MUndo obrero Un viaje por derechos inmigratorios Abogad@s Colombian@s buscan solidaridad

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Sept. 11, 2008 Vol. 50, No. 36 50¢ For second week Police repress convention protests

By LeiLani Dowell St. Paul, Minn. Three views of Obama 7-8 tHIS lABoR DAY— IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ARE WORKERS’ RIGHTS! Despite an onslaught of police terror and repression, Some 30,000 attended a rally that included represen- n protesters from across the country used a variety of tac- tatives of the American Indian Movement; ANSWER Anti-fascist fights deportation 2 tics to march on the Republican National Convention Coalition; Appeal for Redress Campaign; Coalition n ICE arrests hundreds here on Sept. 1. A mass march organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War; Code Pink; to March on the RNC and Stop the War was followed by Colombia Action Network; Green Party; Latinos Against in Mississippi 3 youthful street actions to denounce the Republican poli- War; Palestine Solidarity Group; Poor People’s Economic n Fighting just to get paid 3 cies of endless imperialist war and sweeping attacks on Human Rights Campaign; Students for a Democratic workers. Society; Teamsters 743; Troops Out Now Coalition; ww photo: Gloria rubaC In an escalation of tactics used at the Democratic United for Peace and Justice; Venezuela Solidarity National Convention in Denver a week earlier, Minnesota Network; Veterans for Peace; Welfare Rights Committee; WHAT THE CUBAN DEFEND police began the repression against RNC protesters days and Women Against Military Madness. 5 before the march. The cops raided community kitchens, The diverse crowd, led by the Iraq Veterans Against n Socialism=prowess in olympics meeting spaces and protesters’ homes; handcuffed and the War, then marched to the Xcel Center, site of the n harassed activists; confiscated political literature; and Republican convention, and back to the State Capitol for Socialism=saving lives during Gustav arrested at least three people on bogus “conspiracy to a closing rally. Various contingents included low-income n 11 riot” charges. people, youth and students, immigrant rights activists, It’s time to defend the Cuban 5! Despite this intimidation, organizers remained deter- labor, Palestine and Colombia solidarity activists, an mined to move forward with what would turn out to be a anti-capitalist bloc and an anti-climate-change group. highly successful, massive march as well as direct actions While Republican Party leaders shied away from the sToP ForecLosUres now! on Labor Day, Sept. 1. Continued to page 7 Michigan campaign dogs senator 4

HURRICANE GUSTAV n Again, New orleans 5 n Death and hope in Caribbean 11 photo: ElEna EvErEtt police repress protesters outside Republican National Convention.

no wAr on IrAn! Sept. 27 protests 9

An appreciation of Gen. Giap 10

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Victor Toro v. U.S. Immigration Court Chilean who fought Pinochet H In the U.S. Police repress convention protests...... 1 now fights deportation Chilean who fought Pinochet now fights deportation. . . 2 Lesson of ICE arrests in Laurel, Miss ...... 3 By Teresa Gutierrez Enrique and Jorge Fuentes, both Workers fight to get paid...... 3 New York members of MIR, the same orga- HIV crisis worse than previously reported...... 3 nization to which Víctor belonged. Activists demand hearings on moratorium bill...... 4 A Chilean who was a leader in the movement against No leap of logic is needed to con- Gov’t tries to sneak in anti-choice rules ...... 4 the bloody dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet fac- clude that Víctor was a target of this es deportation from the U.S. But on Aug. 15, Víctor operation.” On the picket line...... 4 Toro turned his second appearance before Judge Paul In the courtroom on the day of Gustav and New Orleans...... 5 Defonzo of U.S. Immigration Court in Manhattan into a Toro’s hearing was his long-time Protest denounces destruction of affordable housing. . . 5 lesson in history. companion, activist Nieves Ayress, Cynthia McKinney speaks on war and racism...... 6 Attorney Carlos Moreno submitted a complete applica- and their daughter, Rosita Toro. Both Ayress and Víctor Vets, immigrants protest at DNC ...... 6 tion for political asylum for Toro. In addition, the lawyer Toro are staunch members and organizers of the New Obama's speech in Denver ...... 7 turned in 47 key documents in support of the application. York May 1st Coalition for Immigrant and Worker Rights, A call for Black unity, action...... 8 Moreno says about the August day in court: “U.S.-Chilean La Peña del Bronx and other organizations. Black and blues at the DNC...... 8 history came to life in the courtroom.” Ayress says: “If Víctor is deported back to Chile, not Anti-war forces call Sept. 27 day of action ...... 9 The Border Patrol had detained Toro in July 2007 while only will it break up our family here in the U.S. He runs Floridians march to stop war on Iran ...... 9 he was on an Amtrak train that stopped in Rochester, N.Y. the risk of being assassinated. Much of the Pinochet His arrest can only be described as racial anti-immigrant regime remains present in Chile today.” She points out H Around the world profiling. He was incarcerated in Cayuga County Jail with that the Chilean government “has records that state that Vo Nguyen Giap at 97...... 10 bail set at $5,000. Víctor is dead. How can a dead person be deported? What Toro is undocumented because he was forced to flee would happen to him as soon as his feet touch Chilean Olympic prowess ...... 11 Chile in the 1970s as a result of his political work against soil?” She fears the worst. Poverty, not Gustav, brings deaths to Caribbean . . . . 11 the U.S.-orchestrated fascist coup there. As a young man in Chile, he was one of the founders of the inspiring and Growing demands for political asylum H Editorials militant Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR). Judge Defonzo set a hearing date for Feb. 11, 2009, at Biden and Palin ...... 10 On Sept. 11, 1973, Pinochet led one of the bloodiest which time a final decision will be made regarding Toro’s Long live the DPRK!...... 10 coups in Latin America with the connivance of the U.S. case. According to Moreno, after all testimony is given government and U.S. corporations making big profits and closing arguments are made, the judge will issue a H Noticias En Español there. The coup led to the roundup of tens of thousands of decision the same day, either granting or denying Toro’s Un viaje por derechos inmigratorios...... 12 Chilean workers, students and campesinos [agricultural application for asylum and related forms of relief. Abogad@s Colombian@s buscan solidaridad...... 12 workers]. Many were brutally tortured and then killed. This means that the movement to defend Víctor Toro The fascist coup was carried out in an attempt to stop and grant him political asylum must step up its work the progressive and pro-socialist government of Salvador before the February hearing. Allende, much beloved by the Chilean masses. Allende Moreno points out: “It is critical that all progressive was killed defending the Presidential Palace on the first people here and throughout the country express their day of the coup, a day never to be forgotten by Chileans support for Víctor Toro’s claim for asylum. Progressive or revolutionaries anywhere. people have been under attack in the U.S. for the past Workers World few years and immigrants are particularly vulnerable to 55 West 17 Street Victim of anti-immigrant witch hunt these attacks, as they were in the 1920s when two Italian New York, N.Y. 10011 Moreno premised the submission of the application immigrants, Niccolo Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, Phone: (212) 627-2994 for political asylum with a brief statement regarding the were targeted for prosecution and ultimately executed Fax: (212) 675-7869 Sept. 11 coup. He described Toro’s political involvement, on highly questionable evidence. E-mail: [email protected] describing him as a “significant figure” in the opposition “We believe that progressive immigrants are singled Web: www.workers.org to the Pinochet dictatorship. He pointed out that Toro’s out for repression in the U.S. Víctor Toro has devoted his Vol. 50, No. 36 • Sept. 11, 2008 political work has been widely documented, including life to struggle for justice wherever he goes. He has never Closing date: Sept. 3, 2008 in the book “Small Earthquake in Chile” by Sir Alistair needed our support more than now.” Editor: Deirdre Griswold Horne, and that he has been called “one of the best known Many messages of solidarity were received before advocates for immigrants and other dispossessed people the August hearing. One came from Eni Lestari in Technical Editor: Lal Roohk in New York City.” (New York Times, July 11, 2007) Hong Kong, chairperson of the International Migrants Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, Moreno stated: “It has long been established that Alliance. She pointed out that Toro “is a legitimate polit- Leslie Feinberg, Monica Moorehead, Gary Wilson the U.S. supported the 1973 coup against Allende and ical refugee. His record of being a political leader fight- West Coast Editor: John Parker provided financial support to fascist groups engaged ing against the U.S.-supported Augusto Pinochet regime Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, in destabilizing actions against Allende. Congressional is known to the world. His persecution by this govern- Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, Fred Goldstein, records reveal as much. The evidence we submitted in ment and placing him in the top 13 most-wanted people Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, David Hoskins, court today documents U.S. intervention and points out by Pinochet should serve as strong grounds for granting Berta Joubert-Ceci, Cheryl LaBash, Milt Neidenberg, that such intervention is relevant to Víctor Toro’s claim him political refugee status.” Bryan G. Pfeifer, Minnie Bruce Pratt for political asylum in the country that made it impos- Progressives and revolutionaries in the U.S. and sible for him to remain in his.” throughout the world are urged to demand political Technical Staff: Shelley Ettinger, Bob McCubbin, Moreno also submitted to the court documents related asylum for Víctor Toro. Letters can be sent by e-mail to Maggie Vascassenno to Operation Condor, an infamous and bloody campaign [email protected] and more information can be down- Mundo Obrero: Carl Glenn, Teresa Gutierrez, of political repression in the 1970s devised by Washington loaded from www.may1.info or by writing to the law offic- Berta Joubert-Ceci, Donna Lazarus, Michael Martínez, for Latin America and carried out by murderous dictators es of Carlos Moreno, 352 Seventh Ave., Suite 1204, New Carlos Vargas it supported. York, NY 10001. Supporter Program: Sue Davis, coordinator Moreno writes: “Operation Condor was responsible Donations to help defray legal costs are urgently need- Copyright © 2008 Workers World. Verbatim copying for the murders of dozens of people, including Edgardo ed and can be sent to Moreno at his law office. n and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium JOIN US. National Office Buffalo, N.Y. Houston Richmond, Va. without royalty provided this notice is preserved. Workers World Party 55 W. 17 St., 367 Delaware Ave. P.O. Box 595 P.O. Box 14602, Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published week- New York, NY 10011 Buffalo, NY 14202 Houston, Richmond, VA 23221 ly except the first week of January by WW Publishers, (WWP) fights on all 212-627-2994; 716-566-1115 TX 77001-0595 [email protected] 55 W. 17 St., N.Y., N.Y. 10011. Phone: (212) 627-2994. issues that face the Fax (212) 675-7869 [email protected] 713-861-5965 working class and Rochester, N.Y. 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Lesson of ICE arrests in Laurel, Miss. Attacks on immigrants hurt all workers By Teresa Gutierrez promised by the computer division of the “Mississippi is a right-to-work state,” immigrant rights? company in 1997 never materialized. Bacon continues, “and labor contracts The labor movement faces enormous At the very same time that the The Aug. 25 raid at Howard left a chill cannot require that workers belong to problems as a profound capitalist eco- Democratic Party was making great on the immigrant community, which is the union. Instead, unions must continu- nomic crisis unfolds. The answer to these promises to the people of this country at primarily Latin@. Immigrant and labor ally try to sign workers as members. To problems is staring us all in the face: focus its convention in Colorado, the largest rights activists report that Latin@s are increase its ability to negotiate a contract, on building solidarity among all workers, immigration raid to date was taking place afraid to come out of their homes; stores Local 1317 began making great efforts to so they can better resist the onslaught of in Laurel, Miss. and restaurants that cater to the Latin@ sign up immigrant members. the bosses. That’s been the lesson behind On Aug. 25, Immigration and Customs community are almost empty. “That’s when the plant was raided,” he every period of great labor struggle and Enforcement (ICE) carried out another Some of the news surrounding the raid notes. gains. disgusting, racist raid as they pounced has been calculated to further divide U.S. There are many labor militants trying down on a Mississippi electrical equip- and immigrant workers, especially the What will it take? to do just that. As unions go out to cel- ment factory, Howard Industries. undocumented. Thousands of labor officials attended ebrate Labor Day, their leaders need to Over 595 immigrants were arrested. Television and newspaper accounts, the Democratic National Convention. know that unless they extend the hand of Without delay, 475 workers were taken to both in English and Spanish, reported that What were their thoughts on the raids at solidarity to all immigrant workers—doc- a detention center in Jena, La., about 120 the raid allegedly took place as a result of Laurel or Postville? umented and undocumented—and pro- miles from Laurel. a tip to ICE from a union member. The Both raids were callously anti-union. vide not just verbal support but material Jena has been the site of a series of rac- union at the plant is the International Was there an effort during the con- assistance to the countless activists who ist attacks against the Black community. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. vention to at least pass a resolution con- are working tirelessly and heroically, most In September 2006, three nooses were Telemundo, a major Spanish-language demning these anti-worker, racist raids? without pay, to defend immigrant rights, hung from a tree there after six Black stu- national television station, reported Was there an outcry for justice that may- the ruling class of this country and the dents dared to sit under what was infa- that some of the workers at the factory be didn’t get covered in the news? Was captains of industry like those at Howard mously known as “the white tree.” applauded when ICE rounded up the this outcry stifled, like the protests out- Industries will continue to win the war The attacks ignited a massive move- immigrants. It also reported that ICE sep- side the convention against war and for against all workers. n ment for justice for the Jena 6, including arated Black workers in one area, white one of the largest demonstrations against workers in another, and Latin@s in still racism in decades. another. Workers fight to get paid Raids calculated to divide Mass movement needed and conquer The news of the Laurel, Miss., raid is Immigrant rights advocates feared that not all negative, however. The rumor that the workers in Laurel would face charges ICE raided the plant because of a tip from similar to those imposed on packinghouse the union could be just that: a rumor. workers after the despicable ICE raid in It could be totally bogus. Some news Postville, Iowa, in May of this year. accounts report that the alleged call was In Postville, workers were not charged made two years ago. with immigration violations but with iden- The fact is that Howard Industries tity theft—which is a felony, much more has been in the midst of a union drive. serious than any immigration violation. It’s been a very progressive union drive, However, as a result of the public out- where organizers struggle to bring the rage over the Postville raid, so far only a immigrant workers, documented and handful of the Laurel immigrants have undocumented, into the union. been charged with identify theft. A hand- African-American workers did applaud, ful too many. but they did so when some of the Latin@ And just like Postville, ICE prepared families held a protest in front of the plant for the raid by booking large numbers of Aug. 30 demanding the checks of the motel rooms. This led to activists alert- workers held in Jena. Black workers came ing the movement to the raid before it out to shake the Latin@ families’ hands. occurred. Many of the Howard workers, Black Howard Industries is currently the and white, came out to show their solidar- world’s largest manufacturer of distribu- ity with the Latin@ families. Several months ago, the owner of La Pupusa were paid most of the money owed them, but tion transformers. It is the largest employ- David Bacon, a progressive journalist Loca restaurant in Houston started making not all. The owner refused to pay the last $300 er in Laurel as well as in the state, employ- who has written volumes on the conditions excuses for not paying the workers. Most owed each of them, so on Aug. 29, a press ing about 4,000 workers statewide. Its net of immigrant workers, wrote in Truthout. of the unpaid workers just left and found conference was held in front of the restau- worth is $1 billion. This year OSHA levied org on Aug. 31: “Tensions between the other jobs, figuring they had no recourse. rant. Supported by CRECEN, Interfaith Worker about $193,000 in fines against Howard company and union increased after the But four of the women decided to fight for Justice, and a number of religious and com- the wages owed them. They contacted the munity leaders and activists, two of the work- for 54 safety violations. collective bargaining agreement expired Central American Resource Center (Centro de ers (on the right in the photo) explained to In 1997, under the constant drive at the beginning of August. According Recursos Centroamericanos—CRECEN), which the media how they had been cheated out of of capitalism to expand, the company to one immigrant worker … the union demanded the owner pay the wages he owed wages they had earned at the restaurant. The opened up Howard Technology Park in was asking for a wage increase of $1.50 the workers. He agreed and issued checks to two are immigrants from El Salvador who had Ellisville, Miss. an hour and better vacation benefits. the workers, but they bounced. worked there for several years. They left hope- The facility received heavy state sub- Company medical benefits are also an The workers were owed almost $3,000 each ful that the pressure put on the owner would sidies, about $30 million, but as of 2007 issue … because family coverage costs for hours they worked over a two-month force him to finally pay the total amount owed. no tenants had moved in. The 5,000 jobs over $100 a week. period. After much negotiating, the workers —Report and photo by Gloria Rubac HIV crisis worse than previously reported By David Hoskins Mobilization Project issued a statement Workers now pay an average of $2,890 a disproportionately high risk of contract- saying, “This improved estimate means a year for family coverage, up from $1,275 ing HIV that AIDS was widely thought of The U.S. Centers for Disease Control little if it does not serve as the spark to in 1996. The share for single person cov- as a homosexual disease. and Prevention (CDC) recently announced inflame our collective anger about the erage increased from $342 a year to $788 Homophobia stopped President Ronald that the number of HIV transmissions in deadly neglect of an acute emergency.” over the same period. Reagan from acting to counter the disease the U.S. each year is significantly higher The revelation that transmission rates Government inaction potentially puts until the epidemic was already widespread. than previously reported. The CDC’s revi- are drastically higher than previously millions of lives at risk of HIV transmis- It is estimated that by the time Reagan sion of its method for calculating HIV claimed comes at the same time data from sion and even death, especially when the made his first public statement on AIDS in transmission rates paints a troubling pic- the National Health Interview Survey costs associated with health care deny 1987, over 20,000 people, primarily gay ture of the government’s unwillingness to show the rate of HIV testing leveled off those living with HIV access to the quality and bisexual men, had already died. The stem the spread of the virus, which causes after 2001. treatment they need to prolong their lives only reason Reagan addressed the crisis AIDS. The CDC increased its estimate of The effect of the government’s failure to and delay the onset of AIDS. at all was a mass backlash to government new HIV transmission rates by 40 per- provide the funding and services necessary inaction initiated by a national gay-led cent, to over 56,000 new cases each year. for HIV prevention and testing is com- AIDS: an epidemic of oppression grassroots movement. AIDS activists have pointed out that the pounded by the soaring cost of health care and bigotry During this same period it became new numbers demonstrate the U.S. gov- in the U.S. A recent Agency for Healthcare The AIDS epidemic has long affected apparent that AIDS had a disproportion- ernment is not marshalling the resourc- Research and Quality survey found that the the nationally oppressed as well as men ate impact on the nationally oppressed, es necessary to effectively counter the cost of health insurance premiums more who have sex with other men. In the in addition to gay and bisexual men of all epidemic. The Community HIV/AIDS than doubled between 1996 and 2006. 1980s gay and bisexual men were at such Continued on page 9 Page 4 Sept. 11, 2008 www.workers.org On the Picket line Activists demand hearings by Sue Davis on moratorium bill Sanitation workers strike By Kris Hamel in Wisconsin Detroit Garbage has been piling up in the six- county region around Milwaukee after Activists in Michigan with the 240 members of Teamsters Local 200 Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop went on strike on Aug. 23. Accusing the Foreclosures and Evictions have started company of coercing and intimidating a campaign to force state Sen. Randy the workers, the union filed a suit with Richardville to move a bill mandating a the National Labor Relations Board moratorium on housing foreclosures out charging unfair labor practices and fail- of his committee. Richardville is chair of ing to bargain in good faith. The com- the Senate Banking and Financial Services pany countersued. The workers’ contract Committee, where the bill, SB 1306, has expired April 30. One of the sticking lain dormant since its introduction last issues is that the company wants the spring. workers to accept an “alternative” pen- The coalition is demanding that sion plan, meaning the bosses are trying Richardville convene a public hearing on to steal retirement money the workers Sept. 17. That’s the day activists and fore- WW photo: Alan Pollock Protesters gather in Monroe, Mich., before picketing state Sen. Randy Richardville's home have earned. closure victims will be at the state Capitol demanding he expedite a bill to stop foreclosures. in Lansing, Mich., for a mass demonstra- Victory for NYC restaurant tion to press for the law’s passage by the The senator’s home on the Raisin River torium bill. Legislature. SB 1306 would place a two- is situated on a busy road. Many motorists “Richardville said he didn’t believe the workers year moratorium, or halt, on foreclosures honked in support as they drove past the moratorium or any proposal raised so After two and a half years of organiz- and evictions by delaying the sheriff’s sale demonstration. Protesters chanted, “We far would provide a long-term solution ing, the Restaurant Opportunities Center or extending the redemption period on want hearings now!” and “Moratorium to the foreclosure crisis. I told him this is of New York announced a $3.9 million foreclosed homes. now!” Several people from Monroe enthu- precisely why a moratorium is needed, so victory for 250 workers in seven restau- The law would provide immediate relief siastically took part in the action. that tens of thousands of people can stay rants in New York City on June 20. In to tens of thousands of working-class During the demonstration, a delegation in their homes while a solution is devel- addition to being repaid for stolen tips families around the state. Over 72,000 of coalition activists went to the home’s oped over time.” and wages and compensated for sexual homes in the Detroit area alone are in front door to deliver another letter to Goldberg continued: “I stressed to him harassment, the workers won changes in foreclosure. One in every 137 homes in Richardville demanding immediate public that whatever his personal position on tipping practices, half-hour lunch breaks, Michigan was subject to foreclosure dur- hearings. They knocked loudly, shouted the bill, he has a duty to move this bill protection from retaliatory firings, new ing the second quarter of this year. (July his name and looked through the window out of committee and let there be a gen- sexual harassment and promotion poli- 2008, RealtyTrac) but no one answered, so they left the letter uine debate on this critical issue. I also cies, and a grievance procedure. Workers Organizers sent Richardville a certified in the door. Organizers believed the home pointed out to him the legal precedent for who were fired for fighting to change foul letter requesting he immediately move was occupied at the time because two cars the moratorium, which he was unable to working conditions will be reinstated the bill out of the banking committee and were parked in the side driveway. challenge.” and receive $200,000 in back wages. An hold public hearings on the foreclosure Meanwhile, Richardville’s father came An excellent video called “Randy & unusual but appropriate part of the deal crisis. When he failed to respond to their on the scene and shortly thereafter offi- Me—Moratorium Now,” by coalition orga- is that management is required to attend letter within seven days as requested, they cers from the Monroe Police Department nizer Alan Pollock, is available on YouTube. training sessions to ensure continuing held a protest Aug. 28 outside the sena- and the Monroe County sheriff arrived, It highlights the letter delivery and scenes compliance with labor law. For more tor’s home in Monroe, Mich., about an but they did not interfere with the from the protest at Richardville’s home. information, visit www.rocny.org. hour south of Detroit. demonstration. Other videos on the foreclosure moratori- They gathered in downtown Monroe During the ride back to Detroit after um struggle in Michigan can also be seen Latin@ workers: highest outside the county courthouse, where a the action, coalition organizer and attor- on YouTube. short rally was held after an afternoon of ney Jerry Goldberg received a call from To reserve a bus seat from Detroit to fatality rate leafleting and outreach. Then they piled Richardville, who obviously had been at the Sept. 17 demonstration in Lansing, The National Council of La Raza into vehicles for the two-mile drive to home during the protest. He stated he had call 313-887-4344 or visit moratorium- published a study on Aug. 25 of work- Richardville’s residence. About 20 pro- just received the letter. mi.org. The cost is $20; no one will be ing conditions for more than 20 million testers converged on the home’s front Goldberg told Workers World: turned away for lack of funds. Donations Latin@s, who comprise 14 percent of the lawn, where they held a banner and signs “Richardville expressed dismay over the can be sent to the Moratorium NOW! U.S. working class. “Labor Day 2008: demanding “Sen. Richardville—move on demonstration, but for the first time said Coalition, 23 E. Adams, 4th floor, Detroit, A Snapshot of the Latino Workforce,” shows the strength and diversity of SB 1306 now!” he would consider hearings on the mora- MI 48226. n Latin@ workers and exposes the effects of the economic downturn and the Women’s groups mobilize as impact of underfunded health and retirement plans. Nearly 1,000 Latin@s were killed on the job in 2006, the high- est fatality rate of all racial and ethnic Gov’t tries to sneak in anti-choice rules groups. To download the study, visit www.nclr.org. By Kathy Durkin health care services due to “moral or federal funding to states for contraceptive religious” beliefs. It impacts on nearly services. Machinists fight back Pro-choice organizations sprang into 600,000 HHS-funded health care pro- Mary Jane Gallagher, president of the action in July after they discovered pro- viders, who must certify that they will hire National Family Planning & Reproductive against Boeing posed Bush administration regulations employees, even if they oppose abortion Health Association, told Leavitt in a pub- On Aug. 29, 7,000 Machinists that endanger women’s reproductive and “other medical procedures,” or their lic letter: “You can preserve access to com- marched through the Boeing plant in rights and medical care. funding will be forfeited. prehensive family planning with just a few Everett, Wash., chanting, “Strike, strike!” Nationwide groups including Planned Women’s rights, health care and family words. Until you take these steps, we have This marked a rejection of Boeing’s Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America planning advocates, warning of the rules’ no choice but to assume contraception insulting “best and final” contract and the National Organization for Women dangers, are stepping up their national was the target all along.” (nfprha.org) offer—an offer the Machinists’ bargain- have generated tens of thousands of e-mail campaign against them, asking that objec- Pro-choice advocates also insist that ing committee voted to reject and then petitions and letters, including from medical tions be sent to HHS within the govern- HHS ensure that existing reproductive recommended a strike. The ratification organizations, to Health and Human Services ment’s 30-day comments period, before rights laws not be undermined, includ- and strike vote are set for Sept. 3, with Department (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt. the regulations are put into final form. ing state requirements that hospitals dis- a possible strike on Sept. 4. Factory They express outrage over the proposed new Women’s groups stress that HHS does pense emergency contraceptives to sexu- strike/reject marches and rallies were rules, which would affect women’s access to not guarantee birth control services, or al-assault survivors. held at other Boeing plants at lunch family planning services. even information. Since the regulations Many are troubled that the rules could hour. Machinists in Everett also chanted, Although mass pressure caused the mandate that any staff member at a fed- be more broadly interpreted, allowing, for “Paint the lines!” because Boeing security omission of some language, which delib- erally funded facility could deny services, example, the denial of treatment to people paints lines outside the factories during erately confused abortion with popular prescriptions, information, counseling with AIDS or immigrant families. a strike, which pickets aren’t supposed to contraceptives, Leavitt formally issued or referrals, this opens the door to many Debra L. Ness, president of the National cross. the proposed HHS regulations on Aug. 21. abuses, including denial of contracep- Partnership for Women and Families, Machinists District/Local 751 repre- They much resemble the prior draft and tives. Women’s groups insist that the final stresses, “This draconian regulation means senting 27,000 workers says, “It’s our are ominous in several respects. version protect this medical necessity. that women can be refused care and infor- time ... this time,” which is emblazoned The 42 pages lay out the so-called This concern is well founded. The reac- mation by the very people they trust to on Machinists’ T-shirts. They are angry “health care provider conscience” excep- tionary campaign to undo all reproductive provide it.” (nationalpartnership.org) at years of layoffs due to outsourcing tion, whereby medical and nonmedi- rights extends to birth control. Anti-choice HHS is targeting the 17 million wom- their jobs and insulted by years of con- cal personnel can refuse to provide vital forces have stepped up their efforts to stop Continued on page 9 Continued on page 10 www.workers.org Sept. 11, 2008 Page 5

Gustav and New Orleans Again, gov’t focus is on repression

By Larry Hales for example public housing, elderly care services, homeless What could be colder and more shelters, and shelters for women callous than this Sept. 2 Associated and healthcare. Funds targeted Press headline: “Gustav revives for the reinstitution of social ser- question: Is New Orleans worth it?” vices continue to be diverted to Gustav was approaching Loui­ casinos, ports and other private siana. Local, state and federal offi- business interests.” cials had begun posturing, assuring It notes that people were put people in the U.S. that the “mis- on buses without being tracked takes” made before, during and after and were shipped to places with- Hurricane Katrina would not be out family members knowing— made again. similar to what happened after Preparations for the Republican Hurricane Katrina. National Convention were scaled Thousands still have not down, though police agencies continued These are not the people the police were buffer are lost. been able to return to New Orleans since to terrorize activists and the people of concerned with, even though white vigi- While there has been a great deal of pos- Katrina struck. They are displaced across Minneapolis-St. Paul to minimize protests. lantes were allowed to roam the streets turing regarding the response to Gustav, the country. The Lower Ninth Ward is still George W. Bush’s speech on the open- of New Orleans after Katrina and were the government of the U.S. capitalist rul- a ghost town, with wrecked shells that ing day of the convention was canceled. responsible for a number of deaths. ing class has no answer in times of disas- used to be churches and overgrown grass John McCain was rumored to be watching Neither are the police concerned about ter and crisis. where there used to be homes. the storm to ensure “a proper response.” cops with itchy trigger fingers. Charges The major media touts the billions of Public housing is disappearing in favor The same for Democratic nominee Barack against seven cops who, on Sept. 4, dollars spent on disaster relief. Where that of privately run, “mixed-housing” units, Obama. Mayor Ray Nagin and Lousiana 2005, shot and killed several people on money went to is lost in the shuffle. Of the leaving only a small fraction of low-income Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal issued the Danziger Bridge trying to flee New reported $133 billion spent for Gulf Coast housing. Rents continue to run 46 percent mandatory evacuations. Orleans were recently dropped. recovery, only 30 percent was spent on higher than they were pre-Katrina, and, Nagin called Gustav “the mother of all long-term projects. Most went to debris as the warnings from Mayor Nagin show, storms” and issued a threat to those who Yes, it’s worth it removal and the Coast Guard. (Southern police repression is still high. didn’t evacuate the city of New Orleans, To answer the question posed by the Studies Gulf Coast Reconstruction Watch) Another hurricane will come. It is guar- saying, “Anybody who’s caught looting in AP article: Yes, New Orleans is worth it. The U.S. Human Rights Network anteed, whether it be Hanna, brooding to the city of New Orleans will go directly to Especially to the oppressed Black masses, observes that $14.8 billion was allocated the east of Florida, or another later on this Angola [Louisiana State Penitentiary]. You for whom New Orleans is of great histori- to the Army Corps of Engineers to repair year or next. This capitalist-run govern- will not have a temporary stay in the city. cal and cultural significance. levees—a job that is behind schedule. ment has no plans to adequately provide You go directly to the big house, in general It is a bastion. Its moniker—the Big And what of today’s evacuees? The for people’s needs and cannot even ensure population,” as he issued a “dusk to dawn” Easy—is derived from the relative ease of USHRN highlights the attention to “secu- a minimum loss of life. curfew. musicians to secure gigs. The city’s history rity” and “law and order” by federal, state Gustav was much stronger when it On Monday, after the storm made land- is a testament to the long, arduous strug- and local governments. struck Cuba, but that socialist island sus- fall, the director of FEMA announced that gle of Black people for true liberation. Rosana Cruz of Safe Streets, Strong tained zero fatalities, removing more than the federal government would not provide While fires and mudslides occur every Communities in New Orleans says correct- 250,000 people from its path. But in the assistance to evacuees. People fleeing the year in California, often affecting affluent ly, “The most vulnerable people continue affluent U.S., 12 deaths have been attrib- path of the storm would instead have to areas, it is never suggested that the rich to be those in public housing, people with- uted to Gustav already. rely on charitable organizations like the move. Rarely are suburban sprawl and its out ID, the undocumented, people with This capitalist society is based on protect- Red Cross for food and shelter. effects on the environment questioned. mental illness and disabilities, and the ing the profits of a few. It wastes enormous A repressive force of police and National The oil industry in the Gulf Coast has hospitalized, so in considering how suc- resources on imperialist war and plunder. Guards numbering over 3,000 patrolled caused the rapid erosion of marshlands, cessful the evacuation has been, we have It is rebuilding New Orleans only to make the city with guns drawn. The front cover leaving areas along the coast, especially to look at how many rights were respected it a playground for the rich. Only a society of the New York Post showed white vigilan- New Orleans, more vulnerable to storms. and how humane the process is.” based on meeting human needs, which tes holding automatic rifles and threaten- Marsh is a natural buffer but every year, The USHRN makes the point that: empowers the most oppressed, can ensure ing to shoot “looters.” One said, “I haven’t because of industrial development and “Essential social services on which resi- that no expense or resource is spared for shot anybody yet, but if I have to, I will.” the oil industry in particular, miles of this dents depend have yet to be fully restored, the people facing natural disasters. n Protest denounces destruction of affordable housing

By Heather Cottin the principles mandated by the United New York Nations to protect people from the Gulf Coast and New Orleans’ right to return,” Three days before Hurricane Gustav hit she continued. Instead luxury homes have the Gulf Coast, activists from Chinatown, replaced the largely African-American the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem, N.Y., working-class communities and she noted demonstrated in support of Hurricane this is happening across the country. Katrina and Hurricane Rita survivors Speakers denounced the criminaliza- on Aug. 29, the third anniversary of tion of poor people and “unrestricted Hurricane Katrina. luxury development and privatization of At a rally in Chinatown, speakers drew public space and resources.” Right to the the parallels between the destruction and City, a coalition of organizations from the gentrification of working-class neighbor- African-American, Chinese, Latin@, and hoods of color in New York, other U.S. cit- LGBT communities denounced collabora- ies and the plight of the survivors. “New tion between the federal and city govern- Orleans had Katrina and we have a hurri- ments that has led to racist, working-class cane that is called NYCHA (New York City evictions in New York and throughout the Housing Authority),” said Beverly Corvin, U.S. co-president of Families United for Racial The Right to the City noted that as part and Economic Equality (FUREE), a group of “globalization,” neoliberal policies have that has organized against the demolition created worldwide a massive decrease in of public housing, especially for people of affordable housing for poor people. Katrina survivors join housing activists at New York rally. WW photo: Anne Pruden color, in Brooklyn. A representative from the Chinatown Hurricane Katrina/Rita Survivor Tenants Union /CAAV, acknowledging the lionaire developers before people’s needs. demonstrators from protesting in front of Assembly (Northeast region) co-coordi- severity of the housing crisis in Chinatown, “No matter who is in power in Washington,” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban nator Joetta Rogers, said: “Three years said that the Chinese community stands Barron said, “The struggle for affordable Development (HUD) offices. HUD is a ago, the Gulf Coast was devastated by in special solidarity with Katrina survivors housing and for the rights of the Katrina/ prime mover for the privatization and Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans levees who have been abandoned by the govern- Rita survivors must continue”. destruction of public housing nationally. were breached, and reliable sources said ment to homelessness and deprivation. Marching from Chinatown, activists Brenda Stokely of the NY Solidarity with sabotaged, causing thousands of people to New York City Councilperson Charles stopped at buildings where landlords are Katrina/Rita Survivors Coalition said the be displaced. Barron denounced the New York City forcing people to move to make way for support of members of the Asian, Latin@ “Our government has failed to apply Council, which voted to put profits for bil- luxury apartments. Police prevented the Continued on page 9 Page 6 Sept. 11, 2008 www.workers.org

At Detroit’s Labor Day Cynthia McKinney speaks on war & racism By Abayomi Azikiwe McKinney said that this response must torium on foreclosures and evictions. and New Orleans in particular. Editor, Pan-African News Wire be viewed within the context of the inter- Detroit Green Party co-chair and can- McKinney had been discouraged from Detroit national situation of oppressed people didate for State Representative, Derrick holding a congressional hearing on the throughout the world. Grigsby, spoke on the Sept. 17 march on failure of the Bush administration to Labor Day weekend is always an impor- “People all over the world are liberating the state capital in Lansing being orga- provide effective relief for the victims of tant time in Detroit, known as the “Motor themselves. In Paraguay, a former priest, nized by the Moratorium Now! Coalition Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She ques- City,” home to hundreds of thousands of who is a liberation theologist, was recently to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions. tions the ability of the federal government organized and unorganized workers. voted in as president because the people The Moratorium Now! Coalition is mobi­ to protect the people in the face of other What made this year’s Labor Day felt free enough to select a leader who rep- lizing people all over the state to demand natural disasters in 2008. signifi­cant was the visit of Green Party resented their hopes and not their fears,” the immediate passage of Senate Bill 1306, She remarked, “I along with other presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney, McKinney stated. sponsored by state Sen. Hansen Clarke. Democratic congresspeople was told not who is providing an alternative perspec- She discussed the crisis in Mexico when The bill, if passed, would impose a two-year to participate in the hearings by the par- tive to the two dominant U.S. political the popular choice for president was moratorium on foreclosures in Michigan. ty leadership. The reason why there is a parties, alongside her vice-presidential denied the right to take office in 2006. Republican governor today in Louisiana running mate, activist and Hip-Hop art- McKinney drew an analogy between this Failure to defend the Black vote is directly related to the removal of hun- ist, Rosa Clemente. and the rigging of elections in the U.S. in McKinney, who served six terms in the dreds of thousands of people, many of At an Aug. 30 campaign rally, McKinney 2000 and 2004. U.S. Congress as a Georgia Democrat, whom were African Americans, from the spoke to a capacity audience at the “When people [in Mexico] showed up resigned from that political party last year. state of Louisiana.” International Institute. Political prisoner their names were not on the ballot. The “Republican theft and Democratic Party On Sept. 1 over 100,000 people partici- Rev. Edward Pinkney spoke through a masses shut down the capital for five complicity is why Bush is in the White pated in the annual Labor Day march here. taped video presentation from the prison months and set up a shadow government,” House today. The Democratic Party did not Delegations from the UAW, AFSCME, where he is being held on trumped-up McKinney continued. defend the Black votes that were stolen in Unite Here, SEIU, AFL-CIO, the Teamsters charges stemming from his organizing “The reason why so many people immi- Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004. It was and others marched in their union colors work in Berrien County. grate to the United States from Mexico is the Green Party that pursued legal cases chanting pro-labor slogans. Rev. Pinkney is a Green Party candidate that the so-called ‘free trade’ policies such against voter fraud in Ohio during the after- Members of the Moratorium Now! for U.S. Congress in the district where he as NAFTA, which was put in place under a math of the national elections in 2004. ... Coalition distributed thousands of Sept. worked to overturn decades of institution- Democratic administration, have helped “When Black, Brown, Asian and white 17 leaflets to workers. al racism, police brutality and corporate to destroy their economy.” people come together, the country can Barack Obama spoke at the rally after control over the political direction of the “In a recent referendum in Mexico,” move forward.” McKinney received a the march where people of all races and city of Benton Harbor. This activist was McKinney said, “the people rejected efforts standing ovation for her speech. nationalities lined up to hear him. He was sentenced to 3-10 years in state prison for to privatize water, electricity and oil.” On Aug. 31, McKinney was a featured joined on stage by leading officials of the quoting biblical scriptures. McKinney criticized the $700 billion guest on the “Fighting For Justice” radio major trade union organizations based in McKinney in her address stated, “I first annual U.S. defense budget, which she program on AM 1310, the local affiliate the Detroit area. heard of Benton Harbor in 2003 when said could be utilized to correct the over- of Air America. The program, sponsored At the Anchor restaurant, which caters there was a young man killed by the police all economic crisis. by the Detroit Coalition Against Police to union members, McKinney attended a which sparked several days of rebellion, McKinney expressed her support for Brutality (DCAPB), focused on the arrival reception in her honor in the aftermath of our own intifada.” the Michigan campaign to win a mora- of Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf region the Labor Day march. “I have a 100 percent voting record in support of labor,” McKinney said. “The No letup in police intimidation as conditions today require us to do things that have never been done before. This is why I declared my independence from the Vets, immigrants protest at DNC Democratic Party.” Ron Scott, a co-founder of the Detroit By Larry Hales chapter of the Black Panther Party in Denver 1968 and currently the spokesperson for the DCAPB, said that “the only way During the five days of pro- to make change is through the people. tests against the Democratic [McKinney’s] candidacy and movement National Convention held represents the struggle. Today we are here at the Pepsi Center, the facing a nationalization of law enforce- media and the local Denver ment. The Counterintelligence Program government grew fond of (COINTELPRO) never left but only pointing out that the tens of changed its form. ... thousands expected by orga- “Republicans put a woman on their tic­ nizers with Recreate 68 did ket,” Scott continued. “However, this party not show up. has put a real freedom fighter on its ticket.” However, during the week McKinney expressed her admiration for the city of Denver did not the legacy of the Black Panther Party and appear to relinquish any other organizations that have challenged of the cops it had garnered the system of racism. n to prepare for tens of thou- sands of protesters. And in fact, thousands did protest during the week and the last Iraq Veterans Against the War. few days showed no letup in numbers or spirit. Photos:Troops Out Now Coalition On Wednesday, Aug. 27, thousands The cops did not respond to the over- marched in support of Iraq Veterans tures by IVAW with any respect. Instead, Against the War. The march covered they brought out hundreds of officers in four miles, from the Denver Coliseum to full riot gear on bicycles, motorcycles, the Pepsi Center. There was no permit to horses and the riding boards of SUVs. The march, but the route was negotiated with state forces lined the entire route of the the police by IVAW. veterans’ peaceful march, stopping it sev- IVAW had gone out of its way to work eral times along the way for no apparent with the cops and applaud their efforts, reason other than to assert their control. even though cops had intimidated protest- However, this small army, meant to ers throughout the week and had rioted on be intimidating, did not stop the march Monday, attacking and arresting protesters from growing. Onlookers and people get- and other people just walking from work ting off work joined in and swelled the or shopping. Hundreds were entrapped ranks, despite the oppressiveness of a and assaulted after cops chased protesters blazing August sun. Boots Riley of The out of Civic Center Park, though a permit Coup and members of Rage Against the Immigrant rights march. had been granted for use of the park. Machine, both groups that performed at Tuesday showed no letup as cops the Denver Coliseum, participated in the eight, end the war, smash the state!” alter- Auraria Parkway, the street that separates launched brutal assaults against Recreate march as well. nated with “Troops out now!” and “Cops Auraria campus, the largest in the state, 68 activist Carlo Garcia and Code Pink Militant chants of “One, two, three four, out now!” from the Pepsi Center grounds. activist Alicia Forrest. what we need is class war! Five, six, seven, The march ended up across from On Thursday, Aug. 28, more than 1,000 www.workers.org Sept. 11, 2008 Page 7 Obama‘s speech in Denver By Larry Holmes presidential candidate to appear to have The danger that the Obama phenom- Some may have expectations that Obama Holmes is a Workers World Party a sense of the world, of history, or to think enon poses for the Black struggle and will do something to improve the condi- Secretariat member. too much. This is an obvious problem for the independent political development tions of Black people should he become Obama, so he’s trying to act more “man- of the U.S. working class is the prospect president. But having expectations is how According to reports, 40 million people ly.” It’s important that whenever Obama that his ascendancy will breathe new life the working class learns what works and watched Barack Obama’s televised speech talks about pulling troops out of Iraq, he into the capitalist political system and its what doesn’t work in its development as a on Aug. 28. qualifies this by promising to send more Democratic Party. For three quarters of class. This is an unavoidable and inevita- Along with everyone else who watched troops to Afghanistan. a century, the Democratic Party’s main ble part of the process that leads to class- the speech was virtually every person of function has been to subordinate the U.S. consciousness, struggle and ultimately African descent with access to a television, What Obama didn’t say working class, the Black struggle and all revolutionary consciousness. not just in the U.S. but everywhere. Black If anyone was expecting Obama to say progressive movements to the leadership Symbolism tends to conceal the underly- people tuned in to watch Obama’s speech anything of interest to progressives, his of U.S. imperialism. ing truth instead of revealing it. However, as well as that of his marital partner, speech was a huge disappointment. If he Indeed, in the wake of the developing in the struggle of oppressed and colonized Michelle Obama, earlier that week. was going to give a progressive speech, capitalist economic storm, the need on the people, symbolic things have some value Obama is a gifted orator, but that’s not it would have been hard for him not to part of U.S. imperialism to revitalize the before they are rightly cast aside for want the reason why Black people wanted to see express his outrage over the Department Democratic Party so that it can continue of real things. and hear his speech. It was about being of Homeland Security’s latest act of war to thwart the development of the working It is possible, even probable, that in part of a landmark event in the struggle against immigrant workers—the arrest of class is clear. November, just as in the primary elections, of Black people. It was about witnessing a 600 workers at an electrical equipment True, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill millions of whites, along with Latin@s, giant step towards the election of the first factory in Laurel, Miss., which happened Clinton falsely embraced their enemy, Asians, Arabs and Native Americans will U.S. president of African descent. on the opening day of the Democratic Barack Obama, at the DNC in order to join the millions of Black voters in electing Michelle Obama is a formidable person. National Convention. save their political careers and legacy. But Barack Obama president. But for the most part, it was not her words He would have also talked about the they also gave those phony speeches to However, even if the wiser heads in at the Democratic National Convention racist criminality of the government’s preserve the Democratic Party. the U.S. ruling class agree that—given the that made her speech important to Black response to Hurricane Katrina and the Political activists in the U.S. are debat- trouble that their system is in—Obama people; it was the possibility that she continuation of that crime in the scan- ing what the approach should be to all would give U.S imperialism a desperately might be the first Black woman, who was dalous way that survivors of Hurricanes of this. Nowhere is that discussion more needed face lift, an easy Obama electoral neither a slave nor a maid, to live in the Katrina and Rita are being treated three serious and critical than within the Black victory shouldn’t be assumed. White House. years later. liberation movement. Workers World has More important than the policy differ- The tears in U.S. House Representative He could have taken a little time in his made space in its pages to share that dis- ences between the two capitalist political John Lewis’s eyes, who was among the speech to explain that when he gave that cussion. This issue includes a statement parties is the partisan struggle over con- 84,000 people in Invesco Field where awful speech a few months ago, where by the Black Left Unity Network as well as trol of the vast U.S. capitalist government, Obama spoke, were like the tears in so he blamed Black people for the fact that an open letter by Black activist and direc- its treasury, its state apparatus, and all of many other eyes that night, real and they don’t have jobs and so many of them tor U-Savior. the privileges, wealth, favors and power bittersweet. are in jail, he wasn’t an apologist for the Many important activists are coalescing that come with it. Lewis still bears the scars on his head capitalist system’s unbridled war against around the independent presidential cam- For such a prize, both parties and their from being beaten almost to death when Black youth. paign of former Georgia Congressperson backers in the ruling class will spend a he and hundreds of others were attacked He might have used his speech to Cynthia McKinney and her running mate, fortune. And the Republican Party, or, on a bridge by legions of the Alabama criticize the Denver police for attacking, Rosa Clemente. McKinney reminded us depending on the circumstances, the state police as they were attempting to brutalizing and arresting demonstrators at an antiwar rally in Denver before the Democratic Party will use racism and march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., every day of the Denver convention, but opening of the DNC that, “The Democratic whatever other reactionary garbage they for the basic right of Black people to vote. that wasn’t going to happen. With home Party’s national leadership didn’t even think might help their cause. There was so much blood spilled on the foreclosures and layoffs, cutbacks and the mention Hurricanes Katrina and Rita They will use racism in their campaign Edmund Pettus Bridge that March 7, pauperization of the working class, there survivors in their congressional agenda over the next two months and maybe on 1965, that the day came to be known as is so much that Obama might have said for the first 100 days.” Election Day they will disenfranchise a “Bloody Sunday.” if he had any other objectives than get- large enough percentage of the Black or Most African Americans of a certain ting elected. But the fact that he didn’t say Obama and the legacy of Dr. King Latin@ voters, or both, who come to the age, and many born since then, under- what we wanted to hear should come as no The Black working class is more likely to polls to make a difference. The ruling stood that the stage that Barack Obama surprise to anyone at this point because understand that Obama’s candidacy and class at every level of government is good stood on that night in Denver was paid Obama wasn’t talking to the workers; he his election, if such is the case, will signify at this. for with the blood of courageous Black was still auditioning for the ruling class. an achievement that is mostly symbolic. Continued on page 8 people and their allies in the struggle for freedom. The historical significance of his speech was not in the text; it was that it March on RNC demands end to war happened. The purpose of Barack Obama’s accep- Continued from page 1 and given proper tance speech—and he understood this medical attention. more than anyone—was to reassure the conference so as to not seem insensitive While the corporate U.S. capitalist ruling class that he would in the face of Hurricane Gustav, activ- media has focused defend and promote their imperialist class ists remembered the neglect of the Bush almost exclusively interests as enthusiastically as his oppo- administration in response to Hurricane on property damage nent. Obama needed Wall Street to under- Katrina. A Troops Out Now Coalition sustained during the stand that you don’t have to be white, a banner read “Bush—McCain; Katrina— street actions, includ- “war hero,” super rich, or a Republican Gustav: Criminal Neglect Continues.” ing windows being like John McCain to wage war. broken at a Macy’s Meanwhile, hundreds of youth engaged The level of bourgeois politics in the department store, in militant street actions. They were met U.S. is so low that it’s a liability for a several eyewitnesses by brutal attacks at the hands of the told this reporter that police, including being doused with pep- the person who began per spray and tear gas. Fight Imperialism, breaking the windows Photo Elena Everett Stand Together (FIST) activist and eyewit- participated in a march for immigrant was clearly an agent provocateur working held fast in their solidarity with arrest- ness videographer Elena Everett reported rights, shutting down one section of an with the police. He approached the win- ees, despite attempts by corporate media that a disabled man in a wheelchair was overpass to Interstate 25. The march end- dow in clear view of the cops, broke it and reporters to bait them into denouncing sprayed head-to-toe with pepper spray. ed in Lincoln Park near the public housing walked away without an arrest. A police “violence.” One man, representing the Others were hit in the back with tear gas complex where Frank Lobato, a disabled car was also damaged. Poor People’s Economic and Human canisters. Latino man, had been shot while lying in However, at a press conference the Rights Campaign, challenged the report- bed by Denver cop Ranjan Ford. The Coldsnap Legal Collective (cold- following day, march coordinator Jess ers: “You act like we’re having this press The five days of protests were designed snaplegal.wordpress.com) reports that Sundin was quick to point out that any conference in a country that hasn’t prac- to show the complicity of the Democratic as of Sept. 1, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s rage displayed by activists in the streets is ticed oppression for hundreds of years.” Party in U.S. imperialism and to demon- Office had announced 284 arrests. Some completely justified and pales in compari- A number of activities are planned to strate that an independent movement free 130 were charged with felony offenses, son to the state violence committed on continue the protests through the end of from either ruling class party is needed. which most likely will be used to keep a daily basis by U.S. forces at home and the convention on Sept. 4, including free The militancy did not wane. them in jail until the end of the conven- abroad. public music festivals, a “March for Our On display as well were the repressive tion. The collective says that the majority The joint press conference was held by Lives” and a “solutions driven” peace con- forces of the state, regardless of the non- of those arrested are still being held in jail, the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop ference. For updates on activities, visit violent nature of the protests. and some are being refused proper medi- the War, the RNC Welcoming Committee dncrnc.wordpress.com. n Larry Hales was an organizer cal attention. The collective is asking sup- and the Poor People’s Economic and with Recreate 68 Alliance. porters to call the jail at 651-266-9350 to Human Rights Campaign—all of whom demand that these activists be released Page 8 Sept. 11, 2008 www.workers.org

During election and beyond A call for Black unity, action Following are excerpts from an Aug. political, economic and social system and makes clear that the anti-democratic and 24 statement by the Black Left Unity in power relationships between the haves repressive direction of the U.S. government Network, which held its inaugural and have-nots. since Sept. 11, 2001, has not changed. conference this past May 30-June 1 in The past 30 years has been a period of A program of action must mobilize Chapel Hill, N.C. Go to www.workers. major reversals in the gains won by the the Black masses along with other social to international human rights covenants; org to read the entire statement. Civil Rights and Black Power movements. movements that speak truth to power and end gay discrimination; stop gentrifica- Contact Black Left Unity Network The exoneration of the killer cops that call on Obama, and all who seek to lead tion; the right to the cities; major funding by e-mail at [email protected]. murdered Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell this country, to hold true to the core prin- for infrastructure needs; reparations; stop are examples of what the Black masses can ciples advanced by Dr. King of ending rac- environmental racism and global warm- There are various pro and con views expect from the criminal injustice system. ism, poverty, repression and war. ing; immigrant rights; end police violence, about Barack Obama’s presidential plat- Racist sentencing has led to Blacks con- We call on Black activists, mass orga- and economic justice. form. They all have a ring of truth. However, stituting 1 million of the 2.3 million people nizations and social movements to adopt These demands should be promoted the massive Black support he is receiving in U.S. prisons. And many historic Black the slogan, We Charge Genocide. inside the trade unions, mass organiza- represents the desire by Black people and a communities and institutions have been We call for a National Black Agenda for tions and social movements comprising demand of our historic anti-racist struggle gentrified and dismantled. democracy including: Reconstruction in large numbers of the Black working class for self-determination to have power and The outright government racism and the Gulf Coast and the right of return for and other oppressed sectors through- a voice in shaping our own destiny as an human rights violations against the survivors; collective bargaining and the out society. They should be promoted oppressed people and as part of the wider majority Black and working-class popula- right to organize for all workers; family- throughout the many mass activities U.S. working class who suffer from racism, tion in New Orleans and throughout the supporting living wages and income for aligned with the Obama campaign and by sexism, homophobia and capitalist exploi- Gulf Coast following Hurricanes Katrina the gainfully unemployed and disabled; the McKinney/Clemente campaign. tation. This sentiment cannot be ignored and Rita, including denying thousands universal healthcare; end to U.S. wars, Following the general election we by Black activists who are committed to the right to return to their communities, is military aggression and forced regime call for the organizing of a mass-based building a radical mass movement that an unmistaken indication of the genocide change in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, National Black Assembly in the first quar- challenges and seeks to transform the U.S. facing masses of Black people if there is Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and ter of 2009 to develop a more comprehen- political and economic system. no organized challenge to Black national throughout the world; U.S. accountability sive program of action. n However, the Black liberation move- oppression. ment, those Black organizations and social Black activists must see themselves as movements that unite within a national entering more than just an historic presi- framework to organize and empower the dential campaign. Obama’s speech Black masses to realize self-determina- And while the struggle against Black Continued from page 7 the working class and its movement. tion in our struggles for democracy and national oppression may take on new It is much more than ironic that Obama national liberation, are fragmented. dimensions depending on the develop- This much is certain: the contradic- made his acceptance speech on the 45th This fragmentation has greatly weak- ments during and the outcome of the pres- tions in the Obama campaign pose a chal- anniversary of the 1963 civil rights march ened the national Black community’s idential elections, this struggle will con- lenge to all on the left who want to move and rally led by Martin Luther King Jr. response to major government and corpo- tinue and will require a strong and politi- away from the capitalist parties, especially Obama’s acceptance speech was part of rate attacks on Black people’s democratic cally conscious mass base, and an engaged those who are struggling to revive a revo- the class struggle over King’s legacy. The and human rights, which are rapidly national Black liberation movement. lutionary, struggle-oriented, multination- working class and the capitalist class have intensifying under the current economic There might be confusion amidst the al working class, socialist, anti-imperialist been fighting over who has claim to King’s crisis. Thus, the differences around the mass sentiment, thinking that, since a and internationalist perspective. legacy. Obama candidacy must not be a source Black candidate will be the Democratic The questions posed by the 2008 presi- Both classes want ownership so they can for the continued fragmentation of the Party presidential nominee and possibly dential elections, along with other world more effectively use it in their class inter- Black liberation movement. the next U.S. president, somehow the U.S. developments, are going to force the polit- ests. That struggle has never been more There is a sentiment among the Black political system and climate may be open- ical movement, especially within the U.S., critical than it is today. Obama’s speech masses expressed through the hundreds ing up democratically. The recent U.S. to develop politically and numerically. was an important and serious effort to of local struggles throughout the country Senate vote approving a major expansion This pressure is not only good; it’s an abso- firm up the grasp on King’s legacy of the demanding radical changes in the U.S. of the government’s surveillance powers lutely essential part of the development of class that Obama serves. Obama’s hand is stronger if one has a selective memory of King’s work and leg- acy and no memory of the final chapter of his life. Notice how the ruling class never Black & blues at the DNC remembers that King said the U.S. was Following is an open letter to the Black community of information gathering, like alternative and independent “the greatest purveyor of violence in the written on Aug. 28 by U-Savior, who is with Black Waxx media. I might “think” Obama is a charlatan in my “opinion” world”? The last year of King’s life was his Multimedia, Inc. and is the director of the documentary, but as an observant (and well-read, well-informed) human most transformative. That transforma- “Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio.” being I “know” that nobody in the presidential office works tion led him to call for the Poor People’s (www.disappearingvoices.com) E-mail: [email protected]. in the interests of the people, at least not right now; maybe March in 1967. King’s programmatic goals when people start getting engaged in politics as more than were evolving from fighting to end legal My beautiful Black brothers and sisters, spectators. racist segregation or apartheid in the U.S. And my disclaimer: I love Black people. And I do believe in to encompassing the demand for jobs at a I’ve been listening to the nationwide chatter of folks smit- supporting your own. I want nothing more than to see the end living income for all. The capitalist ruling ten by Barack Obama’s candidacy. At the DNC he had people, of discrimination and oppression. I would love to see a Black class pretends to revere King, but it wants and not just women, swooning over him and this aura of sup- president. Of course I want to live in a country where people everyone to forget about this. posed change he’s got billowing about him like a halo. In the can live side by side in peace. But if the price of peace means In that last year, King was grappling eternal popularity contest that is the United States presiden- foregoing justice or the truth, if it’s just “getting along” and with the contradiction that is at the heart tial election, many equate him to a rock star. I’ve seen people acting like everything is okay and “hoping for change” instead of current events. He understood that in blinking back tears because they are so profoundly inspired of “working for change,” then I’m not with it. Anybody selling the freedom struggle, there was a place for by his candidacy. These are the same folks for whom Barack anything else is a liar. Another reminder: we were chock full victories that were either limited or sym- signifies an arrival for Black folks. I’m in tears too. Because of hope over Gore and look what happened. bolic in nature. However, he had come none of the news coverage mentioned how police brutalized Don’t people remember that when we saw the first Black around to the understanding that merely PEACEFUL, PERMITTED protesters at the DNC in Denver, elected official in this country, people had the same response? altering the appearance of the capital- beating women down with billy clubs, arresting 80-year- Oh Lordy we done made it! Cleefus is an assemblyman- ist system would in a short time amount olds and pepper-spraying kids. Rioting, out-of-control cops alderman-mayor or whatever. Now look at the state of Black to little more than a cruel betrayal of the attacked the press and blocked the view of the cameras so that politics. But Obama’s supposed to wipe that slate clean? fierce urgency to change the system. they could have their violent way with protesters, and none of Idiocy. Our supposed savior has to be more than Black. He’s This contradiction pushed King towards it on record. They even beat up producers and reporters from got to have integrity and he’s got to be a person at heart, not the fight for economic justice, the working USA Today. Mind you, none of this happened at the protests a politician. And people have to realize that right now there’s class, the class struggle and an anti-capi- of the Republican National Convention at the last election. no room in this system for a person like that. But we could talist struggle. People, Black people in particular, need to pay very close change it, the people, you and me, not Obama the “rock The combination of the deepening crisis attention. This is political theater bought to you by Fake- star.” My intelligence is insulted by this “we shall overcome” of the capitalist system and the historic yet Assed Political Process Productions. I’d rather watch soap analysis when it ain’t us doing any of the overcoming. Today, essentially symbolic progress that Obama operas and I hate soap operas but at least they try to develop Barack will be baptized as the golden boy of the Democratic represents, along with highly intercon- characters you can actually believe in. I’ve been trying to Party, 45 years to the day of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a nected developments, is bound to elevate be diplomatic about my opinions because we’re all entitled, Dream Speech.” I have a dream too. I have a dream that one the class question, clarify the necessity for right? But seriously, this is not me expressing my “opinion.” day people will wake the fuck up. class struggle, and compel a wide resur- This is me documenting what is actually going on. And this is gence of the working class struggle in the Revolution … then Peace, people ignoring the truth because they don’t have the strength U.S., with Black workers occupying a criti- U-Savior of mind to turn off the television and pursue alternate means cal position in its leadership. n www.workers.org Sept. 11, 2008 Page 9

Anti-war forces call Sept. 27 day of action Pentagon ramps up threats on Iran By Dustin Langley A naval blockade, were it to be imple- We must act now. As more U.S. warships roof. While the situation is growing dire mented, is equivalent to a declaration of are deploying to the Persian Gulf, we have for many, Washington’s cuts to domes- While much of the media and public war. It constitutes a blatant violation of to mobilize to stop an ‘October Surprise’ tic programs continue. The coming fiscal attention has been on the Olympics and international law. According to Francis or any other attack on Iran—or any other year, beginning on Oct. 1, will bring dras- the Republican and Democratic national Boyle, a renowned specialist in interna- country. Politicians don’t stop wars—they tic cuts. A new U.S. war will bring only conventions, the Pentagon has been ramp- tional law: create them. The only force that will stop more suffering.” ing up for what many believe is a planned “A ‘blockade’ is a term used under endless war in the Middle East is a mas- Activists report that response to the call attack on Iran. international law to specifically refer to sive grassroots people’s movement. has been encouraging, and that they are On Aug. 31, the U.S. and Britain finished belligerent measures taken by a nation “While billions of dollars go to war expecting to see actions in well over 100 five days of naval exercises in the Central for the purposes of preventing the passage spending, at home the unemployment rate cities across the U.S. and internationally. and Southern Arabian Gulf. According to of vessels or aircraft to and from another hit the biggest spike in 23 years. Home For more information, to endorse the call the U.S. Navy, the mobilization, called country. Customary international law rec- foreclosures and evictions are increas- to action, or to get involved, go to www. “Exercise Goalkeeper,” focused on “com- ognizes blockades as an act of war because ing. Fuel and food prices are through the StopWarOnIran.org. n mand and control in locating and tracking of the belligerent use of force even against specific vessels deemed to pose a threat third-party nations in enforcing the block- to Coalition nations in the Gulf region. ade. Blockades as acts of war have been The exercise also allows Coalition teams recognized as such in the Declaration Floridians march to board the vessel and practice the pro- of Paris of 1856 and the Declaration of cedures for handing them over to Coast London of 1909 that delineate the inter- Guard ships.” national rules of warfare.” The exercises follow July’s Operation Activists across the U.S. and world- to stop war on Iran Brimstone, a U.S.-led naval exercise that wide have been mobilizing. On Aug. 2, in included units from the British, French, response to an emergency call to action by By Michael Martinez spirit of the marchers. A representative of Brazilian and Italian navies. Brimstone the Stop War On Iran (SWOI) campaign, Melbourne, Fla. Stop War on Iran warned the crowd that provided these forces with training for there were protests, pickets and rallies in although some may feel that U.S. inten- operation in shallow coastal waters such more than 100 cities. A record crowd for the city of Melbourne tions to attack Iran have faded and died as the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Organizers with SWOI, hoping to turn of about 500 people rallied on Aug. 30 in out, the threat of a war is as strong as ever Hormuz. This comes as both houses of up the heat and preempt an attack, have what was called Florida’s first mass march and people must stay vigilant in continu- Congress have pending resolutions that called for another day of action on Sept. to stop war on Iran. Floridians of all walks ing public and visible opposition to any would mandate an air, sea and land block- 27. The call to action reads, in part: of life converged to demonstrate their ideas of war with Iran. ade of Iran. “What we do now can make a difference. repudiation of Washington’s lust for war. Many of the anti-war groups that met Protesters gathered in Front Street Park in Melbourne welcomed the call by Stop and later marched to Melbourne’s City War on Iran and pledged to join it by Hall chanting, “If they don’t make peace, building local actions on Sept. 27 and HIV crisis worse than we’ll bring it to the streets.” continuing the fight to prevent another The rally and march were led by a broad military adventure by Bush and Co. in the coalition of anti-war organizations calling Middle East. previously reported themselves Patriots for Peace. Upon arriv- The show put on at the Democratic ing at City Hall, the marchers were greeted National Convention and the focus on by one single counterdemonstrator with a the presidential elections may distract Continued from page 3 the AIDS pandemic. The World Health sign saying, “Give war a chance.” He took the public eye, but no matter who wins in nationalities. As early as 1984 scientists Organization estimates that in 2005 more off before the rally officially started. November, only pressure and mobiliza- recognized that the widespread incidence than 17.5 million women worldwide were Rain began to pour down as soon as the tions from the working masses like this of AIDS in Africa was linked to heterosex- living with HIV. CDC statistics demonstrate first few speakers got on the microphone, one can force the imperialists to back ual transmission. The international AIDS that AIDS is the leading cause of death but that wasn’t enough to dampen the down. n charity AVERT reports that by 1993 an for Black women aged 25-34 years in the estimated 9 million adults in sub-Saharan U.S. Rape means HIV can be transmitted Africa were living with HIV. Some 1.7 mil- to women during nonconsensual sex. The lion had full-blown AIDS. AVERT esti- slow development of female contraception Anti-choice rules mates that by 2007 more than 22 million effective in preventing the transmission of Africans were living with HIV and over 1.3 HIV robs women of the full control they Continued from page 4 reward Bush’s right-wing, anti-choice million died from AIDS that year. need to protect themselves. Recent CDC en—low-income, uninsured or underin- allies with federal funding for their bogus The legacy of colonialism and con- studies even demonstrate that women are sured, many of them African-American “pregnancy crisis centers,” which pro- tinued political interference by former less likely to receive effective prescription or Latina—who rely on federally funded vide false information and try to dissuade colonial powers such as the U.S. and treatments than men. reproductive health services. At risk are women from seeking family planning Britain in many of these countries has left Pharmaceutical companies charge their rights to make informed health care services. African governments unable to adequate- extortionate prices for the antiretroviral decisions and obtain essential care. With What has stopped the ultraright so far ly respond to the epidemic. Racist atti- medicines HIV-positive people need to a growing economic crisis and loss of jobs, in their efforts to overturn reproductive tudes on the part of governments in the live a longer, healthier life. According to incomes and insurance, the government rights has been the determination, hard developed capitalist countries prevent the the World Bank the necessary prescrip- should be expanding women’s health care, work and organizing of pro-choice and distribution of financial aid necessary to tion therapies can cost up to $1,000 a not underfunding programs and endan- women’s health advocacy groups, and the solve the pandemic. month. Internationally, drug companies gering existing services. mass pressure by women nationwide. National oppression has taken a dis- routinely refuse to lower rates or allow the Women’s rights and health organiza- proportionate toll on communities living development of lower-cost generic alter- Action needed to rescind anti- tions see this as a pivotal battle. Major inside the U.S. as well. Each year more natives. In turn the big pharmaceutical woman regulations national pro-choice groups are strongly than 30,000 Black people contract HIV. companies make billions while millions Since the Bush gang came into office, mobilizing. They urge everyone who sup- This accounts for almost 54 percent of new suffer and die. they have pushed to severely set back ports reproductive rights and women’s cases. The Black AIDS Institute estimates National oppression, sexism and women’s reproductive rights and health health care to flood HHS with letters and that the number of Black people living homophobia continue to exacerbate the care services. In its final months in office, e-mails before Sept. 25 demanding Leavitt with the AIDS virus in the U.S. exceeds the AIDS crisis both domestically and inter- the administration is trying to give anti- rescind the regulations in full. Sign on at number of cases in Botswana, Ethiopia, nationally. The unnecessary pain and suf- choice forces what they want, putting www.naral.org, www.plannedparenthood. Guyana, Haiti, Namibia, or Rwanda—six fering inflicted upon those living with HIV right-wing ideology ahead of science and org or www.now.org. n of the world’s worst-hit countries. The is rooted in the oppressive nature of the health while harming women. institute also estimates that a Black per- global capitalist system. n In this latest fiasco, HHS would even son living with HIV in the U.S. is 2.5 times Destruction of more likely to die than a white person. Latin@s living in the U.S. are also at affordable housing higher risk of transmission. The CDC Continued from page 5 reports that between 2000 and 2004, SEPT. 27 and other nonwhite communities in New AIDS prevalence increased by 31 percent National Day of Action York showed how oppressed groups are among Latin@s, while whites showed Organize an action in your area! uniting in opposition to an attack on only a 22 percent increase. There was a 7 100+ cities working people of color. “We are organiz- percent increase in the death rate among ing in this city to fight, because housing is October 1 marks the beginning of a new fiscal year, with draconian budget cuts at the Latin@s with AIDS during this same time a right! Power to the People!” period, while whites actually experienced federal and state level . We need money for education, healthcare, housing, and other A fundraiser for the New York City sur- a 19 percent decline. human needs, not endless war for empire! vivors was held later on that evening at Sexism adds yet another dimension to For information or to endorse, go to www.StopWarOnIran.org Judson Memorial Church. n Page 10 Sept. 11, 2008 www.workers.org

Vo Nguyen Giap at 97 Biden and Palin Vietnam’s incomparable he vice presidential candidates of Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice, the two major parties, Sen. Joseph and a bunch of other consummate impe- military leader TBiden of Delaware and Gov. Sarah rialist women, it should be clear that Palin of Alaska, confirm that nothing has gender alone does not define a political By G. Dunkel changed about either of these capitalist figure. Their class loyalties trumped any parties. feelings for the problems of working- Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, a hero and There has been great change, on the class women, whose situation has been leader in Vietnam’s struggle against other hand, among the masses of people growing direr as corporate rule grows Japanese, French and U.S. imperialism, who go to the polls. They are very much stronger and meaner. celebrated his 97th birthday on Aug. 25. against the war in Iraq, after having been And then there’s Biden—an experi- Nông Duc Manh, secretary general of the bamboozled for a while by the lies of enced servant of imperialist interests Vietnamese Communist Party, told Giap A decisive moment: Giap at the founding the Bush administration. They want the who has headed the Senate Foreign that he was “an elder of the Vietnamese of the Vietnam People's Army. government to do something about the Relations Committee just when U.S. for- People’s Army who remained a wonderful The French colonial power was astonished economic crisis that is bearing down on eign relations are in a shambles. Why? example for the younger generations.” by its humiliating defeat. them like a freight train out of control. Because most of the world rejects the Besides Manh, other prominent lead- They are ready to try something new rapacious aggression carried out by the ers of the Vietnamese party and state also Concept of people’s war to bring about change in this govern- Pentagon on behalf of the money lords paid Giap a visit on his birthday, along The Vietnamese people were able to pro- ment. Many, many white people have of Wall Street. Biden knows how to with 30 foreign delegations. duce such forces by relying on and develop- put behind them the extreme prejudice talk softly while shepherding Congress Even his adversaries, like retired U.S. ing “people’s war,” led by the Communist that would have ruled out an African into funding the big sticks of war and Army Lt. Gen. Harold Moore, who led a Party headed by Ho Chi Minh. American presidential candidate in every intervention. battle against troops Giap commanded Giap explained people’s war in a PBS election before this one. Biden is also known as the MasterCard in 1965, called Giap “arguably one of the interview aired in 1999: “It was a war for Yes, there has been change already. senator because he worked with the big greatest military commanders of the 20th the people by the people. FOR the people But look at Biden and Palin, chosen by banks to change the laws so workers can’t century.” because the war’s goals are the people’s their respective running mates, and you escape onerous debt any more by declar- Using skills developed in his early career goals—goals such as independence, a won’t find it. Let’s take Palin first, since ing bankruptcy. in the 1930s as a revolutionary journal- unified country, and the happiness of its every liberal can give you a long list of Both these figures, by the way, come ist, Giap also described and analyzed the people. ... And BY the people—well, that reasons why she’s not just right of center from states with great wealth and very struggles he led. Two of his significant means ordinary people—not just the army but comes from the ideological far right small populations, where the super-rich books in English are “Banner of People’s but all people.” on issues like women’s right to choose, (oil, lumber and mining corporations in War, the Party’s Military Line” (Praeger, He avowed: “We know it’s the human climate change and the environment, Alaska, DuPonts in Delaware) hold the 1970) and “The Military Art of People’s factor, and not material resources, which reining in (not) the oil companies, and privileges and power of medieval lords. War” (Monthly Review, 1970). decide the outcome of war. That’s why science—like denying evolution. Behind all the hoopla, smoke and mir- Giap’s parents were fairly well-off our people’s war, led by Ho Chi Minh, was The only thing that seems to separate rors of the choreographed conventions, farmers from families who opposed the on such a large scale. It took in the whole Palin from a whole host of Christian fun- the capitalist political process continues French colonialists then ruling Vietnam. population.” damentalist political figures is that she’s to disenfranchise the working class, espe- In 1925 he joined a youth group opposed The U.S. provided a great deal of the a woman. But being a woman, and acting cially its most oppressed sectors, while to French occupation. Giap did time in funds and military supplies that France on behalf of women, are two very dif- turning power over to craven servants of French prisons when he was 19 and joined used before its last soldiers left Vietnam ferent things. After Margaret Thatcher, big capital. n the Communist Party. After his release, in April 1956. Washington supported the he completed his education and became regime that the French left in place in a teacher, revolutionary journalist and south Vietnam and opposed the elections agitator. In the late 1930s he was sent to that were supposed to unite the country, Long live the DPRK! China to work with Ho Chi Minh in orga- elections that Ho Chi Minh, then north nizing a revolutionary movement among Vietnam’s leader, would surely have won. orkers World congratulates the They have skillfully defended the Vietnamese exiles. As the puppet regime in south Vietnam Democratic People’s Republic country and deterred more threats of During World War II, Japan displaced fell apart, the U.S. stepped up its direct Wof Korea on the 60th anni- aggression by building up their armed France as the colonial power in Vietnam. military intervention, first with advisors versary of its founding. In 1948, when it strength, while at the same time relying Giap returned home in 1944 to organize and then with combat units in 1965. Its defied the imperialist world by refusing to on the consciousness of the people as the against the Japanese occupation. After the strategy was “escalation” until the Tet bow down before the U.S. occupation of ultimate safeguard of their revolutionary August Revolution in 1945 that overthrew Offensive in 1968. The Vietnamese lib- southern Korea and declared its existence gains. Japanese rule, Giap became interior min- eration forces carried out simultaneous, as an independent republic committed to What all Koreans want, and what the ister in Ho Chi Minh’s government. surprise uprisings in hundreds of towns socialist development in the north, few U.S. has done everything to prevent, is But France began reoccupying Vietnam and villages throughout south Vietnam, of the capitalist pundits thought it would the reunification of their divided people. in the fall of 1945. The Communist Party with commando strikes against the U.S. survive one year, let alone 60. First Kim Il Sung, and now Kim Jong decided that Vietnam needed an army. Embassy and major U.S. air force bases. The Korean people and their revolu- Il, both great leaders of the struggling Giap was picked to form and lead it. The Tet Offensive turned the tide against tionary leaders have shown extraordinary people of Korea, have pursued that goal In a 2003 interview, Giap said the U.S. forces in Vietnam. ability and willpower in keeping their vigorously. The slogan “Korea is one!” army’s goal “was to lean upon military Giap told PBS, “It was the American commitment. They have faced ferocious today expresses that desire. We are sure action as a way to organize the mass- policy to try and escalate the war. Our goal aggression from U.S. imperialism that it will become a reality as U.S. imperial- es, produce a military effect beneficial in the ’68 offensive was to force them to never ended, even after the heroic Korean ism’s hold over the world is weakened by toward revolution, thus developing and de-escalate, to break the American will to People’s Army forced the Pentagon to the struggling masses everywhere. reinforcing the political stand of the Viet remain in the war. ... We did this by con- accept a ceasefire in 1953 after three U.S. out of Korea! Minh.” (Journal of Third World Studies) fronting them with repeated military, as years of invasion and devastating war. Long live the DPRK! The Viet Minh were the liberation forces well as political and diplomatic victories.” who fought the French colonialists and The U.S. lost 58,226 soldiers in its war Japanese occupiers. against Vietnam and suffered a few thou- Giap said that within 48 hours of its sand missing in action. This was more founding, “my new army won two suc- than enough to shred popular support for cessive victories. The first was against continuing the war. the [French] post Phai Khat, the second Vietnam released figures on April 3, On the picket line was at Na Ngan,” just 21 miles away. The 1995, that a total of 1 million Vietnamese intelligence agent who provided the infor- combatants and 4 million civilians were mation needed to attack Phai Khat was killed in the war. The accuracy of these a 13-year-old named Hoang, while the figures has generally not been challenged. Continued from page 4 The Machinists began their contract attack on Na Ngan owed its success to Even with all these deaths, the U.S. could tract concessions. They point out Boeing mobilization campaign in July. Workers “Duc Long, a man of the region.” not break the will of the Vietnamese to wage has made $13 billion in profits in the walked out of the six Boeing plants on Giap told his troops, “Be bold, quick and a people’s war for their national sovereign- last five years. The Machinists want job July 16, shutting them down. They went aim for certain victories.” He followed this ty and liberation from neocolonialism. security commitments, including an end to Seattle Center and voted 99 percent for motto from the beginning of the Vietnamese U.S. aggression against Vietnam, how- to private vendor parts deliveries into the strike authorization. Since then, workers People’s Army until the offensive that led ever, still continues in the form of linger- plants. The union is fighting increases in loudly bang their tools at the top of every to Vietnam’s liberation in 1975. ing, terrible effects from Agent Orange, the medical costs. The workers want pay and hour and chant “Strike!” on the factory Giap led 100,000 troops against the herbicide spread over huge areas of south pension increases. They want better pay floor. On Aug. 24, 4,000 Machinists and French in the decisive battle of Dien Bien Vietnam by the U.S. Air Force. Even after raises for those low on the wage ladder. their families, led by 200 workers with Phu in 1954. Another 100,000 Vietnamese three generations, 150,000 Vietnamese Boeing came into bargaining demanding motorcycles, rallied and marched out- workers, mainly women, provided logis- children suffer from physical and mental cutbacks and concessions. But the mobi- side the Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport tics and carried artillery in pieces on abnormalities caused by Agent Orange. lization of workers shot down most of where negotiations were held. (Report bicycles or their backs, along with ammu- Long live Vietnam and its struggles! Boeing’s concession demands. from Jim McMahon of Seattle.) n nition and food for the resistance troops. Long live Senior Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap! n www.workers.org Sept. 11, 2008 Page 11

Olympic prowess What’s socialism got to do with it? By Rosemary Neidenberg cal and economic blockades; terrorist (2000) and ninth in Athens (2004), com- shared 30th place with eight other coun- bombings of commercial air flights and pared with 12th this year. In a recent tries, and was trailed by 49 nations, many Cuba is a small country. With only 11 tourist hotels; enemy night flights dusting article, Castro said that five Cubans who richer and larger. million people, it ranks 138th in popula- crops with poisons, pests and diseases; had been expected to win gold medals Cuba’s excellence in sports is also seen tion in the world. U.S. millions annually directed at “regime for their country had been lured else- in the Pan American Games where it has However, Cuba sent 167 athletes to the change;” and 638 assassination attempts where by big money. He noted that the an all-time medal count of 1,793, which is Beijing Olympics, making it 20th among on its incomparable revolutionary leader, Cuban Adjustment Act, the U.S. law that second only to the U.S. with its all-time the 204 participating countries. Fidel Castro. provides a special procedure for Cubans medal count of 3,916. Anticipating those And those athletes won Cuba 12th place The U.S. Olympic team, which was first to become U.S. citizens, “encourages the games in 2012, 2016 and beyond, how in medals, outstripping every other coun- in total medals and second (after China) theft of Cuban athletes.” sweet will be the successes of Venezuela, try in the Western Hemisphere—except in gold medals, included 33 foreign-born Speaking on sports in Cuba, he pointed Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Paraguay for the U.S., with a population of 300 athletes. The U.S. government’s recogni- out that “Cuba is the only country where and other Latin American and Caribbean million. tion of these athletes is in sharp contrast professional sport is not practiced.” He countries whose people want to follow the How did they do it? Under their social- to its brutal workplace raids and deporta- spoke proudly of its great International Cuban path. And certain it is that no one ist system, Cubans enjoy free health care, tions of other immigrants. (USA Today, School of Sports and Physical Education will rejoice more enthusiastically than the education and recreation facilities. Life July 18) Team USA also owes a “thank that has “graduated thousands of youths Cubans. expectancy there has risen from age 58 in you” to the battle for civil rights of decades from Third World countries [and] pres- During the television coverage of the 1959, the year of their revolution, to 78 in past. The absence of its many high-achiev- ently accommodates 1,500 students abso- Beijing games a picture of Mao Zedong was 2007. (UN Human Development Index) ing Black and Brown members would have lutely free of charge.” often seen in the background—a poignant But Cuba still lives in the looming substantially diminished the U.S. medal The success of Belarus at the Olympics reminder of the Long March and the Great shadow of the U.S., the world’s richest, number. is also noteworthy. A former member of Chinese Revolution, without which there most powerful and aggressive imperialist There are those—some in sorrow, some the Soviet bloc still striving toward social- could be no Bird’s Nest, no Water Cube, nation, which backed the brutal dictator with a smirk—who note that in previous ism, Belarus ranked right behind Cuba no 110 gold medals, no unsurpassed open- overthrown by the Cuban people in 1959. Olympics the Cubans achieved an even in 13th place in number of medals. The ing and closing ceremonies—no People’s Since then, Cuba has suffered U.S. politi- higher ranking. They were fifth in Atlanta Democratic People’s Republic of Korea China rising to a world power. n Poverty, not Gustav, brings deaths to Caribbean

By G. Dunkel successful slave revolution there defeated tion. Civil defense committees visit each Doctors in the community evacuate with French colonial rule in the early 1800s. household to announce an evacuation is their patients so they can guarantee insu- While Gustav was still a tropical storm, The majority of people in Cuba were coming, then come again to make sure lin and other medicines are available. with winds less than 70 miles per hour also once very poor. But since its social- everyone gets out safely, including the Cuba suffered significant physical dam- but with heavy rain, it brushed by the ist revolution in 1959, Cuba has concen- elderly and disabled. age to its crops and buildings from this Dominican Republic. It then strength- trated on the health and development Communities are evacuated togeth- extremely violent storm, but as of noon, ened to a category 1 hurricane—out of a of its people. Before the hurricane hit, it er and know where they are going, so Sept. 1, no loss of life had been reported. possible 5—as it passed over southeastern evacuated 250,000 people as a precau- families can hook up and stay together. n and southwestern Haiti. It strengthened more as it passed over Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. By the time the storm hit Cuba, it was a category 4 hurricane with 140-mph winds. In the western Cuban town of Paso Real del San Diego, gusts reached 212 mph, a new national record, according to a spokesperson at the Cuban Institute of Meteorology. (MSNBC.com) It raged across Cuba’s Isle of Youth, then over western Cuba, but largely spared Havana and its 2 million people before heading north through the Gulf of Mexico towards the United States. Of the 90 or so deaths reported in Gustav’s passage through the Caribbean, about 75 were in Haiti, eight in the Dominican Republic and eight in Jamaica. Not one death was reported in Cuba, though some people were injured by wind-blown debris. The number of reported dead in Haiti may go much higher. “There are regions affected by the storm that our teams have not been able to reach,” civil protection director Alta Jean-Baptiste told reporters in Port-au-Prince, adding that most of the deaths occurred in Haiti’s southeast. “The majority of victims died when their houses collapsed, or were killed by falling trees. Others drowned when they tried to cross swollen rivers,” she said. Mudslides, very common in Haiti’s defor- ested countryside, undoubtedly claimed a number of victims. Haiti is by far the poorest country of those hit by Gustav. Even if the govern- ment wanted to do an evacuation, it doesn’t have buses to move people nor enough paved roads to accommodate the buses. And even if it had the roads and buses, it would need buildings to shelter and feed masses of people, something else Haiti lacks. The more developed capitalist countries of the U.S. and Europe have deliberately punished Haiti’s economy ever since a Mhndo Obrero ¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los países, uníos! De El Salvador a los EEUU Un viaje en apoyo a los derechos inmigratorios Por Heather Cottin vertido en un símbolo de la lucha contra el capital se puede mover libremente a Nueva York lo que much@s llaman las tácticas tipo través de las fronteras, la gente no. Gestapo del Departamento de Seguridad El heroico viaje de Mario Castellón ha José Mario Castellón Leiva, de 39 años de la Patria. sido relatado en la prensa latina en cada de edad, salió de El Salvador en su bicicle- Satanizad@s cada noche por los dem- estado por el cual él ha viajado. Cuando ta el pasado 31 de mayo. Desde entonces, agogos de los medios de difusión Lou llegó a Nueva York, la Coalición Primero ha pasado por Guatemala, México, y los Dobbs y Glenn Beck, l@s inmigrantes de Mayo por los Derechos de Inmigrantes estados de Texas, Luisiana, Mississippi, viven en una pesadilla de inseguridad. y Trabajador@s, le acogió con abrazos, y Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Carolina “Monto mi bicicleta bajo el sol y bajo la comunidad salvadoreña en Long Island del Sur, Carolina del Norte, Virginia, la lluvia por mi gente,” dijo Castellón. organizó una red de auspiciadores para Washington, DC, Maryland, Pensilvania, “Recorreré 10,000 millas más para que la respaldar su viaje y para apoyar a su hijo Nueva Jersey y Nueva York, y actualmente gente sepa que éste es un crimen terrible. de cinco años en El Salvador. se dirige rumbo a California con una mis- Siento que tengo que hacer esto para la Entonces es muy importante la lucha de ión; la de defender los derechos de las y humanidad,” dijo Castellón a Workers Mario Castellón. “Conocí a un niño peque- los inmigrantes. World/Mundo Obrero. ño en Carolina de Norte que dijo que ya Castellón se mudó a los Estados Unidos tiene un poco menos de miedo ‘porque en 1997 y trabajó como instalador de gabi- foto: Heather Cottin La codicia corporativa engendra alguien está luchando por mí’.” Mario Castellón en Nueva York. netes en Dallas, Texas. Enviaba sus reme- pobreza y desplazamiento El 22 de agosto en Detroit, Chicago, San sas a su familia en El Salvador. Una noche nacional, que inmigró a los EEUU en su Mario Castellón tuvo que salir de su Diego, San Francisco, Houston y Nueva mirando la televisión, Castellón vio a un bicicleta, decidió que tenía que hacer algo patria porque el desempleo rondaba casi York, activistas por los derechos de inmi- niño cuyos padres habían sido arrestados para protestar la separación de miles de el 65 por ciento. Como las compañías grantes se manifestaron contra las redadas y deportados. “¿Quién va a hablar de parte padres y madres inmigrantes y sus hij@s, estadounidenses han estado destruyendo y deportaciones frente a las oficinas del de los niños? ¿Quién nos va a defender?” una política que priva a esos niños de la la economía ya en declive de ese país, mil- ICE. Mario Castellón se unió a la acción lloraba el muchachito. seguridad y el cariño familiar. lones de pequeños y pequeñas agricul- de la Coalición Primero de Mayo en Nueva La policía de Texas, colaborando con Tomó un autobús para regresar a El tores han sido desahuciad@s de sus ter- York con su bicicleta, preparándose para la Migra (Immigration and Customs Salvador y luego preguntó a su esposa renos y se han marchado a las ciudades la próxima etapa de su viaje, la cual le lle- Enforcement, ICE) estaba conduciendo Roxanna si él pudiera recorrer los Estados donde las maquilas, las fábricas de propi- vará a Chicago. “Ya no me siento tan solo,” redadas por todos lados. Hasta la fecha, se Unidos con un mensaje: ¡Alto a las reda- etarios en el extranjero, pagan solamente le dijo a Mundo Obrero. “Ahora sé que hay estima que ICE ha deportado a 286.000 das y deportaciones! ¡Alto a la destrucción $25 a la semana. Lo que está pasando en todo un movimiento detrás de mí.” inmigrantes este año y ha prometido de familias! Ella respondió que sí. El Salvador, está sucediendo en México, Las personas que deseen ayudar a Mario aumentar la cantidad de redadas. Aclamado en cada pueblo por donde ha Senegal, Las Filipinas, y en todas partes Castellón en su viaje o que quieren que les Castellón se convenció de que tenía pasado por inmigrantes que viven con el donde el imperialismo está imponiendo visite en sus ciudades, deben comunicarse que hacer algo. Siendo un ciclista a nivel miedo a las redadas, Castellón se ha con- su política de “mercado libre”. Y mientras con Carlos llamando al 516-582-2720. n En el blanco por defender los derechos humanos Abogad@s en Colombia buscan solidaridad internacional Por Berta Joubert-Ceci Mensaje a la Caravana Internacional de Juristas: Desafortunadamente no podremos estar presentes en este momento tan importante para exponer la situación que Colombia es el país más peligroso del mundo para enfrentan los/as abogados/as colombianos/as. Particularmente aquellos/as comprometidos/as con la defensa de los los líderes sindicales. Sin embargo, muy poco se sabe derechos humanos y laborales en su país. sobre el sistema judicial y l@s abogad@s que defien- Sin embargo, una vez que la información reunida por la Caravana esté disponible, nos aseguraremos que esta sea dis- den a las víctimas de abusos de los derechos huma- eminada ampliamente como nos sea posible en los Estados Unidos. nos. Una vez que un/a abogado/a toma un caso de violación por los paramilitares o por el estado, él o Hemos observado con horror, por medio de reportes escritos y audiovisuales, cómo los derechos humanos están siendo ella se convierte en blanco de amenazas y hasta de violados bajo la política de la llamada “Seguridad Democrática” que preserva los derechos de los violadores sobre los de asesinato. sus víctimas. Cómo leyes han sido creadas como aquella que eufemísticamente se llama de “Justicia y Paz” pero que no ha Esto no sólo pone en peligro las vidas de l@s traído ni Justicia ni Paz para la mayoría de los colombianos y colombianas, pero sí más impunidad para los sanguinarios abogad@s y sus familiares, sino que representa una paramilitares responsables de incontables masacres. negativa real al acceso de representación legal para Cómo de acuerdo al testimonio del abogado Jorge Enrique Gómez, pasado Defensor del Pueblo en el Magdalena Medio, las víctimas, en un momento cuando las masacres el lecho de muchos ríos en Colombia están cubiertos con los cuerpos de aquellos quienes hasta este día son parte de los por los paramilitares con el apoyo del estado están miles de desaparecidos y desaparecidas, víctimas del terror estatal y paramilitar. siendo descubiertas pero siguen quedando en com- Desapariciones, desplazamientos, falsos positivos, asesinatos selectivos, arrestos ilegales, y tantas injusticias y viola- pleta impunidad. ciones que no han sido investigadas, ni los violadores han sido castigados. Esto es realmente una falta de justicia Nuevas leyes y reformas están siendo propuestas por el Presidente Álvaro Uribe con el total respaldo y También acusamos no solo a la administración del Presidente Álvaro Uribe Vélez, quien en abierta violación a los Principios promoción de Estados Unidos. Esta transformación Básicos Sobre la Función de los Abogados en muchas ocasiones ha acusado públicamente a los defensores de los derechos del sistema judicial colombiano hará aun más fácil el humanos de servir a la causa del terrorismo, sino también al gobierno de los Estados Unidos, que bajo el Plan Colombia ha condenar a l@s activistas por los derechos sociales y financiado una guerra en contra del pueblo colombiano, con el pretexto de lanzar una guerra contra las drogas. humanos que se oponen a las políticas genocidas del Queremos nuevamente saludar a las y los organizadores de esta Caravana, quienes con el riesgo que esto implica para Plan Colombia y del estado paramilitar colombiano. sus vidas y la de sus familiares, han tomado esta tarea para el beneficio del pueblo de Colombia. La Asociación Colombiana de Abogados por la Solidariamente, del National Lawyers Guild (Asociación UAW (Sindicato de Trabajadores del Defensa de los Derechos Humanos ha organizado Ramsey Clark Nacional de Abogados) Automóvil) una conferencia llamada Caravana porque las del- Hon. Claudia H. Morcom, Jueza Jitendra Charma, Presidente, Jerome D. Goldberg, Abogado, egaciones visitarán y se reunirán con la gente no solo Retirada de la Corte de Circuito del Asociación Internacional de Abogados Detroit, MI en Bogotá sino también en los centros regionales. Condado de Wayne, miembra de la Democráticos Joaquina Rodriguez, Abogada, Texas El Centro de Acción Internacional envió el AIAD (Asociación Internacional de Jeanne Mirer, Secretaria General, Asociación Americana de Juristas Asociación Internacional de Abogados siguiente mensaje de solidaridad a la conferencia: Abogados Democráticos), Detroit, MI International Association of Democráticos Desde los Estados Unidos les enviamos salu- Vanessa Ramos, Presidenta Asociación Democratic Lawyers (Asociación dos a las y los organizadores y participantes de la Americana de Juristas Julie Fry Vice Presidenta Alterna Internacional de Abogados de la Asociación de Abogados de Caravana Internacional de Juristas que se realizará Heidi Boghosian, Directora Ejecutiva Democráticos) en Colombia del 25 al 29 de agosto. Legal Aid (Ayuda Legal) Local 2325