ISSUE #38 - NOVEMBER 2017 SUGGESTED DONATION $2 BUILD A MOVEMENT TO BRING DOWN TRUMP

ALSO INSIDE GINGER JENTZEN CAMPAIGN p. 5 RUSSIAN REVOLUTION pp. 7-10 CATALONIA p. 13 WHAT WE STAND FOR WHY I AM A SOCIALIST Fighting for the 99% racism of the criminal justice system. Invest in rehabilitation, job training, and living-wage JJRaise the federal minimum wage to $15 an Hannah Rooth jobs, not prisons! Abolish the death penalty. hour, as a step toward a living wage for all. JJDefend immigrant rights! Immediate, Houston, TX JJFree, high quality public education for all from unconditional legalization and equal rights for pre-school through college. Full funding for Since childhood, I’ve been deeply all undocumented immigrants. schools to dramatically lower student-teacher troubled by issues of economic dis- ratios. Stop the focus on high stakes testing JJFight sexual harassment, violence against parity. I was raised in conservative and the drive to privatize public education. women, and all forms of sexism. churches and tried mobilizing people to work on changing the massive pov- J JJDefend a woman’s right to choose whether JFree, high quality health care for all. Replace erty epidemic we often spoke about. fighting for a system that puts humanity first, the failed for-profit insurance companies with a and when to have children. For a publicly funded, single-payer health care system I found this struggle to be a dead end, and I’ve been recovering from lifelong depression. publicly funded single-payer system as a step myself quite alone in it. The beautiful thing about the socialist towards fully socialized medicine. with free reproductive services, including all forms of birth control and safe, accessible At fourteen, I stumbled upon a comic struggle is hangs on radical hope, and faith in JJNo budget cuts to education and social abortions. Comprehensive sex education. At book, “Introducing Marxism,” in the library the collective capacity of humanity to create a services! Full funding for all community needs. least 12 weeks of paid family leave for all. For of my private Christian high school. I vividly system that benefits everyone. It asserts the A major increase in taxes on the rich and big universal, high quality, affordable and publicly remember crying cathartically while reading it individual’s power to rise up and claim the life business, not working people. run child care. on the schoolbus home. deserved, while emphasizing the equivalent JJCreate living-wage union jobs for all the Basic Marxist theory, I think, is easily importance of others doing so: an attitude JJFight discrimination and violence against unemployed through public works programs understood. Like all things profound, it is which lends itself to the noble human poten- the LGBTQ community, and all forms of to develop mass transit, renewable energy, based on the knowledge we already have tial of making personal sacrifice for the good homophobia and transphobia. infrastructure, healthcare, education, and about the system that subjugates and dehu- of all. It embodies love for one’s neighbor: one affordable housing. Money for Jobs and Education, manizes us. To approach it openly, I had to that affirms her material and social entitle- JJFor rent control combined with massive public Not War remove the blinders of brainwashing and fear- ments and her right to rise up and seize them. investment in affordable housing. mongering put on me by society and evangeli- This is the “faith, hope, and love” preached JJEnd the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. J calism. I was able to do this through my expe- in my childhood, turned on its head and made JA guaranteed decent pension for all. No cuts Bring all the troops home now! to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid! rience coming out to my homophobic family. real. This is “my” Marxism, and my will to get JJSlash the military budget. No drones. Shut I was prompted to begin this “thinking out of bed each morning and fight the dog- JJA minimum guaranteed weekly income of down Guantanamo. through” process when I found the Houston eat-dog system that ceaselessly beats me and $600/week for the unemployed, disabled, JJRepeal the Patriot Act, NDAA, and all other Socialist Alternative branch. Surrounded by a my loved ones down. J stay-at-home parents, the elderly, and others attacks on democratic rights. group of committed activists who believe in unable to work. JJRepeal all anti-union laws like Taft-Hartley. For Break with the Two Parties of democratic unions run by the rank-and-file to Big Business fight for better pay, working conditions, and JJFor a mass workers party drawing together social services. Full-time union officials should Pats Fans Against Racism workers, young people and activists from be regularly elected and receive the average environmental, civil rights, and women’s wage of those they represent. campaigns, to provide a fighting, political Takes Off in Boston JJNo more layoffs! Take bankrupt and failing alternative to the corporate parties. remarks, recent attempts to suppress the companies into public ownership. Boston Socialist Alternative JJUnions and other social movement players’ peaceful protests shows which JJBreak the power of Wall Street! For public organizations should stop funding and Since Trump’s vitriolic words about side they are really on. ownership and democratic control of the major supporting the Democratic and Republican NFL players taking a knee against racism banks. Parties and instead organize independent left- and NFL fans are still watching weekly to Building Fan Support JJShorten the workweek with no loss in pay wing, anti-corporate candidates and coalitions see which players stand, sit, and kneel. and benefits; share out the work with the as a first step toward building a workers’ party. Inspired by players, members of Boston PFAR believes there are many NFL fans unemployed and create new jobs. Socialist Alternative recently launched who want to take a stand against racism, Socialism and Internationalism police brutality, and improve their commu- Environmental Sustainability a new initiative called Pats Fans Against JJCapitalism produces poverty, inequality, Racism (PFAR). PFAR’s goal is to bring nities. To capture this untapped energy, J JFight climate change. Massive public environmental destruction, and war. We together Patriots fans who stand against Boston Socialist Alternative and PFAR investment in renewable energy and energy- need an international struggle against this racial injustice and police brutality while hosted our first ever game watch party at efficient technologies to rapidly replace fossil failed system.No to corporate “free trade” defending athletes’ right to protest. a family-friendly bar in Cambridge. Every- fuels. agreements, which mean job losses and body was excited about future events and JJA major expansion of public transportation to a race to the bottom for workers and the we plan to host another watch party in the NFL: Whose Football is it coming month. provide low fare, high-speed, and accessible environment. Anyways? transit. JJSolidarity with the struggles of workers and JJDemocratic public ownership of the big oppressed peoples internationally: An injury to For a few hours every week, people get Spread “Fans Against energy companies, retooling them for one is an injury to all. to disengage from the stress of working to Racism” socially necessary green production. A JJTake into public ownership the top 500 pay the bills and watch world-class ath- Players need to know they have fan “Just Transition” for all workers in polluting corporations and banks that dominate the U.S. letes play football. Millions of people trea- support as pressure increases from corpo- industries with guaranteed re-training and new economy. Run them under the democratic sure this part of their week, but nobody rate sponsors and NFL owners, scared to living-wage jobs. management of elected representatives of the loves the $12 stadium beers, $6 bottled lose profit. We need to build the pressure workers and the broader public. Compensation waters, billion dollar TV contracts, and Equal Rights for All to oppose the conservative weight of big to be paid on the basis of proven need to small the corporate sponsorships and adver- business on our sports. PFAR was easy JJFight discrimination based on race, nationality, investors, not millionaires. tisements that increasingly dominate the gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and quick to get together. We created a JJA democratic socialist plan for the economy sport. religion, disability, age, and all other forms of Facebook page and flyered near the bar based on the interests of the overwhelming The NFL, a corporation whose primary prejudice. Equal pay for equal work. concern is profit, tries to appear apoliti- where we planned to watch the game. majority of people and the environment. For a Then we showed up, watched football, and JJBlack Lives Matter! Build a mass movement cal. But a closer look reveals a substantial socialist United States and a socialist world. J discussed how to build the #TakeAKnee against police brutality and the institutional number of NFL owners maxed out individ- ual donations to political candidates and movement. made $100,000+ contributions to PACs Building social movements and get- SocialistAlternative.org/join Join . supporting both Democrats and Republi- ting organized is the most effective way ) [email protected] cans. They also contributed at least $7.75 to demand and enact change. PFAR chal- million to Trump’s inauguration ceremony. lenges you to make a _FAR group in your J @SocialistAlt Though many of these same owners community. /SocialistAlternative.USA initially condemned Trump’s abhorrent

2 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 POLITICS Demand for Impeachment Grows One Year is Enough!

As we go to press, Trump is under increased pressure from special counsel Mueller’s investigation. The call to impeach We Say: J him is gaining wider support with nearly two J Build a movement, against all the million signing a petition calling for Congress attacks of the right, strong enough to take this step. to drive out Trump and his billionaire- However, the road to impeaching Trump is backed administration. at the moment firmly blocked by the Republi- JJ Unions, immigrant rights groups, can Party, which is frightened of the Bannon right wing but also the threat of electoral women’s and civil rights organizations, meltdown in 2018. It is also blocked by the Bernie Sanders and Our Revolution leadership of the Democratic Party who fear should commit serious resources to destabilizing the system more than anything. organizing this movement. Socialist Alternative is for driving out Trump JJ Congress should take immediate action whether through impeachment or forced resignation but the question which Bryan to remove Trump from office, whether Koulouris addresses below is how to build a through impeachment or resignation. mass movement that can actually make this midterm elections. However, we need to happen. fight now against the profound threat to mil- Large sections of society have been radi- lions that Trump and the Republicans’ poli- calized by the Bernie Sanders campaign and Demonstration against Trump in Miami, FL. cies represent. We need mass protests with the threat of the reactionary Trump regime. bold demands that can inspire people to get Over the past few months, the movement on North Korea while carrying out attacks on is embarrassed and worried about his pres- active. the streets has ebbed, but in this highly vola- immigrants, LGBTQ people, the environ- ence in the highest position of world power. We can’t depend on the Democratic Party tile situation, could reemerge rapidly. People ment, women’s rights, and health care – just The billionaire class, political establishment, leadership to fight for us, and we can’t limit could come on the streets if Trump decides to name a few parts of his vicious agenda. and military generals that are so used to con- our demands to what’s acceptable to them to fire Mueller provoking a constitutional crisis In response, we’ve seen big protests that trolling U.S. politics are now dealing with an and their corporate backers. They appear to or if Bernie Sanders and others were to issue have played a role in pushing back many of unstable maverick that undermines their abil- prefer a weak Trump in power to rhetorically a call to defend Dreamers combined with a Trump’s policies. Trump has the lowest pop- ity to rule. Flowing from a system in crisis, run against in 2018, rather than building threat to shut down the government if DACA ularity ratings of any president this early in both parties are deeply divided, and Trump is mass protests against his agenda or intro- is not given legal effect. their term and there is a mood among tens of constantly shifting his collaboration partners ducing articles of impeachment. They didn’t millions of ordinary people that Trump should and his enemies in Washington. mobilize against Trumpcare with mass rallies, Trump’s regime is unpredictable and be removed from office. The Democratic Party leadership tells us deeply reactionary. In just a few months, Trump is hated for his racist, sexist, pred- that the main way to fight against the Trump he’s threatened disastrous war against atory policies, and the ruling establishment agenda is to vote for Democrats in the 2018 continued on p. 15 Trump/GOP Tax Plan Robin Hood in Reverse

Teddy Shibabaw when brought back into the U.S., from 35% – just a little over 3%. So why do they need plan is and commit to voting against it. That’s to 12%. A look at how much money is hidden more? not enough. They could mobilize mass public To hear Donald Trump talk, you’d think in these shelters, based on the expose of the opinion against it, but they refuse to do that the biggest corporations in the US are cash “Paradise Papers”, shows you how much of a How About Taxing The Rich? because those mobilized will likely go beyond strapped and in need of a massive shot in the theft from the working class and poor this is. the program the Democratic leadership will arm. Trump promised his new proposed tax There is no way to interpret what the GOP Instead of Trump’s tax plan, there should accept and it would also bite the hand of the cut “will be the biggest in the history of our and Trump are proposing other than naked, be massive increases in taxes on the super donor class that feeds the Democratic Party country!” at a price tag of $2.4 trillion. Up to arrogant and shameless class warfare from rich, the banks and the Fortune 500 com- establishment as well. two-thirds of the cuts will go to the top 1%. the top. It’s another massive transfer of panies. We’ve spent years bailing them out While taxing the rich is a first step, it is not Now “tax reform” is moving through wealth from the poor and working people to for no real return on investment for the vast enough. As long as the wealth is controlled Congress. The current House proposal will the wealthiest, especially the few hundred majority of ordinary people. We can use the by the top 1%, they will find ways to horde reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to families that will gain the lion’s share of loot increased revenue for a massive new green as much as possible. We need to fight for a 20%. It will eliminate the estate tax, which from this tax bill. jobs program and to pay for free high qual- socialist society in which the top banks and only applies to the richest households. Fur- U.S. corporate profits are at historic highs. ity public higher education and childcare corporations are taken into public ownership ther, the top tax rate on partnerships and CNBC reported on May 12 this year that services. under direct democratic control of workers, limited liability companies would fall from “about 72 percent (of S&P 500 firms) have Any party worth its salt as defender of consumers and broader public. Only then can 39.6% to 25%. topped Wall Street estimates” in profits earn- the 99% would be fighting loud and clear we guarantee that the world’s wealth is used Another major piece is a massive reduc- ings. Moreover, some 20 top US companies for these demands. Yet all the corporate for full public investment in jobs and social tion in the repatriation tax, the rate at which made $3.2 trillion in total revenue in 2016 controlled Democratic Party leadership can services. J capital previously sheltered overseas is taxed and only paid $108 billion in federal taxes manage to do is say how bad the GOP tax

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 3 POLITICS Defend DACA and All Immigrants

Elan Axelbank of twists and turns. On September 13, news broke that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, Attacking immigrants was a central part of the top Democratic Party leaders in the House Trump’s campaign and has been a hallmark and Senate, had struck a deal with Trump of his administration. In the wake of his inau- to restore DACA protections in exchange for guration, hundreds of thousands of people beefed up “border security.” got active in fights for sanctuary cities and Anti-immigrant groups and the far-right schools, and the Muslim Ban was met with Republicans in Congress were furious. The Party deeply divided and DACA having over- course, more immigrants were deported under mass opposition and protest. top headline on Steve Bannon’s Breitbart read whelming popular support, a mass movement Obama than under any other president in U.S. Now, Trump’s threat to rescind DACA “Amnesty Don.” Caving to this pressure, and in that puts pressure on the Republican estab- history. through executive action - due to take effect on a swing back toward appeasing the anti-immi- lishment is a much stronger guarantee than The right-wing media constructs the false March 5 if Congress doesn’t act - is one of his grant section of his base, Trump came out with relying on Democrats’ backroom deals in narrative that immigrants are taking all the fiercest attacks yet. 800,000 immigrant youth new demands regarding the deal. In order to which the masses have no say. jobs, to try and prevent immigrant and native- are under threat of losing their jobs, student restore DACA protections, he demanded fund- The overwhelming majority of people sup- born workers from uniting in opposition to our loans, and health care, as well as deportation. ing for the infamous border wall and 10,000 port keeping DACA in place, even including common enemy, the divide-and-rule bosses Meanwhile, for hundreds of thousands of new immigration agents, as well as cutting off 69% of Republicans. 84% of Democrats sup- and capitalists. Socialist Alternative believes Caribbean and Central American immigrants federal grants to “sanctuary cities.” port keeping DACA, yet Pelosi and Schumer that all undocumented immigrants should here on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Now, a number of Democratic Senators insist on limiting their strategy to making immediately be granted full citizenship. Immi- who are fleeing violence and poverty caused and Bernie Sanders are threatening to with- closed-door deals instead of mobilizing mil- grant workers should be allowed to vote and by U.S. imperialism, the expiration for their hold their vote for a December bill to fund the lions. The unfortunate truth is that the Demo- given democratic rights in the country they help protected status is rapidly approaching. Trump government if DACA is not addressed. If every cratic Party cannot be counted on to fight for make run. The deportation machine should be seems happy to let it expire, but Trump’s Democrat does this, the government would immigrant rights. For the past decade, Con- completely shut down, with that money going agenda has been beaten back before. shut down, raising the stakes and pressuring gress has not been able to enact any element toward jobs programs and social services. With mass mobilizations of immigrants, Trump and the Republicans to concede. We of “immigration reform” including the DREAM If the Republicans succeed in ending DACA, native-born working people, and youth – united cannot, however, wait for them to take this Act. The Democrats couldn’t even manage to it would be a major blow to the immigrant rights in defense of immigrants and in opposition to stand; they will need to be forced into it. pass the DREAM Act when they controlled movement and the movement against Trump Trump – DACA can be saved and TPS status both Houses of Congress which is why Obama and the Republicans. This shows the urgency extended. Mass Resistance, had to enact DACA by executive order. for unions, civil rights organizations, Bernie Not a Rotten Deal But Congress has managed to massively Sanders, and the most prominent immigrant Trump Under Pressure increase repression. Between 1992 and rights groups, such as Cosecha, to immediately Socialist Alternative and the more radical 2009 the U.S. Border Patrol’s annual budget call for mass demonstrations in cities across From Both Sides immigrant rights groups have argued against increased by over 700 percent, from $362 the country. If a movement is built, DACA can Trump’s September 5 announcement a deal done at the expense of more repression million to $2.7 billion. ICE’s budget has nearly be saved. J ending DACA has been followed by a series of immigrants generally. With the Republican doubled since its inception in 2002. And of Democrats Make Gains But Crisis Continues Eljeer Hawkins and between themselves and Trump. beyond the Democrats to indepen- messaging and influence as the Tom Crean Though the results of the elec- dent left politics. Foremost was the Democratic Party prepares for the tions are cheering to Schumer and remarkable campaign of Socialist midterm elections. The results of November’s elec- Pelosi – with their narrative that Alternative’s Ginger Jentzen in Min- Also in a stunning new book by tions point in the direction of a shift being the “anti-Trump” party, while neapolis. But DSA members Jon former DNC interim chair and politi- toward the Democrats ahead of the advocating the mildest reforms, will Grant in Seattle and Jabari Brisport cal commentator Donna Brazile, coming 2018 midterms. be enough to defeat the Repub- in New York who ran as indepen- exposes the dirty truth of the Demo- The Republicans have been put licans – a number of downticket dents also did very well. cratic Party and its leadership. Bra- in an even deeper squeeze. On the races point to the growing strength zile confirms what many suspected one hand they are running scared of the left inside the party. A large Disunity and Purges in 2016. The Democratic primary from the right wing of the party, number of candidates endorsed race between Hillary Clinton and including the Christian right, the by Our Revolution were elected. Now there is talk about Demo- Bernie Sanders was rigged from the Donna Brazile’s book has revealed the NRA, anti-immigrant forces, and A number of election campaigns cratic “unity” heading into 2018. outset in favor of Clinton. The DNC collusion between Hillary and the DNC. Steve Bannon who are all firmly endorsed by the Democratic Social- But the reality beneath the happy was all but a wholly-owned subsid- behind Trump and threatening to ists of America also won. An exam- talk is shown by Democratic iary of Hillary, Inc. are on full display and many will primary anyone who is disloyal. ple of the shift is Larry Krasner, National Committee (DNC) chair learn some hard lessons going for- On the other hand many Republi- elected as Philadephia’s District and former Labor Secretary, Tom We Need a Party ward. Today, we are in the midst of can congressmen – especially those Attorney on a strong platform of Perez’s purge of four longstanding for the 99%! a resurgence of anti-capitalist and representing more middle-class, reforming policing. DNC members and supporters of socialist ideas, with the demand suburban areas where the support It is clear that there is still far Sanders and Ellison off of the com- Many genuine activists still for independent working-class can- for Trump has dropped significantly more energy being put into the proj- mittee in the name of “diversity.” It believe that the Democratic Party didates and a party for the 99% – are in fear of 2018. Some are ect of trying to turn the Democrats is clear the move was aimed at con- can be reformed. Unfortunately, urgently on the agenda to challenge announcing their retirement and into a “People’s Party.” But there solidating the power of the corpo- the corrosive culture, ideas, and the dictatorship of Wall Street and J others are trying to put distance is also a growing current pointing rate wing over the party’s agenda, dominance of corporate politics its two parties.

4 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 CAMPAIGNS Socialist Campaign for Affordable Housing Echoes Through Minneapolis

Minnesota Metro Transit Union Readies For Battle New Rank and File President Elected Kip Hedges to cut the president’s salary to that of the average bus driver. He plans to dramati- Faced with potential attacks on cally increase communication between employee health insurance, increasing leaders and members through a regular safety concerns, and attacks on funding newsletter, work site meetings, and a sig- for mass transit, members of Amalgam- nificant increase in the number of union ated Transit Union Local 1005 – with a reps for garages and other sites. new rank and file president – are preparing Timlin is part of a slate of union activ- Seraphina Cobeen said. At the end she donated to the campaign, for a contract battle with the Twin Cities ists that want to “build escalating actions like hundreds of other Minneapolis voters, Metropolitan Council. to mobilize members to put pressure on Every day for months volunteers for the knowing that those donations were one of the Leaders of Minnesota-based ATU Local the Met Council to negotiate and give us a Ginger Jentzen campaign knocked on doors best way to fight back against the developers 1005 are planning a series of actions to fair contract.” throughout Minneapolis’ Ward 3 neighbor- and establishment that were trying to scare mobilize union members. This could cul- Members of the slate have already hoods, where working people and youth are voters away from fighting back. minate with a strike during the 2018 launched the ATU Local 1005 Action facing skyrocketing rents and were looking for Minneapolis is known for affordable hous- Super Bowl, which will be held at the new Team to mobilize members to reach out an alternative to the developer-driven agenda ing but developers want to turn it into another U.S. Bank stadium in downtown Minneap- to the rest of the labor movement, com- that has long dominated City Hall. These vol- San Francisco in order to make huge profits. olis. Due to the location and lack of nearby munity groups, and public transit riders. unteers heard stories of displacement and Residents are noticing the rising rents and parking, extra bus and train service will be Timlin says, “We fully expect [the Met low-wage jobs, along with the fear of Trump’s many point to recent luxury apartments or key to a successful Super Bowl. Council] will try to isolate us from public right-wing agenda affecting the city and ward. nearby planned developments as the cause. According to activist ATU member support, portray us as unreasonable. We One volunteer met someone who was Talking to voters in the Sheridan neighbor- Alec Johnson, his coworkers at the Nicol- won’t let that happen.” moving boxes as she approached their door. hood, Carrie, a local volunteer, witnessed that let Garage have a serious and determined Recently, transit fares were raised and They told her that they were moving out of every voter they talked to that day pointed to attitude toward winning a good contract. routes were cut by the Met Council, plac- the duplex they had been renting because the planned development one block away. “We take a strike vote on December 17. If ing an even larger burden on working class rents kept rising. Unable to afford the rent in “The voters I talk to know that the big devel- Metro Transit and the Met Council haven’t riders already struggling to get by. Timlin Minneapolis, they had decided to move out of opers are the problem, and when they hear put a serious offer on the table by then, I sees riders as natural allies. the city. “They told me they had moved every about how much money those developers are would be surprised if we don’t approve a Alec Johnson, also running on Timlin’s year recently, trying to avoid the rising rents,” putting into the election, they’re angry” said strike. No real offer would be a sign they slate, and member of Socialist Alternative, said the volunteer, “but they were glad to see Carrie. will attack us after the Super Bowl, when says, “The ATU local in Phoenix, Arizona that Ginger was fighting back so that hopefully This is why Ginger’s slogan of “Not For we have less leverage.” used the threat of a strike during the 2015 their friends would be able to avoid their fate.” Sale” drew in so many volunteers and donors Local 1005’s new president Ryan Super Bowl as leverage to gain a good con- The establishment was fearful of the posi- from Minneapolis. Her refusal to take corpo- Timlin, a Socialist Alternative member, tract. But, that leverage is only as good as tive reception our campaign received and rate or developer money, and only take dona- who ran unopposed, will take office just in the solidarity of our members and the sup- poured corporate PAC money into the race to tions from ordinary people inspired voters time to bring the full weight of the 2,600 port we have from other unions, the com- try to fight against us. One resident spoke to across the ward. They were excited to see members of the Local into this battle. munity and our riders. We plan to make J Tyler, a volunteer, a few days after she voted another socialist who refused to take corporate Timlin promises to change union by-laws sure we have that.” early. She had voted for Ginger but after money running for office. The developers tried having read an article that day in the paper to buy the election with huge PAC’s, flooding #TeamGinger because “She is not a corpo- Minneapolis a city of resistance against that attacked the Ginger Jentzen campaign money into races across the city, and against rate puppet” or “We need rent control.” Trump,” Emerson continued. These stu- she was doubting her decision. She told Tyler Ginger’s campaign. Instead of being scared, “Students feel the impact of the housing dents recognize Trump as the “Developer- that she was worried Ginger wouldn’t be able voters donated money to Ginger, because they affordability crisis and are excited to hear in-Chief” and make the connection between to work well with other members of council. want to donate to the socialist who’s fighting about a candidate who has actual, tangible the billionaire-backed administration in the Tyler explained that the victory of passing back against the big developers. solutions for this very real problem they’re White House and the profit-driven agenda of the $15 an hour minimum wage that summer Students make up a big portion of the facing.” said Emerson, a student volunteer big developers in Minneapolis that is raising showed how Ginger and movements of work- ward and are also ready to fight back. They on the campaign. One such student took a rents for them. They’re tired of the status- ing people could get things done. “Once I told see the connection between the fights against photo with a whiteboard saying that she’s quo, of politics as usual, and were excited her how the establishment was scared of our the developers, and the resistance against on #TeamGinger because “I want affordable by the idea of an activist in office, a socialist movement, and that it was movement build- Trump. These students were inspired by Ber- housing to finish college.” Lack of affordable like Bernie who rejects corporate money, and ing that got $15 passed she started to agree nie’s political revolution and were excited that housing and rising tuition costs are common can actually fight back against the establish- again. It was movement building, working Ginger is another socialist who’s “Not For worries of students, and they saw Ginger’s ment. They saw Ginger’s campaign as point- with other activist groups, that pressured city Sale.” campaign as the way to fight back. ing in that direction, and the enthusiasm we council into almost unanimously passing $15 On campus many students took polaroid “Students are in a desperate position, saw from tables and at the doors shows that despite them being against it at first,” Tyler whiteboard photos with their own reasons for are feeling the immediate effects of the working people and students in Minneapolis supporting Ginger. Some say that they’re on Trump administration, and want to make are ready to fight back. J

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 5 OPPRESSION #MeToo - Millions of Women Speak Up

Erin Brightwell harassment, alongside an offensive approach on wages, benefits, and working conditions. Angelina Jolie. Gwyneth Paltrow. Lupita The unions, because they are organizations Nyong’o. Ashley Judd. Did any women who of and for working people, should be leading worked under Harvey Weinstein not get the attack on workplace sexual harassment. attacked? Many of the millions or possibly Unions should have campaigns educating tens of millions of women posting #MeToo all workers, both union members and unor- on social media, asked the same question; ganized workers, on what constitutes sexual which of us hasn’t been assaulted? Such has harassment. been the unanimity of women coming forward A workforce which is unified in oppos- online. An unending torrent of revelations ing and standing up to discrimination based and discussion of sexual harassment and on gender and race will be able to fight the sexual assault has been thrown open, initially boss more effectively on all issues. The union prompted by The New York Times’ exposure movement could gain popular support in of star movie producer Harvey Weinstein as a general by taking decisive action on sexual serial sexual predator. harassment, including the use of militant tac- Over 50 women have now accused Wein- tics. For example, unions should be prepared stein of sexual harassment and/or sexual to call immediate strikes at hotels who refuse assault, widely exposing what was an open to deal with guests’ abuse of workers, or shut secret in Hollywood, with accusations going down Hollywood movie sets. back to the 1970s. Many of us outside of a profound shift in how women were seen assemblyman. A new women’s movement, if Hollywood are also not shocked that one in society. We need this kind of an upsurge it’s going to be a source of inspiration for The Coming Women’s of the industries most responsible for the today. youth and working-class people, can’t afford Movement objectification of women is rife with sexual leaders who only oppose gender-based vio- abuse. The exposé on Weinstein’s behavior The Deafening Silence of the lence when it is politically expedient to do The mass outrage expressed in the and subsequent stream of accusations of Establishment so. Gender-based violence must be fought #MeToo campaign is an empowering moment sexual misconduct follows similar scandals in words and deeds. for the still brewing new women’s movement. around other powerful men in Hollywood More than 40 years after the heights of We need to move to the next step and have and TV: Bill Cosby, Roger Ailes, and Bill the second wave women’s movement, we Waitresses, Hotel Maids, a self-organized women’s movement fighting O’Reilly. In an economic system based on are angry and disgusted that women still Janitors with disruptive tactics to win victories. With inequality and economic exploitation, these face pervasive sexual abuse and violence, the millions who came out into the streets attacks are first and foremost expressions of and that an environment of sexualization While headlines focus on highly paid the day after Trump’s inauguration, there power over women’s lives. and objectification of women has continued women in Hollywood, there are millions of should be no doubt that there is a power- The #MeToo campaign, originated by unabated. working-class women who face persistent ful mood to fight gender inequality. And the Tarana Burke, a black activist working to While Trump is generally unapologetic, daily sexual harassment. In restaurants, par- anger extends to millions of men. #MeToo is stop sexual violence, has become the vehi- the top of the hypocrisy heap is reserved ticularly for workers that are dependent on the latest mass women’s action in a string cle for millions of women to express their for the Democratic Party establishment and tips for their wages, any customer can have of events globally from Argentina to Poland rage at the horrific normalcy of sexual abuse its politicians who have taken Weinstein’s his own personal Weinstein moment, harass- that point toward an explosive mood against and their solidarity with the victims. We are money for decades. Could it possibly be ing women servers who typically can’t escape sexism and the billionaire-dominated political tired of not being believed, particularly when credible that no one connected to the Hill- the situation if they want to keep their jobs. establishment. the perpetrator is rich and powerful. Women ary Clinton campaign – for which Weinstein Those low-paid workers whose working A new women’s movement must take on are beginning to move into struggle on wom- bundled $1.42 million in donations – or the conditions make them physically isolated – the issues of sexual harassment, gender- en’s specific oppression in the era where DNC heard about Weinstein’s treatment of such as janitors, hotel maids, and farm work- based violence, reproductive rights, parental a known sexual predator has been elected women? At least one politically connected ers – are particularly at risk of sexual harass- leave, childcare, and the pay gap. Working- to the highest office in the land. Millions, Hollywood insider is alleging that she did ment and abuse. In one study from 2010, class women’s needs should be at the center outraged at Trump’s misogyny and bigotry, raise the alarm within the Democratic Party 80% of women farm workers said they’d been of a rebuilt women’s movement. Safe, decent made the Women’s March in January the about Weinstein’s behavior, but evidently sexually harassed on the job, and a 2015 affordable housing, higher wages, and Medi- biggest day of protest in U.S. history. that wasn’t enough to stop them from taking PBS documentary called “Rape on the Night care for all are also critical demands for It’s not accidental that the exposure of the cash. Shift” dealt with women janitors who were women – and are diametrically opposed to Weinstein as a sexual predator happened Parallel to the Weinstein scandal, a frat- routinely targeted for sexual assault while the interests of the big business, the corpo- as the backlash opened up under Trump. house culture has been exposed within the at work. Sexual assault on the job is under- rations, and the political establishment. And Everything from women’s rights to health California capitol building in Sacramento reported, particularly for low-wage workers while sections of the political establishment care and abortion face new threats from a where the Democrats have a supermajor- who may be undocumented and fear losing may pay lip service to women’s equality, they far-right Trump administration, and women ity in both houses of the legislature. 140 their jobs and facing deportation if they go represent an economic system whose foun- are ready to forge a social movement to fight women lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists to authorities. dations are built on class, race, and gender for our rights. In the 1960s and 1970s, a signed onto a letter printed in the LA Times The union movement could potentially exploitation, just like the world of big Holly- powerful women’s movement organized describing rampant sexual harassment and play a great role in a generalized wom- wood movies. Only a socialist society based campaigns of mass action to win important abuse, including a female lawmaker who was en’s movement. We need stronger unions on radical egalitarianism can bring an end advances for women. Legal victories like the told that none of her bills would pass if she that have workers’ backs and are willing once and for all to the reign of all the Harvey right to an abortion were achieved, alongside didn’t have sex with a powerful Democratic to fight on each and every report of sexual Weinsteins. J

6 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE #38 – SUPPLEMENT 100 YEARS SINCE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION SOCIALISTALTERNATIVE.ORG ) [email protected] @SocialistAlt /SocialistAlternative.USA Legacy of October Today Calvin Priest

In a world dominated by billionaires and big business, with widespread poverty, racism, sexism and environmental destruc- tion, the question of who runs society is a vital one. One hundred years ago, in October 1917 in Russia, that question was answered deci- sively when ordinary working people took power and held onto it for the first time in history. Beginning in the nation's capital of Petro- grad on October 24 (November 6 by our cal- endar), and then spreading city by city across the former Czarist empire, workers and peas- ants took over the factories, government offices and soldiers’ barracks in the most powerful democratic act in human history. In doing so, unprecedented gains were won for workers, peasants, women, LGBTQ people, and oppressed nationalities. This socially and economically backward country became the first to decriminalize same-sex relationships, make abortion both legal and Speeches in St. Petersburg in October 1917. free, provide the right to a job, give the full right of oppressed nationalities to self deter- But alongside the widespread anger at present period of economic stagnation where was fundamentally different about Russia mination, and bring large sections of the the status quo there are also major political there is much less space for serious reforms. in 1917. In the absence of the Bolsheviks, economy into democratic public ownership to differences in the movement about how to Tragically there are also countless recent the reformist leadership of the Mensheviks be run by the workers themselves. win fundamental and lasting change in the examples of left populist leaders, unpre- and Social Revolutionaries would have would Today with global capitalism in a pro- interests of ordinary people. The key differ- pared to lead the masses toward revolution- have certainly led the revolution to defeat. longed crisis and a huge growth in interest ence boils down to whether we believe that ary change, who instead capitulated to the Instead, in spite of the devastation of in socialist ideas, particularly among young the change we need can be made within the ruling class and betrayed the working class the subsequent Civil War and real limits of people, these experiences of the Russian framework of capitalism or whether capital- movements which put them in power. For the backward economy, we saw the begin- working class are more relevant than ever. ism itself is a fundamental obstacle to last- example, in Greece in 2015 a left govern- nings of a flowering of culture and human ing change. ment – despite overwhelming support from development, much of which has still not How Can We With President Trump in the White the working class – capitulated to the Euro- been fully realized even in advanced capi- Win Fundamental Change? House, the main challenge facing us at pres- pean Union and the banks trying to enforce talist countries today. The Russian Revolu- ent is how to defeat his bigoted, billionaire- even more austerity on a population already tion also shows how the working class is the The world is wracked by social crisis. backed agenda and drive him out of power. bled dry. only force which can deal decisive blows to Capitalism has failed to fully recover from The movement must mobilize people against all forms of oppression because a world free the Great Recession and even in the United Republican attacks but it must also put for- Reform and Revolution of oppression is in their collective interests. States – the richest country in human his- ward a bold program speaking to the inter- While many of the great gains of the revolu- tory – inequality grows apace while workers ests of working people including demands For genuine Marxists, reform and revo- tion were partially or fully dismantled after face a future of low wage jobs, unaffordable Sanders popularized: single-payer health lution are intertwined. We fight for every the rise of Stalin and the bureaucracy, that in housing, and already inadequate health care care, free college education, a federal $15 reform that can be won under capitalism, but no way undermines their historic significance that is under continual attack. Meanwhile minimum wage, ending mass incarceration we do not see reform as an end unto itself. or continued relevance. the planet is threatened by catastrophic cli- and a trillion dollar investment in green infra- Capitalism can never be reformed to meet The task of rebuilding the socialist move- mate change while the American ruling class structure and jobs. the needs of working people or to be environ- ment here and globally is a crucial one, and wallows in denial. Fighting to win these essential reforms mentally sustainable. The fight for far-reach- certainly we have no time to waste. While Millions of Americans were inspired by points to the limits of capitalism today. To ing demands based on the needs of working there is a lower class consciousness today Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign take one example, just to pass Medicare for people helps raise their confidence to fight than in Petrograd a century ago, we nonethe- last year and his demands for far reaching All we have to face down the combined might for more, but it also helps to clarify the limits less have many advantages over the Russian change in the interests of working people. of the private health insurance and phar- of capitalism. However, ending the dictator- working class, whose revolution inspired mil- The already resurgent interest in left ideas maceutical industries who currently control ship of the market will not happen automati- lions around the world, but who faced all the was catapulted into an even broader discus- more than one fifth of the U.S. economy. cally. A mass party with clear Marxist leader- disadvantages of an economically backward sion of “democratic socialism” and rapid The passing of Bernie’s entire program ship, strategies and tactics is vital to seeing and isolated country. growth of socialist organizations like Social- would take a mobilized working class, pre- this struggle through to its conclusion. A socialist world is more possible today ist Alternative and the Democratic Socialists pared to use its social power, to force big In the final analysis, the presence of such than ever. And as in 1917, we have nothing of America. business to concede – particularly in the an organization, the Bolshevik Party, is what to lose but our chains. J When Russia Shook THE WORLD

the revolution’s main leaders, in particular Vlad- – and with the reintroduction of capital punish- representatives of the propertied classes. imir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. Without them the ment – was reflected in the revolt of the Petro- After months, which seemed like years, of revolution would not have been carried through, grad workers in the “July days.” Similar events consistent capitalist sabotage, the prolongation as John Reed makes clear. take place in all revolutions. The working class of the war, attacks on the gains of the revolu- In the very first line of the preface, Reed feels power falling from its grasp and comes tion, and threats against the Bolsheviks and the writes: “This book is a slice of intensified history onto the streets to force the leadership to com- working class – all graphically described by John – history as I saw it. It does not pretend to be plete the revolution. Reed – the Bolsheviks’ influence grew spectacu- anything but a detailed account of the Novem- The Bolsheviks opposed a premature upris- larly among the working class, peasants and ber [October in the old-style calendar] revolu- ing. Nevertheless, they put themselves at the troops. This was particularly the case after the tion, when the Bolsheviks, at the head of the head of the July movement in order to mitigate defeat of an attempted military coup by Gen- workers and soldiers, seized the state power of the damage and conserve their forces for the eral Kornilov in August – the whip of counter- Russia and placed it in the hands of the Soviet more decisive struggle to come. Leaders like revolution which gave an enormous push to the [workers’, peasants’ and soldiers’ councils]”. Trotsky were imprisoned, and Lenin was forced process of revolution: “There must be no more He points out that in the early stages the into exile in Finland. Unbelievably, some bour- Kornilovs… The Bolsheviks demanded that the Bolshevik party was a “small political sect” with geois “historians” today, from the safety of their All-Russia Congress of the Soviets take over only 8,000 members after the February 1917 studies, accuse Lenin of cowardice for this. power… Almost immediately the Bolsheviks won The most famous firsthand account of the revolution. The Bolsheviks were so slandered – But if he had remained in Petrograd there is no a majority in the Petrograd Soviet; the soviets events in Russia in October 1917 was Ten Lenin was a spy in the pay of the German high question that he would have been murdered by of Moscow, Kyiv [Kiev], Odessa, and other cities Days that Shook the World written by Ameri- command, it was falsely claimed – that sailors counter-revolutionary forces, just as Rosa Lux- followed suit.” can socialist John Reed. To mark the cente- threatened to bayonet Lenin on sight! The sovi- emburg and Karl Liebknecht were following the Then the compromisers (Mensheviks and nary of the Russian revolution, our Spanish ets were initially dominated by the Mensheviks failure of the Spartacus uprising in Germany in Social Revolutionaries) together with the ruling sister organization, Izquierda Revolucionaria, and Social Revolutionaries. 1919. class “decided that, after all, they feared the translated Reed’s classic. In this introduction The workers and peasants, particularly the dangers of Kornilov a lot less than the danger to the book, PETER TAAFFE, general secretary ten million soldiers exhausted by the first world Farsighted Leadership of Lenin.” They pursued a policy of procrastina- of the Socialist Party of England and Wales, war, yearned for an end to the slaughter. In tion and sabotage aimed at weakening and dis- explains the significance of Reed’s account, fact, war can often be the midwife of revolution, This would have beheaded the Russian rev- arming the masses. But, as John Reed writes: the importance of the revolution, and its rel- enormously speeding up events. Without this olution. In fact, just by recounting the events, “Meanwhile, the Congress of Soviets loomed evance today. the Russian revolution may have developed over John Reed’s book hammers home the crucial over Russia like a thundercloud, shot through a more protracted period, similar to the Span- importance of the Bolshevik party and its politi- with lightning… A groundswell of revolt heaved The Spanish publication of the great John ish revolution of 1931-37. The demands of the cally astute and farsighted leadership. This was and cracked the crust which had been slowly Reed’s Ten Days that Shook the World could Russian masses were very simple: land, bread crystallised in the political role of Lenin and hardening on the surface of revolutionary fires not come at a more fitting time than the 100th and freedom. But to the peasant in the fetid Trotsky. It was their policies and tactics at each dormant all those months before.” anniversary of the Russian revolution. From the battlefield trenches what use was the promise turn which made the victory of the Russian work- first to the last page it gives a gripping and pul- of future land or freedom if he was to perish ers possible. Mass Support for Revolution sating account of the revolution, up to now the in the war? It was therefore necessary to put Even during the February revolution, it was greatest single event in human history. an end to the slaughter immediately. The same only Lenin in Switzerland and Trotsky in New Then the Bolshevik Central Committee Although written 100 years ago, it answers with the worker. York who saw it as the beginning of “the world considered the question of carrying through all the lies and misinformation spewed out by The mass disappointment and anger at the socialist revolution.” Lenin’s erstwhile followers, a revolution, with the overwhelming majority capitalist commentators and historians about refusal of the ‘socialist’ ministers in the coali- the so-called old Bolsheviks of Lev Kamenev of the masses behind them. John Reed gives the events, and about the Bolshevik party and tion governments after February to end the war and Joseph Stalin – who were in Petrograd from numerous examples of that support for revolu- early March 1917 – gave “critical support” to the tion, which readers will see for themselves was new provisional liberal-capitalist government. a genuine mass expression – not the conspira- Subsequently, a coalition between the leaders torial “coup” beloved of superficial bourgeois of the workers and peasants at that stage – the commentators. Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries – was The working class, peasantry and soldiers, formed. Lenin demanded an absolute break who began to vote with their feet, embraced with this policy: “No confidence, particularly in the revolution. However, as Reed reports: “The Kerensky” (Kerensky went on to head the Provi- right wing of the Bolsheviks led by Riazanov, sional Government up to the October revolution). Kamenev and Zinoviev continued to campaign The masses were arriving at the same conclu- against an armed uprising.” Reed also reports sions as Lenin, as John Reed makes clear when that Lenin, taking up their objections, declared: he quotes a Russian soldier: “We are at war with “Either we must abandon our slogan, all power Germany. Would we invite German generals to to the soviets, or else we must make an insur- serve on our staff? Well, we are at war with the rection. There is no middle course.” Reed adds: capitalists and yet we invite them into our gov- “Alone of the intellectuals, Lenin and Trotsky ernment… Show me what I’m fighting for. Is it stood for insurrection.” Constantinople or a free Russia? Is it for democ- The masses made their agreement with racy, or is it the capitalist plunderers? If you can Lenin and Trotsky clear. A workman, “his face prove to me that I am defending the revolution convulsed with rage, said: ‘I speak for the Petro- then I’ll go out and fight without capital punish- grad proletariat… We are in favour of insurrec- ment to force me”. In these simple words is the tion. Have it your own way, but I tell you now Portugal in 1974 was just one of the many times the working class instinctive class opposition to all capitalist coali- that if you allow the soviets to be destroyed, posed the question of taking power in the 20th century. tions – yesterday and today – with the political we’re through with you.’ Some soldiers joined in

SOCIALIST8 ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 When Russia Shook THE WORLD

and, after, the vote for insurrection won.” Once the revolution was secured in Petro- grad it spread, with some delay, to Moscow and elsewhere. John Reed describes in unforget- table language the taking of power: “Now Lenin, gripping the edge of the reading stand, letting his eyes travel over the crowd as he stood there waiting, apparently oblivious to the long rolling ovation which lasted several minutes. When it finished, he simply said: ‘We shall now proceed to construct the socialist order!’ Again that over- whelming human roar.” Similar scenes of wild excitement and cele- bration broke out in the trenches as the masses hailed the end of the hated war – and in the fac- tories where the workers were now the masters. Similarly, the peasants greeted the decision of the Soviet, which invited them to occupy and establish their ownership of the land. The Bolshevik, 1920 by Boris Mikailovich Kustodiev. John Reed relates a telling incident when a delegation of Cossacks, who in the past acted Europe – the (socialist) United States – that is By the early 1930s this bureaucratic caste period of social and political instability as the as a praetorian guard for the old regime, “came what must be”. The Bolsheviks never perceived feared that the hot flames – for instance, opposition of the working class and the youth to the Smolny, the headquarters of the Petro- that ‘economically undeveloped’ Russia was from the Spanish revolution – would not only has grown. A new language for the mass move- grad Soviet, to see Trotsky and Lenin, and asked ready for socialism by itself or in isolation. threaten capitalism but the grip of Stalinism ment has taken shape, with Bernie Sanders in them: ‘Does the Soviet government intend to From Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the in Russia itself. If the Spanish revolution had the U.S. in favour of a “political revolution.” confiscate the estates of the great Cossack 19th century, the beginning of socialism implied succeeded – and the immortal working class Unfortunately, he did not extend this to landowners and divide them among the working a higher productivity of labour than that reached initially defeated General Franco’s fascist coup social and economic revolution without which Cossacks?’ To which Lenin replied: ‘That is for by any country or continent under capitalism. and conquered four-fifths of the country – the real change is not possible. But the attacks you to do. We shall support the working Cos- This meant a higher level of production even European and world revolution would have of Donald Trump have spurred a new series sacks in all their actions.’ They asked [General] than the U.S., the most developed capitalist been back on the agenda. of mass movements, particularly of the work- Kaledin from the other side the same question country at the time. This was only possible on Almost to a man and woman, the Spanish ing class and young people who are once more about handing over the land to the working the basis of the world revolution – with Russia capitalists fled to the side of Franco leaving searching for a socialist and revolutionary road Cossacks, and he replied: ‘Only over my dead seen as the start, and as the weakest link in the behind their political shadows. It was the false in the U.S. and worldwide. body’… A month later, seeing his army melt chain of capitalism. policies of the leaderships of the different work- The heat lightning flashes of the upheavals away before his eyes, Kaledin then blew out his The revolution gave a mighty heave, with the ers’ organisations – above all, the Communist to come in Europe and the U.S. were shown by brains.” working class of Europe, and to some extent the Party – which allowed this shadow to acquire the North African and Middle East revolutions Through deeds, not just words, in this way U.S., pushing in the direction of their Russian substance: the reconstruction of the shattered in 2011. They failed because of the absence the new democratic workers’ state cemented the brothers and sisters – inspired by the ten days capitalist state and the defeat of the magnifi- of the one ingredient that was present and ardent support of the overwhelming majority of that shook the world. They were checked not pri- cent Spanish proletariat. vital for the success of the Russian revolution: the masses: “Army after army, fleet after fleet, marily by the strength of capitalism but by the It was not the only revolution to be derailed a mass Marxist party with a farsighted lead- sent deputations, ‘joyfully to greet the new gov- betrayals of their own “social democratic” mis- in the 20th century. In 1968, the French work- ership, basing itself on the movement of the ernment of the people.’ In front of the Smolny leaders who refused to follow in the footsteps ers staged the greatest general strike in his- working class and able to lead it to power. J one day I saw a ragged regiment just come from of the Bolsheviks and the policies of Lenin and tory with ten million workers coming the trenches. The soldiers were drawn up before Trotsky. The isolation of the Russian revolution out and occupying the factories. The the great gates, thin and grey-faced, looking up was the product of their cowardice. Portuguese revolution in 1974 saw New publication from SocialistBooks.co.uk at the building as if God was in it.” the taking over of the banks and put 70% of industry in the hands of the Leon Trotsky draws out Stalinist Betrayal why the Russian Revolu- From Internationalism to state. The London Times concluded Thrown back largely onto its own resources, tion succeeded, while other Isolation that in Portugal “capitalism is dead.” revolutionary moments had Russia became a beleaguered outpost, neces- This was premature, however, because been missed. Trotsky looks So opened up a new glorious chapter for the sitating the rationing of scarce goods. This the Socialist Party, the radical army at the role of the Bolshevik working class and humanity worldwide. The Rus- ultimately led to the development of a bureau- officers and the Communist Party party and offers an insight- sian revolution detonated a series of revolutions cratic stratum, reflected in the victory of Stalin ful and frank examination were unable to cement this victory of the difficulties and suc- in western Europe – Germany, Italy, Hungary – whose rise personified this process. The growth through democratic workers’ control cesses of offering a way with reverberations in practically every country of the bureaucracy was a conservative drag on and management. forward in the midst of the of Europe and on every continent. Russia and the planned economy which had tumultuous and fast-mov- In the midst of the upheavals in Russia, issued from the revolution. It also meant the New Movements ing events of 1917. Trotsky took time out to discuss with John Reed loss of a series of favourable opportunities for Writing to aid the fight for international socialism, the working class to take power, including the The onset of a deep-going world about the international implications of the Rus- Lessons of October pro- sian revolution: “At the end of this war I see potential for successful revolution in Germany economic crisis, beginning in 2007/08 voked a series of attacks Europe recreated, not by the diplomats but in 1923. It led to the defeat of the Chinese – which capitalism has not fully recov- The Lessons of October from the developing by the proletariat. The Federated Republic of revolution of 1925-27. ered from – has opened up a new by Leon Trotsky bureaucracy around Stalin.

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 20179 ISSUE #38 – SUPPLEMENT 100 YEARS SINCE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE The Impact of the Russian Revolution in the USA

Tom Crean revolutionary change was needed. The Communist Party which survived and rooted left wing of the Socialist Party responded itself successfully in sections of the working Even before the Russian Revolution, the to the Russian Revolution with enormous class. It was in the 1930s and 40s that the United States had a vibrant socialist left and enthusiasm. CP achieved its greatest influence, growing radical labor movement. The Socialist Party The pro-Bolshevik left wing of the Social- to 100,000 members. The Great Depres- had 100,000 members and many members ist Party had the support of the overwhelm- sion led to a massive rejection of capitalism elected to public office across the country. ing majority of the membership. But bureau- among sections of the population. Lines of Eugene Debs, the most outstanding Ameri- cratic manoeuvres by the party’s right wing working people even formed outside Soviet can socialist of his generation, had received prevented the left from taking over in 1919. embassies looking to move to Russia. 6% of the vote as the party’s presidential This led to the formation of two parties which The CP played a major role in the develop- candidate in 1912. Unlike most European affiliated to the Communist International and ment of the industrial unions in the Congress socialist parties, the SP consistently opposed subsequently merged. At its inception it is of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and the World War I. Debs was jailed for his opposi- estimated that the communist movement in strike waves of the late ‘30s. They also played tion to the war and ran for president again the U.S. had 70,000 supporters. a leading role in the fight against racism and In the 1930s, the Communist Party played a leading role in the fight against racism in 1920 from jail. Meanwhile the Industrial 1919 was also a year of very significant Jim Crow, helping to lay the basis for the civil including defeding the Scottsboro Boys. Workers of the World, formed in 1905, led class battles including the Seattle general rights movement. But by the 30s Stalinism a series of pitched battle strikes against the strike and the national strike of steelwork- had led to degeneration of Soviet Union and left. bosses in the mining and lumber industries in ers led by William Z Foster who went on the Comintern and this also had a profoundly But a section of the CP which was expelled the west and the textile mills of the northeast. to be a leading communist. But the defeat negative effect on the politics of the Ameri- from the party for supporting Trotsky contin- But there was also a sharp division within of the steel strike opened the door to seri- can CP. In the name of the false policy of ued the authentic tradition of the Russian the labor movement between conservative ous state repression including the notorious the “popular front” with “progressive” capi- Revolution and the CP’s early years. These union leaders in the American Federation Palmer Raids when 6,000 communists were talists, the CP played a key role in preventing pioneering Trotskyists who, among other of Labor and the radical wing, including the rounded up by the government and hundreds the development of a broader workers party things, led the Minneapolis Teamster strike IWW. There was also a clear division within deported. and propping up the Democratic Party in this in 1934, one of the three citywide general the socialist movement itself between those Repression and the rebound of capital- period of profound radicalization. This lost strikes which helped lay the basis for the CIO, who believed in piecemeal reform of capital- ism after the war (the “roaring twenties”) opportunity had a profoundly negative effect were the antecedents of Socialist Alternative ism and those who saw that fundamental, led to big challenges for the early American on the subsequent development of the U.S. today. J Building an International - Then and Now

George Martin Fell Brown international, also solidarity with the CWI. The found- of parliament and numerous council- called the Comin- ing conference had representatives lors. We are in the midst of a strug- The Bolsheviks had no illusions tern, was founded from 12 countries, the largest sec- gle in defense of democratic rights in that socialism could be built in a in 1919 in the tion being the Militant Tendency in Hong Kong. In the current struggle single country, especially a war-torn, middle of the Euro- Britain. The Militant Tendency, then for Catalan self-determination, our semi-feudal country like Russia. pean revolutionary part of the British Labour Party, now sister organization in the Spanish From their point of view October wave. the Socialist Party in England and state has been organizing massive 1917 was the beginning of a world Unfortunately, Wales, went on to lead mass strug- student strikes against the crack- revolution. And the success of the the revolutionary gles including the struggle against downs of the Rajoy government. Russian Revolution did herald a wave was defeated, the hated poll tax which forced Mar- Internationalism isn’t just a revolutionary wave across Europe. leaving the Soviet garet Thatcher to resign in 1990. matter of solidarity with struggles Revolutions and revolutionary situ- Union isolated. This The LSR is the Brazilian section of the The CWI was born in the middle in other countries. Many Ameri- ations broke out in Germany and defeat played a key Committee for a Workers International. of a new wave of revolutionary can activists in the past period Finland in 1918, Hungary in 1919, role in the emer- upheavals, including in Portugal have rightly taken inspiration from Italy in 1920, and Germany again in gence of the con- 1930s. and Greece in 1974, and Spain in the Arab spring, and the move- 1923. And an intensification of class servative, parasitic Stalinist bureau- In response to this, the follow- 1975. The CWI grew out of these ment around Hugo Chavez in Ven- struggle spread all across the world, cracy. This bureaucracy spread its ers of Russian Revolutionary Leon movements first primarily in Europe ezuela and Syriza in Greece. But even reaching the United States. control throughout the Comintern. Trotsky strove to build a new Fourth and later built a base in a number all of these movements have faced Organizing the working class on It lost its role as a mass revolution- International which could organize of countries outside Europe includ- defeats and setbacks as well, which an international basis has long been ary international and was converted the revolutionary, anti-Stalinist wing ing South Africa under apartheid, Sri have also had international reper- a key aim of Marxists, going back into an instrument of the Kremlin’s of the working class. Lanka, Nigeria, Chile and Brazil. cussions. This is why it’s necessary, to the First International in Marx’s foreign policy which prioritized the Today the CWI is active in over not just to cheer on the international time. The Bolsheviks came of age as interests of the bureaucracy over The Committee for a 40 countries. We played a lead- struggles, but to organize the work- part of the Second International. But workers’ struggles. The Comintern Workers’ International ing role in organizing the wave of ing class and its revolutionary wing that International degenerated when supported Chiang Kai-Shek in China strikes in South Africa following the on an international basis, to assure most of its sections supported their in the late 1920s even as he had The Committee for a Workers massacre of miners in Marikana in these movements success. That is own ruling class in World War I. After Chinese communists massacred; it International was founded in 1974 2012. We recently played a leading what the Bolsheviks stood for after the Russian Revolution, the Bolshe- stood by as Hitler came to power in as a continuation of the politics of role in the successful mass struggle the Russian Revolution. And it’s viks immediately put out the call Germany; and it actively sabotaged Lenin and Trotsky. Socialist Alterna- against water charges in Ireland what Socialist Alternative and the for a new, Third International. This the Spanish revolution in the late tive in the U.S. stands in political where we also have three members CWI stand for today. J SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE IN ACTION People Are Not Garbage Hundreds Occupy Seattle City Hall to Stop Homeless Sweeps

Manuel Carrillo and Neighborhood Action Councils, the over 150 sleeping bags and tents, Whitney James Kahn Affordable Housing Alliance, and we’ve raised over $4,000 … We many other organizations, we built are doing the job the city is sup- “Rather than spending millions energetic and broad support for posed to be doing and providing on the ineffective and inhumane Kshama’s budget amendments to basic supplies and services to our practice of sweeping homeless stop the sweeps and tax big busi- unhoused neighbors.” people, who are not trash,” Kshama ness to fund housing and services. The demonstration took place Sawant, Socialist Alternative City Ryan Whitney, an activist from on the two-year anniversary of a Councilmember, demanded on a local Democratic Legislative Dis- declaration by the city of a home- November 1, “use those millions trict (LD), spoke about the unani- less state of emergency. Over 130 to provide services of every kind mous votes to Stop the Sweeps in people have died from homeless- to help people transition quickly to the LDs. “601. That’s the number ness since then. “These are our permanent housing.” of sweeps from last year. A ridicu- brothers and sisters out there. I Seattle’s annual ritual of passing lous number. An expensive number have lost so many friends,” said Fighting for a People’s Budget a business-as-usual budget, pri- as well. We introduced the reso- Susan Russell, a formerly homeless oritizing the greed of big developers lution in our Legislative District. Seattle resident. On SocialistAlternative.org you will find updates on the protests and corporations over the need of Everyone agreed that we need to “People are not garbage. You do and votes around Seattle’s budget. Socialist council member Kshama ordinary people, got disrupted not stop the sweeps. Everybody agreed not sweep human beings. You build Sawant is again organizing a movement for a people’s budget. The huge just with 500 attending a council that we need to fund affordable affordable housing,” said Violet momentum to stop the sweeps has been openly supported by three hearing on next year’s budget, but housing, and that we need to fund Lavantai, an organizer with the Ten- councilmembers. As of this writing, a majority of the council is trying to then hundreds staying for an ille- services for the homeless.” ants Union of Washington State. get away with lip service to support homeless people while allowing the gal campout. Activists occupied As hundreds rallied inside, a In the morning, before ending mayor and the administration to continue the sweeps – accompanied by City Hall and stayed over night to tent encampment was constructed the occupation, activists gathered a further study. We don’t need to study sweeps, we want to end them demand a fundamental change of in the outdoor City Hall plaza as a for a final demonstration in the and build homes. We’ll report online about the votes in the council. J the city’s priorities. protest against the sweeps, and a lobby of City Hall for city employ- Socialist Alternative and hub for the hundreds of blankets, ees to see as they came into work: a Kshama Sawant’s city council tarps, tents, and other donated “die-in” protest of 66 activists, each office played a critical role in orga- supplies. Local musicians and per- one bearing the name of someone nizing the campout and building formers put on a free concert as who had died this year from being the movement to stop the sweeps part of the demonstration. Andy unsheltered. As their names were and fund affordable housing. Work- Ribaudo, a veteran and activist who read from a poem titled “Fallen ing with activists in the Housing for led the supplies drive announced Silent,” the activists would fall to All coalition, the People’s Party, to the crowd, “We’ve given out the ground as if dead. J Stop Richard Spencer in Cincinnati Community Coalition to Defeat White Supremacists on Campus

Robert Shields and to plan a counter demonstration planning a concert at the same Griffin Ritze against Spencer’s planned appear- time as Spencer’s appearance is ance. This immediately opened up a move to deliberately undermine Richard Spencer, a white suprem- a discussion about the methods the counter protest,” pointed out acist and leading activist of the “alt- and tactics needed to oppose Spen- Cole Weirich from Socialist Stu- right” is on a national speaking tour cer’s message and his movement’s dents. “We need to be clear in 40,000 people rallied in Boston against the alt right. and plans to come to the University agenda. this moment that responding to of Cincinnati, likely in January. His Socialist Alternative, Cincin- Spencer by ignoring him will only Berkeley. These types of actions But after Charlottesville, they were rallies are spreading hateful mes- nati Socialist Students, Black Lives allow white nationalists to organize are performed spontaneously by a pushed back. We need to keep them sages and organizing the far right on Matter Cincinnati, the Cincinnati in our community unopposed.” few protesters without the organized on the run! While Trump defends the college campuses across the U.S. branch of the NAACP, and many To effectively combat the “alt participation of the majority and are white nationalists and pushes the Drawing confidence from the others have joined together in a right” it will take the largest possible then exploited by media and estab- billionaires’ agenda, Socialist Alter- 40,000 working people and young coalition to build the largest possible mobilization of students, people of lishment politicians to alienate the native links the struggle against the people who mobilized in Boston counter demonstration to show that color,women, LGBTQ people, and mass of working people from sup- right and the far right to the fight against white supremacists in there is no base for the far right’s working people generally to out- porting protests against the far right. for Medicare for all, free education, August, Socialist Alternative and ideas in our city. In parallel, Uni- number their forces 1,000 to 1 as Since Trump’s election, the far immigrants’, women’s and workers’ Socialist Students have taken a versity of Cincinnati administration demonstrated in Boston in August. right has felt emboldened to enter rights. leading role in a broad coalition to and sections of the student body This approach is often complicated the public sphere with their hate- We want all those willing to take oppose Richard Spencer’s planned are organizing a “Choose Love” con- by those committed to “black bloc” ful ideas. We have seen “alt right” a stand against Richard Spencer to speaking event at the University of cert to deter students from joining tactics based on individual acts of rallies emerge all over the United come out en masse and show that Cincinnati. On October 19, more the coalition’s counter demonstra- protest which have produced acts States as white supremacists groups we will not allow this far right move- than 200 people came together tion. “While affirming the univer- of vandalism as we saw earlier in attempt to recruit to their movement. ment to grow. J sity’s commitment to “love” is great, the year at anti-Milo protests in

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 11 ENVIRONMENT Hurricanes and Wildfires Are A Warning A Socialist Plan to Address Climate Change

Tony Wilsdon of the ruling class who ferociously resist any such policies. Another major problem is that This summer the Gulf region and the Car- individual capitalist governments are often ribbean were pummeled by a record-breaking unwilling to take decisive steps because this series of hurricanes knocking out infrastruc- would create a competitive disadvantage with ture and devastating the lives of thousands. other countries. The corporate-friendly poli- Wildfires have ripped through the western cies of governments explain the repeated fail- United States, incinerating homes and creat- ure of earlier climate change conferences to ing hazardous air quality in countless cities. reverse climate change at a time when the This is a horrific warning of the coming human problems were not so advanced. and environmental catastrophe we face if we This conflict between profit maximization don’t seriously address climate change. and the necessary overhaul of the economy The warming oceans are leading to more poses the need for bold and extensive direct violent storms. Warming air and land are government intervention through public creating tinderboxes in regions of the coun- ownership of key sectors of the economy, in try. The broader issue of melting ice in both particular the big energy companies. This polar regions and shifts in the seasons are would allow the development of national and harbingers of a much more violent shift in Devastation in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. international plans to mobilize and direct weather and climate as we get closer to a resources to address climate change. It will fast-approaching climate tipping point. support workers in their transition into are paralyzed to act. The Democratic Party mean standing up to and trampling on the Yet, incredibly, we face a Republican clean energy jobs. (berniesanders.com/ establishment is desperately courting corpo- interests of corporate owners. It will also administration that rejects a scientific view of issues/climate change) rate money for the 2018 election. But their mean putting aside national interests to climate change and instead is subservient to The burning question is how to fight for corporate backers are demanding a doubling focus on an overall international solution. the interests of the coal, gas and oil indus- and win these policies. down on policies that maximize their profits! At a time when the consequences of the tries. The Clean Air Act is being dismantled, While Sanders has played an important This is why the Democratic Party establish- 2008 crisis are still shaking the political there has been a doubling down on support role publicizing these green energy policies, ment is desperately trying to demonstrate establishment and with another crisis on the for carbon-based extraction industries, and unfortunately, he is pointing to the Demo- that they are not beholden to the Sand- way, with the rise of nationalist candidates the administration is seeking to open up the cratic Party as a vehicle to achieve them. ers agenda. This again shows why working and political parties, governments around Alaskan wilderness to oil extraction. Is this possible? Can the Democrats really people and the poor need their own political the world are growing increasingly inward- Future generations will need to prosecute deliver such policies? If not, how can we party accountable to them only and based on looking. This exposes the complete failure the key players in this deliberate ravaging of create a force that can do that? their interests. of capitalism in this period of crisis to deal our planet, and the hundreds of thousands of with deep structural problems of society like lives, mainly working class and poor people, Where’s the Democratic Party? The Limits of Capitalism growing inequality, poverty, lack of afford- that will be lost due to the poisoning of the able housing, access to affordable health The signs are not at all good. Surely, at Are the owners of the major corporations air and water, and starvation resulting from care, etc., as well as climate change. This a time when the attention of the country interested in addressing climate change? destruction of crops due to fires, an inhospi- poses the urgent necessity to build a political has been riveted by the devastating conse- As any economics textbook will confirm, table growing climate, and flooding. movement and a political party which takes quences of hurricanes and wildfires, the corporate CEOs are mandated to maximize no corporate cash and represents the inter- Democratic Party should be connecting their shareholders’ dividends. It is this profit ests of working people. This movement will Building a Powerful Movement the dots to climate change and using this motive that drives capitalism. It is also the fight for all possible reforms now on the road opportunity to build support for transforma- The election of Trump has been a light- driving force behind neo-liberalism - to get to ending capitalism on a global basis, and tive policies. However, this hasn’t happened. ning rod to bring millions of people into the government off the back of big business and building a new society based on democratic Incredibly, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a streets and into political activity. Socialists win business-friendly policies. This is why socialist planning. J seek to point towards real solutions to climate “hawk” on climate change, recently com- corporate America broadly supports Trump’s change but also a strategy that can mobilize mented “We have a lot of time to make that relentless drive to eliminate environmental point.” A fantastic opportunity to build sup- the broader working class into political activ- regulation. Researcher Glen Peterstold port for addressing climate change has been Some people will point to the develop- ity to fight for these solutions. explains that to reach the 1.5 degree In his presidential campaign last year, squandered. ment of the market in solar energy, wind Bernie Sanders argued for popular policies There has been almost total silence from energy, and electric cars as evidence that Celsius warming cap mandated by the that would be a huge step in the right direc- the Democrats on climate change since capitalism can respond to the climate crisis. Paris Climate Agreement “You would tion including: Trump was elected. Rather than expose the However, this actually confirms the limits of have to shut down every coal and gas JJ A massive investments in energy effi- Republican agenda, they have been looking solutions based on the capitalist market since plant in the U.S. in the next 10 years. to build bipartisan support for the most medi- these investments are based on the potential ciency and clean, sustainable energy You couldn’t have a single petrol car such as wind and solar power. ocre bill: the American Opportunity Carbon making profit in certain niche markets. While JJ Create a Clean-Energy Workforce of 10 Fee Act. This Act offers market-based solu- this can help bring solar power and some in the U.S., and the same for India, million good-paying jobs by creating a tions, including a mild carbon tax alongside electric cars to the marketplace, this is not for China, and for every country in 100% clean energy system. a sizeable reduction in the corporate income a model to retool the heart of the economy. the world. While you remove those, JJ End the huge subsidies that benefit tax, despite the fact that carbon taxes have A National Plan for Energy and the Climate you have to build up new infrastruc- proved totally ineffective. Yet even this has fossil fuel companies; to tax polluters Our economy and society needs to be ture, wind turbines, solar panels … only been signed onto by one Republican. re-organized around green energy. But, this causing the climate crisis. a completely new car fleet, and so JJ Create clean, domestic energy alter- It is because climate change demands come directly into conflict with profits of the natives to power our cars and trucks; transformative policies that the Democrats fossil fuel corporations and other sections on” (theintercept.com, 10/23/2017).

12 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 INTERNATIONAL Will Catalonia Win Independence? A Socialist Analysis

Read more on international news at SocialistWorld.net, website of the Committee for a Workers International.

Danny Byrne Conversely, the thorn in the movement’s Committee for a Workers’ side at every stage has been its official “lead- International ership.” Led by the capitalist nationalist party, PdeCAT, the Catalan government has As we go to press, the Spanish state has at every stage delayed, diluted, and betrayed massively stepped up the repression directed the mass movement. Their leadership alien- against the Catalan Republic. It has dissolved ates working-class people who have been vic- the Catalan regional government, brought tims of their austerity from the movement for charges of “rebellion” and “sedition” against national liberation. its leaders which could lead to 30 year jail Catalan big business, who they repre- sentences and placed its civil service and sent, fearful of their profits, are engaged police under direct control from Madrid. For in open sabotage of the Catalan Republic, ongoing analysis of developments and a strat- moving billions of dollars and thousands of egy to mobilize the working people against firms outside Catalonia as blackmail against repression and for a workers republic go to independence. SocialistWorld.net. This question of leadership is the burn- ing question which must be resolved if Cata- The Parliament of Catalonia voted to lan freedom is to be achieved. The Catalan declare an independent republic on October working-class movement and left must chal- 27. This historic event, a moment in the his- were tortured and murdered. In the 1970s, defending the rights of oppressed nations lenge these capitalist politicians for the lead- tory of the Spanish state and Europe, will have another revolutionary period brought down to separate from Russia were Lenin and the ership of the movement. Our co-thinkers in lasting consequences. First and foremost, it Franco’s regime, but the revolutionary aspi- Bolsheviks able to unite the oppressed of the Spanish state, Izquierda Revolucionaria, is a conquest of a mass revolutionary move- rations of the working class and oppressed all nations against the Tsarist and capitalist who lead the Sindicato de Estudiantes, which ment of the Catalan people - the youth and nations were again betrayed by the reformist system. has organized two student general strikes, working class - which has heroically resisted leaders of the left and the labor movement, The defense of Catalonia’s right to decide have emphasized this point throughout the the Francoist repression of the Spanish state who feared a real break with capitalism. its own future is also a fundamental demo- movement. and right-wing PP government. Spanish capitalism and national oppression cratic issue. As with all forms of oppression, The Catalan Republic can only win the However, revolutionary socialists must were preserved throughout the “transition” Marxists seek to emphasize the role of the solid support of the working class in Catalo- always delve deeper, see further, and give to capitalist “democracy,” which granted working class as the only social force capa- nia, and an echo from the working class in a perspective on the tasks and challenges limited autonomy to the Catalan and Basque ble of ending national oppression as well as the rest of the Spanish state, if it means a facing the working class of Catalonia and the people. the need to link the fight against oppression real change in the lives of the majority. It Spanish state in consolidating this historic Now the Spanish government, led by the to eliminating its cause: capitalist domina- needs to be based on a program not only to step, to carry out a real revolution in Catalo- political children of Franco, has used thou- tion. The billionaire capitalist class in an achieve Catalan independence but to end nia and beyond. sands of military police to beat and repress oppressed nation cannot be relied upon to poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. millions of people for the crime of wanting to defend the interests of its people. Socialists The failure of the leadership of the movement Why Francoist? vote in the October 1 “illegal” independence fight for the liberation of all peoples while to put such a program forward can allow the referendum in Barcelona. In doing this, at the same time defending the maximum forces of reaction and Spanish nationalism Catalonia’s History Spanish capitalism was showing its Francoist unity in the struggle against capitalism and to appeal to the working class in Catalonia Lenin spoke of the Russian Empire before DNA. As in the 1930s and 1970s, defeat- for socialism. who may have genuine fears about the con- the 1917 revolution as a “prison house of ing national oppression will mean challeng- The Committee for a Workers’ Interna- sequences of independence for their jobs and nations.” While far from the scale and level ing the power of the corrupt, rotten Spanish tional has a proud history of elaborating the livelihoods. of oppression of those times, the Spanish ruling class, as well as its capitalist lackeys Marxist approach to the national question A combative socialist program can also be state has shades of this description. Since its in Catalonia and the Basque country. - In Scotland, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Palestine/ the basis for unity in struggle of the Catalan formation, it has been based on the subjuga- Israel and many other areas - combining the working class with the workers of the Span- tion of oppressed nationalities – Catalonia, Socialists and fight for the rights of all nations with the ish state, against the common enemy – capi- the Basque country, and Galicia – within its the National Question need for a united international struggle for talism and the PP government. A Socialist borders. socialist unity on a world scale. Republic of Catalonia, far from provoking In periods of revolutionary upheaval For some, the relevance of the struggle of hostility from workers in the rest of Spain, throughout Spanish history, the demands nations for their rights – the “national ques- The Way Forward – A Socialist would inspire workers to fight for similar of these peoples for their rights have inter- tion” - to socialists and internationalists can Republic of Catalonia change at home. It could be a lever for the twined with the needs of the working class be unclear. Aren’t we interested in uniting Spanish revolution and open up the possi- throughout Spain. The Catalan Republic was over borders rather than creating new ones? In the past weeks and months, the power bility of real and lasting unity between the last declared in 1934 in the midst of such In the Spanish state today, many leaders of of the movement in Catalonia, which has led workers of the Spanish state, in a free and a revolutionary period, which culminated in the left, including the Communist Party and to the proclamation of a republic, has been in voluntary socialist federation. a working-class socialist revolution against Podemos, make similar, confused arguments the mass mobilization and action of workers The Spanish capitalists and their Catalan General Franco’s military coup. against the proclamation of the Catalan and young people. It is they who have pro- colleagues will throw everything they have at The revolution was defeated and Fran- Republic. voked the ire of the Spanish ruling class, who this mass movement. Only a working-class- co’s military dictatorship, with the support The approach of Marxists, most clearly defeated repression on October 1, and won led struggle for a socialist republic, linked to of the ruling class, unleashed a long night set out by Lenin before the Russian Revolu- the sympathy of workers and the oppressed the fight for international socialist change, of national oppression. The Catalan and tion, is that real and lasting unity of work- around the world. The high point of this can face up to this repression and open up Basque nations were written out of history, ers and the oppressed can be achieved only struggle was the enormous general strike on a new revolutionary chapter in European and their languages were banned, and thousands by the respect for the rights of all. Only by October 3 which paralyzed Catalonia. world history. J

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 13 LABOR Supreme Court Considers Janus: Unions Need to Fight Back

Jeff Booth, can ask for in wage member, AFSCME Local 3650 increases. RTW laws hurt The Fight to The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen to con- workers generally, not sider a lawsuit known as “Janus V. AFSCME.” just unionized work- Defend Through hearing this case, and most likely ers. A study by the ruling in favor of it, the Supreme Court will Economic Policy Insti- use its power to attack union rights, to defund tute in February 2011 Union Rights and weaken unions, particularly public sector reported that wages in unions. A favorable ruling on Janus will make it “Right to Work” states In Missouri much more difficult for unions to collect dues are at least 3.2% Tara Brown or “fair share” agency fee payments from non- lower than in non- members in unionized public sector workplaces. RTW states. Workers In Missouri, where unions have This means that people can gain the benefits in RTW states make long been on the defensive, there of a union contract without contributing to the at least $1,500 less is a growing understanding of the union, thus reducing the income of the union. per year. Benefits are Labor protesters at the Wisconsin capitol in 2011. role unions can play in defending The Janus lawsuit is part a big business and worse in RTW states their rights in the workplace. Mis- right-wing anti-union campaign which includes with less employer which the Democrat they supported wouldn’t souri’s right-to-work law passed as many misnamed “Right to Work” (RTW) labor paid health insurance and fewer pension plans. even promise to repeal the RTW legislation! Senate Bill 19 (SB 19) was slated laws. These laws are designed to weaken and Most RTW states have the lowest union mem- The labor movement is still strong enough to to go into effect on August 28, limit union power and are funded by big corpo- bership rates. form a united front of AFL-CIO and other unions 2017, and would mandate that no rations and corporate-backed, anti-union groups A fighting labor movement could prevent the and launch a proactive, public campaign to person can be required to join a like the State Policy Network. While state gov- Supreme Court from ruling in favor of the Janus pressure the Supreme Court to reject the Janus labor union or pay dues to a labor ernments try to pass RTW laws, right-wing and lawsuit. Mass movements in the past have lawsuit. To do this, unions would have to priori- union as a condition of employ- other anti-union groups use courts to back up forced conservative courts to back down from tize building a movement over lobbying tactics. ment. SB 19 would make Missouri their general anti-union politics and propaganda. right-wing positions or even let some progres- The first step is to hold meetings in every the 28th right-to-work state in the States that were seen as union strongholds, sive rulings go through. A good example of this unionized workplace in the country, followed nation. like Wisconsin and Michigan, have recently is the passing of progressive decisions like Roe by informational pickets outside public sector Labor union organizers, work- gone RTW. Twenty-eight states now have these v. Wade under the pressure of the mass protest worksites like schools, building to a national day ers, and activists gathered anti-union laws, with five of these states pass- movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s, of action. 300,000 signatures, three times ing RTW within the last six years. The momen- and the recent decision on marriage equality. In addition, links need to be made by the the number required to force the tum for anti-union schemes like RTW laws is Internally, unions, especially public sector labor movement by using the human and finan- question to be decided through a growing. unions, are well aware of the threat Janus cial resources of the labor movement, to help referendum. The Janus lawsuit is directed at public poses. It’s not just the decline in union dues working people and youth already in struggle as When We Organize, sector unions. However, the same forces that and agency fees, it’s also anti-union groups part of social justice struggles like Black Lives attack private sector unions are backing Janus. being emboldened and conducting more decer- Matter or the immigrant rights movement. The We Win! An injury to one, is an injury to all! Private tification (union busting) campaigns if Janus struggle against racist police violence and mass Though this is a critical step and public sector unions should be leading a is upheld by the Court. Corporations and their incarceration impacts the working class as a forward, putting the choice to fight together, against Janus and the probable anti-union front organizations will spend mil- whole, including the lives and work of many voters through a referendum is not Supreme Court ruling. The public sector still has lions to spread their anti-union propaganda, public sector union members who provide ser- a guarantee of a win for the labor a union density of 34.4%, more than five times including enticing workers to not pay voluntary vices to inner city communities. The Trump movement. The thousands of col- higher than that in the private-sector (6.4%). union dues. administration’s crackdown on immigrant work- lected signatures only put the anti- Janus is an attack on the strongest section of Unfortunately, however, the unions are not ers is part of the same anti-working-class offen- worker law on hold until next year. the U.S. labor movement. adopting a fighting strategy. The four biggest sive as the RTW laws and the Janus case. The campaign should continue to The backers of Janus hope that the weaker public sector unions – AFSCME, the Service Also, some of the best jobs still available organize with a bold strategy or unions become financially, with a smaller dues Employees International Union, the National in urban areas are union, public sector jobs. risk losing, despite mass support. and fee base, the less they can spend on con- Education Association, and the American Fed- And some of the most energetic and growing Big business is willing to invest tract campaigns, organizing new members, eration of Teachers - have thus far responded unions, like SEIU, are organizing among large millions of dollars into campaigns paying for organizing staff or strike funds, politi- to Janus with internal organizing and are also sections of immigrant workers who often bring attacking unions. cal and community organizing, legal representa- preparing to support Democratic Party candi- traditions of socialist politics and progressive Missouri’s labor movement has tion, etc. There are many other reasons, other dates in 2018. The leaders of these big unions unionism from their countries of origin. Unions more power than they realized, than RTW laws, that union density is so low seem to have already given up on stopping the have direct needs to break out of their isola- revealing itself when they took and that organizing and contract campaigns Supreme Court ruling in favor of Janus. tion and take a proactive, visible, social union on a grassroots and participatory don’t succeed much of the time. But anti- The Janus ruling by the Supreme Court is approach to defeating Janus, opposing Trump’s approach to organizing. The fight union forces hope the Janus case permanently likely to happen in June, long before fall elec- unpopular agenda, and re-energizing the labor in Missouri needs to be linked to a cripples key public sector unions like AFSCME, tions. There is no guarantee that Democrats, movement. bold national campaign to defeat NEA and AFT, and prevent the labor movement if elected, will pay any attention to reversing It’s not too late for unions to help link social the Janus case in front of the generally from recovering its lost strength. Janus-based RTW laws. The example of the justice struggles with demands like a nation- Supreme Court. Other anti-union measures are often thrown 2011 labor movement in Wisconsinshould wide $15 an hour minimum wage, Medicare for We need to organize to main- in with RTW laws. These include limits to what a be a warning. While a mass movement could All, and free public education, to a mass move- tain the union power we still have public sector union can legally negotiate for and have developed into a general strike, the union ment to stop Janus and the “Right to Work” left, and just as importantly, to even limits to how much a public sector union leaders instead focused on a recall election in assault against workers. J build for more. J

14 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 CONTINUATIONS One Year is Enough

continued from p. 3 even though this was a big opportunity to cut across Trump’s base in the “rust belt.” While Trump has been pushed back on a number of fronts, we can’t be complacent. He is still ripping up environmental regulations, threatening immigrants and pushing for huge tax cuts for the rich. We can’t wait until 2018. We need to link up all the organizing against Trump’s agenda – from Medicare for All actions to immigrant rights struggles and movements for economic Ginger Jentzen justice – into a generalized struggle against Trump’s administration and the billionaire class. Campaign continued from p. 16 One Year is Enough! necessary stop the more conservative While a huge part of the population sees Tim Bildsoe. the introduction of articles of impeachment Across the country, many candi- as a way to dump Trump – Public Policy dates backed by Our Revolution and Polling in late October found that support the Democratic Socialists of America for impeachment is at 49% – neither those were elected. This is an extremely Republicans who oppose Trump nor the Dem- positive development, but it will also ocratic Party leadership is willing to introduce housing, social programs and infrastructure. he had escalated and the growing movement be a test to see if they can with- articles of impeachment. We call on them to A united movement is needed rather than iso- against it. stand the pressure of the corpora- take this important step to give an opening for lated struggles. The ruling class is willing to accept presi- tions, Democratic Party, and politi- us to bring down the Trump regime and the dents leaving office through means other than cal establishment to tone down their billionaire class as a whole. Lessons from History an election, but only if they feel it’s neces- politics. In Seattle, we’ve shown how To those who worry that “Pence won’t be sary to help them stabilize a serious crisis. just one elected office for the social- any better,” we say that while Pence’s politics After being forced by movements to imple- Any attempt to remove Trump by the ruling ist movement can transform city poli- are just as reactionary as Trump, his coming ment progressive legislation that he person- class before his term is up in 2020 would at tics if connected to a clear program, to power in the wake of Trump’s presidency ally opposed, Richard Nixon was eventually the same time try to obscure the real issues mobilization of working people from being toppled by a mass movement would driven from office in 1974. The Watergate of naked billionaire rule, wars, deportations, below and building an independent fundamentally alter the nature of his ability scandal loomed over him for months in office and attacks on our living standards that the organization. to rule. Still, working people would need to be before the ruling class finally pushed him to leaders of both parties fundamentally sup- The political impact of the Ginger ready to follow up successful impeachment resign. The prestige of the presidency was port. They would instead connect any calls Jentzen campaign will help lay the with a movement to defeat the whole regime undermined in a way that the billionaires for Trump to leave office with the need for basis for a struggle for expanded mass and its right-wing agenda. never wanted to see, but they calculated “national unity” and patriotism. transit and rent control in Minneapolis But we also need to articulate a strategy that Nixon’s continued presence in the White Socialist Alternative doesn’t want the end over the coming months. Transit work- to win in the “here and now” against depor- House would tarnish their system even fur- of Trump to mean a return to “stable” cor- ers, with Socialist Alternative member tations, racist policing, housing crises, and ther. But what really drove out Nixon was the porate domination, sexism, and racism. We Ryan Timlin as the union’s new local for bold demands to improve our lives. It threat of a wider revolt by radicalizing youth want to build a movement that can challenge president, are going into a contract is through these struggles that people will and workers, who were increasingly taking Trump’s agenda and get him impeached while battle involving workers across Min- develop the confidence and organized power up broader anti-establishment and even anti- also developing our own power to change soci- neapolis. Our campaign showed the capable of toppling the president and ulti- capitalist demands. ety. A decisive victory against Trump would popular support for rent control, and mately the system he represents. We propose Before Nixon, Democrat Lyndon Johnson only be one step, but an important step, on this can be built upon to fight against linking up these movements and calling for was effectively driven from office as well. In the road to breaking the power of the billion- the big developers and their attempts Medicare for All, free college tuition, an end Johnson’s case he simply didn’t run for re- aires by building movements, unions and a to turn Minneapolis into a playground to deportations and racist policing as well as election, in recognition of the massive unpop- new party of working people that can offer a for the rich. J a green unionized jobs program to develop ularity flowing from the Vietnam War which socialist alternative to this rotten system. J

Socialist Alternative Editor Tom Crean Editorial Board Calvin Priest, Eljeer Hawkins, Tony Wilsdon, Joshua Koritz, George Brown, SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE Stephan Kimmerle ) [email protected] In Your Area

PORTLAND, ME contact our national MINNEAPOLIS, MN For DALLAS, TX, DENVER, CO, FORT OAKLAND / SAN FRANCISCO, CA Socialist Alternative is also in politi- NATIONAL office SOUTHEAST (443) 834-2870 COLLINS, CO, HOUSTON, TX, OKLA- (510) 220-3047 cal solidarity with the Committee 1027 Grand St, Studio B2 NASHVILLE, TN ST. LOUIS, MO HOMA CITY, OK, PHOENIX, AZ, and SEATTLE, WA for a Workers International (CWI), Brooklyn, NY 11211 MID-ATLANTIC (931) 220-0427 (952) 270-7676 SALT LAKE CITY, UT contact our (612) 760-1980 a worldwide socialist organization [email protected] CHARLOTTE, NC, and LOUISVILLE, KY COLUMBUS, OH, GRAND RAPIDS, MI, national office TACOMA, WA in 47 countries, on every continent. NEW YORK CITY facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeUSA contact our national office MILWAUKEE, WI, and TOPEKA, KS (253) 355-4211 Join us! (347) 749-1236 Twitter: @SocialistAlt contact our national office PACIFIC For HAWAI’I, LOS ANGELES, CA, SAN CANADA PHILADELPHIA, PA MIDWEST DIEGO, CA and YAKIMA, WA contact (604) 738-1653 (267) 368-4564 BELLINGHAM, WA our national office [email protected] NEW ENGLAND PITTSBURGH, PA CHICAGO, IL SOUTHWEST (360) 510-7797 www.socialistalternative.ca (615) 310-5555 (773) 771-4617 AUSTIN, TX LOS ANGELES, CA INTERNATIONAL (CWI) QUÉBEC BOSTON, MA CINCINNATI, OH [email protected] (910) 639-3948 WASHINGTON, DC, and RICHMOND, VA (440) 339-9793 [email protected] contact our national office Cincinnati@SocialistAlterna- HOUSTON, TX OLYMPIA, WA www.AlternativeSocialiste.org WORCESTER, MA tive.org (360) 250-0943. (617) 285-9346 (281) 635-5286 MADISON, WI NW ARKANSAS PORTLAND, OR (608) 620-3901 [email protected] (503) 284-6036

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.ORG • NOVEMBER 2017 15 ISSUE #38 – NOVEMBER 2017 SOCIALISTALTERNATIVE.ORG SUGGESTED DONATION $2 SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE

HISTORIC VOTE FOR Ginger Jentzen Calvin Priest and Bryan Koulouris or developer donations. Nonetheless, we shat- IN MINNEAPOLIS tered all prior records for a Minneapolis City Council race, raising more than $175,000 On November 7, the Ginger Jentzen cam- buy the election that most clearly expressed left unions like the Minneapolis Nurses Asso- with a median donation of just $25. paign won a historic vote in the race for Min- its fear of our working-class campaign as well ciation, Communication Workers of America In neighborhoods around the University neapolis City Council in Ward 3. The initial as left candidates targeting establishment MN Council, and the United Transportation of Minnesota, our campaign tripled student six-point lead on election night was fitting for incumbents in other races. Big business rec- Union. Ginger was also endorsed locally and turn-out and won by over 50% in the precinct our powerful campaign which had defined ognized that this left challenge, including by nationally by the Democratic Socialists of overall. the issues in this year’s city elections from several Our-Revolution-endorsed candidates America, as well as the local Our Revolution. But the vote was highly polarized, and the the start. We put a discussion about rent like mayoral candidate Ray Dehn, had to be Prominent individual endorsements included wealthy areas downtown went just as strongly control back on the map and received wide- fought off at all costs. Dr. Cornel West and Ray Dehn’s campaign for the DFL candidates (Democratic Farmer spread support from working people for our But without a doubt, big business was manager, left Democrat Joelle Stangler, along Labor Party, the Democratic Party in Minne- call to tax big developers and the rich to fund most threatened by our independent socialist with several other left DFL activists. sota). This was on the basis of class interests affordable housing, education, and mass campaign. Millionaire developer Steve Minn but also the deep roots of the DFL. transit. We mounted one of the strongest and his “Minneapolis Works” PAC singled out Establishment Pushes Back ground games in an election campaign that Ginger in their “call to action” in mid October, Minneapolis has ever seen. Our Impact and warning that she was a “leading candidate” The Minneapolis establishment made use And while the Socialist Alternative’s cam- Corporate Opposition in Ward 3. Corporate money quickly began to ranked choice voting against our independent paign struck a powerful chord and won more pour into the race. Three attack mailers went socialist campaign. When the weaknesses of The stage was set for a historic election first-choice votes than any other campaign, out calling Ginger “nuts” for wanting to tax Fletcher’s campaign became apparent it led campaign this summer when the Minneapolis when the third and final round of the ranked the super rich and big business and advocat- to the late entry of Tim Bildsoe into the race. City council was forced to pass a $15 mini- choice voting was done the following day, we ing for rent control as well as lying by claim- The other candidates ultimately delivered mum wage under the leadership of Ginger had lost by a thousand votes. ing that Ginger wanted to create “new taxes the second and third choice votes that the and Socialist Alternative, who launched 15 Nevertheless the result was a major vic- on working families.” DFL needed to win for Steve Fletcher, includ- tory for socialist politics. We won in every pre- Now and built a broad coalition of unions, ing Green Party candidate Samantha Pree- cinct except those in wealthy downtown Min- progressive organizations, and activists. It’s Not Just Seattle Stinson. This shows not only that ranked neapolis. In working-class neighborhoods, Our campaign faced the united opposi- choice voting is not a panacea, but that it there was a powerful dynamic as thousands tion of the political establishment, corporate Our campaign’s strong result showed that can even be used as a tool by the estab- of people were inspired by our bold demands media and a last minute rush of corporate Seattle is in no way an aberration in support- lishment to attack independent campaigns. and call for a political revolution in City Hall. PAC money into the race. The billionaire- ing independent socialists, with City Council- Of course, in the absence of ranked choice The high level of support was palpable. owned StarTribune’s editorial board spoke member Kshama Sawant. As Socialist Alter- voting the race would have had a different “Vote Ginger Jentzen” campaign signs were for big business leaders when it penned its native has explained before, the hunger for dynamic. There is no doubt that “lesser evil” to be found on virtually every street in work- “Anybody But Ginger” endorsement article bold working-class politics exists all across arguments would have been used to push ing-class areas, with “Not for Sale” written in which it ranked and made the case for all the country. voters toward Steve Fletcher saying it was across them in bold letters, indicating that three other candidates in the race. We won endorsements from several key the Ginger campaign accepted no corporate But it was the efforts of big business to continued on p. 15