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Activists commemorate International Working Women's Day, March 8, in New York City. Read more on page 10. PHOTO: ANAKBAYAN NEW YORK

Venezuela battles U.S. sabotage of electrical grid

By Sam Ordóñez U.S. Agency for International Development truck had (FANB) have remained loyal to the constitution. in fact been burned by opposition forces. (tinyurl.com/ On Feb. 23, the opposition attempted to bring trucks March 10—Thousands of people filled the streets of y5ykjd9e) into the country from Colombia and Brazil, claiming Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, in celebration of the There can be no doubt that those U.S. operators who that they contained “humanitarian aid.” Both the Bolivarian Day of Anti-Imperialism on March 9. This date planned the coup will make any claim in their frenzy International Red Cross and the United Nations called has been observed since 2015 when U.S. President Barack to conquer Venezuela. It’s not clear why the New York the aid ploy a political move. Despite two days of vio- Obama declared Venezuela to be an “unusual and extraor- Times chose to break with the U.S. government at this lent attacks on the Colombian border, the trucks were dinary” threat to national security. time. This break clearly demonstrates how imperialism unable to enter the country. The Bolivarian masses also marched in response to has lied and then used the media as a weapon in its It was popular power mobilized to resist imperial- attacks against the country’s electrical grid. A series of sab- attacks against Venezuela. ism that defended Venezuela. On the border, the FANB otages and cybernetic attacks against the electrical plant was fighting alongside pro-government “colectivos,” in the Bolivar state at El Guri, which supplies electricity to The new regime-change strategy or collectives, and civilian militias. The high levels of most of the country, began on March 7. A month and a half after Juan Guaidó declared him- political consciousness and organization prevented a Speaking in front of the anti-imperialist march, the self president, an act propelled by the United States, split inside the FANB that the U.S. and its puppet Juan legitimate President Nicolás Maduro said that the opposi- Nicolás Maduro remains in the presidential palace at Guaidó were looking for. tion was responsible for the attacks against the electrical Miraflores and the National Bolivarian Armed Forces Continued on page 8 grid. The attacks came two weeks after the Venezuelan government declared that the coup attempt directed from Washington had failed. Meanwhile, on the other side of Caracas, Juan Guaidó, the self-appointed “interim president,” indirectly threat- HIT THE STREETS TO DEFEND VENEZUELA! ened new, broader sabotage. Speaking from a megaphone Major demonstrations set March 16 - U.S. Hands off March 30 - No to NATO, War & in front of an opposition rally, he said, “We must announce for Washington, DC for Venezuela! Racism! No War on Venezuela! with responsibility that this will become a fuel crisis.” March 16, March 30 12pm at Lafayette Park 1pm at Lafayette Park At the time of this writing, electricity is being gradually → → restored to the affected areas. According to government i Go to nowaronvenezuela.org for more info. officials, there has been constant work to restore power and “normalize the situation” from the beginning of the attacks. The coordinated use of international new media has been key to imperialism’s strategy in Venezuela. Until now all the major media have repeated the lies fed to them by GLUT OF FOOD GROWS, National Security Adviser John Bolton, Sen. Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams alleging YOUTH VS. CAPITALISM 2 SO WHY HUNGER? 6 that Maduro’s forces burned aid trucks at the border. On March 10, however, the New York Times released a ILHAN OMAR & ZIONIST FREE CHELSEA MANNING, report contradicting these claims and showing how the BACKLASH 5 AGAIN editorial 10

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Email ______Phone ______6 Street ______Global warming in Alaska City / State / Zip ______More on Venezuela 8, 9 Workers World Weekly Newspaper workers.org 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011 212.627.2994 Anniversary of Iraq War 10 Page 2 Mar. 14, 2019 workers.org Commentary A new generation of socialists is coming this week

By Makasi Motema ◆ In the U.S. A new generation of socialists is coming . . . . . 2 The crowd roared when the head of the imperialist/ capitalist state proclaimed that “America will never be a Confederate statue voted down at U. Mississippi . 3 socialist country.” Donald Trump made himself the stan- Pa. prisoners punished by Dept. of Corrections . . 3 dard-bearer of U.S. capitalism during his State of the Tufts U. dining hall workers to take strike vote . . 4 Union address in February, and both parties lined up to Rank-and-file unionism pushes company back . . 4 follow. But in spite of the thunderous response, the biparti- We Stand with Ilhan ...... 5 san cries of support for capitalism carried a hint of des- Sonic Drive-In workers protest pay cuts . . . . . 5 peration. Why did Trump feel the need to rally Congress Hunger amid a glut of food ...... 6 against the advance of socialism? Impact of global warming in Arctic community . . 6 The reason is that young people are increasingly reject- Piling one scam on top of another, the capitalists ing capitalism, and it frightens the ruling class. Young demand the working class submit not just to the bosses, Title X changes promote right-wing agenda . . . 7 people have seen the harm caused by neoliberal capitalist but also to algorithms which exploit workers with com- Anna Chambers says 'NO' to NYPD rapists . . . . 7 regimes, and they are embracing socialism as the only via- puterized precision. With no job security, no retirement International Working Women’s Day celebrated .10 ble alternative. plans, no escape from debt and seemingly no future, the Béla Lugosi: More than just an actor ...... 11 The lifetime of today’s youth has been marked by the current generation understands that the only means of dramatic stripping away of capitalism’s promises and the survival is dismantling the old system and replacing it with ◆ Around the world revelation of its cruel reality. Unlike their parents’ gener- something new. For today’s young people, socialism isn’t a Venezuela battles U.S. sabotage of electrical grid . 1 ation, today’s young people were told that they could not fashionable new trend—it is a life raft in a sea of capitalist get a good job without a college degree. Under these terms, destitution. ‘End forced displacement, neo-fascism & war’ . . . 7 those who could saddled themselves with five- or six-figure A system that puts workers in control is the only rational Three days of war for light in Venezuela . . . . . 8 student loan debts, only to be mauled by the post-2008 option—the alternative is a life of economic instability. Union leader and militant on state of the crisis . . 9 job market. The capitalists have been given every chance to “reform” Swedish group condemns 2003 invasion of Iraq . . 10 Entry-level jobs require not just a degree, but relevant their system, and they have come up with nothing. “Hope experience. Gaining experience means shouldering the and change” was nothing but hot air, and the current gen- ◆ Editorials burden of an unpaid internship—giving away your labor eration understands this. They know that capitalism can power to a company for free while you find some other never, and will never, be fixed. IWWD: Nothing stays the same ...... 10 means to support yourself. With the pre-existing disad- Capitalism is unsustainable. A dramatic transformation Free Chelsea Manning! ...... 10 vantage of debilitating debt payments, the Millennial gen- from a system based on theft to one based on meeting the eration came of age in a world where even getting a job is needs of society is required. Capitalism brings with it impe- ◆ Noticias en Español unaffordable. rialism, racism, patriarchy and environmental destruction. Venezuela se moviliza contra el sabotaje . . . . 12 Those who do find work are not greeted with formerly Today’s youth want no part of that future. They have seen Incertidumbre eléctrica y política en Venezuela . 12 stable employment and retirement plans of previous gen- the damage done at home and abroad. They demand a erations. Instead, their employment, and thus their sur- morally justifiable economic policy. vival, is tenuous at best. They are encouraged to get second Young people desire a system where medical care is not jobs in the “gig economy.” Continued on page 3 Workers World 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10011 Join us in the fight Phone: 212.627.2994 E-mail: [email protected] for socialism! Web: www.workers.org

Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist people are gunned down by cops and bigots on a regular Vol. 61, No. 11 • Mar. 14, 2019 party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We are a basis. Closing date: Mar. 13, 2019 multinational, multigenerational and multigendered orga- The ruthless ruling class today seeks to wipe out Editor: Deirdre Griswold nization that not only aims to abolish capitalism, but to decades of gains and benefits won by hard-fought strug- Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, build a socialist society because it’s the only way forward! gles by people’s movements. The super-rich and their Monica Moorehead, Minnie Bruce Pratt; Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of the political representatives have intensified their attacks on Web Editors: Ben Carroll, John Steffin world and the planet itself in the neverending quest for the multinational, multigender and multigenerational ever-greater profits. working class. It is time to point the blame at—and chal- Production & Design Editors: Gery Armsby, Sasha Capitalism means war and austerity, racism and repres- lenge—the capitalist system. Mazumder, Scott Williams sion, attacks on im/migrants, misogyny, LGBTQ oppres- WWP fights for socialism because the working class Copyediting and Proofreading: Paddy Colligan, sion and mistreatment of people with disabilities. It means produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should Sue Davis, S. Hedgecoke joblessness, increasing homelessness and impoverishment remain in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capi- and lack of hope for the future. No social problems can be talist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially Contributing Editors: G. Dunkel, K. Durkin, solved under capitalism. owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guaran- Fred Goldstein, Martha Grevatt, Teresa Gutierrez, The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one tee basic human needs. Betsey Piette, Gloria Rubac has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the Mundo Obero: Alberto García, Teresa Gutierrez, education or anything else—unless they can pay for it. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Carlos Vargas Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even make and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP it to college. Black, Brown and Indigenous youth and trans branch near you. ☐ Copyright © 2019 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium Contact a Workers World Party branch near you: workers.org/wwp without royalty provided this notice is preserved. National Office Bay Area Durham, N.C. 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[email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. workers.org Mar. 14, 2019 Page 3 Students lead Confederate statue voted down at University of Mississippi By Minnie Bruce Pratt thanks to enslaving plantation owners. Oxford, Miss. The counterrally, organized by the Black Student Union, SASI and other groups, March 9—A home-grown, student-led drowned them out with anti-racist campaign delivered four powerful body chanting. blows to racism here at the University of A turning point in the struggle came the Mississippi during the first week in March. night of Feb. 23. As the national anthem UM’s Graduate Student Council Senate, played at an at-home UM college basket- Associated Student Body Senate, Faculty ball game with the University of Georgia, Senate and Staff Council all voted “yes” to seven UM players knelt in protest. Six were removing an infamous Confederate statue African-American and one Latinx. from its central place on campus. These They were the first UM student athletes four organizations make up UM’s shared in any sport to protest during the anthem governance. The Staff Council represents and the first-ever such protest by basketball over 2,000 people, ranging from custo- players at a major university since sports dial workers to the university registrar. protests against racism began in 2016 The GSCS resolution included a clause with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s denouncing white supremacy. The vote PHOTO: DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN/REED JONES actions. by senators in ASBS, representing under- Students march at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Nov. 28, 2018. graduate students, was unexpectedly ‘We will not stop’ unanimous, which evoked applause and veteran James Meredith. Injustice, part of United Students Against With the athletes’ action, the campaign celebratory tears. Almost 58 percent of White rioters attacked the dormitory Sweatshops, a U.S. student-led worker for removal picked up steam. Student student comments received by ASBS sup- where Meredith was staying and set fire to association. organizer Williams commented that the ported removing the racist statue. the military car of a U.S. Army general and SASI President Quay Williams, an Feb. 23 white-supremacist rally also The university, founded in 1848 by staff, who barely escaped with their lives. African-American sophomore from the called the question as to what side people white plantation owners as an alterna- Two people were killed and 300 injured. Mississippi Delta, commented to WW, were on: “If they didn’t vote for removal tive to sending their sons to abolition- Ralph Eubanks, African-American “The campus is awake because we’ve been [on the resolution], that would show them ist-influenced Harvard or Yale, has been UM graduate and former director of pub- fighting for a while against the racism of as more obviously in support of racists.” nicknamed “Ole Miss,” a reference to a lishing at the Library of Congress, com- the statue. Now they are woke.” The four resolutions go now to UM’s plantation owner’s white wife. mented to The Daily Mississippian that Emrys Gill told WW that the campaign interim chancellor, who will likely send The Confederate statue, erected in 1906, when he was a student, his mother did included many strategy meetings, appoint- the issue to the board of trustees for was part of a nationwide white-suprema- not want to come to campus. She said, “I ments with the administration, marches Mississippi higher education. cist propaganda campaign launched after can’t look at the Lyceum [directly behind last April and November and a spirited As for next steps, organizer Gill the Civil War and emancipation of enslaved the statue] without seeing blood running Feb. 23 protest. SASI organizer Gill is a emphasized, “For the University of African people. The statue has been a ral- down the steps.” (March 7) white sociology major from Jackson, Miss. Mississippi—students and everybody—the lying point for the Ku Klux Klan and other The Feb. 23 march opposed white statue is not down yet. The votes are a nec- racist groups, including in 1962, when ‘Now they are woke’ supremacist groups The Hiwaymen and essary step, but we are not finished. We will segregationists gathered there to oppose The campaign against the statue was Confederate 901, who began their rally not stop until the construction crew shows integration of UM by Black U.S. military initiated by Students Against Social that day at the statue with a prayer of up and takes down the statue.” ☐ Pennsylvania prisoners punished by Dept. of Corrections

By Ted Kelly settle the suit and will stop photocopying case of a corrections officer’s “exposure” and storing prisoners’ legal mail. to illegal drugs, confirming activists’ sus- Frackville, Pa.—For the last six This sudden reversal is a major victory picion that the lockdown, ordered in the months, Pennsylvania state prison staff for inmates and abolitionists across the middle of 2018 National Prison Strike, have been systematically opening and state. was aimed at stifling rebellion and strike duplicating all legal correspondence The decision to open, copy and store activity. exchanged between inmates and their prisoners’ legal mail was one of many State ACLU Legal Director Vic Walczak attorneys. repressive policies implemented in the told a local NPR affiliate: “Our expert, This flagrant violation of attorney-cli- aftermath of an unprecedented 2018 who was a former warden at San Quentin ent privilege, made official policy by Gov. statewide crackdown on prisons. Wolf and a commissioner in the California Tom Wolf in July 2018, was challenged claimed that his decision to impose an Corrections Department, was going by a joint suit filed by the American Civil emergency lockdown of all 24 state cor- to testify that legal mail has not been a Liberties Union, the Abolitionist Law rectional facilities—and over 50,000 major source of contraband.” (wskg.org, Center, the Pennsylvania Institutional prisoners—was in response to an “out- Feb. 22) Law Project and the Amistad Law Project. break” of illnesses due to exposure to The legal watchdogs’ suit was aimed After just one day of testimony in fed- “synthetic drugs” that were being smug- only at prisoners’ legal mail, so all other eral court, the Pennsylvania Department gled into prisons. mail will continue to be routed through of Corrections announced its intention to But there has been only one verified Smart Communications in Florida, PHOTO: BENJAMIN IRVING where it is photocopied and forwarded Bryant Arroyo and Ted Kelly at SCI Frackville. to Pennsylvania prisons. The DOC A new generation of socialists is coming granted a $4 million contract to Smart “This facility is aware,” says Arroyo, Communications and has spent over “of the majority-Muslim and other indi- Continued from page 2 force of socialism cannot be stopped, $40,000 to purchase copy machines for viduals who refrain from the practice of and neither can the masses who have all state prisons. eating pork products. It seems the staff determined by one’s ability to pay and pushed it to the forefront of U.S. politics. has engaged in a deliberate act of dis- where housing is a human right. They Workers’ strikes will only intensify. As Retaliation continues against crimination against the Black/Hispanic have growing solidarity which demands these workers’ movements continue to prisoners, families inmate population.” This insult has only an end to wealth extracted from the many become more intersectional and join with “They’ll resort to any means at their exacerbated racial tensions between the by the few—that can only be accom- anti-racist, anti-patriarchal and anti-im- disposal to make you feel like you have majority Black and Brown prison popula- plished through socialism. perialist movements, they will become no control, to undermine your value as a tion and the overwhelmingly white staff. Young people are correct in identifying uncontainable. Any attempt by the ruling human being,” says Bryant Arroyo as he Bryant also points to the removal of this solution. When we look at the pain class to suppress these movements will bites into a cold turkey sandwich in the tables from the visiting room. During our caused by greed and economic exploita- only hasten its own demise. visiting room at SCI Frackville. visit, prisoners could be seen juggling tion, and the righteous anger of people Today’s youth have emerged from the For the first time since the July lock- lunch trays in their laps while meeting rising up to resist it all over the world, ruins of the greatest economic disaster down, Bryant and his fellow inmates are with family members, or else they were it’s clear that the victory of socialism since the Great Depression. Their expe- allowed to purchase lunch while meeting forced to put trays on the floor and eat over capitalism is inevitable. Systems of rience has taught them that capitalism is with visitors. Sandwiches and candy bars off the ground. Apart from the indignity oppression cannot thrive forever. not an engine of economic growth, but are again in vending machines that for six of this arrangement, Bryant slams the We live in an increasingly intercon- of cannibalization and environmental months stood empty. removal of proper tables and furniture nected world where class consciousness catastrophe. Instead, they crave a system The machines seem to be stocked as ableist and a likely violation of the is on the rise. Unity among the masses based on equity and economic justice. with six month's worth of leftovers, with Americans with Disabilities Act. is always a sign that the ruling class will The ruling class is terrified that soon they mostly food, including some kind of pork The privilege of prisoners to get their soon lose its grip on power. The moral will get it. ☐ product. Continued on page 4 Page 4 Mar. 14, 2019 workers.org Tufts University dining hall workers to take strike vote

By G. Lechat and Ed Childs the 22-day Harvard strike in 2016, came out to support Boston her mom who is also a dining hall worker and a union activist at Tufts. UNITE HERE Local 26 Dining Hall workers marched Local 26 has led the way in bringing the strike weapon and rallied March 5, eight months into contract negoti- back to the Boston area, and the 2016 Harvard strike ations with Tufts University. Tufts has resisted union- has been an inspiration to workers far and wide. The ization for years, but workers have been building power, Harvard strike showed the importance of organiz- and this show of force was about 1,000 strong. ing within a union—developing strong leaders, not During the organizing drive, 75 percent of the work- just growing the union to as many members as possi- ers signed union cards—the National Labor Relations ble. Without this effort, unions cannot fight effectively Board requires at least 30 percent for a union represen- against management’s cuts or contemplate a strike when tation election—and 127 out of 146 workers voted to join necessary. So the Harvard strike empowered hotel work- Local 26 in April 2018. Contract negotiations began last ers to fight back and win. August; with community support, workers are fighting The Northeastern campaign and one-day strike fol- back against the anti-union university. A strike vote is lowed Harvard in 2017 and reinforced the importance of March 5 protest. PHOTO: G. LECHAT scheduled for March 14, and most workers have indi- student solidarity through groups like Harvard Student cated that they would vote to authorize a strike. Labor Action Movement, Huskies Organizing With Labor teachers who have repeatedly struck, even in “right-to- While picketing and drumming all over campus, dem- at Northeastern and now Tufts Dining Action Coalition. work” states. onstrators left hundreds of signs planted in the snow in The Tufts Coalition has mobilized students and secured However, the triumph of UNITE HERE hotel workers, front of the president’s office during a cold two-hour statements of support and acts of solidarity from Robin who simultaneously struck in 10 locals across the coun- demonstration that drew enormous student turnout DiAngelo, author of the recent book “White Fragility” try, shows that strong organization can win, even with- as well as other area union members. Local 26 mem- who visited the university; the mayors of Medford and out the student solidarity that education workers have. bers, who have had their own struggles against Harvard Somerville, municipalities that include Tufts’ campus; While employers have become greedier, unions prepared and Northeastern universities as well as Marriott and even fraternities such as Theta Chi that hoisted a to strike can still push back. Workers who fight to form a International, all came out to show support. banner reading “Frats for Dining Worker Power.” union or make their union better have an impact on the Boston’s hotel workers, who weathered a 46-day Student solidarity has added pressure on the univer- whole working class—by raising wages and winning the strike last fall, were an especially strong contingent on sity to do the right thing. Just as it has been a major respect all workers deserve. ☐ the picket line. One Harvard union member, a veteran of advantage for all unionized education workers, especially

Strike in Erie ends Rank-and-file unionism pushes company back By Martha Grevatt good] wages and benefits. The outreach from them was the members who run our union ... in a democratic and absolutely amazing.” collective manner.” (ueunion.org) Wabtec is a company that supplies technology prod- In Erie, this culture was evident. “The company ucts and services to freight rail and passenger transit Support for strikers—from Erie to around the world understood our resolve. The spirit on the picket line markets worldwide. On Feb. 25, Wabtec consolidated a Support came in from all over the world. As the UE was very high,” according to Slawson. To his knowledge merger with GE Transportation. That very day, the com- website reports, “The Erie UE locals have received let- there were no line-crossers. “Nearly the entire member- pany announced it would no longer abide by the contract ters of support from UE Local 610, which represents ship participated. The first days there was a high level terms that the United Electrical workers union had pre- Wabtec workers in Wilmerding [Pa.]; the IndustriALL of excitement and after that it was sheer resolve. The viously negotiated with General Electric in Erie, Pa. Global Labor Union which represents 50 million work- company was overwhelmed.” Wabtec attempted to unilaterally impose major con- ers around the world; unions in Canada, Great Britain, The company agreed to most of the language in the cessions, including forced overtime, pay cuts of up to 38 France, Italy, Brazil, Mexico and Turkey; and from GE-UE contract, although not 100 percent. The union, percent, a two-tier pay scale, extensive use of temporary Railroad Workers United, a cross-craft alliance of union previously allowed to strike over any grievance, agreed workers and arbitrary schedules. railroad workers in the U.S. and Canada—all of whom not to strike for the life of the contract; the company UE Local 506, representing most of the 1,700 workers have written to Wabtec CEO Ray Betler indicating they agreed to no lockouts. at the Erie plant, and Local 618, representing a smaller are following the Erie negotiations and are prepared to What if the company demands more givebacks in the group of workers, did not waste any time trying to plead take action.” next 90 days? Are the workers prepared to go back out? with the company for fairness. They hit the picket line! Solidarity of the rank and file is what, first and fore- “Yeah, I believe they are,” said Slawson. “We’re a Nine days later the strike is over and the union is most, pushed the company back. The union explains, tough unit and certain things—two-tier, mandatory claiming a win. The tentative agreement is for 90 days, “In UE, we use the term ‘rank-and-file unionism’ to overtime—are just not acceptable.” ☐ but UE is confident it can win a long-term contract. describe how our union operates: it simply means it's Terms of the short-term agreement include no pay cuts, no benefit cuts, no forced overtime and no plant closure or permanent layoffs during the term of the agreement.

Rank-and-file union against Fortune 500 behemoth Pennsylvania prisoners punished As the union points out, Wabtec can well afford to Continued from page 3 increased use of video visitation, yet another cash cow maintain the pay and benefits that GE had been provid- for the DOC. They want to further monetize even these ing. Formed in 1999 by the merger of Westinghouse Air photo taken with visitors is still suspended, even though small, intimate moments.” Brake and Motive Power Industries, Wabtec is no small, officials said the moratorium was only meant to last 180 The number of formal grievances filed by inmates has upstart company. days. reportedly skyrocketed in recent weeks, an indicator of Even before its latest acquisition, Wabtec had 100 greater mobilization and activism on the part of prison- facilities in 50 countries on six continents and was one Monetizing even the small moments ers. Arroyo, whom Mumia Abu-Jamal once dubbed “the of the world’s largest railroad equipment companies. Daniel Gibson, an activist is also being held at SCI world's first jailhouse environmentalist,” is encouraged With the latest expansion, Wabtec has 27,000 employ- Frackville, described to WW a recent visit with his loved by the bravery and engagement of his fellow inmates. ees worldwide and has become a Fortune 500 firm. CEO one in no uncertain terms: “Our visit at SCI Frackville Ray Betler was paid $16 million in compensation last was punitive and oppressive. It seemed like all the cor- ‘Tell me who you walk with’ year—about equal to the value of the contract conces- rectional officers’ actions were a retaliation against Switching back and forth between Spanish and English sions Wabtec demanded. the recent wins of prisoners’ rights—food and drinks as he often does, the Puerto Rican prisoner-organizer The Erie plant, over 100 years old, is one of the larg- returning to vending machines, the return of client-at- recites an adage he learned from his working-class par- est locomotive factories in the world, occupying 1,000 torney privilege with respects to legal mail and the rein- ents. “Dime con quien andas y te diré quien eres/Tell me acres. UE has represented the workers for 82 years. GE statement of the book policy which allows people to who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.” was—and now Wabtec is—the largest single employer donate and send books to inmates. Bryant walks the block with the most oppressed of in the city of Erie, population 97,000. Imposing pay cuts “The COs specifically singled us out, reprimanding us our class. The prison authorities and corrections officers or layoffs on 1,700 UE families would have had a detri- for the slightest personal touch (like leaning on some- clearly stroll a different path. mental impact on the local economy. Less money would one) and non-’promiscuous’ behavior" (which is not “What does the DOC hope to achieve from all this?” A be spent and the tax base would drop. allowed in State Correctional Institution visiting rooms). mischievous smile appears on Arroyo's face, and he rubs People in the community understood this. They This is the case for many visiting rooms across the state, his shaved bald head as if running his hand through a honked in support, stopped by the lines and dropped off where people do feel singled out because of how oppres- mop of hair. food, coffee, hand warmers and firewood. “Community sive these environments are. Then he trumpets his lips out in a comic fashion and support was overwhelming,” Local 506 President Scott “Inmates’ families report harassment, cuts [in] visit- gestures wildly with both hands, impersonating President Slawson told Workers World. For years GE tried to use ing times at SCIs Camp Hill and Frackville in particular, Trump: “They want to Make America Great Again! UE’s good wages and benefits to pit the community and feeling criminalized while trying to visit their loved “I think that's a Freudian slip, by the way,” says Arroyo, against the union. “But,” he continued, “we’ve made the ones. The Department of Corrections wants to make chuckling. “They really just want to Make America Hate community understand the benefits to them of [jobs with in-person visits so unbearable [and] eventually force Again.” ☐ workers.org Mar. 14, 2019 Page 5 WW Commentary Ohio We Stand with Ilhan Sonic Drive-In workers protest pay cuts

By Kathy Durkin By Mike Kuhlenbeck

A crack has been made in the founda- Workers at three Sonic Drive-In restau- tion of Washington's alliance with Israel: rants in Ohio walked off the job in response The taboo of not criticizing the Zionist to company threats of reduced pay and state in Congress has been broken. This layoffs on Feb. 22. Sonic staff in Circleville, was spearheaded by Congress members Grove City and Lancaster quit as a group Ilhan Omar and her colleague Rashida after being told that, along with other Tlaib, who oppose U.S. support for Israel grievances, their pay would be reduced news outlets picked up the story and pho- and champion Palestinian rights. from $8.55 an hour (Ohio's current mini- tos of the notes went viral. Sonic quickly Omar's courageous words have criti- mum wage) to $4 an hour plus tips. issued statements to calm the social media cized the American Israel Public Affairs WW PHOTO: MARTHA GREVATT These stores were among the 10 loca- storm. Vice President of Public Relations Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group, Solidarity with Ilhan Omar on Int’l Working tions in the Columbus market acquired Christi Woodworth wrote on March 1: and challenged Washington's alliance Women’s Day, March 8, Cleveland, Ohio. by Sonic’s operating affiliate, SRI Holding “We recognize that changes like this can with Israel. This has angered the capital- Co., in December. SRI took over eight of be difficult for employees to understand ist establishment, but engendered much They shot over 6,000 unarmed demon- the restaurants and closed the other two and most current employees will have the support from a growing movement inside strators, killing 189, including 35 children, due to “poor performance” on Feb. 25. opportunity to continue working at the the U.S. which agrees with her. three health workers and two journalists. Early news of the proposed changes by drive-in.” Sonic denied there would be pay Omar, a Somali immigrant represent- In total, 23,313 Palestinians were injured. SRI caused the workers to storm off the cuts, claiming the incident was a result of ing her Minnesota community, and Tlaib, “Snipers targeted people clearly identified job, leaving behind angry notes and letters miscommunication. a member of Michigan's Palestinian as children, health workers and journal- explaining their actions. At the Circleville “It is hard to believe the workers would community, are the first Muslim women ists.” (fair.org., March 8) store, a note on the window read, in part, have taken these actions if these changes elected to Congress. They back the Israel's crimes against humanity have “Due to terrible management the whole weren’t on the way,” Halbert said. “These Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions cam- outraged millions and brought outcries store has quit. The company has been sold are folks working tough jobs, with no paign opposing Israeli oppression of the against the Zionist state's racism, bru- to people that don't give a damn about any- union protection, probably with very little Palestinian people. tality and inhumanity. Criticisms of one but themselves.” The note was signed to fall back on. They took a huge personal The Islamophobic and racist attacks Washington's financial and political sup- by “Ex-Sonic Crew.” risk to stand up to this company.” against Omar by right-wingers, includ- port for Tel Aviv have mounted. Solidarity A letter at the Lancaster store called It is uncertain if any of the workers will ing politicians, AIPAC and other Zionist and sympathy for the Palestinian people Sonic “the trashiest company we have ever return. But, as Halbert pointed out, “The forces, which include Christian evangeli- are growing, demonstrated by increasing seen.” It was signed by “The Breakfast walkouts created pressure, and that they cals, has reached a fever pitch, with false worldwide support for the BDS movement. Club,” referencing the 1985 film depicting got the company on record saying that cries that she is “anti-Semitic.” Liberals Despite U.S. government and AIPAC a group of high school students in deten- pay rates would stay the same and that and centrists criticized her. Corporate attempts to squelch both the BDS cam- tion who, despite their differences, band tips would not be taken out of base pay media piled on the hostility. Omar paign and support for the Palestinians, together to reclaim their lives. is a win.” faced—and still faces—death threats. this movement is mushrooming, as Policy Matters Ohio Project Director Over 158,000 Ohio workers are in food When bigot-in-chief Donald Trump shown in protests by youth, Arab, Hannah Halbert told Workers World, service. Data from the Ohio Department attacked Omar on twitter, Tlaib rightfully Muslim, African-American, Jewish and “The letters the Sonic workers posted of Job and Family Services indicates this tweeted back March 6: “How dare you even other progressives. Michelle Alexander's during their walkout highlight many of sector will continue to be the Buckeye pretend you have not given white suprem- groundbreaking op-ed in the Jan. 19 New the problems with this sector.” State's largest job category through 2026. acists and neo-Nazis even more power in York Times, “Time to break the silence on Sonic, which advertises itself as Some Ohio legislators have recently this country? We will always stand with our Palestine,” was a clarion call to oppose “America’s Drive-In,” is not the only called for raising the minimum wage to $15 Jewish, Muslim and neighbors of all faiths Washington's backing of Israel and its restaurant chain that exploits its work- an hour by 2023. If passed, the measure against your type of hate.” crimes against the Palestinians. The very force. Food service and prep are known would benefit more than 2 million work- Congressional right-wingers assail Omar publication of the op-ed reflects the strug- for low pay, erratic scheduling, lack of job ers. But this alone will not stop exploitation for criticizing AIPAC and U.S. support gle's growing strength. security and opposition to unions. in food service and other sectors. Workers for Israel, hypocritically accusing her of “The letters were powerful because need $15 an hour right now. anti-Semitism—which they have suddenly Proud to defend Ilhan Omar they show how little the workers were “The most basic worker protec- discovered. They demand her ouster from After Omar criticized AIPAC, and Trump valued despite their commitment to the tions—our minimum wage and over- Congress but gave a pass to Trump when and his racist cronies viciously attacked company,” Halbert said. “People who time laws—have been eroded over time,” he remarked that neo-Nazis marching in her, Jewish Voice for Peace issued a press work in food service care about their job, Halbert said. “Unionization continues to Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 were “very fine release Feb. 12. It read: “Jewish Voice for but too often no one cares about them.” be under threat. Collective action is an people.” These right-wingers said nothing Peace is proud to defend Ilhan Omar. We Since the walkout was reported by The effective way to demand that we rebuild when Trump spouted anti-Jewish and rac- reject attempts to silence her criticism of Scioto Post (based in Circleville), multiple that foundation.” ☐ ist rhetoric during his election campaign Israeli policy and her support for Palestinian and retweeted fake news stories about rights and freedom, just as we reject anti-­ “global Jewish financial interests.” Semitism and bigotry in all forms.” Democratic Party leaders have criticized JVP launched an #istandwithilhan” Fight for women’s liberation! Omar and tried to introduce a House reso- social media campaign, endorsed by lution condemning anti-Semitism, meant hundreds of celebrities and well-known Build Workers World! to suppress her and Tlaib's denunciations progressive activists and academics, of Israel and AIPAC. That these leaders sin- including Angela Davis, Harry Belafonte As Marxists, we strive not just to who bear the brunt of Trump’s racist, gled out a woman of color, but had not for- and Eve Ensler. honor history but to make it—to bring sexist, bigoted, xenophobic agenda: im/ mally condemned Trump's bigotry or Rep. A statement by #westandwithihan about changes that put the workers and migrant women and refugees detained Steve King’s spewing of white nationalism, issued March 1 quickly garnered hundreds oppressed first instead of last. Workers and often deported for the “crime” of angered many people of color in Congress. of Jewish endorsers. It disavowed AIPAC, World commemorates the socialist hol- crossing borders to find work and provide Many Congressional Black Caucus, and said: “We thank Ilhan Omar for having iday of International Working Women’s for their families or to escape life-threat- Congressional Progressive Caucus and the bravery to shake up the congressional Day, March 8, with a roundup of wom- ening repression and violence; children younger members supported Omar. With taboo against criticizing Israel.” en’s protests for freedom, justice and separated at the border from parents, pressure from thousands of activists, the Ady Barkan, a young disabled Jewish equality the world over. making it nearly impossible to reunite resolution evolved into one that con- activist, with ALS, defended Omar and Struggle is the only way to bring them; and “Dreamers” whose legal status demned all forms of bigotry. This passed Tlaib, writing: “[They] are allies of mine about change. The Black Lives Matter under DACA is still in limbo. the House of Representatives with 23 and of Jews ... who are fighting for peace, movement, started by women and gen- If you appreciate WW’s year-round Republicans refusing to vote for it. racial justice, immigrant rights and the der-nonconforming activists, boldly coverage of struggles that advance wom- Both Omar and Tlaib regarded this as defeat of fascism. The anti-Semites are fights racism and demands redress for en’s liberation, join the WW Supporter a victory since it was the first time either the Nazis and white supremacists who centuries of oppression. Women are Program. For a donation of at least $75 a chamber of Congress has condemned marched and murdered in Charlottesville powering the fight for $15 an hour and year—and much more if you can—mem- anti-Muslim bigotry. … and the MAGA supporter who massa- a union because two-thirds of low-wage bers receive a year’s subscription to WW, cred worshipers at a Pittsburgh syna- workers are women, often women of a monthly letter about timely issues and Movement grows against gogue.” (The Nation, Feb. 12) color and single heads of households. five free subscriptions to give to friends. U.S.-Israel alliance The shake-up in Congress and within Inspired by the #MeToo Movement Write checks (either monthly or once a The people of the world have viewed the ranks of the Democratic Party over and Time’s Up, women are speaking up at year) to Workers World and mail them, with horror Israeli military attacks on Washington's pro-Israeli policies is far work—particularly in restaurants, offices with your name and address, to 147 W. Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank from over. With more people, including and hotels—against sexual harassment 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011. and Gaza. A Feb. 28 report from the United youth, sympathetic to the Palestinian and for respect along with women includ- Or sign up at workers.org/donate/ Nations Human Rights Council stated the people, and global outrage growing at ing trans women resisting horrific sexual for monthly deductions. Know that we terrible toll taken by Israeli snipers at the Israel's reign of terror, one thing is cer- assaults by police and prison guards. appreciate your help in building Workers Gaza border during mass protests in 2018. tain: This struggle will continue. ☐ WW will continue to focus on women World—for today and for the future. ☐ Page 6 Mar. 14, 2019 workers.org

A uniquely capitalist crisis Nome, Alaska Hunger amid a glut of food Impact of global warming By Deirdre Griswold in Arctic community Do you know what it feels like to be By G. Dunkel hangs out in front of the bars on Front hungry? Not just missing a meal, or being Nome, Alaska Street. The religious radio station KNOM too busy to take a break. Hungry. All the reports that a new shelter has been set time. Feeling weak and fatigued from Nome, Alaska, had back-to-back up to allow homeless people who were hunger. Needing to put some food in your blizzards followed by rain, ending a sleeping in snow banks to sleep under a belly—but not having the money to do it. February that saw temperatures in the roof. (tinyurl.com/y4rble8s) According to Move for Hunger, upper 20s or low 30s. When the rain hit With the beginning of what could be 41 million people in the U.S. go hungry the snow, it turned into ice, which made substantial trade between Europe and every day. IMAGE: VOX the roads so treacherous that even taxis Asia using the Northwest Passage, there How can this possibly be? The stopped running. The National Weather are capitalist dreams about turning agriculture industry in this country retaliate with tariffs on U.S. imports, which Service reported Nome got 76 inches Nome into a very profitable service port. produces so much food that 20 percent of is hurting U.S. farmers. of snow between Jan. 25 and Feb. 28. This would require more investment, it is exported each year. And they know who is to blame. Since Nome is just 143 miles south of the major dredging and workers used to liv- But a large amount of what remains sits An op-ed piece by Illinois farmer Krista Arctic Circle, rain and warm tempera- ing in an exacting environment. in warehouses. Here’s a recent description Swanson last Sept. 24 explained: tures are unusual. Over 6 feet of snow, topped with of the crisis developing in the dairy “My family and I farm in Illinois, where A single weather event may or may ice, creates major difficulties for work- industry: “America is sitting on a massive farmers like us send about 30 percent of not be caused by global warming. But ers who have to drive or walk to their surplus of cheese with a record 1.4 billion the corn and 60 percent of the soybeans we when you add the facts that the whole jobs and for students who take a bus to pounds of cheddar, American and Swiss in grow to other countries. Nationally, more eastern half of the Bering Sea is ice-free, school. Open water in the Bering Sea cold storage. … [T]he cheese glut is now than 20 percent of agricultural products that its water temperature is 3 degrees makes it very difficult to harvest sea bigger than it's ever been in the 100 years are exported. … warmer than usual; that Kotzebue Bay, mammals and fish that people in Nome, the government has been keeping track. “Expectations for big corn and soybean a shallow arm of the Bering, is not fro- especially Native people, depend on for For perspective, 1.4 billion pounds of crops and surplus supplies, combined zen solid; that the Grand Iditarod Dog sustenance. It also opens their commu- cheese translates to 700,000 tons.” (Patch, with the escalating trade conflict, are Race, a famous, 1,000-mile race from nities to flooding and erosion from win- Jan. 16) weighing down crop prices. Soybean prices Anchorage to Nome, is building tem- ter storms. The Des Moines Register wrote about approached a 10-year low this month. porary bridges to cross water south Hunting for sustenance is important the cheese glut back on Oct. 5, 2016, when “Although the influence of U.S. trade of Nome; and that this latest unusual for Alaskans. It is the only state where it was still “only” 1.24 billion pounds of policy cannot be completely isolated from weather pattern is at least 2 years the federal SNAP program (formerly the cheese in refrigerated warehouses. It also other economic factors, the timing of trade old—the only reasonable explanation of food stamp program) allows its benefits reported on other stockpiles, including: conflicts has coincided with drops in mar- all these facts is global warming. Inuit to be used to purchase tools for har- • 322 million pounds of butter (up ket prices for many U.S. agricultural prod- elders began noticing warming signs in vesting wild animals. The tools include 52 percent from the previous year) ucts. … the 1980s. “nets, lines, hooks, fishing rods, har- • 1.52 billion pounds of frozen fruit, “Right now, farmers are facing infla- Nome, a fly-in community since it is poons, knives and ice augers.” including 377 million pounds of tion-adjusted incomes at the lowest level not connected to the rest of Alaska by But without ice, people can't go ice strawberries and 313 million pounds of since 2009, and the outlook for 2019 is con- road, is a hub for a number of smaller fishing. Harvesting seals, a major food blueberries siderably worse.” (USA Today, Sept. 24) communities because it receives freight resource, is much harder when you have • 1.31 billion pounds of frozen poultry So MAGA has come back to bite the very by barge. It's only a hundred or so years to tow them to land. The hunters who (chicken and turkey), up 4 percent in people Trump pretends to represent. old, the result of an early 20th century catch walruses (mammals that grow to a year gold rush, with just under 3,700 people between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds) have Tariffs rev up crisis of overproduction according to Mayor Richard Beneville. It to process their catch 50 miles offshore Where’s the national emergency? What is never mentioned in the big is about 65 percent Inuit, with commu- in an open boat—much more difficult Trump has just announced his proposed business media when reporting on these nities from the Inupiaq, Central Yupik and dangerous than towing their catch budget for the next fiscal year. Besides set- surpluses is the phenomenon of capitalist and St. Lawrence Island peoples. a few miles to ice and processing it on a ting aside some $8.6 billion for his bor- overproduction. It is affecting all areas of Unlike a number of Alaska’s munici- stable platform. der wall, plus another increase in military the economy, and has led to across-the- palities, Nome is not a dry (alcohol-free) Global warming is making the hard spending, his new budget will reduce spend- board price declines in everything from town, and it has a former substance lives of people living on the Alaska coast- ing on domestic programs. The result is cer- petroleum to wheat. abusers' support group. that meets line, some in whaling communities like tain to be more hungry people. Midwest farmers like Swanson are highly weekly in the Katirik Cultural Center. Utqiaġvik that are close to 1,000 years The creature in the White House has susceptible to the swings of the world A fluctuating group of homeless people old, much harder. ☐ declared a “national emergency” over market. They are not the small farmers of a wall on the southern border. But 41 years gone by. When the economy is good, million people going hungry while food they are worth a lot of money, because is stockpiled? To the billionaires who run modern agriculture requires expensive this country, that’s not an emergency. It’s modern equipment. But when the economy business as usual. goes sour, they can lose everything. According to the U.S. Department of If even these large farmers are hurting Agriculture, while 20 percent of overall now, you can be sure that overproduction agricultural production is exported, the is driving a lot of small farmers out of number is even higher for certain crops: business and off the land. And, in fact, this 50 percent of the soybeans and 46 percent has already happened. The rate of hunger of the wheat grown in the U.S. are sold is even higher among rural children than elsewhere. those living in cities. Some 86 percent of A huge market for U.S. agricultural the counties with the highest rates of what exports has been the People’s Republic of is called “child food insecurity” are rural. China, which increased its share of U.S. Overproduction is a uniquely capitalist agricultural exports, on average, from 3 problem. It is what leads to capitalist percent in 1995-2000 to 16 percent in crises and a crash of the system. What 2011-17, according to the USDA Economic is happening in agriculture may be Research Service. exacerbated by Trump’s tariffs, but the But in his campaign to “Make America underlying crime of growing hunger Great Again,” Trump put tariffs on goods alongside a glut of food is the profit system from China. This has caused China to itself. ☐ Disappearing sea ice. PHOTO: KTOO.ORG

High Tech, Low Pay Low-Wage Capitalism A Marxist Analysis of the Describes in sweeping detail the ­drastic Changing Character effect on the working class in the United States of new technology and Capitalism of the Working Class the restructuring of global capitalism in at a Dead End the post-Soviet era. It uses Karl Marx’s Job destruction, overproduction By Sam Marcy with an updated law of wages and other findings to and crisis in the high-tech era introduction by Fred Goldstein, show that these developments are not author of Low Wage Capitalism. only continuing to drive down wages For more information on these books and other but are creating the material basis for writings by the author, Fred Goldstein, go to Read at workers.org/books/ future social upheaval. LowWageCapitalism.com workers.org Mar. 14, 2019 Page 7 Title X changes promote right-wing, “faith-based” agenda

By Sue Davis of the Office of Population Affairs in the reproductive health research institute, against the revised regulations. In fact Health and Human Services Department in told the Pacific Standard. the American Medical Association joined The Trump administration’s new rules May 2018 to oversee distribution of Title X Another change, which increases forces with Planned Parenthood on March for Title X, the reproductive health care funding. Prior to that Foley was president/ the number of groups eligible to apply 5 when they filed a federal lawsuit against program serving 4 million low-income CEO of Life Network, which, its website for funding, is removing “medically changing the Title X regulations. women, has two purposes. One has two states, offers “life-affirming alternatives to approved” from accepted forms of Title X The AMA based its challenge against parts: denying all information about abor- abortion” and is an affiliate of CareNet, a birth control. That not only weakens stan- the revised rule on two points: “to prevent tion services to patients—the so-called large national network of CPCs. dards of care but opens the door to faith- infringement of the physician/patient “gag rule”—and defunding Planned But this is not the first time an based groups that recommend the often relationship and to protect the integrity Parenthood, which provides 41 percent anti-abortion gag rule has been intro- unreliable, so-called “fertility awareness of Title X.” It denounced the revised rule of Title X patients with a comprehensive duced. The Reagan administration rolled method” based on abstinence. because it “blesses biased and incomplete range of women’s health needs, includ- out one in 1988, which was repealed in The current wording states that organi- pregnancy counseling where the interests ing abortion. (“Oppose Trump’s Title X the early 1990s by Congress, though zations only offering a single birth control of the patient are no longer paramount” changes,” WW, March 7) that body lacked the votes to override method “may participate” if they are part and it “will politicize the practice of med- The other is promoting faith-based President George H.W. Bush’s veto. In of a broader network that offers a range of icine and the delivery of health care.” “crisis pregnancy centers” that offer little 1993 President Bill Clinton suspended it options. But the new wording says facil- (Time, March 5) or no medical care or postnatal support, with an executive order, and anti-choice ities “are not required to provide every The state of California filed a lawsuit while coercing pregnant women to have rules were formally repealed in 2000. acceptable and effective family planning on March 4, while attorneys general in babies, not abortions. method or service.” 20 states filed one on March 5. NFPRHA The second purpose, which has not been Designed to open up Title X As Jessica Marcella, vice president of is due to file one soon on behalf of publicly covered as much in the corporate media—if to anti-abortion facilities communications at the National Family funded family planning providers. at all—is totally in keeping with the Trump Wording of certain revised HHS regu- Planning and Reproductive Health While the current opposition to the administration’s flagrantly right-wing, lations exposes its true purpose, reports Association (NFPRHA), pointed out in the rule changes is overwhelmingly legal at anti-women/gender-oppressed people, a March 4 Pacific Standard article — to article, “[That] could allow for a real shift this time, it’s obvious that women and white supremacist agenda. open the Title X door to CPCs. The revised in the network for providers supported by other gender-oppressed people—led by But the two parts converge in the HHS text reads: “[P]otential grantees and Title X.” Hasstedt noted that by shifting people of color, who are the majority of Trump/Pence wish list—that the revised sub-recipients that refuse to provide abor- away from “trusted providers of high-qual- Title X recipients, as well as youth, rural rules will kick Planned Parenthood out of tion counseling and referrals will clearly ity care” to new sites with limited services residents, im/migrants, women with Title X and lavish funds on anti-abortion be eligible to participate in the Title X (already infamous for inaccurate informa- disabilities and survivors of domestic facilities. program.” The word “unborn” baby or tion and coercive care) that pressure clients abuse—need to start taking to the streets Title X was passed by Congress in 1970 child is used nine times in the HHS text, to have children, “[I]t’s really shifting the against Title X rule revisions. by the Nixon administration, when pro- but never “fetus”; the word “conscience” fundamental purpose and impact of the Eons of class history have shown that’s viding basic reproductive health care for is used in the context of abortion 70 times. Title X program in a really troubling way.” the only way basic human rights are won. low-income women was seen as integral The HHS preamble blatantly invites The right to have an abortion is a basic to the federal war on poverty—because groups previously excluded from Title Opposition growing human right that is at the intersectional it would cut welfare payments for poor X funding “due to conscience concerns” That’s why dozens of national med- root of reproductive justice. Onward children! to apply. “[It’s] a pretty clear call to ical groups, pro-choice legal organiza- to liberation for all gender-oppressed Trump began planning to restructure those sites to do so,” Kinsey Hasstedt, tions and advocates, women’s rights people! ☐ Title X when he appointed Diane Foley head senior policy manager at the Guttmacher groups, pro-choice clergy have come out

Anna Chambers says 'NO' to NYPD rapists

By Taryn Fivek

In September 2017, 18-year-old Anna International Women’s Alliance says: ‘End Chambers was falsely detained and raped by two members of the New York Police forced displacement, neo-fascism & war’ Department in the back of a van in a Chipotle parking lot in South Brooklyn. This statement, slightly edited here, natural catastrophes, which hit predomi- While she was stumbling home, a friend was issued March 8 by the International nantly poor and vulnerable populations. collected her off the street and took her Women’s Alliance, a global grassroots The logic of the system of rapacious to the hospital where she underwent the PHOTO: ROBERT GERHARDT women’s organization. For more infor- capitalism requires it to constantly seek People’s Power Assembly takes to the humiliation and trauma of providing evi- mation, see iwa2010.org. out more land, resources and labour. streets in support of Anna Chambers. dence for a rape kit. Incontrovertible phys- On this International Working Artificially created conflicts and proxy civil ical proof of her rape was gathered against Women’s Day, the International Women's wars, fed and fanned by external powers the two rapists: Richard Hall and Edward Attorney's office before a jury even had Alliance continues to amplify the voices for their own gain, ravage parts of Africa, Martins. Despite this, all charges of rape the chance to decide. of women and children around the globe Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, were dropped against these cops March 6 Chambers wanted to come forward who continue to struggle against inten- affecting particularly the women. We hear —a fresh outrage against women and girls in the spirit of the #MeToo movement sified attacks by state fascism, wars of the hypocritical invocation of democ- delivered by the so-called justice system. to give other women and girls the cour- aggression and neoliberalism resulting in racy by regime changers in situations like The cops had pretended to arrest age to step forward. Instead, the NYPD their further oppression and exploitation. Venezuela—where the U.S. and Canada Chambers and had promised her they sent a powerful message to women and In the U.S., women comprise more are shamelessly playing a leading role— would let her go if she allowed herself to girls across New York: We will rape you, than half the workforce, relying more often the same players who financed and be raped by them. The only charges left torture you, drag your name through the and more on immigrant and migrant supported coups in places like Chile and standing against these brutal, dangerous mud and get away with it if you dare to labor, and continue to face wage inequal- propped up genocidal dictators! men are taking bribes and official mis- defend yourself publicly. ity. Persistent inequality has far-reaching To counter our growing resistance, conduct. As if Anna Chambers had not Chambers possesses tremendous cour- economic consequences. governments—regardless of the political been a terrified 5-foot-2-inch, 90-pound age by speaking up, and her case helped Along the southern border of the U.S., party—use distractions such as height- teenager in handcuffs in the back of a pass a law in New York state that states hundreds of thousands of migrants are ened nationalism to divide us and provide police van, but rather a wily sorceress the obvious — anyone in police custody seeking asylum across the border to fodder for neo-fascists. who seduced these upstanding citizens cannot consent to sex with a police offi- escape violence, poverty and political In Quebec, the latest incarnation of in an effort to corrupt their morality. cer. In Anna’s case, she told cops “no,” corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala secular fundamentalism is the law exclud- This is how the defense painted it in but it didn’t matter. The armed guards and Honduras. Once they have managed ing women and others from work if they public anyway, planting photos from of the state said she said “yes,” and that’s to survive the dangerous trek, they are choose religiously observant clothing, her social media in the New York Post the story the state went with. immediately faced with inhumane treat- even as the Premier denies the existence and other tabloids in an effort to say the But consent is not necessarily about ment by Border Patrol and Homeland of Islamophobia, something his Status clothing she wore, the poses she made, whether or not a person says “yes.” It’s Security agents. Children, forced to sep- of Woman Minister actually proves with etc., somehow justified her being raped about understanding the power dynam- arate from their families, [are] placed in her utterances! It is clear such laws have while in handcuffs by two grown men ics involved in a situation and whether or overcrowded detention facilities. nothing to do with religious neutrality with guns. not the person has the ability to clearly say As the U.S. continues to augment its or protection of women. Instead, they Cops murder with impunity in New “no.” With the NYPD’s history of wanton war budget in the billions toward senseless feed racism, hate, attacks on women and York City. Eric Garner’s killer Daniel murder, theft, violence and rape, there is no wars and wall borders, the global capitalist undermine women’s economic autonomy. Pantaleo still collects more than $100,000 way for anyone, much less a petite teenager crisis devastates the lives of the majority of Women throughout the world need to in salary per year while he remains in uni- in handcuffs, to give a real “yes” to a cop. the world’s population, with women and unite and resist the increasing fascism in form. Now it seems the courts are send- As Anna Chambers’ case moves into children feeling the brunt of this crisis. their respective countries and throughout ing the message that cops are able to rape the civil trial phase, and as the cops Forced migration and widening inequal- the world. Working women must con- with impunity as well. Anna Chambers threaten to bring charges against her, it ity across and within countries in the tinue fighting for their rights and against refused plea deals because she wanted to is important for the public to stay aware North and South are … manifestations of oppression and exploitation! see the NYPD on trial for rape, but the and mobilized in defense of Anna and all a humanitarian crisis. The crisis of nature Long Live International Working charges were dropped by the District survivors of rape. ☐ is visible in an ever-increasing number of Women's Day! ☐ Page 8 Mar. 14, 2019 workers.org Three days of war for light in Venezuela By Marco Teruggi Why U.S. chooses sabotage Added to this, the instability of the electrical system Caracas Sabotage to the power grid of such magnitude can has been persistent in some areas of the country, such be framed by the sequence of events initiated at the as Zulia state. That, together with allegations of a lack of A ghost town, that's what Caracas looked like at mid- beginning of this year, including: the nonrecognition of investment in the electrical system, the view reiterated night on Saturday, March 9. The power shutdown was Nicolás Maduro [as duly elected president of Venezuela]; every day that this government is entirely corrupt, in almost total. Only crowded luxury restaurants, some the self-proclamation of Juan Guaidó; the meeting of the addition to miscommunication, and the concrete effects service stations, pharmacies, hotels, and the few cars United Nations Security Council; Feb. 23 as the key date of the shock, have meant that the argument of sabotage and motorcycles on the road had light. Silence and for the delivery of [so-called] humanitarian aid, coupled has not convinced a large part of [Venezuelan] society. darkness, a Hollywood setting. Once again the power with the impossibility of achieving that objective; new The urgent need of the government is to stabilize the outage was accompanied by a special element: the meetings in the U.N.; Guaidó's return to the country; and system, guarantee emergency supplies of food, water, gas, absence of violent hotspots and a very small police pres- the shutdown. reorder the daily routine within the existing difficulties, for ence at key points. After Feb. 23 there was a reversal: The threat of mili- which, among other things, it has set up operations in hos- In the early hours of Sunday morning, light returned tary intervention by the United States was taken off the pitals, and declared Monday, March 11 a day off from work. to some parts of the country and to the city. In a few table, which could be due, among other things, to the It can be predicted that there will be new attacks to generate areas it had not yet returned by Sunday afternoon and negative impact that threat was having. What followed new power outage and there will be the need to deal politi- evening. In other words, thousands of people were left was the shift to this power outage scenario, where the cally with its repercussions. There could be other character- in the dark for more than three days, starting Thursday, action unfolded in two different directions: the act as istics. It is a complex scenario with many variables, assault March 7, at 5 p.m., the moment when the national such, with all its consequences, and its interpretation, fronts, possibilities, actors, timing and desperation. emergency began that brought the whole country into that is, the dispute to fix responsibilities. At this point the We must not lose sight of the general scenario in which an unknown space of time. key lies in the power to convince. these events take place: the attempt to create a parallel We are usually not consciously aware of all the things One of the lessons to be learned from recent episodes government to force Nicolás Maduro to abandon political that depend on electricity: communications, payments, is the vulnerability of truth in the face of the immense power, whatever form it will take. Guaidó announced in land and air transport to health systems, day and night power major news networks linked with governments an extraordinary session of the National Assembly today, schedules, water, food reserves and the possibility of have to promote what they want us to think. The most declaring a State of National Emergency, again calling on studying or working. A prolonged total disruption slows a emblematic case was the story presented as a matter of the Bolivarian National Armed Force with a last-chance country down almost to a stop, with its companies, insti- fact—that Venezuelan police burned trucks supposedly warning. Other right-wing leaders reiterated they are in tutions, homes and daily life, approaching an abyss as it filled with humanitarian aid on Feb. 23. favor of calling for a violent remedy with intervention. drags on, and that, as we know, can trigger reactions. A recent article in the New York Times points out what The battle for light, the core of the assault at this That's why the tranquility that we experienced within Página 12 had published: That a molotov cocktail was moment, is not over yet. ☐ such a framework was key. Yesterday morning's images thrown from the behind the lines of the opposition [on First published March 11 in pagina12.com.ar. were of setting up fruit and vegetable markets; forming the Colombian side of the border], and that there is no Translation by Michael Otto. lines to fill up gas tanks, to get water; worries about evidence that medicines were in the relatives; acts of solidarity; daily life in times of siege. trucks. However, the manufactured One can’t go far astray by speculating that the pur- “fact” [that Chavistas threw it from pose of the shutdown was to trigger an apocalyptic the Venezuelan side of the border] frenzy. An article in Forbes on March 9 (a magazine was repeated as truth by the media, that can’t be accused of being a friend of Chavismo) U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and raised the possibility of a cyber-attack to explain the the Venezuelan case manager, Elliot outage: "In the case of Venezuela, the idea of a govern- Abrams, at the United Nations and ment like the United States remotely interfering with other venues. its power grid is actually quite realistic. Remote cyber The controversy over credibil- operations rarely require a significant ground presence, ity is even stronger in the case of making them the ideal deniable influence operation." the power outage, because of the The article adds: "The country’s outdated internet difficulty of proving sabotage, the and power infrastructure present few formidable chal- lack of evidence for the attack, lenges to such operations and make it relatively easy to the ways in which the strikes were remove any traces of foreign intervention ... [it can be launched—as President Maduro done] in a way that delegitimizes the current govern- pointed out—in a computerized, ment exactly as a government-in-waiting has presented electromagnetic, scientific manner, A delegation of anti-war leaders from the U.S. are in Caracas to express solidarity itself as a ready alternative.” and with in-house collusion. with the Bolivarian Revolution. Venezuela battles U.S. sabotage of electrical grid

Continued from page 1 wear down the country. Despite their differences domestically, are beginning to show. The New York The economic attacks from the U.S. will the leaders of both mainstream U.S. Times’ decision to break with the govern- Feb. 23 was an important defeat for the continue, and Washington has already parties are firmly united when it comes ment line is just the most recent sign of Venezuelan opposition, even beyond their threatened to apply sanctions to countries to protecting imperialism. To prove it, tension within the ruling class. failure to get the trucks into the country, trading with Venezuela. The sabotage and you only have to look at how quickly Some elected officials, such as which was always a secondary objective. digital attacks will continue as well, and Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi fell Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, have What the opposition truly needed was to are likely to be expanded to more critical into line with the Rubio and Bolton nar- rejected the coup attempt from the very create a pretext for invasion though violent sectors. rative about Venezuela. beginning. Omar’s statements and her provocations and media manipulation. Another possibility is a dirty war, The unity of the two ruling-class par- solidarity with Palestine have drawn Washington hoped to gather support fought through rebel groups created and ties serves to protect the imperialist fierce attacks from the Democratic among the NATO countries for interven- armed by the U.S. to apply enough pres- system, ensuring the U.S. government leadership. tion, just as it had for the attacks on the sure to collapse the Bolivarian social pro- will enforce the conditions imperialism Venezuela remains under serious former Yugoslavia in 1999 or in Libya in grams. The opposition already has a base requires. Pelosi had the opportunity to threat by imperialism, now in the form of 2011. Before Feb. 23, it seemed likely that of “guarimberos,” or violent street fight- denounce the imperialist lies, and truly sabotage and economic attacks. The pro- several European countries such as Britain ers, that could serve as a starting point. resist the Trump administration in the gressive movement in the U.S. must take would join this intervention. The rest of In either case, the main battlefield is the process, but Democratic Party leaders advantage of these divisions in the ruling the coalition would be the Lima Group, an economy. Imperialism’s plans to destabi- have always put imperialist interests first. class in order to strengthen the anti-im- organization of right-wing Latin American lize the country are based on “making the Now, as a result of the huge defeat perialist movement and demand an end governments, some of which were recently economy scream.” To defeat the new and imperialism suffered on Feb. 23, cracks to the sanctions. ☐ targeted by U.S.-backed coups—Honduras desperate opposition attacks, it will be in 2009 or Brazil in 2016. necessary to break the remaining power TURN THE GUNS AROUND However, the heroic Bolivarian demon- the oligarchy holds over the Venezuelan stration of strength and resistance caused economy, while strengthening popular by John Catalinotto organization in the country. both the European Union and the Lima During the Vietnam War, U.S. draftees and enlistees threw Group to rule out endorsing military Divisions within the U.S. ruling class a wrench into the Pentagon’s war machine, emerged as action. If the U.S. government wants to anti-war leaders and organized for a union in the armed invade, it will have to do it without the The fact that it was Obama who first forces. Letters and interviews of GI war resisters combine approval of any international body. classified Venezuela as a national security with memoir and historical research to highlight the This makes it more difficult for the threat is important. This declaration was relation between rank-and-file troop resistance and the Trump administration to invade openly. the justification for unilateral sanctions struggle to smash state power from the Paris Commune to The question now is what the new impe- against the country. The current efforts the Portuguese revolution. to overthrow the Venezuelan government rialist plan against Venezuela might be. $19.95 paperback. New York: World View Forum 2017, 324 pages. 29 photos, 4 maps. The attack against the electrical grid sug- are a direct continuation of policies begun gests that the plan is to destabilize and under Obama. Available at online book vendors. workers.org Mar. 14, 2019 Page 9 Interview from Venezuela Union leader and militant on state of the crisis

that is more motivated to take the offensive was defeated. And it was demonstrated in against the coup or invasion plans. the response to the bosses’ strike and oil There are no visible signs of grassroots sabotage from December 2002 to January self-organizing. The United Socialist 2003—and in all the resistance we have Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and govern- carried out, not letting the right wing oust ment structures are leading these demon- Maduro by force. strations. The strong presence of youth is The government continues to pay on striking. the foreign debt in the middle of this imperialist economic blockade. It hasn’t Internal rupture within the army? touched any monopolies, such as the Since before Jan. 10, the opposition Polar group and others, when these same and high-ranking members of the Trump monopolies hoard food stocks or distrib- administration, U.S. senators and some ute them arbitrarily and overpriced! governments, like those of Ivan Duque Living in Valencia, the country's main in Colombia, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, industrial city, and being a unionist, I can Mauricio Macri in Argentina, and Luis say that its industrial zones are almost par- Almagro from the Organization of alyzed, that there are stagnant or nearly American States (OAS), have been wait- stagnant industrial sectors, that working ing for the push for Maduro’s fall to come conditions, safety and salaries in important from segments of the Bolivarian National sectors, such as energy, oil, health and edu- The following are excerpts from an high price has been paid for this mistake. Army Forces (FANB). cation have suffered to worrisome levels. interview with Stalin Pérez Borges, With the decreasing price of oil, there is However, until now that has failed. Capacity of Venezuelan gov’t, a union leader and veteran socialist mil- no money for imports, nor for the national They have offered FANB members large popular militias to resist itant in Venezuela. He is a member of industry, including transnational compa- sums of money and promises of amnesty the Unitarian Unionist Chavista League nies, to receive the dollars that they used and appointment to high positions. Ever In a public statement by LUCHAS, we (LUCHAS) and of the Bolivarian Socialist to be guaranteed due to the currency con- since Guaidó proclaimed himself interim urgently requested the dispatch of army Workers’ Central (CBST) Advisory trols. The struggle of these sectors to seize president, this usurper’s main proposi- officials and soldiers to at least 11,000 Council. The original appeared in Spanish a share of that income is the main rea- tion is aimed at members of the army, zones, so that they can live with the com- on Feb. 7—that is, long before the Feb. son why the conspiracies and the fight to promoting a supposed Amnesty Law munities and organize the military aspect 23 showdown on the border. Translated the death haven’t stopped in 20 years of in favor of soldiers who rebel against of anti-imperialist resistance. We need to by Pedro Alvarez from Aporrea. (Entire Chavista governments. And it is here, mak- Maduro’s government. make the civilian-military alliance a real- interview: tinyurl.com/y4tknu43) ing use of this situation, that Yankee and No signs have been seen inside or out- ity in the community. In that statement European interests also play a role. side the FANB that a force may appear we said: “In this context, we encourage Social and economic crisis in Venezuela which is capable of risking a suicidal ven- the people and workers to voluntarily The economic and social crisis has Scope and class character of ture on the side of imperialism and its join the ‘50,000 Popular Defense Units grown exponentially for five years, and the Jan. 23 ‘opposition’ lackeys in the opposition. in all neighborhoods, cities and corners has gotten to this rotten state of hyper-in- The opposition’s demonstrations on of the country, for them to back up and flation that we’re barely coping with. This Jan. 23 were impressively big. Those Imperialism’s strategy? strengthen an integral defense of the is the cause for the huge discontent that in Caracas and Valencia surprised both Imperialism's aim has always been motherland,' which President Maduro we have at this stage and for the import- them and others. That has encouraged to oust the Chavista government at any has asked to implement.” ant change in the correlation of political the opposition. The right-wing segments cost. Since the moment Maduro came to Popular militias or those Popular power in this juncture. This is a conse- had largely surrendered after the elec- power in 2013, they started the plan to Defense Units are a work in process. The quence of three fundamental facts: two of tions for the congress (ANC). oust him. Currently, they are acting with Venezuelan National Militia has existed them circumstantial, and one structural. Since the election, until Jan. 23, they more urgency. They need to put an end for years. There are already 2 million mili- The circumstantial causes are: First, were absent at street demonstrations. They to Maduro and the Bolivarian revolution, tia members, many of whom are being the economic sabotage and blockade, were focused on media campaigns against the cycle of instability and the progressive called on to integrate other army forces as described by the government as “eco- the government, taking advantage of the and more-or-less sovereign governments active, permanent soldiers. It’s said that nomic warfare.” This factor is the main growing discontent because the govern- that arose in our continent after Chávez the weapons capacity of the army is very determinant in the current economic and ment hasn't been able to provide measures kicked off the revolutionary process and modern, and the army has good logistics social situation. The trade exclusion and to successfully counter the “economic war- started governing. and respectable professionalism. the blockade have caused a stagnation of fare.” And, they focused on the complicity With Lenin Moreno’s treason in Ecuador We also call for the formation of “Simón 80 percent of what little was being pro- of corrupt bureaucrats who have allowed and having regained complete control in Bolívar International Brigades” of soli- duced in the country’s industries. speculation in the commercial sector. Brazil and Argentina, and with a favorable darity with Venezuela. And we call for: It has also led to plummeting in the high As solutions, President Maduro has balance of forces in the region, imperialism 1) the World Federation of Trade Unions levels of imports of food, medicines, raw implemented distribution of food pack- does the rest. They want to oust Maduro (WFTU), national unions, federations and materials and machinery. It is also the cause ages, carried out by the Local Committees and defeat the Bolivarian process with the other social movements and organizations of the hoarding and the fact that unscrupu- of Distribution and Production (CLAP), least possible political cost. But if they don’t around the world to trade in medicines, lous traders can set the price for all sorts and also Compensation Bonuses and con- achieve this in the short term, they will try food and raw materials with the legitimate of commodities, including the U.S. dollar. tinuous increases to the minimum wage to do it at any cost. Trump represents a seg- government of President Maduro and/ The second circumstantial cause is cor- and food ticket for workers. These are ment of imperialism that desperately wants or with union and social organizations of ruption, ineptitude and impunity, which progressive measures, but they have not the U.S. to seize global economic, politi- Venezuela; and 2) the social organizations have soared in the past five years. The been enough to cover the loss of purchas- cal and military hegemony. They want to of Latin America to organize Solidarity level of corruption and ineptitude [by] ing power of workers’ salaries. recover economic, financial and industrial Caravans, and come here through our bor- government functionaries is major and So the right-wing demonstrations of supremacy, which they have been losing to ders with Colombia and Brazil. damaging. In many cases it coincides Jan. 23 included the usual social base of China. Their power is mainly military. Nationalization, expropriation? with the sabotage by the elites and impe- middle-class people, plus some segments rialists, with the complicity of military of workers, including some unions that Anti-imperialist sentiment deep If [the government] doesn’t act soon, and civilian functionaries, regarding the earlier this year identified with Chavismo. The anti-imperialist sentiment of our resolving the consequences of its stagna- speculative value of the market price of people is historic and it runs very deep. It tion in these economic and social aspects, commodities that the people need. Chavistas organized spectacular will be difficult to defeat us. It will be hard it will do more damage than any missile or The structural problem is that the demonstrations to convince a majority of the workers and incoming imperialist “humanitarian aid.” national productive capacity is very low. After Jan. 23, the opposition made big poor people to accept the raising of the If it doesn’t control problems effectively This is also determined by the historic efforts to turn out the same number of U.S. flag, as Guaidó and the right-wing and for the long term—such as currency high level of oil income, which turned people, or more, as on that day in Caracas political leaders who are with him have exchange speculation, supply shortages, the local bourgeoisie into a very parasitic and Valencia. They demonstrated again on done in their public demonstrations. and the price of food and medicines—or social class, always dependent on the Feb. 2, but it wasn’t the same in numbers Since the oil strike of 1936—which encourage the national production of goods price of oil. They prefer to import, rather or expectations as on Jan. 23. Meanwhile almost became a national strike against and services—in mid-term it will lose its than produce or export. the Chavista demonstration on Jan. 23 in the British and Yankees and the military social base and find it difficult to survive. Under Chávez, despite some appropriate Caracas was very well attended. dictatorship—a very deep anti-imperi- Among other measures, it has to stop programs and plans to improve the devel- The feeling among the government-sym- alist sentiment has grown. It was rebuilt paying the foreign debt, block capital opment of national industry, this largely pathizing popular class is very strong. or revived for more than 15 years with flight, impose progressive taxation on remained on paper. The levels of national On Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31 and Feb. 1 and 2, Chávez's message. A rebellious sentiment assets, and promote the distribution and production needed were never made a Chavistas organized surprisingly spectac- appeared here that hasn’t stopped since control of goods by a communal state run reality. Under Chávez, from 2007 to 2012, ular demonstrations in more than six cit- Feb. 27 and 28, 1989 [dates of the mass by the workers. Otherwise we will fail. that low production capacity didn’t pro- ies. The Feb. 2 demonstration in Caracas uprising in Caracas called the Caracazo]. Let me finish this interview with our duce discontent as the high price of oil was was attended by large numbers of people, This found expression in the decisive, motto: “Fight, fight, don’t stop fighting enough to import even luxury goods. similar to those during the best days of fearless struggle of April 13, 2002, when for a government of the workers and of But from 2013 to date, with Maduro, a Chavismo. So currently we have a Chavismo an attempted military coup against Chávez the people.” ☐ Page 10 Mar. 14, 2019 workers.org

editorials Int’l Working Women’s Day: Free Chelsea Manning! Nothing stays the same No, this is no mistake set an example that can by our editors—repeat- inspire anyone working International Working Women’s Day, dedicated to games and news for the ing a headline used for the U.S. state appara- March 8, is celebrated in many countries male-dominated National Basketball seven times in Workers tus—​its military or civil- to acknowledge past and present strug- Association, paid tribute to the role that World since this brave ian organizations—​who gles for women’s equality and liberation women play in front of and behind the transgender soldier and has any sort of feeling of in all spheres of life. These struggles can camera in helping to make the NBA the whistleblower Chelsea solidarity with the world’s take many forms—marches, rallies, second most popular U.S. pro sport, Manning was sentenced oppressed. teach-ins, strikes, direct action, walkouts. behind the National Football League. to 35 years in prison Manning was ordered Millions of women, including ­gender-​ Even the sports conglomerate, Nike, seven years ago. It is, this March to testify nonconforming people—in oppressed created an inspiring TV ad for Women’s however, one we didn’t before a grand jury inves- countries and even in rich capitalist History Month, voiced by the great expect to repeat after she tigating those who are try- centers—are aware that the origins of Serena Williams, showing women and received a presidential ing to reveal these crimes. IWWD are pro-socialist, anti-patriarchal girl athletes, including those who are commutation of her sen- She refused to say more and overall anti-capitalist. trans, Muslim and with disabilities, using tence in January 2017. than she already had at her own trial. These same women have also been sports as a powerful platform for change. The U.S. government is persecuting U.S. investigators are trying to build inspired by the current #MeToo move- Notwithstanding this progress, main- Manning because it hates the truth and a case against WikiLeaks and against its ment, initiated by Tarana Burke, a Black stream media have fallen short in explain- refuses to share that truth with the peo- founder, Julian Assange, who has been woman in 2007, to show solidarity with ing the real class origins of IWWD, just ple. Washington despises whistleblow- in asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in women of color victimized by sexual and as with the founding of International ers like Manning, Edward Snowden and London since 2012. The U.S. hoped to racist misconduct. Workers Day or May Day, which brought the media organization WikiLeaks who use Manning’s testimony against Assange Before the present White House regime about the eight-hour workday in the U.S. expose the crimes of the CIA, Pentagon and his organization. came to power in 2016, IWWD had been through militant struggle. Corporations and State Department—crimes they Called to testify March 7, Manning marginalized inside the U.S., especially will always try to co-opt progressive his- commit worldwide to protect and expand objected to the secret nature of the fed- compared to its politically conservative torical events and leaders in an attempt the property and profits of the super-rich eral grand jury and refused to answer on counterpart, Mother’s Day, widely cele- to increase their insatiable profit line. who rule the U.S. constitutional grounds. The next day she brated on the second Sunday in May. It is the responsibility of revolution- While on active duty in Iraq as an was arrested and placed in a civil prison, Even when Congress declared Women’s aries and activists to resist and to push intelligence analyst, Manning released where she may be forced to remain for History Month in 1975, little was known consciousness to the left within the U.S. 700,000 classified and sensitive military the life of the grand jury—potentially 18 about the role played by the women’s population. We must show that unorga- and diplomatic documents. They revealed months—unless she agrees to testify. mass movement of the late 1960s and nized women workers, including immi- details about modern imperialist wars Manning has said she will refuse to talk. early 1970s in winning this proclamation. grants, were in the forefront of organizing never before made public. This included This is a heroic position for any political But as Bob Dylan’s classic lyrics state, for a livable wage and better working con- the infamous “Collateral Murder” tape of prisoner and even more so for Manning “The times they are a-changin.” Nothing ditions in the factories, in the offices and a U.S. “Apache” attack helicopter firing because of the increased oppression and stays the same, including in the belly of in the fields in the early 1900s. Theirs on civilians in Baghdad in 2007, killing 11 brutal treatment to which transgender the beast, the United States. were the battles that paved the way for adults, including two Reuters journalists. people are often subjected in prison. The ushering in of the misogynist, IWWD. By revealing the crimes of U.S. impe- For all of the points made above, white supremacist Trump government, Today, that tradition continues rialism, Manning and WikiLeaks carried Workers World repeats the demand we coupled with the #MeToo and #TimesUp ­globally—​with women workers going out a service to humanity. No one should made during the seven years Manning movements, have helped elevate much- on strike against the attacks on public be punished for exposing crimes against was in military prison: Free Chelsea needed class consciousness about the education or organizing one-day stop- humanity. By releasing this truth, they Manning! ☐ significance of IWWD among sectors of pages against transnationals such as U.S. society, especially women of all ages, McDonald’s, Burger King or Google for nationalities and gender expression. better wages, health care benefits and In the U.S. Due to these movements, Barry against sexual abuse. Jenkins, an award-winning Black direc- The real goal of IWWD is to build tor, expressed his support for more solidarity for revolutionary change International Working women directors during the Feb. 23 Spirit that includes women and gender-non- Independent Awards ceremony. conforming people—365 days a year, Women’s Day celebrated And on March 8, NBA TV, a channel regardless of borders. ☐

Swedish Iraq solidarity Group condemns 2003 U.S.-British invasion

The following statement by the Board confirmed. Iraq had no weapons of mass of Iraq Solidarity of Sweden was issued destruction. And even if that had been March 3 on the occasion of the upcom- the case, it would not have legitimized ing 16th anniversary of the criminal the invasion and the occupation. New York City. PHOTO: ANAKBAYAN NEW YORK Transgender contingent, Buffalo. WW PHOTO: ELLIE DORRITIE U.S.-British invasion of Iraq on March 3. Iraq Solidarity has previously pro- 20, 2003, and the subsequent involve- tested that the superpower USA has used A number of commemorations xenophobic and neo-fascist attacks on ment of NATO in the occupation of Iraq. chemical weapons and other weapons took place on March 8, International communities of color, women, immi- (Facebook: Iraksolidaritet) with long-term devastating consequences Working Women’s Day, in the U.S. Here grants, refugees and LGBTQ+ people. 1. We recall that 16 years have now for the civilian population in a war of is a sampling of a few of them. In Buffalo, N.Y., Workers World passed since the U.S. and Great Britain aggression against Iraq without the sup- Party and Buffalo AntiWar gave out illegally and in violation of international port of the United Nations. The Iraqi peo- In New York City, representatives nearly 200 yellow vests at Buffalo's law invaded and occupied Iraq. The inva- ple are living in a poisoned country. from women’s groups, Malaya Movement, International Working Women’s Day sion resulted in millions of people being The U.S. has used uranium weap- BAYAN USA, GABRIELA New York, March 2019 in solidarity with work- killed, wounded or driven from their ons and white phosphorus and burned International Working Women's Day ing-class women fighting back worldwide. homes and from their country and in the masses of chemicals in open pits outside Coalition and International Women's A multinational crowd came out for destruction of Iraq’s infrastructure. hundreds of bases in Iraq. This has seri- Alliance (Americas), protested in soli- International Working Women’s Day A political structure was imposed on ously affected the civilian population. darity to end all forms of violence against in Cleveland. Speakers included com- Iraq which fanned division, sectarian vio- Weapons with depleted uranium had women and children in the Philippines munity activists and elected officials; lence and terrorism. Despite the conclu- already been used in 1991 during the Gulf and all around the world. the latter reflected the increased num- sion of the occupation, the U.S. continues War. The city of Basra was in particular Under the general theme of “RISE, ber of women of color voted into office to consolidate its control and its military seriously affected. RESIST, and UNITE,” activists gathered here and countrywide. A march through presence in the country and throughout In 2004 the U.S. carried out two big in front of the Philippines Consulate at the downtown followed the rally outside City the Middle East. attacks on the city of Fallujah. Since United Nations to denounce the worsen- Hall. The action was called by Cleveland 2. A pretext for the invasion was the then many of the children at the Fallujah ing human rights crisis in the Philippines Women’s March, Imperial Women and claim that Iraq had weapons of mass General Hospital were born with severe under its misogynist President Duterte International Women’s Day March destruction. This claim was already deformations. In Fallujah, Basra, Najaf, and to stop the attacks on Filipino Cleveland. shown to be false when the UN team led Baghdad, Hawija and other cities children women and children. The activists then by Hans Blix inspected the installations suffer a very high rate of deformations, took their protest to Trump Tower to Vijou Bryant, Ellie Dorritie and Martha in the country. Their findings were later Continued on page 11 expose the U.S. administration’s ongoing Grevatt contributed to this roundup. workers.org Mar. 14, 2019 Page 11 Union leader, anti-fascist Béla Lugosi: More than just an actor

By Mike Kuhlenbeck regime beholden to the ruling class. The Hungarian Soviet Republic was founded Hungarian actor Béla Lugosi was on March 21, 1919. crowned “Hollywood’s Prince of Darkness” While the Red Flag of the fledgling for his portrayal of the vampire Count republic waved over the parliament build- Dracula in several films. But today few ing for only 133 days, Kun's government people know he was a union leader and introduced the first legal protections for anti-fascist who fought real-life monsters. ethnic minorities, the 8-hour workday and higher national wages. From actor to activist Lugosi led a demonstration of actors in Lugosi was born Béla Ferenc Dezső March 1919 and emerged as a high-profile Blaskó on Oct. 20, 1882, in Lugos, organizer. He was instrumental in found- Kingdom of Hungary, Austria-Hungary ing the Free Organization of Theatrical (now Lugoj, Romania), 50 miles from Employees, which later expanded into the the castle of Vlad III (Vlad Dracula). The first film actors union in the world, the young Lugosi was drawn to the arts. He National Trade Union of Actors. expressed his theatrical aspirations to Don Rhodes wrote in “Lugosi: His Life Béla Lugosi during World War I (below) and as his father, a conservative banker, who in Films, on Stage and in the Hearts of “Count Dracula.” rejected his son’s career choice. Already Horror Lovers” that “Lugosi helped com- a rebellious spirit, Lugosi ran away from bine the Free Organization of Theater As a brutal “White Terror” backlash home to follow his dreams at 12. Employees and members of the film swept the country, Lugosi fled to Vienna After working at odd jobs and as a industry in the National Trade Union of and worked in Germany’s motion pic- miner and machinist, Lugosi made his Actors, and acted as its general secretary.” ture industry with a stint in Berlin. He stage debut at age 20 in 1902, adopting The NTUA’s first statutory congress then emigrated to the United States in the stage name Béla Lugosi the following began on April 17, 1919. Lugosi’s speech December 1920. year. Critics called him “the Laurence included the words: “Half a year ago, I Meanwhile, in Hungary thousands of Olivier of Hungary,” and he was invited launched the struggle with the decision Communists and Jewish people were to join the National Theatre of Budapest. that the national trade union of socialist imprisoned, tortured and/or murdered. During World War I, Lugosi enlisted in actors should be established.” (Arthur The Communists led a precarious existence the Austro-Hungarian Army and obtained Lenning, “The Immortal Count: The Life underground and emerged only after the the rank of captain in the 43rd Division and Films of Béla Lugosi”) Red Army entered Hungary in 1944. Ski Patrol. He was injured during com- Among Lugosi’s articles published in bat. Once his service was completed, he “Szinészek Lapja” (“The Actor’s Page”) U.S.: union organizer, voice returned to acting. was one that discussed the exploitation against fascism As the cinema gained popularity as of actors: “The former ruling class kept After docking in New Orleans, Lugosi an art form, Lugosi starred in some of the community of actors in ignorance by learned English and went to New York Hungarian Jewish refugees, pressure Hungary’s early silent films. He remained means of various lies, corrupted it morally where he continued acting. In 1927, he Horthy’s Nazi-puppet regime and ease in the National Theatre until 1918 when he and materially, and finally scorned and originated the role of Count Dracula immigration restrictions. answered the call for workers’ revolution. despised it for what resulted from its own in the Broadway stage version of Bram Dr. Rafael Medoff and J. David Daily existence in Hungary was a vices. The actor, subsisting on starvation Stoker's novel. In 1931, he reprised the Spurlock wrote, “He may have portrayed nightmare few could escape. Lugosi had wages and demoralized, was often driven, role in a film adaptation, making him an savage villains on the silver screen, but long protested the low wages, exploitative albeit reluctantly, to place himself at the international star. in real life Béla Lugosi raised his voice in working conditions and unfair treatment disposal of the ruling class. Martyrdom was During the Great Depression, Lugosi protest against the savage persecution of of young actors. He soon recognized the the price of enthusiasm for acting.” played an active role in the Screen Actors the Jews in his native Hungary.” (Jewish contributions artists could make to polit- The dreams of a new nation were short- Guild. As a SAG founding member, he Ledger, Jan. 3, 2011) ical struggles. lived when the Hungarian Soviet Republic served on the union’s advisory board. Years of typecasting led to fewer roles was overthrown on Aug. 6, 1919. Historian Lugosi organized for the union on the set for Lugosi. The lack of income, combined Hungary: supporter of 1919 revolution Eugen Weber, author of “Varieties of of “The Raven,” which co-starred Boris with a morphine addiction brought on by Lugosi supported the Hungarian Fascism: Doctrines of Revolution in the Karloff, a SAG member who was famous physical ailments, left him nearly desti- Communist Party, which was founded in Twentieth Century,” described the suc- for portraying Frankenstein's monster, in tute. Lugosi died at his Los Angeles home December 1918, and its leader, Béla Kun. cessive government as the “highly conser- 1935. on Aug. 16, 1956. He was buried in one of Following the example of revolutionary vative rule of aristocratic cabinets headed By World War II, Hungarian dictator his “Dracula” capes. Russia, a mass uprising overthrew the old mostly by great landed magnates.” Miklos Horthy allied with Adolf Hitler and Lugosi is best remembered for his the Nazis. In opposition, Lugosi helped work in leading and supporting roles in form the Hungarian-American Council over 100 films. But his contributions to for Democracy, calling for "Nazism to be the struggle for workers’ rights and the wiped out everywhere." anti-fascist cause must be remembered Swedish Iraq solidarity As a member of American-Hungarian as part of his enduring legacy. Relief Inc., Lugosi was a keynote speaker Group condemns 2003 U.S.-British invasion at an Aug. 28, 1944, rally in Los Angeles. Additional sources: Stephen J. Lee, He demanded Washington rescue “European Dictatorships 1918-1945.” Continued from page 10 cancer and other illnesses. Even American Iraq veterans have become seriously ill as Incertidumbre eléctrica a result of the use of these weapons. 4. The question of nuclear weapons has y política en Venezuela been actualized by the Swedish govern- Continúa de la página 12 ment in its commissioned ”Study of the Las desconcentraciones de las movili- Consequences of a Swedish Ratification formalmente la intervención humanita- zaciones se realizaron en una ciudad con on the Convention against Nuclear ria”, twitteó antes de la movilización. tranquilidad. Weapons.” Iraq Solidarity wishes to Nicolás Maduro habló poco más tarde Se trata de una pulseada por restable- bring to memory that the 2004 UN frente al Palacio de Miraflores. Informó cer y estabilizar el sistema eléctrico –que atomic energy organ, the IAEA, called for acerca de la cronología de los cinco ata- presentaba dificultades con anterioridad a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. ques, tanto físicos a estaciones de gene- en diferentes partes de Venezuela– dis- This proposal was later discussed in the the Campaign Against US/NATO bases, ración, como electromagnéticos a redes minuir los daños encadenados que trae UN and in other forums. the Swedish group Iraq Solidarity is de transmisión, y cibernéticos al sistema el corte nacional prolongado. The Convention on the Prohibition of arranging a public seminar in Stockholm de control automatizado. Afirmó que el El finalizar de la tarde trajo incerti- Nuclear Weapons now being discussed is on March 20. In the United States on 70 por ciento que se había logrado resta- dumbre respecto a lo inmediato y lo que a step in the right direction. Sweden has March 30, the United National Antiwar blecer el viernes en la noche volvió a ser vendrá en próximos días. Uno de los ejes been a driving force in its adoption, but it Coalition has called a demonstration in dañado el sábado al mediodía. de la disputa se centra así alrededor de has changed its view after pressure from Washington, D.C., to protest the April Centró las responsabilidades en la la interpretación de los acontecimientos. the U.S. Our view is that Sweden should 4 NATO 70th anniversary ceremonies estrategia de ataque sobre el sistema Los días han pasado a ser una tensión support and ratify this convention. The there and the continued use of NATO as eléctrico diseñado por Estados Unidos, entre el regreso de la luz y los apagones, actions of the U.S. in this question do not a tool of imperialist aggression, including la derecha interna, en complicidad la normalización necesaria ante un cua- further peace either in Iraq or in Sweden. against Iraq and now against Venezuela. con lo que denominó “infiltrados en la dro inédito de asedio que pone a un país As part of Iraq Solidarity Month and (unacpeace.org) ☐ empresa”. a resistir. ☐ Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected]

¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 61 Núm. 11 14 de marzo 2019 $1 Venezuela se moviliza contra el imperialismo y el sabotaje eléctrico

Por Sam Ordóñez el día marzo 10 el New York Times sacó ¿Quién habría formado parte de esta Fracturas en la clase gobernante de EUA un reporte donde se detalló cómo fueron coalición? Por una parte se buscaba el Es importante el dato de que fue el pre- 10 de marzo - El día 9 de marzo se lle- en realidad las fuerzas opositoras que apoyo de los países que forman la OTAN sidente Obama quien primero clasificó a naron las calles de Caracas, Venezuela quemaron el camión en la frontera con (que intervino en ex-Yugoslavia en 1999 y Venezuela como una amenaza a la segu- con miles de personas celebrando el Día Colombia. (tinyurl.com/y5ykjd9e) luego en Libia en 2011): Estados Unidos, ridad nacional, declaración que justifi- del Antiimperialismo Bolivariano. Es una Ya debería ser obvio que en su obsesión Reino Unido y otros países europeos. Por caba las sanciones unilaterales. La actual movilización que se ha organizado cada con conquistar Venezuela los dirigentes otra sería el Grupo de Lima, con la impor- política injerencista contra Venezuela es año en esta fecha empezando en 2015, del golpe dirán cualquier cosa para jus- tante excepción de México que rompió producto directo de la política de Obama. cuando el presidente de Estados Unidos tificar un ataque. No está claro porque con el resto del grupo. Este es un grupo Históricamente, las diferencias entres Barack Obama declaró a Venezuela como el New York Times decidió romper con de gobiernos latinoamericanos de dere- los dos partidos estadounidenses desa- una amenaza “inusual y extraordinaria.” el gobierno estadounidense, pero mues- cha, varias de las cuales sufrieron golpes parecen en cuanto a la política externa. El pueblo bolivariano también se movi- tra cómo el imperialismo ha propagado estadounidenses recientes (Honduras en Solo falta ver cómo los líderes del partido lizaba en respuesta al sabotaje del sistema mentiras, usando a los medios de comu- 2009 o Brasil en 2016). Demócrata como Nancy Pelosi acep- eléctrico del país. El día jueves 7 de marzo nicación como parte integral de su ataque Pero después de la heróica demostra- tan sin preguntas las mentiras sobre empezó una serie de ataques, principal- contra Venezuela. ción de fuerza por parte de la revolución Venezuela que difunden Rubio y Bolton. mente de carácter cibernéticas, contra la bolivariana, la Unión Europea salió en Esta unidad entre los dos partidos de planta eléctrica de El Guri que suministra La nueva estrategia de contra de la intervención militar, como la clase gobernante sirve para prote- a casi todo el país. cambio de régimen también lo hizo el Grupo de Lima. Si los ger al sistema imperialista, asegurando En su discurso ante la marcha antiim- Estados Unidos quiere enviar tropas, lo que EUA tomará acción para asegurar perialista, el presidente constitucional Ya un mes y medio después de la tendrá que hacer sin el apoyo de ninguna las condiciones que se requieren. Pelosi Nicolás Maduro denunció que la respon- autoproclamación de Juan Guaidó, organización internacional. podría haber desmentido la narrativa sabilidad del apagón caía sobre la oposi- sigue Nicolás Maduro en el palacio de Todo esto dificulta una invasión mili- sobre Venezuela, y frustrar al gobierno ción, ya fracasado su golpe de estado, y Miraflores y la Fuerza Armada Nacional tar abierta. Entonces, ¿cómo han cam- de Trump en el proceso, pero los líderes sus dirigentes en los Estados Unidos. Bolivariana (FANB) sigue en la defensa biado los planes del imperialismo en Demócratas siempre ponen los intereses Al mismo tiempo, el autoproclamado de la constitución. Venezuela? El ataque contra el sistema del imperialismo encima de todo. “presidente interino” de Venezuela, Juan El día 23 de febrero se intentó ingre- eléctrico indica que se aplicará una estra- Ahora, como resultado del fracaso de la Guaidó, advirtió de forma indirecta que sar camiones llenas de supuesta “ayuda tegia de desgaste y desestabilización. maniobra golpista de febrero 23, se están habrían nuevos y ampliados sabotajes. humanitaria” que según Nicolás Maduro Seguirán los ataques económicos desde produciendo fracturas en esa unidad. La “Debemos anunciar con responsabilidad “ni ayuda, ni humanitaria era”. A pesar de los Estados Unidos, que ya amenaza con decisión del New York Times de romper que se transformará en una crisis por la dos días de ataques violentos en la fron- sancionar a terceros países que nego- con las mentiras de Abrams, Rubio y gasolina,” dijo hablando desde un megá- tera con Colombia, la oposición no logró cian con Venezuela. Los sabotajes y los Bolton es la señal más reciente de estas fono en la concentración opositora. entrar a los camiones. ataques cibernéticos también seguirán, tensiones. A la hora de escribir, el servicio eléc- Venezuela se defendió ese día porque el y probablemente se ampliarán a otras Desde el inicio del intento de golpe trico se está restaurando paulatinamente poder popular se movilizó contra el impe- industrias. de estado algunos oficiales electos como en las zonas afectadas. Según varios rialismo. La FANB en la frontera luchaba Otra posibilidad es la guerra sucia, Ilhan Omar, representativa del estado de oficiales del gobierno, se ha trabajado junto a los colectivos chavistas y las mili- crear grupos rebeldes y suministrarlos Minnesota, han declarado públicamente constantemente desde el comienzo de los cias civiles. La consciencia y la organi- con armas, para presionar al gobierno su oposición al golpe de estado. Por eso, y ataques para restaurar el servicio y “nor- zación del pueblo chavista pudo evitar y colapsar los programas sociales. Ya por su solidaridad con Palestina, los líde- malizar la situación.” la ruptura de la FANB que buscaban los cuenta la oposición con sus grupos “gua- res del partido Demócrata han atacado Una de las claves de la estrategia gol- Estados Unidos y su lacayo Juan Guaidó. rimberos” como base para esto. ferozmente a Omar. pista ha sido el uso coordinado de los La oposición venezolana sufrió un En ambos casos, la guerra económica Venezuela sigue bajo una amenaza medios de comunicación internacio- derrote importante el 23 de febrero, es la clave. La estrategia desestabilizadora imperialista, en forma de sabotaje y ata- nales, que hasta ahora han seguido el mucho más importante que no poder del imperialismo se basa principalmente ques económicos. Hace falta que el movi- guión injerencista del asesor de seguri- entrar a los camiones, cosa que nunca fue en “hacer gritar a la economía.” Romper miento progresista en Estados Unidos se dad nacional John Bolton, el senador de su objetivo principal. Buscaban, mediante el control que sigue ejerciendo la oligar- aproveche de las rupturas que se están Florida Marco Rubio y el enviado espe- provocaciones violentas y manipulación quía venezolana sobre la economía debe produciendo en la clase gobernante para cial para Venezuela Elliott Abrams, que de los imágenes, fabricar un pretexto para ser la prioridad junto a seguir constru- intensificar la campaña antiimperialista y decían que las fuerzas del gobierno que- la intervención militar de una coalición yendo la organización popular en el país. acabar con las sanciones. ☐ maron camiones llenos de ayuda. Pero internacional. Incertidumbre eléctrica y política en Venezuela

Por Marco Teruggi normalidad ya parecía un hecho volvió amenaza inusual y extraordinaria– sue- pocos, se corroboraron con el paso de las a irse a luz. Eran las once y media de la len ser una demostración de fuerzas, de horas. Extractos del artículo publicado el 10 mañana del sábado. imágenes, donde la ciudad queda dividida Guaidó, quien habló con un megáfono, de marzo en pagina12.com.ar A esa hora la oposición ya estaba por zonas que se dan la espalda en lo esté- anunció que convocará a una nueva movi- La noche del viernes (8 de marzo) concentrada en la avenida Victoria, en tico y político: el chavismo, de color rojo, lización a Caracas, a la cual no le puso a sábado trajo cierta tranquilidad en Caracas, para la movilización convocada la oposición vestida de blanco. El corte fecha. Venezuela. La electricidad regresó en un por Juan Guaidó el pasado lunes. Era la de clases es marcado, con una mayoría La tensión se generó con el pedido de 70 por ciento del país luego de más de 24 principal actividad en agenda luego de de sectores populares y algunos de clases “intervención” de quienes estaban allí y la horas de corte. En cada hogar se repitie- una reunión con algunos sindicatos de medias en el chavismo, una proporción débil respuesta de Guaidó, quien afirmó ron los mismos gestos de enchufar neve- la administración pública realizada el invertida en la derecha. que podría apelar al artículo 187 de la ras, teléfonos, comunicarse, abrir canillas martes. Las movilizaciones se desarrollaron en constitución, que abriría la puerta a una para que salga agua que mandan las bom- El chavismo por su parte iniciaba su el contexto del nuevo apagón, sus con- intervención, según dijo, “cuando llegue bas eléctricas. concentración en el centro-oeste cara- secuentes efectos de cansancio, enojo, el momento”. No solo las bases de la dere- En la mañana las colas se multiplicaron queño para dirigirse hasta el Palacio de incertidumbre, peligro en hospitales y cha piden una intervención. Algunos diri- para comprar comida que, bajo impacto Miraflores. Fechas como la de este 9 de fábricas. La información circulante por gentes, como Antonio Ledezma, también. de hiperinflación, exceden los montos de marzo – el cuarto aniversario del decreto redes fue poca, los grupos de WhatsApp “Vamos pdte. @jguaido solicite dinero disponible en efectivo. Cuando la de Obama declarando a Venezuela una quedaron casi inactivos, los hechos, Continúa en la página 11