AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE Join int’l effort to expand reach of ‘Militant,’ revolutionary books — paGE 3 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 83/no. 37 OctobeR 14, 2019 Blackjewel Step up solidarity with Impeachment miners end UAW strikers at GM! hysteria targets protest camp, Autoworkers say no more temps, no more tiers working class, fight goes on political rights BY MAGGIE TROWE by terry evans LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Miners who The liberals in the big-business had blocked the railroad near Cum- press editorial offices and the Demo- berland, Kentucky, since July 29 took cratic Party are ecstatic about a leak down the encampment, cleaned the from an anonymous “whistleblower” area and ended this phase of their — reported to be a CIA agent — who struggle Sept. 26. But, they and their said President Donald Trump men- supporters said that this doesn’t mean tioned former Vice President Joseph the fight is over. Biden in a phone call with the new “We will remain strong,” Donna president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zel- Sexton, a home health worker and ensky. They think they’ve finally got mother of Chris Sexton, the miner what they’ve been looking for in their who first set up the blockade, told the relentless effort to smear Trump and Militant Sept. 28. “That’s what we are impeach or indict him. and what we truly believe in.” Driven by contempt and fear of the After Blackjewel LLC, the sixth- millions of working people who voted largest coal mining company in the for President Trump, or who couldn’t U.S., declared bankruptcy July 1 and bring themselves to vote at all, Demo- laid off 300 miners in southeastern crats announced a fast-track impeach- Kentucky and 1,400 more in Vir- Zuma Wire/Jim West ment inquiry in the House of Repre- Autoworkers picket Detroit GM Hamtramck Assembly Plant, Sept. 25. Key issues are perma- ginia, West Virginia and Wyoming, nent status for temporary workers, end to divisive two-tier pay scale, reopen shuttered plants. sentatives. the company withdrew the final pay- And Democratic House Majority checks out of the bank accounts where By Samantha Hamlin porary workers permanent, as well Leader Nancy Pelosi says that’s not miners had deposited them. BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — The near- as to get rid of two-tier wages and enough. She says she will push to When angry miners in Harlan ly 49,000 United Auto Workers union to force GM bosses to put workers at change U.S. law so sitting presidents County found out the company was members on strike against General four plants they are shuttering back to Continued on page 6 planning to haul coal they had mined Motors since Sept. 16 are winning work making cars. Continued on page 7 solidarity in their fight to make tem- Fellow autoworkers from other companies, members of other unions, workers at Walmart and others who Declining trade, have no union, and many more have Dallas cop who killed Botham joined them on the picket lines at the growing rivalries 33 factories and 22 parts warehouses Jean is found guilty of murder on strike. They’ve brought food, sup- heighten crisis of Continued on page 7 imperialist ‘order’ by Roy Landersen World trade growth has turned SWP: Building down to its weakest point since the global financial crisis shook the capi- solidarity helps talist rulers worldwide in 2007. Man- ufacturing activity has begun to con- boost working tract, led by falling auto production. In Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic factories are running at the class struggle lowest levels in a decade. U.S. man- by JANET POST ufacturing contracted as consumer “We came here to be in solidar- Continued on page 9 ity with the fight pressing for Amber Guyger to be convicted and jailed for killing Botham Jean,” Malcolm Jar- rett, Socialist Workers Party candi- Inside date for Pittsburgh City Council told Thousands protest against Shelia Bennett, one of the many op- racist abuse in West Papua 2 Christian Chronicle/Bobby Ross Jr. ponents of police brutality gathered Sept. 30, 2018, Dallas protest after cop Amber Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean as he ate outside the Dallas courtroom where ice cream in his apartment. Protests forced cops to fire Guyger and led to murder conviction. UK rulers move to stop ‘Brexit,’ Guyger was on trial Sept. 27. “The Johnson seeks US trade bloc 4 By George Chalmers she feared for her life when she saw SWP stands for the fight against po- DALLAS — A 12-person jury someone else there. She faces from lice brutality, racist discrimination Oberlin College keeps up here found Dallas cop Amber Guyger five to 99 years behind bars. and the entire capitalist injustice drive to crush the Gibsons 9 guilty of murder Oct. 1 in the killing Jean, a native of the island of St. system.” last fall of Botham Jean, a 26-year-old Lucia in the Caribbean, was working Jarrett and Alyson Kennedy, the –On the picket line, p. 5– Black man. Jean was shot while eat- in Dallas as an accountant. He was SWP’s candidate for president in Calif. sheet metal workers walk ing ice cream in his own apartment. 2016, are on a national tour speaking also a part-time preacher and song out over low pay, health care Guyger, who is Caucasian, had just leader at the Dallas West Church of for the party, offering solidarity to au- come off duty at the time and was still Christ. Fifteen hundred people at- toworkers on strike against GM and British Columbia Steelworkers in uniform and armed. She claimed tended his memorial service in Rich- taking part in other battles and dis- strike Western Forest Products she thought it was her apartment and Continued on page 6 Continued on page 3 Thousands protest against racist abuse in West Papua By PATRICK BROWN tional average. AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Days after the attacks in Java, angry Demonstrations of thousands in crowds took to the streets across West Jayapura, Manokwari and elsewhere Papua, home to 3.6 million people, as across the West Papua region — the well as in the Indonesian capital of Ja- Indonesian-ruled half of the resource- karta in central Java. Thousands ral- rich island of New Guinea — broke lied in highland villages. out in mid-August against racist abus- An Aug. 29 mass march in Jaya- es faced by indigenous Papuans. pura highlighted a second wave of Despite stepped-up military and protests. With more than 250,000 police repression the protests are con- people, Jayapura, capital of Papua tinuing, leading to the renewal of the province, is the largest city in the nationalist movement. Many Papuans West Papua region. are demanding the government in Ja- karta allow a referendum on indepen- Solidarity in the region dence for West Papua. Marches in solidarity with the West News of attacks on Papuan students Papuan people were held early in Sep- in cities in Java on Aug. 17, Indone- tember in Papua New Guinea and in sia’s independence day, sparked the Vanuatu, both predominantly Mela- AP Photo/Safwan Ashari Raharusun protests. According to the U.K.-based nesian Pacific island countries. Led by a banner reading, “Stop intimi- Free West Papua Campaign, “military As part of rallies across Austra- dation and racism towards indigenous Graeme Easte Graeme officers” in Surabaya taunted Papuan lia, several dozen people gathered Papuans,” march in Manokwari, West students as “monkeys” and accused in Kingsford, Sydney, an area with Papua, Aug. 19 protested Indonesian gov- them of desecrating the Indonesian a substantial Indonesian population, ernment repression. Many Papuans call for government in Jakarta to allow a refer- flag. Tear gas was used in an attack on Sept. 7, to condemn violence against endum on independence for West Papua. student dormitories. the protests in West Papua. The indigenous people of West Bridget Harilaou, of the Anti- aspirations against Indonesian mili- security forces attempt to flush out” Papua face systematic military re- Colonial Asian Alliance, who is of tary repression. We have a common armed pro-independence groups. pression, slurs and attacks. West Indonesian-Australian descent, said it enemy in the imperialist rulers in Alleged “ringleaders” of the pro- Papua, the last colonial outpost in the was “important to show there are In- Canberra and Wellington who have tests have been arrested by Indone- Dutch East Indies, was incorporated donesians who support independence backed Jakarta’s decadeslong occupa- sian police, including Buchtar Tabu- into Indonesia in 1963. Indonesia it- and freedom for West Papua and who tion.” ni, a leader of the United Liberation self gained independence from Dutch condemn the violence from the Indo- Movement for West Papua, and Surya colonial rule after World War II. Capi- nesian government.” National repression continues Anta, spokesperson for the Indone- talists, both from Indonesia and over- Annalucia Vermunt, Communist Weeks after the Java attack, police sian People’s Front for West Papua. seas, profit mightily from mining and League candidate for Auckland may- shot and killed demonstrators in Jaya- Jakarta has moved to cut off news forestry in West Papua. or, told the Militant Sept. 29, “Work- pura, Wamena, as well as Fakfak and from the region, imposing limitations Less than half the population has ing people around the world, and es- Deiyai. Jakarta has sent in thousands on internet access. access to electricity. Over a quarter of pecially in New Zealand, Australia of soldiers and police to reinforce tens Fearing violence by cops and armed West Papuans live below the poverty and the South Pacific should support of thousands of security forces al- pro-military militia, hundreds of stu- line, more than twice the official na- the West Papuan people’s nationalist ready stationed there. dents have returned to West Papua Michael, who is originally from from cities across Indonesia. West Papua, told the Militant in Auck- “Papuans want a final decision for land Sept. 29, “There are military and their political right for self-determi- police bases in Jayapura” and the nation,” Yason Ngelia, chairman of West Papua provincial capital of Ma- the Student Movement at Jayapura’s nokwari. He declined to use his real Cenderawasih University, told Ra- name for fear of government victim- dio New Zealand in early September. ization. The Indonesian government “We are flying the Morning Star” flag Construction workers protest unsafe conditions takes a “military approach” to the of independence, he said. This is an Papuan indigenous people, he said, act of defiance punishable by impris- Building trades unions “but that won’t solve the problem.” onment under Indonesian law. in New York rallied against Tens of thousands of people in the nonunion job sites Sept. mountains, Al Jazeera reports, have Felicity Coggan in Sydney, Australia, 17. The ‘Militant’ explains been “forced from their homes as contributed to this article. unions need to organize all workers — native-born and Latin America, Caribbean: For one year send immigrant — as bosses try to The Militant $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. Vol. 83/No. 37 Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For pit us against each other. We one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to Count Me In Closing news date: Oct. 2, 2019 above address. need the power to stop work- Construction workers rally in N.Y., Sept. 17 Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 over job conditions and need for unions. Editor: John Studer ing in unsafe conditions. to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- Managing Editor: Terry Evans treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. Editorial volunteers: Róger Calero, Seth Ga- United Kingdom: Send £26 for one year linsky, Emma Johnson, Martín Koppel, Roy by check or international money order SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Landersen, Jacob Perasso, Brian Williams. made out to CL London, 5 Norman Road (first floor), Seven Sisters, London, N15 Published weekly except for one week in 4ND, England. January, one week in June, one week in NEW READERS NAME July, one week in September. Republic of Ireland and Continental Europe: Send £85 for one year by check or Business Manager: Valerie Johnson international money order made out to CL q.$5 for 12 issues ADDRESS The Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 306 W. 37th London at above address. Street, 13th floor, New York, NY 10018. France: Send 100 euros for one year to Diffusion du Militant, BP 10130, 75723 RENEWAL CITY STATE ZIP Telephone: (212) 244-4899 Fax: (212) 244-4947 Paris Cedex 15. E-mail: [email protected] New Zealand and the Pacific Islands: q.$10 for 12 weeks PHONE e-mail Website: www.themilitant.com Send NZ$55 for one year to P.O. Box 13857, Auckland 1643, New Zealand. Correspondence concerning subscriptions q $20 for 6 months UNION/SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION or changes of address should be addressed Australia: Send A$70 for one year to Suite 22, . to the Militant, 306 W. 37th Street, 13th 10 Bridge St., Granville NSW 2142, Australia. Clip and mail to the militant, floor, New York, NY 10018. Submissions to the Militant may be pub- q $35 for 1 year 306 W. 37th st., 13th Floor new york, ny 10018. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY. lished in the newspaper in print and digital . Or subscribe online at: www.themilitant.com format. By submitting, authors represent POSTMASTER: Send address changes to that their submissions are original and the Militant, 306 W. 37th Street, 13th floor, consent to publication in this manner. 12 weeks of the Militant outside the U.S.: Australia, A$10 • United Kingdom, £3 • New York, NY 10018. Canada, Can$7 • Caribbean and Latin America, US$10 • Continental Europe, £10 • Signed articles by contributors do not France, 8 euros • New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, NZ$7 • All other areas, US$16 SUBSCRIPTIONS: United States: For necessarily represent the Militant’s views. (Send payment to addresses listed in business information box) one year send $35 to above address. These are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant October 14, 2019 SWP: ‘Build class solidarity’ Continued from front page of the strike are to make the 7% of cussions with working people. GM workers who are temps full-time “I have been in the courtroom every “regular” workers and to take on the day,” Bennett said. “Guyger should unequal wage “tiers” that GM uses to have to pay a price. Botham Jean is attempt to divide workers. “All of us gone; he isn’t coming back.” work hard, we are all ‘regular’ work- Guyger killed 26-year-old Botham ers,” said GM body shop worker Chris Jean in September 2018, shooting him Roberts. “We need solidarity.” twice in the chest as he ate ice cream Kennedy and Jarrett talked with the watching TV in his own apartment. workers about the national SWP tour The cop claimed self-defense, say- and described their discussions while ing she accidently went to the wrong visiting UAW picket lines in other apartment thinking it was hers, and states, as well as the encampment by thought he was an intruder. On Oct. 1 miners in Kentucky who are fight- she was found guilty of murder. ing for pay stolen from them by the Kennedy told Bennett that she had Blackjewel coal company. (See article been the SWP’s candidate for may- on front page.) or of Dallas this year. “I spoke out Two days later the candidates and Militant/Hilda Cuzco against police brutality and joined the Dallas SWP members knocked on UAW picket line at GM plant in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 28. From left, striker Scott Rigney; Malcolm Jarrett, SWP candidate for Pittsburgh City Council; striker Chris Roberts; and protests demanding that Guyger be doors in a working-class neighbor- Alyson Kennedy, SWP 2016 presidential candidate. Working-class solidarity boosts struggle. prosecuted and jailed,” she said. “It’s hood in Arlington near the GM plant. in the interests of all working people.” They discussed the strike and the lis-St. Paul airport workers, at a local movement today. “There is a change The next evening Bennett came to stakes in it for all working people, as coffee shop Sept. 20. Ali drives a pas- in the U.S. working class — it started hear Kennedy and Jarrett speak at the well as introducing the SWP to work- senger transport cart for an airport with the teachers strikes last year,” Militant Labor Forum about the party, ers who had seen the nearby picket contract company where workers re- Kennedy said. its program and activities, followed lines. They found real interest in what cently won a union-organizing drive. “You cannot transform the unions by a lively discussion. the party had to say about how work- Knaeble, who works on the ramp for into fighting organizations without ers can fight effectively under the cri- Delta Air Lines, helped organize sup- organizing workers to stand up for Build solidarity with GM strikers sis of capitalism today. Three workers port for their fight. themselves and offer solidarity to oth- After leaving the courthouse, the got subscriptions to the Militant and Workers won representation by Ser- ers who do so,” she said. candidates joined the picket line one bought a copy of The Clintons’ vice Employees International Union “Fighting to unify the working of United Auto Workers Local 276 Anti-Working-Class Record by SWP Local 26, which organizes baggage class, to build self-confidence and members at the large GM assembly National Secretary Jack Barnes. handlers, cabin cleaners, cart driv- class consciousness in struggle, is plant in Arlington, Texas, part of the ers and other airport workers at Delta the road forward,” Kennedy said. “It national strike. With campaign sup- Need to organize workers subcontractor AirServ. “We won a is on the line of march to fight to end porter Hilda Cuzco, Kennedy and Kennedy and Jarrett toured in Min- union, but we are still fighting for $15 capitalist exploitation and oppres- Jarrett also stopped by the union hall nesota before coming to Dallas. In ad- an hour,” Ali said. “I only make $10 sion once and for all, for working to extend solidarity. dition to visiting the UAW picket line driving a cart after nine years on the people to take political power into “We are standing for the temps,” at GM’s parts warehouse in Hudson, job.” He said workers there have been their own hands.” picket captain Eric Smith, who builds Wisconsin, they had the opportunity fighting five years for the $15. To get the SWP’s 2019 campaign rear axles at the plant, told them on the to sit down and talk with Abdi Ali Like Ali, many of the SEIU mem- program, a fighting program to con- picket line. Two of the main demands and Marty Knaeble, two Minneapo- bers are from East Africa. He de- front the economic, social and moral scribed a protest by aircraft cleaners crisis caused by capitalism, go to the after some Muslim workers were fired home page of the Militant’s website at Drive to expand reach of ‘Militant,’ revolutionary books by another Delta contractor for de- www.themilitant.com Starting Saturday, Oct. 5, the Militant is launching a nine-week drive to manding the right to pray during their expand the readership of the paper and of books by Socialist Workers Party work shift in 2018. The workers won George Chalmers from Dallas and leaders and other revolutionaries internationally. The drive has an interna- their jobs back. David Rosenfeld from Minneapolis tional goal of 1,100 subscriptions and 1,250 books. In light of the GM strike, Knaeble contributed to this article. Over the same weeks the Socialist Workers Party will win new finan- talked about the “temp” workers ex- cial support from working people and others as part of raising $100,000 ploited by Delta who only won sick to build the party. days after other airport workers “Socialist Workers Party members and others who see the Militant as fought for and won them. their paper will use the drive to introduce working people to the political “The ruling class and the working activity of the party and its election campaigns and to discuss what we class are being drawn into battle. The can do together,” said Terry Evans, managing editor of the Militant, Sept. GM bosses want to impose even more 29. “There is an uptick in workers’ battles, like the United Auto Workers concessions on the autoworkers,” said fight against General Motors and the Blackjewel miners fighting for the Jarrett. “They want to keep them di- pay stolen from them. vided by a two-tier wage structure “More workers can see that the bosses, their parties and government are and more and more temps. This led stepping up efforts to make us pay for the crisis of their capitalist system. to the strike. They need the Militant for its reporting on workers organizing today, and “There have been massive mobi- the political perspective for a class-struggle road forward.” lizations in Sudan, Hong Kong and “The books present lessons from past working-class battles, the party’s Puerto Rico. These struggles show program and revolutionary perspectives,” he said. “The drive will help the the power of the working class,” Jar- party meet unionists and other class-struggle-minded workers and deepen rett said. “But they don’t lead to real, relations with them.” lasting change. The missing ingredi- Going door to door in cities, towns and rural areas to extend the reach ent has been independent working- of the Socialist Workers Party will be at the heart of this effort. SWP mem- class leadership.” bers will work together with those we meet door to door, co-workers, and those at labor actions and social protests, and encourage workers and The four talked about what kind of young people to join in campaigning and distributing the Militant. leadership is necessary in the labor All of the rich arsenal of books published by Pathfinder Press, as well as the New International, a magazine of Marxist politics and theory, will be offered at 20% off. Eight books with key aspects of the party’s program and that explain political questions facing workers today will be half- Tribunes of the People price for those who buy a Militant subscription. In addition, those who and the Trade Unions join the Pathfinder Readers Club will receive a 30% discount on selected titles each month. A tribune of the people uses every Many workers who buy a subscription or book will want to make a con- manifestation of capitalist oppression to tribution to the party-building fund to help the work of the party. explain why it’s workers and our allies To join in the drive, get a subscription, order some books or copies who can and will — in the course of of the paper to sell to others, get in touch with the SWP or Communist struggles by the unions and beyond — lay League in your area, listed in the directory on page 8. the foundations for a world based not on Contributions to the Party-Building Fund can be made by check or mon- violence and competition but on solidarity ey order, payable to the Socialist Workers Party, and sent to 306 W. 37th among working people worldwide. St., 13th floor, New York, NY, 10018. $8 — Janet Post pathfinderpress.com

The Militant October 14, 2019 3 UK rulers move to stop ‘Brexit’ Climate change panic fuels Dutch gov’t attack on farmers as Johnson seeks US trade bloc BY TONY HUNT there are two Britains with counter- LONDON — Prime Minister Boris posed interests: on the one side the prop- Johnson is shifting his minority govern- ertied exploiters and their hangers-on, ment towards a closer trade and foreign on the other, us, the exploited majority. policy bloc with Washington and away We need to chart a course independent from the European Union, as conflicts of all capitalist parties. sharpen with opponents of all stripes “We say, ‘Get out of the EU now!’ who are determined that the U.K. never It serves the bosses’ interests and leave the EU. The real target of all the strengthens them against workers and “Remainers” is the working people who farmers. The U.K. should get out of voted to get out of the EU. Ireland and let the Irish people de- Johnson returned from the U.S. to termine their own future. We need denunciation from opposition parties to build solidarity with each other’s after the Supreme Court overturned struggles here and with fellow work- his temporary shutdown of Parlia- ers around the world to overcome the ment. In response to their criticism, divisions the rulers foster among us.” Sipa via AP Images Attorney General Geoffrey Cox de- Thousands of farmers organized tractor convoys from across the Nether- scribed Labour and other opposition Crisis of European ‘Union’ lands to the Hague Oct. 1, protesting a government report that blames them parties as “cowardly” because they For the German and French imperial- and their livestock for fouling the air. “No farmers, no food,” read their plac- refuse to put motions that would lead ist rulers — the ones for whom the EU ards. to a new general election. They fear “works,” unlike those in Italy, Spain, Farmers are fed up with being called “environmental criminals,” sheep Johnson would win a majority. Greece and other weaker capitalist pow- farmer and protest organizer Bart Kemp told demonstrators outside par- There is an unfolding political cri- ers, who see their wealth being sucked liament. sis. No section of the capitalist rulers away — keeping the union together is Driven by the same reactionary hysteria about the earth’s imminent doom or their political servants favor car- critical. EU officials in Brussels want advanced by many at the recent United Nations climate change summit, the rying through an unequivocal break to punish the U.K. government, seek- Dutch government says “drastic measures” are needed immediately. One party in the ruling coalition government has called for the elimination of half with the EU. They backed “Remain” ing either to prevent it from leaving or the livestock in the country — 6 million pigs and 50 million chickens. in the 2016 referendum and have to deter other EU member states from spent the years since their defeat try- The farmers demanded the government keep their hands off the animals. following its example. They called for formation of an organization independent of the government ing to prevent its implementation and Like others among the world’s capi- overturn it. Johnson says he wants a to be responsible for measuring nitrogen and carbon emissions on farms. Ag- talist rulers, they have no way out of riculture Minister Carola Schouten came to the protest, promising her depart- “deal” with the EU, but threatens the a looming economic downturn, nor U.K. will quit by Oct. 31, “do or die,” ment wouldn’t impose restrictions on farmers’ livestock. of halting the coming apart of their Farmers were hit hard in May when the Dutch top court, the Council of if he can’t get one. world order. For Berlin and Paris the State, halted farm and construction permits, saying they violate EU environ- Johnson met President Donald Trump EU protectionist bloc is an increas- mental protections. This shut down thousands of projects, including new in New York Sept. 24. Trump said trade ingly important weapon in their con- farms, roads, housing blocks and airport expansion. Another recent govern- with the U.K. could quadruple under a flicts with Washington and Beijing. ment report calls on local authorities to buy up area farms and drive farmers deal with the U.S. after leaving the EU. Mario Draghi, European Central off the land. According to the London Times, that Bank president, announced a new At the protest, cattle farmer Peter Boogards told the Associated Press that it’s figure “would make the UK among the round of “economic stimulus” Sept. a lie that farmers don’t care about the environment. “Nobody listens to us,” he US’s largest trading partners.” 12, including cuts to already nega- said. “We don’t like that.” A trading bloc between London, the tive interest rates and a €2.6 trillion — Terry Evans Commonwealth and Washington would program ($3.2 trillion) to buy up replace EU adherence, as the U.K. rul- government bonds. The move was ers need allies as their economic, mili- denounced by President Trump, who the EU to select the date for the U.K.’s jority of the country from British rule. tary and political weight fades. said it would make U.S. exports to departure. He refuses to say whether In recent years the island of Ireland Johnson also aligned his govern- Europe more expensive. he will comply with it. has become a single market in many ment politically with Washington — EU officials are aided and abetted products. But Johnson says London breaking with Berlin and Paris — by in the U.K. by a “Remain” alliance So-called ‘Irish backstop’ will need to re-establish customs calling for a new nuclear agreement of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Johnson is negotiating with EU of- checks after the U.K. leaves the EU, a with Iran. The White House last year Scottish National parties, along with ficials over trading arrangements be- measure opposed by the government withdrew the U.S. from the deal the Conservatives expelled by Johnson tween the Republic of Ireland, which of the Republic of Ireland. The Brit- Obama administration had made with who were obstructing the course of is in the EU, and British-ruled North- ish rulers are determined to prevent Tehran in 2015. “I think there’s one ern Ireland. The border partitioning Northern Ireland, the last piece of their guy who can do a better deal,” John- his government. Ireland was imposed by British impe- oldest former colony, from becoming son told NBC, “and that is the presi- The Liberal Democrats openly de- rialism nearly a century ago after an part of a united Ireland and stop a fur- dent of the United States.” clare they will overturn the 2016 ref- independence war that liberated a ma- ther breaking apart of the U.K. “Capitalist politicians of all stripes erendum result if they form a govern- harangue each other about what’s best ment. The Labour Party wants a sec- for ‘our country,’” Jonathan Silberman, ond referendum with a “choice” of a Communist League prospective parlia- Labour-“Brexit” that keeps the U.K.’s Further reading for fighting workers mentary candidate for Tottenham, in trading relations with the EU in place north London, told the Militant. “But or simply remaining in the EU. These parties are now fighting each other “How long ago was it that many ruling class over who will head a caretaker gov- figures in Europe were insisting that the ernment of “national unity,” once they European powers were on the road toward militant have deposed Johnson. political unity? “The opposite actually happened however. Johnson’s ‘do or die’ rhetoric labor Despite all the talk about unity, the evolution Despite his “do or die” rhetoric, $20 of world capitalism has increased uneven forums Johnson is pressing for a revised ver- sion of the withdrawal agreement developments across Europe and made its california promoted by his predecessor, Theresa character more explosive.” Los Angeles — Jack Barnes in Capitalism’s World The Socialist Workers Party Campaign May, that was rejected by Parliament. and the 2020 Election: Why Working Millions of workers are fed up with Disorder Class and the Voting Franchise are Real the endless delays, angry that the coun- Targets of the Presidential Impeach- ment Inquiry. Speaker: Norton Sandler, try’s capitalist parties have no intention The Stewardship of Nature Also Socialist Workers Party. Sun., Oct. 13, 5 of implementing their 2016 vote. p.m. Donation: $5. 2826 S. Vermont Ave., The bloc of opposition parties Falls to the Working Class Suite 1. Tel: (323) 643-4968. pushed a law through Parliament re- in New International no. 14 Oakland U.S. and Chinese Rulers Intensifying quiring the government get another See page 8 for list of distributors nearest you Rivalry. Speaker: Jeff Powers, Socialist extension of the deadline for the U.K. or visit: Workers Party. Fri., Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. Do- to leave if it can’t cut a deal with Brus- $14 nation: $5. 675 Hegenberger Road, Suite pathfinderpress.com 250. Tel: (510) 686-1351. sels by Oct. 31. Johnson labels the law a “surrender bill” because it allows 4 The Militant October 14, 2019 on the picket line Are you involved in a union organizing drive or strike? Brought soli- darity to fellow workers on the picket line? Let us know! Send articles, photos and letters to [email protected] or through our website, or mail them to 306 W. 37th St., 13th floor, New York, NY 10018. Calif. sheet metal workers walk in Nanaimo, Chemainus, Ladysmith, out over low pay, health care Port Alberni, Cowichan Bay, Camp- STOCKTON, Calif. — More than bell River and 15 logging operations 250 members of the Sheet Metal, Air, across Vancouver Island. Rail and Transportation Workers Local Shortly after the strike began, the 104 on strike against Simpson Strong- British Columbia Federation of Labour, Tie here overwhelmingly voted down representing 500,000 unionized work- what workers said was the company’s ers, issued a “hot edict,” which calls on “last, best and final contract offer” Sept. affiliated union members to no longer 23. The strike began Sept. 5. In dis- handle any of the company’s coastal pute are company attacks on pensions, lumber, log and wood products. health care benefits and wages. The 5,000 members of International “We are super underpaid,” Santos Longshore and Warehouse Union Lo- cal 400 in British Columbia are among Fuentes, a machine operator, told the Militant/Carole Lesnick Militant on the picket line. Strikers those refusing to deal with the company. Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 members picket Simpson Strong-Tie in Stockton, — Ned Dmytryshyn said since the strike began, the compa- California, Sept. 23 in strike over company attacks on pensions, health care and wages. ny has backed away from demanding Quebec Steelworkers on strike at Messages of solidarity and donations to conclude by Sept. 9. But when that that workers contribute to their medi- Galvano plant win solidarity can be sent to Syndicat des Metallos day came, the unionists voted by 73 cal, dental and vision premiums, but SAINT-MATHIEU-DE-BELOEIL, Local 9414, Fonds greve Galvano, 946 percent to continue their strike for an- refuse to raise their pay offer from less Quebec — Chanting “15 years of con- Boulevard d’Iberville, St-Jean-sur- other five days because the wage offer than 75 cents an hour in each year of cessions, enough with the humiliation” Richelieu J2X 4A7. “is still not sufficient.” the new contract. and “a 12-hour day, no way, it sickens — Philippe Tessier Many workers expressed anger at the This is the first walkout at the plant us,” some 60 workers rallied in sup- slow pace of negotiations. “As long as since 2007. Simpson Strong-Tie makes port of United Steelworkers Local 9414 Unionized university workers in the offer is correct, we’ll accept it, but metal parts used in the building and members on strike at the Galvano plat- Quebec strike for higher wages we don’t want to give them a blank construction industries. ing plant here Sept. 26. Supporters came MONTREAL — Unionized support check,” striker Johanne Levesque told Strikers have won broad support from from Montreal, the Monteregie region, workers at the University of Quebec the Militant Sept. 9. workers in the area, as well as involving Becancour and as far as Sept-Iles. at Montreal went on strike Sept. 3, the — Beverly Bernardo many workers’ family members. The unionists have been on strike opening day of classes, to press their — Joel Britton since July 9. They’re fighting against demand for higher wages. The 1,800 British Columbia aerospace the bosses’ plan to impose mandatory members of Union of UQAM Employ- workers fight Avcorp lockout Steelworkers in British Columbia 12-hour shifts. The plant currently ees have been without a contract since DELTA, British Columbia — The strike Western Forest Products operates on three 8-hour shifts Mon- May 2017. While the university admin- bosses at Avcorp Industries Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia — day to Friday. istration didn’t cancel classes, the regis- locked out 300 members of the Inter- Some 2,600 loggers and sawmill work- “We want to commend the strikers’ tration and student life services offices, national Association of Machinists ers who are members of United Steel- courage to say enough is enough,” said cafeterias, sports center, and the sci- Local Lodge 11 Sept. 16 here. For workers Local 1-1937 have been win- Eric Drolet, president of the United ences and music libraries all shut down. several weeks the workers had carried ning solidarity in their strike against Steelworkers Local 9700 at ABI alu- After a large demonstration support- out rotating strikes against the con- Western Forest Products. The unionists, minum smelter in Becancour, told the ing the strike Sept. 12, the unionists vot- cessions bosses demanded. who walked out July 1, are fighting con- rally. Workers there were locked out by ed by 87 percent to accept a new offer “The two main issues are contracting cessions demanded by the bosses in- the company for 18 months until reach- from the university Sept. 19. out and seniority retention,” said a union cluding contracting out jobs, eliminat- ing an agreement in July. Their local Both the Education and Sciences news release. “In many cases, when ing defined benefit pensions, a two-tier has pledged weekly financial contribu- and the Human Sciences student asso- IAM members at Avcorp are laid off, wage with different pay for new hires, tions to the Galvano strikers. ciations voted to back the strike, with their recall rights expire and they must and attacks on seniority rights. Galvano is owned by the Chicago- students joining the picket lines. Many start again as new employees losing all “Our morale is high and we will never based aerospace company Heico, which classes had to be cancelled. “The Uni- wage levels and accrued benefits.” accept the concessions the company is took control of the factory after the versity is nothing without us,” said a An agreement was reached Sept. 25 demanding,” Brian Butler, Local 1-1937 previous owners declared bankruptcy sign carried by a striker. with workers returning to their jobs president, told the Militant. “It’s about in 2004 and imposed concessions on After UQAM bosses presented its fi- the following day. corporate greed.” The company made pensions and health care coverage. The nal offer July 3, the unionists voted 93 “We showed the company that we over $70 million in profits last year. workers make galvanized copper parts percent in favor of organizing protest became united,” Doug Smith, a 22-year Picket lines have been going strong and other products sold across the globe. actions, including five one-day strikes mechanic at Avcorp, told the Militant. “We got what we wanted on contract- ing out language.” 25, 50, and 75 years ago Workers at Avcorp assemble aircraft structural parts for Boeing, Bombardier, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. — Ned Dmytryshyn, member of IAM Local Lodge 11 October 17, 1994 October 17, 1969 October 14, 1944 DECATUR, Illinois — Striking and NEW YORK — More than 125 Continuing the Roosevelt administra- Teamster locked-out workers here have put out a women, medical personnel, attorneys, tion’s conspiracy in railroading 18 So- call for solidarity with their struggles. social workers, writers, clergy and oth- cialist Workers Party and Minneapolis Rebellion October 15 is set for a march and rally ers have joined as plaintiffs in a Federal Truckdrivers Local 544-CIO leaders to by Farrell Dobbs backing the locked-out unionists at A.E. Court action to declare the New York prison under the infamous Smith ‘Gag’ The story of Staley Manufacturing Co., members State abortion laws unconstitutional. Act, the President’s Pardon Attorney an- the strikes and of the United Auto Workers on strike The complaint argues that the laws nounced that the appeals for a presiden- organizing against Caterpillar Inc., and United Rub- abridge the right of every woman to tial pardon have been denied. drive the men ber Workers members on strike against choose whether to bear children. Like the Supreme Court which three and women of the Bridgestone/Firestone company. Patricia Grogan, Socialist Workers times refused to review the convictions, Teamsters Local The action follows a series of com- Party candidate for Manhattan Council- Roosevelt is hiding behind a technical- 574 carried out pany and local government attacks on man-At-Large, and one of the plaintiffs ity to avoid direct responsibility for a in Minnesota the right of workers to freely assemble in the suit, told the press conference, decision in the most important case in- in 1934, paving and express their views. An attempt by “New York’s medieval abortion laws are volving violation of labor and civil rights the way for the Decatur City Council to enact a law but one example of the kind of violence during this war, a case growing out of a the continent- requiring a 15-day advance application prevalent in American society and the deliberate frame-up prosecution directly wide rise of for a permit to hold a gathering on public kind of treatment accorded to women as initiated by Roosevelt himself. the Congress property was turned back by the union- second-class citizens. But just as women Appeals to free the 18 [were] sent to of Industrial Organizations as a ists and their supporters two weeks ago fought to obtain the right to vote, they the White House by over 300 labor and fighting social movement. $16 But the city fathers retaliated by con- are fighting to gain greater control over progressive organizations. Roosevelt victing eight Staley workers on charges their lives. We are organizing to use our has brushed aside these demands of over pathfinderpress.com of “residential picketing” September 23. combined strength to gain our rights.” 3,000,000 organized workers. The Militant October 14, 2019 5 Impeachment targets workers Continued from front page government official using his position can be indicted and imprisoned. to push Ukraine around, listen to Biden These moves are popular on the left boast how he got Shokin fired. “I was of bourgeois politics. Michigan Demo- supposed to announce that there was an- cratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib other billion dollars” coming to Ukraine, is selling T-shirts to fund her 2020 re- he told the Council on Foreign Relations election campaign that says, “Impeach in a 2018 talk posted on YouTube. the motherf-----.” “I’m leaving in six hours,” Biden said Liberals’ effort to criminalize their he told then Ukrainian President Petro political differences with Trump go Poroshenko. “If the prosecutor is not back before the 2016 election, when FBI fired, you’re not getting the money. boss James Comey tried and failed to “Well, son of a bitch,” the ex-vice swing the election for Hillary Clinton. president says to laughter, “he got fired.” Then the Justice Department set up All U.S. government officials — bar Robert Mueller — another former FBI none — have used Washington’s eco- chief — as special counsel to push base- nomic weight to press other govern- less claims that the president’s campaign ments to do as they want. Trump is no had “colluded with Russia.” better or worse. “The U.S. rulers and their government frame up working-class fighters — the Mueller’s team of FBI agents — a have begun to fear the working class,” rulers’ far more serious enemy. number of whom had to be let go be- Liberals real target is working class explains Socialist Workers Party leader The nameless CIA agent’s lawyer is cause their political bias against Trump New York Times columnist and Steve Clark in the introduction to The Andrew Bakaj, a liberal who has worked became public — utilized hundreds of Trump-hater Charles Blow claims the Clintons’ Anti-Working-Class Record: for both Hillary Clinton and Sen. Chuck search warrants, thousands of subpoenas meeting with Zelensky shows that “the Why Washington Fears Working Peo- Schumer. Even the Justice Department and armed raids on the president’s asso- Constitution is not a sufficient restraint ple. “Because they recognize that more Office of Legal Counsel, which recom- ciates, some of whom were indicted and on a lawless president.” He fears that a and more working people are beginning mended giving the transcript to Con- imprisoned on unrelated charges. But, Democratic candidate defeating Trump to see that the bosses and their politi- gress, said information it reviewed on after three years and endless press hyste- in 2020 “is by no means a surety.” In an cal parties have no ‘solutions’ that don’t the “source” showed “political bias on ria, the liberals had to drop the “Russian op-ed in the same paper, Will Wilkin- further load the costs — monetary and the part of the Complainant in favor of a influence” campaign against Trump. son insists Trump “can’t be allowed to human — of the crisis of their system rival political candidate.” run for any public office, much less the onto us.” To defend their class privilege, Some liberals fear the impeachment The Ukraine hysteria presidency, ever again.” they intend to attack the rights of work- inquiry is misguided, and will only hand Pelosi launched the impeachment Even though these liberal meritocrats ing people because they just aren’t ca- Trump the 2020 election. They note one inquiry, Sept. 24. She and the liberal insist the enormous perfidy of Trump is pable of making the “right” decision at fact — there is virtually no chance the media and late-night talk shows allege completely clear to all but a dullard, they the ballot box. Republican-dominated Senate will vote Trump used his office to get Zelensky to also believe he can win the 2020 elec- The anonymous CIA agent who the by two-thirds to oust the president. provide dirt on Joseph Biden, the front- tions. They’re convinced working peo- liberals insist on calling the “whistle- For working people, three things are runner in the Democratic primaries. Pe- ple — his “base” — are so racist, reac- blower” maintains his or her identity clear. First, the liberals are hell-bent to losi cited Trump’s request that Zelensky tionary and backward that they’ll elect must be kept secret, and admits that his attack our rights, to suppress working look into the firing of Viktor Shokin, the him again, and they have to be stopped. or her accusations are entirely based on people’s ability to practice politics. Two, Ukrainian prosecutor general, who says The liberals and middle-class left secondhand unattributed stories. But they are out to strengthen the bosses’ he was fired at former Vice President see working people as a problem that this violates the president’s basic consti- political police in preparation for deep- Joe Biden’s insistence, because he was needs to be suppressed. That’s why tutional right to confront his accuser. er attacks on labor and working-class investigating Burisma Holdings Lim- the impeachment inquiry has been The use of anonymous and unchal- struggles to come. ited, a company where Biden’s son held launched. They want to prevent Dem- lengeable “evidence” — and the rulers’ Third, working people need to orga- a lucrative position. ocrats from having to go up against political police agencies, the FBI and nize and build their own independent Now if you want evidence of a U.S. the president in 2020. CIA — to remove a president from of- political party to counter the capitalist The 2016 elections showed the rul- fice, would make it much easier for the rulers’ two-party system, and fight for The Clintons’ Anti- ers’ two-party system is in crisis today. government to use similar methods to political power. Working-Class Record Why Washington Fears Working People Cop who killed Botham Jean found guilty of murder by Jack Barnes Continued from front page “Botham Jean was never a threat to Am- talist ‘justice’ system, with its frame- ardson, many from St. Lucia and from ber Guyger — never,” prosecutor Jason ups, plea bargains, onerous bail and out- ”For the first his alma mater, Harding University, Hermus told the jury before they left to rageous prison sentences.” time in decades, in Arkansas. deliberate. They took only four hours to Opponents of police brutality lined the U.S. rulers and Allison Jean, Botham’s mother, a reach a verdict. up outside the courtroom to get a seat their government former government official in St. Lu- Many of those who had taken part in at Guyger’s trial. Others waited out- have begun to cia, told the press she knew her son protests were in the courtroom when the side and watched the proceedings live fear the working was a victim of murder “from the verdict was announced. on their cellphones. “It’s not right to be class. They sense very start.” murdered for sitting at home in your that mounting After weeks of protests, Guyger ‘Victory against police brutality’ living room minding your business,” struggle — class “This is an important victory for all Michelle Powell, a 29-year-old cosme- struggle — lies was fired by the Dallas police. Ini- opponents of police brutality,” Alyson tologist, told the Militant there Sept. $10 ahead.” tially arrested for manslaughter, she was released the same day. As pro- Kennedy, Socialist Workers Party can- 27. “It’s a shame the lengths the justice tests continued, her case was taken didate for mayor of Dallas earlier this system will go to cover officers of the Are They Rich Because before a grand jury, which changed year and the party’s 2016 candidate for law, to protect them.” They’re Smart? the charge to murder. president, told the Militant while on a Cops who do face charges of bru- The weeklong trial was accompanied speaking tour in Georgia. Kennedy got tality or murder rarely get convicted. Class, Privilege and by pro-cop-slanted coverage in area the news of the conviction as she was at- But in the last two years, three Dal- Learning Under Capitalism media, including the Dallas Morning tending the Atlanta murder trial of ex- las County cops have been convicted by Jack Barnes News. The paper reported repeatedly on DeKalb County cop Robert Olsen, who of murder. In addition to Guyger, Ken Guyger’s defense, that the shooting was is charged with shooting Anthony Hill Johnson, an off-duty Farmers Branch ”The just a “series of horrible mistakes.” in 2015, killing him. There is no ques- cop, was convicted of murder in 2017 meritocracy But the evidence showed Guyger tion Hill didn’t have a weapon — he was and sentenced to 10 years for killing are mortified naked at the time. 16-year-old Jose Cruz. The following to be identified should have been well aware that she “Cop shootings and brutality are year former Balch Springs cop Roy with working wasn’t in her own apartment. Her key people. They fear to the door didn’t work, and it turned aimed at intimidating the working class, Oliver was convicted of murdering someday being out to be open; there was a red rug wel- and fall disproportionately on workers 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in 2018 ruled by the ‘great come mat that she didn’t have; and the who are African American,” said Ken- and sentenced to 15 years. mob’: the toiling apartment was carpeted, unlike hers. nedy, who joined others outside the Dal- These were the first convictions of and producing Jean was sitting on the couch watching las courthouse Sept. 27. “The Socialist cops for murder in the county since $10 majority.” TV. Guyger barged in and shot him two Workers Party calls for all workers to 1973, when Darrell Lee Cain was con- times in the chest. join the fight against police brutality, victed in the notorious shooting death racist discrimination and the entire capi- of 12-year-old Santos Rodriguez. pathfinderpress.com There was no self-defense involved.

6 The Militant October 14, 2019 Solidarity with GM strikers! Continued from front page There has been an outpouring of soli- plies and solidarity to the strikers. darity. The awning that shades picket- More solidarity is needed in the face ers was donated by Chrysler workers in of GM’s intransigence. The bosses claim Belvedere. Stacks of donated food and they need more temps to compete with water were piled up underneath. lower-paying nonunion auto compa- UAW members from the John Deere nies like Honda and Volkswagen. They agricultural implements plant in East say they need more concessions to deal Moline, members of the National Nurs- with cutthroat competition over com- es Association, airline unions and the ing production of electric and driverless Teamsters have also stopped by. UPS cars. The UAW has called for beefed-up drivers, organized by the Teamsters, re- “Solidarity Sunday” picket lines until fuse to cross the picket line. workers win a new contract. The strikers are in high spirits be- “I started in 2006,” 33-year-old Ismael cause they see themselves as fighting not Zuniga, president of UAW Local 2114, just for better wages and conditions for told this Militant worker-correspondent themselves, but for their fellow workers. during a solidarity visit to the picket line UAW officials say they are fighting Militant/Chris Hoeppner Some 200 UAW strikers and union supporters rally at GM picket line in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, at the GM parts plant here Sept. 25. “I for a “defined path” from temporary to Sept. 28. Striking autoworkers have won widespread support from fellow working people. didn’t get hired on as a permanent em- permanent workers and to narrow the ployee until 2012 and I didn’t get full gap between tiers. Workers on the picket the fight for a union are asking ques- tract that UAW members can support,” wages until this year. So it took seven line don’t want to wait. On the picket line tions about strikes and what the union the letter said. Anton said he encouraged years after getting on as permanent to at Spring Hill, Tennessee, GM worker would do if it won representation. rail crew members that make runs to get my full wages. I don’t want anyone Keisha Montgomery sported a T-shirt Kristin Dziczek from the Center for Kansas City to join the picket line when else to go through the 13-year journey that said, “Equal work, equal pay! Temp Automotive Research told the Militant they’re off duty. that I had to take.” lives matter.” At many picket lines strik- that just 27 of the 57 assembly plants “My union will soon be organizing Temporary employees get hired for ers hold signs saying, “No more tiers!” in the U.S. are union — making barely for our national contract and we might $15.78 per hour; for permanent “lega- 50% of all cars produced in the U.S. need your help,” Anton told strikers. “If cy” workers, top pay is $31 per hour. Solid strike makes bosses nervous In 2000 just 17% of cars manufac- you all can get a contract you can sup- The second tier tops out at $29.90, GM claims it needs to hire temp tured in the United States were assem- port, that will help us.” Zuniga said. workers and keep wages low to be more bled nonunion — by companies such Jared Hayes, an electrician in train- “Temporary workers get no vacation. “competitive” with its nonunion rivals. as Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen ing in Lincoln, like Anton, had never They get half the benefits of permanent It’s not only General Motors that is wor- — which pay about one-third less to been on a labor strike picket line be- employees. I don’t want that for my ried that the strike, if successful, will permanent workers than unionized Big fore. “Walking the picket line was in- brothers and sisters,” Zuniga said. “GM dent their “bottom line.” After GM, the Three auto companies. spiring to participate firsthand to see has had four to five years of straight UAW will open negotiations with boss- workers standing up for themselves,” profits. Why can’t that trickle down to es at Ford and Fiat Chrysler, whose con- Broad solidarity Hayes said. us?” The company’s after tax profit last tracts have been temporarily extended. Three workers from Lincoln, Ne- Workers toiling as lower paid year was $8.1 billion. A Sept. 29 article in Automotive braska, joined the UAW Local 31 picket temps, working side by side with regu- At GM two-tier wages were im- News, which reflects the views of the lines at the GM Fairfax plant, in Kansas lar workers, are increasingly common in posed in 2007. It takes eight years for auto barons, worries that “the longer City, Kansas, Sept. 28. The plant’s 2,000 industry worldwide. new hires to approach the pay scale the strike has dragged on, the more UAW members produce the Chevro- Maintenance worker Otis Bulloch of “legacy” workers. With a U.S. gov- expectations have grown” among au- let Malibu sedan and the Cadillac XT4 was one of a couple Walmart workers ernment bailout, the U.S. auto giant toworkers. The article complained that crossover SUV. who went to the picket line at a small GM carried out a carefully crafted bank- “years of multibillion-dollar profits by One of the workers from Lincoln, rail- parts warehouse in Langhorne, Pennsyl- ruptcy in 2009, imposing further con- the Detroit 3 stoked eagerness to re- road conductor Lance Anton, a member vania. “I was a temp for two years at a cessions. The company dumped finan- verse past concessions.” of SMART-TD Local 305, had collected steel plant,” he said, “even though it was cially troubled divisions and the pen- Bill Quigg, a leader of the fight to signatures on a support letter from 115 supposed to be only 90 days. It’s a just sions and health care of workers there, get a union at Volkswagen’s plant in of his co-workers, including members fight to make temps permanent.” while cobbling together a “new” GM Chattanooga, Tennessee, told Busi- of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- around their most profitable brands. ness Insider Sept. 25 that because of gineers and Trainmen. Joe Swanson in Lincoln, Nebraska, Joe Fruggiero, a Walmart worker the strike workers there who up to now Railroad union members “stand with and Chris Hoeppner in Philadelphia who lives in Woodridge, joined this cor- have been ambivalent toward joining you in solidarity in your effort for a con- contributed to this article. respondent on the picket line and deliv- ered a solidarity card signed by 18 co- workers to the GM strikers. “So while the CEOs and financiers Blackjewel miners end protest camp, fight goes on are top priority, the workers get basically Continued from front page “I’m not really comfortable with it many who have supported the min- nothing,” he told Zuniga. out of the Cloverlick No. 3 mine July but I gotta do what I gotta do,” Chris ers. “The phone calls, the messages, 29, Sexton rushed to the tracks and Rowe said. the food, I mean everything, and I just ‘They make profits on our backs’ put out a call to fellow miners. Chris “I hate backing down from any- want to say thank you cause you guys “Yes, the CEO of GM made $22 mil- Rowe, Chris Lewis, Dalton Lewis thing,” Stacy Rowe texted this report- are what kept us going.” lion last year. They say they offer ‘profit and Blake Watts came to reinforce er after taking down the camp. “I’m Donna Sexton told the Militant, shares’ but we don’t want that. We want him. Soon families, friends and other very proud of us, but I’m hoping this “Thank you so, so much for all your higher wages,” said Zuniga. “It’s on our supporters from the surrounding area doesn’t affect the process of everyone support and help. Thank you for believ- backs that they make these profits.” joined them. Retired union miners, getting their money.” ing in us. Thanks to all for standing members of the United Mine Workers behind us and being there throughout of America, stopped by. Individuals, Coal train still can’t move all this big old mess. Sometime we all unions, organizations, churches and Blackjewel bosses remain legally have to do what we have to do, but that In Defense of the small businesses gave moral and ma- barred from trying to move the coal. doesn’t mean that anyone has given up!” US Working Class terial support. Because the miners haven’t been paid, “I don’t talk about win or lose,” After two months, however, many the U.S. Department of Labor ruled the Joyce Cheng, owner of Panda Garden by Mary-Alice Waters miners have had to find other jobs or go coal is “hot goods” and got a court or- Chinese restaurant in nearby Harlan, to school to acquire new skills, and only der to keep the company from taking it told the Militant Sept. 13. She has a handful of miners and supporters were out. The bosses contested that ruling in helped raise more than $20,000 for the able to keep up the occupation 24/7. court. The bankruptcy judge in Charles- miners and their families. “The min- Chris Rowe, who slept in a tent ton, West Virginia, set a mid-October ers are winning because they’re stand- next to the tracks every night, has deadline for the company and miners to ing up for what’s right.” just bought a rig and started taking reach a settlement. Messages of solidarity, money and driving jobs to pay for it. His wife Chris Rowe told WYMT the ex- other contributions to the fighting min- Stacy, another stalwart at the protest, perience has led him to conclude, “If ers can be sent to With Love from Har- will go with him. As they and others you take enough people that have been lan, P.O. Box 1621, Harlan, KY 40831. cleaned up the camp area they spoke treated as wrong as we had got, you can Checks should be payable to the com- with WYMT television reporters, who come together and make a bond with munity organization “With Love $5 have given supportive and consistent people you never think you would.” From Harlan,” with “Coal Miner coverage of their struggle. Rowe expressed gratitude to the Fund” on the check’s memo line. pathfinderpress.com

The Militant October 14, 2019 7 Castro: Coup opened door to US invasion of Grenada Fidel Castro: Nothing Can Stop the and bring together that group of Carib- Course of History, one of Pathfinder’s bean stooges in a so-called coalition Books of the Month for October, is a that didn’t include a single policeman wide-ranging interview by Jeffrey M. from the Caribbean — it was exclu- Elliot and Mervyn M. Dymally with the sively U.S. soldiers. In short, Coard central leader of the Cuban Revolution. and his group served the United States, The excerpts are from a discussion on on a silver platter, ideal conditions for Grenada. Maurice Bishop led the 1979 the invasion of Grenada. Grenadian Revolution as workers and Naturally, they were not going to be peasants took power into their own met with the people’s resistance, for hands. The Cuban government viewed the simple reason that the people were Bishop’s leadership, and the revolution outraged, traumatized by the attitude on this small English-speaking Carib- of this group that had fired upon the bean island, as a powerful reinforce- people and assassinated Bishop. Thus, ment. In October 1983, the workers and a divorce took place; those involved in farmers government there was over- the coup gathered the weapons of the thrown. Bishop and others were mur- militia. They disarmed the militia on dered in a Stalinist coup led by Bernard various pretexts, precisely for fear of Coard that paved the way for a U.S. the people after what they had done. … military invasion the following week. The government could not have Copyright © 1986. Reprinted by per- endured. We wouldn’t have offered mission of Pathfinder Press. Maurice Bishop, left, and Fidel Castro at Havana May Day rally, 1980. Castro said workers any support to that government after and farmers governments in Grenada and Nicaragua joined Cuba as “three giants rising up to defend their independence, sovereignty and justice on the very threshold of imperialism.” it murdered Bishop and fired on the people. After we had assumed that Books of a silver platter for invading that coun- an apostle of the purity of ideas — and attitude, it would have been difficult try, at a lower political price — were astutely, little by little, he created the for any other socialist or progressive the activities of an ambitious and ex- image of a vacillating, reformist Bish- country to support that group, because the month tremist sectarian group. In my view, op. Thus, he confused many people of Bishop actually had great authority the main responsibility for the domes- good faith in the revolutionary ranks. and great international prestige. He Mervyn M. Dymally: Let’s shift to tic situation created there lies with Bishop had great popular support had attended numerous meetings of Grenada. How do you explain the fail- [Bernard] Coard. An alleged theoreti- and was well liked by the population. the Commonwealth, the Movement of ure of the socialist revolution in Gre- cian of the revolution who had been But Coard and his group — who be- Nonaligned Countries, and the United nada? Was failure inevitable? a professor of Marxism in Jamaica, longed to one of the organizations that Nations. The whole world thought Fidel Castro: In effect, what was he profited from his reputation as a joined with Bishop to form the New highly of Bishop; that Pol Pot-type taking place in Grenada was not a theoretically well-prepared man and Jewel Movement — didn’t work with group that murdered him would never socialist revolution, but a process of used his reputation as a theoretician the masses. That is, the Coard group have been forgiven. … social changes. I believe that the ba- to promote his personal ambitions and didn’t work with the masses; it worked We fully endorsed Bishop’s poli- sic factor that opened the door — that conspire against Bishop. … among the party members — who cies, because they were realistic. They served the United States a pretext on [I]t is not impossible for the disease were a small group of about 200 — weren’t extremist policies. They were of extremism to take hold of some and with the cadres of the army and based upon the country’s situation and people; this often occurs even among the Ministry of the Interior. This fifth its level of development, and they were petty-bourgeois elements who draw up column, this undermining of Bishop’s working for the people’s well-being, for October Books utopias and try to put them into prac- authority, coalesced at a moment when Grenada’s development. I think the air- of the Month tice. Unfortunately, there have also Bishop — though he had the support port would have meant great economic been cases of extremism in other revo- of the immense majority of the people progress for them. Grenada was receiv- PATHFINDER lutionary processes. In Grenada, how- — lost the majority within the party, ing different kinds of assistance to de- 30% ever, I don’t believe it was an extremist both in the Central Committee and velop its energy networks, roads, infra- READERS CLUB discount SPECIALS policy on Coard’s part. Rather, I think, among the membership. This was the structure, and agricultural production. personal ambition was Coard’s basic fruit of the conspiracy led by Coard Bishop had a program, but not a so- Fidel Castro: Nothing Can motivation and what really confused and his group. It explains the senseless cialist program — nor could he have Stop the Course of History Interview by Jeffrey M. Elliot many people in whom he inculcated and mad step of arresting Bishop and, had a socialist program. Rather, it was and Mervyn M. Dymally extremist ideas from supposedly revo- even worse, of firing upon the people a program for social justice and for the In wide-ranging interview, central lutionary positions, as a means of gain- and assassinating Bishop. It was that country’s development. Bishop imple- leader of Cuban Revolution dis- ing support. In the name of the purity unfortunate event that made it possible mented an agrarian reform, but he cusses U.S.-Cuba relations, debt of Marxist-Leninist principles, he por- for the Reagan administration to per- didn’t nationalize the hotels. A coun- crisis in Latin America, Grenada, trayed Bishop as a man insufficiently petrate the cynical and opportunistic try that lived on tourism, did not even Afghanistan and more. $15. Special price: $10.50 prepared to lead the country. Very invasion of the country. have its own currency, and had no in- subtly, he did it very subtly. He worked If Bishop had been alive leading the dustries, could not rush headlong into Teamster Power by Farrell Dobbs in the rank and file of the party, the people, it would have been very diffi- drastic social changes. Bishop was im- $16. Special price: $11 armed forces, the Ministry of the In- cult for the United States to orchestrate plementing a rational, intelligent pro- terior — always presenting himself as the political aspects of its intervention gram and was really making progress. Military Writings by Leon Trotsky $15. Special price: $10.50 if you like this paper, look us up Nicaragua: The Sandinista People’s Revolution Where to find distributors of the NEBRASKA: Lincoln: P.O. Box 6811. AUSTRALIA Speeches by Sandinista Leaders Militant, New International, and a full Zip: 68506. Tel: (402) 217-4906. Email: Sydney: Suite 22, 10 Bridge St., by Daniel Ortega, display of Pathfinder books. [email protected] Granville, NSW 2142. Tel: (02) 8677 0108. Email: [email protected] Tomás Borge UNITED STATES NEW JERSEY: 3600 Bergenline, Suite Speeches, articles, interviews on CALIFORNIA: Oakland: 675 205B, Union City. Zip: 07087. Tel: (551) 257- CANADA battle against Washington’s war, Hegenberger Road, Suite 250. Zip: 94621. 5753. [email protected] fight for equality by peoples on QUEBEC: Montreal: 7107 St. Denis Tel: (510) 686-1351. Email: swpoak NEW YORK: New York: 306 W. 37th St., #204 H2S 2S5. Tel: (514) 272-5840. Email: Atlantic Coast and more. @sbcglobal.net Los Angeles: 2826 S. 13th Floor. Zip: 10018. Tel: (646) 434-8117. [email protected] $25. Special price: $17.50 Vermont. Suite 1. Zip: 90007. Tel: (323) 643-4968. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Albany: 285 FBI on Trial Washington Ave. #1R. Zip: 12206. Tel: (518) FRANCE The Victory in the Socialist Workers Party FLORIDA: Miami: 1444 Biscayne 810-1586. Email: [email protected] Paris: BP 10130, 75723 Paris Cedex 15. Email: [email protected] Suit Against Government Spying Blvd., Suite 215. Zip: 33132. Tel: (305) 420- 5928. Email: [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 2824 by Margaret Jayko Cottman Ave., Suite 16. Zip: 19149. Tel: (215) NEW ZEALAND $17. Special price: $12 GEORGIA: Atlanta: 777 Cleveland Ave. SW Suite 103. Zip: 30315. Tel: (678) 708-1270. Email: [email protected] Auckland: 188a Onehunga Mall, Le socialisme en procès 528-7828. Email: [email protected] Onehunga. Postal address: P.O. Box 13857, TEXAS: Dallas: 1005 W. Jefferson Blvd., Auckland 1643. Tel: (09) 636-3231. Email: (Socialism on Trial) ILLINOIS: Chicago: 1858 W. Cermak Suite 207. Zip: 75208. Tel: (469) 513-1051. [email protected] par James P. Cannon Road, 2nd floor. Zip: 60608. Tel: (312) 455- Email: [email protected] $15. Special price: $10.50 0111. Email: [email protected] UNITED KINGDOM Join Pathfinder Readers Club WASHINGTON, D.C.: 7603 KENTUCKY: Louisville: 1939 Georgia Ave. NW, Suite 300. Zip: ENGLAND: London: 5 Norman Road for $10 and receive Goldsmith Lane, Suite 134. Zip: 40218. discounts all year long 20012. Tel: (202) 536-5080. Email: (first floor). Seven Sisters. Post code: N15 Tel: (502) 208-9171. Email: louisvilleswp@ 4ND. Tel: Tel: 020-3538 8900. Email: gmail.com [email protected] Order online at [email protected] Manchester: Unit www.pathfinderpress.com MINNESOTA: St. Paul: 1821 University WASHINGTON: Seattle: 5418 Rainier 9, Progress Centre, Charlton Place. Post Offer good until October 31 Ave. W Suite S-106A. Zip: 55104. Tel: (651) Ave. South. Zip: 98118-2439. Tel: (206) 323- code: M12 6HS. Tel: (0161) 258-2569. 340-5586. Email: [email protected] 1755. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 8 The Militant October 14, 2019 Editorial Oberlin College Working people need their own party keeps up drive to As growing evidence points to a slowdown in the working people from gaining confidence in ourselves world capitalist economy, no ruling class around the and on fostering divisions to pit us against each other. crush the Gibsons world has any solution to defending their profits and But as workers fight together to change the conditions by seth galinsky national interests other than through currency, trade we face, we also change ourselves. We learn our self- Despite a unanimous jury verdict finding Oberlin and military conflicts — and above all offloading their worth and begin to act on our capacities as a class. College and Dean of Students Meredith Raimondo system’s crisis onto the backs of working people. And fighting workers begin discussing how to use our guilty of libeling father and son Allyn W. and David Workers also face the consequences of the factional numbers and union power to defend all those exploited Gibson, and their bakery, as racist, officials of the lib- clashes between the bosses’ parties. The target of lib- and oppressed by capitalism. eral arts school continue to go after the family and erals in both the U.S. and U.K., who are criminalizing As long as the capitalist class holds state power, the its store. The college is preparing to appeal the June the political differences of their rivals, are the millions workings of their system guarantees they will endure 7 verdict and the $31.5 million damages awarded the of workers who voted for the U.K. to get out of the and we will pay. What the working class requires is a Gibsons and their lawyers. protectionist European Union, or who cast their bal- party with a program and strategy for the conquest of Oberlin College — one of the 20 most expensive lot for Donald Trump seeking to “clean the swamp” power by our class and its allies. universities in the country and the largest employer in Washington. Liberals think workers are too igno- The struggle to build such a party “does not arise in the small Ohio town — is used to getting its way. rant and bigoted to be allowed to make such decisions. spontaneously” and “is impossible without the gener- College President Carmen Twillie Ambar and They are determined to overturn those votes. alization of lessons of working-class battles — not in other officials have toured the country, seeking me- But workers today are neither reactionary nor stu- any single factory or industry, not in any single coun- dia coverage of their slanders, claiming the school pid. They are searching for a course to fight against the try, nor at any given moment,” explains the Socialist and the students’ “free speech” are the victims, not attacks of the bosses and their government. Workers Party resolution “Their Transformation and the Gibsons. Their disdain and class prejudice against Workers look to organize together to resist the boss- Ours,” published in New International no. 12. working people and small business owners in the area es’ attempts to profit off our backs. Such struggles are The Socialist Workers Party is launching a nine- shine through. bred by the very workings of capitalism — from the week campaign to win new readers — on strike picket In its latest attempt at undermining the verdict strike by autoworkers against GM bosses, to the fight lines, at social protests and door to door in working- and driving Gibson’s bakery and market out of busi- for dignity and national rights waged by the people class neighborhoods — to the Militant and books that ness, the college filed a post-trial motion Aug. 28 of West Papua against Indonesian authorities and the explain the lessons won in blood from past revolution- to unseal and make public personal Facebook post- fight of millions for political rights in Hong Kong. ary battles. And to raise $100,000 to finance the ongo- ings by Allyn D. Gibson, the son of David Gibson. Bosses and their governments count on keeping ing work of the SWP. Join us! Allyn D., who wasn’t a party in the suit, was the store clerk on duty who caught an Oberlin College student shoplifting. The Gibsons’ lawsuit stems from that November 2016 incident, when three students who are Black Crisis of imperialist world ‘order’ deepens were involved in an attempt to steal wine from the Continued from front page within by competing national interests of the rulers store. There is a long history of student shoplifting spending and business investment is slowing. and from without by the polarizing rivalry between in the town, acknowledged and joked about in the Trade tensions and rising tariff barriers are adding Beijing and Washington. In May, German Chancel- student newspaper. Allyn D. Gibson followed the to the cooling global economy. This has raised capital- lor Angela Merkel — who is on the way out as chief students out and attempted to stop them until police ist investors’ fears that the next economic crisis is near executive officer of German capital — acknowledged could arrive. By the time the cops showed up, the and they’re scurrying to find safer bets for investment. that “the old certainties of the postwar order” are over. three had young Allyn D. on the ground and were This deepening capitalist crisis and heightened One of the central problems facing the German rulers beating him. They were arrested. competition is fueling the disintegration of the old im- is they have only a fifth-rate military, having relied on Over the next two days, Raimondo encouraged and perialist global order put in place after Washington’s Washington for decades for defense. The same is true organized students — giving them use of college fa- bloody victory in the second imperialist world slaugh- of all the European ruling classes. cilities and resources and offering class credits — to ter. The U.S. rulers remain by far the dominant capi- protest outside the bakery. She joined in handing out talist power, despite clear signs of their decline. Threat of a ‘currency war’ flyers calling for a boycott. The flyer falsely claimed The veneer of a “rules-based” world order and rela- “Threats to European integration are mounting,” that Gibson’s is “a RACIST establishment with a tively stable multilateral institutions marked earlier was the headline of an article by Wolfgang Munchau LONG ACCOUNT of RACIAL PROFILING and decades of Washington’s era — like the U.N., which in the Aug. 11 Financial Times. He noted the bloc of DISCRIMINATION.” gave its sponsorship to the U.S. rulers’ war in Korea, capitalist powers called the European Union now fac- The university canceled Gibson’s contract to pro- the World Trade Organization and others. es “an economic downturn, a global currency war, a vide baked goods to the campus dining hall and car- This facade is being pulled apart at the seams. The technology shock in the car sector, possibly a no-deal ried out other actions aimed at exacting maximum imperialist competitors’ problems are being foisted on Brexit and an Italian government crisis.” economic harm on the family. working people at home and in the semicolonial world. Munchau warns the capitalist rulers in Europe risk The three students later pled guilty and issued The growing rivalry between the rising Chinese “a vicious circle during the next downturn or finan- statements that there was no racial bias involved in capitalist class and the U.S. ruling families has accel- cial crisis” with already low interest rates. The Italian their case. erated over the past decade of protracted crisis. This government, he notes, is threatening to free itself from Gibson’s lawyers opposed the college’s new strategic conflict over which ruling class will come EU fiscal rules and to set up a parallel currency, which motion. “Unhappy with the jury’s verdict, Defen- out on top in the 21st century is over the division and it could devalue more freely. Manchau suggests that dants now seek to exploit these materials,” they ex- redivision of the spoils from plundering the earth’s the economic argument for integration has been weak- plained, “in a further effort to harass and smear the resources and the wealth produced by workers and ened, perhaps mortally, “after the devastating experi- Gibson family.” farmers worldwide. ence of austerity in southern Europe.” “They should not be permitted to do so,” the law- “No force can stop the Chinese people and the Chi- And he says the “real threat to European integra- yers said. nese nation from forging ahead,” Chinese President Xi tion” will come “from the EU’s voters.” From workers Lorain County Judge John Miraldi agreed, denying Jinping said at the parade celebrating 70 years since in the U.K. who voted overwhelmingly to get out of the college’s motion Sept. 18, noting that Oberlin Col- the founding of the People’s Republic Oct. 1. That the EU to this year’s yellow vest protests in France, the lege “made no attempt to introduce these materials as same day, cops and thugs backed by Beijing were as- rulers’ fears of the working class are growing. evidence of the Bakery’s reputation in the commu- saulting protesters for political rights in Hong Kong, On top of growing tariff disputes, there now is a nity” during the trial. shooting one. much more serious threat of an all-out currency war. Oberlin College officials try to paint the verdict by The global capitalist economy is now the most in- On June 18, European Central Bank President Mario a jury drawn from Lorain County as an attack on stu- terdependent — and the most overleveraged — it has Draghi announced that the ECB was prepared to cut dents’ free speech and right to protest. They blame it ever been. The international debt mountain has more interest rates and restart bond buying as an economic on “prejudice” by area workers. But the lawsuit wasn’t than doubled from a high of $116 trillion in 2007 be- stimulus weapon aimed at the U.S. dollar in hopes of directed at the students at all, let alone their right to fore the global financial crisis to $244 trillion today. seizing more of the world market. protest. It was aimed at the malicious actions of col- During the same time, the global total of gross domes- Draghi’s remarks were challenged by President lege officials, who helped organize the protests and tic products has grown by only half from $58 trillion Donald Trump as “immediately drop[ping] the Euro promoted the slanders of racism against the Gibsons. to $85 trillion. With growing idled productive capac- against the Dollar, making it easier to compete against Emails entered as evidence during the trial showed ity, deflationary pressures are increasing. the U.S.A. They have been getting away with this for that Raimondo threatened “unleashing the students” The European Union is being torn apart from years, along with China and others.” The threat to re- on a professor who said that college officials were spond in kind, and more, was clear. Effects of a spiral- making a mistake in slandering the Gibsons. ‘Militant’ Prisoners’ Fund ing currency battle would reverberate worldwide. An FAQ featured on the college’s official website The fund makes it possible to send prisoners reduced Working people will pay the piper whichever coun- continues to insinuate that Gibson’s is racist, violent rate subscriptions. Send a check or money order pay- try’s capitalist class claws its way to the top. The only and at fault for the 2016 incident. able to the ‘Militant’ and earmarked “Prisoners’ Fund” alternative for working people is to unite and fight for Before they filed their lawsuit, the Gibsons asked to 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018. their own independent class interests, to build a revo- the college to make a simple statement of fact that the Or donate online at www.themilitant.com lutionary leadership capable of replacing today’s dic- business has never conducted racial profiling. The tatorship of capital with workers power. college refuses to this day. The Militant October 14, 2019 9