PUERTO RICO EN MARCHA 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Vol. 59, No. 18 May 4, 2017 $1

By Deirdre Griswold But not any more. This year militant May Day march- working conditions, and racist and sexist discrimina- MAYes took place in scores of cities acrossDAY the U.S., some tion by the bosses. May Day is back. with tens of thousands participating. Where there were no unions, they organized. Where This glorious day to honor working-class struggle be- It was the massive eruption of millions of immigrant unions existed, they fought to make them fight. gan in the United States more than a century ago, but workers in 2006, especially in Los Angeles, that first This important role of immigrants in showing how to was submerged here during decades of red-baiting and ignited interest in May Day in a younger generation of resist and improve workers’ lives through organization class collaboration. Even as workers around the world oppressed workers. and struggle is reminiscent of the leading role immi- were marching by the millions on International Work- Since then, immigrants have played a leading role all grants played in the very first May Day commemora- ers’ Day, it seemed like the class struggle had been ex- over the country in organizing against low wages, stolen tions here, back in the late 1800s. Then, they came pri- tinguished in the U.S. wages, forced unpaid overtime, anti-union laws, unsafe Continued on page 11 Baltimore . . . Philadelphia . . . Boston . . . Syracuse, N.Y. . . . Milwaukee . . . Roanoke, Va. . . . Raleigh, N.C. . . . Los Angeles . . . Portland, Ore. . . . San Diego . . . Chicago . . . Seattle . . . Oakland . . . Rochester.N.Y. . . . Detroit. . .

NEW YORK CITY

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If you believe the racist establishment — from killer cops  In the U.S. to the injustice of the courts — has to go Join the Workers World ­Supporter Program and help grow the pa­ per. We established the May Day ...... 1 If you find the anti-trans ruling by Trump’s Education secretary WWSP some 40 years ago so readers could in- Students walk out over layoffs ...... 2 an outrageous attack on queer children and LGBTQ rights vest in the paper and promote working-class Trump, the gangster president ...... 3 truth needed to make revolutionary change. If you hate the class system that keeps women and people of color Members receive a year’s subscription to WW, The real loan sharks ...... 4 in low-wage jobs a monthly letter about timely issues and five Iowa, workers resist attack on minimum wage ...... 4 free subscriptions to give to friends for a do- If you oppose the blatant warmongering targeting Syria, nation of $75 a year. For $100 you also get a On the picket line ...... 4 north Korea and Afghanistan new publication or book from World View Celebrating the life of ‘people’s lawyer’ Lynne Stewart . .5 If you worry that the capitalist crisis is only getting worse Forum. For $300 (only $25 a month) or more, Banks, prisons grow rich on deportations ...... 5 you get your pick of five books. under the Billionaire in Chief Mumia hearing: ’Too much justice’? ...... 6 Write checks to Workers World and mail If you’re sick and tired of the bankers and bosses getting tax breaks them, with your name and address, to 147 Movement power wins access to Mumia ...... 6 while making the workers pay for the crisis they didn’t create W. 24th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011. Or Prison censors WW call for May Day strike ...... 7 ­donate online at workers.org/donate/; it’s easy Ramona Africa on MOVE and the 1985 bombing . . . . .7 If you want to fight for socialism, a way of life based on economic to set up monthly deductions. We are grateful planning, equitable distribution and justice for all for your help in building ­Workers World — Resistance greets firing of Tom Cat workers ...... 7 for today and for the future! U.S. threatens to expel 50,000 Haitians ...... 8 If you’re lucky enough to still have a decent-paying job or pension Gabriela celebrates: ’Ten years of serving the people’ . . 8 Then please invest some of your hard-earned dollars in Workers World! Climate marchers: ‘Stop climate change, end capitalism!’ 10

 Around the world Brazil: Massive general strike displays people power . . . . 8 Puerto Rico on the move ...... 9 Students walk out over layoffs  Editorials Defend science and the environment...... 10 Hundreds of students at Bayonne High School held a spontaneous walkout from classes on April 27 in Bayonne, N.J. They were pro-  Noticias en Español testing the layoffs of 300 staff members, including 261 teachers, 15 Puerto Rico en marcha ...... 12 secretaries, eight engineers and two bus drivers. The local school board announced the layoffs during their meeting the night before, after it had been announced that no layoffs were to take place. In fact, a majority of the fired teachers had been promised tenure for the fall semester. The students marched to City Hall, where they chanted and ex- pressed how deeply they feel for their teachers. Sultan Ahman stated, doing this to the teachers right now. It leaves “I’m losing my math teacher, my history teacher and my gym teach- everyone unstable. It leaves our students er.” Elmer Beltran added, “We care about them. They are our men- not knowing what they’re going to be doing.” Workers World tors. We tell them about our problems.” (nbcnewyork.com, April 28) (fios1news.com) 147 W. 24th St., 2nd Fl. April Polsunas, a parent, said, “I’m absolutely ashamed that they’re — Report by Monica Moorehead New York, NY 10011 Phone: 212.627.2994 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.workers.org Vol. 59, No. 18 • May 4, 2017 Join us in the fight Closing date: May 2, 2017 Editor: Deirdre Griswold for socialism! Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, Kris Balderas Hamel, Monica Moorehead, Workers World Party is a revolutionary Marxist-Le- Wages are lower than ever, and youth are saddled with Minnie Bruce Pratt; Web Editor Gary Wilson ninist party inside the belly of the imperialist beast. We seemingly insurmountable student debt, if they even make Production & Design Editors: Coordinator Lal Roohk; are a multinational, multigenerational and multigen- it to college. Black and Brown youth and trans people are Andy Katz, Cheryl LaBash dered organization that not only aims to abolish capital- gunned down by cops and bigots on a regular basis. Copyediting and Proofreading: Sue Davis, ism, but to build a socialist society because it’s the only WWP fights for socialism because the working class Bob McCubbin way forward! produces all wealth in society, and this wealth should re- Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, Capitalism and imperialism threaten the peoples of main in their hands, not be stolen in the form of capital- Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, K. Durkin, the world and the planet itself in the never-ending quest ist profits. The wealth workers create should be socially Fred Goldstein, Martha Grevatt, Teresa Gutierrez, for ever-greater profits. Capitalism means war and aus- owned and its distribution planned to satisfy and guar- Berta Joubert-Ceci, Terri Kay, Cheryl LaBash, terity, racism and repression, joblessness and lack of antee basic human needs. Milt Neidenberg, John Parker, Bryan G. Pfeifer, hope for the future. No social problems can be solved un- Since 1959, Workers World Party has been out in the Betsey Piette, Gloria Rubac der capitalism. streets defending the workers and oppressed here and Mundo Obero: Redactora Berta Joubert-Ceci; The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet no one worldwide. If you’re interested in Marxism, socialism Andrea Bañuelos, Ramiro Fúnez, Teresa Gutierrez, has a guaranteed right to shelter, food, water, health care, and fighting for a socialist future, please contact a WWP Carlos Vargas education or anything else — unless they can pay for it. branch near you. Supporter Program: Coordinator Sue Davis Copyright © 2017 Workers World. 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By Fred Goldstein The ruling class is responsible for keeping Trump in office and for every racist, In accordance with their role in capi- reactionary thing he does. Trump is their representative as a class and the masses must talist society, most high government of- ficials, elected or appointed, have gang- hold the capitalists accountable for every crime Trump commits against the people. ster-like qualities. These officials spend much of their time conspiring with the wealthy on schemes for fleecing or other- provokes a world countermovement, or and Canada to tell them he had dropped domestically made aircraft carrier. The wise attacking the masses of people. Un- threatens to provoke a mass rebellion by the repeal. He then issued a tweet saying ship is due to be completed in 2020. like the mob, they must carry out their saying he will deport 11 million undocu- they had called him, instead of admitting “China has launched its first aircraft schemes within the framework of capi- mented workers, etc., etc., all his subor- that big business and agribusiness had carrier built entirely on its own, in a talist politics. dinates, flunkies and lawyers cannot help forced him to back down. demonstration of the growing techni- The mob is differentiated from the him out of the jam. cal sophistication of its defense indus- capitalist establishment in that they are The ruling class is ambivalent about Trump, China and the DPRK tries and determination to safeguard its not constrained to carry out their crimes Trump — for good reason. On the one Washington is in the midst of a crisis maritime territorial claims and crucial under cover of legality. On the contrary, hand, they are salivating over his tax cut in Korea. It needs the cooperation of the trade routes. The 50,000-ton carrier was mob activities function outside the hand-out to billionaires and big corpora- south Korean regime to pursue its bellig- towed from its dockyard just after 9 a.m. boundaries of bourgeois legality with the tions. They are ecstatic about his dereg- erent agenda, but instead, Trump picked Wednesday.” (Washington Post, April 26) silent consent of the ruling class and its ulation campaign allowing, among other this moment to tell the south Korean But the unspoken message is that Chi- law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, things, the coal companies to poison the government that he wants to tear up the na has its own naval power, including a mob crimes are on a vastly smaller scale water table, the destruction of auto emis- trade agreement with their country. It is a fully armed and functional Soviet-built than the crimes of the Pentagon, the CIA sions standards to help the auto barons “bad agreement” negotiated by President carrier which it obtained from Ukraine and the FBI. and the elimination of environmental Obama, according to Trump. Actually, it and refurbished. China restrained its re- That being said, among bourgeois pol- regulations to aid big industry. And, of was negotiated under George W. Bush. sponse to Trump and the Pentagon by not iticians with gangster qualities, Donald course, they love his tax breaks for the To make matters worse, Trump told deploying its armed aircraft carrier and Trump stands above the crowd. He is health insurance companies. the south Korean government that it deploying the unfinished one instead. But a pampered real estate billionaire who On the other hand, they are frustrated would have to pay $1 billion for the Pen- the message was sent. has functioned by ordering subordinates because they were hoping to get big tax tagon’s Terminal High Altitude Area What is also clear from these events is around, cheating contractors and stiffing breaks from the repeal of the Affordable Defense anti-missile system, despite an that U.S. imperialism and the Pentagon workers. When he gets caught in a mis- Care Act, and they wanted to get their existing agreement by the U.S. to pay the are the enemies of both the DPRK and the take, he mobilizes his army of lawyers to hands on $880 billion in cuts from Med- cost of its deployment. National Security PRC. The Pentagon has been out for re- clean things up. icaid so the money could be used to fund Adviser Gen. H.R. McMaster had to get venge against the DPRK because this he- He won the presidency by using his tax breaks for the rich. on the phone with south Korean officials roic socialist country has fearlessly stood television career as a springboard and However, as much as the ruling class and reassure them the U.S. would pay. up to Washington, as firmly now as it did taking advantage of the complete bank- looks forward to profiting from Trump’s (WSJ, April 30) during the 1950-53 Korean War, when it ruptcy of the Democratic Party leader- tax cuts and regulatory roll-backs, they Trump has an excessive view of his rebuffed the mighty U.S. war machine. ship. His campaign strategists also took do not want him to wreck their system. personal powers, to say the least. He U.S. imperialism is also opposed to the advantage of the undemocratic institu- Thus, they have taken measures against claims to have a good relationship with People’s Republic of China because — de- tion of the Electoral College to eke out an him. In the first place, they have sur- President Xi Jinping of the People’s Re- spite the growth of capitalist millionaires electoral victory while losing the popular rounded him with generals and Wall public of China. He claims that because and billionaires inside the socialist coun- vote. (Hillary Clinton, of course, was also Street bankers in the White House and of his phone calls with Xi, China is going try — the Communist Party of China and a corrupt, militaristic, Wall Street-owned the Cabinet. to help the U.S. government out of its fix the People’s Liberation Army still stand enemy of the people.) with the defiant Democratic People’s Re- as guardians of state-owned enterprises Trump is stonewalled on budget, public of Korea. and economic planning, which are hall- Presidency as the road to (more) riches overruled on NAFTA Trump has tried to sweet-talk China marks of socialism. Trump has not only refused to divest But most recently they have given him and tough-talk the DPRK. But the truth Washington realizes that while U.S. from his billions in assets but also sought a beating in the budget negotiations. In is that the PRC leadership, especially its imperialism is mired in economic stag- to earn even more from his status in the the latest $1.2 trillion budget, Trump military, the People’s Liberation Army, nation and military and political crises White House. He continues to urge for- came away empty handed, despite all his cannot ignore the overriding facts of the around the globe, China is steadily grow- eign leaders and associates to stay at his bullying and bluster. In the negotiations crisis on the Korean peninsula. ing stronger, both economically and mil- Washington hotel. He has raised the fee Trump was overruled by the trusted con- In a phone call on April 23, President itarily. It is building influence in Asia, for membership at the Mar-a-Lago golf gressional representatives of the ruling Xi asked Trump to refrain from esca- Africa and Latin America through infra- club from $100,000 to $200,000. He has class on key issues: lating tensions in the region, even if the structure projects that help the former refused to release his tax returns in order • Domestic spending rose, instead of $18 DPRK announces testing of missiles or colonies overcome imperialist-imposed to cover up his investments. He has deals billion in cuts demanded by Trump. nuclear weapons. Xi made an appeal to underdevelopment. in Turkey, Azerbaijan and other places • Trump wanted the National ­Institutes Trump not to go tit-for-tat and to move in At a moment when U.S. imperialism is around the globe. He has drawn up a tax of Health budget slashed by $1.2 billion. the direction of negotiations. off balance at home and abroad, the capi- plan from which he and his fellow real Instead it was increased by $2 billion. We certainly do not agree with Xi that talist ruling class needs to keep their gang- estate moguls will reap hundreds of mil- • Trump asked for the Environmental the DPRK should be pressured to give up ster-real estate president in check, so he lions of dollars. Protection Agency budget to be slashed its struggle to build a nuclear deterrent. does not add to Washington’s instability. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, has spread by 33 percent. Instead it was cut by 1 But, nevertheless, the head of the PRC Despite all the attempts by the estab- her brand all over the world and continues percent. asked Trump to de-escalate. lished ruling class to distance themselves One day later, on April 24, in the dead from Trump, the capitalist government to do so. His son-in-law and chief adviser, • Planned Parenthood will continue to be of night, the U.S. deployed the THAAD is the executive committee of the ruling Jared Kushner, keeps a real estate empire funded at current levels in states that anti-missile system in south Korea, class. Karl Marx said it long ago, and it of his own. “Although Mr. Kushner re- do not vote to defund it. signed in January from his chief execu- which is equipped with high-powered still holds true today. • Trump asked for $30 billion in in- tive role at Kushner Companies,” reports radar that reaches beyond the DPRK into There are many ways that the boss- creased military spending. He got the New York Times of April 26, “he re- China and can be used to spy on the Chi- es could get rid of him, given all the il- $12.5 billion and another $2.5 billion mains the beneficiary of trusts that own nese military. The PRC has already said legality of his family-enriching regime. when he comes up with a plan to defeat the sprawling real estate business. The this deployment would destabilize the Instead, the ruling class is responsible the Islamic State group. firm has taken part in roughly $7 billion strategic balance in the region in favor of for keeping Trump in office and for every in acquisitions over the last decade, many • No money for his beloved Border Wall; U.S. imperialism. racist, reactionary thing he does. Trump of them backed by foreign partners whose border security funds for new tech- The Chinese leadership and the PLA is their representative as a class, and the identities he will not reveal.” nology and repairs only; in fact, funds are fully aware of the threat. It cannot be masses must hold the capitalists account- Now this right-wing, authoritarian, for “border security” were slashed and a coincidence that on the same day as the able for every crime he commits against blustering buffoon, who knows nothing there was no money for a deportation deployment, China test-launched its first the people. of bourgeois statecraft and has no incli- force. nation to learn or to seek advice, is for- • Health care subsidies for the poor will mally in charge of U.S. imperialism. remain (the money goes to the insur- When Trump gets U.S. capitalism in ance companies). Capitalism at a Dead End trouble with U.S. imperialist allies in ”The Trump administration said it was Job destruction, overproduction and crisis in the high-tech era NATO, or threatens corporate interests no longer considering pulling out of the by ranting about trade wars with the North American Free Trade Agreement, Low-Wage Capitalism People’s Republic of China (population following a day of intense lobbying from What globalized high-tech imperialism 1.3 billion), Canada and Mexico (U.S. big business leaders and lawmakers who ral- means for the class struggle business’ two largest trade markets), or lied to quash internal White House dis- cannot get the Republican Congress to cussion of the prospect,” wrote the Wall For more information on these books and other writings by throw 24 million people off health care, Street Journal on April 27. Trump was the author, Fred Goldstein, go to LowWageCapitalism.com or passes an anti-Muslim travel ban that forced to call the presidents of Mexico Available at all major online booksellers. Page 4 May 4, 2017 workers.org The real loan sharks

By Stephen Millies other banksters to fire 10,000 water from the Flint River. Flint teachers and 40,000 other public used to get clean water from The feds have arrested 10 workers during New York City’s Detroit. Acting for the banks, “wise guys” for loan sharking in financial crisis in the mid-1970s. Michigan Gov. Snyder imposed New York City’s Howard Beach, Greek workers are today being a financial manager upon Flint By Alex Bolchi and Sue Davis a neighborhood made notorious crucified by German and U.S. who cut off the water supply from by the racist mob killing of Af- banks demanding austerity. Motown. rican-American Michael Griffith The Detroit Water and Sewage Racist, anti-worker Acosta to head in 1986. The gangsters alleged- Stealing homes is criminal Commission was pushed into ly hauled in $26 million over 17 In the eight years from 2007 crisis by banker skulduggery. Labor Department years. (New York Daily News, to 2014, 5.4 million houses in the According to Jerry Goldberg of Alexander Acosta became secretary of Labor on April 27, the March 29) United States were repossessed the Moratorium NOW! Coalition, last member of Trump’s cabinet. The son of anti-Cuba reac- That’s chump change. The by financial institutions. (bob- “Termination fees on interest rate tionaries, Acosta clerked for archconservative judge Samuel REAL loan sharks made as much sullivan.net) Kicking children swaps represent $537 million of Alito before his appointment to the Supreme Court and was a money in just 80 minutes last out of their homes is a crime — the $1.1 billion borrowed for in- blatantly anti-worker member of the National Labor Relations year. U.S. bank profits were $171.3 yet it happens every day in this frastructure repair and mainte- Board. His actions as assistant attorney general in the Justice billion in 2016, or $468 million country. nance.” (WW, July 8, 2015) Department under President George W. Bush also exposed him per day. (CNN Money, March 3) One of the first acts of the So many people in Detroit had as a virulent racist. In an Ohio voting rights case in 2007, Acosta This loot is stolen from all over Cuban Revolution was to limit their water shut off in 2014 that sided with Ohio Republicans who engaged in a racially moti- the planet: Africa, Asia and Lat- a family’s rent and utility pay- the United Nations wanted to vated, illegal tactic known as “vote caging” — challenging the in America are forced to provide ments to no more than 10 per- investi­gate. (CBS News, Oct. 20, credentials of 23,000 mostly Black voters. a reverse blood transfusion for cent of their income. No child is 2014) Kristen Clarke, executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee U.S. and European banks. homeless in socialist Cuba. for Civil Rights Under Law, was “astonished” that Acosta would South Africa had to pay over But at least 25,000 children Plastic robbery “lead a federal agency tasked with promoting lawful hiring $8 billion a year on loans that had are homeless in the capital of Credit cards charging almost practices and safe workplaces,” since a 2008 federal report propped up the former apartheid capitalism, New York City. Mean- 25 percent annual interest is le- “found actions taken during Acosta’s tenure politicized hiring regime. (Green Left Weekly, Dec. while, JPMorgan Chase CEO Ja- galized loan sharking. Just in decisions and violated Justice Department policy and federal 10, 1997) President Nelson Man- mie Dimon got $28 million last late fees, MasterCard, Visa and law.” (Rewire, Feb. 16) But Acosta fits right in with other Cabinet dela wanted to use that money year. (Reuters, Jan. 10) That’s $2 the rest of the thieves dealing in members who head departments they ideologically oppose and for jobs, schools and housing, but million more than what the How- plastic make billions. want to destroy. the banksters took it instead. ard Beach bandits supposedly Banks even contrive to make However, Aiesha Meadows McLaurin, a Burger King worker Banks put Zimbabwe under took over 17 years. money off EBT (Electronic Ben- and Fight for $15 campaign member, was quoted by Rewire as a credit blockade because land Dimon got as much money as efit Transfer) cards that peo- saying that activists will continue the fight to raise the minimum stolen by white settlers has been 1,856 workers earning the fed- ple have to use to access their wage. “We’ll keep taking to the streets, standing up and speaking turned over to African farmers. eral minimum wage of $7.25 per ­b e n e fi t s. out until we win $15 [per hour] and union rights for all.” Unpayable debts to foreign hour — if they are lucky enough Many states allow lenders to banks forced over 1.5 million to work full time the entire year. make “payday loans” with annual Fight at Charter Spectrum continues people to leave Ecuador because Detroit suffered a dry “Hur- interest rates of over 100 percent. Over 300 members of the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers the country’s currency was de- ricane Katrina” because of fore- Those Howard Beach wise guys Local 3 picketed outside Charter Spectrum offices in Stamford, stroyed. (New York Times, April closures. Since 1980, Motown’s should be jealous. Conn., on April 25 in an effort to maintain health care and 3) The loan sharks at Salomon population has dropped by over ATM fees are robbery. Why retirement benefits in their pending contract. The workers say Smith Barney — now part of Citi- 500,000 people. Deliberate dein- should you have to pay $3 to ac- Charter Spectrum’s proposed wage increases do not offset cuts bank — were responsible. (Alter- dustrialization, aimed at driving cess your own money? Reducing in health benefits — a new $3,000 deductible — and ending em- Net, Nov. 26, 2008) Ecuador’s Black workers out of basic indus- or eliminating ATM fees would ployer contributions to the pension plan. As Lance Van Arsdale, progressive President Rafael try, was responsible for much of be widely popular. Don’t count Local 3’s business manager, told the Stamford Advocate on April Correa stopped this robbery. the earlier population loss. But the on Democrats in Congress to do 25, Charter Spectrum is also penalizing workers for its own Almost a tenth of Puerto Ricans wave of foreclosures in the last de- anything about it. faults — disciplining workers for service problems caused by have recently fled their beautiful cade pushed more people out. Even worse off are poor people the company’s “old and faulty” equipment. These are among the island because of the U.S. colony’s Driving Black homeowners out without bank accounts or credit many reasons why 18,000 in-house cable technicians have been debt crisis. (Financial Times, Aug. of Michigan may have account- cards. Banks often discourage striking since March 28. 25, 2016) U.S. banks are imposing ed for Donald Trump winning small depositors. cutbacks and wholesale firings of the state, although by less than In New York state, outfits cash­ government workers as part of a 11,000 votes. ing paychecks can charge $2.07 NY unions behind state debt payment scheme. The whole world knows how out of every $100. In other states, ‘Medicare for All’ system The real Dr. Evil — David children in Flint, Mich., were they can gouge even more money Rockefeller — conspired with poisoned by lead pipes and dirty from the poorest workers. With Trump’s second attempt to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act already sliced and diced from both left and right, unions in New York state are supporting the New York Health IOWA Act, which would be a state-run, Medicare-style, single-pay- er system. It now has 30 co-sponsors in the state Senate and endorsements from more than 40 unions and labor groups, in- Workers resist attack on minimum wage cluding the state’s largest health care union, 1199SEIU, and the New York State AFL-CIO and Western N.Y. Labor Federation. The New York State Nurses Association has been campaigning By Mike Kuhlenbeck mum-wage increase already in by the Iowa Policy Project. The for such a system for more than 25 years. Des Moines, Iowa effect. It also prevents future in- statewide minimum wage of Richard Gottfried, Assembly Health Committee chair and creases from taking place, elim- $7.25, which falls short of a liv- the bill’s sponsor, said the major reason that labor is behind A new Iowa law stripped away inating local control from Iowa ing wage according to IPP, has the bill is that health care has increasingly become a flashpoint minimum-wage increases across cities and counties. With the not been increased since 2008. in union bargaining — the Charter Spectrum strike is a prime the state the week of March 27 exception of Polk County, which Fagan-Reidburn said, “Because example. Being forced to focus on that, he noted, doesn’t allow and set a dangerous precedent was set to raise its minimum of the inaction at the Statehouse enough leverage to negotiate for better wages and pensions and for Hawkeye State workers. wage to $8.75 on April 1, three for the last nine years, supervi- often results in larger deductions, higher copays and narrower For the first time in over 20 Iowa counties had already in- sors in four counties saw the need networks. ”As nurses, we look at the health outcomes. As union years, the Republican Party creased wage minimums: John- in their communities and raised members, we look at the costs. On both sides, [the New York dominates the state government. son County to $10.10 an hour, their local minimum wages.” Health Act] is a much more effective and rational solution,” said GOP lawmakers have already Linn County to $8.25 and Wa- For months, Republican law- Steven Toff, NYSNA director of state campaigns. succeeded in passing a number pello County to $8.20. makers called HF 295 a prior- A similar bill was introduced in California on Feb. 16. (Labor- of damaging anti-worker laws in Not only does the bill reverse ity piece of legislation. It was Press, April 18) the first months of the 2017 legis- these increases, it even allows supported by the Association of lative session. businesses to lower wages. Business and Industry, the Iowa They introduced House File Iowa Citizens for Community Restaurant Association and New York City agrees to pay 295, a minimum-wage pre-emp- Improvement organizer Bridget the Grocers’ Association, all of A crowd in red plastic raincoats cheered on April 4, Equal Pay tion law to roll back wage increas- Fagan-Reidburn told WW, “We which, of course, stand to profit Day, on City Hall steps at the news that the city had finally set- es in Johnson, Linn, Polk and are outraged by our legislators’ from such exploitation. tled the Communications Workers Local 1180 lawsuit charging Wapello counties. HF 295 passed continuous attack on workers — Despite their campaign rhet- wage discrimination. Though the agreement must still be the Iowa Senate in a vote of 29 to including lowering the minimum oric denouncing “big govern- reviewed by the U.S. Justice Department, the case covers more 21 — with a unanimous vote from wage for close to 100,000 Iowa ment,” the Iowa GOP supports than 1,000 women and people of color who hold the civil service Republicans — and was signed workers.” big government when it furthers title of administrative manager and 300 retirees. The settle- into law by Gov. Terry Branstad. These wage increases are a the interests of big business. ment, upwards of $250 million, will bring current employees in HF 295 marks the first time necessary minimum given the Executive Director of the line with the $93,000 salary target and compensate retirees for a state has rejected a mini- rising costs of living, as noted Continued on page 6 many years of wage discrimination. (Chief-Leader, April 14) workers.org May 4, 2017 Page 5

Lynne Stewart Celebrating the life of a ‘people’s lawyer’

By Dolores Cox premacy and making a commitment transgender and queer rights. Through- New York to the struggle. Expressing delight out the 1980s, she represented many in seeing the political involvement of revolutionaries facing felony charges and Hundreds of people gathered on April youth, Lynne asserted, “Go forth and teamed up with movement attorney Wil- 22 at St. Peter’s Church in New York City do justice!” liam Kunstler. to celebrate the life of Lynne Stewart. Speakers referred to Lynne as the Lynne was a lawyer for Sheikh Omar They came from around the country to “steward” of the people. They urged Abdel Rahman, an Egyptian cleric who honor this courageous advocate for the support for other lawyers like Lynne. was blind. He was falsely accused by the people, who dedicated her life to the She was referred to as “a long-dis- U.S. government of participating in a cause of freedom and justice for all. tance revolutionary” who defied in- “terrorist conspiracy” in New York City A number of descriptive adjectives are justice despite threats to her career and was convicted in 1995. While serving used by those who loved Lynne and ad- and freedom. The “power of the pow- a life sentence, Sheikh Rahman died this mired her life’s work. She was a revolu- erless” was raised. It was stressed February. tionary, freedom fighter, friend, activist, that the best way to honor Lynne is to Lynne had issued a press release on poet, warrior, former political prisoner continue her struggle, to fight and to Sheikh Rahman’s behalf. As a result, she WW PHOTO: DEIRDRE GRISWOLD and speaker of truth to power. Lynne was win — and that we’re at our very best Lynne Stewart, with spouse Ralph Poynter, fight was convicted of conspiring to “aid and known to all as committed, tenacious, un- when we’re like Lynne. to stop the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal in 2003. abet terrorism” and given a 10-year pris- compromising, sweet, precious, amazing, Each tribute imparted memories of on sentence. unflappable, tireless, fearless and radical. Lynne, showing gratitude for the impact Lamis Deek, Palestinian attorney; Sek- Imprisoned in 2009 at the age of 70, There were several musical presenta- she had on each person’s life and explain- ou Odinga, Malcolm X Commemoration Lynne was then in remission from breast tions at the celebration, including one by ing how she inspired them. Bittersweet Committee and former political prisoner; cancer. However, due to medical neglect, Lynne’s granddaughter, Serafina Brown, memories were shared of a life well-lived. and Chris Hedges, journalist. Video mes- within three years the cancer returned and poetry readings. Messages were read Ralph Poynter, Lynne’s spouse, was sages were contributed by Jeff Mackler, and spread. Lynne won a medical “com- from political prisoners Mumia Abu-Ja- also praised for his steadfastness, United National Antiwar Coalition; Ralph passionate release” from Carswell Feder- mal, Leonard Peltier, Jaan Laaman and strength, longtime dedication to the Schoenman, Taking Aim; Omali Yesheteli, al Medical Center on Dec. 31, 2013, with the Rev. Edward Pinkney. Former Puerto struggle and deep love for Lynne. African Peoples Socialist Party; and Clark a prognosis of less than 18 months to live. Rican political prisoners Oscar López Ri- Betty Davis and Lisa Davis coordinat- Kissinger. A message was read from Larry A video of Lynne and Ralph produced vera and Dylcia Pagán sent messages, his ed the program; Ralph Poynter and Mimi Pinkney, Black Activist Writers Guild. by Flavia Fontes was played, showing the in writing, hers an audio tribute. Rosenberg were the emcees. Speakers in- day of her joyous release from prison. From teacher to ‘people’s lawyer’ A highlight of the program was video cluded the Rev. Lawrence Lucas, Rikers Smiling, she said, “Everyone should have to political prisoner and audio footage of Lynne speaking over Island chaplain; New York state Assem- a Ralph.” Footage also featured Lynne’s the years. She explained that she gathered blymember Charles Barron; Glen Ford, In her early working years, Lynne arrival the next day at Kennedy Airport her strength from camaraderie with oth- Black Agenda Report; Larry Hamm, was a school librarian and teacher. In in New York City, There, she repeatedly ers and that she admired Mao, Che and Peoples Organization for Progress; poet the 1960s, she became actively involved expressed her gratitude to everyone who John Brown, true revolutionaries who Nat Turner; the Rev. Allison Moore, St. in the struggle for community control gave her love and support. were guided by their love for the people. Mark’s Church; Pam Africa, Interna- of schools in oppressed communities. Lynne beat the odds and survived for She discussed capitalist oppression, rac- tional Concerned Family and Friends of Growing awareness of police and judicial three years in freedom, continuing her life- ism, militarism and state violence; grass Mumia Abu-Jamal; Sara Flounders, In- persecution of political activists inspired long commitment to fight for all victims of roots organizing; and victories gained ternational Action Center; and Jess Sun- her to become a lawyer. the racist, capitalist injustice system. She for, of and by people’s movements. din, grand jury resister. Over the years, Lynne represented resisted until her last breath on March 7. There were tributes by Bob Lederer, hundreds of criminal defendants, many The slogan “Live like Lynne! Dare ‘Go forth and do justice!’ gay anti-imperialist; Cisco Torres, for- for free. Besides working as a lawyer and to struggle! Dare to win!” is true to its Attendees heard Lynne stressing the mer political prisoner; Bob Boyle and street activist, she was an early supporter core. To continue her life’s work, see need for solidarity, fighting white su- Jill Shellow, National Lawyers Guild; of the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, ­LynneStewart.org. Banks, prisons grow rich on deportations

By Betsey Piette lion more in contributions to local and ger strikes over poor conditions. credit. In 2016, the city of Portland, Ore., state political campaigns. CCA was also In his Mother Jones article “My Four and the University of California’s Board While millions of migrant and refugee heavily involved in lobbying. These in- Months as a Private Prison Guard,” Shane of Regents considered divesting from families struggle under a climate of fear vestments paid off in 2009 when a Dem- Bauer documented what conditions were Wells Fargo due to the bank’s financing fueled by widespread deportations, pri- ocratic-controlled Congress passed, and like in a prison run by CCA. The company of for-profit incarceration. vate for-profit prison companies and the Obama signed, legislation mandating faced so many charges of abuse and vio- major banks that fund them are cashing that ICE maintain 34,000 detention beds lations of prisoners’ rights that it lost four Wells Fargo investments in in on immigrants’ suffering. at any given time. contracts to run prisons in the month of private prisons prompt calls to divest Shares of GEO Group and CoreCivic This “detention bed quota” policy June 2013 alone. In 2008, Wells Fargo purchased Wa- Inc. (formerly Corrections Corporation of guarantees profits for the private prison chovia Bank in a $15.1 billion deal. A few America as of late 2016) shot up 21 and 43 industry. Since the federal government Wall Street bankrolls private prison years prior to the merger, under pressure percent, respectively, following Trump’s is required to pay for bed space wheth- industry from a campaign by Black communities election. Since then, CoreCivic’s stock er or not it is used, ICE has come under The rapid expansion of for-profit pri- in Chicago, Wachovia Bank issued a pub- price has risen 120 percent, while GEO increasing pressure to pursue a more ag- vate prison detention centers was made lic apology for its historic ties to the slave has seen an 80 percent increase. Core- gressive deportation policy. possible through financial investments trade in the Americas, which included Civic and GEO control 85 percent of the By 2015, CCA was making $3,356 in and loans from major banks. Bank fi- owning enslaved Africans and accepting U.S. private prison market. profit per prisoner annually while GEO nancing allows these companies to profit them as payment. The Trump administration’s crack- made $2,135. off mass incarceration. In September 2016, Wells Fargo’s shares down on immigrants has been a boon to Just prior to Trump’s election, the num- CoreCivic’s single largest investor is fell by $9 billion when it was revealed the for-profit prison industry, which op- ber of people in detention was averaging the Vanguard Group Inc., with shares that bank employees were told to create erates over half of the “beds” in Immigra- 41,000 each day. Currently, the number valued at nearly $600 million. Six banks $185 million in fake customer accounts tion and Customs Enforcement detention of people held in detention centers is up finance most of the debt issued that to collect fees and meet sales quotas. CEO facilities. to 80,000 a day. If Trump’s plans to de- makes it possible for CoreCivic and GEO John Stumpf responded by firing more GEO made a hefty contribution to a port 2 million to 3 million people in his Group to expand. While Bank of Amer- than 5,300 employees. In October 2016, super PAC for Trump during the election, first year are carried out, the American ica, JPMorgan Chase, BNP Paribas, Stumpf resigned amidst calls that crimi- while CoreCivic contributed millions to Civil Liberties Union estimates it would SunTrust and U.S. Bancorp have all ex- nal charges be filed against him. Trump’s inauguration. Shortly after being require construction of over 100,000 tended revolving credit to for-profit pri- An even more recent call for divest- confirmed as Trump’s attorney general, new immigration detention beds. vate prison companies, Wells Fargo has ment from Wells Fargo resulted from its Jeff Sessions overturned an Obama ad- Both GEO and CoreCivic have been ac- financed the three largest private prison financing of the controversial $3.8 billion ministration initiative to phase out gov- cused of widespread human rights viola- companies, including the Management Dakota Access pipeline. ernment use of corporate-run prisons. tions. Charges against GEO include the and Training Corporation. It is time for the global working class company forcing tens of thousands of im- In 2011, a Tennessee divestment cam- to unite against Wells Fargo and all the Detention bed quotas = migrants at a Colorado detention facility paign pressured Wells Fargo to sell off banks and Wall Street corporations that guaranteed profits to perform slave labor. Its Karnes Family shares with GEO Group. However, at the profit off our combined suffering. Let’s Since 2003, GEO has spent over $3 Detention Center in Texas, which houses same time it steadily increased financing dedicate May Day 2017 to supporting million lobbying Congress, plus $1 mil- mothers and children, saw repeated hun- for CCA through a $785 million line of ­immigrants! Page 6 May 4, 2017 workers.org Mumia hearing: ’Too much justice’?

By Betsey Piette The basis for the new hearing was a asking Eisenberg to explain just how the “We need more young revolutionaries Philadelphia 2016 U.S. Supreme Court precedent-set- case could have moved forward without out here taking up the cause of Mumia ting decision, Williams v. Pennsylvania. Castille’s approval. Abu-Jamal. ... We need your energy and Bulletin: As we go to press, Judge The decision held that Terry Williams The DA ended his presentation by ar- your revolutionary spirit. ... Your involve- Leon Tucker on May 1 has ruled in favor had been denied his due process right to guing about just how much access to due ment could be the decisive issue to free of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s demand for a hearing free of bias. This was because process Abu-Jamal should receive. He Mumia.” discovery of the Philadelphia district Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice stated that granting Abu-Jamal’s case Live streaming of the rally can be seen ­attorney office’s files pertinent to his Ronald Castille, who ruled on his ap- would “be a huge impact” on the higher at youtube.com/watch?v=QKomagCTIiE. case. (See article below.) In other words, peals, also played a significant role in the courts. “At some point you just have to The large number of youth helping lead the DA’s office is being ordered to open case while Philadelphia district attorney. draw the line.” the march that followed showed that they up their files to Abu-Jamal’s attorneys. Attorney Christina Swarns argued that Swarns responded by pointing out that heard Moorehead’s call. Marchers circled Judge Tucker ruled that the DA’s office Castille’s name appears on every one of the Commonwealth’s concern cannot be City Hall and rallied in the cold and damp is to turn over records to the attorneys the state’s briefs filed against Abu-Ja- about how long Abu-Jamal’s appeals pro- weather for hours. They held an indoor within 30 days, with Abu-Jamal being mal’s appeals. Castille was Assistant DA cess might take or that he would receive event, “Resistance Matters,” that eve- given 15 days to file amendments to his at the time of Abu-Jamal’s trial. Then in “too much justice.” She stated that at min- ning at the Arch Street United Methodist post-conviction petitions. 1988 he was the Philadelphia district at- imum Abu-Jamal was entitled to a review Church. This is an unquestionable win for torney during Abu-Jamal’s direct appeal. of the DA records on his case to deter- Speakers there addressed the legal is- Abu-Jamal. However, it is likely that the The defense had twice challenged Castille mine the extent of Castille’s involvement. sues, the victorious two-year struggle to DA’s office will appeal the ruling and to recuse himself when Abu-Jamal’s ap- “If the review shows that Castille wasn’t get hepatitis C medications for Abu-Ja- find other reasons not to comply. It is peals to the state’s Supreme Court came involved, then we won’t need to be con- mal and the ongoing fight over toxic water now more important than ever that the before Castille’s bench from 1995 to 2012. cerned about how much justice Mumia in Pennsylvania prisons and Philadelphia movement be vigilant. Abu-Jamal receives,” Swarns concluded. public schools. They also wished a “happy ••••• Appeal based on role of Justice Castille Tucker concluded the hearing stating birthday” to Abu-Jamal, who turned 63 A petition filed on behalf of political Swarns challenged the Common- that a decision would be made shortly. on April 24. prisoner and journalist Mumia Abu-Ja- wealth’s claim that Castille had “played A lively press conference outside the Abu-Jamal was scheduled for execu- mal, seeking a new appeal in his de- no personal role” in Abu-Jamal’s case. court building followed the hearing. tion in 1995 and 1999 but was saved by cades-long case, was heard in the Penn- He noted that the state had made the Abu-Jamal’s attorneys reported on what mass international protests. In 2012, sylvania Court of Common Pleas on April same arguments in the Williams’ case had happened. Other speakers, includ- after years of mass pressure, the courts 24. Abu-Jamal was represented by Chris- before a discovery motion filed on his ing Pam Africa and Suzanne Ross, ad- removed him from death row and re-sen- tina Swarns and Judith Ritter from the behalf exposed that the DA’s office was dressed the need to widen support for tenced Abu-Jamal to life imprisonment NAACP Legal Defense Fund. lying. Abu-Jamal’s attorney asked Judge Abu-Jamal. without the possibility of parole. Philadelphia Deputy District Attorney Tucker to rule on a discovery motion to Just weeks ago, supporters forced the Ronald Eisenberg represented the Com- review the DA’s records of the case. Young people lead march prison system to provide Abu-Jamal with monwealth. Common Pleas Judge Leon DA Eisenberg, a protégé of Castille, Monica Moorehead of Workers World life-saving medicine for hepatitis C, after Tucker heard the case. focused most of his arguments on trying Party called on the young people who a two-year-long campaign in court and on While dozens of Abu-Jamal supporters to challenge the timeliness of the appeal have been in the streets fighting police the streets. This latest court proceeding packed the courtroom, more demonstrat- and seeking to deny or minimize the ex- brutality to get involved in the struggle was another battle in the 35-year effort ed outside the Criminal Justice Center in tent of Castille’s involvement in Abu-Ja- to free Mumia and to raise his case at up- to win justice and freedom for one of the downtown Philadelphia. mal’s case. Tucker eventually responded, coming May Day actions. world’s best-known political prisoners. Movement power wins access to Mumia

By Suzanne Ross with the deliberate irratio- if they did not accommodate us. Frackville, Pa. nality of how the DOC tries to The three of us celebrated over a lunch maintain its control. of organic spinach salad and tried to as- Ona Move! We did it again! The move- Then, too, the DOC may sess the recent court hearing on a petition ment’s swift and forceful response got be trying to show that they to overturn Mumia’s conviction. We end- what we wanted and what we were enti- are monitoring Mumia to try ed with part of Assata’s famous quote, the tled to: information about where political to lighten their defeat in the mantra of young fighters today: “It is our prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal is being held face of our lawyers’ pursuit of duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty in the “correctional system” and the op- compensation for Mumia for to win.” portunity to see him. their incompetence, inhuman- We have sure had some significant vic- During the night of April 26, the Penn- ity and near killing of Mumia. tories in the struggle for justice for free- sylvania Department of Corrections sud- Fortunately, Mumia’s esopha- dom fighter Mumia Abu-Jamal. On to denly removed Mumia from his cell at SCI gus shows no sign of deterio- more victories! Mahanoy. The move was so sudden that ration, and he has no varices. Suzanne Ross is a former co-chair Mumia only had time to call out to anoth- I had called Mahanoy ear- of the Free Mumia Coalition in NYC er prisoner to let his supporters know be- lier in the day to try to locate and works with International Con- fore he was gone. Mumia. Dr. Steinhart, the in- cerned Family and Friends of Mumia The immediacy of movement pressure firmary director, would not ­Abu-Jamal. on the prison and the DOC regarding give me any information, say- Mumia’s disappearance from our radar, ing he could only give that to and the volume of that response, forced the family members. I told him IOWA prison to meet our demand: tell us where that I and Mumia’s brother, Mumia is and allow Keith Cook, Mumia’s Keith Cook, would be at Maha- brother, and myself to see Mumia. noy shortly, and that we would Minimum wage Within minutes of Mumia’s return expect officials to give the in- from Geisinger Hospital, where he had formation we wanted to Keith, Continued from page 4 tests done April 28, he was brought to the clearly a family member. ­National Employment Law Project Chris- visiting room and waited for us. Our reception at Mahanoy Mumia and his brother Keith Cook, April 13. tine Owens issued a statement on March Mumia had an endoscopy to assess could only have been generat- 28 calling the Iowa Legislature’s decision whether his esophagus had deteriorated ed by movement pressure. Given the usual have at least a 2 1/2 hour visit. “a new low in the callous, corporate-driv- in any way. The DOC’s punitive hepatitis prison milieu, our treatment felt positively Mumia was in great spirits, relieved en push to block living wages for the C protocol required “careful” monitoring regal. Within minutes of my arrival, Jane that he did not have the varices and that state’s lowest wage earners.” but — no treatment! The latest test was Hinman, the assistant to the superinten- his esophagus had remained stable de- Iowa CCI, the Center for Worker Jus- to assess whether Mumia had esophageal dent, came out, greeted me graciously, and spite the cirrhosis he has contracted from tice of Eastern Iowa, the Service Employ- varices — bleeding of the esophagus tan- said the superintendent had asked her to the lack of hep C treatment under prison ees Union, the Iowa AFL-CIO and other tamount to death. The possibility of this let us know that we would be able to visit punishment. groups are fighting against HF 295 and warrants, according to the DOC, careful with Mumia. Again and again he waxed poetic about other anti-worker legislation. “assessment.” Soon after Keith arrived, the desk cor- the strength and power of our movement. Fagan-Reidburn said, “We will contin- In Kafkaesque logic, the DOC had first rectional officers, two of whom I’ve seen We were all convinced that the “gracious- ue to fight for a minimum-wage increase refused Mumia treatment, was finally many times before, told us we would be ness” of the prison staff, on all levels, to $15 per hour for all Iowans. We knew forced to provide it by a judge’s ruling, but processed within 20 minutes. They did came from a decision not to provoke the this would be a long-term fight, and we’ll now is still following its previous “proto- not look at our IDs, and they literally movement any further. The state of Penn- continue to hold our politicians respon- col” declared by the same judge as “un- rushed us in, assuring us that we would sylvania and its prison officials did not sible to put people before profits and constitutional.” This pattern is in keeping be the last to leave and that we would want trouble and knew they would have it big-moneyed corporations.” workers.org May 4, 2017 Page 7 Prisons censor WW call for May Day strike

By Mattie Starrdust on the Philadelphia MOVE organization’s on officials as to why his weekly Workers withhold notice from the inmates, as we Osage Avenue home in 1978, have conduct- World paper did not arrive. The prisoner believe these decisions have been made in Workers World Party and its editorial ed years of study sessions on the attack us- states, according to a grievance filed by violation of applicable laws and prisoners’ staff received notices on Feb. 22, March ing Workers World newspaper articles. him and obtained by Workers World: “I constitutional rights. Please also furnish 31 and April 5 from the Pennsylvania De- Certainly, Workers World Party is was not notified by PA DOC nor Houtzdale all Workers World subscribers held in partment of Corrections (DOC) that three known among prisoners throughout the [State Correctional Institution]. I was not Pennsylvania prisons with the notifica- issues of Workers World newspaper had country, not to mention among prison given opportunity to appeal ban. [...] This tions to which they are entitled, and the been denied entry into all prisons in the wardens and secretaries of corrections. is a systemic problem of censorship.” chance to exercise their due process rights state. The reason given for this outright Now WWP’s call for a May Day global An April 21 letter mailed to the Pennsyl- to appeal these decisions themselves.” censorship? In the DOC’s own words: “In- strike comes hot on the heels of a string of vania DOC from the Workers World Phila- ​Workers World will use all available formation contained [in the publication] prisoner strikes and uprisings in at least delphia Bureau challenges the censorship: means to fight the Pennsylvania DOC’s advocates global May Day strike.” 46 state and federal prisons in September “The reason for the denial is unwarrant- heavy-handed, punitive and unconstitu- Throughout its history, Workers World 2016, and the more recent Vaughn Pris- ed, unjustified and spiteful. It is a crass tional censorship. Subscribers and cen- Party has maintained close ties with po- on uprising in Smyrna, Del. This is the attempt by the DOC to suppress all dis- sors alike should know that no amount of litical prisoners and prisoners of the on- context for the Pennsylvania’s DOC ea- sent and resistance, including legal, First suppression will ever be enough to put the going U.S. war against Black and Brown gerness to suppress any sign of dissent or Amendment protected speech. Please ac- lid back on the prison movement which, and poor white workers. The Prisoners resistance, including censoring Workers cept this letter as an official appeal of the after a period of dormancy, has emerged Solidarity Committee, formed in the late World newspaper. decision to censor Workers World news- stronger and more militant than ever. 1960s by Workers World Party and Youth At least one incarcerated subscriber in paper in Pennsylvania prisons. Hands off prisoners’ free speech rights! Against War and Fascism, organized in Pennsylvania was never informed by pris- “Please also review the decisions ​to​ Forward to the May Day Global Strike! the belief that prisoners are not “crimi- nals” but oppressed peoples often driven by poverty to commit “crimes” of survival. The PSC agitated for the release of im- prisoned activists Angela Davis, George Jackson, Assata Shakur and other revo- RAMONA AFRICA on MOVE lutionary figures, as well as Joann Little, who killed a white jailer in North Caroli- na when he attempted to rape her. When prisoners at Attica in upstate New York rose up and took control of the prison, and the 1985 bombing they specifically requested that two mem- Former U.S. political prisoner Ramona Africa is the minister bers of the Prisoners Solidarity Commit- of communication for the MOVE Organization and a Philadelphia- tee enter the prison to witness their nego- tiations with the authorities. based organizer with the International Concerned Family and For decades Workers World Party has Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal. She is also the only liv- championed the cause of imprisoned rev- ing survivor of the1985 MOVE bombing, when the FBI PART 5 olutionary journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Philadelphia police dropped two C-4 bombs on her framed for the 1981 shooting of a Phila- ­organization’s home, killing 11 people. Read along as we discuss delphia police officer. In 2011, thanks to the history of MOVE and what it means to be a freedom fighter. pressure from the movement, the Third This is Part 5 of a five-part interview by Lamont Lilly, the 2016 Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Workers World Party candidate for U.S. vice president. WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE Mumia’s 1982 death sentence, and the state was forced to finally take Mumia off Ramona Africa: It was not until they Lamont Lilly: Are you serious? That’s Excuse me — were murdered! You men- death row and return him to the general took me into custody and to the local hos- ridiculous! tioned children earlier. How many chil- prison population. pital that I was looking for the rest of my RA: Absolutely ridiculous! They dren died in that bombing? The movement to gain freedom for family, but nobody came in. I’m in the charged me with everything they did: RA: Five children and six adults! And Mumia continues, steadfastly supported hospital and wondering what was going possession of explosives, arson, causing not one single official on any level was by Workers World Party. In April, 2017, the on. I didn’t find out until I left the hos- a catastrophe, attempted murder, simple ever held accountable, ever charged with Pennsylvania DOC finally caved in to mass pital and was taken to the police admin- and aggravated assault. But the charges a single crime against MOVE. But yet, you pressure demanding lifesaving hepatitis C istration building [to the homicide unit]. and warrant they came at me with were have the MOVE 9 being called murderers treatment for Mumia. This set an import- Only then did I find out that there were all dismissed when I was able to challenge and being imprisoned for 38 years, work- ant legal precedent for all hep C infected no other survivors other than me and my them in the pretrial. They eventually ing on 39 now. Meanwhile, the people prisoners in the state prison system. young brother, Birdie Africa. (tinyurl. dropped those charges. Oh, and I forgot, who murdered 11 of my family members The surviving members of the MOVE 9, com/kfypm5n) The police were contem- they also threw in “terroristic threats,” — publicly on May 13 of 1985 — not one of also framed for police murder in connec- plating charging me with the murder of which was ridiculous. them was ever held accountable. tion with the state’s military-style assault my family. LL: So let me get this clear, Ramona. You LL: The last question, Ramona, is in survived two bombings, the bullets, the fire reference to the current movement that hoses, the tear gas. You’re out of the hospi- we’re actually living with right now — the tal, and the next thing you know you’re in Movement for Black Lives. (tinyurl.com/ Resistance greets firing of Tom Cat the police department being charged with lrb9p5d) As a new generation accepts the attempted murder and arson? baton of mass resistance, freedom fight- RA: Yep. Yes, I was. And that was an- ing and Black struggle, what words of ad- workers other eye-opener for me because when all vice would you share? By John Steffin the charges and the warrants that they RA: The first and most important thing New York City came at me with were dismissed, it seems is to never stop. Don’t ever stop pushing like anything that came from these bogus and fighting. Don’t ever give in! Be con- The racist, anti-worker warrants would have to be dropped as sistent. Don’t allow yourselves to be disil- bosses at Tom Cat Bakery well. If their reasons for being out there lusioned. Don’t allow anyone or anything ­finally carried out the wishes were invalid, then how could anything to buy you off. Don’t allow yourselves to of the repressive state on April that was a result of their presence be val- be compromised or co-opted — because 21 and fired over 30 workers id? But they were never going to drop all trust me — they will try. You can definite- who failed to show papers fol- the charges on me. ly believe that! lowing the March 19 audit by WW PHOTO: TARYN FIVEK LL: Did you serve time for any of those This system will come at you with all the Department of Homeland Tom Cat Bakery picket line. charges? kinds of things. All kinds! But if you fall Security. This is the first time RA: Yes. I did. First of all, I had a $4.5 for it, you’re done. You’re done, and that’s in 11 years that an employer in New York and shared their stories. Many of them million bail. $4.5 million! I was in jail what they bank on. They bank on people City has collaborated with Immigration had worked at the factory for a long time from May 13 of 1985 until May 13 of 1992 flaring up for an instant and then fizzling and Customs Enforcement. This escala- before the audit, upwards of 16 years, and because I was convicted of “rioting,” if out. tion in state violence, however, was met have deep ties to the community. you can believe that. I was sentenced to One last thing I really want the young with resistance. The deportations, and now firings, of 16 months and seven years. When my people to remember: We do this work out On the morning of April 21, four com- immigrants are generating massive po- 16-month minimum was up, I was told by of love, not hate. Love for life and the peo- munity members and activists chained litical energy in migrant communities, the parole board that they would parole ple. Long live John Africa! Long live the themselves to the delivery trucks at Tom which may culminate in the May Day gen- me, but only if I agreed to sever all ties revolution! Ona move! Cat Bakery, stalling production for over eral strike, the likes of which haven’t been with MOVE. Sever all ties! And I wasn’t Lamont Lilly was a 2015 U.S. delegate an hour. Nearly 200 activists then pick- seen since 2006. The Tom Cat workers, about to do that. Instead of being released at the International Forum for Justice in eted the bakery and vowed to intervene, if shortly after the firings, confirmed that at 16 months, I did the whole seven years. Palestine in Beirut, Lebanon. He is also necessary, in any ICE raids. Several of the they will participate in this year’s May (tinyurl.com/kty4waf) . an activist and organizer in the Black workers under threat spoke at the protest Day strike in New York City. LL: Eleven people died May 13, 1985. Lives Matter movement. Page 8 May 4, 2017 workers.org Massive general strike displays people power

By Addison Gaddis ment age to 65, pension reductions, lower In the city of São Paulo, nine MST Party (PDT), the Socialism and Liberty pay for outsourced workers and lowering demonstrators were arrested for block- Party (PSOL), the Sustainability Network Brazilian workers held a general strike the restrictions on outsourcing, and no ing highways. An estimated 70,000 peo- (REDE), the Green Party (PV) and appar- on April 28. Business as usual could not longer requiring bosses to extend bene- ple took the streets. Demonstrators were ently dissidents from PMDB. possibly proceed as 35 to 40 million peo- fits to workers hired for 240 days or less. blocked from marching on Michel Te- Along with the involvement of po- ple took the streets of Brazil to protest These policies aim to further destabilize mer’s residence. In the city of Goiânia, an litical parties, there was mass support President Michel Temer’s austerity re- the precarious and low-wage workforce estimated 30,000 people took the streets, from organizations advocating for youth, forms. Temer took power in May of 2016 of Brazil, and the workers, with good rea- and a youth was hospitalized in a coma workers, women and Black people. Leon- after the elected president, Dilma Rous- son, are outraged. after being battered in the head by a riot ardo Steiner, the general secretary of seff, was impeached in a process that The general strike shut down transit, cop’s baton. the National Conference of Bishops in many say was illegitimate. airports, auto manufacturing plants, All across the country, the numbers are Brazil, expressed support for the strike, Rousseff is from the center-left Work- petroleum refineries and banks across staggering: 150,000 in Belo Horizonte, stating, “It is fundamental that we lis- ers’ Party (PT), while Temer is from the the country. All over Brazil, in rural and 20,000 in Curitiba, 30,000 in Salvador, ten to the population in their collective center-right Democratic Movement Par- urban areas, militants from the Land- 50,000 in Fortaleza, 50,000 in Belem ­manifestations.” ty of Brazil (PMDB). While the Rousseff less Workers Movement (MST) and the and so on. How was the working class And, perhaps most importantly, all the government was accused of corruption, Homeless Workers Movement shut down able to mobilize so widely and effectively? major unions of the country supported Temer is currently also embroiled in a highways. The streets were filled with the strike as well: CGTB, Forza Sindical, massive corruption scandal. Nearly one- drumming and chanting while the air- Unions, left parties united in action UGT, Unified Workers Central, National third of his ministers are implicated in a ports, bus stations and train terminals There are many answers. First of all, Struggles Coordination (CSP-Conlutas), graft scandal. And while Rousseff’s gov- remained empty. there was a broad base of support. The Nova Central, Intersindical and CSB. ernment still at least paid lip service to In the city of Rio de Janeiro, demon- strike was endorsed by the PT, the party The government and its lackeys unsur- being pro-worker and pro-working class, strators torched eight buses, facing po- that had previously held the presidency prisingly decried the strike as ineffective. Temer’s austerity measures, in contrast, lice repression in the form of tear gas since 2002, as well as a diverse range of But this is a transparent lie. The strike constitute a direct attack upon the Bra- and rubber bullets. A representative of left parties, including the Socialist Party was effective because the country was zilian working class. the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) of Brazil (PSB), the Brazilian Commu- shut down. The strike serves as a power- The austerity measures include exten- was tear gassed onstage at a rally at the nist Party (PCB), the Communist Party ful reminder to the ruling class: without sion of the working day and the working Plaza Cinelandia. In response, organizers of Brazil (PCdoB), the Free Homeland the workers, they have nothing! Fora Te- week, reduction of the required lunch called for a rally there on May Day to pro- Party (PPL), the United Socialist Work- mer! Proletários do mundo, uni-vos! All break time, raising the minimum retire- test police repression. ers Party (PSTU), the Democratic Labor power to the people! U.S. threatens to expel 50,000 Haitians great damage that Bill Clinton and Hillary By G. Dunkel The acting head of Citizenship and Im- The government’s recommendation to Clinton’s actions had produced in Haiti. migration Services, James McCament, lift TPS for Haitians coincides with that Nana Brantuo, policy manager for the Homeland Security Secretary John recommended to Secretary Kelly that the to remove the TPS granted to Liberians, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, told Kelly will decide on May 23 whether to ex- TPS should be removed for Haiti because Guineans and Sierra Leoneans due to the the Bay View National Black Newspaper tend the “temporary protected status” of “over all, circumstances in the country 2014-16 Ebola epidemic in those coun- on April 26: “Considering the current 50,000 Haitian refugees who came to the have continued on an upward trajectory tries. When taken together, these recom- Haitian migrant crisis on the U.S.-Mex- U.S. after the 2010 earthquake. The TPS since the 2010 earthquake.” (New York mendations condemn the administration ico border along with the trials — post for Haitians is set to expire on July 22. Times, April 30) for obvious racism. Hurricane Matthew — that continue to Washington had granted Haitians TPS However, even the Times editorial The uncertainty over Haitians’ status impede the progress of Haiti’s national in 2010, less than two weeks after an recognized McCament’s statement as is causing a lot of anxiety in that commu- development, stripping 50,000 Haitian earthquake devastated the Haitian cap- nonsense. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew nity. Especially in New York, New Jersey nationals of TPS status prioritizes them ital, Port-au-Prince, leaving 200,000 to devastated southwest Haiti, the country’s and Florida, where many members of the for removal and raises major concerns 400,000 Haitians dead and tens of thou- major food-producing area. It destroyed Haitian diaspora live, there have been around the readiness of Haiti to handle sands of homes destroyed. 175,000 homes, killed tens of thousands meetings where alternatives have been such a large number of deportees.” Granting TPS is a declaration by the of livestock, wiped out crops and flat- discussed. The weekly newspaper Hai- While conditions in Port-au-Prince U.S. that conditions in a particular coun- tened plantations, many of which take ti-Liberté covered one such “know your might have recovered to the same de- try are so life-threatening that Washing- years to become productive. rights meeting” in its April 26 issue. plorable level where they were before ton won’t send people back to that coun- Before Hurricane Matthew hit, infect- It has taken a while for a reaction to the earthquake, southwest Haiti is still try and will let those immigrants legally ed troops of the U.N. military occupation this deportation threat by the Trump reeling from Hurricane Matthew. Haiti live and work here. The TPS status usual- force called Minustah introduced chol- administration to develop in the Haitian remains in crisis, and should not have to ly lasts for 18 months; the declaration for era into Haiti. At least 10,000 Haitians community. During his election cam- cope with 50,000 additional deportees Haitians has been repeatedly extended have died of this disease and hundreds of paign, Trump attempted to court Haitian expelled from the U.S. up to now. thousands have been sickened. support, since Haitians were aware of the Gabriela celebrates ’Ten years of serving the people’ WW PHOTO: MONICA MOOREHEAD

Special to Workers World New York City

The New York Chapter of Gabriela (General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action) — formerly known as Filipi- nas for Rights and Empowerment — held its 10th anniversary celebration on April 29 in Manhattan with talks, videos, spo- ken word, music and dance. The room was decorated with beautiful banners and placards highlighting Gabriela cam- paigns since 2007. This mass women’s group, founded in the Philippines in 1984, has chapters all over the world, including in U.S. cit- Gabriela members, April 29. ies from New York to Los Angeles. Its name is in honor of Gabriela Silang, a International Working Women’s Day Co- press solidarity with the struggles on a ly of the beast, especially the struggle revolutionary Filipina leader who fought alition in New York City, which was hon- local and national level, be it Black Lives against white supremacy and its connec- against Spain’s brutal colonial rule in the ored with a Modern Day Gabriela Award, Matter, Standing Rock, Fight for $15 and, tion to worldwide struggles, including in Philippines in the mid-1700s. along with our groups. of course, the plight of migrants. Gabrie- the Philippines, where the struggle for A keynote address was given by Mon- Moorehead stated, “Wherever ­Gabriela la has a clear understanding of the global worker and peasant liberation from U.S. ica Moorehead, a co-coordinator of the has a presence, they never hesitate to ex- role of the class struggle inside the bel- imperialism is at such a high level.” workers.org May 4, 2017 Page 9 PUERTO RICO ON THE MOVE

By Berta Joubert-Ceci public possessions are being bankrupted the country, and its de- and sold “at firesale prices.” (cb.pr, Feb. 10) struction would devas- Even before International Workers’ The legislature also approved ”labor tate the country. Day — May Day — a very important ad- reform” through the Law of Transforma- vance had been made in Puerto Rico: tion and Labor Flexibilization (Act No. 4 Student strike unity in action. Trade unions and move- of 2017), under the pretext of stimulating Students and faculty ments ranging from students, environ- the economy. This law affects new work- of the UPR understand ment, women, LGBTQ and other sectors ers in the private sector, pitting them their university’s impor- were actively promoting a National Strike against current workers. As its name tance. The Río Piedras on May 1. gloomily indicates, the law represents a Campus — the largest Social organizations used all means at loss of rights workers had won, such as one — has been on indef- their disposal: social networks, radio an- the eight-hour day, one of the achieve- inite strike since March PHOTO: THE NEW DAY nouncements, awareness-raising demon- ments commemorated on May Day. For 28. Democratic assemblies have been person brought from the U.S., Andrea strations and concerts in shopping malls new workers, the law cuts wages, vaca- held in which up to 10,000 students have Bonime Blanc, is paid $750 an hour as and other open spaces, street theater, tion and sick days; allows less time to participated. Now eight of the 11 other the FCB ethics officer! stickers, distribution of informative fly- claim compensation after dismissal; re- campuses have joined the strike — a con- ers, painting on walls and more. Groups duces the Christmas bonus; and extends tinual mobilization that has attracted the What role for Puerto Rico? of young people came to offices employ- workers’ probation period. support of the Puerto Rican Association Why use these attacks to destroy Puer- ing many people to inform them of the Also passed was the Single Employer’s of University Teachers (APPU), other to Rico at this particular time? As a col- danger threatening the country. Law (Act No. 8), affecting the public sec- unions and multiple social organizations. ony, Puerto Rico has served the empire’s The general slogan was a call to the tor. This establishes the government as a The students are struggling not only interests and needs as they evolved. Geo- people: Join the struggle! single employer with “flexibility” to move for public education. They are struggling graphically, Puerto Rico’s location has This May Day, Puerto Rico will not workers from one agency to another, even for the entire people and against the been useful to U.S. military interests. simply commemorate the Chicago mar- to the private sector. Workers who are FCB/Junta and the destructive measures The island has also served as a huge sug- tyrs. No! It will be a day to pick up the moved would lose protections won under driven by the government. The students ar plantation and a center for pharma- flag of struggle! Now at stake in the Puer- collective bargaining agreements, as well demand the debt be audited, which the ceutical production, oil refineries and to Rican archipelago is the very life of its as their accumulated employment time. government and the FCB have prevented, technology. Now, when capitalism is in people, and those people have decided to even going so far as eliminating the Board its declining phase, what role will Puerto fight back. They refuse to allow their lives Law of Compliance deals final blow for the Independent Integral Audit. Rico be forced to play? and the future of generations to be mere The final blow was passed April 27: the “Audit the debt” has become the battle In response to this question, Luis Pe- collateral in a commercial transaction. Law of Compliance with the Fiscal Plan cry, as the debt is known to have been draza Leduc, of the Union Coordinator of the Government. Losses to the working contracted by corrupt means. Both Puer- and ProSol UTIER (UTIER Solidarity What is the struggle? class include: to Rican electoral parties, alternating Project), offered this analysis to Workers The fight is against a per- disregard of col- in government, have been guilty, along World-Mundo Obrero: fect storm of attacks at all lective bargain- with U.S. banks and financial agencies “I believe that the debt issue was used levels against the working ing agreements; such as Santander, Wells Fargo, UBS to one, effectively cash in on and two, to class. It is a struggle against limiting holi- and others. The original plan to establish restructure the government through a the attempt of big capital to days to 15; loss the FCB was presented under the previ- giant project to privatize energy, water, destroy Puerto Rico and re- of payment for ous administration, the Partido Popular roads and land.This project in the Carib- build it for capital’s benefit. sick days or un- Democrático. bean is part of U.S. political interest in a In 2016 the U.S. Congress used holidays; The government accuses the dem- nearby market, which also involves their passed the PROMESA Law no paid over- onstrators of being “delinquents.” The interest in Venezuela and Cuba. (Puerto Rico Oversight, Management time; immunity of government officials students respond by saying, “We are cit- “I believe that the economic mod- and Economic Stability Act), imposing and bosses from damages; reassignment izens, not criminals.” The government el does not necessarily need a colonial an unelected Fiscal Control Board (re- of employees without prior consultation. has stepped up repressive measures, government, but rather the penetration ferred to as the “Junta”) that automati- While the FCB cut income for the whole appointing Hector Pesquera, a former of capital in various forms: PPPs (Pub- cally became the real, dictatorial govern- working class, it imposed more taxes in all Puerto Rican police chief who worked for lic-Private Partnerships), loans, bonds, ment over Puerto Rico. The Junta has categories: sales, services, permit appli- more than 25 years at the FBI, as head of technical advice and opening markets to already implemented many measures cations, etc. Traffic fines will increase by a new Department of Homeland Securi- capital. Puerto Rico will be the showcase outlined by the International Monetary 70 percent and tolls increase. Subsidies ty. The government knows very well that of capitalism.” Fund and contained in the 2015 Kruger for municipalities are cut or suspended, a nefarious measures which strangle the When the attack is so monumental, Plan. Both the FCB/Junta and the Kru- highly detrimental measure because mu- people will arouse great opposition, not that is not the time to go on the defensive ger Plan are the result of the capitalists’ nicipalities care directly for the needs of just from students, and is preparing to and answer one attack at a time. interest in imposing austerity measures the residents. Allocations will be lost for criminalize protest. It is time to go on the offensive so that to ensure payment of an illegitimate and various programs, from art, culture and The consequences of these measures the people decide. And when there is an odious public debt of $74 billion. sports to security and programs for the are unimaginable. States in the U.S. are attempt to criminalize the Resistance, The FCB counts on the unconditional protection of women. already stealing workers and specialized it is necessary to expose, stronger than collaboration of the current Puerto Rican Other cuts include $1 billion from health personnel from Puerto Rico. Along with ever, U.S. crimes against the Puerto Ri- government, under Gov. Ricardo Roselló, care, reduction of pensions by 10 percent the brain drain of scientists to NASA and can people. whose Partido Nuevo Progresista actively and closure of hundreds of schools. A cut hospital centers, U.S. departments of Unite our forces! And as our national promotes statehood. Roselló is a colonial of more than $600 million is imposed on education are going to Puerto Rico to re- hero, Don Rafael Cancel Miranda, says, governor on his knees, submissive to the the budget of the only public university, cruit teachers for New York, Texas, Flor- “We will reach the goal sooner on our feet empire’s demands. A toothless legislature the University of ­Puerto Rico. ida and elsewhere. The city of Baltimore than on our knees.” has endorsed all criminal measures com- This institution, with 11 campuses went to Puerto Rico to recruit cops! Active solidarity for the Boricua People ing from La Fortaleza, the governor’s pal- throughout the island, is public and there- As the archipelago of Puerto Rico is in struggle! ace, almost without amendments. fore offers the poorest sectors of the pop- emptied of its most valuable resources, Audit the debt and jail the guilty! The PNP government presented a dev- ulation the opportunity to obtain quality huge tax-exempt incentives encourage No to repression of the movement! astating Fiscal Plan to satisfy the appe- education at low cost. It also contributes U.S. millionaires to move there. Mean- Long live the workers’ struggle! tite of the bondholders, and the FCB ap- to Puerto Rican cultural development as while, cuts are said to be necessary, yet Long live free Puerto Rico! proved it. The government submitted the a center of democratic debates on various millions are available most destructive measures to the Puerto topics. It’s a source of economic growth in for “consulting.” U.S. Rican Legislature for approval. The plan small cities. Unlike private universities, it “experts” are recruit- will significantly increase the people’s contributes to Puerto Rico’s development ed to “restructure” cost of living while cutting salaries and by preparing professionals oriented to the island. Roselló ap- services. In other words, it’s the obscene serving the needs of the country, not en- pointed Julia Keleher, strangulation of a people. hancing their “market value.” a Philadelphia-based The legislature quickly passed the mea- UPR is a research center that serves consultant, as Sec- sures without a public hearing, behind not only Puerto Rico but various agen- retary of Education, closed doors. The first law was the 2017 cies in the U.S. For example, many with a salary of more privatizing Act No. 1, designed to amend UPR graduates are actively recruited than $120,000 for the Public-Private Partnerships Act. Ac- by NASA. The UPR is the very future of six months. Another cording to economist Argeo Quiñones, “the concept of ​PPPA in Puerto Rico has El capitalismo n un callejón sin salida been distorted.” (cb.pr, Feb. 10) Fred Goldstein utiliza las leyes de la acumulación capitalistade Marx, y Instead of being a union of efforts be- la tasa decreciente de ganancia, para demostrar por qué el capitalismo tween the public and the private sectors, global ha llegado finalmente a un punto de inflexión. PPPA allows the sale of profitable pub- lic properties so private capital can grab For more information on these books and other writings by windfall profits in the millions. Profitable the author, Fred Goldstein, go to LowWageCapitalism.com Available at all major online booksellers. Page 10 May 4, 2017 workers.org Climate marchers say ‘Stop climate change, end capitalism!’ By Kris Balderas Hamel Philadelphia Organized by Philly with Standing Rock While some corpo- #NoDAPL, the march was Defend science rate-owned media pre- followed by a panel dis- dicted that “protest cussion featuring Grand- fatigue” might beset mother Regina Brave and and the climate marchers, es- Charles Whalen, Lakota pecially those who had activists instrumental been on the March for in the resistance to the environment Science one week earlier, Dakota Access Pipeline; the April 29 actions drew Pam Africa of MOVE; Workers World newspaper supported and Workers World crowds all around the Christa Rivers of WWP; Party members participated in both the Earth Day March United States. The date WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE and Ron Whyte of Deep for Science on April 22 and the Climate March a week later. coincided with Trump’s Ron Whyte, Christa Rivers, Pam Africa, Charles Whalen Green Philly. We stand with those who fight Trump and his cohorts’ at- 100th day in office. Nu- and Regina Brave. tempts to ruthlessly slash crucial scientific research, like the merous demands were made to not for war — Hands off ­Korea!” It ‘Communities will lead the change’ cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency that will only keep and expand the many en- swelled during the day, drawing The climate change march in increase the devastating impacts of global warming. vironmental protections he and others who were against capital­ Portland, Ore., was 3,000 strong, As Marxists, we recognize that scientists are workers his administration are bent on ism. Many marchers stopped to led by people of color, those from and that math and science are essential to understanding ­destroying. talk and take pictures next to the low-income communities, and ru- and fighting against the insatiable and destructive capi- Protesters marched in record WWP banners. ral and tribal people. “Our com- talist drive for profits. Scientists are also fundamental to heat — 95 degrees — in Washing- One middle-aged African- munities must lead the efforts constructing a “people before profits” society that puts the ton, D.C., and in blizzard condi- American resident of D.C. told to address climate change,” said health of the planet and all of its people first. tions in Denver. Dire warnings activists how her mother was a march organizers. On Earth Day, the March for Science mobilized thou- that time is running out to reverse socialist until the day she died and Speakers addressed intersect- sands of people at more than 600 locations around the the damage caused by climate took her daughter to many march- ing issues facing frontline commu- globe. There were marches and rallies from Portland, change also called on people to es. A young African-American nities in the struggle for climate Maine, to Ketchikan, Alaska; from Helsinki, Finland, to “rise up” and stop the devastation. man from Connecticut joined the justice. These included housing, Santiago, Chile. Scientists from all fields — researchers, Organizers say the D.C. march contingent with a handmade sign transportation, clean energy, ac- teachers, nurses, doctors, journalists, including Black, drew 200,000 participants, more reading “Stop capitalism — It is cess to green spaces and food, and Latinx, Asian, Indigenous women, men and LGBTQ people than expected, despite the intense killing our planet.” the struggles for workers’ rights, — rallied and marched to protest the systematic campaign heat. Some 50 calls for medical as- immigrant rights and the rights of Against Big Oil and pipelines to erode, defund and discredit science itself by Trump and sistance were made by marchers. other marginalized communities. his big-business backers. More than 375 other marches At least 5,000 people in Denver The crowd agreed that those fac- Just one week later, more than 250,000 gathered in took place in the U.S., and many braved 28-degree weather with ing environmental racism and in- Washington, D.C., for the Climate March, enduring record more worldwide. Workers World blowing snow during the People’s justice must be at the center of the 90-degree-plus temperatures. Gathering at Capitol Hill, the Party members and friends orga- Climate March. Young and old ac- struggle for climate action. protesters marched down Pennsylvania Avenue. As they nized militant, anti-war, social- tivists understand not only that oil, March organizers were OPAL passed the Trump hotel, they shouted “Shame!” and “We ist-oriented contingents in several gas and methane are heating the Environmental Justice Oregon will not go away, welcome to your 100 days!” Sister marches marches around the country. Fol- planet, but that oil pipelines cross- and the Oregon Just Transition Al- were held across the globe. lowing are reports from activists ing the land cause danger to con- liance. The OPAL statement said: The day before the march, Boss Trump forced the Envi- in several cities. gested human communities and “Climate change is only a symptom ronmental Protection Agency to take down its site devot- water supplies. The oil companies of much deeper crises that are hap- Indigenous peoples lead the way ed to the science of climate change. The Trump austerity are taking back the last remaining pening worldwide — the ecological budget is designed to strip billions of dollars of funding for Led by a contingent of Indig- lands of Indigenous peoples by us- crisis, economic crisis, and the cri- a whole array of medical, climate and educational research, enous people from around the ing the courts and so-called “dem- sis of empire. These crises come while fattening the Pentagon budget and giving huge tax U.S., thousands marched through ocratic” government to profit, no from the current dominant econo- breaks to the banks and oligarchs. Washington, D.C. The march be- matter the cost to the people. my, created by a system that only For Workers World, promoting science also means pro- gan at the Capitol and circled the Colorado state government ca- works for a few [and] which relies moting the social science of Marxism. We cite here from White House, ending at the Wash- ters to the wishes of the oil com- on exploitation and extraction of Frederick Engels’ work “Socialism: Utopian and Scientific,” ington Monument, where a rally panies. They advertise how safe resources. We must create a sys- published first in 1880 — 137 years ago. opened with Native speakers ac- and controlled their operations tem that works for everyone, based “Active social forces work exactly like natural forces: knowledging the Water Protectors are, yet huge amounts of methane on cooperation, close communi- blindly, forcibly, destructively, so long as we do not under- at Standing Rock in North Dakota. are poisoning the air. A methane ties, and regenerative processes.” stand, and reckon with, them. But, when once we under- Raising many issues besides explosion on April 27 in Firestone, ‘No wall! Love the Earth! stand them, when once we grasp their action, their direction, climate change, Workers World Colo., blew up a house, killing two their effects, it depends only upon ourselves to subject them Party members led a boisterous people. Nothing remained of the Thousands gathered at the San more and more to our own will, and, by means of them, anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist structure, which was vaporized. Diego County administration ­build- to reach our own ends. And this holds quite especially of contingent with banners proclaim- Anadarko Petroleum immediately ­ing demanding the Trump admin- the mighty productive forces of today. As long as we obsti- ing “System change, not climate closed down 3,000 wells, yet said istration take action on climate nately refuse to understand the nature and the character of change — Stop capitalist pollution there was no danger. change. The People’s Climate March these social means of action — and this understanding goes with socialist revolution” and call- In Philadelphia, hundreds of banner was raised in the front en- WW PHOTO: LYN NEELEY against the grain of the capitalist mode of production, and its ing on marchers to resist imperial- environmentalists, Standing Rock trance as the crowd cheered. After defenders — so long these forces are at work in spite of us, in ist war against Syria, north Korea supporters and others concerned a rally came a march beginning and opposition to us, so long they master us, as we have shown and Venezuela. about global warming marched ending at Waterfront Park. People above in detail. The WWP contingent ­chanted with banners and homemade carried signs, drummed, danced “But when once their nature is understood, they can, in “No hate, no fear, immigrants are signs. WWP member Morgan and chanted “Rise up! No wall, re- the hands of the producers working together, be transformed welcome here!” and “Money for jobs, Robinson spoke at the beginning sist! Love the Earth! All children de- from master demons into willing servants. The difference rally at City Hall, focusing on the serve clean air!” is as that between the destructive force of electricity in the Denver need to oppose imperialist wars Andre Powell, Viviana Wein- lightning in the storm, and electricity under command in the and the world’s worst polluter of stein, Joe Piette, Lyn Neeley and telegraph and the voltaic arc; the difference between a con- greenhouse gas emissions: the Gloria Verdieu contributed to flagration, and fire working in the service of humanity. With Pentagon. this article. this recognition, at last, of the real nature of the productive Washington, D.C. forces of today, the social anarchy of production gives place to a social regulation of production upon a definite plan, accord- ing to the needs of the community and of each individual.” The production of goods and services in today’s capitalist society is a cooperative endeavor of millions of people, cre- ated and enhanced by centuries of scientific, mathematical and technical research. But the capitalist social structure rules over this productive system “blindly, forcibly, destruc- tively” in its mad drive for more and more profits. For Marx and Engels and all revolutionary socialists, then, math and science are tools for the workers and op- pressed not only to overturn this rotten system, but also to reorganize production “upon a definite plan” that fulfills human needs. PHOTO: VIVIANA WEINSTEIN WW PHOTO: DAVID CARD workers.org May 4, 2017 Page 11 Roanoke, Va. Philadelphia

WW PHOTO: JOE PIETTE Los Angeles Milwaukee

WW PHOTO: GREG BUTTERFIELD

PHOTO: RON GOCHEZ MAYMAY DAYDAY New York City Continued from page 1 marily from the poorer workers and farmers of Europe. Now, they come from all over the world, but mostly from Latin America. Trump hate-mongering backfires Certainly, none of this is lost on Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies, who use anti-immigrant venom as a wedge to bust up the fightback potential of today’s working class. He knows that im- Baltimore migrant workers are key to many WW PHOTO: GREG BUTTERFIELD struggles against blood-sucking bosses the state to try to isolate them and sow those dismayed by environmental like himself, and he is using the power of terror and retreat in their ranks. destruction, endless imperialist wars Instead, his vicious at- abroad and the militarization of op- Portland, Ore. tacks on immigrants and so pressed schools and communities. many others have aroused As a hand-lettered placard carried whole layers of the popula- in one of the huge women’s marches tion. Since the election, and in January said: “Yuck! Too many is- especially since Trump’s sues to fit on this sign.” May Day cov- inauguration, literally mil- ered them all. It was also the place lions have come out into the to raise all these monumental issues streets to defy his hate-mon- within the context of building the BALTIMORE, WW PHOTOS: SHARON BLACK gering efforts to turn back broadest united front of resistance the clock. based in the working class and led This May Day reflected all by the most oppressed. that. The marches and rallies International Workers’ Day has al- resonated to a wide range of ways been aimed against capitalism issues confronting workers, and the tiny fraction of the population students, the unemployed, that now controls half the wealth in the homeless, people of color, the world. That May Day is finally be- women, LGBTQ people and WW PHOTO: LYN NEELEY ing embraced once again by workers Boston in the U.S., especially by the young who will shape our future, is bring- ing comfort and hope to our sisters and brothers on every continent. Reports of many May Day marches will appear in the next W W. Chicago CHICAGO, WW PHOTO: JEFF SARLES; SYRACUSE, NY, PHOTO: GARY WALTS Syracuse, N.Y.

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¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! workers.org Vol. 59 Núm. 18 4 de mayo 2017 $1 Primero de mayo en la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR.) PUERTO RICO EN MARCHA Por Berta Joubert-Ceci ninguna vista pública, y con reuniones la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR). Pero mientras se vacía la isla de bo- a puertas cerradas. La primera, presen- La importancia de esta institución, ricuas, se incentiva la residencia de mil- Un día antes del Día de las y los Traba- tada a pocos días de asumir su puesto que tiene 11 recintos a través de la isla, lonarios de los EUA por medio de enormes jadores —el Primero de Mayo— en Puerto de gobernador, es la privatizadora Ley 1 no es solamente que es pública y por lo incentivos de exención contributiva. Rico ya se ha logrado un avance impor- para enmendar la Ley de Alianzas Públi- tanto ofrece la oportunidad de obtener Otro aspecto que hay que señalar es tantísimo: unidad en acción. Los sindi- co Privadas (APPs). Según el economista una educación de calidad a bajo costo la contratación obscena de “consultores” catos, y toda una gama de movimientos Argeo Quiñones, “la idea de las APP en a los sectores más pobres. Contribuye o “expertos” de los EUA. Roselló nom- estudiantiles, ambientales, de mujeres, Puerto Rico “se ha desvirtuado”, (cb.pr, además al desarrollo cultural boricua; es bró como secretaria de educación nada lgbt, y otros sectores, han estado activa- 10 de febrero) pues en lugar de tratarse un centro de debates democráticos sobre menos que a Julia Keleher, una consulto- mente promoviendo el Paro Nacional del de una unión de esfuerzos entre el sector diversos aspectos; es fuente de economía ra oriunda de Filadelfia con un sueldazo 1 de mayo. público y el privado, se ha convertido en en ciudades pequeñas; contribuye a la de más de $120,000 por seis meses. No Han usado todos los medios a su al- una venta de bienes públicos rentables preparación de profesionales para el de- solo es la secretaria de educación, sino cance: redes sociales, anuncios por la para recibir un pago millonario de golpe. sarrollo de PR, orientada al servicio y que también será la asesora de reestruc- radio, manifestaciones de adhesión en Entonces, bienes públicos rentables es- las necesidades del país, no por su valor turación de ese mismo departamento. los centros comerciales, teatro callejero, tán siendo llevados a la bancarrota para en el mercado – a diferencia de las uni- Otros contratos recientes que son conciertos de concientización, pegati- luego venderse “a precios de quemazón”. versidades privadas. Es un centro de in- bofetadas al pueblo - cuando se dice que nas, distribución de volantes informa- (cb.pr, 10 de febrero) vestigación que sirve no solo a PR, sino hay que hacer recortes pero se encuen- tivos, pintadas en paredes, etc. Grupos Luego aprobaron la reforma laboral, la a diversas agencias incluso en EUA. Por tran millones para consultorías - son la de jóvenes acuden a oficinas donde hay Ley de Transformación y Flexibilización ejemplo, muchas/os graduados de la UPR contratación de Natalie Jaresko, nacida congregadas muchas personas para in- Laboral (Ley Núm. 4 de 2017), con la son activamente reclutados por la NASA. en Chicago de origen ucraniano, quien formarle al pueblo del peligro que corre el excusa de estimular la economía. Pero La UPR es el futuro mismo del país, y su fue empleada del Departamento de Es- país. La consigna general es un llamado como su nombre tenebrosamente indi- destrucción sería la destrucción del país. tado para intervenir en la economía de al pueblo: ¡Únete a la lucha! ca, esta ley que afecta a trabajadoras/es Ucrania. Ahora es la directora ejecutiva Porque este Primero de Mayo en ­Puerto nuevos en el sector privado, representa Huelga estudiantil de la JCF. A estos contratos se añade el Rico no será uno de celebrar la victoria un retroceso y la pérdida de derechos ad- Así lo entiende el estudiantado y la de otra estadounidense, Andrea Bonime de los mártires de Chicago, no; será uno quiridos, como el de las ocho horas, uno facultad de la UPR. Por eso desde el 28 Blanc, con un sueldo de $750 por hora de retomar esa bandera de lucha porque de los logros que se conmemoran el Prim- de marzo, el Recinto de Río Piedras – el como ¡oficial de ética de la JCF! lo que se juega ahora en el archipiélago ero de Mayo. Trae además entre otras im- más grande - ha estado en huelga, aho- La pregunta queda del por qué ahora de boricua es la propia vida de su pueblo, y posiciones, la reducción de salarios y de ra indefinida. Han celebrado asambleas estos ataques para destruir a Puerto Rico. ese pueblo ha decidido luchar. No se res- días de vacaciones y enfermedad, menos democráticas donde han participado Como colonia, PR ha servido los intereses ignan a que sus vidas y el futuro de gener- tiempo para reclamar compensación lu- hasta 10,000 estudiantes. Otros recintos del imperio según variaban sus necesi- aciones sean una simple colateral en una ego de despido, disminución del bono de se han sumado, 8 de los 11. La huelga es dades. Desde la situación geográfica de transacción mercantil. navidad, y la extensión del período de una constante movilización que ha capta- PR para los intereses militares de EUA, probatoria, además de dividir las/os tra- do el apoyo del sindicato de profesoras/ como enorme plantación azucarera, como ¿Cuál es la lucha? bajadores en una misma empresa. es de la misma UPR, la Asociación Puer- centro de producción farmacéutica o de La lucha es contra una tormenta de La próxima ley en aprobarse fue la Ley torriqueña de Profesores Universitarios refinerías petroquímicas, o de tecnología. ataques a todos los niveles contra la clase 8 del Empleador Único que afecta al sec- (APPU), de otros sindicatos y de múlti- Ahora, en esta fase cuando el capitalismo trabajadora. Podría resumirse como la tor público. Esta establece al gobierno ples organizaciones. está en su fase decadente, ¿cuál será el pa- lucha contra el intento del gran capital de como empleador único. Facilita la flexi- Pero no solo están luchando por la edu- pel que quieren de PR? destruir el archipiélago de Puerto Rico y bilidad del gobierno para mover a las/os cación pública. Su lucha es la lucha por el Workers World-Mundo Obrero le pre- reconstruirlo para su beneficio. trabajadores de una agencia a otra, que pueblo. En contra de la JCF y las destruc- guntó a Luis Pedraza Leduc, de la Coordi- Desde que el Congreso de EUA pasó la podría ser incluso hacia el sector privado. tivas medidas propulsadas por el gobier- nadora Sindical y ProSol UTIER (Proyec- Ley PROMESA (Puerto Rico Oversight, Las/os trabajadores movidos perderían la no. Exigen que se audite la deuda, a lo que to de Solidaridad de la UTIER). Management, and Economic Stability protección que tenían bajo los convenios el gobierno – y la JCF - se ha negado elim- WW-Mundo Obrero: Por qué piensas Act) el pasado año imponiendo una Junta colectivos, además del tiempo acumula- inando incluso la Junta para la Auditoría que EUA ha lanzado este enorme ataque de Control Fiscal no electa que se con- do, entre otros beneficios y derechos. integral independiente. Auditar la deuda a PR en estos momentos? ¿qué interés vierte automáticamente en el real gobier- Pero es la última ley aprobada el pas- se ha convertido en el grito de batalla, tienen para PR ahora? no dictatorial de PR, se ha ido avanzando ado 27 de abril que da la estocada final: pues se sabe que la deuda se contrajo por Luis Pedraza Leduc: “Creo que el tema en aplicar muchas de las medidas delin- la Ley para el Cumplimiento con el Plan medios corruptos donde ambos partidos de la deuda se aprovechó para (1) efec- eadas por el FMI contenidas en el Plan Fiscal del Gobierno. Entre las pérdidas que se alternan en el gobierno han sido tivamente cobrar y (2) reestructurar el Kruger de 2015 que se presentó bajo la para la clase trabajadora están: dejar sin culpables. Además de bancos y agencias gobierno mediante un proyecto gigante pasada administración del PPD. Tanto el efecto convenios colectivos; limitar días financieras como el Santander, Wells Far- de privatizar energía, agua, carreteras y Plan Kruger como la JCF son el resultado feriados a 15; se pierde pago por días de go, UBS y otros. tierras. Este proyecto en el caribe tiene de los intereses capitalistas por imponer enfermedad o vacaciones no utilizados; El gobierno acusa a las/os manifestan- un mercado cercano dentro de los inter- medidas de austeridad que aseguren el no se pagarán horas extras; el gobierno y tes de “delincuentes”, a lo que el estudian- eses políticos que son Venezuela y Cuba. pago de una deuda pública ilegítima y los funcionarios tendrán inmunidad por tado responde diciendo “somos ciudada- Creo que el modelo económico con- odiosa de $74 miles de millones. daños o perjuicios; el patrono podrá reas- nos, no somos criminales”. sidera que no necesita de un gobierno Para esto, la JCF cuenta con la incondi- ignar sin consultar al empleado, etc. El gobierno sin embargo, ha aumenta- colonial necesariamente, sino de la pen- cional colaboración del gobierno de turno Mientras se recortan los ingresos a do las medidas represivas, llegando in- etración del capital de formas diversas, de Ricardo Roselló, del partido PNP que toda la clase trabajadora, se imponen cluso a nombrar un ex jefe de la policía APP, préstamos, bonos, asesoramiento promueve activamente la estadidad. Un más impuestos en todas las categorías: de de PR que había trabajado por más de 25 técnico y abrir mercados al capital. PR gobernante colonial arrodillado y sumiso ventas, de servicios, de solicitud de per- años en el FBI, Héctor Pesquera, como será la vitrina del capitalismo”. frente a las exigencias del imperio. Acom- misos, etc. Aumentan en un 70 por cien- jefe del nuevo Departamento de Seguri- Cuando el ataque es tan monumental, pañado por una legislatura sin dientes to las multas de tráfico y aumentan los dad Nacional. no es hora de pelear a la defensiva ataque que ha avalado casi sin enmiendas, todas peajes. Se recortan o suspenden los sub- Sabe muy bien el gobierno que las ne- por ataque. Es hora de la ofensiva de la las criminales medidas que surgen de la sidios para los municipios. Esta última fastas medidas que estrangulan al pueblo forma que el pueblo decida. Y cuando se Fortaleza – casa del gobernador. medida es altamente perjudicial porque despertarán un gran oposición, no solo quiere criminalizar a la resistencia, hay En una larga pero rápida serie de pre- son los municipios quienes atienden di- de estudiantes, y se está preparando que exponer más fuerte que nunca, los sentaciones por el gobierno de un Plan rectamente las necesidades de sus resi- criminalizando la protesta. crímenes de EUA contra el pueblo bo- Fiscal que satisfaga el apetito de los boni- dentes. Se perderán las asignaciones para Las consecuencias de todas estas me- ricua. Unir fuerzas. Y como dice nuestro stas, un devastador Plan finalmente fue diversos programas, desde arte, cultura didas son inimaginables. Se seguirá el héroe nacional Don Rafael Cancel Mi- aprobado por la JCF. Para cumplir con y deportes, hasta seguridad y programas robo de trabajadoras/es y personal es- randa: “Se llega más pronto a la meta de este plan, el gobierno ha sometido las de protección de la mujer. pecializado por diferentes estados de los pie que de rodillas”. más devastadoras medidas y proyectos Otros recortes son: Mil millones de EUA. Aparte del robo de científicos por ¡Solidaridad activa para el pue­ blo de ley que aumentan significativamente dólares a salud; reducción del 10 por cien- la NASA y centros hospitalarios, hay una boricua en lucha! ¡Viva la lucha obrera! el costo de vida del pueblo, a la vez que to en pensiones; reducción de jornadas proliferación de Departamentos de Edu- ¡Auditoría integral de la deuda y recortan salarios y servicios. Es decir, la laborales y cierre de cientos de escuelas. cación que van a PR a reclutar maestras/ cárcel a los culpables! obscena estrangulación de un pueblo. Y el golpe mortal, la imposición de un os, entre ellos, desde Texas, de la ciudad ¡No a la represión del movimiento! Estas leyes ya han sido aprobadas ráp- recorte de más de $600 millones al pre- de Buffalo en NY, de Florida, etc. ¡La ciu- ¡No a los recortes de la UPR! idamente por la Legislatura de PR sin supuesto de la única universidad pública, dad de Baltimore fue a reclutar policías! ¡Viva PR libre!