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Home , Russell Maroon Shoatz, Steven Sund, Workers World Party

Las vacunas de 12 Declaración sobre el 6 de enero 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 63, No. 2 Jan. 14, 2021 $1

No fascist coup! Fight back with workers’ power Workers World Party issued this storm the building, with the open statement about the events of Jan. 6. support of Trump and his cohorts. Contrast how easily the white The coup attempt on Jan. 6 in supremacists entered the Capitol with Washington, D.C., and the mobili- the brutal police suppression of Black zation of a fascist mob numbering in Lives Matter protests around the coun- the tens of thousands, must be viewed try, including in Washington, D.C. with the utmost seriousness. While the attack took the form Independent class of an assault on Congress, the U.S. response is necessary Capitol building and the “institution We cannot look to the police or the of democracy”—halting​ for hours the military to defend Black Lives from Constitutionally mandated approval the lynch mob that has been build- of the presidential election—​these ing the past four years—​for whom white-supremacist forces pose the the Capitol siege was a culmination. greatest threat to the , It is even possible that the Fraternal especially the most oppressed. Their Order of Police was in on or had political aim is to crush with an iron advance knowledge of the conspiracy fist every expression, even the most to invade Congress. White suprema- modest, of workers rights, social jus- cists have been joining police forces tice and Black Lives Matter. around the country in droves, and the WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE Capitalist politicians in both Philadelphia, Jan. 9. For more on resisting the ultra-right, see 6-9. FOP endorsed Trump for president. major parties are falling all over each In any case, the rioters found other to disassociate themselves from are unreliable, inept and in no way up to hours before being moved out and away sympathizers among the Capitol the would-be coup makers—​and from the task of beating back a fascist threat. from Capitol grounds. No serious exam- police—despite​ them losing one of their Trump the instigator. But the failure of To say the Capitol police were out- ination of what has been called “the own—and​ there were cops, military per- the state apparatus, especially the police, numbered, overwhelmed or unprepared insurrection” could conclude that it was sonnel and even elected officials among to prevent an outright invasion—​how- offers no explanation as to how the mob a spontaneous outburst by people misled the attackers. ever short-lived—​of the citadel of U.S. so readily gained control and engaged in by their leader. There were political forces We—the​ workers and oppressed within political power shows that those in power a violent, deadly confrontation for several who were well aware of plans to forcibly Continued on page 10

SPECIAL COVERAGE: RESISTING WHITE SUPREMACY Georgia grassroots victory 3 Marcy on violence and the state 6 Threat of fascism remains 6 Black Lives Matter and ‘democracy’ 7 ‘Fraudulent’ elections as imperialist ploy 7 Charlottesville’s how-to lessons 8 Fascists, the FBI — and legislators 8

Capitol cop collaborators 9 COVID in Calif. women’s prison Editorial Arroyo: Inside the Pa. pandemic Fueling the coup attempt 10 Free Alabama Movement interview Crimes of Texas prison officials Free Maroon & all 4-5, 11 political prisoners!

Palestine 2 Pakistan 10 Haiti 11 Canada 11 Page 2 Jan. 14, 2021 workers.org Pro-Palestine teenagers defy Israeli military this week ◆ In the U.S. By Mirinda Crissman No fascist coup! Fight back with workers’ power .1 Grassroots organizing wins Georgia election . . .3 Sixty Israeli teenagers signed an open let- ter on Jan. 5 explaining their refusal to be On the picket line ...... 3 conscripted into the Israeli Defense Force. Pa. prisons during COVID lockdown — Part 1 . . 4 They were rejecting the violent occupation Calif. women’s prison hit by COVID outbreak . . 4 and destruction of Palestinian lives and Inside-led action takes on prison exploitation . .5 land by the state of Israel. Their solidarity comes at a cost many Texas prison officials’ crimes mount ...... 5 know they will have to pay: “Some of the Fascist violence and the form of the state . . . .6 signatories are expected to appear before Threat of fascism still remains ...... 6 the IDF conscientious objectors’ committee Bay Area anti-fascist protest ...... 6 and be sent to military prison, while oth- ers have found ways to avoid army service.” Two faces of ‘U.S. democracy’ ...... 7 (+972mag.com, Jan. 6) Trump coup attempt: U.S. war comes home . . .7 The Israeli teens implore their peers to Fighting fascism: Lessons from Charlottesville . 8 ask themselves who their military “service” Fascists, the FBI — and legislators ...... 8 would actually protect. Addressing Israeli Philly denounces coup attempt ...... 8 Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Education Conscientious objectors to Israeli military duty at an anti-annexation protest Minister Yoav Galant and IDF Chief of Staff in the city of Rosh Ha’ayin in June 2020. Capitol Police plan aids fascist assault . . . . . 9 Aviv Kochavi, they say: Buffalo, N.Y. says ‘Fight white supremacy!’ . . . 9 “The Zionist policy of brutal violence towards and expul- are impoverished, wealthy elites become richer at their sion of Palestinians from their homes and lands began in expense. Palestinian workers are systematically exploited, ◆ Around the world 1948 and has not stopped since. The occupation is also poi- and the weapons industry uses the Occupied Palestinian Pro-Palestine teenagers defy Israeli military . . .2 soning Israeli society—it​ is violent, militaristic, oppressive Territories as a testing ground and as a showcase to bol- and chauvinistic. It is our duty to oppose this destruc- ster its sales.” Pakistan: Hazara people resist genocide . . . .10 tive reality by uniting our struggles and refusing to serve Those in the imperial core of the United States could Imperialists meet popular resistance in Haiti . .11 these violent systems—​chief among them the military.” learn from the resistance of these class-conscious teens. In Canadian autoworkers blockade minivan plant .11 (tinyurl.com/yyu7v6h8) the U.S. as well as Israel, militant solidarity and resistance Free Maroon! Jan. 18 day of actions ...... 11 Going to the roots of wielded by the Israeli to ongoing brutality must oppose settler-colonial desecra- state, they explain: “We are ordered to put on the blood- tion and occupation of Indigenous land, as well as the rac- ◆ Editorial stained military uniform and preserve the legacy of the ist domination inherent in capitalist exploitation. Nakba [violent expulsion of Palestinians] and of occupa- The ruling class of these criminal states will turn their , recession and Trump’s attempted coup .10 tion. Israeli society has been built upon these rotten roots, imperialism inward—​inflicting fascist violence on their ◆ Noticias en Español and it is apparent in all facets of life: in the racism, the own people—​before giving up the reins of exploitation. hateful political discourse, the police brutality and more.” Any temporary representational gains for oppressed Las vacunas mundiales de China ...... 12 The resisters emphasize the connection between groups within these empires will be made only on the Declaración sobre el 6 de enero ...... 12 Israel’s neoliberal and military policies: “This military backs of the most oppressed. oppression goes hand-in-hand with economic oppression. Solidarity forever with those who are on the side of While the citizens of the Occupied Palestinian Territories Palestinian resistance. Free Palestine! ☐ Workers World 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. Join us in the fight , NY 10011 Phone: 212.627.2994 for ! E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Workers World Party is a Marxist-Leninist and trans people are gunned down by cops and bigots on Vol. 63, No. 2 • Jan. 14, 2021 party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We are a mul- a regular basis. Closing date: Jan. 13, 2021 tinational, multigenerational and multigendered organiza- The ruthless ruling class today seeks to wipe out tion that not only aims to abolish capitalism, but to build a decades of gains and benefits won by hard-fought strug- Editors: John Catalinotto, Martha Grevatt, Deirdre socialist society because it’s the only way forward! gles by people’s movements. The super-rich and their Griswold, , Betsey Piette, Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of the political representatives have intensified their attacks on Minnie Bruce Pratt world and the planet itself in the neverending quest for the multinational, multigender and multigenerational Web Editors: ABear, Harvey Markowitz, Janet Mayes ever-greater profits. working class. It is time to point the blame at—​and chal- Prisoners Page Editors: Mirinda Crissman, Ted Kelly Capitalism means war and austerity, racism and repres- lenge—the​ capitalist system. sion, attacks on im/migrants, misogyny, LGBTQ2S+ WWP fights for socialism because the working class Production & Design Editors: Gery Armsby, Mirinda oppression and mistreatment of people with disabili- produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should Crissman, Sasha Mazumder, Scott Williams ties. It means joblessness, increasing homelessness and remain in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capi- Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, impoverishment and lack of hope for the future. No social talist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially S. Hedgecoke problems can be solved under capitalism. owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guaran- Contributing Editors: LeiLani Dowell, G. Dunkel, The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one tee basic human needs. K. Durkin, Sara Flounders, Teresa Gutierrez, Joshua has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the Hanks, Makasi Motema, Gloria Rubac education or anything else—​unless they can pay for it. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with worldwide. If you’re interested in , socialism Mundo Obero: Teresa Gutierrez, Carlos Vargas seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP Copyright © 2020 Workers World. Verbatim copying make it to college. Black, Brown and Indigenous youth branch near you. ☐ and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published If you are interested in joining Workers World Party contact: 212.627.2994 monthly by WW Publishers, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Phone: 212.627.2994. Subscrip- National Office Bay Area Central Gulf Coast Philadelphia 147 W. 24th St., 2nd floor P.O. Box 22947 (Alabama, Florida, Mississippi) P.O. Box 34249 tions: One year: $36; institutions: $50. Letters to the New York, NY 10011 Oakland, CA 94609 [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 19101 editor may be condensed and edited. Articles can be 212.627.2994 510.394.2207 610.931.2615 freely reprinted, with credit to Workers World, 147 Cleveland [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] W. 24th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10011. Back issues 216.738.0320 and individual articles are available on microfilm and/ Atlanta Boston [email protected] Portland, Ore. or photocopy from NA Publishing, Inc, P.O. Box 998, PO Box 18123 284 Amory St. [email protected] Durham, N.C. Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. Atlanta, GA 30316 Boston, MA 02130 804 Old Fayetteville St. Salt Lake City 404.627.0185 617.522.6626 A searchable archive is available on the Web at Durham, NC 27701 801.750.0248 [email protected] [email protected] www.workers.org. 919.322.9 970 [email protected] Austin Buffalo, N.Y. [email protected] A headline digest is available via e-mail subscription. San Antonio [email protected] 335 Richmond Ave. Subscription information is at workers.org. Houston [email protected] Buffalo, NY 14222 P.O. Box 3454 Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. 716.883.2534 West Virginia Houston, TX 77253-3454 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to [email protected] [email protected] 713.503.2633 Workers World, 147 W. 24th St. 2nd Fl. [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. workers.org Jan. 14, 2021 Page 3 Georgia Grassroots voter turnout ousts wealthy GOP senators By Dianne Mathiowetz Atlanta Sustained outreach to young people, Jan. 6—Georgia voters made his- communities of color, tory on Jan. 5 by voting into the U.S. Senate Rev. Raphael Warnock, the women, LGBTQ2S+, gig first ever Black senator from Georgia. and other low-wage Warnock is senior pastor of workers resulted in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the famed church of Rev. Martin hundreds of thousands Luther King's family, esteemed for its of first-time voters who long history of Civil Rights activism. want systemic change Billionaire Kelly Loeffler, appointed by Republican Gov. Brian and who used this LaTosha Brown, founder of Black Voters Matter organizes in Organizers for early voting in the Jan. 5 run- Kemp last year to the Senate seat, election to say that. Georgia before the Jan. 5 senatorial election. off election, Savannah, Ga. had launched a vicious ad campaign, labeling Warnock a “radical,” a “socialist,” a “hater of right-wing Perdue and Loeffler, in hopes of gaining some relief from America” and a “supporter of a convicted cop killer.” the unrelenting scourge of the pandemic and the economic crisis. That last charge referred to Warnock's strong advocacy And Democrats may feel the pressure to offer a modicum of change to for Troy Davis, a Black man from Savannah, Ga., whose maintain their positions in office. Certainly, the energized grassroots racist trial and death sentence had gained international organizations will continue to fight for their demands. condemnation from hundreds of thousands of people, The class truth, however, is that the capitalist, for-profit system will including the Pope. Despite evidence Davis was inno- never provide the people all they need and what is rightfully theirs. We cent, Georgia executed him on Sept. 21, 2011. need system change! Voting caravan in Macon, Ga., during Jon Ossoff was the other winning Democrat running Build a workers’ world! ☐ December 2020. for a Senate seat. He was also -baited by incumbent Sen. David Perdue, a wealthy businessman and cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue, now Trump's Secretary of when Agriculture. Ossoff, the head of a documentary film com- we pany, was described as being in the pay of the Chinese fight, because of royalties paid to his com- On the we win! pany for a film shown on Chinese television. Perdue ads depicted Ossoff, who is Jewish, with an elongated nose—an anti-Semitic trope. Both Republican candidates had tied themselves picket line By Marie Kelly securely to Trump's accusation that "rigged" elections were responsible for his defeat in the presidential elec- Year of the Nurse punishing productivity levels. (tinyurl.com/y35bug2y) tion in Georgia. If this weren’t enough to expose the fact that the fed- Both Democratic candidates, on the other hand, The World Health Organization designated 2020 as eral government serves the ruling class, consider these emphasized control of COVID, financial support for the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. That January facts on OSHA’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. unemployed and impoverished workers and their fami- hospital administrators surely planned to deliver their September 2020 revisions to OSHA criteria for work- lies, living wages, health care and education. Their tele- standard “angel of mercy” platitudes and pizza parties place reporting of COVID infections among workers vision ads showed them at demonstrations and rallies to commemorate. Then the pandemic happened, and make it easier for businesses to underreport case counts. for social justice. However, they denied any support for the Year of the Nurse turned into the Year of the Nurse (Union of Concerned Scientists, Dec. 14, 2020) OSHA defunding the police. Labor Organizer. has only provided vague guidelines for proper measures Back in 2018, Stacey Abrams, an African American, Nurses became essential frontline caregivers for the to protect workers from infection while on the job. This had run for governor on the Democratic Party ticket. thousands of COVID-19 patients crowding emergency laissez-faire approach on OSHA’s part has put workers She narrowly lost to Republican Brian Kemp, and voter rooms and intensive care units across the country. The at the mercy of bosses — who will cut corners when it suppression of the Black community was seen by many inadequacies of a capitalist health care system were all comes to safety in order to maximize profit. This is why as the deciding factor. Abrams recognized the impor- too apparent to them. capitalism is a death sentence for the working class. tance of going beyond the official Party apparatus. She National Nurses United, the union for registered engaged the many grassroots and community organiza- nurses, held vigils across the country to mourn and tions that had mobilized millions against police violence honor the hundreds of nurses and thousands of health $15 minimum wage . . . and low wages, and for health care and immigrant rights, care workers who lost their lives due to COVID exposure Too little, too late? to become the ground troops for electoral victory. in their workplace. Nurses as workers and union mem- Sustained outreach to young people, communities bers stepped to the forefront to demand hospital cor- The Fight for $15 campaign began in 2012 and con- of color, women, LGBTQ2S+, gig and other low-wage porations put patient and staff safety over profit. Nurse tinues to win victories for the working class. Black and workers resulted in hundreds of thousands of first-time walkouts, protests and strikes happened in record num- Brown workers are leading this movement for eco- voters who want systemic change and who used this elec- bers from Hawaii and California to Pennsylvania and nomic and racial justice. According to the National tion to say that. Massachusetts. Employment Law Project, one in three Black work- Nurses won major concessions in their union con- ers and 27% of Latinx workers are in low-wage jobs. Both parties serve capitalism tracts, including pay raises and safe staffing ratios. According to NELP, “these disparities are the result of It is reported that some $833 million was spent on this Adequate staffing and monetary compensation for this structural racism . . . and an economic system rooted in run-off to bring thousands of Democratic Party workers to difficult job are essential to ensure nurses can provide chattel slavery and genocide.” Georgia, to pay for the non-stop TV ads, the flyers stuffed quality patient care. NELP published statistics in December 2020 out- in mailboxes, the endless robo calls and texts and more. lining where the Fight for $15 activists have pushed The oft-repeated explanation for all this is control of OSHA turns 50 state and local governments to pass laws requiring a the Senate. If Perdue and Loeffler had won, Republicans $15 minimum wage. Of the states, California, Florida, would have held a 52-48 majority. The bill creating the Occupational Safety and Health Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Now, however, with Warnock and Ossoff in the U.S. Administration was signed into law Dec. 29, 1970 — the York have all done so. In 13 cities, including Seattle, Senate, there is a 50-50 split, with Vice President Kamala result of labor unions’ political pressure on Congress to Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, Harris a potential tie breaker. respond to the rising rate of workplace injuries in the D.C., the minimum wage has already or soon will reach But let's look at a class truth. Both Democrat and 1960s. OSHA’s budget and political pressures on the $15-an-hour. President-elect Biden says he will endorse Republican parties are capitalist political parties which agency have never allowed it a comprehensive watchdog a $15 minimum wage law at the federal level. (NY Times, support the for-profit system and are united in main- role over corporate capitalists. But now, 50 years later, Dec. 31, 2020) taining U.S. global and political domination. It must OSHA’S enforcement capacity is especially bleak. These victories can be celebrated, but the struggle be noted that in the midst of the massive unemploy- OSHA has an inadequate inspection system, with the continues. Applying the Congressional Budget Office ment and death from COVID, most Democrats and number of OSHA workplace inspectors shrinking as retir- Consumer Price Index updated to 2024, the Economic Republicans in Congress had no problem authorizing ing inspectors are not replaced. And OSHA data on com- Policy Institute projects that the cost of living in all the largest military budget ever to ensure the superior pany safety records is not a transparent system, making but 3 states will require a wage of at least $15 an hour armed might of U.S. imperialism. violations hard to trace. These two factors make it very and as high as $20-$25 in many states. This includes The Senate in particular remains a chamber of huge easy for corporate capitalists to evade their legal respon- Pennsylvania where currently the minimum wage is still wealth with few members of color or women. Their ties sibilities in relation to workers’ health and safety. $7.25 an hour. Is it any wonder that Philadelphia has the go deep to the biggest corporations, banks, oil and gas Amazon is a prime example of a corporation that highest poverty rate of any major city in the country? interests, pharmaceutical companies and other elements puts production and profit above worker safety — with Isn’t it clear why food insecurity is a common problem of the ruling class. an injury rate to prove it. Increased use of robotic tech- in the U.S., when food costs have nearly doubled over Tens of millions voted to get Trump out of office, and nology, at Amazon and in many industries, puts signif- the past 10 years, but wages remain stagnant and at a unprecedented millions in Georgia voted to get rid of icant strain on workers as they are forced to maintain poverty level? ☐ Page 4 Jan. 14, 2021 workers.org

A Pennsylvania incarcerated worker speaks Part 1 Prisons during COVID lockdown By Joe Piette and said, you got to pack up because for 11 days! Now I’m still pending the out- Philadelphia you’re going to quarantine. come as to what they are going to do. My whole thing is that from the 19th, Since Nov. 1, 2020, more than 3,000 all the way to the 29th, he should have A mental health crisis incarcerated workers and at least been immediately expedited to quaran- WW: Half an hour a day out of your that were immediately expedited when 1,200 guards and staff have tested pos- tine, not 11 days later. So what you did cells—how​ is that affecting everyone? they came back on the list of COVID pos- itive for COVID-19 in the Pennsylvania was put me in danger, in a vulnerable BA: The other aspect of this is that itives. They were two out of five people Department of Corrections (PA DOC). position to contract COVID. The point is there’s a lot of mental health issues. Just that they immediately evacuated out of Since last March, at least 72 people that they left him there. And they didn’t last night there was a fight next door to the wing on Nov. 29. I had informed you behind DOC bars have died from the quarantine him immediately, like they my cell, and they took both of them out. that they set up what they call the satel- pandemic, the majority of those deaths did everybody else. So now one is in the hole and one is in the lite hospital at the gym. And then they since Nov. 1. As a result of that, I put in a request hospital. That’s an issue of mental health. opened up the hospital here, which is On Dec. 21, 2020, Workers World to the superintendent, Kathy Britain, and As the pressure cooker continues, this the former behavioral modification unit reporter Joe Piette interviewed Bryant informed her and I also put in a request is the result, not being able to be out and (BMU) and they reopened it because of Arroyo, imprisoned at State Correctional to the director of health care services, really exercise and get sunlight, a combi- the COVID situation. Institute (SCI) Frackville, on what Ms. Karen Holly, RN, CHCA. I have nation of factors of the monotony of the But McLendon and McClain were he’s experiencing during this massive not received either of the two tests, the same routine over and over again, and not immediately removed from the wing, COVID-19 outbreak. This is Part One of antibody or another COVID test, which enough space. and they were placed not in the BMU. that interview. My other neighbor They were placed in the RHU, which is to the right of me, Luke the restricted housing unit and they put Bryant Arroyo: What I want to say Edward Miller, Dr. them in a cell that had no electricity, no is that this whole department is really in Pantell took his meds hot water. They were deprived and denied shambles, from the top down. This facility without any explana- access to phone calls. And they were mis- was most likely the last to have any cases tion. Then he was also treated, like if they had done a disci- of COVID. We didn’t have any for the past going off, acting erratic, plinary infraction. seven to eight months. And what people interacting to the point They punish you for having COVID. need to understand, central office [PA where the officers had It's a quagmire and a real conflict of con- DOC HQ] became aware that this facility to cover him. And then science. Because if the person has the was negative for any COVID cases, which they gave him a Skype symptoms, and the nurses come by and you would think would be something visit with the psychia- tell them, well, the only thing that they that is commendable. But there is a key trist because there was got to give you as far as medication is factor in this, that since they didn’t have Bryant Arroyo and Joe Piette. no psychiatric staff on to drink water. And then instead of the any cases, they opened up the floodgates hand. But the medi- 14-day quarantine, they left them there to other institutions to fill up this facility I should have been given as a result of cation that he’s on, he’s supposed to be for seven days, and then they didn’t retest with individuals that were positive and Chris testing positive for COVID. weaned off of it; he shouldn’t be cut right them before coming out to general popu- transferred from other hotspots in order Not only did you endanger my life and off, because his body was shaken. He lation. They just pushed them right out to get federal funding. The only way that welfare, but you also did that to the staff was feeling different emotions. He was on Dec. 7. they would get federal funding is if they members and their families, because you explaining that to me through the vents. Doctors and nurses here are violating had positive cases of COVID. left him in population. So every day that I asked him, How did he feel? And he the Hippocratic Oath to adhere to and WW: Have you been tested? we got a shower, we used the phone, we explained to me that he’s not feeling good obey the principles of the medical pro- BA: On Nov. 17, we both got tested, used the kiosk, he was out like everybody but he’s trying to maintain himself so that fession, to first do no harm and treat the myself and my cellmate, Christopher else for that one hour or half hour. they don’t stick him in the hole for doing patient. This and punishment! Yeah, it is Smith. On the 19th, I was informed my Britain’s response was: “You have to something that he’s not supposed to do. a total debacle. test came back negative. On Nov. 24, they sign up for sick call and let them deter- He also asked me for information with had an officer come and escort my cellie mine if additional testing is needed. We respect to an attorney. So I gave him the On Jan 5, a COVID test confirmed downstairs to the closet where COVID don’t routinely do antibody testing.” name of an attorney who deals with medi- Arroyo was positive. His new cellmate tests are done and they informed him his Holly’s response was, “If you had COVID, cal negligence and any type of issues deal- Brian Muffley (QF-1534) was exposed test came back positive, but they were you would have developed antibodies. ing with the medical department. A week for weeks but officials have refused to giving him a retest and they told him to No indication for an antibody test to be later, the same doctor re-prescribed the test him. Arroyo was sent to RHU, where refrain from divulging that information completed.” same meds. he is held for 23.5 hours per day in a cell to me. I feel it was an assassination attempt Another example is that of Marcelle without hot water, TV or electrical out- On November 29, RN Krep came on my life. Everyone else testing positive McLendon and Dennis McClain, who both lets. Part 2 of this interview will appear directly to our cell and summoned Chris was taken away except for my cellmate, tested positive. These were individuals in WW soon. ☐ Advocates demand action as largest women’s prison hit by COVID-19 outbreak The following press release was issued Jan. 5 by the medications. Anxiety and depression are rapidly increas- save lives. People in quarantine need immediate access California Coalition for Women Prisoners. ing without the availability of mental health services. to health and mental health care, access to all means of People are being denied communication with family communication and an end to retaliation for protest- Chowchilla, Calif. -- There is a life-threatening mas- and other lifesaving support on the outside, just at the ing negligent conditions. The full list of demands can sive outbreak of COVID-19 at the Central California time when it is most needed. Some women who asked for be found on CCWP’s website. (tinyurl.com/y2avuyo2) ☐ Women’s Facility, California’s largest women’s prison. In access to the phones and for electric- the past two weeks, there have been 500 new COVID‑19 ity to use their tablets to email their cases, representing 25% of the population at CCWF. families were hogtied and placed in The prison’s ineffective protocols and gross negligence cages as punishment. have directly fueled the spread of the virus. Conditions “Correctional staff have verbally at CCWF continue to rapidly deteriorate, putting hun- mocked and degraded people who dreds of lives at risk. have tested positive,” says Kelly Despite having ten months to prepare for a potential Savage of the California Coalition outbreak, CCWF administration did not have effective for Women Prisoners. “They are plans or protocols in place to deal with this surge. After implying that incarcerated people receiving positive COVID-19 test results, some cellmates are to blame for their own illness, continue to be housed together for hours on end, inevi- despite the outbreak being fueled by tably spreading the virus in crowded cells that house up COVID‑19 transmission by staff.” to eight people. The units designated for quarantine are Advocates at the California filthy, exacerbating breathing problems for those with Coalition for Women Prisoners con- COVID-19. Quarantine units do not have access to much tinue to demand expedited release needed disinfectant and cleaning supplies, although for all medically high-risk people these items are absolutely essential to reduce the spread and swift action by the California of the virus. Department of Corrections and PHOTO: WE ARE THEIR VOICES People with COVID-19 are not being provided con- Rehabilitation and CCWF to contain We Are Their Voices rally outside the Central California Women’s Facility in sistent access to medical care or daily prescribed the virus as quickly as possible and Chowchilla in July 2020. workers.org Jan. 14, 2021 Page 5 An interview with Bennu Hannibal Ra-Sun Inside-led action takes on prison exploitation By Devin Cole month, once every 90 are their roles in the slavery system of days, or you have to Alabama prisons? On Jan. 5, Devin Cole spoke with Free earn it or whatever. BH: It’s not just about the Alabama Alabama Movement co-founder and But people in prison prisons. Alabama doesn’t have JPay. The freedom fighter Bennu Hannibal Ra Sun and our families reason we added some of these compa- about the ongoing 30-day Economic should not have to pay nies is to give people in other states the Blackout and Alabama prison strike in to talk to our loved opportunity to be a part of the Economic January, the growth of social media and ones, and we should Blackout protest as well, because it is prison abolition, and what it will take to never be denied the affecting all of us. build a truly structured prison and slav- basic need for human Even though the original idea of this ery abolition organization. The entire contact that all human economic boycott by Kinetik Justice interview can be read at workers.org. beings need. was and has remained for the most part To support the strike, see freealabama- Securus is an a statewide effort, I thought it would be movement.wordpress.com. unscrupulous com- wise to add other companies that provide Bennu Hannibal Ra-Sun pany that has been similar services in other states to leave Devin Cole: Members of the Free caught and sued for room for other states to get involved, to Alabama Movement and other prison it will be decided by economics and not providing location-tracking information create an opportunity to build unity and abolitionists are saying that Securus what is best for the families. Under the to law enforcement, bounty hunters and to show that we are all in this together Technologies’ implementation of video current model, aside from the vending bondsmen, which was used to track peo- — because the actions we are taking in visitation equipment is a front for per- machines, the state doesn’t make any ple and their family members — and that Alabama are related to the actions around manently removing all in-person visita- money on in-person visitation. shows that they are willing to be a part of the country. ☐ tion and replacing it with video visitations On the flip side, they have costs associ- the police state and prison-indus- only. Can you talk about these concerns ated with physical visitation, like having trial complex. and why they want to do away with security staff to harass and inspect visi- These companies have no in-person visitation? tors, perform strip searches, etc. These incentive to be concerned with Bennu Hannibal: Certain members are all costs to the operational budget of what the family members have to of FAM have that interpretation and are a prison that disappear with video visi- say or are going through. It is very expressing it. As for myself, I haven’t seen tation kiosks. So, they probably com- clear that they have some percep- anything specific as to what Securus and pared the numbers from what they are tion of the financial exploitation ADOC’s plan is, but that doesn’t mean making off normal visitation, in contrast that goes into prison plantation it’s not their overall plan. We do know to what they will make off the contracts management, and they are not that video visitation is already happen- with Securus, including the other services constrained by principles when ing in other states, because Securus is a that Securus will be charging for us to use it comes to human suffering to national brand. And we can extrapolate their tablets, etc., and decided that if they make their profits. from those conversations and things that go to video visitation and make whatever DC: The other four compa- we are already aware of what the plan is else they will make off these contracts — nies in this Economic Blackout for Alabama. We also know that some then that is more profitable and prefera- that are being boycotted are county jails are already using video vis- ble to do. JPay, Access Corrections, Union itation exclusively. I don’t know if they would switch to Supply Company and Alabama Whatever the decision, we know that a system where in-person is only once a Correctional Industries. What Texas prison officials’ crimes mount at Ramsey Unit By Gloria Rubac may lose their jobs working in the kitchen Houston or laundry and be put out in the fields. Or their parole may be denied because they are “I just can’t take it anymore,” Michael Beck told a “trouble maker.” other prisoners at the W. F. Ramsey Unit state prison, One particular officer, who was involved in Rosharon, Texas, 33 miles south of Houston. Then in a disciplinary case quota scam a few years during the first week of January, he wrapped a fan cord ago, is now trying to find out which prison- around his neck and tied the other end of it to the railing ers corresponded with the media. Lieut. Joe on Row 2 of his cell block. Lopez ordered a quota system at the Ramsey Beck leapt up and then fell 20 feet, his head hitting the Unit two years ago. It resulted in the Texas steel and concrete stairwell below. Two prisoners rushed Department of Criminal Justice changing the to him and carried him up the stairs. Fortunately, the policy to expressly prohibit requiring guards cord snapped and somewhat broke his fall. After the to meet disciplinary quotas. guards stopped laughing, they handcuffed him and had After the quotas were exposed in Workers him shipped to the nearby Jester IV Unit, a psychiatric World newspaper, the Houston Chronicle prison. and other major media, Lopez was demoted No one called for medical help or provided a stretcher. in rank. Last November when an article Over 50 prisoners saw this horrifying event. Prison offi- appeared in Workers World Newspaper that cials did not take witness statements. No counseling was had his name in it, he told prisoners who given to the traumatized men, who were already reeling work around him that he is going to “f--k from the COVID virus and the subsequent lockdowns over” those who specifically communicated that have infected almost every person in the prison. with WW. Prisoners say he can do this by having Prison during a pandemic guards working under his command plant Nanon Williams with his mother, Lee Bolton, in 2000. Regarding protection from the virus, masks given to contraband on prisoners or enter the phone the prisoners are made by prisoners working in the laun- numbers of a prisoner’s relatives into a cell dry. They cut up prison bed sheets, which are so thin that virus. Then that person’s entire wing is quarantined. phone that is mysteriously found. this reporter can see her household lights through the Only after the virus is present do prisoners on that wing Williams has repeatedly told WW that he follows all fabric of the mask she was given. get N-95 masks. prison rules, but that he has a right to correspond with No Texas prisoner has received visits since last March. But the Ramsey Unit reportedly has 4,000 N-95 masks media in Texas and the U.S. regarding guards’ and offi- Phone calls are allowed for some, depending on their in storage. Williams said, “These masks are not being cers’ abuses and violations. He told this reporter, “I am disciplinary status. The isolation is mentally challenging. used to prevent the spread of the virus, but instead are not in fear of my life. I do not want to get transferred The craft shop is not open. Schooling is done via mail. used only when the virus is already present. Prisoners away from my family for reporting the wrongs that I see The Ramsey Unit has three recreation yards and are being moved around, and it’s impossible to socially or writing articles or books or whatever. I am within the two gymnasiums, yet they were rarely used until doz- distance.” rules of the governing policy here and should not be pun- ens of prisoners recently filed grievances regarding the ished for doing so.” lack of recreation time. Prison activist Nanon Williams No retaliation for exposing conditions! No prisoner should be threatened with retaliation for reported, “Now they are running recreation all day and Prisoners who write grievances or contact their fami- doing what is legal. It is the carceral state that needs to night. Before, it was only on their paperwork.” lies or the news media with information about conditions be retaliated against. Prisons torture, maim and murder The stress increases every day in all U.S. prisons, that are dangerous, inhumane, illegal or racist should every day. Not only should prisoners expose and fight jails and detention centers, where it is impossible to not be retaliated against. Often, prisoners who file griev- against this, but it is the duty of those outside the prisons socially distance. At the Ramsey Unit, proper masks are ances or complain about conditions are shipped out to to support those prisoners. not given out until after a prisoner tests positive for the another prison unit, far from family and support. Or they United in solidarity, we will tear down the walls! ☐ Page 6 Jan. 14, 2021 workers.org Mass struggle defeats fascism! Fascist violence and the form of the state By the essential characteristic of fascist orga- government should be made clear. nizations of the type under discussion. It For example, police brutality is fre- This is an excerpt from Workers World is, of course, absolutely true that both legal quently as vicious and as violent as that Party co-founder and Chairperson and extralegal violence have coexisted carried out by the fascists, and on occa- Sam Marcy’s “Fascist violence and the along with the bourgeois state since the sion goes beyond legal limits (usually form of the state,” written shortly after very inception of the state itself. characterized by the bourgeois press ’s inauguration as U.S. as “excessive”). The two should not be president in 1981. For more, see Marcy’s Capitalist state and extralegal violence confused, even though the police may, “The Klan and Government: Foes or In the U.S., legal and extralegal violence and often do, collaborate with the Klan, Allies?” at workers.org/books. have existed side-by-side for longer than a neo-Nazis and other fascist and neofas- Every capitalist state century. Ku Klux Klan violence is a prin- cist organizations. [T]he spread of fascist organizations cipal example of how extralegal violence takes place in a vastly different, if not tolerates and occasionally visited upon the oppressed masses coexists Fascist groups threaten wholly new, social, political and eco- promotes this sort of with the legal forms of the capitalist state bourgeois democratic state nomic situation. The entire social envi- extralegal violence. The and how one promotes the other. Fascist organizations in their embry- ronment in which the spread of this evil Antilabor violence employed on a huge onic form — particularly when they are disease takes place imparts to it a signifi- difference, however, scale for many decades by individual armed and supported materially by right- cance which far surpasses the numerical between fascist violence employers and industries has been of an wing, disaffected but powerful elements strength of these organizations. It is this extralegal character. Most particularly of the ruling capitalist establishment — which adds a really new dimension to the and other forms of illegal noteworthy are strikebreaking organiza- constitute a threatening parallel form to perilous growth of this virulent disease. violence practiced by tions and the employment of underworld the legal (bourgeois democratic) capital- mobsters. “Right-to-work” open-shop ist state. The ‘legal’ violence of the state the government should states are frequently the very same states While receiving encouragement and Fascist violence has been endemic to be made clear. which have either clandestinely or openly sustenance from the capitalist state, the maintenance of the domination of supported the Klan. embryonic fascist forms at the same the ruling class in the U.S. for a number The pogroms visited upon oppressed time rival and stand in antagonism to of decades. It is, however, exceptionally Violence practiced upon the working nationalities in Czarist Russia are another the bourgeois democratic state. If histor- important to distinguish between the vio- class and the oppressed is therefore a example of how extralegal forms of vio- ical conditions favor them, they have the lence which emanates directly and openly concomitant element of the rule of the lence are carried out alongside with, and propensity and organic tendency to over- from the capitalist state and the extrale- oppressing and exploiting bourgeoisie. encouraged and promoted by, the legally power the bourgeois democratic form of gal, extragovernmental violence of fascist Notwithstanding the viciousness, fero- constituted government. Pogrom violence the capitalist state. organizations. ciousness or magnitude of the violence in old Russia didn’t differ much from the Such a situation can only exist in periods The capitalist state is itself, of course, which the ruling class visits upon the massacres carried out by the [racist] Night of extraordinarily acute social crisis, when the main generator of force and violence. oppressed, it must nevertheless be consid- Riders in the U.S. the capitalist state is so torn by accumulat- In its role as an instrument of capitalist ered as violence within the framework of Every capitalist state tolerates and ing inner contradictions and weakened by domination over the working class and the bourgeois legal (“democratic”) system. occasionally promotes this sort of extra- its inability to overcome its social crisis that the oppressed, it operates as an organ Such violence must be differentiated legal violence. The difference, how- it inevitably gives way to extraparliamen- of suppression in order to maintain and from, and not be confused with, the extra- ever, between fascist violence and other tary, extralegal forms of rule. ☐ secure its rule over the masses. legal, extragovernmental violence, which is forms of illegal violence practiced by the

...the real targets of Threat of fascism still remains state intervention, By Larry Holmes will happen when a depression multiplies such a scenario is for the work- are the radical the suffering and fear in all of society and ing class to commence prepar- movement, the The following excerpt comes from a overwhelms and paralyzes the govern- ing for a classwide uprising longer document, “Strengthening our ment and the system? What happens if and struggle that will neutral- oppressed sectors analysis of the capitalist crisis and its there’s a financial market crash? What ize and demoralize any plan to of the working relationship to class struggle and rev- happens if the most oppressed rise up crush the working class, either class and the olution,” written Dec. 23, 2020, for a again? through fascist forces in the WW PHOTO: LIZA GREEN Workers World partywide discussion. The most organized forces of the neo- streets or state intervention and working class Larry Holmes fascist movement that Trump has embold- repression. as a whole. Trump has held meetings in the Oval ened have a plan that mimics their prede- Part of our job, in the mean- Office where his inner grouping has been cessors in Europe in the 1920s. Whether time, will be pulling away and reportedly arguing over the possibility of or not they will be able to realize their liberating as much of the left and the than previous transformations, but is even him declaring martial law in several states plan is the question. These elements are masses from the stranglehold of the more essential at this stage. The work- and seizing election ballots. This is not planning to use aggressive tactics, includ- Democratic Party. When Biden and oth- ing-class movement must embark on the likely to happen, but we should take note ing the use of arms, in order to create a ers in the ruling class talk about rescuing journey that transforms it into a revolution- of it. The ruling class has little interest in governing crisis. democracy from Trump and , ary movement, which speaks in the name supporting Trump’s attempt at a coup. At The neofascists understand that when they really mean rescuing capitalism, as of the entire working class and has, as its the moment, a normal transition of power the capitalist state responds to the crisis, well as preventing the development of a ultimate goal, the end of capitalism. from one capitalist party to another serves it may be obliged to arrest a fascist or two. real class struggle against the system. Our discussion of and promotion of the their interest. But later on, some of the But this would be done to cover the real There will be working class political formation of workers’ assemblies should ruling class could turn to fascist methods targets of state intervention, which are the and organizational transformation. be viewed in the context of the need for or to the military. radical movement, the oppressed sectors In the 1930s, the labor movement the transformation of our class. The act of What will be the reaction when it’s clear of the working class and the working class went through one of its most important promoting workers’ assemblies is in and that tens of thousands of businesses are as a whole. transformations. It embraced the mil- of itself important, even critical at this not going to survive the pandemic? What The best way to safeguard against lions of industrial workers. To a greater or time. It is saying to all those listening that lesser extent, the labor the working class has to organize itself, no movement has gone matter what its circumstances and condi- through other changes tions are at present. Bay Area anti-fascist protest since that time. It has What do workers do if their circum- had to organize teach- stances do not make them eligible for Jan. 9—A rally against fascism organized by the United ers and health care membership in a traditional labor move- Front Committee for a Labor Party drew a small but workers, government ment? There must be somewhere for these enthusiastic crowd in front of the San Francisco Federal Building. Speakers included members of the United workers and millions workers to go in order to be in the work- Front Committee, the Alliance for Independent Workers of service workers, ers’ movement. Also, promoting workers’ and . Judy Greenspan of Workers many of them women assemblies is promoting working-class World Party said to the the rally: “Only the power of the and workers of color. consciousness and working-class soli- workers can push back against this rising racist and fascist Now, the workers’ darity. Ultimately, a workers’ assembly movement.” movement must go movement that is successful could very through another trans- well be the basis of a workers’ movement — Report by Judy Greenspan formation—one that that can struggle for dual power. ☐ WW PHOTO: MARCELLO SEVERO is no less challenging workers.org Jan. 14, 2021 Page 7

WW Commentary Trump coup attempt Jan. 6 riot exposes Two faces of U.S. ‘democracy’ U.S. war comes home By Sara By Monica Moorehead riot gear, tasers, flailing batons, tear gas, rub- Flounders ber bullets and mass arrests—​any protest to What occurred on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol expose their brutality and injustice. Between A caustic com- was shocking but not surprising. May 25 and June 4, an estimated 9,300 peo- mentary on U.S. What was shocking was the sight of thou- ple were arrested in direct connection to their policy that cir- sands in a majority white, neofascist ter- protest of Floyd’s murder, according to the culated on social rorist mob—​with no masks and no social Associated Press. media world- distancing—​overrunning the supposedly On June 1, in order for Trump to take a photo wide within 24 high security sanctuary of the offices of U.S. op of himself holding a Bible, police and the hours of the Jan. 6 events at Venezuelans protest aggressive U.S. interference in their Congresspeople, claiming that the Nov. 3 elec- National Guard brutally attacked peaceful Black country’s democratic institutions in September 2019. The red- the U.S. Capitol tion was stolen. Lives Matter protesters in Washington, D.C. capped person under the flag is holding a copy of Venezuela’s Since losing the election on Nov. 3, Trump But on Jan. 6, the National Guard was was: “Due to Constitution. had given a clarion call to his mass base to mobi- placed in a holding pattern for hours and pre- travel restric- lize to come to Washington, D.C., to protest the vented from dealing with the rioting mob, until tions this year, certification of ’s electoral victory and the Guard finally was called upon to help clear the U.S. had to organize the coup at dollars in seized Venezuelan assets. his becoming the next U.S. president on Jan. 20. the streets for a 6 p.m. curfew. home.” In 2011 in Libya, a small force of There were numerous other attempts on Jan. 6 Many people—​including NBA athletes A domestic coup on the U.S. gov- monarchists led what the imperial- throughout the country where Trumpites laid and coaches—​commented on the connection ernment was indeed attempted ists called a “democratic uprising”—​ siege to various statehouses. between the Blake decision and the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6—​using the false claim that backed by seven killing months of These domestic terrorists were captured riot, that Black and Brown people are treated dif- the November presidential election U.S. and NATO bombing and the by social media smashing windows, wearing ferently from white supremacists, and that this had been “stolen” from Republican assassination of the leader Moammar T-shirts and gear with anti-Black and anti-Se- dichotomy reflects true U.S. “democracy” by President . This claim Gadhafi. Libya’s popularly supported mitic slogans, marching in the rotunda with the repressive state apparatus under capitalism. was so far from reality, even in a bour- government was torn apart, and fascistic flags and symbols, trashing offices Some noted that Black Lives Matter protesters geois framework, that judges rejected access to the country’s oil and strate- and defiantly brandishing guns in the faces of would not have been allowed to come close to it as a challenge 60 times, including gic position were guaranteed to capi- Capitol police. the U.S. Capitol, much less to force their way in. twice in the Supreme Court. talist interests. No doubt many of these same forces marched Since he could not win legally, In 2014 in Syria, despite hun- in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 in retaliation of Trump rallied an uprising of extrale- dreds of election observers, the U.S. actions of left, anti-racist activists, who were gal and paramilitary, white-suprem- declared the reelection of President tearing down Confederate and other reactionary acist neo-fascist troops tied into a Bashar al-Assad to be a “fraud” and statues especially in the Deep South. network of far-right legislators, gov- spent billions of dollars to fund mil- The state, especially the Capitol and local ernment officials, police, military vet- itary mercenaries to destabilize and police and other agencies, handled the rioters erans and reportedly active military, occupy the country. When a “gov- with kid gloves. Some of the police were caught as well as business owners. These ernment in exile” was established, on camera opening barricades, encouraging the insurrectionists attacked the Capitol Washington recognized it at an rioters to storm the Capitol buildings. Some of building at the moment that the U.S. international conference in Geneva. the police even allowed terrorists to take self- Congress, sitting in joint session, Syria—​which was striving to main- ies with them. Many observers would describe was beginning to certify Democratic tain its political and economic inde- those actions as a love fest between the police Brutal police attack Black Lives Matter protest in President-elect Joe Biden as winner pendence from U.S. domination—has​ and the rioters. In fact, it has been reported that Washington, D.C., June 1, 2020. of the election. been bombed repeatedly by the U.S. a number of police officers from around the The U.S. has called on similar fas- Air Force since 2014, allegedly in sup- country were at the Capitol in support of Trump. A case in point is that in 2015, when the cist forces and employed similar tac- port of the “democratic resistance.” This riot took place one day after District white supremacist Dylann Roof was arrested tics to discredit elections before—​in In Bolivia, the 2019 reelection of Evo Attorney Michael Graveley in Kenosha, Wis., in Charleston, S.C., hours after murdering other countries worldwide—​in order Morales, the country’s first Indigenous announced no criminal charges would be filed nine Black church members, the police had to further U.S. “interests.” Both president, was declared by the U.S. against white police officers responsible for the audacity to stop to get him a hamburger. Republicans and Democrats, includ- to be “fraudulent.” Fascist forces shooting Jacob Blake seven times in the back In response to these events, all NBA teams ing Biden and now Trump, have seized the government, again with on Aug. 23. Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who played on Jan. 6 either knelt during the used this ploy of “regime change” for Washington’s full support. Morales and father of six, remains paralyzed from the playing of the national anthem or took a knee decades, to overthrow governments was forced to flee. But united resis- waist down. for seven seconds after the beginning tip-off, and further imperialist capitalist tance by Indigenous peoples, members In protest of the shooting of Blake, members to bring attention to the seven shots that Blake schemes. of labor unions and other progressive of the National Basketball Association—​both took in the back. There were some players, like Every U.S. regime change operation forces returned Morales from exile in on the men’s and the women’s teams—​went Los Angeles Clipper Paul George, who did not begins with U.S. officials repeatedly 2020, after his party, the Movement on strike for three days, refusing to play during want to play at all on Jan. 6. calling a country’s election fraudu- for Socialism, won the presidential their playoffs. This led to athletes in other sports Jaylen Brown, an outspoken Boston Celtics lent, refusing to accept or acknowl- election in a landslide victory. to either cancel their games or take a knee guard, stated, “It reminds me of what Dr. edge its legitimacy and then backing The U.S. constantly propagandizes during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. Martin Luther King has said—​that there’s two or importing far-right and neo-fascist about the lack of “democracy” in split different Americas. In one America, you elements to start violent disruptions. Hong Kong, and tries every tactic—​ Not a surprise to many get killed by sleeping in your car, selling ciga- The U.S. always calls these fascist including Congressional legislation On Jan. 6, what was obvious to millions of rettes or playing in your backyard. And then, in forces “democratic forces.” and undercover operatives in mass people in the U.S. and worldwide was the dou- another America, you get to storm the Capitol This was Washington’s tactic of demonstrations—to destabilize con- ble standard of treatment displayed by police and no tear gas, no massive arrests, none of choice in Ukraine, Venezuela, Syria, ditions in what is part of the People’s towards the white supremacists in contrast to that. So, I think it’s obvious: It’s 2021— I don’t Libya and Bolivia, just to name a few Republic of China. Geng Shuang, a how cops treat Black and Brown people in per- think anything has changed. We want to still recent examples. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs son and any activists defending Black Lives in push for the change that we’re looking for. But representative, exposed these tactics U.S. coup attempts using the streets. This prejudiced, differential treat- as of yet, we have not seen it.” (ESPN, Jan. 6) and denounced “the shocking hypoc- ‘election fraud’ charges ment is hundreds of years old, but became even Golden Warriors’ forward, Draymond Green risy of some in the U.S. on human more stark in the public eye following the public summed up his feelings this way: “To see the In Kiev, Ukraine, in 2014, armed fas- rights and democracy, and their police lynching of 46-year-old George Floyd in National Guard standing on those same steps, cist forces marched with Confederate malicious intention to undermine Minnesota on May 25, 2020. when there was a peaceful protest; to now see flags and Nazi insignia to seize the Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability The police attempted to suppress—​with a terrorist attack and no National Guard, it parliament, while Biden cheered the [in order] to contain China’s develop- just goes to show you where this country is. overturning of that country’s elected ment.” (scmp.com, Oct. 16) Nothing’s changed.” (usatoday.com, Jan. 7) government. The U.S. media called this These are only a few of the U.S.- An important lesson is that neofascists are an the “ Revolution.” supported regime-change operations extralegal arm of the repressive state apparatus, Washington attempted to do the that were based on declaring “election who raise their ugly heads in time of extreme same in Venezuela, claiming that the fraud” and attempting to overturn capitalist economic crisis, now spurred on even 2018 election of President Nicolás other governments through extrale- more by the pandemic. The main scapegoat for Maduro was a “fraud.” Hostile to gal military and fascist forces. any economic crisis are people of color. the continuation of former President For the Jan. 6 coup attempt in But the Black Lives Matter movement is Hugo Chávez’s Bolivarian Revolution, Washington, D.C., Trump simply exemplary in showing that the more multi- the Trump administration immedi- consulted a well-established U.S. national the struggle against white suprem- ately recognized right-wing opposi- playbook for how to destabilize and acy becomes, the more firm the foundation tionist Juan Guaidó, nominal head of dominate a country’s government for a broader, more militant classwide move- the National Assembly, as the “interim using neo-fascist forces. Police allow neo-fascist rioters into U.S. Capitol, ment—that​ will not only organize to abolish president” in January 2019. The U.S. Eventually, U.S. wars always come Jan. 6. the police but to also abolish capitalism. ☐ showered that farce with billions of home. ☐ Page 8 Jan. 14, 2021 workers.org How to fight fascism in 2021 Lessons from Charlottesville By Nathaniel Chase ‘The Klan & the Government: Foes or Allies?’ by Sam Marcy at workers.org/ The large demonstration of fascist, books.) white-supremacist forces in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 brought back memories for Lesson two: The working class this writer of the “Unite the Right” rally in is not the base of fascism Charlottesville, Va., over three years ago. The common stereotype of a white Aug. 12, 2017, was filled with the most supremacist is a dirt-poor white worker, horrible racism and violence and the mur- often from a rural area. In Charlottesville, der of anti-racist activist Heather Heyer. it was immediately clear the fascists were And that day this writer saw the fight- coming from a different social strata: back of working-class and oppressed peo- The majority had substantial disposable ple overcome the fascists and send their income, enough to buy expensive uni- movement into disarray. As far-right forms, tactical equipment, guns and vehi- forces are increasingly emboldened and cles and to travel from across the country organized in the U.S., it’s worth looking for the rally. San Francisco, Jan. 9. WW PHOTO: DAVE WELSH back on Charlottesville for lessons we can A similar pattern could be seen Jan. 6, apply today. with many of the rioters being business- asserting they will disappear if they don’t movement left divided and demoralized. people and at least one arriving on a pri- draw attention. This dangerous notion When it seemed that the right might Lesson one: Cops and Klan vate jet! While fascist movements draw in allows white-supremacist ideas to flourish overwhelm the left, played go hand-in-hand some white workers, their primary base is unchallenged. a key role by conveying confidence that we The police and far right have a long his- the petty bourgeoisie: small business own- The ruling class deliberately encourages could fight back. Organization, discipline tory of collaboration, evident on Jan. 6 and ers and self-employed sectors. These ele- a passive approach, because they know and communication boosted morale, play- in Charlottesville. In both cases the police ments are anxious on the one hand about that a large anti-racist, anti-fascist move- ing a decisive role in turning the tide. stood by and even assisted as far-right vio- the rising power of workers, especially from ment will ultimately condemn capitalism It is the duty of revolutionaries to lence escalated. Why? Because police and oppressed nations, and on the other hand as a whole. The ruling class goes along instill this confidence—​in the streets, in fascists serve similar roles for the ruling the power of large capitalists, who threaten with the violence of the far right because meetings and in our propaganda. As Mao class: deploying violence and intimidation to grind them down into the working class. it aligns with their class interests. On the Zedong famously put it: “All reactionaries against the most oppressed—​especially The far right does not speak for the work- other hand, they denounce the resistance are paper tigers. In appearance, the reac- Black, Brown and Indigenous people—​ ing class. The exploited class is not only of workers and the oppressed that endan- tionaries are terrifying; but in reality, they in order to keep the whole working class white—​it is Black, Brown and Indigenous. gers their rule. are not so powerful. From a long-term down. Once we understand this relation- It is undocumented migrants, Muslims, While the Democratic Party may dis- point of view, it is not the reactionaries ship, it will be clear we can never rely on women and gender-nonconforming people, agree with the right wing on how to keep but the people who are powerful.” the police to counter fascist violence. LGBTQ2S+ people, seniors and individu- working-class and oppressed people in Police function inside the structure of als with disabilities. It is primarily the most line, the two are united in their goal of Lesson five: Seize the moment! the state, and fascist groups outside of it. oppressed sectors of society, whose labor doing so. Charlottesville provided an opportunity Their similar roles explain why so many is most brutally exploited for profit by the We must build an anti-racist, anti-fas- to speak about the prevalence of white cops are members of fascist organizations capitalist class. The working class is com- cist movement deeply rooted in the supremacy in a country founded on the and vice versa. prised of the very people most targeted by a working class and independent of the genocide of Indigenous peoples and the Only rarely will police arrest the occa- fascist movement—those​ who have histori- Democrats. We must also overcome the enslavement of Africans. One could show sional white supremacist to cover their cally led the resistance against it. fear, entirely understandable, of directly the connections, for example, between real role. Revolutionaries must continue confronting fascists in the streets. open white supremacy and the more to expose the link between the police and Lesson three: Workers and oppressed veiled white supremacy of a liberal poli- the far right, dispelling the liberal notion people need to respond independently Lesson four: The fascists tician rezoning a Black neighborhood for that we can count on the cops. No elected politicians or sections are not invincible! gentrification. Or how little difference is (For a deeper look at the connections of the Democratic Party showed up in The morning of Aug. 12, 2017, began to be found between police lynchings and between the police and the far right, read Charlottesville to oppose the far right. The with left and right forces gathering and the Klan lynchings. opposition consisted of balance of forces still unclear. As far-right In periods of crisis, people are more various left political forces violence increased, militant, disciplined open to new ways of thinking. The oppor- (Marxists, Anarchists, resistance pushed them back until the tunity to win people to revolutionary ideas Social Democrats), Black police were forced to intervene, preventing is greater than ever, but revolutionaries activists and unaffiliated the rightists from holding their rally. must seize it. We must deepen our roots workers. The seemingly all-powerful fascists scat- in the working class, encouraging working The common lib- tered and fell into bickering and infight- and oppressed people to defeat the fascist eral response to fas- ing. Those who arrived in Charlottesville movement and ultimately the capitalist cists is to ignore them, to unite the various factions of their system itself. ☐ The fascists, the FBI—and legislators

By Otis Grotewohl other West Virginia Republican legis- In 2019, Evans had a restraining lators participated in the pro-Trump order filed against him—​which he Following the right-wing fascist riot. The Independent of England violated—for​ harassing and threat- WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE coup attempt—​Donald Trump’s reported six Republican state legis- ening the lives of women at the version of a Nazi “putsch”—​one lators from around the U.S. took part Women’s Health Center, an abor- Philly denounces Republican lawmaker was arrested in events related to the storming. tion provider in Charleston, W.Va. and charged with “entering a Several other West Virginia (jezebel.com, Jan. 7) restricted area of the U.S. Capitol.” state legislators spoke out against After receiving scathing media coup attempt On Jan. 8, the FBI arrested Derrick Evans, including African American attention, Evans resigned as a legis- Evans—​recently elected into the Delegate Danielle Walker of lator Jan. 9. In his “resignation let- Chants of “Cops and Klan work hand-in-hand” and West Virginia House of Delegates—​ Monongalia County, quoted in the ter” Evans made no apologies. The “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” filled the air out- at his home. Jan. 7 Charleston Gazette-Mail: “You fact that a violent fascist was elected side Philadelphia City Hall Jan. 9. Dozens of anti-fascist, Evans recorded himself breaking showed up, and you showed out yes- into the West Virginia House of pro-socialist demonstrators gathered there for a demon- into the Capitol with other Trump terday. You do not represent me. You Delegates shows the reactionary stration denouncing white supremacy and the failed Jan. 6 cultists. He filmed himself saying, do not speak for me, so where is my character of pro-Trump voters and fascist insurrection in Washington, D.C. “We’re in, we’re in. Derrick Evans voice in all of this? Where are the con- is an example of the illegitimacy of Several people passing by, including a houseless trans is in the building,” while wearing a sequences? Where are the arrests? the capitalist system. couple, stayed to join the protest and express interest in helmet and military style clothing. Why did this person have the ability further actions. Another right-wing West Virginia to post on social media that they were FBI and fascists are friends, not foes Speakers from Workers World Party, Black Alliance for state legislator, John Mandt—​once safely back on the bus, heading back The FBI has released a memo Peace, Philadelphia-Camden Boricua Committee, Philly forced to resign over homopho- to our state?” Many people through- urging people to turn in the names REAL Justice and Working Educators addressed the need bic comments, only to be elected out the state are circulating an online and information of anyone who par- for workers’ power and solidarity to fight the emboldened again last November—​was quick petition calling for Evans’ removal ticipated in the pro-Trump riot. It is fascist movement. Many speakers raised the open collu- to defend his violent colleague. from the House. understandable that people who are sion between various state policing entities and the Jan. 6 According to a Facebook post Prior to being elected into the disgusted by the actions of the right- mob that stormed Congress to keep Trump in office. made by a leader of Black Lives House of Delegates, Evans had a his- wing terrorists would want some — Report by Betsey Piette Matter West Virginia, at least three tory of wreaking right-wing terror. Continued on page 9 workers.org Jan. 14, 2021 Page 9 Capitol Police plans aided fascist assault By John Catalinotto agitated the mob to march on the Capitol to stop Congress from certifying the Jan. 10—The​ events of Jan. 6 highlight election. the need to organize anti-fascist work- Trump’s go-ahead—as​ he sent the mob ing-class defense, independent of the gov- to attack his Democratic Party enemies, ernment and its two big pro-capitalist and and threaten every Congressmember of pro-imperialist political parties. color and even call for the head of Vice The white-supremacist Trumpite assault President Mike Pence—was​ a dog whistle on the U.S. Congress attempted, through implying impunity for those actions. an illegal coup, to overturn what for more Spurring on the fascists’ arrogant actions than 100 years had been a smooth transfer was the connivance of the Capitol cops. of presidential office. Media and politicians Every media covering the event, along have since revealed that elements of the with the threatened representatives, noted repressive state apparatus—​especially the the absence of protection. They contrasted Capitol Police—took​ actions that facilitated it to the phalanx of guards in full riot gear the assault by fascist gangs. on the Capitol steps to confront a peaceful On the surface, the Jan. 6 assault Black Lives Matter protest last summer. National Guard in place to repress Black Lives Matter at Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., extended the electoral conflict between June 2, 2020. the Democratic Party and the Trump-led Rep. Maxine Waters speaks Republicans. Underneath, however, the African American Rep. Maxine Waters, coup attempt was a white-supremacist concerned about the safety of Congress tacit sign of the complicity of the top cops Army OKed sending in the Guard. action to disenfranchise African American during the certification vote, telephoned in facilitating the fascist attack. Whether those who assaulted the voters. Chief of U.S. Capitol Police Steven Sund Some Capitol cops fraternized with the Capitol—​a crime under bourgeois law—​ The assault threatened Black, Latinx on Dec. 31 to discuss the danger. In an invading fascist mob. A few confronted and those who ordered the assault will be and Indigenous participation in gov- interview in Los Angeles Magazine on the invaders, who were openly racist. charged, tried and sentenced is part of an ernment at every level, such as the vote Jan. 6, Waters said: According to the media, fascists killed unfolding political struggle. Prosecution of in Georgia the day before. It smelled of “The chief of police assured me that one Capitol cop, and a cop killed a person the guilty, including Trump and Giuliani, pogrom—​of lynching. they would not even get on the plaza, let in the mob entering a room holding the requires that the Democratic Party leader- Leading the mob were the same racist, alone get in the Capitol. And I must have representatives. ship mobilize masses against a large sec- fascist and pro-Nazi scum that marauded asked him 30 or 40 questions about how There are reports that individual police tion of the state apparatus. But Democrats in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017. he was going to secure the Capitol, and officers from around the country partici- fear that a legitimate mass movement will In addition there were adherents of the how would he know which of these orga- pated in the assault. White police officers demand defunding the police, free medi- QAnon cult and other devoted Trumpites. nizations would be here. are overwhelmingly pro-Trump. cal care, guaranteed income, etc. Their banners included Confederate “I mentioned to him that the Proud The next confrontation will come with and U.S. flags, anti-abortion signs, Boys were in town, and the Pentagon delays the preparation for the Jan. 20 inau- assorted individual flags from the shah’s were in town, and white supremacists Pentagon leaders delayed for hours guration. This is likely to show that the Iran, Batista’s Cuba, various Eastern were in town; and he assured me that not deploying National Guard troops. House state apparatus—​cops, National Guard, European fascist regimes and anti-China only did they have it under control, they Majority Leader Steny Hoyer pleaded Pentagon—​is unreliable for protecting Falun Gong, along with the vilest anti-Se- were working in cooperation with the with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to workers and oppressed people from a fas- mitic slogans, all united behind hundreds Metropolitan police of D.C. And all of that send in the National Guard. Hogan, who cist movement. of Trump flags and maga hats. has turned out to be untrue.” ordered the mobilization, said Maj. Gen. A major lesson of Jan. 6 is that the The difference from Charlottesville Following demands from Congress Timothy Gowen, the adjutant general of U.S. working class and all anti-racists was that Trump has incited his base with leaders on Jan. 7, Sund, House Sergeant- the Maryland National Guard, was repeat- need their own independent defensive false charges of fraud since November. at-Arms Paul Irving and Senate Sergeant- edly rebuffed by the Pentagon for over organizations. ☐ On Jan. 6, he, and others at-Arms Michael Stenger resigned. It’s a three hours. Finally the Department of the The fascists, the FBI—and legislators federal property in the background. It is clear from photos, especially in the police and military forces of the U.S. Continued from page 8 footage and reports that some Capitol police coddled and “The KKK is a prototype of an international phe- kind of justice. And many progressive-minded people escorted the reactionary mob onto the premises. nomenon. In Old Russia, they were known as the Black were thrilled to hear the news of Evans’ arrest. Leaders of the bigoted uprising are affiliated with Hundreds. They go under different names in different Unfortunately, the FBI is not a friend of the oppressed racist, anti-Semitic hate groups such as America First, countries. But everywhere they are counterrevolutionary or the working class and should not be trusted to carry headed by right-wing internet streamer , organizations which grow up in response to the needs of out any kind of justice against fascists. who infamously participated in the murderous neo-Nazi the capitalist state for supplementary, illegal, extrastate The FBI was created in 1908 as an outfit to disrupt and march in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017. Other groups and extragovernmental repression and terror.” destroy movements for liberation of oppressed people include the conspiracy-theory oriented QAnon, as well The capitalist state and the FBI cannot be depended and for socialism. While the FBI has a history of putting as the white-supremacist and misogynistic . upon to reprimand right-wing terrorists, because the infiltrators and informants inside both Left and Right Prior to the coup attempt, Proud Boys leader Enrique capitalist state, along with their police and military movements, the agency most often assisted the Right Tarrio ordered his hooligans not to wear their signature apparatus, enable violent fascists. against the Left. black and gold shirts in order to avoid being identified—​ Only a revolutionary movement of workers and In one of the most horrific government actions in a code directive to prepare for nefarious action. Tarrio oppressed, guided by Marxist-Leninist principles, can U.S. history, the FBI worked with the Chicago Police was arrested Jan. 4 for his involvement in tearing down expose, confront and smash these forces of reaction. ☐ Department to assassinate heroes and burning Black Lives Matter banners Chairman and , on Dec. 4, stolen from two Black churches during a 1969. There are many other examples of how the FBI right-wing protest in Washington, D.C., has targeted and attacked revolutionary activists. in December 2020. The police and state treatment of the fascist Trump Nicholas Ochs, leader of the Hawaiian supporters differed dramatically from how those who branch of the Proud Boys, who ran as a protest racism, war and police brutality are treated. Had Republican in the November 2020 elec- anti-fascist or Black Lives Matter protesters dared step tions for Hawaiian House District 22, onto the Capitol steps, the police would have responded was inside the Capitol during the riot, with a murderous vengeance. according to video footage. Ochs has Now we’ve seen images of Trump rioters and police offi- a personal connection to “dirty tricks” cers hanging out together during the attempted insurrec- agent and Trump confidante Roger tion and taking “selfies,” as other protesters are damaging Stone, who promoted his campaign. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Jan. 7)

Klan and the government, WW PHOTO: ARJAE RED The Klan & the Government hand-in-hand Foes or Allies? America First, QAnon and the PBs all ‘Fight white supremacy with By Sam Marcy espouse the same dangerous rhetoric and Examines the special relationship with serve the same purpose as the terror- solidarity!’ in Buffalo, N.Y. the state that has allowed the Ku Klux ist Ku Klux Klan. In his book, “The Klan Klan to exist for over a century despite and the Government: Foes or Allies?” On Saturday, Jan. 9, coinciding with the first Buffalo Bills playoff foot- its criminal history of lynchings, murders, Workers World Party founder and Chair ball game at their New York home since 1996, activists of Workers World and intimidation. Published in 1983. Sam Marcy wrote: “The Klan has always Party-Buffalo displayed a banner over a major route to the game reading: been part and parcel, sometimes secretly, “Fight white supremacy with solidarity—Crush​ the fascist coup!” Read it free at workers.org/marcy/klan/ sometimes openly, of the capitalist state, — Report by Ernie Hamer Page 10 Jan. 14, 2021 workers.org editorial Racism, recession and Trump’s attempted coup Capitalism is an inherently unstable 2020. periods of economic crisis. war machine. economic system, subject to cyclical crises This was the highest level of unemploy- In class terms, their base lies in the There has always been a section of the of overproduction. The term “overproduc- ment in this country since 1938 and the petty bourgeoisie, but they look to U.S. ruling class that sympathizes with tion” has nothing to do with more goods Great Depression. big-business figures like Trump as their fascism as a weapon against the working being produced than people need. People Not even covered in these unemploy- saviors. In the U.S., they are especially class. In the South particularly, but not may have many, many unmet needs, from ment figures are exploited workers in prone to racist demagogy that blames exclusively, it has taken the form of rac- food and clothing to shelter and means what is called the “gig economy.” They their growing insecurity on the gains ism as the bosses’ main weapon to com- of transportation. Overproduction refers have little if any job protections and are made by struggling people of color. bat class solidarity among the workers. only to more being produced than can be not usually counted as unemployed when Racism provides them with a scape- The upsurge of this incipient fascist sold—at​ a profit. their jobs dry up. goat, in the same way that anti-Semitism movement, as seen in their attack on Because capitalist economic activity is This recession has affected many in the served the fascist movement in Germany Congress, and egged on by Trump, is a dependent on making profits rather than so-called “middle class”—the​ petty bour- during the Great Depression. Capitalism product of the capitalist economic crisis meeting human needs, it is a well-known geoisie—the​ self-employed or owners of was so hated in Europe by that time that that has been worsened by the COVID‑19 fact that production and employment will small businesses doomed to be replaced the Nazis had to disguise themselves pandemic. It reflects all the worst features oscillate up and down as markets rise and by huge chains, but whose demise has as “national socialists,” while blam- of this outmoded capitalist system. fall. When markets and profits fall, it’s been hastened by the virus. ing Jewish people for all of capitalism’s While the incoming Biden administra- called a recession. If they stay down for a The current recession, bordering on a crimes. tion will try to plaster over the cracks in long time, it’s a depression. depression, must be kept in mind when The camouflage of Hitler’s fake social- the system, only a strong multinational, Since February of 2020, the U.S. has analyzing the violent right-wing move- ism didn’t confuse Germany’s big bour- multi-gender workers’ movement can been in what economists are calling the ment that has mushroomed in support geoisie, however. The Krupps and other defeat the fascists and the capitalist sys- COVID‑19 Recession, with official unem- of Donald Trump. Such movements have wealthy capitalists made a deal with tem that spawns them. ☐ ployment hitting a peak of 14.8% in April historically looked to demagogues in Hitler and made huge profits from his

Pakistan Hazara people resist ongoing genocide By Tania Siddiqi Commission for Human Rights states that “the greatest burden of sectarianism Jan. 10—On​ Jan. 3, gunmen abducted is borne by the Shia Hazara community of and executed 11 coal miners, all of Balochistan” and reports that since 2004, whom belonged to Pakistan’s Hazara over 2,000 Hazara people have been tar- community. geted and murdered. (NCHR, Feb. 2018) Responding to yet another targeted While the Hazara people are exposed attack, the Hazara people in Balochistan to severe physical violence, they are sub- arranged the martyrs’ coffins in the mid- jected to incredible structural violence. dle of a highway in Quetta. They created Balochistan has the highest poverty a list of demands, one being that Prime rate in Pakistan, but is rich in mineral Minister Imran Khan visit them and wit- deposits. Moreover, the state’s deple- ness the effects that repeated intentional tion of Balochistan’s natural resources is killings has on a community. Moreover, extensive. the Hazara people stated that if their In 1952, natural gas was discovered in demands were not met, then they would Balochistan. Of the 33 districts in the prov- not bury the dead. ince, however, 23 do not have access to nat- In response to the Hazara communi- ural gas. (Eurasia Review Oct. 20, 2020) PHOTO: TOOBA SYED VIA TWITTER ty’s actions, Prime Minister Khan rejected Balochistan produces 23% of Pakistan’s Hazara women protest ongoing genocide against their community and the murders of Hazara workers in Pakistan. their demand that he visit them, saying, entire gas production, but only 6% of “No country’s prime minister can be the gas produced is used in the province. blackmailed like this . . . [b]ecause then (Business Standard, Sept. 18, 2017) persecution of the Hazara people. The The struggle for liberation continues, everyone will blackmail the prime min- Along with mineral exploitation, peo- All Pakistan Pensioners and Labour and there are incredible lessons to learn ister of the country.”(Al Jazeera, Jan. 8) ple are exploited. According to Pakistan Tehreek--an alliance of more than 80 from the movement building happening The Hazara people refused to com- Central Mines Labor Federation, coal trade unions in Pakistan--put out a pow- in Pakistan. We are in deep solidarity promise, and hundreds remained on the miners typically “begin work at the age of erful statement condemning the govern- with the Hazara people and with all who highway for six days—​sleeping in freezing 13. By the age of 30, they are forced into ment's actions against the Hazara people. are fighting the oppressor’s power and temperatures and mourning their unbur- unemployment due to chronic respiratory (tinyurl.com/yxshlh7a) building the people’s power. ☐ ied loved ones. A group of Hazara people illnesses, tuberculosis, loss of eyesight, engaged in a hunger strike and explained injuries, etc.” (Peoples Dispatch, Feb. 3, that they were willing to continue until 2020) death if Khan did not apologize for insult- Like all workers belonging to oppressed No fascist coup! ing their grieving community. Ultimately, communities, the Hazara people who Khan conceded to their demands. were mercilessly murdered were largely ignored by the state. Under capitalism, it Fight back with workers’ power Ongoing persecution of is easy to disappear those whose labor is Continued from page 1 limited to the organized labor movement. the Hazara people deemed inconsequential and unimport- As good and as strongly anti-racist as To understand the significance of the ant. The state’s motive is maintaining eco- the U.S.—​have to be the ones to prevent a number of union statements on the events taking place over the past few nomic control over Balochistan’s natural violent, KKK-like attacks, especially those Jan. 6 crisis have been, as a response to days, it is important to contextualize the resources. The Hazara people are merely on workers of color who are and always a fascist coup attempt they are woefully ongoing persecution of the Hazara people a vessel used to serve the state’s interests. have been the fascists’ primary targets. insufficient. and critically assess the Hazara commu- Examining Prime Minister Khan’s When have the Democrats and Republicans It is time to build worker-commu- nity’s crucial movement work. statements, it’s apparent his remarks ever offered any real protection? nity defense guards, to push the fascists The Hazara people’s place of origin is were rather unremarkable. His apathetic This growing fascist movement—​ back and defend oppressed communities Hazarajat, a region in Afghanistan. In attitude and callous comments, directed for whom today’s mobilization marked against hate crimes. the late 19th century, the Hazara people at a community that is both grieving and a turning point in the worst way—​ We call on all our side’s organizations: launched a series of uprisings against bleeding, reflect the ruling class notion demands a mass, independent response the unions, the youth, the Black Lives Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, one of the that workers are replaceable and dispos- from the working class. Matter movement, im/migrants, peo- British empire’s pawns, who attempted able. However, his response to the Hazara This situation poses again the question ple with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, to bring Hazarajat under his control. people’s demands is significant because it in the old union standard: “Which side women’s and gender-nonconforming Reports indicate that to crush the upris- exposes ruling class fear and the perva- are you on?” people’s movements, and all working ings, Amir Khan engaged in genocide sive truth that liberation and self-deter- The power of working people, both in people—​including unemployed, low against the Hazara community, eliminat- mination belong to the people. the streets and at the point of production, wage, health care, transit, public sector, ing 60% of their population and enslaving The Hazara community’s commit- must be wielded to push back the contin- blue collar, gig, education, incarcerated thousands. (tinyurl.com/y3mhzd4n) ment to their struggle and their uncom- ued rise of this fascist movement. General and sex workers—​to mobilize to crush In recent years, growing sectarian vio- promising principles sparked actions strike calls—​which were raised before the white supremacist fascist forces. lence has brought a resurgence in sys- throughout Pakistan. People collectively the November election as a response if General strike against fascism! Build tematic violence and genocide against mobilized in solidarity with the Hazara Trump refused to step down—​must be worker defense teams! SHUT WHITE the Hazara people. Pakistan’s National community, demanding an end to the seriously discussed, starting with but not SUPREMACY DOWN! ☐ workers.org Jan. 14, 2021 Page 11 Haiti Imperialist manipulation meets popular resistance By G. Dunkel Assembly--is quoted as questioning if the current president is paving the way for a dictatorship. Haiti is by far the poorest country in the Western (tinyurl.com/yyo8jhp6) Hemisphere. Yet it has a glorious history as the first Moïse used one reading of Haiti’s constitution to independent Black republic and the first nation in say that his term ends in February, but now claims the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery. Also, the the document permits him to rule until 2022. Haitian people militantly resisted U.S. occupation from Both the U.S. and European Union have pressured 1915 to 1934 and carried out a mass uprising which led Moïse to hold elections this year, but their motives to Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s election as president in 1990. are not altruistic. They keep up the pretext of promot- These are some of the historical factors taken into ing “democracy,” but the imperialists’ real concern account by U.S. imperialists—​whose goal is to continue is how best to maintain their grip on the Caribbean to dominate Haiti—​in order to repress the people’s strong country and exploit the people and their resources. resistance to exploitation and oppression. In 2019, there were huge, militant demonstrations Taking to the streets against President Jovenel Moïse and his Tèt Kale Party While the number of demonstrations in 2020 (PHTK). It was widely expected that he and his party’s PHOTO: KIM IVES/HAÏTI LIBERTÉ fell below the frequency and intensity of those held members would be forced out of power. Haitian community protests police brutality, Grand Army Plaza, in 2019, some major protests still took place. On Splits in the Haitian bourgeoisie over what they should Brooklyn, N.Y., June 7, 2020. Nov. 18, two demonstrations took place in the cap- do became obvious, when the national police battled the ital of Port-au-Prince commemorating the anniver- newly reconstituted Haitian army in several firefights. rules for how certain procedures are carried out. sary of the Battle of Vertières, in which the Haitian army But Moïse managed to hang on until December 2019, One recent decree established the domestic National decisively defeated the French army in 1803. a month filled with holidays and parties, when people Intelligence Agency (ANI), which is accountable only One demonstration, led by Moïse Jean-Charles’ return home to the provinces. Then Washington began to the president. The agency is allowed to interrogate, Dessalines’ Children, a progressive political party, maneuvering, probably passing along money or prom- search, confine and arrest any Haitian citizen, subject marched on the U.S. Embassy. The other, led by the ises of support. The Haitian Parliament’s term ended in only to his control. (Haïti Libérté, Dec. 30.) Popular and Democratic Sector (SDP), proceeded January 2020. Moïse had not organized elections so he Another decree, pretending to reinforce public safety, through the city towards the National Palace, Haiti’s could rule by executive decree. redefines “crimes” like theft, throwing garbage, burning equivalent of the White House. But police roughly dis- In mid-March, COVID-19 entered the picture. The barricades on roadways and destroying public and pri- persed and shot at protesters. SDP members asked government imposed restrictions to deal with the pan- vate property as terrorism, punishable by a hefty fine President-elect Joseph Biden for help, since President demic, which made it harder to hold massive weekly and 30 years to 50 years imprisonment. Most big pro- Donald Trump supported Moïse. (Journal de Montréal, demonstrations. The official political opposition split tests in Haiti will be confronted with this law as defined Nov. 18, 2020) into competing factions, which looked to make a deal by presidential decree. Haiti’s anti-imperialist left continued protesting through with a faction of U.S. imperialism. Some Haitian militants have compared how Moïse is the year. On May Day, International Workers Day, the using decrees to how former dictator François Duvalier Coalition of Political, Union and Popular Organizations ‘One-man rule’ used decrees in the six months before he proclaimed moved through Port-au-Prince, calling for a $15.30 daily From January 2020 when Moïse began his “one-man- himself “president for life” in 1964. In the Dec. 21 Miami minimum wage and other progressive demands. rule” until January 2021, he has issued 38 presidential Herald, Samuel Madistin--a respected academic, civil The struggle for justice and an end to poverty contin- decrees, 44 executive orders and 110 arrêtes, which set rights activist and former senator in Haiti’s National ues in Haiti. ☐ Canadian autoworkers blockade minivan plant By Martha Grevatt refuses to negotiate with Local 444. This Workers—​which originally broke with third shift, which created more jobs. is a just fight for job security and decent the United Auto Workers because the Now there is an urgent need to raise Since Jan. 5, Unifor Local 444 has union wages. UAW was agreeing to too many conces- slogans such as: “Six hour day! No cut blockaded the FCA minivan plant in Unifor was founded in 2013, when the sions—​was able to get the Windsor plant in pay!” Worldwide class solidarity is the Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Plant workers Canadian Auto Workers joined forces workday reduced from 8 to 7.5 hours, weapon that can save jobs. ☐ normally build 830 Chrysler Pacifica vans with the Communications, Energy and with no cut in pay. The plant added a per day. The blockade of entry and exit Paperworkers unions. Local 444 rep- gates will prevent minivans from being resents FCA workers at the Windsor driven off the assembly line, when pro- assembly plant, as well as third-party duction resumes Jan. 11 after the tempo- workers who perform “auxiliary” work, rary idling around the holidays. such as cleaning or driving vans off the Free Maroon! At issue is FCA’s contract with a third line and onto trucks. Unfortunately, the party whose workers drive the assembled struggle to keep Unifor jobs pits Local Jan. 18 day of actions vehicles off the line. When its contract 444 against the Teamsters, who currently with Auto Warehouse Company expired, represent Motipark workers. By Betsey Piette the historic Attica prison uprising, as FCA did not renew it, instead giving the Local 444 is in a difficult position well as the murder of imprisoned rev- work to another company, Motipark. now due to previous concessions made, Prison abolitionists in several U.S. cit- olutionary George Jackson. With the Motipark is refusing to honor the suc- including allowing outsourcing to third- ies are organizing “Justice Is Dead” car recent upsurge by social justice move- cessor clause—​meaning any new com- party companies of work previously per- caravans on Martin Luther King Jr. Day ments against racism and police bru- pany that takes over the work has to abide formed by then-Chrysler workers. to demand an end of “Death by COVID” tality, many similarities can be seen by the collective bargaining agreement in in prisons. The Jan. 18 actions target between revolutionary conditions in The right to a job: basis for place— the Unifor contract. This means governors in New York, New Jersey and 1971 and those today. Now is the time classwide solidarity that about 60 Local 444 members will Pennsylvania, who have allowed geno- to free all political prisoners and to free lose their jobs. Wages at Motipark are as The blockade is taking place at a criti- cidal prison neglect to flourish during Maroon! ☐ much as $5 an hour (Canadian) less than cal time for FCA workers worldwide. The the pandemic. at Auto Warehouse Company. Motipark merger of FCA (formed by the merger The abolitionist actions urge imme- of Fiat and Chrysler) and PSA (maker diate release of veteran Black Panther of Peugeot and Citroen that acquired political prisoner Russell Maroon Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors Shoatz, who suffered COVID-19 while in 2017) has just created Stellantis, the undergoing stage 4 cancer treatments. world’s fourth largest vehicle company by Like Shoatz, many U.S. political pris- the volume of vehicles produced. At the oners are elders increasingly exposed, top of Stellantis’ agenda will be consoli- infected, suffering and dying during the dation of operations and eliminating jobs pandemic. considered “redundant.” The Free Maroon Now Committee The merger comes as production is coordinating the actions has called beginning to shift to electric vehicles, for 2021 to be the year to free all U.S.- which have fewer parts and thus require held political prisoners. Many, includ- less labor time to build. This makes it all ing Shoatz, have spent over 50 years in the more necessary to raise the demand prison. Many global movements outside for a shorter work week—with​ no cut in the U.S. consider these political prison- pay. Otherwise, all the cost savings that ers, like Mumia Abu-Jamal, to be heroes PHOTO: UNIFOR LOCAL 444 will come from reducing the workforce of liberation struggles. For more infor- Members of Unifor Local 444, at FCA’s will go to the bosses in the form of even mation, see the Free Russell Maroon Windsor, Ontario, minivan assembly plant, higher profits. Shoatz website: tinyurl.com/yysyx8ty. blockade gates to oppose threats to cut In the 1990s, the Canadian Auto 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of members’ jobs. Russell Maroon Shoatz Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 63 Núm. 2 14 de enero 2021 $1 Trabajadores médicos, Ciudad Juárez México, abril 2020. Las vacunas mundiales de China: un cambio revolucionario

Por Sara Flounders países africanos estarán entre los primeros gran escala de vacunas a precios asequibles, en beneficiarse”. (tinyurl.com/y4d34qoe) junto con tecnología que permita la produc- En Estados Unidos, con menos del 5% Esta promesa fue reiterada por el presi- ción local. de la población mundial, existe poca pre- dente Xi en la cumbre del G20 del 21 de CanSino Biologics, que desarrolló una ocupación por el destino del otro 95% del noviembre a través de un video. vacuna contra el coronavirus con una uni- mundo que se enfrenta a la pandemia. El 8 de octubre, China firmó un acuerdo dad de investigación del ejército chino, Cuándo, cómo y bajo qué condiciones se con GAVI, la Alianza de Vacunas para entregará 35 millones de dosis de su distribuirá una vacuna en los EE. UU. es unirse formalmente a un plan de imple- vacuna a México, uno de los cinco países la mayor preocupación de los EE.UU. Las mentación de vacunas. Esto significa que anfitriones de sus ensayos. La prestigiosa LIU RUI/GT tasas de muertes por COVID-19 en el país las vacunas de China serán un producto revista médica internacional, “The Lancet”, han alcanzado niveles asombrosos y siguen público mundial y se les dará prioridad en publicó los datos de los ensayos clínicos de envío. Para seguir siendo viables, las vacu- aumentando. Se prevé un saldo de 500.000 el suministro de vacunas a los países en la primera y segunda fases de esa vacuna. nas Pfizer deben almacenarse a -75 °C muertes para febrero. desarrollo. (tinyurl.com/y2a5zurs) (tinyurl.com/yd8uheb3) (-103 ° F) ultrafrías y las vacunas Moderna La actual administración de Washington El imperialismo estadounidense es Sinovac Biotech Ltd. es otra empresa a -20 ° C. Las vacunas chinas solo requieren ha dejado claro que las vacunas para el incapaz de igualar el increíble esfuerzo biofarmacéutica con sede en China que se refrigeración estándar de 2 ° C a 8 ° C (36 resto del mundo no estarán disponibles humanitario de China. Por lo tanto, no es centra en la investigación, el desarrollo y la ° F a 46 ° F). hasta que se satisfagan las necesidades de sorprendente que la ayuda global de China fabricación de vacunas. Pero incluso una temperatura que no Estados Unidos. Esto fue reforzado por el sea criticada repetidamente por los medios Sinovac ha firmado acuerdos con PT sea ultra fría es un desafío para mantener presidente Donald Trump en una reunión corporativos estadounidenses y los centros Bio Farma, una empresa biofarmacéutica durante el envío y el almacenamiento en del 21 de noviembre del G20, el bloque eco- de investigación de Washington. líder en Indonesia, para el suministro, pro- gran parte del mundo. nómico internacional de gobiernos y gober- CNN levantó la alarma capitalista contra ducción local y licencia de tecnología para Cainiao, un brazo logístico chino del nadores de los bancos centrales. la distribución gratuita de cientos de millo- producir al menos 40 millones de dosis de Grupo Alibaba, dice que ahora cuenta con Mientras tanto, en China el virus nes de dosis de vacunas al citar a Yanzhong CoronaVac allí antes de marzo de 2021. una infraestructura de clima controlado de COVID‑19 está bajo control. Ha habido Huang, miembro del Consejo de Relaciones Sinovac también está proporcionando 46 extremo a extremo y lista para distribuir las menos de 5.000 muertes. Su contención de Exteriores con sede en Nueva York: “Las millones de dosis a Brasil y 50 millones de vacunas chinas en todo el mundo. La com- la enfermedad, y su economía de planifica- vacunas también pueden ser utilizadas por dosis a Turquía. (tinyurl.com/y5zz3uqk) pañía se ha asociado con Ethiopian Airlines ción centralizada, han permitido a China Beijing como un ‘instrumento de política China National Biotec Group, una para lanzar operaciones de carga de cadena convertirse en una fuerza capaz de pro- exterior para promover el poder blando y unidad del gigante farmacéutico estatal de frío para el transporte de medicamen- porcionar suministros médicos y equipos proyectar la influencia internacional’ [en] la China National Pharmaceutical Group tos sensibles a la temperatura desde China de protección personal esenciales a escala diplomacia de las vacunas”. (tinyurl.com/ (Sinopharm), tiene dos vacunas en fase de a través de África y Oriente Medio. Estos mundial. (Ver “Planificación socialista de y4lwv7oy) ensayos 3 en 10 países, principalmente en nuevos vuelos de carga aérea operarán China y COVID-19”, Workers World, 3 de Pero incluso al criticar a China por brin- el Medio Oriente y América del Sur. CNBG dos veces por semana desde el Aeropuerto abril) dar ayuda en todo el mundo, los medios es capaz de producir más de mil millones Internacional de Shenzhen a África. (tin- Ahora China se ha convertido en el único estadounidenses se han visto obligados a de dosis en 2021. yurl.com/y44u3bt7) país capaz y dispuesto a proporcionar libre- admitir que China ha eliminado en gran La estatal Sinopharm anunció el 19 de Las nuevas vacunas chinas, y el com- mente cientos de millones de dosis de vacu- medida el coronavirus dentro de sus fron- noviembre que su vacuna contra el corona- promiso de compartir la tecnología y la nas que salvan vidas en todo el mundo. teras. Debido a que China esencialmente ha virus se había administrado a casi 1 millón distribución con el mundo, son un desafío contenido el virus, no hay una necesidad de personas sin signos de efectos secunda- fundamental para las corporaciones farma- Proyecto de salud global de China urgente de vacunar a todas las personas de rios adversos. (tinyurl.com/y25pgtcv) céuticas estadounidenses. Esas empresas Los líderes chinos han prometido a sus 1.400 mil millones de habitantes. multimillonarias tienen una de las ganan- China desafía a las grandes farmacéuticas los países en desarrollo de África, Asia y cias de rentabilidad más altas de cualquier Cinco nuevas vacunas América Latina acceso prioritario a sus exi- Las vacunas COVID-19 fabricadas por grupo industrial. (tinyurl.com/y359jurr) tosas vacunas. La promesa es que las vacu- China tiene actualmente cinco vacunas compañías farmacéuticas chinas son simi- El gobierno de EE.UU. financió la inves- nas de China serán un producto de salud contra el coronavirus desarrolladas por lares a las vacunas efectivas en muchas tigación de la vacuna COVID con más de pública mundial. Estas no son promesas cuatro empresas. Las cinco vacunas han otras pandemias, como las vacunas contra $10,5 mil millones en subvenciones a com- vacías. China tiene la capacidad técnica alcanzado los ensayos clínicos de fase 3 la polio y la gripe. Estas vacunas son más pañías farmacéuticas. Pero a diferencia para producir en masa millones de dosis y, en al menos 16 condados. La fase 3 es la fáciles de replicar con la tecnología actual- de la polio y las investigaciones anteriores lo que es más importante, para distribuir prueba final de una vacuna antes de que mente implementada a nivel mundial. Las sobre vacunas, estas gigantes corporaciones las vacunas en todo el mundo. se considere segura para su distribución vacunas Pfizer y Moderna se desarrollaron privadas venderán el producto financiado En un desafío adicional para las compa- masiva. Las empresas que desarrollan las utilizando una nueva tecnología, lo que con fondos públicos a las agencias guberna- ñías farmacéuticas privadas multimillona- vacunas chinas son tanto empresas públi- dificulta la producción en masa de estas mentales con una ganancia enorme. rias, China se compromete a compartir los cas de propiedad estatal como empresas vacunas. La propiedad privada capitalista es el conocimientos tecnológicos para fabricar privadas que trabajan en colaboración Las vacunas chinas tienen otra ventaja mayor obstáculo para resolver cualquier estas vacunas localmente. Al comienzo de con empresas de todo el mundo. Su obje- crucial: no requieren temperaturas ultra- problema global que ponga en peligro al la pandemia, los líderes chinos enfatizaron tivo colectivo es garantizar la producción a congeladas para su almacenamiento y bien público. ☐ repetidamente que las vacunas de China eran para compartir, especialmente con el mundo en desarrollo. El 18 de mayo, el pre- sidente chino, Xi Jinping, en la apertura de Declaración del Workers World Party/Partido Mundo Obrero la 73a sesión de la Asamblea Mundial de Miércoles 6 de enero - El intento de para evitar una invasión directa, aunque peor manera, exige una respuesta masiva e la Salud, prometió que el desarrollo y des- golpe de Estado hoy en Washington, D.C., sea de corta duración, de la ciudadela del independiente de la clase trabajadora. pliegue de la vacuna COVID‑19 en China y la movilización de una turba fascista de poder político estadounidense muestra que Este día vuelve a plantear la pregunta en se crearía para el bien público mundial. La decenas de miles, deben ser vistos con la quienes están en el poder son poco confi- el antiguo estándar sindical: "¿De qué lado Asamblea Mundial de la Salud (AMS) es mayor seriedad. ables, ineptos y de ninguna manera están estás?" el organismo de toma de decisiones de la Si bien el ataque tomó la forma de un a la altura de la tarea de derrotar a una El poder de los trabajadores, tanto en las Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) asalto al edificio del Capitolio de EE. amenaza fascista. calles como en el lugar de producción, debe de la ONU. UU., el Congreso y la “institución de la Compare la facilidad con la que los ejercerse para hacer retroceder el continuo El 29 de mayo, cuando brotó la pande- democracia”, deteniendo durante horas supremacistas blancos entraron al ascenso de este movimiento fascista. mia, Trump cortó todos los lazos con la la aprobación de la elección presidencial Capitolio con la brutal represión policial Hacemos un llamado a todas las orga- OMS, sin ofertas posteriores de ayuda o por mandato constitucional, estas fuer- de las protestas de Black Lives Matter en nizaciones de nuestro lado: los sindicatos, cooperación de Estados Unidos en la inves- zas supremacistas blancas representan todo el país, incluso en Washington, D.C. la juventud, el movimiento Black Lives tigación de la pandemia mundial. la mayor amenaza para la clase trabaja- Nosotros, los trabajadores y los oprim- Matter, los migrantes / inmigrantes, las Ahora, la contribución de China garanti- dora. especialmente los más oprimidos. idos dentro de los EE. UU., No podemos personas con discapacidades, las personas zará la accesibilidad y asequibilidad de las Su objetivo político es aplastar con mano depender del estado para prevenir ataques LGBTQ2S +, los movimientos de mujeres y vacunas en los países en desarrollo. (tin- de hierro todas las expresiones, incluso las violentos similares al KKK, especialmente de personas no conformados con el género, yurl.com/y3d26p25) China también pro- más modestas, de los derechos de los tra- aquellos contra trabajadores de color que y todas las personas trabajadoras, inclui- metió $2 mil millones a esos países para la bajadores, la justicia social y Black Lives son y siempre han sido los principales obje- dos los desempleados, los salarios bajos, infraestructura necesaria para hacer frente Matter. tivos de los fascistas. ¿Cuándo han ofrecido atención médica, tránsito, sector público, a la pandemia. (tinyurl.com/y33wfbrt) Los políticos capitalistas de los dos par- los demócratas y republicanos alguna pro- obreros, educación, encarcelados y traba- En una cumbre de video de junio con tidos principales se están peleando entre sí tección real? jadoras sexuales, para movilizarse y aplas- líderes africanos, Xi declaró que “una vez para disociarse de los posibles golpistas y El movimiento fascista dentro de los tar a las fuerzas fascistas supremacistas que se complete el desarrollo y despliegue de Trump, el instigador. Pero el fracaso del Estados Unidos, para quien la movilización blancas. de una vacuna COVID-19 en China, los aparato estatal, especialmente de la policía, de hoy marcó un punto de inflexión de la ¡Huelga general ahora! ¡Paro! ☐