• El ‘complot Irán’ • OWS y lucha de inmigrantes 12

oct. 27, 2011 Vol. 53, No. 42 50¢ Occupy Wall St. goes global Sun never setssets New York As anger boils over on anti-empire Occupations day of action sweep U.S.

By Deirdre Griswold By Kathy Durkin

October 15 was the Global Day of Action Just the very name — Occupy Wall against Wall Street greed. Street! — has struck a chord with millions In international financial centers, big of people across the United States who are cities and small towns, protests swept suffering from the often capricious dev- through Europe, Latin America, Africa, astation wreaked by the capitalist crisis, Asia, Australasia, Canada and the U.S. DAYS OF RAGE which has meant a job destroyed here, a Demonstrators in the hundreds of thou- and Victory family evicted there, until whole commu- sands protested corporate avarice, grow- nities are left in tatters. pages 5 thru 7 ing poverty, joblessness and austerity So when the call went out from Occupy cutbacks. ww photo: G. Dunkel Wall Street for a Day of Rage against the These protests were inspired by many super-rich 1 percent on Oct. 15, it rever- events. The Occupy Wall Street move- berated around the Internet, flew from ment, which began in New York and phone to phone via texting, and drew spread throughout the United States, was hundreds of thousands of people out of a major catalyst. That website asserts that their comfort zones and into the streets. actions took place in 1,500 cities globally. Below is a much condensed summary This day of action was also inspired by of the many reports that have come into the May 15 “Indignant” movement, which Workers World from all over the coun- began with occupations throughout the try describing what happened that day, Spanish state against austerity and high which also marked the 10th anniversary youth unemployment, and by the people’s of the Afghanistan War. Separate articles movements in Egypt, Tunisia, Greece, It- appear in this issue on events in New York aly and Britain. Tahrir Square was on the and Boston. minds and placards of many activists on San Juan, Continued on page 7 Oct. 15. Puerto Rico The theme promoted by OWS, “We are the 99 percent that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1 percent,” Stop FBI was repeated everywhere. The 1 percent frameups! 3 refers to the world’s wealthiest people. These actions were spurred by the deep- ening worldwide capitalist economic crisis. Although differing in form and slogans, the coordinated actions denounced the Berlin ALABAMA BOOMERANG world’s bankers and their institutions and corporate owners for causing the crisis, for A day without immigrants 4 ruining economies and for their unmiti- gated greed. Demonstrators criticized them and their own governments for imposing austerity programs — laying off govern- manila, ment workers and cutting vital social pro- Philippines grams, thus relegating millions of people to impoverishment and joblessness. Many deplored the trillions of dollars of government bailouts of banks, with noth- ing allotted to the masses of people, which has only increased economic inequities Continued on page 6

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Pentagon deeper in Africa 8 Anti-Iran pretext 9 Libya keeps resisting 9 Page 2 oct. 27, 2011 workers.org Workers world Party national Conference WORKERS WORLD From Greece to Occupy Wall St. this week ... A global youth rebellion  In the U.S. Occupations sweep U.S...... 1 Taken from a talk by Ben Carroll, a in prison. A whole generation is being shut out of A global youth rebellion ...... 2 Durham, N.C. WWP organizer, at the the work force altogether, and this shows the se- Undocumented, unafraid ...... 2 Oct. 8-9 Workers World Party National verity of the crisis that the capitalist system is in Political organizers targeted by FBI stir NYC audience . . . 3 Conference in New York City. Go to the throes of now. Free Tarek Mehanna! ...... 3 workers.org for the podcast. The austerity measures and budget cuts being Prison hunger strikers end protest ...... 3 adopted by state and local governments around Anti-immigrant law creates crisis ...... 4 At the end of 2010, around 80 mil- the country have put every social service on the lion young people across the globe were chopping block, all of which were won through Defend workers’ rights, build People’s Assembly . . . . . 4 unemployed. Youth unemployment is struggle. Education is being hit particularly hard, ‘La Colmenita’ supports Cuban 5 ...... 4 ww photo: Rachel Duell around 40 percent throughout much of as schools are closed or privatized or charterized, Day of Rage spurred by anger at U.S. aggression . . . . . 5 Ben Carroll Europe, 50 percent in Egypt and Tunisia. teachers and education workers are laid off, the Big antiwar turnout rocks Boston’s business district . . . . 5 Here in the U.S., youth unemployment is around 20 school-to-prison pipeline grows, tuition at community March honors Dr. King’s fight for jobs ...... 5 percent overall, and an almost unfathomable 50 percent colleges and universities is soaring through the roof, and OWS gets mayor to back off, expands struggle ...... 6 for Black youth. Of course, all the official statistics are de- the banks cannibalize the public treasury and force stu- liberately manipulated lower and don’t account for those dents to mortgage away our futures with student loans if Why unions support OWS movement ...... 7 who are underemployed, working part time, have given we want to get an education.  Around the world up looking for a job altogether, or are prison labor. And this is because education for the masses of young To a greater and greater extent, young people are faced people, and particularly African-American and Latino/a Sun never sets on anti-empire day of action ...... 1 largely with working a low-wage job with no benefits, youth, is regarded as unnecessary by the ruling class. U.S. deploys Special Forces to Central Africa ...... 8 joining the ranks of the unemployed, or getting locked up Continued on 8 U.S. whips up war fever against Iran ...... 9 Libyans still resisting U.S.-NATO war ...... 9 Billionaire mayor says ‘living wage’ is Red ...... 10 Undocumented, unafraid  Editorials ‘Free trade’ imperialism ...... 10 Excerpts from a talk given by Monserrat versities leading to high student debts, cut- Alvarez, a Raleigh FIST activist, at the Oct. ting programs such as Women’s Studies, the  Noticias En Español 8-9 Workers World Party National Confer- laying off of teachers and staff, and seeking El ‘complot Irán’ ...... 12 ence in New York City. Go to workers.org to private funds from political machines that are hear the podcast. pushing their conservative agendas. OWS y lucha de inmigrantes ...... 12 Lack of access to higher education for un- My name is Monserrat Alvarez and I’m a documented students has left a generation member of the Raleigh chapter of Fight Im- of students without hope for a future, reach- perialism, Stand Together. I am Chicana and ing a breaking point but now stepping out of a proud daughter of undocumented immi- the shadows and shouting, “Undocumented grants. I grew up in a single-parent, work- and unafraid!” Capitalists like Art Pope, who ww photo: Rachel Duell ing-class home. Growing up I remember my Monserrat Alvarez have ties to the Koch brothers, are injecting mother working in a factory, as a farmworker, thousands of dollars into campaigns for GOP Workers World 55 West 17 Street housekeeper, cook, any employment she was able to ac- candidates in order to control the House and Senate. Their New York, N.Y. 10011 agenda has reached our school board where they put in quire under her legal status. At the age of nine, after mov- Phone: (212) 627-2994 ing to North Carolina, I began to understand the signifi- Tea Party puppets who are trying to resegregate our school E-mail: [email protected] cance of her legal status in this country. systems by dismantling the policies that attempt to close Web: www.workers.org I began organizing around immigration because of my the gap between working-class and upper-class students. mother, hoping that someday she would be able to live in Now that they are in control of the legislature they are Vol. 53, No. 42 • Oct. 27, 2011 Closing date: Oct. 18, 2011 peace in a country she helped build with her hard labor. pushing for laws like E-verify, which will require employ- At the age of 12 I had a lot to learn about organizing and ers to verify the legal status of their employees. This will Editor: Deirdre Griswold only raise the poverty levels and fear among undocument- more importantly the reasons for all the problems. Technical Editor: Lal Roohk Who created NAFTA? Who is pushing for these im- ed immigrants. They are pushing for bills like the Defense migration laws? Why do they label my people as “illegal of Marriage Act, trying to constitutionally define marriage Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, aliens” when we were here before colonialism? The answer in order to remove benefits to same-sex partnerships. Leslie Feinberg, Kris Hamel, Monica Moorehead, is simple: It’s part of the system, the capitalist imperialist We are all in the same struggle though many people are Gary Wilson system that continues to exploit my communities. I began failing to see this. Imperialism is responsible for puppet West Coast Editor: John Parker to see a broader picture of the movement. I began to see democracies in other countries, and capitalism is respon- Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, sible for inflation, a consequence of free trade, all causing my struggle in his struggle, in her struggle, in our struggle. Greg Butterfield, Jaimeson Champion, G. Dunkel, North Carolina continues to fight against segregation, the large amount of migration. Capitalism continues to Fred Goldstein, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, hatred and ignorance. Our education system is under at- profit off prisons while lobbying for stricter immigration Berta Joubert-Ceci, Cheryl LaBash, tack, our jobs are under attack, our public services are laws and exploiting workers and students. Milt Neidenberg, Bryan G. Pfeifer, Betsey Piette, under attack, our communities are under attack. We have Capitalists use their endless amount of money in order Minnie Bruce Pratt, Gloria Rubac reached the breaking point. [Law] 287(g) and Secure Com- to control policies that increase their profits on the backs Technical Staff: Sue Davis, Shelley Ettinger, of the working class. It is time to unify our movements munities continue to feed into the prison-industrial com- Bob McCubbin, Maggie Vascassenno plex, separating families and deporting innocent people. and realize that our common enemies are the capitalist The Secure Student Act will lower the enrollment of imperialists and the governments that serve them. The Mundo Obrero: Carl Glenn, Teresa Gutierrez, migrant students in the school system, requiring them lines that have separated us, like racism and sexism, are Berta Joubert-Ceci, Donna Lazarus, Michael Martínez, to present specific identification in order to enroll in the growing closer and closer. Now it is our duty to educate Carlos Vargas public school system, allowing their legal status to be and guide the people away from capitalism to socialism Supporter Program: Sue Davis, coordinator questioned. Budget cuts are raising tuition in public uni- and into a system for the true liberation of all people. Copyright © 2011 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium National Office Buffalo, N.Y. Durham, N.C. Pittsburgh without royalty provided this notice is preserved. join us 55 W. 17 St. 367 Delaware Ave. 331 W. Main St., Ste. 408 [email protected] Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published weekly Workers World Party New York, NY 10011 Buffalo, NY 14202 Durham, NC 27701 Rochester, N.Y. 212-627-2994 716-883-2534 [email protected] except the first week of January by WW Publishers, 55 (WWP) fights for socialism 585-436-6458 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] W. 17 St., N.Y., N.Y. 10011. Phone: (212) 627-2994. Sub- and engages in struggles Houston scriptions: One year: $25; institutions: $35. Letters to on all the issues that face Atlanta Chicago P.O. Box 3454 San Diego P.O. Box 5565 P.O. Box 33447 the editor may be condensed and edited. Articles can be the working class & 27 N. Wacker Dr. #138 Houston, TX 77253-3454 freely reprinted, with credit to Workers World, 55 W. 17 Atlanta, GA 30307 Chicago, IL 60606 713-503-2633 San Diego, CA 92163 oppressed peoples — St., New York, NY 10011. Back issues and individual ar- 404-627-0185 [email protected] [email protected] 619-692-0355 Black & white, Latino/a, [email protected] [email protected] ticles are available on microfilm and/or photocopy from Asian, Arab and Native Cleveland Los Angeles San Francisco University Microfilms International, 300 Zeeb Road, Baltimore P.O. Box 5963 1905 Rodeo Rd. peoples, women & men, 2940 16th St., #207 Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106. A searchable archive is c/o Solidarity Center Cleveland, OH 44101 Los Angeles, CA 90018 young and old, lesbian, San Francisco ­available on the Web at www.workers.org. 2011 N. Charles St. 216-738-0320 [email protected] gay, bi, straight, trans, Baltimore, MD 21218 CA 94103 [email protected] 323-515-5870 A headline digest is available via e-mail subscription. disabled, working, 443-909-8964 415-738-4739 unemployed & students. [email protected] Denver Milwaukee [email protected] Subscription information is at www.workers.org/email. [email protected] [email protected] php. Boston Tucson, Ariz. If you would like to know 284 Amory St. Detroit Philadelphia [email protected] Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. more about WWP, or to Boston, MA 02130 5920 Second Ave. P.O. Box 34249 Washington, D.C. join us in these struggles, 617-522-6626 Detroit, MI 48202 Philadelphia, PA 19101 P.O. Box 57300 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to contact the branch Fax 617-983-3836 313-459-0777 610-931-2615 Washington, DC 20037 Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., 5th Floor, nearest you. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. workers.org oct. 27, 2011 Page 3 Political organizers targeted by FBI stir NYC audience

By Brenda Sandburg Cyrus McGoldrick, civil New York rights manager at the New York Council on Ameri- Activists under attack by the U.S. gov- can Islamic Relations, de- ernment for their antiwar and interna- scribed how the govern- tional solidarity work drew a large crowd ment uses the New York of supporters at a forum here on Oct. Police Department to target 15. Many of those present had been par- Top right, Victor members of the Muslim community and ticipating in Occupy Wall Street and let Toro in Bronx, fabricate charges against them. For ex- N.Y. garden the speakers know they are not alone in ample, he noted that cab drivers are being market. standing up to government repression. pulled over and asked if they pray. Having Photo: La Peña Longtime activist Carlos Montes, who is a beard and not smoking are listed in an facing possible federal grand jury charges Left, Teresa NYPD document as suspicious behavior for Gutierrez with for his support of the people of Palestine a Muslim. McGoldrick cited an Associated Carlos Montes. and Colombia, described how a Los An- Press report in August that the NYPD had ww Photo: G.Dunkel geles County SWAT team broke down his formed a demographics unit tasked with door at 5 a.m. one morning in May. They Tracy Molm, of the Committee to Stop Diana Crowder, of the Victor Toro De- mapping the city’s Muslim communities. arrested him for owning legally registered FBI Repression, was among those whose fense Committee, talked about Toro’s The government is also entrapping peo- guns, supposedly in violation of a 40-year- homes were raided by the FBI that Sep- case. The Chilean revolutionary, who has ple, as they did with the Newburgh Four. old conviction for demonstrating at a col- tember. They arrested her and held her in lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years, The FBI induced the young men to discuss lege for Chicano studies. “It was a pretext to custody in her pajamas for several hours was stopped on an Amtrak train in Buf- blowing up Bronx synagogues and to fan- attack my solidarity activity,” Montes said. while taking her computer and political falo in 2007 and detained for not hav- tasize shooting down a military plane. No He said that when he was put into a documents. The activists were subpoe- ing proper immigration documents. In crime took place, but the police arrested police car, an FBI agent asked him about naed to testify before a federal grand jury March, a judge rejected the prosecutors’ them as terrorists. the Freedom Socialist Road Organiza- and have refused to do so. claim that Toro was a terrorist for being “Law enforcement is creating crimes tion. In September 2010 the police raided “This case is about trying to stop people one of the founders of the Movement of rather than investigating them,” McGold- the homes of members of the FSRO and from speaking out and manipulating the the Revolutionary Left (MIR) in Chile, but rick said. “Manufactured headlines justify other groups that had organized anti-war law to do so,” Molm said. “But they aren’t denied Toro asylum because he hadn’t ap- wars abroad.” marches during the 2008 Republican Na- going to stop us from speaking out against plied for it within one year of being in the Jen Waller, of the New York Committee tional Convention in St. Paul, Minn. war and repression.” country. He faces deportation at any time. to Stop FBI Repression, opened the meet- Crowder said Toro was imprisoned and ing, which was chaired by Teresa Gutier- tortured under the U.S.-backed Pinochet rez, of the May 1st Coalition for Worker regime, and when he was released, the and Immigrant Rights. The event was or- Another case of political persecution Chilean government issued a death cer- ganized by the New York Committee and tificate for him. With such a certificate, endorsed by the May 1st Coalition, BAY- “If someone kills you, no one has to in- AN USA, and Desis Rising Up and Mov- vestigate because you are already a dead ing — DRUM — an organization of South Free Tarek Mehanna! Asian immigrant workers. man,” she said.

By Frank Neisser Boston After promise of SHU review Dr. Tarek Mehanna is a 28-year-old Muslim, an Egyptian-American and a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He Prison hunger strikers has been held in solitary confinement 23 hours a day since his arrest in 2009. Mehanna’s trial begins with jury selec- end protest tion on Oct. 24 at the Moakley Federal Court House in Boston. The Free Tarek By Judy Greenspan strike. PBSP hunger strikers were denied Mahanna Support Committee is calling Oakland, Calif. access to the recreation yard and any vis- on supporters to pack the court on Oct. its by friends or family members. Reports Dr. Tarek Mehanna 27 at 9:00 a.m. Supporters can get infor- The prisoner hunger strikers at Cali- from Calipatria indicate that prisoners mation on the defense campaign at www. has emerged since 9/11: the use of secret fornia’s Pelican Bay State Prison called were being denied water and vitamins. Ac- freetarek.com evidence; inflammatory accusations fed off their protest action on Oct. 13. Two cording to the prisoner hunger strike soli- Mehanna’s supporters say he is a re- to the press by government prosecutors days later, prisoners at Calipatria State darity blog, men at Calipatria were col- spected leader in his community who has in advance of trial; manipulation of infor- Prison decided to “temporarily” end their lapsing in their cells, and the infirmary was done nothing other than be critical of the mants and cooperating witnesses through hunger strike. so full that they were being transferred to foreign policy of the United States, par- threats and rewards; and the use of “ma- Prisoner strike leaders at Pelican Bay another prison for urgent medical care. ticularly as it impacts Muslim countries terial support of terrorism” charges to cited a recent memorandum from the As of Oct. 16, it is not known whether and the Muslim community. Because of criminalize dissent. California Department of Corrections prisoners at Corcoran State Prison and his stature in the Muslim community, he Mehanna’s case has garnered wide and Rehabilitation promising a thorough other California prisons have called off was repeatedly pursued by the FBI to be community support. Supporters have review of every Security Housing Unit their hunger strike. Prisoner leaders have an informant on others in the community. packed each and every hearing on the case placement due to “gang validation.” asked everyone to keep up the pressure. When he steadfastly refused, he was over the last two years. On Sept. 24 at the According to Carole Strickman, an at- Prisoners’ rights advocates and family arrested in 2008 and charged with mak- Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, torney with Legal Services for Prison- members are being urged to contact Gov. ing “false statements to the FBI.” Arrested the case was featured in a program pre- ers with Children in San Francisco and a Jerry Brown at the State Capitol in Sacra- again in 2009, the charge was “material sented by the National Coalition to Pro- member of the outside team of mediators mento to demand that all the demands of support for terrorism,” with no new infor- tect Civil Freedoms. Mehanna’s brother who have been with the striking prison- the hunger strikers be met. mation about any actions on Mehanna’s Tamer explained the case. ers, “This is something the prisoners have The demands of the hunger strike in- part. Supporters are urged to call 617-748- been asking for, and it is the first signifi- clude an end to long-term Security Hous- The sum total of actions Mehanna is 3159 or fax 617-748- 3694, the office of cant step we’ve seen from the CDCR to ing Unit placement and changes in the charged with involve having conversa- U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, to express address the hunger strikers’ demands. gang validation process that would elimi- tions, translating books, traveling to the outrage at this fraudulent prosecution and But as you know, the proof is in the pud- nate a “snitch or die policy,” which now Middle East and posting to websites. Yet to demand that all charges be dropped. ding. We’ll see if the CDCR keeps its word guarantees that prisoners languish for he faces life in prison if convicted. He has Similar cases involving the FBI’s pat- regarding this new process.” years in 6 by 10 foot isolation chambers, been denied bail twice, even though the tern of preemptive prosecution and Coin- Strickman was one of two attorneys 23 hours a day, 7 days a week. Prisoners FBI released him to the community after telpro-style entrapment, lying and brutal who was banned by the CDCR from going are also demanding greater access to pris- his first arrest and presented no informa- mistreatment, including “special admin- into PBSP during this last hunger strike, on visits, food and mail. tion as to why or how he had since become istrative measures” and Communication which lasted more than three weeks. For more information about how to so much more dangerous. Management Units, were presented by Prisoners at both Pelican Bay and support the struggle for justice and pris- The entire case follows the alarming Project SALAM and family members of Calipatria were subject to harsh retaliation oners’ rights in California, go to prisoner- pattern of persecution of Muslims that the victims. for their participation in the recent hunger hungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com. Page 4 oct. 27, 2011 workers.org Alabama Anti-immigrant law creates crisis By Teresa Gutierrez In late September, Alabama legisla- suspends the provision that chills chil- that the bosses and government believe is tors had signed into law provisions al- dren’s access to school by requiring school most vulnerable. In another example of why the capital- lowing police to ask for immigration officials to verify the immigration status Republican legislators and Tea Party ist state can never really quell resistance, papers during routine traffic stops. The of children and their parents” as well as types said in interviews after the mass ex- the multimillion-dollar poultry industry law also onerously required schools to the provision that “criminalizes failure to odus from Alabama that, while it was sad in Alabama was dealt a heavy financial learn the immigration status of stu- register with the federal government and that people were fearful, this law would blow in early October. dents when they register. Furthermore, carry one’s ‘papers’ at all times.” help provide jobs for workers born in this Immigrant workers, primarily Latino/a, the law makes most contracts with im- The statement continues: “We are country. completely shut down or scaled back op- migrants unenforceable, jeopardizing pleased that the court blocked these dam- This is merely a demagogic and racist erations in at least half a dozen chicken housing, health care and other services aging elements of the law. But portions of attempt to divide the working class. All processing plants in Albertville, Ala. The for immigrants. the law that remain in place will continue signs demonstrate that the capitalist un- work stoppages took place in the north- Just a few days after the legislation was to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in employment crisis is here to stay and no eastern part of Alabama, the center of the passed, a mass exodus took place. Droves Alabama. In just two weeks that the law amount of deportations or fear monger- state’s $2.7 billion chicken industry. of Latino/as headed out of the state in has been in effect, families have been flee- ing will provide jobs. Not only was the poultry industry hurt, fear. The first Monday after the vote ing the state, children have been pulled The only solution to the jobs crisis is a but parents refused to send their children more than 2,000 children did not attend out of schools, and businesses have been mighty struggle, like that launched by the to school that day, and stores and movie school, as their parents feared the worst. put in jeopardy. This law sadly revisits Al- occupation of Wall Street, where workers theatres also closed. At one elementary The mass exodus of primarily Latino/a abama’s painful racial past and tramples born here join with workers born else- school, a principal reported that the num- immigrants began just hours after a fed- the rights of all its residents.” where to demand jobs for all, without re- ber absent, normally 20 to 30 students, eral judge in Birmingham upheld most gard to documentation. Solidarity is answer to jobs crisis rose to 160 as part of the protest. provisions of the law. The recent righteous shutdown of Alabama recently passed one of the The Southern Poverty Law Center re- The crisis in Alabama — like that in poultry plants in Alabama was a great worst anti-immigrant pieces of legislation ported on Oct. 14 that a federal court Georgia, Arizona and elsewhere — cannot example of the mighty force that the in the U.S., described as “Arizona legisla- blocked two major provisions of the law be separated from the current economic workers and oppressed have at their fin- tion on steroids” by even the corporate “while the constitutionality of the law is crisis gripping workers around the world. gertips. This force of workers in struggle press. The plant shutdowns and miniboy- under determination.” Their report reads: The anti-immigrant attack is meant to needs only to grow and multiply by the cott were in response to this legislation. “The U.S. Court of Appeals … injunction terrorize a sector of the working class thousands. Bronx Labor-Community Forum makes plans to Defend workers’ rights, build People’s Assembly By Dee Knight immediate organizing area of the South Bronx, N.Y. Bronx Community Congress, the parent group of the Labor-Community Forum. A score of enthusiastic union members The group will also reach out to resi- and community organizers belonging to dents in Co-op City in the northeast Bronx the Labor-Community Forum met here in — a largely African-American community the South Bronx on Oct. 13 at the Church of 55,000 mainly retired union people — of the Resurrection to prepare for an am- where both post offices are to be closed. bitious series of mobilizing activities. Hearings are scheduled for Nov. 1 and 2. On the agenda were a rally and press Maxi Rivera, former steward of the conference by workers at Woodlawn Amalgamated Postal Workers Union at Cemetery; a march against poverty and the main Bronx post office at 149th Street violence through the South Bronx on Oct. and Grand Concourse, proposed a stew- 29; a People’s Assembly at Hostos College ard-led mobilization for marches through on Nov. 5; a rally at Woodlawn Cemetery the communities to generate support to on Nov. 12; and a march for jobs in the Supporters with Woodlawn Cemetery workers. Photo: Les Casey stop the post office closings. Bronx on Nov. 17, following a citywide Charlie Twist, a letter carrier and assis- jobs march in downtown Manhattan The group pledged to “take the lead” fices threatened with closing. These in- tant steward for the National Association clude four South Bronx post offices in the planned for Nov. 15. in a campaign to save 17 Bronx post of- Continued on page 8 ‘La Colmenita’ supports Cuban 5 in U.S. tour

By Cheryl LaBash tonio Guerrero, imprisoned in Florence, Washington, D.C. Colo. La Colmenita — the little beehive — was “Now, what else can we do?” to free the founded in 1990. The delegation touring Cuban Five, asked the young perform- the U.S. is from the first of the Colmen- ers of the National Children’s Theater ita groups. Today 21 Colmenitas exist of Cuba — La Colmenita. This question throughout Cuba, each composed of 40 to closed the first performance of their U.S. 80 children of all ages and abilities who tour, held Oct. 15 at American Universi- participate in theatre, dance, visual arts ty’s Kay Chapel in Washington. Roaring or music after the school day is over. Alto- applause answered them from an audi- gether, an estimated 14,000 Cuban chil- ence often in tears. dren are enrolled. In a new piece entitled “Abracadabra,” The United Nations Children’s Fund 22 children between six and 15 years of has designated the group performing here age brought characters like Tom Sawyer, as a “Goodwill Ambassador.” The theatre the Little Prince, Peter Pan, Mafalda and company will give a private performance Pippi Longstocking into a narrative about at U.N. headquarters on Oct. 24, just be- the five Cubans, who are incarcerated in fore the General Assembly carries out its Free the Cuban Five. the United States for warning their coun- annual vote that for years has overwhelm- try against terrorist actions planned in Mi- Photo: Bill Hackwell ingly condemned the embargo imposed ami. These characters unite to free Cuba’s their surprise, joy and tears when they re- ues to refuse any visa for his spouse, Adri- on Cuba by the U.S. five heroes in an imaginative and- mov ceived a phone call from Gerardo Hernán- ana Pérez, to visit him. A delegation from La Colmenita visited ing performance that follows students as dez from prison in Victorville, Calif., and After the performance at Kay Chapel, congressional representatives on Oct. 15 they learn about the lives of the five men could hear his voice and speak with him. René González, who was freed from pris- and spent the day at a Maryland school through letters and family home movies. Hernández is currently serving an ex- on on Oct. 7 but is still forced to remain on Oct. 17. To see more photos, Google The cast members were either very ceptionally punitive sentence of two life in the U.S., called to speak with each of search for “cubadebate colmenita.” small children or not even born yet when terms plus 15 years. His case is still un- the children. The tour dates, venues and online the ordeal of the Cuban Five began with der habeas corpus appeal. To punish him On Oct. 16 at a backyard barbecue, the ticket information are available at www. their arrest on Sept. 12, 1998. Imagine even more, the U.S. government contin- cast sang happy birthday by phone to An- lacolmenitacuba.com. workers.org oct. 27, 2011 Page 5 Day of Rage spurred by anger at U.S. aggression By Sara Flounders New York It was called as a global Day of Rage that also focused on the 10th anniversary of the U.S. inva- sion and occupation of Afghani- stan. This convergence of events on Oct. 15 put tens of thousands of people in motion here in New York and in other cities across the country, reinforcing their an- ger at imperialist wars. The connection between the 1 percent who profit from govern- ment bailouts and those profit- ing from endless wars could not be clearer. Photos: Alan Roth OWS and UNAC march to Times Square to theme of ‘Wall Street = War Street.’ On Oct. 14, the corporate media car- ried new threats against Iran and wild charges of an Iranian assassination plot and “Free Palestine.” banners while horns blared. Hundreds several demonstrations against banks, in Washington, D.C., as front-page news, The New York demonstration was of youth at Zuccotti Park joined in the a commemoration at the African burial along with President Barack Obama’s an- called by the United National Antiwar Co- march, which gathered even more forces ground and several union contingents all nouncement about sending U.S. Special alition (UNAC). It gathered at Wall Street as it moved uptown on Broadway. came together, many thousands strong, Forces into central Africa. Opposition to and Broadway, the center of New York’s Police lines tried to prevent the anti- at Washington Square Park. Demonstra- these latest war threats was reflected in financial district and three blocks from war group from marching through a tors then reformed into different contin- signs reading “Occupy Wall Street, NOT Zuccotti Park’s month-long encampment. street fair on Broadway between Canal gents and headed separately to Times Iran” and “U.S. Troops out of Africa.” Hundreds packed the narrow street as po- and Houston streets. But the drummers Square. Other signs raised opposition to the lice pushed against the front ranks, trying and banners, along with militant Filipina Tens of thousands gathered at Times U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lib- to clear the street and sidewalks. youth from BAYAN USA carrying many Square and blocked streets in all direc- ya and the drone attacks on Pakistan, Those carrying a banner reading “Wall flags, helped hold the growing protest to- tions. The many hundreds of anti-war Sudan, Somalia and Yemen, along with Street = War Street” led the march. Aya, gether. Cheers and applause from those signs carried in the march earlier in the demands for “Jobs, NOT Wars” and to Jen, Caleb and other youth on drums packing the street fair confirmed the deep day continued to be carried by youth into “Stop Attacks on Muslims and Immi- and banners swept north and encircled support for Occupy Wall Street. militant confrontations with police later grant Workers,” “End U.S. Aid to Israel” Zuccotti Park with anti-war signs and Marches and actions converged as that evening. Big antiwar turnout rocks Boston’s business district

By Gerry Scoppettuolo & Frank Neisser refusing to collaborate with the Boston FBI and lie about members of his Muslim community. Divest Occupy Boston and the United National from Israel activist John Rob- Antiwar Committee rocked the city’s busi- erts urged protesters to get in- ness district as 5,000 protesters marched volved in the divestment move- on Oct. 15 with cries of “Whose streets? ment. Our streets!” A contingent from Steel- The march stopped at the workers Local 8751 representing Boston Hyatt Hotel to demand the re- school bus drivers led the march from a hiring of fired immigrant work- union sound truck festooned with plac- ers and then proceeded to a ards declaring “Wall Street = War Street.” Verizon store to support Inter- The truck was ringed by a steadfast se- national Brotherhood of Elec- curity contingent from Vets for Peace/ trical Workers and Commu- Smedley Butler Brigade. nication Workers fighting for Many vets had been arrested when Bos- a new contract. Steve Kirsch- ton riot police attacked the Occupy Bos- baum, Executive Board mem- ton site at 2 a.m. on Oct. 10. The march ber of USW 8751, rallied the tapped into the rising tide of anger and crowd at both sites with chants energy of Occupy Boston.. of “Union! Union!” Melida Arrendondo, of Military Fami- Other stops included an lies Speak Out, opened the demonstration Army recruiting station and the with a moving tribute to her son who was same Bank of America where WW photo: Steve Kirschbaum killed in Iraq. 24 were arrested in a direct ac- Occupy Boston youth join union members and veterans to denounce U.S. wars. Miya X, from Women Fight Back, ignit- tion on Sept. 24, the first day of ed the crowd by demanding an end to the Occupy Boston. Safia Albaiti, of joblessness and oppression being visited the International Socialist Organization, upon Boston’s communities of color, par- led chants and urged youth to resist all of March honors ticularly youth of color. African-American Washington’s wars. City Councilor Charles Yancey called for Pat Scanlon, from Vets for Peace, urged an end to all the wars and to bring the the crowd to join his group on Nov. 11 for Dr. King’s fight for jobs troops and war dollars back to the com- an antiwar contingent at the city’s Vet- munities where they are needed. erans Day March and told how Vets for By Andre’ Powell ees Union, the Transport Workers union, Frank Neisser, of the International Ac- Peace member Rachel MacNeil was the Washington, D.C. the Communications Workers union, the tion Center, urged the crowd to be on the first person to be arrested by Boston po- United Auto Workers, the American Fed- alert and resist phony Pentagon-fabricat- lice when they brutally cleared Occupy Thousands rallied and marched in eration of Teachers and the Service Em- ed lies accusing Iran of plotting to assas- Boston’s extended campsite and arrested Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15 to honor the ployees union. sinate the Saudi ambassador to Wash- more than 100 people. “We are vets!” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. one day Speaker after speaker raised the call for ington, calling it “a typical noncredible Scanlon said. “They picked her up by the prior to the dedication of his memorial jobs, citing the high unemployment fig- pretext to whip up a new war hysteria.” neck and dragged her away brutally!” statue on the National Mall. His is the only ures. A Latino hospital worker from SEIU Marilyn Levin, national co-coordinator MacNeil also addressed the crowd. monument to a nonpresident and is the 1199 in the Bronx invoked the names of of UNAC, spoke of the wars at home and At the Occupy Boston site Alberto Bar- first to be erected of an African American. Malcolm X, Troy Davis, Huey Newton, abroad and the attack on Muslims and retto, from the Puerto Rican Diaspora The marchers came in busloads from Angela Davis, Rosa Parks, Albizu Campos civil liberties. She called on protesters to Organizing Committee, said, “Puerto as far away as Washington state, Detroit, and Lolita Lebrón as he spoke from the confront NATO and the G-20 when they Rico has been occupied by U.S. imperial- Atlanta, New Jersey, New York, Pennsyl- stage of the ages-long struggle against op- meet in Chicago in May. ism since 1898. We have 25 percent un- vania and Maryland. The strong union pression and injustice. Rally organizer the Tamer Mehanna raised the case of his employment! Capitalism is not good for representation included the Washington Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King brother, Tarek Mehanna, who has been your health. Occupy Boston is about class Teachers Union, the American Federation III addressed the gathering and then led in solitary confinement for two years for struggle!” of State, County and Municipal Employ- all in a march to the King statue. Page 6 oct. 27, 2011 workers.org

In first major confrontation OWS gets mayor to back off, expands struggle By John Catalinotto and emails came in from the general pop- their ground in the park as the police events held that night at the Solidarity Cen- New York ulation; City Council members defended moved in for arrests? ter in Manhattan. OWS; and organized labor protested any Between 5 and 6:30 a.m. on Friday Confronted with massive public support The first confrontation between the Oc- planned repression. morning, said Larry Holmes, the number and the determination of the demonstrators, cupation Wall Street demonstrators and By Thursday evening, unemployed of people in the park tripled. “The mood the mayor and his advisers decided — for the billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg and people, anti-war organizations, and com- grew more determined even as the orga- moment — to back off. OWS had won its first the New York cops ended in victory for munity and Marxist groups had all been nizers had legal advisers warn the crowd important victory. OWS in the early morning hours of Fri- spreading the message to gather at Zuc- that anyone who stayed would face a high Demonstrators holding the brooms and day, Oct. 14. cotti Park to help prevent the removal. The probability of being arrested. mops they had used to preemptively clean A wave of euphoria swept the 2,000 AFL-CIO sent an unprecedented email to “One guy next to me was saying, ‘I can’t Zuccotti Park during the night then took off people filling Zuccotti Park when word its mailing list with this message in the stay. I have to go to work.’ Then when to march to Wall Street, which was the place came shortly before 7 a.m. that the park’s subject line: “Go to Wall Street, NOW.” they asked people to raise their hands they really wanted to clean up. owners had withdrawn their request that if they would risk arrest, he raised his, the square be cleaned — the pretext for OWS stands strong saying, ‘F—k it! I’m staying.’ They had OWS ‘stole my heart’ pushing out the protesters. What this massive public support crossed a line.” Jen Waller, an activist and singer in her The truth was that public support for showed was that the attempt to isolate Holmes of the Bail Out the People early 20s who had been staying and sleeping the OWS protest had flooded the mayor’s the protesters had failed. But would those Movement and others quoted here were at Zuccotti Park most of the prior two weeks, office starting the day before. Phone calls in this new movement be willing to stand speaking at a discussion of the OWS Continued on page 11 Occupy Wall Street goes global

Continued from page 1 Thousands denounced bankers as “the and escalated the global gap between rich real looters” in a London demonstration and poor. named “Occupy the London Stock Ex- A number of protests went to the heart of change.” the matter and aimed their fire at the capi- Some 40,000 people marched in 50 talist system. A few even went further than German cities. In Berlin, 6,000 came out, that and promoted pro-socialist ideas. some with banners calling for the end of capitalism. Some 5,000 protested in Banks denounced throughout Europe Frankfurt outside the ECB. The International Monetary Fund, the In Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital, marchers European Union and European Central carried pictures of revolutionary hero Che Bank came under attack, especially in Guevara and communist-inspired red countries where they have required harsh flags, which read, “Death to capitalism, austerity measures in return for bailouts freedom to the people.” or loans, as in Portugal, Spain, Greece Red flags and banners flew in Stock- and Ireland. holm, Sweden. Some read, “We refuse to Some 50,000 marched in Lisbon, Por- pay for capitalism’s crisis.” tugal, carrying anti-IMF and anti-E.U. As the Paris demonstration took place, signs, just days after the right-wing gov- finance ministers and bankers from the ernment announced a tougher austerity Group of 20 were meeting there to dis- budget. Thousands circled the National cuss the “debt” crisis and which 50 banks Assembly building as hundreds of youth would be funded — a focus of the G-20 broke through a police line to run inside conference in Cannes, France, Nov. 3-4. Halifax, Nova Scotia and occupy it. Protests were also held in Dublin, Am- Hundreds of thousands marched in 80 sterdam, Zurich and Brussels. and remove its troops from the country. jobs for youth, with many relegated to low- cities in Spain, including in Barcelona and “I want to tear down capitalism,” said wage work. Many have no future. Beginning of global in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol where the May Derrick Benig at a protest in the financial The capitalist system can’t incorporate anti-capitalist movement 15 movement began. “Euthanasia for the center of Hong Kong. His co-demonstra- new workers into the international work- banks” was a popular slogan. Thousands marched in Latin America, tor, Lee Chun Wing, remarked, “Wealth force. Coupled with increasing auster- In Athens, site of nearly two years of deploring financial inequality and un- is created by the workers and so should ity cutbacks imposed by the IMF, E.U., the class battles against IMF/E.U.-imposed employment and calling for social jus- be shared with the workers as well.” ECB and their own governments, the future layoffs and cutbacks, 4,000 marched. tice. Large demonstrations took place in (Bloomberg, Oct. 15) looks grim, with more people impoverished, Banners read, “Greece is not for sale.” Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Santiago The demonstration in Taiwan took including immigrant workers, Indigenous Italian youth, unemployed and retirees de Chile. place in the Taipei World Financial Cen- populations and other oppressed groups. denounced the IMF and their center-right In South Africa, anti-bank protests were ter. Some socialists there assailed capital- Yet resistance is growing and will con- government’s huge austerity cutbacks held outside the Johannesburg Securities ism and sang the revolutionary anthem tinue to develop as working-class communi- and criticized the European Central Bank Exchange and in Cape Town. The econo- “The International.” ties, youth and students face new hardships. for pumping funds into the commercial mies of many African nations have been Tokyo marchers cried out against the The material conditions faced by millions banks. The 200,000-strong protest in ravaged by the IMF and the World Bank. dangers of nuclear power and called for are raising people’s consciousness, spurring Rome attacked economic policies impov- Demonstrations in Asia varied in jobs. Protests occurred in Mumbai, In- them to action, as shown on Oct. 15. There is erishing workers and their families and themes, with some aimed at U.S. impe- dia, and Seoul, south Korea, among other growing, collective realization that struggle assailed the 28 percent youth jobless rate. rialism, as in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Asian cities. is essential — the only way to answer the cri- Many marched with red flags and ban- Manila, the Philippines. There, a protest In Australasia, 3,000 came out in sis. Moreover, it must be a united struggle, ners. A popular slogan was “People of Eu- organized by BAYAN, Gabriela and others Auckland, New Zealand, while 2,000 pro- inclusive of the most oppressed workers and rope: Rise Up!” called for the United States to end its wars testers, including members of Indigenous their demands. groups, leftist organizations and labor Young people and others are working to Lisbon, Portugal unions, rallied outside the central Re- push the Oct. 15 successes further. While serve Bank of Australia in Sydney. Others the Internet and other high-tech commu- marched in Melbourne. nication, including global social network- Canadian activists came out in 15 cities, ing, vastly helped with organizing, the Oc- including Montreal, Vancouver and Ot- cupied Wall Street’s website notes, “The tawa. In Toronto signs read, “Arrest the 1 rapid spread of the protests is a grass-roots percent.” A recurrent theme there was soli- response to the inequalities perpetuated by darity with Indigenous peoples worldwide. global financial system and transnational These protests are surely the begin- banks. More actions are coming.” nings of a new movement, which will only People the world over know the system grow as the global capitalist crisis wors- isn’t working. Whether the word “capital- ens and unemployment and economic in- ism” is mentioned or not, these develop- equality increase. It is inevitable. ments have the potential to be the beginning Youth worldwide were in the forefront of a global anti-capitalist movement. That’s of the protests set in motion by OWS. moving in the right direction — toward a Young people make up 81 million of the movement that fights for socialism, which is globally jobless 205 million, while tuition the only way out of the crisis. costs have skyrocketed. There are few workers.org oct. 27, 2011 Page 7 Why unions support OWS movement By G. Dunkel and their students, health care workers retirement and medical New York and community organizations — marched care so it can make even from Foley Square, just north of City Hall, greater profits. Almost every major national labor to Zuccotti Park/Liberty Square. The night of Oct. 13-14 union — except in the construction trades New York State United Teachers (NY- showed the depth of the — and the AFL-CIO have endorsed Occu- SUT) even brought two buses from Alba- union movement’s sup- py Wall Street. But more important is that ny, a more than three-hour drive. Delega- port for OWS. The city in major cities they have offered signifi- tions from the Communication Workers was threatening to use cant organizational, financial and political union, which is engaged in a bitter con- the excuse that it needed support to this movement. tract struggle with hugely profitable Veri- to protect public health New York City, where OWS was started zon, marched with OWS in New York City and safety by “clean- more than a month ago, is not only the fi- and San Francisco. Verizon has amassed ing” Zuccotti Park. This nancial capital of the world’s dominant eco- more than $20 billion in profits over the “cleaning” would have nomic power, but is also the U.S. city with past five years. meant the eviction of the the largest percentage of unionized work- The CWA suspended its two-week protesters. ers. From the response of union members, strike against Verizon’s landline and fios As soon as the news it is clear that this call has broad support. operations in the middle of August, when broke, the AFL-CIO is- The biggest outpouring of union sup- the company agreed to go back to the bar- sued a call, along with port was on Oct. 5, when more than gaining table. Since then, a bit of progress many other unions and 30,000 people — transit and communi- has been made, but the company is still Continued on page 10 cation workers, teachers and professors insisting on major cuts in benefits, and ww photo: G. Dunkel As anger boils over Occupations sweep U.S.

Detroit

Birmingham, Ala. Photo: Dustin Goetz

ww photo: Kris hamel RALEIGH, N.C.: Protesters hold Capitol square, defy police People from all across North Caro- lina converged on the Capitol grounds of Raleigh to take a stand against wealth inequality and the “dictatorship of the banks,” as one demonstrator’s sign read. For four hours, people took turns taking the microphone and speaking out about the issues affecting their lives, from fore- closures to inadequate mental health care. More than 1,000 people marched down an Syracuse, N.Y. adjacent street, which holds the skyscrap- ww photo: Minnie Bruce Pratt er offices of Bank of America, Wells Fargo WISCONSIN: Milwaukee, Green Bay, the people, not and other banks, chanting “Make the banks Appleton march on Chase banks the banks” was a pay!” and “How do you solve a deficit? End At least 2,000 marched on Chase and popular chant, fol- the wars & tax the rich!” M&I banks in Milwaukee. Some 200 pro- lowed by a people’s At 3 p.m., demonstrators defied the po- tested Chase in Appleton, and there were speak-out where lice by occupying the square after the pro- also marches against Chase in New Berlin folks testified to test permit expired. They held the square and Green Bay. Chase is the biggest bank the crimes the Philadelphia for four more hours in the face of intense in the U.S. and one of the most profitable. banks have done to ww photo: Joe Piette police intimidation. The square was finally It is responsible for foreclosing on millions them. A few of the youth wanted to talk cleared when dozens of city cops staged of homeowners and refuses to enact a about socialism. Green Bay is the third- The political slogans went way beyond a mass arrest of the occupiers. Those not moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. largest metro area in Wisconsin with “Recall Walker.” arrested rallied at the jailhouse and then In Green Bay, mostly youth/students about 100,000, mostly white but with At many of the Occupy events in Wis- returned to the square to continue the oc- first demonstrated at City Hall. One of some Black people and a good number consin people demanded a federal jobs cupation on the sidewalk just beyond the the leaders was from the Oneida Na- of Hmong and Latinos/as, mostly due to program based on the Works Progress police barricades. [Andy Koch] tion. There were lots of media. “Bail out meat packing and agricultural industries. Continued on page 11

Green Bay, Wis. Milwaukee Pittsburgh ww photos: Bryan G. Pfeifer Photo: Kelly Valdez Page 8 oct. 27, 2011 workers.org U.S. deploys Special Forces, military ‘advisers’ to Central Africa By Abayomi Azikiwe sistance remains fierce against the NATO- world that have little strategic or mercan- the various countries in Central, East and Editor, Pan-African News Wire led rebels in several areas of the western, tile value. Uganda is a perfect example.” Southern Africa, the vast reservoir of stra- central and southern areas of the country, On the contrary, far from being a “mis- tegic minerals in the eastern DRC remains Another U.S. military intervention is including the capital. This time the U.S. sion to fight human suffering,” as the Na- a source of conflict between rebel groups underway, this time in Central Africa. is using the atrocities committed by the tional Post claims, there is already word and the central government based in Kin- The Obama administration announced LRA as a pretext for military intervention. of a potential $10 billion U.S. investment shasa. Meanwhile, the imperialist powers on Oct. 14 that the Pentagon is deploying through the Tullow Oil Corp. An ad-hoc in Europe and North America are looking 100 military advisers and Special Forces What’s at stake in Central Africa parliamentary committee and the Anti- for ways to play one side against the other troops to four countries: Uganda, South Corporate media reports have failed corruption Court in Uganda are investi- to get the lion’s share of the resources. Sudan, the Central African Republic and to reveal the U.S. ruling class’ extensive gating three cabinet members for alleg- The DRC is the world’s largest producer the Democratic Republic of Congo. strategic interests in Central Africa. In edly taking bribes from Tullow. Business of cobalt. It is also a major producer of cop- The White House claims this mission’s Uganda, where these military units will be Week reports, “Tullow Oil allegedly paid per and industrial diamonds and contains purpose is to capture or kill Joseph Kony, based, the government of President Yow- bribes to the tune of US$100 million to 70 percent of the world’s supply of coltan the leader of the rebel Lord’s Resistance eri Museveni has been a longtime ally of officials to influence decisions.” (Oct. 17) — used in the manufacture of cell phones, Army, which has been carrying out a war successive U.S. administrations. And then there are strategic interests. DVD systems and computers — and 30 against the Ugandan government for Oil has recently been discovered in The Ugandan government has worked on percent of international diamond reserves. more than two decades. Members of the Uganda, and there are already internal in- behalf of U.S. military interests in East South Sudan became an independent LRA have also set up camps in the eastern vestigations into allegations of corruption and Central Africa for many years. In state in July after a two-decade civil war region of the DRC and possibly South Su- involving government officials and trans- 1998, the Clinton administration waged with the government in Khartoum. Sudan dan, which recently gained independence national corporations seeking to exploit a proxy war against the Laurent Kabila is one of the emerging oil-rich states pro- from the central government of Sudan the vast petroleum resources. Uganda has government in the Democratic Republic ducing 500,000 barrels per day. The oil based in Khartoum. been the recipient of military assistance of Congo by financing and coordinating concessions in Sudan were largely in part- This announcement follows the Penta- and political support from the U.S. for the military invasion of the country, along nership with the People’s Republic of China gon intervention in the North African state many years. with Rwanda. and other Asian and Middle Eastern states. of Libya earlier this year. In February, the In providing political cover for this This invasion, which compelled the Since the secession of South Sudan, U.S. and other imperialist states supported intervention, the corporate media have Southern African Development Commu- where 80 percent of the country’s un- a rebellion and eventual civil war against claimed that there are no strategic inter- nity states of Zimbabwe, Angola and Na- tapped oil deposits exist, the region is the government of Moammar Gadhafi. ests in Uganda that would provide an eco- mibia to intervene in defense of the DRC, open to greater penetration by Western- After the initial failure of the National nomic incentive for intervention. An article resulted in the deaths of a great number based oil firms in the United States and Transitional Council opposition “rebels” published in the Oct. 17 National Post re- of people throughout the region until a Europe. The U.S. was a major proponent to take control of Libya, the U.S. and other ports: “Whenever critics of American for- ceasefire was reached in 2003. of splitting off South Sudan from the cen- NATO powers began a naval blockade and eign policy denounce the Iraq war or even Since 2003, the situation in eastern tral government, as well as supporting the aerial bombing campaign against this oil- the Afghan campaign, there typically is a DRC has been tense and unstable. While secessionist rebel movements in the west- producing state. More than 20,000 sor- casual insinuation that these are colonial greater cooperation exists today among ern region of Darfur. ties and approximately 9,500 air strikes or quasi-colonial undertakings aimed at have been carried out against Libya’s 6 stripping the local nation of its resources.” million people. This same article falsely claims that Bronx Labor-Community Forum NTC forces entered Tripoli in late Au- “most [U.S.] interventions, including those gust and proclaimed victory, although re- in Haiti and Kosovo, involve parts of the Defend workers’ rights, From Greece to Occupy Wall St. build People’s Assembly

Continued from page 4 cemetery’s main gate on Nov. 12. A global youth rebellion of Letter Carriers, who works at a postal Two days after the Labor-Community station in the northwest Bronx, reported Forum, the cemetery workers’ leaders an- Continued from page 2 ism, high unemployment and austerity on decisions to mobilize for a national ac- nounced at a press conference that a tape An international fightback is beginning that was led by young people, particularly tion of postal workers, made unanimously recording existed in which the president to bubble up that in many cases is be- Black and immigrant youth. at Council of Presidents meetings of both of the cemetery called for a violent cam- ing led or initiated by young people, and In Chile, students have been on strike NALC and APWU earlier this month. The paign against them. They also showed in- while each has a different political charac- for several months, shutting down the group plans to help the unions mobilize juries they sustained from this conspiracy. ter, all are set against the backdrop of the university system there to demand free communities for this national action. Rick Coss, a Local 808 union steward, global capitalist crisis. education, and have united with copper A key aspect of the Bronx effort to stop told Workers World that the Woodlawn In many ways, it began in Tunisia workers who have been on strike. the postal closings will be outreach to the management “is an extension of Wall and Egypt with the uprisings there that In the U.S. the struggle has grown from large immigrant communities in numer- Street — and the struggle of the Wood- toppled the U.S.-backed dictatorships in Wisconsin earlier this year, where young ous Bronx neighborhoods. These commu- lawn workers is part of the Occupy Wall those countries and took aim at mass un- people played a pivotal role in building nities will be badly impacted if their post Street movement.” employment there. and maintaining the occupation of the offices close, since they depend on the Ed Figueroa, Bronx Latino coordinator In Spain, demonstrations were held state Capitol against the attacks on col- postal service to send packages home. The for SEIU Local 32BJ, said the conspiracy against austerity and mass unemploy- lective bargaining and other cuts, to all composition of the postal workforce will against the Woodlawn workers is part of ment, which stands at 20 percent gen- the young people throughout the country help, since it is a mix of African-Amer- the general attack on all workers across erally and 45 percent for young people. who took to the streets to stop the mur- ican, Latino/a, Asian and white. Activi- the country, waged on the orders of the Young people there began referring to der of Troy Davis, and now Occupy Wall ties are planned to forge ties between the banks and Wall Street investors. “An inju- themselves as “los indignados” — the gen- Street. communities and union members. ry to one is an injury to all,” he said, “and eration without a future. Occupy Wall Street erupted, sweeping In addition to Woodlawn Cemetery we’re committed to joining the Woodlawn They have continued to hold assem- the country like wildfire, and has chan- workers and postal union activists, the workers in a determined counterattack.” blies that have been fighting against home neled hopelessness and desperation into meeting included parent association foreclosures, defending people’s homes political action that is developing an anti- leaders from Bronx School District 12; People’s Assembly on Nov. 5 when there are attempted evictions or capitalist character. It is opening space an organizer for the New York Civic Par- The plan for a People’s Assembly in the moving people back into their homes af- to revolutionary ideas and is breaking ticipation Project, which is affiliated with Bronx on Nov. 5 focused on making it a ter they have been foreclosed. through the isolation and alienation of Service Employees Local 32BJ; the Bronx launching pad for broadening and deep- In Greece, where the attacks on the our generation. Latino coordinator of Local 32BJ; a leader ening all these battles. Building a genuine workers and the austerity are perhaps the The struggle is a great teacher, and we of Parents to Improve School Transpor- movement for people’s assemblies could most severe and the fightback the most must be there to summarize the lessons tation; a representative of the New York provide a means for poor and oppressed developed at this stage, young people have and advance an anti-capitalist program Central Labor Council; and others. people’s voices to be heard in the growing played a pivotal role in mobilizing and and help to develop revolutionary class movement to “Occupy Everything” — in- supporting the general strikes which have consciousness and solidarity. Woodlawn Cemetery struggle cluding the post offices. Plans were made been called in response to the attacks. This is a tremendously important and Alex Coss and Todd Brown, leaders of to reach out to other community groups The student section of the All Work- exciting development that, while still in its Teamsters Local 808 at Woodlawn Cem- to get them involved: school parents’ as- ers Militant Front, the union associated early stages, is building rapidly, develop- etery, gave background on a campaign to sociations, tenants groups and unionists. with the Greek Communist Party, has led ing anti-capitalist and class consciousness expose a conspiracy by cemetery manage- Immediate attention will be focused on walkouts of high schools and universities among a broad section of society and put- ment to isolate, threaten and violently in- the Oct. 29 march against poverty and to support the strikes. ting thousands upon thousands of people timidate them while systematically laying violence in the South Bronx. In August, Britain was rocked by an across the country in motion against the off union supporters in the work force. For more information, contact Labor- uprising against state repression, rac- banks and the big capitalists. They announced a demonstration at the [email protected]. workers.org oct. 27, 2011 Page 9 U.S. whips up war fever against Iran By Gene Clancy pressuring a forthcoming International reach the American public. They want to government in its “war on terror.” Atomic Energy Agency assessment to take the public’s mind off the serious do- A May 2011 study by New York Uni- In a desperate attempt to cover up its come up with “evidence” that Iran is pur- mestic problems they’re facing these days versity’s School of Law Center for Hu- absolute inability to solve the economic suing a clandestine effort to produce a nu- and scare them with fabricated problems man Rights and Global Justice headlined, and political crisis that has engulfed the clear-tipped missile. This is according to outside the country.” (CNN, Oct. 11) “Targeted and Entrapped: Manufacturing world, the U.S. ruling class and the U.S. Washington’s representative with this or- The U.S. and its allies have been target- the ‘Homegrown Threat’ in the United government have resorted to a tried-and- ganization, which is based in Vienna, Aus- ing Iran since the 1979 revolution there. States,” explained how, post-9/11, entrap- true method of diverting mass sentiment: tria. (Global Security Newswire, Oct. 14) Iran is a large country — a population of ment by FBI plants led to prosecutions war frenzy. There can be only one conclusion from 78 million — with important oil resourc- of more than 200 individuals on bogus On Oct. 12, Washington recklessly ac- these carefully coordinated develop- es. It occupies an important geopolitical terrorism-related charges. Washington cused the Iranian government of sponsor- ments: The U.S. is preparing for an all-out position in the Middle East. Since 1979, highlights them as proof of foiling plots — ing a terrorist plot in the United States. It campaign against Iran that can end in a it has opposed both U.S. imperialism and plots that, in fact, never existed. was the same day that Iran announced war of U.S. aggression. Israeli expansion in the region. The phony plots included blowing up the opening of its first nuclear power The U.S. corporate media responded Chicago’s Sears Tower; destroying New plant. The plant is designed for peaceful predictably, duplicating the government’s U.S. practices entrapment York landmarks; targeting U.S. soldiers at purposes and had official public U.S. and claims. An Oct. 11 Wall Street Journal Reporter Gareth Porter subjected the Fort Dix, N.J. and U.S. Marines at Quan- international support. editorial called the plot “a sobering wake- legal document released by the govern- tico, Va.; downing National Guard air- The following day, however, the U.S. up call” in America’s “war on terror” and ment to a point-by-point analysis. His craft with Stinger missiles; and destroy- military announced that militants “armed pushed for a more aggressive policy to- conclusion was that the entire affair “was ing a Pakistan ambassador’s aircraft with and trained by Iran” had fired on U.S. ward Iran. mainly the result of a Federal Bureau a surface-to-air missile. forces in Iraq. (New York Times, Oct. 13) President Barack Obama “underscored of Investigation sting operation.” (Asia Not a shred of hard evidence was pre- The Pentagon gave no evidence of Iran’s that the United States believes this plot to Times Online, Oct. 14) sented, just the word of FBI informants connection to the act, but made clear its be a flagrant violent of U.S. and interna- “Although the document, called an well paid to entrap and lie, and then get- intention to create a climate of hostility tional law, and reiterated [his] commit- amended criminal complaint, implicates ting the corporate media to repeat those towards Iran. ment to meet our responsibilities to en- Iranian-American Mansour Arabsiar and lies without ever questioning the validity As part of the campaign, Secretary of sure the security of diplomats serving in his cousin Ali Gholam Shakuri, an officer of any charges. Scores of people, mainly State Hillary Clinton sent warnings to our country.” (New York Times, Oct. 13) in the Iranian Quds force, in a plan to as- Muslims, have been arrested, mistreated, U.S. travelers all around the world to be Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a spokesperson sassinate Saudi Arabian ambassador Adel convicted and sentenced to long prison on “high alert” against possible “terror at- for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahma- al-Jubeir, it also suggests that the idea terms. tacks.” dinejad, had this to say about the so- ‘originated with and was strongly pushed Statements by antiwar groups in the Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Leon called plot: by a single undercover DEA [Department U.S. are pointing out how now that people Panetta was advising Congress that even “I think the U.S. government is busy of Drug Enforcement] informant, at the are “rising up in righteous anger against the proposed very small cuts in war fabricating a new scenario, and history direction of the FBI.’” the Wall Street banks and the U.S. gov- spending suggested by the so-called “su- has shown both the U.S. government and The entrapment and conviction of sus- ernment,” they must not be diverted into per committee” looking for ways to re- the CIA have a lot of experience in fabri- pects entirely on the testimony of FBI in- thinking “that their enemy is somewhere duce the deficit were unacceptable. cating these scenarios and this is just the formants who served as agents provoca- else, rather than right here at home.” (ia- The Obama administration also began latest one,” he said. “I think their goal is to teur has been a favorite tactic of the U.S. center.org) Libyans still resisting U.S.-NATO war By Abayomi Azikiwe people in Libya.” that NTC rebels and their NATO support- Special Forces commandos were being Editor, Pan-African News Wire The war against Libya has been financed, ers inflicted a pattern of racist violence dispatched to four countries in Central coordinated and politically supported by and displacement upon the Libyan pop- Africa (see article this issue). Another barrage of corporate media the imperialist states and their Mideast al- ulation. “After weeks on the run, thou- Mathaba.net reported on Oct. 17: “The reports surfaced Oct. 17 that the NATO- lies. This war has systematically violated sands of Black Libyans driven from their United States of America has indicated in- led National Transitional Council rebels the basic rights of millions of people inside homes during the revolt against Moam- terest in expanding military and defense had taken “most” of the city of Bani Walid. Libya for more than eight months. mar Gadhafi have resurfaced across the co-operation with Nigeria in order to tack- The battle for this area has been raging for The U.N Support Mission to Libya, country, finding refuge in a squalid camp le the emerging security challenges in the over a month. Troops loyal to Moammar headed by Ian Martin, delivered a report they hope is only temporary. Once resi- country and the West African sub-region.” Gadhafi had forced the retreat of opposi- to the Security Council on Oct. 17 where dents of Gadhafi’s stronghold of Taw- The article continued: “This was disclosed tion units on several occasions. he noted that the Libyan situation is by no ergha, the families now wander a dusty [Oct. 15] in Abuja, the capital city of Nige- Similar reports described the military means settled. “The situation is far from compound ringed with garbage and ria, by the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary situation in the coastal city of Sirte where stable. There are many security concerns. staffed by a handful of volunteers from of Defense for Africa, Ambassador Vicki NTC forces have suffered numerous casu- The fighting is still on. Violations of human the city of Benghazi struggling to prevent Huddleston, who said she was visiting the alties. NATO air operations against the ci- rights and international humanitarian law the spread of disease as numbers swell.” Defense Ministry because of the meeting vilian population in Bani Walid and Sirte have been registered.” (mathaba.net, Oct. 17) (Reuters, Oct. 17) President Barack Obama and President have created a severe humanitarian crisis Martin continued, noting that an Oct. 9 One woman who had lived in Tawergha Goodluck Jonathan recently held on a in both cities. report over RT.com stressed that “NATO told Reuters that the NTC rebels came “to number of issues, including security.” In cities and towns where the NATO- exposed its hypocrisy toward protecting kill Black people. We were scared to go These new interventions must be taken led forces are in apparent control, they civilian lives, letting [NTC fighters] shell outside, so we hid in different houses for up by the anti-war movement inside the have committed gross violations of civil- loyalist cities and assault them despite seven weeks then came here.” United States. With the ongoing anti-cap- ians’ civil and human rights. Their se- great losses among the civilian popula- italist demonstrations across the U.S. and curity units have detained thousands of tion. We know what this war was about. It U.S. military intervention escalates in Africa the world, the role of the Pentagon bud- people, with allegations that these units was about regime change. NATO does not The Pentagon-NATO war against the get in the overall economic crisis must be have carried out beatings, torture and care about civilians.” people of Libya is part of a broader strategy highlighted. extra-judicial executions. to increase imperialist political, economic The U.S. has a larger military budget Even the United Nations High Com- Attempts to crush anti-NATO resistance and military control over the African conti- than all other nations around the world missioner for Human Rights has ex- The NTC forces fired indiscriminately nent. Since early October, the White House combined. These resources have been pressed grave concerns about the present on Oct. 15 into Tripoli’s working-class has announced the deployment of drones taken from working people and the poor. situation in Libya. Regarding political districts, which remain loyal to the Gad- in Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti. They could be utilized to provide and prisoners, Mona Rishmawi, a senior of- hafi government. Reports said that many On Oct. 14, the Obama administration guarantee jobs, housing, health care, edu- ficial of UNHCR said, “It could be up to people hosted the Green Flag of the Ja- announced that 100 military advisors and cation and public services to everyone. 7,000. At this stage, there is no police in- mahiriya and that there was widespread frastructure, there are no prison authori- fighting, including sniper fire at the rebel A PUBLIC MEMORIAL ties. Right now, the Justice Ministry is not units patrolling the city. A PUBLIC MEMORIAL & fully functional.” (CNN, Oct. 17) On the same day in Zuwara, mathaba. Finally, the U.S. State Department has net reported that people rose up and at- been compelled to address charges that tacked NTC units, burning their local ultur al ribute the NTC has deliberately targeted Black offices and forcing many to flee the city. C t Libyans and Africans from other coun- “Elsewhere across Libya, early morning o tries. State Department official Victo- hours were marked by demonstrations. T Consuela Edmonia Lee ria Nuland told CNN that prisoners are Overnight on Oct. 15, loyalists attacked ABYSSINIAN BAPTIST CHURCH “being detained apparently on their skin the Rixos Hotel, Military Camp 77 and 132 Odell Clark Pl., formerly West138th St., Harlem, NY color on the assumption that they have Green Square. Bodies there provided evi- located between 7th & Lenox Aves., aka Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. supported Gaddafi. We [the U.S. govern- dence of a NATO/NTC massacre. Heavy & Malcolm X Blvd. Take # 2, 3, B or C uptown trains to 135 St. ment] urge the NTC to honor its stated fighting continued overnight through ~ commitment to the rule of law and re- early morning.” (Oct. 17) SAT OCT 2912 p.m. 3 p.m. spect for the universal human rights of all Interviews with a Black Libyan reveal www.ConsuelaLee.com Page 10 oct. 27, 2011 workers.org editorials Billionaire mayor says ‘living wage’ is Red

By Caleb Maupin all over the world were hired to go to the war against invading U.S. troops New York the USSR and help out, in exchange from 1950 to 1953, got Soviet aid to ‘Free trade’ for a living wage. help its socialist construction. The billionaire mayor of this city, Illiteracy was abolished during The Soviet Union built up a mass Michael Bloomberg, is still refusing this period of Soviet history and a na- media apparatus to spread its mes- imperialism to sign a “living wage bill” currently tional educational system construct- sage of socialism and anti-impe- before the New York City Council, de- ed. Newly built universities allowed rialism. This global megaphone spite revisions that watered it down many former peasants to become en- publicized the horrors of Jim Crow hat the U.S. Senate took four years to endorse somewhat. This bill would require gineers, artists, technicians and oth- segregation in the U.S. South to the the “free trade” accords between U.S. imperial- some businesses that receive city er kinds of skilled workers needed to peoples of the world, exposing the ism and its vassals in Panama, Colombia and T funds to pay not just the minimum build a socialist society. The country “democracy” the U.S. claimed to ad- south Korea is no sign there was anything good about wage, but either a “living wage” of was on the road to realizing Lenin’s vocate. these agreements for working people in any of the $10 per hour plus benefits or $11.50 statement that “Socialism is Soviet China began its great revival with countries. an hour without benefits. power plus electrification.” Soviet aid. Now one of the most pow- A Free Trade Act sounds so harmless. It isn’t. It is The Census Bureau recently re- In 1941 German imperialism in- erful economies in the world, just not an agreement between peoples to work for their ported that one in every five city resi- vaded the Soviet Union along an 60 years ago it was dubbed “the sick mutual benefit. It’s an agreement among the ruling dents lives in poverty as a result of 1,800-mile front. They did terrible man of Asia” because of its horren- classes in the countries signing the accord to better unemployment and low wages. destruction to this struggling coun- dous conditions of impoverishment. exploit the laboring masses, that is, the working class In stating his reason for opposing try, but at the heroic battle of Stalin- Just where is this failure Bloom- and the individual farmers. It enriches the 1 percent — the bill, Bloomberg said: “The last grad, which lasted from August 1942 berg speaks of? Yes, the USSR col- or maybe the 1 percent of that richest 1 percent — who time people tried to set rates, basi- until February 1943, the people’s lapsed, but only after Premier control areas of trade and finance at the expense of cally, was in the Soviet Union, and resistance defeated the Nazis and Mikhail Gorbachev and his allies everyone else. that didn’t work out very well. I don’t turned the tide of World War II. It turned toward imperialism and ac- The biggest advantage from these agreements usu- think we want to go in that direc- was troops carrying the hammer and tively began dismantling the Soviet ally goes to the ruling class in the imperialist coun- tion.” (New York Times, Oct. 5) sickle flag of the Soviet Union, not economy. The USSR did not collapse tries, who gain a commanding foothold in the “devel- Bloomberg needs to learn history. the red, white and blue, who liber- until it was more polluted with “mar- oping” countries that they never give up. In the Soviet Union, where work- ated Berlin and the majority of Nazi ket reforms” than ever before. Some 163 years ago in the Communist Manifesto ers took power in a popular revolu- concentration camps in Eastern Eu- In the modern world, the poorest Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels called attention to the tion in October 1917, things did work rope. countries of this earth, where people ability of the capitalist ruling class to use the “cheap out well for a long time. In the postwar period, the Soviet are suffering from mass unemploy- prices of commodities” they produce with their de- After the USSR launched its first Union had to repeat its economic ment, starvation and extreme pover- veloped technology as “the heavy artillery with which Five Year Plan in 1928, the world miracle, rebuilding what the Nazis ty, all share governments that believe it batters down all Chinese walls” to penetrate any looked on in amazement. had destroyed. It also aided other in Bloomberg’s “free market” non- country. While the capitalist countries were war-ravaged countries in Eastern sense and are backed up with Penta- In the current situation, U.S. agricultural technol- plunging into a deep depression, the Europe and Asia. gon bombs. ogy — agribusiness — can produce many foodstuffs USSR went from being a country In 1946 the U.S. and Britain began Contrary to Bloomberg’s rhetoric, more cheaply than individual peasant farmers can. with no steel industry and barely any the Cold War, which forced the USSR the construction of socialism in the That’s one reason the south Korean farmers’ orga- railroads, indoor plumbing or elec- to devote much of its scientific and U.S. will not be as simple as passing nizations have been fighting against the FTA. They tricity, to a world economic power. material resources to defense against this “living wage bill” he loathes. The know what happened in Mexico after the North The largest hydroelectric power plant the U.S. nuclear threat mass movement now emerging in American FTA went into effect in 1994. Within a in the world at the time, the Dnieper Nevertheless, the USSR was the the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon few years the peasants growing corn in Mexico were Dam, was constructed during this first country in the world to launch a must lead to an uprising of revolu- undersold by U.S. corn and a million farmers were mass move to build an industrialized space satellite, called Sputnik. tionary youth, workers and oppressed driven off the land. socialist economy. Until the 1980s, the USSR pro- peoples against the capitalist system Desperate to earn a living, many migrated north The impoverished, agrarian coun- vided aid to countries and liberation itself. It will take the formation of a despite the dangers of the border, where the Senators tryside that had prevailed in Russia, movements threatened by U.S. im- mass, Marxist-Leninist party that who voted for NAFTA and for this new law could then Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia and the perialism with the kind of “regime can coordinate revolutionary activity insult them, persecute them and oppress them for dar- numerous other nations that made change” forced on those who disobey to eventually liberate the banks and ing to cross the border to stay alive. up the Soviet Union were soon filled Wall Street’s orders. factories for the people themselves with mighty industrial centers. South Africans fighting the fas- and create a new, working-class gov- Under the capitalist system — and especially during With the banks, factories and 91 cist apartheid regime and Angolans ernment to replace Wall Street’s cast a capitalist crisis — these FTAs destroy jobs in both percent of all economic institutions fighting Portuguese colonialism re- of hired actors in Washington, D.C. the imperialist and the oppressed countries. They in the people’s hands, there was no ceived Soviet weapons and training. That’s when the successful eco- drive workers and peasants to despair while a handful need for anyone to be unemployed. Cuba, just 90 miles south of Florida, nomic model of socialism will be cre- of people grow fabulously rich. They are everything Thousands of jobless U.S. workers faced a U.S. blockade after its social- ated in the U.S. At that point, we will that the occupiers of Wall Street are fighting against. went to the Soviet Union in this pe- ist revolution, but was able to survive in fact see what Bloomberg fears the And we join with the Occupy forces here as well as the riod. Even though every citizen in the with Soviet economic assistance. The most: a world without billionaires movements in south Korea, Colombia and Panama USSR was put to work at living wag- Democratic People’s Republic of Ko- (like him), a world that instead pro- that condemn this new round of FTAs. es, this wasn’t enough. Workers from rea, which lost millions of people in vides a decent life for all. Solidarity between the workers and farmers of all countries! Down with the FTAs! Why unions support Occupy Wall Street Continued from page 7 Wall Street bankers and hedge fund CWA with Verizon clearly has influ- progressive organizations, to show managers use to create economic enced the union’s support of OWS, the OCCUPY THE up and stand in solidarity with the booms — and the resulting busts. significance of the conflict between REVOLUTION UN protesters. These busts create huge losses for the state of New York and its public HAS BEG This was an act of unprecedented the workers that the unions repre- service unions has been muffled. THE WORLD swiftness on the part of the AFL- sent — jobs, homes, medical care, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, CIO, jumping into a situation that education and public transportation has claimed that in order to keep the it couldn’t control and one that con- are shredded. Wall Street’s profits wealthy in New York state, he has to tained an element of confrontation and power, however, were and are let expire a tax surcharge that other- against the power of the state. The sustained and maintained with bil- wise would bring in $5 billion next AFL-CIO’s call gave space to local lions of dollars in government bail- year. Given New York’s constitution-

Announcing a Counter-G20 Summit New York unions that asked their outs. “Banks got bailed out! We got al mandate to balance the state bud- members, if possible, to show up and sold out!” is a frequent chant on get, he decided to fill this gap with PEOPLES ASSEMBLY stand with the protesters in Liberty OWS marches. service cuts and take-back contracts Hostos Community College in the Bronx Plaza — immediately. Some currents in the OWS move- imposed on state workers. The mobilization was successful ment are moving in an anti-capitalist The largest state union is the Civil Savoy Manor, 149th Street & Walton Avenue and the city postponed the eviction. direction that many unions are not Service Employees Association, Lo- # 4, 5 or 2 trains to 149th St. & Grand Concourse Looking through the union en- likely to share yet, but there still is cal 1000 of the American Federa- 12 noon to 4 pm dorsements excerpted in The Occu- general political agreement. tion of State, County and Municipal Registration 11:30 am SAT•NOV 5 pied Wall Street Journal (Oct. 8), and The UAW sent many members to Employees. It is one of the endorsers ...... some posted online like those of the the Oct. 5 march and had a contin- of OWS. CSEA, under the threat of FOR...... THE...... RIGHT ...... TO...... JOBS ...... United Auto Workers and the Service gent of 50 to 100 members in the massive layoffs, agreed to a five-year food housing education health care •...... •...... •...... • . . . . Employees union, the broad political Oct. 15 protest against banks called contract that dictates three years . . Workers...... Rig . . . . . hts. . . . . •. . Immigrant ...... Rights...... – ...... agreement between the unions and by the Labor Focus of the New York of zero pay increases, and then two Bail Out the People, Not the Banks! OWS becomes clearer. Both In are the opfirst- weekOWS. in November, Their headsendorsement of state, Community was not College years in the of South only Bronx 2 percent (the raises, plus 13 posed to the greed and politicalfinance ma - ministersjust a& formality.central bankers will be poorest communityuncompensated in the region and one furlough of days and Bail Out The People Movement bailoutpeople.org nipulations that the kleptocracymeeting of at the G20While Summit the in sharp France struggle to the poorest of the in the higherentire country). medical The caregoal of costs paid by the plan how to bail out banks and save their the PEOPLES ASSEMBLY Is to put our fight crisis-ridden capitalist system by forcing the for social and economic justice in an interna- people of the world to live forever in an eco- tional, national and local context. More impor- nomic depression. tantly, the goal is to help plan the fightback in- Come to the Counter-G20 Summit PEO- spired by the OCCUPY WALL ST . Movement PLES ASSEMBLY on SAT ,. NOV . 5, at Hostos and the resistance to police brutality. workers.org oct. 27, 2011 Page 11

In first major confrontation OWS gets mayor to back off, expands struggle

Continued from page 6 The more experienced left, according nizer in his 40s, seconded Waller’s as- licized and supported it. described how this youthful movement to Waller, can help the development of sessment, saying that the morning’s Whatever conservatism is present “is that seemed to “spring out of nowhere” this movement by bringing a clear po- events were “a real people’s victory,” but being overtaken by the economic cri- had won her over: “The more time I spent litical analysis — such as a sharp anti-war that such a victory “means the enemy re- sis that is driving this phenomenon and down there, the more it really stole my position or by explaining the role of the groups so they can come back later.” making it spread to so many cities.” On heart. And then I just couldn’t stay away.” police in repressing communities of color What is Occupy Wall Street, Murphy Oct. 13, for example, OWS “joined forces The youth of the United States “have — but leaving the “process” in the hands asked. “OWS is rapidly changing, becom- with a group in Brooklyn that disrupted a been miseducated” politically and what of the participants. “The organized left ing more progressive all the time.” The foreclosure” on housing. problems this new movement sometimes needs OWS and the young people in OWS official leadership doesn’t want to raise The movement, said Murphy, “is con- expresses stem from its “not being really need the left.” specific demands, “but the entire politi- solidating a new culture of resistance.” anti-imperialist” at this moment, said Waller thought that proof of the move- cal space the demonstrations are occupy- We should make our participation more Waller. But, she added, “I honestly never ment going in the right direction came ing won’t let them stay in that place.” He consistent, assert our political perspec- thought that something like this would when OWS picked up slogans against the described how during a march against tive with, for example, word of the Peo- happen in my lifetime, much less right Afghanistan war and in solidarity with op- police brutality the OWS leadership first ple’s Assembly on Nov. 5 in the Bronx, now when I’m here in the city. Every time pressed youth against police repression. insisted on a silent march, yet the march- and “see if we can influence the people I’m down in the park I feel that the vast ers insisted on chanting and yelling at coming around or sitting on the sidelines majority of people there are committed to Growing more progressive Police Plaza. The leaders first refused to asking, ‘Is this for me?’ Our answer is revolutionary change.” Tony Murphy, an experienced orga- endorse an anti-war march but then pub- ‘Yes.’” As anger boils over, occupations sweep U.S.

Continued from page 7 Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, Sponsoring organizations of the occupa- spite of high winds and heavy rain. [Ellie Administration of the 1930s and a federal Moratorium NOW! Coalition Against tion include Red and Black Ties, Paddle Dorritie] moratorium on foreclosures. Occupy La- Foreclosures, Detroit Green Party and Creek Collective and Industrial Workers Supporters of Occupy Rochester dem- Crosse, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, the Michigan Emergency Committee of the World. Members of the state AFL- onstrate every day at Bank of America. Appleton and Milwaukee are ongoing Against War & Injustice expressed soli- CIO, SEIU Local 1199, Retail, Wholesale, Across the street there are protests every and plans are underway for future events. darity in speeches and logistical support. and Department Store Union Local 21 day from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Liberty Pole. [Bryan G. Pfeifer] Central United Methodist Church and a and United Electrical Workers Local 170 On Oct. 10, about 80 people participated, local business opened their doors to pro- have attended the occupation. There are with significant labor support. On Oct. 12, DETROIT 1,000 march, 200 camp out vide bathrooms and meeting space. also occupations in Charleston, Wheeling, about 100 people marched from the Lib- More than 1,000 people gathered in During the daytime the park filled with Morgantown and Beckley, W.Va.; as well erty Pole to join a Civil Service Employees downtown Detroit on Oct. 14, inspired supporters and well-wishers, many bring- as in nearby Ashland, Ky. [Jeremy B.] (CSEA) rally at the County Office Build- by the Occupy Wall Street movement ing food, water and clothing for the har- ing to support county workers’ efforts to PHILADELPHIA sweeping the country and the world. They dy, mainly youthful campers. The second get a fair contract. On Oct. 15, nearly 100 Tent City grows from 20 to 300 carried signs and banners attacking the General Assembly voted to march on the people marched in solidarity with OWS banks and corporations, denouncing rac- state of Michigan building Oct. 20 to pro- Occupy Philly, opened Oct. 6 outside and to denounce U.S. wars. They went ism and demanding “Bring the troops test cuts to tens of thousands of welfare City Hall at the crossroads of Center City, to the Federal Building and then a Chase home now.” Chanting and singing, the recipients and to march on Bank of Amer- is fast becoming a magnet for people bank, where a number of demonstrators crowd marched to Grand Circus Park ica to protest foreclosures and evictions. struggling to survive this system. entered the lobby and filled it with chants on Woodward Avenue, Detroit’s “Main [David Sole] Some are students from area high before leaving. [Lydia Bayoneta] Street.” A general assembly lasted several schools and colleges burdened by student In a cold, drizzling rain some 250 pro- hours, with community and labor speak- PITTSBURGH loan debt, who know jobs won’t be there testers marched from Occupy Syracuse ers as well as rank-and-file participation. ‘Do not give up the fight!’ for them when they graduate. Some are through the downtown area on Oct. 15. Tents started springing up even before the Around 3,000 people gathered at elders worrying about the rapidly dwin- That was more than three times the size march arrived. By the end of the weekend Freedom Corner in the Hill District and dling funds in their pension plans or of the demonstration the previous week. about 200 people were camping out. marched downtown to Mellon Green, how they can survive on meager Social Members of the Communication Work- Labor support was evident everywhere. which faces the towering Mellon build- Security checks. Some are workers from ers at Verizon took part with their ban- There were United Auto Worker jack- ing. Many intend to stay as long as they nearby offices, part-time cashiers in res- ner; other marchers included members of ets, a contingent of Service Employees can. One speaker faced the building and taurants and coffee shops, teachers, pub- the CSEA and the Teamsters, Veterans for (SEIU) members, and a tent with Metro- spoke into a loudspeaker: “We are not lic employees, drivers, health care work- Peace, students and teachers from Syra- Detroit AFL-CIO’s secretary-treasurer below you, as we are today. We are above ers. Many are homeless men and women cuse University, and activists from Syra- camping out. Community groups such as you. We are the 99 percent!” He told the whose nightly makeshift shelters dot cuse Peace Council, Workers World Party, cheering crowd, “Thank you for occupy- nearby parks and plazas, including Dil- the Green Party and the Party for Social- ing Pittsburgh! Do not give up the fight!” worth Plaza where City Hall sits. ism and Liberation. [Minnie Bruce Pratt] [Kelly Valdez] Occupy Philly started with 20 tents. Continued from page 10 Now there are more than 300. Signs call JERSEY CITY, N.J workers. CSEA-represented workers now ATLANTA March from for jobs not war, demand freedom for Mu- ‘Occupy Journal Square’ living under the new contract are seeing ‘Troy Davis Park’ to homeless shelter mia Abu-Jamal and support the rights of The 24/7 Occupy Journal Square soli- smaller paychecks in return for a very Hundreds of people, many of them undocumented workers. On Oct. 17, there darity encampment in Jersey City is strong weak no-layoff deal. Emory University students, took over the will be a peoples’ speakout and march to and unified going into its 12th day. It first The second-largest state union, the streets of downtown Atlanta and marched the U.S. Department of Education that came together on Oct. 6 through a Face- Public Employees Federation, which is past big hotels and office buildings from manages federal student loans, with a book page that called for a demonstration part of NYSUT, rejected a similar contract the newly renamed “Troy Davis” Park to a stop at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. in front of a Goldman-Sachs office build- at the end of September. A day later, email homeless shelter on Peachtree Street that Janitors from hotels and high-rise ing on the Jersey City waterfront. When 40 layoff notices went out and the state start- the city, the university and the Chamber buildings, including the offices of the protesters were met by more than 250 po- ed to tweak its contract in conjunction of Commerce have been trying to shut Stock Exchange, visited Occupy Philly lice from five different police forces, some with PEF’s leadership. A tentative agree- down. They chanted, “Emory hates the to announce plans for a march on Oct. of whom came in a patrol boat and helicop- ment on a slightly modified four-year con- poor, kicks the homeless out the door” 17 and a potential strike this week. They ters, they became determined to turn the tract was reached on Oct. 16 and must go and “Housing is a human right, close are members of SEIU Local 32BJ, which protest into a permanent presence. out soon for a membership vote. our shelter not without a fight.” They got has provided material support for the en- A General Assembly a few days later de- On an open blog at the Albany Times- much support from local residents. Police campment. Many are immigrants as well. cided that Journal Square — a transporta- Union, there appears to be a strong senti- threats to shut down their encampment at In an historic first, Workers World tion crossroads located in the heart of a di- ment in PEF for another “no” vote, with the park have not materialized, and it has Party’s Philadelphia branch held its first verse working class community — would many posts referring to OWS. The rejec- become a space for political discussion and open-air political discussion group under a be the site of the encampment. Supporters tion in September was the first “no” vote cultural expression. [Dianne Mathiowetz] canopy at Occupy Philly. It addressed what from the Jersey City Peace Movement and in 34 years. capitalism is all about, how it has impacted Veterans For Peace/Chapter 021 visited Hundreds of thousands of state work- WEST VA., KENTUCKY people’s lives and why socialism offers a the office of Mayor Jerramiah Healy and ers have contracts that have already ex- No to Chase & mountain-top removal progressive alternative. [Betsey Piette] later spoke before the City Council in a pired or soon will. What is fueling their People in Huntington, W.Va., have successful effort to have the police pres- anger and unease is that the state and city camped outside a Chase branch since OCCUPY BUFFALO, ROCHESTER ence removed from the OJS site. At an will use these draconian, concessionary Oct. 7. Chase Bank’s financial ties to & SYRACUSE, N.Y. Oct. 16 General Assembly, it was decided contracts with CSEA and PEF as patterns. mountain-top removal and its expan- A General Assembly capped a week of that the focus of OJS would move from The struggle continues, now with new sive pharmaceutical holdings are being occupation in front of Buffalo City Hall. logistical planning to targeted community allies as workers fight the bosses. confronted as detrimental to the region. Several hundred people participated in outreach. [Michael Kramer] Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a: [email protected] EDITORIAL El ‘complot Irán’ — ¿Cómo pueden ayudar al movimiento ¿guerra psicológica ‘Ocupar Wall Street’ las lecciones de para una nueva agresión estadounidense? lucha de los/as inmigrantes?

a campaña difamatoria de Washington contra Irán Por Teresa Gutiérrez preocupa nada de ningún/a por un presunto intento de asesinato carece de prue- trabajador/a. Lbas y fracasa toda prueba de lógica. Muchas personas Extracto de una charla Mientras que las luchas que han planteado dudas acerca de su veracidad. Pero hay una dada por Teresa Gutiérrez han estallado en los centros im- pregunta aún más importante que preguntarse: ¿Por qué el miembro del Secretariado perialistas-capitalistas de Euro- gobierno de los EE.UU. está tan desesperado por usar un del Partido WW/Mundo pa y Estados Unidos son impor- increíble pretexto para iniciar una campaña de sanciones y Obrero durante la Confer- tantes y decisivas, no debemos una posible guerra contra Irán? encia Nacional del PWW/ olvidarnos de las luchas que Recordemos que el imperialismo estadounidense ha estado MO celebrada en la Ciudad empezaron en los países de los/ abiertamente persiguiendo y matando a sus supuestos en- de Nueva York el 8-9 de as más oprimidos/as. emigos por todo el mundo rompiendo así todas las leyes in- octubre. Comenzaron no hace mucho ternacionales. Utiliza aviones sin pilotos para lanzar cohetes cuando las mujeres se mani- contra automóviles y casas. Mata personas inocentes junto a Lo que me gustaría con- festaron en Nigeria contra las los que llama “terroristas”. tribuir al debate es cómo las corporaciones de petróleo, cu- Son éstas, y no las acusaciones ilógicas y sin fundamento lecciones de la lucha de los ando las masas venezolanas ar- contra Teherán los verdaderos crímenes contra el derecho derechos de inmigrantes pu- rancaron al Presidente Chávez internacional. eden ayudar al [movimiento] de las manos de la oligarquía Además, el gobierno de EE.UU., con o sin sus aliados de Ocupar Wall Street. imperialista, cuando los za- la OTAN, ha desencadenado cuatro guerras en los últimos 13 Washington ha seguido fo- patistas irrumpieron en Chi- años contra países soberanos: Yugoslavia, Afganistán, Irak mentando un enfoque descen- apas contra el TLCAN, cuando y Libia. Sus tropas siguen ocupando los tres primeros. En tralizado de la política de inmi- las masas de las Filipinas toma- cada caso, para cada país hubo una mentira. Una falsa “ma- gración al darle prioridad a los ron caminos y puentes, cuando sacre”. En Irak, fue el fantasma de las “armas de destrucción estados para que establezcan los/as bolivianos/as echaron a masiva”. Esto va acompañado con la coordinada campaña de sus respectivos derechos. Esto Bechtel de su patria, y muchas satanización de los líderes. Luego comienza la brutal cam- ha abierto la puerta a legisla- otras luchas. paña de bombardeo seguida de una invasión. ciones del Partido del Té como Ciertamente una asamblea El Pentágono y/o la CIA también llevan a cabo ataques con la de Alabama, descrita por la global de los pueblos en alguna aviones no piloteados contra objetivos en Pakistán, Yemen prensa burguesa como “la leg- forma ya ha tenido lugar; cier- y Somalia. Matan a ciudadanos de esos países y en un caso islación de Arizona con ester- mo foto: G. Dunkel tamente incontables ocupacio- reciente, incluso a un ciudadano estadounidense. Todo esto Las mujeres ocupan Wall Street. oides”. nes y tomas ya han ocurrido. está supuestamente justificado por sólo las propias declara- La legislación racista en sombras y arriesgan no sólo encar- Esta clase de experiencias es ciones del gobierno estadounidense en base a los informes de Alabama no es sólo un ataque en celamiento sino deportación al exi- lo que los/as trabajadores/as inmi- la misma CIA y de las organizaciones de inteligencia militar. contra de los/as trabajadores/as gir la legalización. grantes traen a este país, y las ten- Las acusaciones de un complot inspirado por Irán del ases- inmigrantes. Es un ataque con- Saludamos a estos/as jóvenes y emos que usar para que podamos inato de un diplomático saudí – que Teherán niega enfáti- tra todos/as los/as trabajadores/ rendimos homenaje a su valentía. ir hacia adelante. camente – proceden de este mismo gobierno bribón de los as. Está diseñada para dividir a la Una de las principales contribu- Quizás haya barreras de lengua- EE.UU., que ataca militarmente e invade por todo el mundo y clase trabajadora en un momento ciones que los/as inmigrantes han je, quizás haya inmigrantes que no regularmente miente para justificar su agresión. en que la solidaridad y la unidad hecho al movimiento obrero es el hablan inglés, quizás no sean bil- Así que repetimos: La verdadera pregunta es ¿por qué el son aún más necesarias. renacimiento del Primero de Mayo ingües. Pero tampoco la mayoría gobierno de los EE.UU. está ahora emprendiendo una cam- La legislación de Alabama per- en este país. Desde 2006, marchas de la gente en este país es bilingüe. paña contra Irán? ¿Por qué sucede esto poco después de que mite a la policía pedir documentos del Primero de Mayo han tenido Los/as inmigrantes son humildes el gobierno iraní hiciera una movida conciliatoria liberando de inmigración durante paradas lugar en todo el país cada año. Han — tal vez — sobre ser monolingüe, a dos ciudadanos estadounidenses quienes supuestamente de tráfico de rutina. Requiere que sido principalmente inmigrantes, mientras que la mayoría de los/as eran sólo excursionistas? los funcionarios de las escuelas principalmente latinos/as, pero “americanos” son arrogantes en ¿Hay alguien en la clase dirigente estadounidense que públicas se enteren de la condición cada año reflejan más los intereses el peor caso, o inconscientes en el quiere mantener viva la confrontación con Irán? ¿Será po- migratoria de los/as estudiantes de la clase obrera en su totalidad. mejor, sobre ser monolingüe. sible que el régimen de EE.UU. se esté preparando para otra cuando se matriculan. ¡El primer Han movilizado a grandes secto- Así que cuando surja la propu- guerra de agresión? res de sindicalistas, trabajadores/ Para aquellos/as en los EE.UU. que luchan contra la guer- lunes después de que esta legis- esta por parte del OWS sobre una lación fuera aprobada, más de as negros/as, activistas contra la huelga general de un día o el lla- ra, así como los/as que ahora luchan por puestos de trabajo guerra y así sucesivamente. en las ocupaciones de Wall Street en las principales plazas 2.000 niños/as no asistieron a la mado a no trabajar, no comprar escuela! Las cifras siguen siendo Hay una lección del movimiento y no asistir a la escuela, nuestro de ciudades grandes o pequeñas estadounidenses, es impor- del Primero de Mayo para el mov- tante ver estas acusaciones infundadas en contra de Irán por altas hoy mientras las familias partido trabajará fuertemente para asustadas desaparecen en la noche imiento que se está despertando construir la unidad. Trabajaremos lo que realmente son: un intento de un gobierno totalmente hoy contra Wall Street. Los/as es- desacreditado, EE.UU., para encontrar un nuevo chivo expia- en otro éxodo humano masivo cre- fuertemente para asegurar que ado por la explotación y la repre- tudiantes y jóvenes que ahora ocu- toda la gente oprimida sea bien- torio. No hay ninguna razón por la que una acusación de este pan Wall Street han encendido una gobierno deba ser aceptada como si tuviera algún semblante sión capitalista. venida y representada y que pasen Se están implementando políti- llama. Es un fuego alimentado por a tener liderato. de verdad. el desempleo, la falta de viviendas, Manténgase alerta. Esté preparado/a para la lucha contra cas represivas como la “E-verify”, Trabajaremos fuertemente para las cuales son perjudiciales no sólo la falta de oportunidades educati- desenmascarar al capitalismo una nueva agresión. Y permanezca en las calles contra Wall vas, por un odio saludable contra Street y Washington. para los/as trabajadores/as indoc- a cada vuelta y mostrar que sí, umentados/as, sino para todos/as las empresas y por la obscenidad uno de los mejores símbolos del los/as trabajadores/as. “E-verify” de las ganancias de Wall Street. sistema capitalista es verdadera- ¡OCUPEMOS ! es un sistema de identificación que Los/as revolucionarios/as y co- mente Wall Street. Pero también YAYA COMENZÓCOMENZÓ es tan punitivo, tan lleno de errores munistas están muy encantados/ es el Departamento de la Policía de AL MUNDO –LA REVOLUCIÓN!REVOLUCIÓN que los opositores han señalado as con este acontecimiento, aún Nueva York. También es la Corte que crearía un “tsunami colosal mientras reconocen sus límites. Suprema. También es el New York en las oficinas del Seguro Social” Aunque las contradicciones actu- Times. También es el ejército en la Anunciando porque todo el mundo se vería ob- ales del capitalismo están llevando frontera EE.UU-México. una Cumbre en Contra del G20 ligado a comprobar su ciudadanía. miseria sin precedente a las masas La clase capitalista depende de A pesar de la abrumadora repre- del mundo y una devastación al la competencia para sobrevivir. ASAMBLEA POPULAR sión, el movimiento de inmigrantes medioambiente, estas condicio- Nuestra clase debe depender de la AL COLEGIO HOSTOS EN EL BRONX no ha desaparecido. En la vanguar- nes no obstante han empezado a solidaridad y la unidad para sobre- Savoy Manor – La calle 149 y Avenida Walton dia están los “Dreamers” (soña- revelarse aquí para los/as traba- vivir. Esto es lo que este llamado a dores). Aunque es un movimiento jadores/as que estaban a obscuras. marchar a Ocupar Wall Street rep- Sábado, 5 de NOVIEMBRE complejo, jóvenes inmigrantes, No importa cuánto uno/a tra- resenta. De las 12 a las 4 de la tarde (inscripción 11:30 am) principalmente indocumentados/ baje o cuánta educación tenga MOVIMIENTO RESCATE AL PUEBLO bailoutpeople.org as, se niegan a permanecer en las una persona, este sistema no se

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