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AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE US class struggle a feature at Havana conference — PAGE 6-7 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 82/no. 20 May 21, 2018 SWP, books, Join teachers for May 16 US rulers, ‘Militant’ spark protest in North Carolina! Tehran fight interest among over sway in working people Middle East by dan fein by terry evans When teachers and other school Determined to protect U.S. imperi- workers went on strike May 7 in Pueb- alist interests in the Middle East, push lo, Colorado, Walmart worker Helen back Tehran’s growing military inter- Meyers and a team of other Socialist ventions and prevent Iran’s capitalist Workers Party members and support- rulers acquiring nuclear arms, President ers were there to join in solidarity and Donald Trump May 8 withdrew the U.S. government from the 2015 nuclear deal signed by former President Barack Socialist Workers Obama. That agreement — also signed party Spring drives by the rulers in Germany, France, Brit- ain, Russia and China — eased sanc- introduce the party, its paper the Mili- tions on Iran in exchange for curtailing tant and books by party leaders. its nuclear program through 2030. They got into a discussion at a noon- Trump said Washington will impose time rally with Tina Gurule, a school sanctions and take other steps to press counselor, about the need to unify the Militant/Diane Shur Tehran to make additional concessions. working class and others in struggle Teachers at April 26 news conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, announcing May 16 More punishing sanctions will sharpen march and rally in Raleigh to demand better wages, work conditions and funds for schools. to build a strong working-class move- the crisis facing Iran’s capitalist rulers ment to organize independently of the Back teachers, join Socialist Teachers, school workers and fall most harshly on working people. Democrats and Republicans, the par- Workers Party campaign! build for Raleigh action Washington holds a vast nuclear arse- ties of the bosses. nal. According to a White House state- Gurule agreed. If the teachers The following statement was is- by Diane Shur ment, the president will “assemble a could deepen their struggle alongside sued, May 9 by John Studer, Social- GREENSBORO, N.C. — The broad coalition of nations to deny Iran those fighting against police brutal- ist Workers Party national campaign school workers uprising that started all paths to a nuclear weapon.” Busi- ity, in defense of immigrants and the director. in West Virginia in late February nesses and banks that trade with Iranian rights of women and gay people, “we and has since rolled across Kentucky, companies will have up to 180 days to can make a change,” she said. Gurule After three decades of retreats Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado, end these operations. got a copy of Are They Rich Because something new is happening in the has hit North Carolina. More than Government spokespeople in Lon- They’re Smart? by SWP National labor movement. With courage and 11,500 teachers have already filed don, Berlin, Paris and Tehran all say Continued on page 3 Continued on page 9 for personal days to march and rally they will keep the deal working by al- outside the Capitol in Raleigh at the lowing Iran’s oil exports and other trade opening of the state legislative session to continue while Tehran keeps restric- Rulers’ disdain, anti-working-class May 16. tions on nuclear activity. The three Eu- “13 and Counting” is the headline ropean capitalist regimes say they will attacks fuel protests in Puerto Rico Continued on page 4 Continued on page 9 ‘Join fight against Iowa attack on women’s right to choose abortion’ by lea sherman filed by local prosecutors, though no More than 100 supporters of wom- penalties are set by the bill. en’s right to choose abortion gathered “The law is bad. Every woman has at the state Capitol in Des Moines the right to make her own decision. for an “Iowa Fights Back rally” May Very young women get pregnant ac- 4. They were protesting Gov. Kim Continued on page 9 Reynolds signing into law that day a so-called fetal heartbeat bill. The law would ban abortions so early in the pregnancy — at six weeks — that Inside a woman might not even realize she Grenfell Tower fire survivors was pregnant. demand housing, fire safety 2 The fight for reproductive rights is “all of our fight,” Suzanna de Baca, Elorientalpr.net/Esteban D. Rodríguez Flecha Volunteers expand reach April 30 protest in Humacao. Second sign from the left says, “Being old is not a crime. Enough president of Planned Parenthood of of revolutionary books 2 already of the lies and deceit.” The sign next to it reads, “Lights for everyone, stop ignoring us.” the Heartland, told the rally, “and it’s on all of us to push against these at- Teachers, school workers walk by seth galinsky especially the tens of thousands still tacks on our lives, our bodies ... our out in Pueblo contract struggle 4 Officials of the government-run without power. rights.” electric company in Puerto Rico “We have entire towns in the cen- The law requires doctors to give –On the picket line, p. 5– claim that 98 percent of the U.S. col- ter of the island still without light,” all women an ultrasound before per- Ukraine workers rally May Day ony now has electricity, eight months Marimer Castro told the Militant by forming an abortion. If any pulsation in fight for wages, work safety after hurricanes Irma and Maria rav- phone May 7. is detected, then an abortion cannot aged the island, and just a month be- Castro helped organize a demon- be performed. Any doctor who does School workers in New Zealand fore the next hurricane season begins. stration April 30 attended by more perform the medical procedure could rally for equal pay for women But almost nobody believes them, Continued on page 6 see their license revoked or charges Grenfell Tower fire survivors demand housing, fire safety BY PAULINE HARTFORD get behind the fight for rehousing, for LONDON — Marking 10 months tearing down the flammable cladding since the Grenfell Tower fire, where on other buildings across the country, 72 people were killed and hundreds and for installation of sprinkler systems left homeless, thousands of survivors in all housing.” Robertson is a member and supporters marched here April 14. of Unite at the Ford plant in Dagenham. Every month survivors mobilize to de- Dozens of bikers from different clubs, mand government action. This was the organized by the Muslim motorcycle biggest demonstration to date. organization Deen Riders, met at Ace The Grenfell inferno was a disaster Café in North London to drive through waiting to happen, prepared by the cal- the city and lead off the April 14 march. lous indifference of government officials “We can’t distance ourselves from and the building’s owners and manag- such an atrocity,” Jamaal Richards of ers. It was fed by cladding installed on Deen Riders said at the rally concluding Motorcyclists lead April 14 march in London demanding government action to house victims the building’s exterior that was a known the protest. “We have to ensure every- of Grenfell disaster 10 months after fire killed 72. Disaster was result of rulers’ contempt. fire hazard. There was no sprinkler sys- one gets justice.” tem in the tower and substandard fire Pavel Viatkin, a young design engi- cladding. Solidarity actions took place Tirsén, Communist League candidate doors that failed to withstand the flames. neer from Russia who has lived in Lon- in Liverpool, Bristol, Brighton, Thanet, for Longsight in Manchester, who came A poignant moment at each march is don for five years, was one of the bik- Southampton and Scotland. to London to march. “But it could have when protesters turn in silence to view ers. “We rode by Parliament to get here. Of the 209 Grenfell households that happened anywhere. The last Labour the still-standing charred remains of the Thousands saw us and were filming us needed rehousing, only 60 have moved government presided over similar ac- tower, a monument to the rulers’ con- with our signs for Grenfell United. We into permanent homes. A further 68 cidents waiting to happen around the tempt for working people. helped spread the message!” he said. have accepted offers, but are still in country. In no borough anywhere — The survivors refuse to let the govern- Speaking for the survivors’ organiza- emergency housing. Conservative or Labour — has there ment’s announcement of a public inqui- tion Grenfell United, Adel Chaoui an- The Labour Party is cynically trying been a crash program of sprinkler in- ry into the causes of the fire shift atten- nounced they hope the next march May to evade responsibility for the disaster stallation or flammable cladding remov- tion away from the need for action now 14 will be on Parliament where a debate by making use of a leaked report that al following the fire.” on rehousing and fire safety measures. on the composition of the panel for the the spread of the fire was due to shoddy Over 300 other blocks have been Their actions have won broad support. public inquiry is scheduled. refurbishment work done by the Royal identified as covered with dangerous “As we made our way from the Kens- “What we call ‘health and safety gone Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. cladding, according to the government. ington and Chelsea town hall to the mad’ is wrapping a tower in a petro- “The fact that the fire was in Kens- That includes 158 social housing blocks, tower, local residents leaned out their chemical blanket,” Chaoui said. The ington and Chelsea, one of the richest 134 private sector buildings and 14 pub- windows and people on the streets government had deregulated building boroughs in the country, highlights the lic buildings, including hospitals and would stop their conversations and face controls to permit use of flammable real face of capitalism,” said Catharina schools. the marchers to show solidarity,” Hugh Robertson, Communist League can- didate for Plaistow South in the May 3 local council elections, told the Militant. Volunteers expand reach of revolutionary books The League built and joined the protest. Brky Ma Severs aries worldwide, have been involved in olutionary literature as they knock on “Solidarity with the fight of the survi- Volunteers for Pathfinder Press, which activities across North America over the workers’ doors and join in strike battles vors is growing,” he said. “It shows what publishes books by leaders of the Social- last several months to expand sales and and social protests across the country. would be possible if the unions were to ist Workers Party and other revolution- distribution of the books. The volunteers surpassed their fall They’ve met with bookstore buy- sales goal of getting 95 orders, netting ers; librarians at public, university, and 100 orders in the United States and prison libraries; book distributors; and Canada. The real backbone of the effort staffed booths promoting Pathfinder is consistent, month-in and month-out books at academic conferences. They work contacting buyers and setting up are tapping into a great deal of interest face-to-face meetings — “shoe-leather in books that explain the social and eco- work,” as it has long been known. Over For a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula! nomic crisis facing working people and the years this has built long-term re- point to the road out of it. lationships with a growing number of Inter-Korean summit dis- This work is an invaluable supple- buyers who order Pathfinder books. cussions and coming talks ment to the day-to-day efforts of SWP In Montreal, a buyer for the main with U.S. President Trump members and supporters, who take rev- Continued on page 3 on the de-nuclearization of

the Korean Peninsula are $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. welcomed by working people The Militant Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For Vol. 82/No. 20 one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to in Korea, Japan and the re- above address. gion. The ‘Militant’ demands Closing news date: May 9, 2018 Seoul Times Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 U.S. rulers get their troops, Kim Jong Un, left, and Moon Jae-in at in- Editor: John Studer to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- ter-Korean summit, Panmunjom, April 27. treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. weapons out of Korea. Editorial volunteers: Róger Calero, Terry Evans, Seth Galinsky, Emma Johnson, Mar- United Kingdom: Send £26 for one year by check or international money order tín Koppel, Jacob Perasso, Brian Williams. made out to CL London, 2nd Floor, 83 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Published weekly except for one week in Kingsland High St., Dalston, London, E8 January, one week in June, one week in 2PB, England. July, one week in September, one week in Republic of Ireland and Continental December. Europe: Send £85 for one year by check or NEW READERS NAME international money order made out to CL The Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 306 W. 37th London at above address. Street, 13th floor, New York, NY 10018. France: Send 100 euros for one year to q.$5 for 12 issues ADDRESS Telephone: (212) 244-4899 Diffusion du Militant, BP 10130, 75723 Fax: (212) 244-4947 Paris Cedex 15. E-mail: [email protected] RENEWAL CITY STATE ZIP New Zealand: Send NZ$55 for one year Website: www.themilitant.com to P.O. Box 13857, Auckland 1643, New Correspondence concerning subscriptions Zealand. PHONE e-mail q.$10 for 12 weeks or changes of address should be addressed Australia: Send A$70 for one year to Suite 22, to the Militant, 306 W. 37th Street, 13th 10 Bridge St., Granville NSW 2142, Australia. floor, New York, NY 10018. q $20 for 6 months UNION/SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION Pacific Islands: Send NZ$55 for one year to . Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY. P.O. Box 13857, Auckland 1643, New Zealand. Submissions to the Militant may be pub- Clip and mail to the militant, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to q.$35 for 1 year 306 W. 37th st., 13th Floor new york, ny 10018. lished in the newspaper in print and digital the Militant, 306 W. 37th Street, 13th floor, format. By submitting, authors represent New York, NY 10018. that their submissions are original and consent to publication in this manner. 12 weeks of the Militant outside the U.S.: Australia and the Pacific, A$10 • United SUBSCRIPTIONS: United States: For Kingdom, £3 • Canada, Can$7 • Caribbean and Latin America, US$10 • Continental one year send $35 to above address. Signed articles by contributors do not Europe, £10 • France, 8 euros • New Zealand, NZ$7 • All other areas, US$16 (Send necessarily represent the Militant’s views. payment to addresses listed in business information box) Latin America, Caribbean: For one year send These are expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant May 21, 2018 SWP, ‘Militant’ spark interest Continued from front page “I appreciate getting the analysis Secretary Jack Barnes, along with a and the coverage through the socialist subscription to the Militant. lens,” Adam Bailey told SWP mem- The strike in Pueblo is just the lat- ber George Chalmers at the May 1 est manifestation of the uprising of rally for immigrant rights at City Hall teachers and other school workers that in Philadelphia. Bailey picked up a is shaking up class politics in the U.S. subscription along with Malcolm X, — from Arizona to West Virginia, Black Liberation, and the Road to Kentucky, Colorado, North Carolina Workers Power. Party members got a and elsewhere. It reflects the fact that similar response at May Day actions the propertied rulers’ relentless at- across the country. tacks on working people, as they try “I’m not interested in politics,” Mag- to prop up profit rates on the backs of dalena Halliday, a housekeeper and workers, is getting a response. And member of Local 1199SEIU, told SWP that generates greater interest in the members Terry Evans and Seth Galin- SWP, its publications and the fund sky when they knocked on her door on drive party members are organizing the Lower East Side in New York May for the Militant. 4. “It’s bad that Trump is trying to get The party is asking workers to join rid of immigrants,” she said. Militant Socialist Workers Party member Leslie Dork, second from right, part of team introducing them in building and attending a big “He doesn’t want to deport all the Militant and books by party leaders to participants in April 26 teachers’ rally in Phoenix. statewide rally May 16 in Raleigh, North immigrants. Like Obama and Bush Carolina, called by the teachers’ union before him, he’s trying to scapegoat supporter of Hillary Clinton, but she fed up,” she said, talking about what there. If you can go, contact the party and drive them down as a way of looks down on the workers. workers face worldwide. branch nearest you listed on page 8. deepening divisions in the working Originally from the Dominican Santana got a subscription to the Mil- Knocking on workers’ doors in class,” Galinsky replied. “The boss- Republic, Santana works part time as itant, saying she looks forward to hear- Pueblo that evening, team members es need immigration, but they want a home health aide worker. “I need ing about the Socialist Workers Party met warehouse worker Rudy Romero, workers who live in fear of deporta- the medical insurance,” she said. “If election campaign in New Jersey, and and his 9 year old son. “I want this pa- tion. That’s why the SWP fights for I don’t have food, I can scrape some- to introduce us to her son, who is also per because I need to know what’s go- the unions to organize all workers, thing together from a relative or friend, interested in social and political issues. ing on in the world,” Romero said, as against deportations and for amnesty but if I can’t buy my medicine, I can’t Join in the SWP’s efforts to win he got a subscription. for workers without U.S. documents.” get it anywhere else.” more readers to the Militant and its The party is on an eight-week drive After further discussion on the his- “Everywhere people are going out books, and give a contribution to help to win 1,400 new readers to the Mili- tory of the class struggle in the U.S., in the streets to protest because they’re the Militant get around! tant and to sell an equal number of Halliday purchased Malcolm X, Black five campaign books. (See ad below). Liberation, and the Road to Workers The subscription drive, now in its sev- Power and a subscription. enth week, is ahead of schedule, part- In West New York, New Jersey, Lea Expand reach of revolutionary books ly because of the response of workers Sherman and Róger Calero met Sefer- Continued from page 2 workers behind bars. Thus far, contacts to the teachers’ battles. The Militant ina Santana May 7. She invited them chain of 30 primarily French-language and visits with over 15 librarians have Fighting Fund is seeking to raise in to her home to discuss the ongoing bookstores told a team of Pathfinder been made, mainly in the vast system of $112,000 for the ongoing publication fight by teachers around the country, sales representatives that he was excited state prisons in California. of the paper. The party is appealing and the need to build and use industrial to get books like theirs into his stores Pathfinder titles have also caught the for workers and youth to join in the unions to defend workers everywhere. across Quebec. He placed a large order, attention of Baker and Taylor, one of drive, which ends May 22. “It has to begin somewhere,” said which included three recently published the largest book wholesalers in the U.S. Santana, commenting both books from Pathfinder in French — Are Pathfinder books have been featured in about what the teachers They Rich Because They’re Smart? Is their twice yearly Shelfworthy sales pro- Campaign to expand reach of are doing and the work Socialist Revolution in the US Possible? motion, which offers immediate ship- of the SWP to expand the and The Clintons’ Anti-Working-Class ment of titles from smaller publishers ‘Militant,’ books, fund party’s reach. “We need Record — as well as two titles by Thom- to retail bookstores. The wholesaler’s March 24–May 22 (week six) to have a voice. The poli- as Sankara, The Communist Manifesto Shelfworthy web page includes 25 titles ticians in government are and Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and from Pathfinder, often with a picture of Sub Subs Books Books Fund doing what they want,” the Road to Workers Power. the cover and description of the book. Country quota sold quota sold quota Received she said. Like millions of A visit to a book distributor in Bal- The spring sales effort began UNITED STATES workers, Santana supports timore that features books on Africa March 10 and runs through July 31. Albany+ 95 83 95 54 $5,400 $3,458 President Trump because resulted in two orders, the first for 50 Volunteers are setting goals, with Atlanta 90 50 90 30 $9,700 $3,205 she’s attracted to his call copies of We Are Heirs of the World’s special attention to establishing new Chicago* 120 103 120 81 $11,500 $5,875 to “drain the swamp” of Revolutions by Sankara, followed by bookstore and library accounts in Dallas* 50 46 40 25 $1,900 $875 capitalist politicians in another order of 50 titles. cities and towns throughout North Lincoln* 25 21 20 16 $300 $222 government. “They’re all Sales volunteers are contacting prison America, making it easier for workers Los Angeles+ 125 119 125 97 $10,500 $8,904 scoundrels,” Santana said. librarians with the goal of making more to get their hands on books that go to Miami 35 20 35 22 $3,200 $2,873 She said she used to be a revolutionary literature available to the heart of explaining politics today. New York 165 128 165 80 $16,700 $8,645 Oakland 85 66 85 50 $13,000 $8,684 Philadelphia 65 62 65 38 $3,600 $1,130 These books just $5 each with a Militant subscription Seattle 95 87 95 61 $7,900 $5,855 m ilitant Twin Cities* 85 58 85 46 $4,500 $1,054 (trial offer for new readers: 12 weeks $5) Washington 70 61 70 40 $7,500 $6,029 Subscription Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? Total U.S. 1,105 904 1,090 640 $95,700 $56,809 & Book Class, Privilege, and Learning Under Capitalism Prisoners 25 26 Specials by Jack Barnes UNITED KINGDOM The Clintons’ Anti-Working-Class Record London 70 61 70 49 $2,500 $1,030 Malcolm X, Black Liberation, Why Washington Fears Working People Manchester 50 43 50 22 $950 $460 and the Road to Workers by Jack Barnes Total U.K. 120 104 120 71 $3,450 $1,490 Power by Jack Barnes CANADA $15. With subscription: $10 Is Socialist Revolution in the US Possible? Montreal 60 52 60 42 $5,700 $4,648 A Necessary Debate Among Working People Vancouver 45 33 45 24 $3,000 $1,931 by Mary-Alice Waters Total Canada 105 85 105 66 $8,700 $6,579 “It’s the Poor Who Face the NEW ZEALAND 45 42 45 24 $4,000 $2,256 Savagery of the US ‘Justice’ System” AUSTRALIA 40 36 40 16 $800 $737 The Cuban Five Talk About Their Lives Within the US Working Class FRANCE 500 396 $7 each without subscription Other 500

Total 1,440 1,197 1,400 817 $113,150 $68,767 SHOULD BE 1,400 1,050 1,400 1,050 $112,000 $84,000 To subscribe or purchase books at these prices, *Raised sub quota +Raised fund quota contact Socialist Workers Party or Communist League branches listed on page 8

The Militant May 21, 2018 3 Teachers, school workers walk out in Pueblo contract struggle by HELEn meyers Capitol in Denver April 27, demand- PUEBLO, Colo. — “Get up! Get ing more funding for schools. The last down! Pueblo is a union town,” chanted teacher strike in Colorado was in 1994. hundreds of people May 7 as they ral- Many workers here say it’s not just lied outside the offices of Pueblo City about getting a raise, it’s about respect Schools District 60, the first day of a and dignity and the dire conditions in strike by school workers here. “Educa- the schools created by cuts made by the tion is a right! That is why we have to state government and local board. To fight,” they yelled. save money the school board decided Teachers and other school personnel, that next year schools will go to a four- as well as supporters from area unions day week. and others, came to the noon rally from “I have to supply the paper, pencils, picket lines at schools and busy inter- notebooks and more to the students,” sections across the city. Reflecting the teacher Christine Hanson told Social- fact that Pueblo is an industrial city and ist Workers Party members who joined many teachers come from a union back- the strikers to bring solidarity. “The Militant/Raul Gonzalez ground, a number wore “Union Town” one-time 2 percent payment the board Paraprofessionals Marge Sanchez, Traci Dewey, Diana Gomez and Joan Arguello join in buttons. May 7 rally in Pueblo, Colorado, during strike by teachers there. They can work no more offered doesn’t cover these costs.” Oth- than 37 hours a week. Three of them work second job at night in retail and medical field. Two unions were on strike, the Pueblo er participants say both pensions and Education Association and the Pueblo health insurance are at risk. nized EVRAZ steel mill, the largest ers in 1914. Paraprofessional Education Association. Area unions supported the rally, in- manufacturer of rail in North America. “We had people at different schools They have been without a contract since cluding the United Steelworkers, In- The mill, which dates back more than a this morning to support the pick- last August, but didn’t vote to strike until ternational Brotherhood of Electrical century, was formerly run by Colorado et lines,” said Jerry Bellah, IBEW a couple weeks ago, clearly inspired by Workers, Laborers Local 5, National Fuel and Iron Company, owned by the eighth district vice president. “We’ll the rising movement of school workers Association of Letter Carriers and Rockefeller family. Company bosses raise money, open the union halls for across the country. Over 10,000 teachers SMART rail workers’ union. there were responsible for the bloody their meetings if they need, help with and supporters rallied outside the state Pueblo is home to the USW-orga- Ludlow massacre of striking coal min- a food bank. We’ll support them for as long as necessary.” District officials had said there was no money to meet workers’ demands. Join North Carolina teachers for May 16 protest! But three days before the walkout they Continued from front page “We celebrated today when Guil- 2004 and 2006 almost 39,000 workers suddenly said they’d found money to of- in the May 8 Raleigh News & Observ- ford announced it would close,” Susan lost their jobs as bosses searching for fer teachers a one-time cash payment, er — adding up the number of school Skinner, who teaches at Swann Middle higher profits outsourced the jobs, dev- a higher COLA and additional money districts that have announced they’ll School here, told the Militant May 7. astating the state’s textile and furniture toward health premiums. But union be closed for the protest. District of- She is a member of the union and has industries. members said it was unacceptable and ficials say too many teachers have been active building the May 16 rally. And, unlike some other states where attempts by the board to pit teachers and marked off to keep the schools open. “We’ve talked about how we need to teacher uprisings have broken out, paraprofessionals against each other just They are joining the tens of thou- talk to everybody — teachers, bus driv- North Carolina has a sizable Black made them madder. sands of teachers, other school work- ers, cafeteria workers, custodians, ev- population with a history of battles The unions set up a food distribution ers and supporters who have protested erybody.” against racism and police brutality that site from noon to 3 p.m. in the park- wages and working conditions, attacks Skinner said that as they’ve been date back to Radical Reconstruction. In ing lot of a former Safeway grocery on pensions, increased health premi- building the actions, workers have got- 1960 students sat down at Woolworths store. They arranged reduced-cost day ums and deteriorating schools. ten more confidence and are beginning in Greensboro, helping launch a wave care at First Presbyterian Church, so Guilford County is one of the grow- to broaden the discussion. of sit-ins against Jim Crow segregation area workers could get to their jobs and ing number of counties closing their “You know, you’re in your classroom, across the country. know their kids would be cared for and schools for lack of teachers May 16. “I fairly isolated and have little experience Today there is an ongoing debate fed. The Pueblo Zoo offered half-price think it’s a clear indicator that teachers of collective strength,” she said. “Then about what to do with still-standing stat- admission, the YMCA had open swim, are fed up with a lack of funding, a lack you see this movement rolling across ues of defenders of slavery in the Civil and all-day activities were offered in the of workplace dignity, a lack of resourc- the country and what it has achieved. War. These struggles have affected the city’s parks. es,” Todd Warren, a teacher and presi- Discussions are shifting a bit now to working class as a whole, including the dent of Guilford County Association what is most important and what it will International Longshoremen’s Associa- Raul Gonzalez and Leslie Dork contrib- of Educators, the main teachers union, actually take to win.” tion local in Wilmington. uted to this article. told the media May 7. North Carolina is one of the centers And the legacy and battles around The union presented its demands and for manufacturing in the U.S., with slavery and racism affect the schools. publicized the action at a press confer- substantial automotive and aerospace “People talk a lot about the disparity ence here April 26, attended by teachers, industries, as well as food processing, between the conditions in some ‘whit- calendar parents and supporters. They also called furniture manufacturing and tobacco. er’ areas, as opposed to the worse con- for relief for schools that were severely Goodyear and Bridgestone Tire com- ditions in schools that have more Black il l inois damaged, along with many homes, panies, Smithfield Foods, Tyson Farms, students,” Skinner said. Chicago when a tornado ripped through the east Volvo, Caterpillar and dozens more While the protest takes place in Ra- R eportback from May Day Interna- tional Brigade to Cuba. Fri., May 18. side of Greensboro 11 days earlier. They have thousands of workers in the state. leigh, teachers in Greensboro have or- Dinner, 6 p.m.; program, 7 p.m. Donation: said the damage to the schools could Of course Walmart is the largest em- ganized a food committee to bag lunch- $10. Trinity Episcopal Church. 125 E. 26th have been prevented if the buildings had ployer. es and staff distribution points to feed St. Tel.: (312) 952-2618. Sponsored by Chi- cago Cuba Coalition. been maintained and renovated. Workers have been hit hard. Between several hundred students. Special offer Education under capitalism is a class question Below are excerpts from The Working Class and the Transformation of Learning: The Fraud of The Working Class and the Education Reform Under Capitalism by SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes. Copyright © 2000 by Transformation of Learning Pathfinder Press. Reprinted by permission. The Fraud of Education The purpose of education in class society is not to educate. It is to give ”the educated” a stake in thinking they are going to be different than other people who work all their lives. … Reform Under Capitalism If we do not explain education under capitalism as a class question (that is, from the stand- by Jack Barnes point of the bourgeoisie, two totally separate and unrelated questions for two different classes); if we do not present working-class schooling as the social destruction of human solidarity, as With Militant subscription — Free. the organization of a society based on class differentiation, where human beings late in their Without Militant subscription — $2. teens become units of production in the minds of personnel managers and social planners; if Bundle of 5 copies or more — $1 each. we do not point out the fundamental issue of truly universal, lifetime education — if we can- For participants in May 16 march not explain education this way, then we cannot explain it at all. … Explaining the communist approach to education is part of preparing the working class for and rally in Raleigh, North Carolina the greatest of all battles in the years ahead — the battle to throw off the self-image the rulers teach us, and to recognize that we are capable of taking power and organizing society, as we www.pathfinderpress.com collectively educate ourselves and learn the exploiters in the process.

4 The Militant May 21, 2018 on the picket line This column gives a voice to those engaged in labor battles and build- ing solidarity today — from school workers in West Virginia, Okla- homa, Arizona and Colorado, to retail and factory workers looking to stand up and fight. Send in articles, photos and letters on picket lines and other labor protests to [email protected] or mail them to: 306 W. 37th St., 13th floor, New York, NY 10018; or call us at (212) 244-4899.

Ukraine workers rally May Day The nine unions at the plant, includ- in fight for wages, work safety ing both the independent and the old In a rebirth of May Day in Ukraine, government-run trade unions, orga- iron ore miners, steelworkers and their nized an unprecedented special confer- supporters marched and rallied May 1 in ence March 27 to coordinate the cam- Kryvyi Rih, one of the main industrial paign for their demands. Three-quarters centers in the country. The action was of the 400 conference delegates voted organized by the Independent Trade in favor of strike action if the company Union of Miners of Ukraine (NPGU), continued its refusal to bargain. and its affiliates at the Sukha Balka The month before, more than 12,000 and Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Combine workers signed an appeal to the bosses supporting their demands. Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine mines and the giant ArcelorMittal steel Workers march on May Day in Kryvyi Rih, a major industrial center in Ukraine, in fight for works. These unions have grown in the Workers held a “night action” May 3, pay raise, safe working conditions and new union contract at ArcelorMittal steel plant there. last couple of years through successful occupying the company offices after ne- fightbacks against boss attacks. Yuri gotiations failed to produce any results, technicians and nurses aides — went on sions and job outsourcing are some of a three-day strike beginning May 7. the main issues. Samoilov, citywide head of the NPGU, Samoilov reported. The company then These members of American Fed- Workers were particularly upset when led the demonstration. agreed to talks and a deal was reached eration of State, County and Municipal the union published a study in April “It’s very important for us to unite,” May 6 to set up a “conciliation commis- sion” to address the unions’ demands. Employees Local 3299 were joined for based on university statistics that had Samoilov told the rally. “I do believe Over the past year and a half there the next two days by solidarity actions not been public that showed a grow- in solidarity among workers in Kryvyi have been protests, mine occupations of 14,000 members of the California ing gap between pay for administrators Rih, as well as in Ukraine and the whole and other actions demanding payments Nurses Association who work at the and workers. It also showed that work- world.” The action attracted members of wage arrears, raises and safer work- university’s medical centers and stu- ers who were Black, Latino and female from a wide variety of unions. ing conditions across Ukraine. dent clinics, and 15,000 members of the were paid less for comparable jobs. The members of the union at the — Emma Johnson University Professional and Technical Union members voted by 97 percent ArcelorMittal steel plant, which em- Employees, who work as pharmacists, to strike. University officials then im- ploys more than 20,000 workers, were University of California workers social workers, physical therapists, phy- posed their rejected offer on workers. a prominent contingent. They marched strike three days for contract sician assistants and researchers. — Carole Lesnick for safe working conditions, pay raises Some 25,000 nonteaching workers at Union leaders and state college boss- and job protection. the statewide University of California es failed to reach agreement last year School workers in New Zealand “Every one of us has the right to de- system — custodians, groundskeepers, and mediation efforts have since failed. rally for equal pay for women cent jobs and salaries,” Mykola Moria- food service workers, truck drivers, lab Low wages, health care premiums, pen- AUCKLAND, New Zealand — kov, chairman of the NPGU at Arce- More than 200 early childhood teachers, lorMittal, told the rally. “And a right to school support workers, teacher aides, work in safe conditions.” school administrators and their families Negotiations on a new union contract and supporters joined a “Fair’s Fair” ral- should have started last year, but Arce- ly here May 5 for equal pay for women. lorMittal bosses have refused to bargain. The action, part of protests nationwide, The May Day rally was part of a series demanded the Labour Party-led govern- of actions by the unions to put pressure ment implement its pre-election promise on the company, the largest steel pro- to close the gap in pay between male and ducer in the world. female workers. Despite laws on equal In mid-March workers mobilized to pay dating back to 1972, women are still promote their demands — raise month- paid 9.4 percent less than men, with no ly wages to 1,000 euros ($1,200); put all real change in that gap for over a decade. mill buildings, structures, equipment “Join the union. Pay the Sisters the and work rules under examination to Same as the Misters,” read one partici- enforce safety and sanitary conditions; pant’s T-shirt. stop cutting workers and outsourcing The action was organized by NZEI jobs; and for the company to cease at- Militant/Betsy Whittaker Te Riu Roa — the New Zealand Edu- tacks against union members. University of California workers march in Los Angeles May 8, part of statewide strike. cational Institute — a union that rep- resents some 50,000 teachers, support staff and principals. 25, 50, and 75 years ago “I represent the large army of admin- istrative workers, mostly women, who are often invisible,” the union’s Julie- Anne Roberts told the rally. “It’s time that we were recognized and paid for May 24, 1993 May 24, 1968 May 22, 1943 the skills we bring.” Members of the PENSACOLA, Florida — Chanting The giant demonstration of The growing gap between the great Post Primary Teachers’ Association and “We won’t back down” and “Choice 1,000,000 workers, students and teach- mass of the CIO workers and their top Maritime Union of New Zealand joined Now,” more than 2,000 people marched ers in Paris May 13 has touched off a officials has been demonstrated in the protest. through Pensacola May 8 to support political crisis in France that may well their contrasting attitudes toward the Many workers also turned out to pro- abortion rights and protest the murder of spell the beginning of the end for the miners’ fight. test low pay rates. One school support Dr. David Gunn, who was killed outside de Gaulle regime. The workers are for the miners. worker said that even those in the top a clinic in this city March 10. Joining The sudden turn in the political situ- The attitude was shown in the two pay grade earn less than 20 New Zea- the large number of Pensacola residents ation in France has incalculable conse- big conferences of the United Auto land dollars an hour ($14). and people from small towns in the quences not only for that country but Workers — the May 1-2 conference in Others said they had to cope with surrounding area, were marchers from for all of Europe, including the East Detroit of 1,000 delegates represent- overcrowded classrooms and heavy Tallahassee, Tampa, and Gainesville, European countries and the Soviet ing 350,000 Michigan members, and workloads. “As a teacher I’m not happy Florida and Atlanta, and Birmingham. Union. By rallying to the side of the the May 6 conference in New York of dealing with the problems of a society Signs of the march, called by the Na- beleaguered students and advancing 1,000 delegates representing all the that’s not working,” Cheryl, an early tional Organization for Women, said their own demands, the French work- eastern locals. Both by overwhelm- childhood teacher, told the Militant. “Pensacola is pro-choice.” “Abortion is ers have given new impetus to the stu- ing majorities — only a handful of A number of participants had read legal, shooting doctors is not.” dent movement throughout the world. Stalinists in each case were the main about the strikes and rallies by school Among those speaking at the rally It has been shown in life how it is pos- opposition from the floor — adopted workers in the United States on the in- was Gunn’s daughter, Wendy, a high sible to bring into action the mightiest resolutions for all-out support of the ternet, and were eager to get the Militant school senior. “The government has put of all social forces, the working class miners’ fight. Moreover, this was vot- to learn more about them. Three people women’s rights on a blacklist,” she said. — and despite the restraining influ- ed against the opposition of the entire signed up for subscriptions. “But we won’t go back.” ence of an ossified labor bureaucracy. UAW executive board! — Felicity Coggan

The Militant May 21, 2018 5 US class struggle a feature at Havana conference segregation. Combined with the deep challenges faced by young people just impact of the simultaneous example of entering the workforce — and the im- Cuba’s advancing socialist revolution, it pact of seeing the working class in ac- Panel from US describes capitalist rulers’ offensive, growing resistance by working people gave new generations unshakable con- tion for the first time. fidence in what the working class could achieve. ‘Amazed at conditions in U.S.’ These struggles became intertwined After the presentations, a Cuban audi- with what became the millions-strong ence member asked why all the strug- movement against Washington’s war in gles in the United States seem to be by Vietnam, which reached into the draftee different “sectors” isolated from each army and shook the confidence of the other. U.S. ruling class. Waters replied that the apparently In the second part of the program, disparate struggles register the fact that Jacob Perasso, a union freight rail con- working-class resistance in the U.S. is ductor in Albany, New York, described only now beginning to develop into a working conditions in the industry as social movement, led by the working bosses reduce crew sizes, extend work- class, that can eventually become strong days up to 12 hours, and cut corners on enough to bring together fights on dif- safety. He noted how his co-workers are ferent fronts so they reinforce each oth- seeking ways to resist these attacks and er. These different fronts are all class their openness to discuss what socialists questions, she said, part of the fight to Above: Maykel Espinosa/Juventud Rebelde; right, Lourdes Ortega/Cuban History Institute put forward. unify the working class in struggle. Members of panel on class struggle in the U.S. at 12th International May Day conference. From left, Willie Head, Omari Musa, Alyson Kennedy, Alyson Kennedy, who was part of the The discussion continued informally Jacob Perasso and Mary-Alice Waters. At right, René González Barrios, conference organizer. Photo at right, section of participants in conference. Militant first wave of women who fought their over the next few hours. Numerous del- Protesters in 50,000-strong April 26 action by teachers and supporters in Phoenix. BY MARTÍN KOPPEL even more importantly, the growing government. He described Guevara’s way into underground mining jobs, egates said they especially appreciated AND RÓGER CALERO resistance that the owners’ offensive qualities as a communist leader who ernment. In West Virginia, she members have learned firsthand as they related some of the battles she was in- the concreteness of the descriptions of HAVANA — “Did the 2016 elec- is generating. instilled confidence in working peo- noted, the teachers strike “be- go door to door talking with working volved in, from West Virginia to Ala- job conditions and labor struggles in the toral victory of Donald Trump register The two-part program was a cen- ple that they could build a socialist came a genuine social move- people in rural and urban areas across bama to Utah during her 14 years as a United States — and were amazed by a rise in racism, xenophobia, misogyny tral feature of the 12th International society on new economic foundations ment fighting for the needs of the country. coal miner. Currently working as a ca- the facts presented. and every other form of reaction among May Day Conference, held here April and transform themselves in the pro- the entire working class and its Is a socialist revolution in the U.S. shier at a store in Texas, she talked about A teacher from the Autonomous Uni- working people in the United States? 24-26. The main sponsors of the event cess. allies.” possible? Waters answered, “Not only the teachers strike in Oklahoma and its versity of Chapingo, Mexico, told Wa- Is that why tens of millions of workers were the History Institute of Cuba and The conference program included social center and museum on the his- Waters said it’s not surprising that is it possible, but even more important, impact on working people throughout ters that what she learned “completely voted for him?” the Central Organization of Cuban more than 20 panels. Some discussed tory of the Cuban workers movement. most of the states where teachers have revolutionary battles by the toilers are the region. changed” how she viewed what is hap- That question was posed by Mary- Workers (CTC), the country’s trade the situation facing working people walked out are where Trump won big inevitable.” What is not inevitable is vic- Willie Head, a small farmer in south pening in the United States today. Two Alice Waters, a leader of the Socialist union federation. It was attended by internationally, from Argentina to Presentation on U.S. class struggle majorities in 2016. She quoted a teacher tory. That depends above all on the cali- Georgia, described the long struggle by Argentine teachers from the National Workers Party, in one of the featured some 130 people. Most came from Venezuela. Others took up the histo- The final day of the conference fea- from West Virginia — one of the most ber of proletarian leadership. farmers who are Black to keep their land University of Southern Patagonia told talks at a three-day conference here. cities across Cuba. Others were from ry of the working-class movement in tured the two-and-a-half-hour program economically ravaged regions in the As evidence of the kinds of battles to and some of the forms of discrimination the Militant they were glad to hear the The gathering was one of several events Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colom- Cuba, from the role of Julio Antonio on the class struggle in the United States. country — who said that people there come and the revolutionary capacities of they face from the banks and the gov- discussion on the need to defend immi- held in conjunction with the celebration bia, the United States, Spain, and the Mella, founding leader of the Cuban In her talk, titled, “In defense of the U.S. voted for Trump for the same reason the working class, she pointed to three ernment. He explained how, like most grant workers in face of deportations, an of the international day of the working United Kingdom. Communist Party in the 1920s, to the working class,” Waters addressed mis- they went on strike. They have nothing of the most important class-struggle up- small producers, he has had to work issue posed in Argentina as well, where class, May Day, when more than a mil- CTC General Secretary Ulises Guil- textile workers strike during World conceptions and prejudices about the but distrust and growing hatred for what surges in the U.S. in the last century. One many different jobs off the farm in order the ruling class scapegoats Bolivian and lion workers mobilized in Havana and arte opened the conference with an ad- War II. Another series focused on U.S. working class that are common in they call the political establishment, was the mass labor battles of the 1930s to earn enough income to keep farming. other immigrants. across the island. dress on challenges facing Cuban work- women in the Cuban workforce and Cuba and elsewhere. both Democrats and Republicans, from that organized millions of workers into Róger Calero, drawing on his in- Discussion on Cuban economy Waters also posed a second question: ing people and the unions today, from unions. In replying to the two questions she Washington to state Capitols across the the industrial unions, and especially the volvement in union struggles by meat- “Is a socialist revolution in the U.S. real- the vantage point that here “the working The conference itself was held at a posed, Waters described in some detail country. union-organizing drive led by the Min- packers in Minnesota and coal miners The economic and political challeng- ly possible? Or are those like ourselves, class is in power.” Presentations were historic trade union and cultural cen- the importance of the teachers strike Far from growing reaction, what neapolis Teamsters throughout the Up- in Utah, explained how anti-immigrant es in Cuba today were a central thread who answer with an unhesitating ‘Yes,’ also given by leaders of Cuba’s Com- ter, the Cigar Rollers Palace. Founded that exploded in West Virginia and we’re seeing among working people in per Midwest, who had a class-struggle prejudices are driven by the U.S. rulers, of discussion at the conference. CTC a new variety of utopian socialist fools, mercial and Food Workers Union and by the tobacco workers union in 1925, has spread to Oklahoma, Arizona, and the U.S., Waters underlined, is greater leadership that included members of the not working people, and why the fight General Secretary Guilarte reported however well-meaning?” Tourism Workers Union. it served for decades as a broader cen- elsewhere. She explained how it is a openness today than at any time in our Socialist Workers Party. to prevent scapegoating of immigrant that 584,000 people now work in what is Her talk, which focused on answer- Silvia Odriozola, of the National As- ter for educational, social and organiz- response to decades of attacks on the political lives to consider what a socialist Another was the mass Black, prole- workers and win amnesty is a life-and- often called here the “nonstate” sector of ing those questions, initiated a two- sociation of Economists and Accoun- ing activities of the labor movement. living standards of working people by revolution is and why our class should tarian-led movement of the 1950s and death question for the working class. the economy. These include both own- part program on the class struggle tants, spoke on the state of the Cuban It is now being restored to become a the owners of industry and their gov- take state power. That’s what SWP ’60s, which brought down Jim Crow Omari Musa, a veteran of decades of ers and workers at private restaurants, in the United States. The second part economy today. Another feature was a union battles as well as the Black rights landlords who rent rooms to tourists in was entitled “From Clinton to Trump: panel discussion on the Cuban sugar in- movement, gave numerous examples private homes, members of cooperative How working people in the U.S. are dustry. Liobel Pérez, of the state sugar Rulers’ disdain, anti-working-class attacks fuel Puerto Rico protests showing how and why today it is harder enterprises in construction, transporta- responding to the anti-labor offen- company Azcuba, explained steps un- than ever for the U.S. capitalist rulers to tion, and many other small businesses. Continued from front page dence. But being in the middle, not one U.S.-based capitalist contractors have in San Juan, including large union and sive of the bosses, their parties, and derway to improve irrigation systems use anti-Black racism to divide workers, Guilarte as well as economist Silvia than 100 residents in Humacao and or the other, doesn’t work. We have to made a killing on contracts to repair student contingents, to protest the anti- their government.” It was a panel of and the mechanization of the sugar har- and how this has strengthened the work- Odriozola explained that the CTC is a May 7 evening torchlight march of lose the fear that we can’t survive if we the electrical grid. The New York Times working-class measures. Many work- leaders and supporters of the Social- vest, as well as to develop biofuel from ing class. seeking to organize all those involved in hundreds there to demand electricity. are independent and discuss it as an op- reported May 6 that because of govern- places, especially in the capital and other ist Workers Party with years of trade sugarcane derivatives. One panelist, Harry D’Agostino, a the “nonstate” sector. “It’s the first time I ever did anything tion.” ment red tape and poor coordination large cities, were shut down for the day. union experience in major industries Orlando Borrego, who fought under musician, who was unable to partici- A Chilean delegate asked if that meant like that,” Castro said. “It began as a It is the U.S. capitalist rulers, not the they often got paid for doing nothing. One march of thousands went to the and other sectors of the economy, in- the command of Ernesto Che Gue- pate at the last minute, wrote out his re- the CTC is organizing both owners and conversation among neighbors. hurricanes, that caused the crisis. Since Lakeland Electric had a contract to work Capitol and then continued on to La cluding agriculture. They described vara in Cuba’s revolutionary war, and marks, which were distributed to every- employees of small businesses as if they “We went to the radio station and U.S. troops wrested control of Puerto in Puerto Rico for 22 days, but its crew Fortaleza, the residence of Gov. Ricardo the multifaceted forms of capitalist served as sugar minister in the 1960s, one present. He discussed the particular Continued on page 9 they interviewed us and broadcast the Rico from the Spanish government in only carried out repairs for two and a Rosselló. A second protest, with five exploitation and oppression working spoke about his experiences working announcement for our meeting. The 1898, Washington has plundered the half days. The bill — $820,271. feeder marches, converged on the Milla people face in the United States, and with Guevara in the revolutionary Catholic Church let us use a room,” she natural resources and labor of the Puerto de Oro commercial and banking center. said. “So many people came that they Rican people. The conditions of work- U.S.-imposed financial board Protesters carried signs against the SPECIAL OFFER: didn’t fit. We decided to hold a march to ing people worsened in 2006, when the In August 2016 President Barack planned shutdown of nearly 300 public the energy company offices.” worldwide capitalist economic crisis be- Obama signed a bipartisan bill that ap- schools, deeper cuts to pensions, the The Teamsters Series New, At the April 30 action one woman gan battering the island. pointed the Financial Oversight and junta’s proposed labor “reform” and the Lessons from U.S. labor battles of the 1930s enhanced edition carried a bucket and washboard on her Scores of factories have shut down Management Board for Puerto Rico, transfer of hundreds of workers incar- by Farrell Dobbs head, symbolizing the eight months since then, while the debt to wealthy known in Spanish as the junta, to take cerated in Puerto Rico to prisons in the they have had to wash clothes by hand. bondholders has mushroomed to at least over the island’s finances and ensure United States. “The principal lesson Another waved canned goods, because $74 billion today. payment on the debt. Cops and SWAT teams used the ex- of the Teamster they can’t store fresh food. One carried To get the funds to pay on the debt, In late April, the junta released its own cuse that a small group in one of the experience is not that a sign with the receipts for fueling her the colonial government has cut retire- labor “reform” bill, which it insisted be feeder marches were wearing masks under an adverse gas generator. ment benefits, increased sales taxes, laid voted on by the Puerto Rican Senate. and might become violent to stop it from relationship of forces, It’s not just the electricity, Castro said. off 30,000 public workers and closed If approved it would cut the number of getting to the rally site. As the protest the workers can be “Water service is erratic. Wooden hous- more than 100 schools. paid vacation and sick days in half and was winding down the cops attacked es were total destroyed, others lost their The public electric company also laid eliminate laws that prevent bosses from with tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bul- overcome, but that with roofs. Yet the government is still just off workers, cut back on maintenance firing workers without cause. lets and billy clubs. proper leadership, they ‘evaluating’ the damages. and halted any plans to improve the “It’s a control board,” said Luis Ep- “The cops attacked everyone, young can overcome.” “There is no plan, it’s been a disaster,” deteriorating power grid. Transmission ardo, a retired electrician in Aguadilla. and old, there were pregnant woman, $15 each (normally $19) towers were corroded, power plants cov- “We’ll never get ahead until we stop too,” said Lenna Ramírez, a student she said. “We are still a colony. We de- all four for $40 ered in rust and spare parts in short sup- hoping that the Americans are going to at the University of Puerto Rico and a pend on the U.S. but we don’t have the (normally $76) Left, Maykel Espinosa/Juventud Rebelde; right, Militant/Martín Koppel same conditions. There are pluses and ply. By the time the hurricanes hit, it was get us out this mess.” leader of the Hostosiano Youth, a pro- Left, SWP leader Mary-Alice Waters. Right, Ulises Guilarte, general secretary of CTC. minuses for statehood or for indepen- a disaster waiting to happen. On May 1 tens of thousands marched independence organization. For special offer see list of distributors on page 8

6 The Militant May 21, 2018 The Militant May 21, 2018 7 Unions lead fight against racism, for working-class unity Fighting Racism in World War II is not enough to warrant a egation. The white delegates arrived one of Pathfinder’s Books of the Month shout of victory. These first and were housed. Later, when for May. This selection — “CIO Com- tendencies have forced the Negro members of the delega- mittee Fights Jim Crow” from the the ruling class to im- tion arrived, they were refused ac- Nov. 4, 1944, Militant — is by Charles print more firmly the commodations. The following resolu- Jackson,the pen name for Dr. Ed- pattern of segregation tion was submitted to the convention gar Keemer. Keemer, a Black doctor, and thereby more forci- and unanimously endorsed: “That the was indicted as a draft dodger dur- bly crystallize the well- hotel be criminally prosecuted and ing World War II because he opposed indoctrinated interra- that until these issues are resolved in discrimination in the Navy. With the cial prejudices. The at- favor of CIO policy, the Hotel Cody support of the Socialist Workers Party tacks upon the color be placed on the unfair list.” Similar and others, he fought the charges and line have not caused the action was initiated last week by the the government dropped the case. owning class to discard UAW-CIO against the Webster Hall Keemer was in the SWP from 1943 to it as an antilabor weap- Hotel in Detroit. 1947, subsequently returning to prac- on but, rather, to draw The Philadelphia committee, the tice medicine in Detroit. In his 1980 it all the more tightly. Industrial Union Council, which was autobiography, Confessions of a Pro- The CIO, which con- only appointed in April, reports suc- Life Abortionist, he writes about his tains more progres- cessful cases involving discrimina- support for women’s rights and how sive elements than any tion in upgrading Negro workers in he was imprisoned for 14 months for other union organiza- the steel industry in the Philadelphia performing abortions, and his role tion in the country, has area. One was a job as narrow-gauge in the fight to legalize the procedure. recently embarked on engineer, a job never yet held by a Ne- Copyright © 1980 by Pathfinder Press. a counterattack which, gro. In the industrial cases, the Com- Reprinted by permission. if carried on with in- mittee to Abolish Racial Discrimina- creasing militancy, will tion has been working in close collab- bode no good for the oration with the FEPC [Fair Employ- vile plans of those who ment Practice Committee]. … Books of want to continue their In areas where there was already exploitation by pit- friction, this committee has made ef- the month ting the Negro and the A Practical Program to Kill Jim Crow, 1945 pamphlet forts to educate the backward, preju- white workers against by Charles Jackson, pen name for Dr. Edgar Keemer, a diced workers so that working-class by charles jackson each other. A signifi- regular columnist on Black rights for Militant in 1940s. solidarity could be maintained. Just because the Negro worker to- cant unit in this coun- An outstanding example was in day is a hundred times as trade union terattack is the CIO Committee to Ohio state committee, the importance Marion, Ohio, where a group of conscious as he was fifteen years ago, Abolish Racial Discrimination. This of upgrading and seniority rights with- Mexican workers had been imported. and just because there is a concert- committee has been setting up new out regard to race was stressed. One Feeling the job insecurity that is nor- ed effort on the part of the progres- branches all over the country and on of the discussions centered upon the mal under capitalism, with its ever- sive labor movement to fight for in- more than one occasion has been the responsibility of the union in the post- increasing catastrophic depressions, dustrial equality regardless of race, is instrumental factor that meant suc- war period in relation to the minority many of the workers showed resent- cess instead of defeat in various fights question. The importance of maintain- ment against the Mexican workers. against racial discrimination. ing full employment was considered Largely through the efforts of the May Books According to Director George the key to the racial question. It was county antidiscrimination committee of the Month Weaver’s most recent report, the num- admitted that without full employ- the white workers were educated, the ber of state, county, and municipal ment, the scramble of returning sol- Mexican workers were unionized, and PATHFINDER committees has increased from fifty diers and war workers to compete for a dangerous struggle between work-

READERS CLUB 25% as of March 15, 1944, to eighty-five too few jobs will pit majority groups ers was averted. discount SPECIALS as of August 15, 1944. Most signifi- against minority groups and vice ver- These are only a few examples of cant is the fact that committees have sa. On this point, of course, we know what the CIO is doing. It deserves Fighting Racism in World War II been organized for the first time in and we warn again that it will be im- and has the allegiance of the Negro From the pages of the Militant Georgia, North Carolina, West Vir- possible to maintain full employment people. With the more crushing op- A week-by-week account from 1939 ginia, Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, and until we have socialism. pressions that are planned by the rul- to 1945 of the fight for Black rights. Alabama. Any movement capable of The Michigan state committee ini- ing class, the labor movement will $25. Special price: $18.75 organizing effective branches com- tiated the prosecution of the Cody have to adopt more militant means Revolution and mitted to abolish racial discrimination Hotel in Grand Rapids, involving to defend the brown workers against Counter-Revolution in those states really means business. discrimination on July 11 during the race discrimination. In defense of the in Spain Furthermore, it bids fair to become Michigan CIO convention. The del- trade union movement itself, it is of by Felix Morrow the medium through which will come egation from Local 208, UAW-CIO, utmost importance that every militant $25. Special price: $18.75 the final victorious assault on all the had arranged to house their delegates worker, black or white, rally support Founding of the Communist forces of reaction that are so firmly at this hotel. The local had received within his union to fight discrimina- International entrenched in the “deah old South.” written confirmation from the man- tion and Jim Crowism wherever it Proceedings and Documents In a series of conferences held by the ager agreeing to house the entire del- rears its ugly head. of the First Congress, March 1919 $35. Special price: $26.25 An Introduction to if you like this paper, look us up the Logic of Marxism by George Novack Where to find distributors of the NEBRASKA: Lincoln: P.O. Box 6811. CANADA Marxism is a tool for workers Militant, New International, and a full Zip: 68506. Tel: (402) 217-4906. Email: QUEBEC: Montreal: 7107 St. Denis who seek to organize a working- display of Pathfinder books. [email protected] #204 H2S 2S5. Tel: (514) 272-5840. Email: class revolutionary movement. [email protected] BRITISH UNITED STATES NEW YORK: New York: 306 W. 37th St., $16. Special price: $12 13th Floor. Zip: 10018. Tel: (646) 964-4793. 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8 The Militant May 21, 2018 SWP Campaign statement Abortion rights fight Continued from front page cidentally and now they won’t have the option,” Back teachers fight, join SWP campaign Ramona Chavez, a certified nursing assistant in Continued from front page be divided, holding out in their fights to ensure that the Marshalltown, Iowa, told the Militant. “Personally, determination teachers are showing in practice the broadest number of workers gain from whatever they I don’t believe in abortion for myself, but I think capacities workers have to organize united and ef- win. They’ve organized to make sure children get fed every woman has the right to decide.” fective action as they combat assaults on wages, de- and cared for when they walk out, winning over stu- The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and teriorating school conditions and workers’ dignity. dents and parents to their fight. Planned Parenthood announced they will file a lawsuit By using union power and building a social move- Facing federal, state and local governments that challenging the law, which they are confident will be ment in support of their fight they have set an example care nothing for what they confront, more are coming struck down. to millions of workers looking for ways to say “No!” to to the conclusion that appeals by Democratic and Re- This “would be the most restrictive abortion law in what the capitalist rulers are doing to us. publican politicians that “we” Americans must sacri- the country,” Iowa ACLU Executive Director Mark This includes the consequences of the broader so- fice together are based on a lie. Workers face an irrec- Stringer told the press. “It is clear that the goal of this cial and moral crisis of capitalist rule — from never- oncilable fight against bosses and their political parties legislation is to overturn Roe v. Wade, ultimately ban- ending wars, to cop brutality, attacks on women’s right whose only solution to the crisis of the capitalist sys- ning all abortions.” Proponents of the bill in the leg- to abortion and spreading drug addiction. tem today is to offload it onto our backs. Our interests islature readily agreed that the bill was promoted so These battles have erupted in states where Hill- are not theirs, but lie with fellow workers worldwide. it could be challenged in hopes it would allow a re- ary Clinton slandered workers as “deplorable.” She All workers have a stake in the battles waged by vamped Supreme Court to outlaw abortion. claimed women there voted for Donald Trump be- teachers today. Join the thousands who will march in If this bill goes into effect, it could close the resi- cause male relatives told them to. But a majority of Raleigh, North Carolina, May 16. dency program in obstetrics and gynecology at the those on strike in these states today are women. They The Socialist Workers Party is preparing to an- University of Iowa, the only such program in Iowa. are not waiting to be told what to do but are relying on nounce its 2018 candidates — workers who have been Similar abortion bans in Arkansas and North Dako- their own capacities to build unity, reach out for soli- participating in and championing these struggles. ta were ruled unconstitutional in 2013. Other “heart- darity and fight, inspiring workers everywhere. This They will point to how working people will be trans- beat” law proposals are being pushed in Missouri, is a product of the irreversible changes in the way both formed through the bigger class battles that are com- Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennes- women and men think about women’s place in soci- ing, gaining the capacity to draw all the oppressed and see. ety. And it’s why the fight for women’s equality has exploited alongside them, to overthrow the capitalist Attempts to restrict abortion rights have been facili- increasing weight in politics today. rulers and take political power into their own hands. tated by the reasoning in the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling Teachers and other school workers have refused to Join our campaign! itself. The Supreme Court didn’t base its decision on a woman’s right “to equal protection of the laws” guar- anteed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitu- tion, but on “medical criteria” instead. US rulers, Tehran fight over sway in Mideast Enemies of women’s rights use the fact the court Continued from front page But widespread discontent with the impact of their allowed state governments to ban most abortions af- “defend the more than €20bn of trade [$23.7 billion] wars drove working-class protests throughout Iran in ter “viability,” described in the ruling as the point at that now exists between the EU and Iran,” the Finan- late December and early January. Since then, strikes which a fetus is “potentially able to live outside the cial Times reported May 9, “up from €6.2bn in 2013.” by steel, rail and hospital workers and teachers were mother’s womb.” Medical advances inevitably make Since the pact was signed in 2015 the Iranian rulers reported in the Wall Street Journal. Workers were en- this earlier and earlier in pregnancy. have continued to advance their counterrevolutionary raged when the government’s budget was revealed in role in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, building on December 2017, showing huge funds for wars while decades of military incursions across the region. The workers face cutbacks. country’s capitalist rulers’ moves abroad are an exten- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran Havana conference sion of their efforts at home to push back the gains would try to maintain the agreement with the pact’s Continued from page 7 made by working people during the 1979 revolution other signatories. He reiterated that the country’s rul- are all workers. Odriozola said that was accurate and that toppled the U.S.-backed shah of Iran. ers have no intention of relinquishing their “influence argued in favor of the policy, saying that “many things Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard, along with Hezbol- in the region.” Moscow says that if Washington re- are new and changing, and the problems are still being lah and other Shiite militias, intervened in Syria to sumes sanctions it would expand trade with Iran. worked out.” shore up the rule of the Bashar al-Assad dictatorship During a panel discussion on “regional economic after it put down a popular uprising. They have been Washington: Biggest military force in Mideast integration,” an important debate took place between backed by Moscow’s air power. As a result, Iran’s rul- The U.S. rulers have the largest military force in Pedro Ross, former longtime CTC general secretary, ers have established bases across Syria, installing mis- the Mideast, with 2,000 troops in Syria and mas- and one of the Argentine participants. Ross took the sile and weapons systems. Their military forces are sive reserves, air power and naval patrols through- floor to argue that the fundamental problems facing deployed ever closer to the border of Israel. out the area. And they are getting their allies in the workers and farmers in Latin America will not be ad- Syrian government officials and opposition forces region to do more. The Saudi Arabian monarchy dressed until capitalism is overturned, as was done in both report Tel Aviv carried out a missile attack against says it will send troops to be part of a joint-Arab Cuba. He reinforced a point made by two University an Iranian-linked army base in al-Kiswah, eight miles force in Syria. The rulers in Egypt say they also of Havana students on the panel who said the world south of Damascus, May 8. Nine Revolutionary Guard may join in. U.S. troops are in land controlled by capitalist system is in a long-term economic crisis that or Shiite militia troops were killed, reported the Syr- the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, some means no end to unemployment and poverty for mil- ian Observatory for Human Rights. 25 percent of the country. lions. The Jerusalem Post said this attack came after “it As the same time the U.S. rulers are seeking to bro- When panel moderator Nerina Visacovsky, a pro- became known,” that Hezbollah and Revolutionary ker a deal between Tel Aviv and Palestinian leaders. fessor at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, Guard forces were planning a missile attack on Israel. The new U.S. Embassy is due to open May 14 in Jeru- began to close the discussion period, saying, “We all After a missile strike that killed seven Iranian salem. U.S. officials denied reports by Israeli Defense need to learn from Che,” Ross interjected, “And Marx, troops in early April, senior Iranian cleric Ali Shirazi Minister Avigdor Liberman that they had asked the Engels, and Lenin.” threatened “to turn Tel Aviv and Haifa into dust.” Israeli government to withdraw its forces from four Visacovsky replied, “Yes, it’s true we must study But so far the Iranian rulers have not retaliated. neighborhoods in east Jerusalem so a future Palestin- the classics of Marxism, but we also need to see how They remain wary about the impact at home of the ian capital could be located there. But Liberman reiter- conditions today have changed so we don’t follow out- bloody outcome of more clashes with Israel. For years ated that “the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will come at dated recipes.” the capitalist rulers have offered inducements to Af- a price and it is worth paying it.” Ross responded in turn, “In Cuba we made a so- ghans and other refugees to serve as cannon fodder in A Dec. 11 statement by the Socialist Workers Par- cialist revolution. Ours is a proven ‘recipe.’ Capitalism their wars in Syria and Iraq. They hope to lessen the ty — “For Recognition of a Palestinian State and of must be overturned.” He added, “And to learn more number of Iranian casualties and quell opposition to Israel” — explains that the U.S. government is “put- about this, I urge everyone to listen to what the Ameri- their murderous conflicts. ting it to its allied regimes in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf can compañeros will say,” referring to the panel on the States, Egypt and Jordan, as well as to the bourgeois U.S. class struggle scheduled for the next day. misleaders of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, Closing the final session of the conference, Cuban Coming soon! that Washington is ‘making them an offer they can’t History Institute President René González Barrios refuse.’” It adds that the U.S. rulers are “combining thanked the U.S. socialists not only for the presenta- the stick of an anticipated U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem tions but for bringing an array of books on the subjects The Militant’s with the carrot of greater economic and military aid discussed. Over the course of the three days, confer- to Sunni-led governments against their feared rival in ence delegates purchased some 140 of them. new website Shia-led Tehran.” Among the most popular were Is Socialist Revolu- The starting point, the SWP statement says, has to tion in the US Possible? by Mary-Alice Waters, and By the end of May the Militant’s upgraded be “the class interests and solidarity of workers and two books by SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes: website will be in place, offering easier ac- toiling farmers across the Middle East — be they Pal- Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? and The Clin- cess to the paper’s coverage of working-class estinian, Jewish, Arab, Kurdish, Turkish, Persian or tons’ Anti-Working-Class Record. A good number of otherwise, and whatever their religious or other beliefs politics — from today back to 1928. participants got one or more volumes of the four-part — as well as working people in the United States and series by Farrell Dobbs on the 1930s Teamsters battles, Lets readers purchase subscriptions online. around the world.” now available in its entirety in Spanish.

The Militant May 21, 2018 9