, and reminded the audience, "The Black "American capitalism has the ability to ference from the pretailored speeches of came fromJohnson'sowndaughter, Lynda Panther Party has 200 representatives absorb and nullify movements for change," our radio-television candidates! And their Robb. Lynda Bird allegedly visited the not just two." Brisker said. As examples of this nullifica political knowledge is faultless. White House right after her husband, Ma Besides this major political step of run tion, Brisker pointed to the role of black When they hold a big public meeting, rine Captain Charles Robb, had received ning independent black candidates, the Democratic mayors like Walter Washing before it starts the JCR members on the orders to go to Vietnam. "'Daddy,' she Black Panther Party is engaged in a number ton and Richard Hatcher, who, he said, platform hum the "Chant des Marais" [a said, 'I want to ask you a question. Why of arenas of activity. They have organized are puppets of the white power structure. French revolutionary song] through to do we have the right to be over there patrols of the black community to keep At the Forum a collection of nearly the end: the entire hall then breaks out when so many people are opposed to the an eye on the cops. $75 was raised for the Black Panther in the first two stanzas of the "Interna war? Why do we have to send 200 boys On a recent Saturday they organized Party and for the defense of Seattle blacks tionale." This is already more powerful over therein Chuck's company when there's a picket line of about 100 black residents framed up by the city administration. But than in the "united" marches. so much opposition here at home to the in front of an Albertson's supermarket in the Panthers need much more money for But a JCR meeting is first of all a work war?'" the black community. They called for a their campaign work and for legal defense. session. Serious, well-documented work Lynda, the Pearson article quotes LBJ, boycott of Albertson's, one of the largest Donations should be sent to their head without wasted talk. But it is also a dis "'was pale as a ghost. She talked to me food chains in the Seattle area. They quarters at 1127-1/2 34th Ave., Seattle, play of intellectual fireworks. It is, further about what a fine boy Chuck was, in the were protesting the firing of several black Washington. more, a public meeting. Anyone can speak, past tense, as if he was never coming back.'" Page 4 THE MILITANT Friday, July 19, 1968 Some lessons of the Berkeley fight
By Peter Camejo viduals working in the action, the PFP and a confidence that the ruling class over every legal argument. The PLP should Peter Camejo is a leader of the move steering committee issued a leaflet calling in the last analysis is just and will also study how Lenin spent endless hours think ment in Berkeley, and is the Socialist for a meeting in its own name to plan be "reasonable." ing out ways to explain to workers why Workers Party candidate for senator from a PFP rally right in the middle of the But how the mass of the people see a their strike struggles were legal under California. struggle. Fortunately, the PFP steering struggle is part of the relationship offorces Czarist laws. It is not a question of getting BERKELEY -What made the Berkeley committee agreed to go before the regular and cannot be overlooked. In fact, what is hung up on legalisms, but of presenting city council finally vote 5 to 3 to grant the mass meeting taking place each day. A known as "public opinion" can be decisive a true picture-of placing the blame for south campus community the use of Tele mass meeting voted to include any PFP in a struggle. It can determine which is violence where it belongs, in this case graph Avenue on July 4? Was this really speakers within the planned, over-all July going to be more costly to the ruling class on the police and city government. a victory? 4 action. to attempt to crush the struggle through In Berkeley, for instance, the question The closing of Telegraph Avenue is a Sectarianism and organizational fac force and run the risk of creating even arose as to whether we had a permit symbol. Taken in isolation, the closing tionalism in the middle of such struggles more massive opposition; or to give con for the original rally. We had the only of the street July 4 was of little consequence. can be quite harmful. cessions, hoping to placate an awakening permit necessary, and thus our rally was But in the context of the struggle waged Mass Meetings mass consciousness. a perfectly legal one. The press continues in the days preceding the council vote, What has become known here as mass Therefore, any revolutionary must take to refer to it as an illegal rally, but we this was a clear victory for the young meetings is absolutely crucial in these the question of public opinion seriously. explained that was not so. people who fought for their rights against kinds of struggles. They are really much How to Win Public Opinion What revolutionaries should understand all attempts by the city government and more than just decision-making bodies. There are three basic rules to keep in is that the ruling class is not the slightest the police to abridge those rights. The meeting of over 1,000 people before mind. First of all is clarity in your de bit concerned about whether the rally was The 5 to 3 vote in our favor reflected the city council on July 2 was in effect mands. People must be able to under- "legal" or "illegal." They are concerned the culmination of a process which had over the consciousness of the mass of the made the position of the city authorities people who heat' about the struggle. less and less tenable...... : a process which The war in Vietnam is illegal. Laws forced the city council to accede to our are violated every day by the ruling class demands or face the prospect of even in every city in this country. But they more massive opposition to their actions. understand the importance of how people The vote itself was a direct admission see any given struggle. The revolutionary of the justice of our demands. And, to the must take it just as seriously. thousands who participated in the actions The third factor to keep in mind is leading to the capitulation by the council, decisiveness, determination and combati it was living proof that the way to win vity. If you stand firm and make it clear reforms in the present system is through that you will fight rather than forego direct action, through essentially revolu principle, people can respect you. tionary activity. But without defensive formulations and For three years every "due process" without clarity in your demands, deter method had been tried to get the council mination and combativity will only isolate to close Telegraph Avenue. All failed. After you and permit the ruling class to victimize three days of direct action, a special city you. council meeting voted to close Telegraph By Wednesday, July 3, we had achieved and the police were kept completely out all three factors to some degree. Over and of sight. over again we had explained the issue: The council vote also established an im our constitutional right to assembly. Over portant precedent which it will be hard and over again, on radio, television, and to erase, although one can be sure the in the papers, we had repeated our key city council will try to move back towards demand: assembly. the old situation as quickly as possible. We explained how we did not want vio photo by Dave Warren In a similar way, the university administr a AT JULY 4 RALLY. Peter Camejo addresses victory rally. lence, that the violence was caused by the tion has whittled away at the gains won police. We were willing to apply for all by the Free Speech Movement of 1964. a mass meeting, probably the best in stand why you are struggling. The issues and any permits. We went before the city But the Berkeley campus still has the now many ways. Here speaker after speaker must be presented clearly and concisely. council, etc. All our explanations reflected institutionalized right to use the Sproul documented the reality of the police occupa Secondly, use defensive formulations. reality. They were defensively formulated. Hall steps area and the right to set up tion of Berkeley. This meeting made the Many people are confused by what is meant And, last but not least, we stood firm. literature tables, both won in that struggle. issues much more clear and increased by "defensive formulations." Actually, de After the city council voted us down 5 This is not much, but it is still important. consciousness of the justice of our demands. fensive formulations are simply statements to 4 on July 2, a mass meeting of over Most important of all is the education of Mass meetings reflect the sentiment, the that reflect reality. It is the police and the 2,000 voted to return to Telegraph Avenue thousands through such struggles. mood of those involved in the struggle. ruling class that are oppressing people on July 4 -regardless. We had already The Need for Unity A mass meeting makes it possible to in and creating violence. The ruling class proven on the streets that we could fight. There are a couple of lessons of the fight volve people and to get the necessary has always tried to make the people think That meeting of 2,000 represented some 10 which the whole radical movement can information to everyone. At Berkeley we that the poor, the oppressed, those whose to 15 thousand-at least-who would be learn from. had six mass meetings in five days. The rights are being infringed upon, are the there July 4 in support of the right of as Once the police attacked on Friday, June largest numbered 2, 000; the smallest about cause of violence. They portray the govern sembly. Millions of others would under 28, the battle which resulted belonged to 600. ment and the police force as simply trying stand and reflect some sympathy. So the no specific group or viewpoint. It was Winning the "Public" to maintain "order" and "peace." ruling class chose to concede. Telegraph a battle between the dissident young people When liberals speak about winning over Insofar as the ruling class can succeed was closed. of that community and the city's ruling public opinion, they mean they want you in creating a distorted image of reality, Hidden behind our victory is the price circles. to water down your program and your they can cut off sympathy and support we paid. Some 35 young people still face No serious struggle can be waged with tactics. Watering down your program and for a struggle, whether it be of workers, imprisonment, some under felony charges. out being organized. But the organiza your tactics is the surest way not to win Afro-Americans or students. The fact that we were not strong enough tional structure of a struggle must reflect public sympathy. Every time you water The Question of Legality to get the charges dropped shows the the people involved and must be fitted down your demands, the liberals will only Legal questions can take on important limit of our victory. We must not forget to the immediate task. The key to this pressure you to give in some more; because mass dynamics in this respect. A leaflet those facing trial now. Both a political struggle was to involve the largest possible behind the liberals' demand for "reason by the Progressive Labor Party (PLP) and a legal defense must be mounted number of people in direct actions. ableness" is a deep opposition to struggle attacked the Berkeley YSA for its concern for these young people. The daily press immediately sought and seeks- to put labels on the struggle. They seek to throw in an element of con fusion or red-baiting. It is crucial that radical and socialist organizations not Berkeley: what happened fall for this, and try to seek narrow orga nizational advantage from such a move ment. For instance, when the recent Colum On Friday, June 28, the Young Socia against the police attack. They decided There were no demonstrations on bia University struggle broke out, SDS, list Alliance, with the support of other that rights are won only by fighting for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Instead which had taken the initiative in the action, groups, held a rally on Telegraph Avenue them, and that they would return to Tele they went through all the avenues of legal did not encompass all the people engaged in solidarity with the workers and stu graph for another rally. This rally grew procedure to get Telegraph closed July 4. in that struggle. Insofar as the struggle dents of France and to protest the current to 2,000. On Tuesday, they went to the city council, could be labelled an SDS action, it was Gaullist witchhunt against the French left. Again the police attacked, this time more en masse. So many other citizens were weakened, since general agreement with At two open planning meetings it was viciously. The demonstrators, too, fought present who spoke in favor of the right SDS was confused with agreement over decided to keep the street clear of dem back harder. Sporadic fighting occurred of free assembly and against police vio the issues involved in the concrete struggle. onstrators during the rally, to avoid giving throughout the city. Many citizens were lence that the recalcitrant city council of In Berkeley a similar situation arose the police any supposed pretext for in beaten by the cops, who even chased people less than a week earlier began to crack around the Young Socialist Alliance. How fringing on the right of assembly, although into their homes and brutalized them. and bow to the pressure. They lifted the ever, the YSA immediately sought to create everyone knew that there was nothing curfew. And four of the nine voted for a united effort of all the groups and indi illegal about a street rally. That night the demonstration was smaller, but it occurred and thus showed the granting of Telegraph for July 4- viduals that supported the struggle. Most of the demonstrators, about 1,000 that the imposition of a curfew would not but five voted against. These kinds of actions tend to create in number, stayed on the sidewalk as stop the movement. The Sunday night broad, united action committees which re directed by monitors. The police attacked Following the city council meeting Tues rally was held at the city hall-outside flect the actual participants and which anyway, thus clearly revealing that their day, another mass meeting was held of can be most effective in fighting. In such orders were to allow no rally, no matter of the curfew zone. And the mayor re 2,000. At this meeting Peter Camejo urged formations, there must be no exclusion how peaceful and legal. sponded by extending the curfew to cover that they go ahead full-steam with planning the en tire city. of anyone who supports the struggle. The cops indiscriminately lobbed tear the most massive demonstration for July In Berkeley, the local Alameda County gas from speeding cars and beat up dem In the face of the curfew, the movement 4 at Telegraph Avenue, even if the council steering committee of the Peace and Free onstrators and others who happened to developed a new strategy: Instead of refused to grant a permit. The vote was dom Party did not understand this. They be on the street. mustering demonstrations of whatever size overwhelming in favor of organizing a felt that PFP represents "the movement" The demonstrators began to fight back. might be possible every day, they decided July 4 rally. and therefore the actions should take place Barricades were built for defense. to build up for a truly massive action on On July 3, the council met and recon under their organizational banner. With The next day, Saturday, 600 people July 4, and to use the time before the sidered the question. By a 5-3 vote, they out consulting any other group or indi- went to a mass meeting to plan a protest Fourth to rally popular support. capitulated. Friday, July 19, 1968 THE MILITANT Page 5
The Berkeley battle
Four-page special photo supplement
JUNE 28 RALLY. Street meeting called by Young Socialist Alliance and other groups in solidarity with the workers and students of France. Photo taken before cops attacked peaceful demonstration.
TEAR GAS. Cops used tear gas in attack on rally near Berkeley campus night of June 28.
photo by Hermes photo by Ron Alexander VOTE. Mass meeting on Berkeley campus July 1 decides to go to city council AT JULY 1 MASS MEETING. Peter Camejo addressing decision-making next day to present demands. meeting. Page 6 THE MILITANT Friday, July 19, 1968 Fri<
photo by H ermes ATTACK CITIZENS. Cops shove elderly couple PREPARE TO BREAK UP RALLY. Cops line upon Telegraph Ave. night of June 28 in preparation for attack on r in their sweep to clear streets night of June 28. French workers and students.
OF GOL\) 1? 1r1f1c0 _ 'J T Pt/- --J pho to by Hermes photo by H ermes BEFORE ATTACK. Police Chief Beale (arrow) talks with Peter Camejo Uust left of Beale) over microphone night of June 28. Beale then ordered cop attack ON TELEPHONE POLE. Sign at Dwight Way a nd Telegraph Ave. on June 30. on peaceful rally. photo by H ermes BLACK PANTHER LEADER. Bobby Seale, Black Panther Party chairman, addresses city council meeting July 2. Massive turnout at city council meeting, where citizens expressed their indigna tion at police attacks and curfew im pho to by Dave Wa rren posed by mayor, helped build popular support for student demands. GRANMA BOOKSTORE. Radical bookstore in Berkeley. Friday, July 19, 1968 THE MILITANT Page 7 photo by Dave Warren n for attack on peaceful rally in support of photo by Hermes BARRICADES. Young people set up barricades in defense from police attacks during nights of street battles. - '· - photo by Doug Muir PageS THE MILITANT Friday, July 19, 1968 pho to by Hermes AT CITY COUNCIL. Peter Camejo, standing, presents demands to city-council meeting which drew 1,500 Berkeley residents. ,, .: , z~ photo by Ron Alexander VICTORY CELEBRATION. July 4 rally on Telegraph Ave. photo by Ron Alexander JULY 4 RALLY. Eldridge Cleaver, Black Panther Party leader, addresses victory celebration. photo by Ron Alexa nder Painted on Telegraph Ave. photo by H ermes JUNE 29 MASS MEETING. Scene at Bancroft and Telegraph Ave. pho to by Ron Alexander photo by Dave Warren JUNE 28 RALLY. Sign over speaker's stand, before cop attack. RED FLAG. July 4 PAUL BOUTELLE. Socialist Workers rally. Party vice-presidential candidate ad dresses July 4 victory rally. Friday, July 19, 1968 THE MILITANT Page 9 ••• transit workers (Continued from page 1) trains, who are members of a different Transit leaders do not contest the right local of the transit workers union. Many of retired members to vote for union el motormen did not report for work, officers and convention delegates, which demonstrating both their support of the in any case is required by the Kennedy drivers and their feeling that they share Landrum-Griffin Act. many of the same grievances. Those most affected by the block of SCLC Support retired drivers are the black workers, Jesse Jackson of the Southern Christian who comprise a majority of the union's Leadership Conference also voiced support rank and file. Since the Chicago Transit of the strikers at the July 5 strike meeting. Authority only began employing black Jackson announced that SCLC intended workers in 1943, virtually all the retired to run an educational campaign in black members are older white workers. The neighborhoods to explain the just griev retired men find it easier to attend union ances of the bus drivers to the community. meetings than the active drivers, who In addition, he said, SCLC was consider must often work nights. ing calling a general boycott of all trains WhiteOmcers and buses in the Chicago area pending All the officers of Local 241 are white, a settlement of the dispute. Jackson later and only four Afro-Americans are on stated that parishioners of more than 50 the 26-man executive board. Strike lead churches would hear explanations of the ers point out that democratization of the strike during Sunday-morning services. union would result in increased repre Jackson pointed to the Montgomery bus sentation of the black majority. boycott and the Memphis sanitation work The strike, which shut down major bus ers' strike as examples to be followed lines for five days and resulted in a by the black community of Chicago. $700,000 revenue loss for the Transit Faced with this threat, Mayor Daley Authority, was ably led by an all-black moved to head off the strike by bypass leadership firmly based on this unrepre ing the all-white official leadership of Local sented majority of transit workers. This 241 and negotiating directly with the leadership has also been able to gain leadership of the strike. After six-and-a very significant support from white work half hours of bargaining, Daley was photo by Hermes ers. able to reach an "understanding" with the COPS PREPARE FOR ATTACK. Photo taken night of June 28, as Berkeley The front page of the July 6 Chicago strike leaders that the men would return cops get ready. Note teargasgrenadeonhip-and absence of identifying badge. Sun Times shows a white worker receiving to work with no disciplinary action against a standing ovation at a strike meeting them. During the course of the negotia held July 5 at Monumental Baptist Church. tions, Daley was also able to reach James Newspaper reports continually mention J. Hill, president of the bus drivers' union, 'I was afraid of what the the support the strike has received from who stated he would meet with leaders both black and white drivers. of the Concerned Transit Workers early Stating the position of the strike leader this week. ship, Benson said, "This is one time that But immediately following the negotia cops were doing to people' black men are leading white men. They tions between Daley and the strike leaders, know that what benefits us benefits them. Hill stated, "If they think there are any By Elizabeth Barnes The union [leadership] isn't representing commitments, they are in for a rude BERKE LEY, Calif. -On Friday night them any better than it represents us." awakening. This union is the bargaining as the cops rushed into a restaurant, clubs when the cops opened up with tear gas Further support for the strikers came agent for the bus drivers." swinging, pulled people out and started against the students, an older man hap beating them up. People coming into Ber from workers operating Chicago's elevated Unfinished Struggle pened to be walking nearby on his way The announcement that the leaders of keley from San Francisco who didn't even home. He astonished the demonstrators the Concerned Transit Workers have ap know about the curfew were stopped and by marching up to an official from the pealed to their international union for beaten. police department and demanding to know election of a new leadership is just another A minister was beaten up by police in why cops were running up and down the step in this yet unfinished struggle of the front of a church as he was directing streets of his community throwing tear gas. union rank and file to better their condi wounded students inside. The cops broke tions of employment. Although the dispute "What did these kid do?" he asked. the window on Cody's Bookstore on Tele DETROIT is far from ended, already a few generali "Well," the officer replied "they went out graph Ave. and tear-gassed a first aid SOCIAUST SUMMER SCHOOL Sat., July 27: The zations can be made. First, the black into the street." station. Cuban Revolution; Sat., Aug. I 0: Fascism; Sat., Aug. workers have been able to bring forth "So you tear-gas them! Well that's just Nearly two hundred people were arrested. 24: Block Nationalism. II :30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Debs a leadership capable of successfully chal about the stupidest thing I've seen in a Many of these were on curfew violations. Hall, 3737 Woodward. For more information call831- lenging both the Chicago Transit Autho long time," the man bellowed. "I've lived The curfew itself, with its logic of arbitrary 6135. rity and the conservative union bureau here for 15 years, and I've never seen and brutal police rule, was what woke cracy. Second, this all-black leadership anything like that!" up many people to what was going on. CUBA. A series af lectures and discussions. Fri., July has been able to gain very significant By the end of the week thousands of During an eight-hour-long meeting of 19: The Struggle far Power: The Revolutionary War support from those white workers within Berkeley residents had had some confronta the city council during which scores of and the Evolution of Leadership; Fri., July 26: The the transit union who are willing to fight tion or experience with the police which citizens put their grievances against the Development of the Cuban Revolution: Its Defiance of caused them to sympathize with the de police before the city government, many Aggressi.on and its Socialism. 8:00 p.m. Debs Hall, for better working conditions. Finally, the entry of black community mands of the protesters. of the stories of brutalities came out. 3737 Woodward. For more information call831-6135. Many of them had been clubbed by cops, A Baptist minister, Dr. Raymond Jen Ausp. Friday Night Socialist Forum. leadership organizations represents a new dynamic factor in labor disputes, a factor or tear-gassed, or had witnessed others nings, told the council, "I stood on that being beaten. On Saturday night for ex corner the other night and I couldn't be LOS ANGELES• earlier witnessed in Memphis. Black work ample, when the cops attacked, many lieve what I saw with my own eyes. I FRENCH REVOWTION BETRAYED- The Role of ers, who make up a far greater proportion people in the area who had nothing to do didn't get my family home until after the French Communist Party in the May Events. Speaker of the basic working force than their num with the protest were beaten or gassed. 1:30 because I was afraid of what the Joel Britton, Socialist Workers Party. Fri., July 19, bers in the total population suggest, have Masses of people watched over television 8:30 p.m. 1702 E. 4th St. Donation. Ausp. Militant powerful forces outside the trade unions police were doing to people on the streets." Labor Forum. which can_play an important role in future working-class actions. NEW• YORK The strategic location of the black popu THE BATTLE OF BERKELEY. Speaker. Peter lation in the key industrial areas, as well Camejo, Berkeley student leaderandSWPcandidatefor as its militancy, further increases the power U.S. Senate from Calif. Fri., July 19, 8:30 p.m. 873 that black workers can wield in defense CHE GUEVARA'S Broadway, near 18th St. Contrib. $1.00. Ausp. Militant of their interests against bosses and union Labor Forum. bureaucrats alike. ------·clip and mail ------BOLIVIAN DIARIES The English translation of the diary authorized by the Cuban Special to New Readers Government following its publication in Havana. Covers the period of Nov. 7, 1966, to Oct. 7, 1967, just before his death. If you would like to get better acquainted with THE MILITANT, you Includes photographs taken while he organized guerrilla forces in Bolivia. may obtain a special, introductory four-month subscription for Sl. {If you're already sold on the paper, you can help out by sending a reg ular one-year subscription for $3.) Introduction by Fidel Castro 0 Enclosed is $1 for a 4 month introductory subscription. 0 Enclosed is $3 for a 1 year regular subscription. $1.25 paperback Bantam Book NAME ...... order from; Dep't. M 12 STREET. erit CITY . STATE . . . ZIP 873 Broadway 11ublishers New York, N.Y. 100031 Send to: The Militant, 873 Broadway, New Yorlc, N.Y. 10003 Page 10 THE MILITANT Friday, July 19, 1968. TOKEN OR REAL? The CP presidential ticket By Harry BlDg line of promoting "peaceful coexistence" politician, Henry Wallace, as its "peace" reconciling its public commitment to The decision of the Communist Party between the capitalist and noncapitalist candidate. (In 1950 Wallace declared sup Ferguson with its unconcealed enthusiasm to nominate a presidential ticket this year worlds. port for the criminal U. S. aggression in for O'Dwyer. represents a rather complicated maneuver To achieve such "coexistence"theMoscow Korea.) All of these various and obviously con designed to fog over the party's real line bureaucrats offer the capitalists class peace By 1952, the CP had decided that even tradictory efforts are intended to implement of supporting capitalist politicians. instead of class struggle within their own formation of a third capitalist party was a current tactical modification ofthe "main To be fully understood, this maneuver countries and in their colonies. This has an "ultraleft adventure," and that it was stream" line. This modification is presented has to be examined in the context of the meant that those Communist parties which necessary to get back into the "main under the formula of working "inside and CP's long-standing reformist program. adhere to Moscow's line follow a policy stream," that is, the liberal wing of the outside" the Democratic Party. The slate nominated by the CP's Fourth of working actively to dampen the class Democratic Party. This has meant con That is, the CP recognizes that there are of July convention- Charlene Mitchell struggle and to promote reformist pol centration on such formations as the New growing numbers of people today who are for President and Michael Zagarell for itics. York Reform Democratic Clubs and the leaving or refuse to enter the Democratic Vice-President -is the first presidential No Armed Struggle California Democratic Council. (Formal Party, and it doesn't want to completely ticket fielded by the CP since 1940. In Latin America it has meant opposing support was given to Vincent Hallinan, isolate itself from such people. The CP did not run candidates during the program of revolutionary armed strug the 1952 Progressive Party nominee, but This point is given particular urgency the intervening years because of its policy gle in favor of seeking a coalition with actually his campaign was knifed by CP because of the steadily growing support of working with liberal elements within "progressive sectors of the national bour unionists and others quietly putting their by young radicals of the presidential cam the major parties, principally the Demo geoisie" and even talk of a "parliamentary efforts behind the Stevenson campaign of paign of the Socialist Workers Party. cratic Party. The present decision to enter road to socialism" in countries beset by the Democrats.) Token Gesture a ticket does not represent a departure murderous dictatorships. By 1956 the CP had succeeded in burying Examined in this framework, the nomi- from that policy but is conceived of as a tactic to continue the pro-Democratic Party policy in what for the CP is a very sticky situation. This reformist policy of supporting capi talist parties and their nominees goes all the way back to 1936. At that time the CP was supporting Roosevelt and working actively with the "New Deal" forces in the VICTORY SPURS Democratic Party. But in those days there was a wide radicalization among the workers and op position to both major parties among them. So, in order to work more effectively FIGHT FOR THE in the Democratic Party and lead the left ward moving workers back to it, the CP decided it was expedient to maintain the fiction of independence from the Democrats. "Defeat Landon" PEOPLE'S GOALS To do this they nominated Earl Browder By DANIEL MASON for President and ran a token campaign THE AMERICAN PEOPLE last Tuesday gave Goldwaterism and the Republican on his behalf. Thegiveawaywasthecentral party a smashing defeat and have handed Democratic Party candidates, from Presi slogan of the campaign-"Defeat Landon dent Johnson arid his r.mning mate, Sen. Hubert Humphrey, down to the legislatures of [the Republican nominee] at all costs!" many states, a far-reaching man.. date for peace, equality and eco 486 from 44 states and the Dis cmtic ti-cket. In Louisiana, most The meaning of the slogan-vote for nomic security in the nation. trict of Columbia, with Gold of the Negro people were denied Roosevelt-was clear to the initiate. To paraPhrase a Gold-water water getting only 52 from ftve the right to vote. The same was slogan, the voters knew in their states in the deep South, Ala true in South Carolina. This is not simply an interesting historical hearts that the ultra-Right was bama, Mississippi,_ Louisian..Jf In Georgia, the GoldWater win It not right for the nation. South Carolina and Georgia, and was achieved through suppres point. sheds light on the present CP The astonishing vote set an Goldwater's own state, Arizona, sion of the Negro's right to vote tactic and on its line over the years since all-time r-eCord percentage.:.wise, where he probably squeaked in the rural areas and the ap with· the 39,215,326 votes for through. peal for racism among the eco the 30s. To further illuminate the point Johnson-Humphrey, as against But the picture in the five nomically fearful poor whites it's necessary to enter into what may first 24,780,804 for Goldwater-Miller, Southern states that went for there. This served to overbalance making an almost 62 per cent ma Goldwater is deceptive. Here the · the coalition of resurgent Negro appear as a digression. jority, surpassing even the victory of the ultra-Right racist voters and their white allies in Franklin D. Roosevelt landslide For more than four decades the line of Published twl~e weekly, Tuesday and Sunday coalition was fashioned with fag the great population center of Vol. XXIX-No. 292 November 8, 1964 over Alfred M. Landon in 1936. got, bomb and ten:or, and crimi Atlanta. ELECTORAL VOTE the CP has not been determined by the s-ad ol ... pUtace paid at New Yorll:, N. Y. nal perversion and subversion of In Mississippi, the terror the democratic electoral process. against the Negro citizens was at needs and interests of the broad masses In Alabama, no voter had the its greatest, with only a tiny who live under capitalism. Rather, party chance to vote for the Demo- (Continued on page 11) policy has been tailored to fit Moscow's diplomatic maneuvers. The process of reducing once revolu tionary communist parties to mere mouth THE WORKER hailed Johnson's election in 1964. pieces of bureaucratically conceived Kremlin foreign policy was carried through by Stalin. Representing a self-seeking, priv In a country like France it has meant the Progressive Party and the New York nation of a CP presidential ticket emerges ileged bureaucracy that had developed in the disastrous policy of diverting the strug American Labor Party and was deeply as nothing more than a token gesture the Soviet Union, Stalin broke with Marx gle for workers' power into the arena of reimbedded in the "mainstream." In the intended to placate those who insist on ism and succeeded in scrapping the revolu capitalist electoral politics, handing a vic name of "lesser evilism," the party backed working "outside" the Democratic Party tionary internationalist policy which had tory to de Gaulle. Stevenson in '56, Kennedy in '60 and and, hopefully, to draw them at least prevailed under the leadership of Lenin Here in the U.S. application of the LBJ in '64. part way in. ("Sure, we'll work for the and Trotsky. "peaceful coexistence" line has meant scrap But in 1968 this pro-Democratic line CP presidential ticket. But meanwhile we've For this revolutionary policy Stalin sub ping any pretense of adhering to the ele presents thorny problems of execution. also got a good Democratic peace can stituted a policy of seeking accommoda mentary Marxist concepts that society is While there are major differences, the sit didate in our district that we should get tions with one or another sector of world divided into classes with mutually anta uation is somewhat reminiscent of 1936 behind, and there's a lot of good people imperialism. gonistic interests, that the state is the ex when precisely in order to effectively sup in the local Democratic club.") This Kremlin policy of seeking live ecutive committee of the ruling class, and port the Democrats, the CP bad to make The fact that the CP intends this only and-let-live deals with imperialism was that capitalist parties like the Republicans the pretense of being independent of them. as a token campaign is indicated by the formally initiated in 1935 under the label and Democrats cannot in anywayexpress The key problem today is this: Unless date of the nomination. The decision to of "collective security." In the 50s Stalin the interests of the workers and the black McCarthy is nominated-something the run a presidential ticket was announced renamed it "peaceful competitive coexis people. CP desperately hopes for but apparently in ApriL But nominations were held off tence," and then Khrushchev dropped Instead the CP has substituted such anti doesn't expect-it will be extremely dif until July, when it was too late to get an the "competitive." The American CP's elec Marxist and reformist concepts as a ficult to sell people on working in the independent ticket on the ballot in most toral policy is a direct derivative of the "people's antimonopoly coalition," a thesis Democratic Party on behalf of local, state states, including such key ones as which asserts there are "antimonopoly" and congressional nominees classified as Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. sectors of the capitalist class that can be "peace-loving" or "progressive." And the argument that the CP is legally brought into a "progressive" coalition. Juggling Act barred from the ballot in a number of Application of the "antimonopoly coali That's why in recent months the CP states is a "good" reason rather than a tion" line is expressed through support has given the appearance of a frantic . real one. Such bans are clearly unconsti to "progressive" and "peace-loving" sectors juggler trying to keep a number of ping tutional, and if the CP decided to challenge of the Democratic Party and through cam pong balls in the air simultaneously. We're them, they would have the support of the paigning for candidates of the Democratic told of the urgency of"stopping Humphrey" entire radical movement and of significant Party who assertedly represent these "pro by nominating McCarthy. At the same civil-liberties forces as well. gressive" forces. time the CP promotes the idea of fielding Further, on those occasions in previous In 1936 and 1944 this policy took the a "third ticket" and drafting Dr. Spock years when the CP did want to get on the form of backing Roosevelt. (During his and Mrs. King for it. Meanwhile, it nomi ballot (Elizabeth Gurley Flynn in 1958, first term, the CP was on an ultraleft kick nates its own ticket. Herbert Aptheker in 1967), the party used and branded Roosevelt a "social fascist." Working out so complicated a maneuver the legitimate device permitted independent Then in 1940, during the Stalin-Hitler must surely be keeping the CP tops awake nominees of using any ballot designation pact, his Republican opponent, Willkie, was nights. For example, in New York the they chose. (Aptheker used "peace and presented as more "progressive.") party threw itself behind the Peace and freedom" and Gurley Flynn a similar one.) Wallace Fiasco Freedom formation which nominated But the CP isn't really interested in a In 1948, at the opening of the cold war Herman Ferguson, a militant Afro-Amer serious challenge to the capitalist parties. against the Soviet Union, the CPsupported ican separatist, for U.S. Senator. Then, On the contrary, it sees its campaign as formation of a third party, the Progressive unexpectedly, Paul O'Dwyer, a long-time buttressing its efforts "inside" the "main Party. But this party too was kept within favorit~ of "progressives" won the Demo stream." Gus Hall the framework of capitalist politics. The cratic nomination for the same office. The Watch how the CP campaign develops, Progressive Party nominated a capitalist CP now has the excruciating problem of and you'll get the point. Friday, July 19, 1968 THE MILITANT Page 11 Book review Who runs America? THE RICH AND THE SUPER-RICH may reside, it cannot rest on vast wealth. by Ferdinand Lundberg. Lyle Stuart, Inc., Or, it is said, while the great fortunes may 1968, 812 pp. $10.00 still exist, new fortunes are being made every day- America remains the "land In 1937, a young journalist hurled a of opportunity." bomb into the sedate drawing rooms of New Book the academic economists and sociologists. In his new book, The Rich and the Ferdinand Lundberg's America's Sixty Super-Rich, Lundberg effectively demolish Families immediately became a classic es these beliefs and shows that the theories of radical literature, and it has served based on them are simply false. radicals and socialists well over the years Wealth, Lundberg demonstrates, is enor as a source of factual material for political mously concentrated in the United States. and economic analysis. In 1958, the top one-half of one percent The thesis of the book was simple. There of the population owned 32 percent of is, Lundberg claimed, an "inner circle" the total national wealth. Although there of some 60 extended families that through was a slight trend toward greater equality their immense holdings controlled the great between 1929 and 1953, since 1954 that er part of the nation's productive wealth. trend has been reversed, and Lundberg Supported by some 450 further families estimates that by now the top one-half of great but not such vast wealth, these percent owns more than the 32.4 percent 60 families effectively dominated the econo it did in 1929. mic, social, political and cultural life of Ownership of productive wealth (facto the country. ries, etc.) is much more highly concentrated The evidence Lundberg presented in sup still. For example, while about 18 percent port of his thesis was formidable, and of households may own some stock, 1. 6 despite the agonized howls of apologis~ percent of the population own 80 percent for the status quo, his central argument of the outstanding shares, 100 percent to keep them intact. For, increasingly, Needless to say, through domination of of the tax-exempt state and municipal was never successfully attacked. Although a major portion of the family assets, rather education and the means of mass com bonds, and percent of corporate bonds. Lundberg was far from being a Marxist 88 than being passed down to individuals munication, the oligarchy's influence in And of the corporate sector of his theoretical conceptions were confused control which would subject them to high estate the cultural and ideological sphere is as the economy is even more highly concen and often extremely naive- Marxists found taxes- are placed in a variety of holding pervasive as it is in the economy and in trated For under conditions of relatively in the book powerful empirical support companies and trust funds from which politics. wide dispersal of stock ownership, a stock for such central theoretical tenets as the the individual heirs draw income. Thus The Rich and the Super-Rich contains holding as small as 5 percent is generally law of the centralization of social wealth a strong economic base of family cohesive a wealth of information on the ways and and power. sufficient to control a corporation. But ness is established. However the individual means through which the commanding Since America's Sixty Families was writ effective control places all the assets of family members may quarrel among them families in American society maintain their ten, a variety of beliefs and theories have the corporation at the disposal of the selves -the Du Pont family is especially fortunes and their social positions, and gained currency that are diametrically op controlling block, to be used in whatever notorious for internal feuds- they face the institutions through which they reach posed to Lundberg's findings. Ownership manner is most beneficial to owners of the outside world as a collective. out from these commanding heights to of the corporations is supposed to be so that block. The tax-exempt, "philanthropic" founda shape every aspect of American life- for widely dispersed that property no longer This concentrated wealth and more con tion is another important source of family their purposes and to their advantage. confers economic power. The managers centrated power is in the hands of a re control. Members and retainers of the family Unfortunately, this great mass of valu are said to have replaced owners as the latively few, often large family groups. are usually a majority of the trustees of able factual material swims in a meander ruling class. Or else no one has power, The corporations, far from being con the foundation. They can thus utilize its ing stream of mostly childish philoso and events occur as the result of the trolled by managers, are controlled by assets, together with those held by various phizing about this and that and every balancing of more-or-less equally matched these families, and corporate policies are family trusts, holding companies, etc., to thing. Lundberg's ventures into theory "countervailing forces." Both wealth and determined by the interests of the con excercise control in the corporate economy. are almost invariably ventures into foolish income distribution are supposed to have trolling families. Further, Lundberg effectively argues, the ness. As an example, one can consider become far more equalitarian. The great fortunes held by these families families at the pinnacle of the social pyra his foot-note refutation of historical mate Extremely high income and estate taxes are not being dissipated. The very tax mid 30 years ago are still there today. Du rialism. If, he argues, "institutions" deter have led, it is claimed, to a dispersal of laws that are often supposed to have led Ponts, Fords, Rockefellers, Mellons, and mined men's ideas, then Marx, who was the great fortunes, so that wherever power to their dissolution have tended L.1 fact others like them, the foundations of whose a product of capitalist society, could never fortunes go back before World War I, re have developed his "own sharp economic main the rulers and beneficiaries of the analysis"! corporate economy. There are, it is true, And, Lundberg- apparently seriously some large, new (post-World War II) for argues that John D. Rockefeller, in de tunes. But in many cases they are far from vising means to hang on to the Standard securely based and in most cases they Oil monopoly, was "clearly guilty of non WHAT SICK SOCIETY?- "The police souvenir program!- T. R. B. in the July 6 derive from oil, where the income-tax deple capitalist behavior" since capitalism means were absolutely great. It was as thrilling New Republic. tion allowance has created a special si competition and monopoly destroys com as anything you could see on television." tuation. petition! Or, after having admirably dem -New York Times report of a statement NOT A POT TO SHAVE IN- Lester Democrats and Republicans onstrated the totally subservient character by a resident of a plush Fifth Avenue apart Maddox was p.o. 'd because even though of the two capitalist parties, Lundberg ment overlooking Central Park, who had his new Georgia governor's mansion has Lundberg demonstrates in considerable detail the domination of the two major proclaims that "the public• could make a bird's-eye view of the shooting there 17 bathrooms there was no hot water political parties by this propertied oligar them more responsive to the "public's" July 3 when a man went beserk with when he moved in, and he had to boil chy. Almost wholly dependent on it for needs if only "some eighty million mem a gun. some to shave. That's a problem, all financing, neither individual politicians nor bers of the labor force" would "( 1) parti right. But our concern is somewhat dif cipate intelligently in all primaries and New York crim the parties' apparatus can display any PRETTY HAIRY-A ferent. Are 1 7 toilets sufficient for handling (2) contribute about $5 a year to their inal court judge imposed a $1 fine against significant independence from the ruling the governor's program? party"! the Feldman Veal Company after a ship rich in policy making. Although tradi tionally the very rich have generally pre There is no need to dwell further on ment of 12,000 pounds of veal was confis NAZI, SHMAZI! WHO, ME?- Describ ferred Republicans to Democrats, Lund such silliness. In spite of it and in spite cated in which federal inspectors had found ing West German Chancellor Kurt Kiesin berg's evidence makes it quite clear that of the book's verbosity and tiresome hair, paint, brush bristles and sawdust. ger's July 4 testimony in a court case, both parties are instruments of the very bombast, Lundberg has again delivered The judge felt that loss of the confiscated the New York Times reported: "When the highest reaches of the American ruling valuable weapons to the Marxist arsenal. meat was a sufficient penalty. Besides, he presiding judge asked him to tell of his class. - Robert Langston said, it was a first offense. The company personal background during the Third is currently under indictment for using Reich, Mr. Kiesinger said that he had counterfeit federal stamps to label ungraded joined the Nazi party in 1933, 'but not meat "choice." Maybe the loss of the stamps out of conviction or opportunism' (?). will be considered sufficient punishment. He said that he had nothing to do with The Case of Leon Trotsky the party between 1933 and 1940 except NOTICE TO BIRD WATCHERS-The to pay his dues. His joining the Foreign 50 states have a remarkable profusion of Ministry in 1940 was, he said, 'a pure Publication date: Aug. I, 1968 $7.95 674 pp. cloth laws regulating sexual activity, according coincidence . . . ' In the early years of to the July 5 Wall Street Journal, which the war he was convinced that the de Long out of print, The Case of Leon reported: "Most states also prohibit ported Jews were simply being sent to Trotsky will be an important addition sodomy, although few laws define the crime. work 'in munitions factories or places to your tv\arxist library. This is the tran All told, the various sex statutes cover like that."' script of Trotsky's testimony before the practically every physical achvity known Dewey Commission inquiry into the Mos to man- and then some. In Minnesota, SCIENCE DEP'T-We've been ponder cow Trials. Here is a partial list of the for example, it is a crime punishable by ing the Vatican's disclosure that it is con up to 20 years in prison to 'carnally know' sidering withdrawing the censure imposed subjects covered: Trotsky's career as a a bird." Wouldn't that make bird-watching on Galileo for his wild assertion that the revolutionist; the history ofthe Bolshevik voyeurism? earth revolved around the sun. Our ques party after the revolution; the struggle tion is whether the Church is reexamining of the Left Opposition; the tv\a rxist attitude SLIPPERY SOLONS-". in one of Galilee's notion or has simply decided toward terrorism, democracy and social those ignoble little tricks that make you to forgive and forget. ism; the origins and nature of Stalinism; feel maybe communism has something tactics in the fight against fascism and to be said for it, Senate and House, with THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK- "In the difference between the united front a wink and a smirk, without debate or the United States it is written that corrup and the popular front. record vote, slipped through on June 11 tion is our worst enemy and this is true, a bipartisan bill permitting tax-deductible but among Americans it is not scarce order from: advertisements in party convention pro either."- South Vietnamese Premier Tran Department M 12 grams. Are you the head of a big corpora Van Huong discussing black market arms Merit Publishers tion? Do you want a war contract? Better traffic by Americans in Saigon. 873 Broadway, N.Y. 10003 Leon Trotsky buy a page or two in our slick-paper -Harry Ring Page 12 THE MILITANT Friday, July 19, 1968 N.Y. 'peace' nominee calls for a 'standstill' in Vietnam NEW YORK-A proposal by Paul Regarding O'Dwyer's statement that if O'Dwyer for a UN supervised "standstill'' the Vietnamese refused a "standstill" offer, cease-fire in Vietnam was sharply assailed "the finger of blame" could be placed on by Hedda Garza, Socialist Workers can them, Mrs. Garza said: "Such a scandalous didate for U. S. senator. ly reactionary stand should bring a pro O'Dwyer won the Democratic nomina test from every opponent of U. S. aggres tion for the same office by campaigning sion in Vietnam, from every American who in the primary election as an opponent recognizes that the only solution in Viet of the Vietnam war. A liberal Democrat nam is the immediate withdrawal of every and one-time member of the old Amer last American soldier from that country. ican Labor Party, he has held various "The finger of blame," she added, "should city offices. be pointed not at the Vietnamese libera The July 10 New York Times reported: tion fighers but at those who make pro "Paul O'Dwyer called yesterday for a posals that whitewash the crime being quick 'standstill' in Vietnam- a cease-fire committed against them." with both sides maintaining their current Various forces within the antiwar move position-to be arranged by the United ment, she noted, have argued that such Nations." Democratic candidates as O'Dwyer and Asked if he thought North Vietnam would McCarthy offer a meaningful way to oppose go along with such a proposal, O'Dwyer the war. As an example she pointed to replied: a June 25 statement by the Worker, voice "I have no idea whether they would or of the Communist Party, which asserted not. But it's certainly worth trying. And that as a result of O'Dwyer's victory, if they did say no, we could place the "the peace forces in New York will be finger of blame on them." provided with a new opportunity to re Mrs. Garza responded that if such a invigorate their independent struggle to proposal were made to the Vietnamese end the war." they would have every right to reject it "O'Dwyer's 'standstill' and 'finger-of out of hand. blame' stand," Mrs. Garza declared, "The United States is committing ag "should help make clear fhat his cam gression against the Vietnamese people," paign will serve not to 'reinvigorate' the she declared. "U. S. forces have absolutely struggle against the war, but to blunt no right to be in Vietnam on any basis. and divert it. "To propose, as Mr. O'Dwyer does, that "What it does suggest," she added, "is they have the right to maintain their that now that he has utilized antiwar sen present military positibns and that the timent to win the Democratic nomination ~T BOSTON DEMONSTRATION. Fred Halstead, just right of banner, on Vietnamese people should be asked to he may well be out to prove to the Dem line of march to April 3 rally organized by Boston Resistance. accept this occupation of their country ocratic bosses that his Vietnam position is in flagrant violation of the most ele isn't really so far out that they can't live mentary concept of the right of self- deter with it. • mination. Halstead to make "The Vietnamese people," she continued, "are fighting to overthrow a tyrannical Oalcland march to baclc regime which stays in power only by grace of the U.S. military presence. To Huey Newton defense tour of Asia, Europe propose a 'standstill' is to demand that BERKELEY -A demonstration to de By Doug Jenness the militant Zengakuren ( Sampa Rengo the Vietnamese people suspend their strug mand freedom for imprisoned Black faction). gle against their oppressors." Panther leader Huey P. Newton will take On July 30, Fred Halstead, Socialist On Aug. 14 Halstead and Sheppard She took equally strong exception to place Monday, July 15 in Oakland. Dem Workers Party candidate for President, will fly to Saigon. They will discuss their O'Dwyer's proposal that a "standstill" be onstrators will rally at 9:00 a.m. at Meritt and Barry Sheppard, editor of The Militant, views on the war with Gis and let them arranged and supervised by the United College and then march to the Oakland will leave New York for Japan. This will know there is one presidential candidate Nations. courthouse, where the frame-up murder be their first stop on an around-the-world who wants to bring them home imme- UN Role trial of Newton is due to begin. trip that will take them to Vietnam, India, diately. The UN intervention in the Congo, re Newton, who is minister of defense of Jordan, Yugoslavia and several West An Open Letter to Gls, written by Hal- sulting in the murder of Patrice Lumumba, the Black Panther Party, was indicted for European countries. stead, has been circulated widely among she noted, should have made clear to all murder following a police attack on him The purpose of the trip is to reach Amer- G Is in the states and abroad. Halstead's that on every decisive issue that agency last October. During the struggle, a cop ican Gis in Vietnam and at bases around visit to Vietnam is part of his overall has served as an instrument of U. S. im was killed, and Newton was seriously the world with the antiwar program of campaign to reach Gis with the socialist perialist policy. wounded. the Socialist Workers presidential cam- alternative to all the capitalist politicians, A UN force in Vietnam, she said, would The demonstration is being organized paign. They also plan to attend antiwar including the "doves," who would keep inevitably be arrayed against the Viet primarily by the Free Huey Committee meetings and conferences in Japan and them in Vietnam. and is supported by a wide range of namese liberation fighters. The Vietnamese, other countries, and gatherings of revolu- On Aug. 19, Halstead and Sheppard groups, including the Peace and Freedom she said, have been absolutely justified in tionists and radicals. They plan to attend will leave for India and then travel to Party, the Socialist Workers Party and their refusal to accept UN "mediation" of the conference of the German Socialist Europe. Irl Europe they will meet and the Young Socialist Alliance. any kind. Student Federation in Yugoslavia early talk with young militants from the grow- On Sunday, July 14, the day before in September. ing European revolutionary youth move- Newton's trial opens, there will be a rally Halstead has been invited to attend three ments of many countries. to demand his release at 2:00 p.m. in SNCC goal- antiwar conferences in Japan during the The U.S. Departments of State and De- Defermery Park, Oakland. Speakers will Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorial-day fense and the South Vietnamese Embassy include James Forman ofSNCC and Black period: the 23rd Atomic Bomb Disaster in Washington have been notified of Hal- Panther leaders Eldridge Cleaver, Kath national black leen Cleaver and Bobby Seale. Anniversary World Conference Against A stead's plans to visit Saigon, and steps and H Bombs, sponsored by the Japan have been taken to obtain visas and other Congress Against A and H Bombs (Gen- necessary documents. political party Cameio speaking tour suiken); the Two Nations Conference for Although considerable funds have been Peace in Vietnam sponsored by the Japan- raised for the trip, funds are still badly The New York Times reports thatSNCC set for July-August ese Peace for Vietnam Committee ( Behei- needed. One dollar will send Halstead has decided that its major goal in the ren); and the International Conference to and Sheppard three miles on their trip. Berkeley movement teader Peter Camejo immediate period is the formation of a End the War in Vietnam, sponsored by a Contribute now to help bring the Socialist will begin a brief nationwide speaking nationwide black political party. Phil Hut number of youth organizations, including Workers campaign to American Gls. tour July 17 organized by the Young chings, newly elected program secretary - - - - - ______clip and rna i I ______of SNCC, said in an interview printed Socialist Alliance. Speaking on the recent in the July 10 Times: "It will not be the Berkeley confrontation, Camejo will be in the following places at the times in traditional political party giving you a Socialist Workers National Campaign Committee choice between the lesser of two evils, but dicated: a party defined by black people filling New York, July 17-21; Wash. (D.C.), 873 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003 the needs of black people." July 22-23; Atlanta, July 24-25; Phila delphia, July 26-27; Boston, July 28-29; The Times article goes on to state that Enclosed is $ to send Fred Halstead and Barry Sheppard miles the symbol of the new political party will Antioch College, July 30; Kent (Ohio), be the black panther, and it explains that July 31. this symbol originated with the Lowndes Continuing into next month: Cleveland, on their trip around the world. County Freedom Organization in Alabama Aug. 1-2; Detroit, Aug. 3-5; Madison in 1965 and was since adopted by the (Wis.), Aug. 6; Bloomington (Ind.), Aug. Black Panthers in Oakland and San Fran 7; Champaign (Ill.), Aug. 8; Chicago, cisco. Aug. 9-10; Minneapolis, Aug. 11-12; Bay Name ...... The Times further quotes Hutchings: Area, Aug. 13-18; Portland (Ore.), Aug. "We don't necessarily want apoliticalparty 19-20; Seattle, Aug. 21-23. to win elections, but for black people to Among highlights of the tour will be live better. Politics JlS Americans practice a Militant Labor Forum in New York Address ...... it-as well as this law and order and City, at 873 Broadway, Fri., July 19; parliamentary rule-is designed to keep and a debate with "New Left" scholar some white people on top and black people Herbert Marcuse sometime in August in and poor whites on the bottom." the Bay Area. City ...... State ...... Zip ......