NOVEMBER 9, 1979 50 CENTS VOLUME 43/NUMBER 43

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY/PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE

Arms mass murderer Pol Pot Labor march lor Equal Rights Amendment PiCkS UP steam -PAGE 14

Fidel castro on Cuba's role in world politics -PAGE 19

...... ean children are dying of Washington's maneuvers to topple Pnompenh government. Page 5. In Our Opinion VOLUME 43/NUMBER 43 NOVEMBER 9, 1979 CLOSING NEWS DATE-OCT. 31 Chrysler's deal with Fraser: a blow to all labor Holding the jobs of 130,000 auto workers • No guarantee tbat Chrysler won't go A year later, Fraser is demonstratively tak­ hostage, Chrysler and its government accom­ under anyway after it squeezes every last drop ing a seat with those whose only goal is profit. plices have gotten away with a crime against of profit out of its workers. On Carter's Pay Board and now on Chrysler's the United Auto Workers and the entire labor To the contrary. What UAW leaders have board of directors. While the war against movement. already given away sets the union up for working people is hotter than ever, he has The UAW's new three-year contract with greater attack. Once you start paying off taken up posts in the enemy camp. Chrysler: blackmailers, they only become more auda­ If working people are to win this war, our • defers $200 million in pension payments, cious. There's no limit to what Chrysler and unions need a new strategy. Unions were built • delays cost-of-living payments and wage the government will demand. to defend and improve our working and living increases, Other businesses will be encouraged to try standards-not to protect the bosses' profits. • calculates benefits on a lower base wage the same confidence game. Sales are slow at That must be the foundation of labor's stra­ rate, and Ford and General Motors. How could Fraser tegy again. • denies Chrysler workers additional paid turn down their bids for special treatment? time off during the first year. What about the always-ailing American Mo­ This means mobilizing the ranks of the In addition to these givebacks, which report­ tors? UAW and other unions for combat. edly save Chrysler $403 million at its em­ Should the rail unions sacrifice more to Chrysler employees work just as hard as ployees' expense, UAW President Douglas restore profits for the bankrupt Milwaukee and other auto workers and pay the same sky-high Fraser is offering to loan the company the Rock Island lines? prices at the store. They deserve the same wages. union's $850 million pension fund. That would Should the Steelworkers "cooperate" to keep further tie auto workers' fate to corporate their employers competitive? Why should thousands of Chrysler and other profitability. He also says he will submit This is the logic of class collaboration. It auto workers be unemployed while others are future Chrysler contracts to a government starts with the need to help "our" bosses make forced to work murderous overtime? The time board for approval if the company's financial a steady profit. It leads, particularly in a to fight for a shorter workweek without a pay cut is now. problems persist. period of economic crisis, toward bigger and If To cap it off, Fraser is joining Chrysler's bigger sacrifices of wages, jobs, working condi­ Chrysler says it can't afford to meet these modest demands, then the company should be board of directors, where his authority will be tions, and living standards. Its political ex­ nationalized. Instead of paying our tax dollars used by the company to wrest still more pression is union subservience to the capitalist to Chrysler and its bankers, the government concessions from the Chrysler work force. Democratic and Republican parties. should take over the company's plants and put As one of eighteen directors, Fraser says he It was this logic that dictated the New York will reflect "labor's point of view." But City "recovery" plan of 1975. The public em­ them to work producing clean, efficient, inex­ pensive cars. Chrysler's board has only one purpose: mak­ ployee unions paid off the city's creditors with ing more profit by increasing the exploitation a wage freeze, pension fund giveaways, and Instead of Fraser sitting on the bosses' of its workers. tens of thousands of jobs. Four years later, board, the UAW should exercise real control Fraser's presence will just make the job public workers are still under the gun, while over the auto plants-everything from design­ ing cars to hiring, firing, and line speed. easier. Whatever he says-and however he the city's social services plunge to new lows. votes-his membership on the board is a From the weaker public employee unions, A campaign to nationalize Chrysler could declaration of "responsibility" for Chrysler's the capitalists have now broadened their offen­ count on enthusiastic support within the union's ranks. profits. sive to go after the powerful industrial unions. All this is to show that the UAW "is doing ·Just a year ago, Fraser explained what is Not a single Democratic or Republican poli­ its part to prevent corporate failure," says really going on in this country. "Leaders of the tician will support such a course, which is no Fraser. In return the government is supposed business community ... have chosen to wage surprise. Their allegiance is to corporate prof­ to fork over millions of tax dollars to bail out a one-sided class war in this country," he its. Workers need a different political Chrysler. This federal money, which has yet to charged when he quit Carter's Labor­ instrument-a labor party based on the be pledged, is to guarantee loan repayments to Management Group in July 1978. unions. Chrysler's banks and creditors. "I would rather sit with the rural poor, the John Henning, head of the California AFL­ But for Chrysler workers there is: desperate children of urban blight; the victims CIO, and other leaders of that state's labor • No guarantee to rehire the 30,000 already of racism, and working people seeking a better movement have called for discussion of the laid off, life than with those whose religion is the labor party idea. The crisis at Chrysler under­ • No guarantee against more layoffs, plant status quo, whose goal is profit and whose lines the urgency of spreading this discussion closings, speedup, and hearts are cold," he declared. throughout the labor movement.

Militant Highlights This Week The Militant Editor: STEVE CLARK Associate Editors: CINDY JAQUITH ANDY ROSE 3 Nicaraguan masses advance Business Manager: PETER SEIDMAN Editorial Staff: Nancy Cole, Fred Feldman. Jim 5 Carter arms Pol Pot Garrison, Suzanne Haig, Osborne Hart, Gus 6 Capitalist press halls Matos Horowitz, Shelley Kramer, Ivan Licho, Janice Lynn, August Nimtz, Harry Ring, Dick Roberts, 7 Sales scoreboard 'Clear choice for working people' Priscilla Schenk, Arr;10ld Weissberg. 8 Park's downfall Socialist steelworker Dan Fein makes a big impact Published weekly by the Militant 9 Oil co. swindles in Phoenix with his campaign for mayor. Page 12. (ISSN 0026-3885), 14 Charles Lane, 10 Zimmermann campaigns In South New York, N.Y. 10014. Telephone: 11 Ohio ballot victory Editorial Office, (212) 243-6392; Busi­ ness Office, (212) 929-3486. 12 Phoenix SWP campaign Correspondence concerning sub­ 13 Vote SWP Nov. 6 scriptions or changes of address 14 NOW welcomes allies should be addressed to The Militant 17 FBI charter hoax Southern workers fight for rights Business Office, 14 Charles Lane, 22 N.C. unionists battle for rights New York, N.Y. 10014. Teamsters Local 391 in North Carolina faces lies and Second-class postage paid at New 23 N.Y. forum for HKS 14 violence from employers as workers seek to organize. York, N.Y. Subscriptions: U.S. $20.00 4 Solidarity With Nicaragua/ Page 22. a year, outside U.S. $25.00. By first­ 13 Hear the Socialist Candidates class mail: U.S., Canada, and Mexico: $50.00. Write for airmail rates to all 24 In Brief What's Going On other countries. For subscriptions airfreighted to London and 25 The Great Society then posted to Britain and Ireland: £3.00 for ten By Any Means Necessary -issues. £6.00 for six months (twenty-four issues), 26 Our Revolutionary Heritage £11.00 for one year (forty-eight issues). Posted Letters The case of Huber Matos from London to Continental Europe: £4.50 for 27 Learning About Socialism ten issues. £10.00 for six months, £15.00 for one If You Like This Peper ... The capitalist media is hailing this counterrevolutionary year. Send checks or international money order who was just released from a Cuban jail. What's the real (payable to Intercontinental Press account) to WORLD OUTLOOK Intercontinental Press (The Militant), P.O. Box story behind his imprisonment? Page 6. 50, London N1 2XP, England. 19 Castro Interviews Signed articles by contributors do not neces­ 20 Morocco'• Saharan war sarily represent the Militanrs views. These are expressed in editorials. 21 Dl11identa Jelled In Czechoalovakla

2 Nicaragua: workers and peasants committees advance By Fred Murphy I has stressed the need for the unions MANAGUA-The Sandinista-led "to be the controller of production" and government of Nicaragua announced to "prepare themselves to administer here October 22 that convocation of the the production that is so necessary for Council of State would be postponed our country." until May 4, 1980, and that its compo­ Peasants and farm laborers began sition would be shifted to better repres­ joining the Agricultural Workers Asso­ ent the "motor forces" of the Nicara­ - ciation (ATC) and participating in the guan revolution-that is, the workers administration of the communes and and the peasants. state farms set up by the Nicaraguan According to the provisional consti­ Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA). tution or "Fundamental Statute" pro­ Other important organizations that mulgated by the Junta of National had led a clandestine existence at best Reconstruction on July 20, the Council before the insurrection now took on a of State is to "share legislative pow­ mass character-the Association of ers" with the junta. It is empowered to Nicaraguan Women, the July 19 Sandi­ veto, with a two-thirds vote, measures nista Youth, and the teachers union taken by the junta as well as to draft a (AND EN). new constitution and an electoral law. In'creasingly anxious to slow down The council's original composition Perspectiva Mundiai/Anibal Yanez the revolutionary process that is being was the product of agreements reached DANIEL ORTEGA carried forward by the new FSLN-led between the Sandinista National Lib­ government relying on these mass eration Front (FSLN) and the anti­ organizations, the bourgeois forces Somoza bourgeois forces before the stead, the Sandinista leaders of the began in late September to agitate for dictator's fall. It was disproportion­ revolution, to the displeasure of the immediate convocation of the Council ately weighted toward the most conser­ bourgeoisie, moved forward with a of State, with its original composition. vative sectors of the anti-Somoza front. series of deep-going social measures Out of thirty-three representatives on that have the support of the masses of An October 22 announcement by the council, the FSLN would have had workers and peasants. The immediate junta member Sergio Ramirez made only six or perhaps a few more. convocation of a non-representative clear that the revolutionary authorities The other delegates were to represent and bourgeois-dominated Council of were rejecting the demands of those various parties that, as it turns out, State-with its veto powers-would who are "frightened now that our have virtually no support. These in­ have been an obstacle to these moves. people have direct participation in gua's governmental institutions can clude reformist-dominated union feder­ So the Sandinistas, with the concur­ power." be expected as the revolution unfolds. ations that are rapidly losing ground rence of the non-FSLN members of the The Council of State "must reflect Already, the CDSs-unforeseen in the to the Sandinista Workers Federation junta, chose to hold off convoking the the political reality of the country," junta's program or in the "Fundamen­ Ramirez declared. "We cannot decree (CST), and organs of the~bourgeoisie council. tal Statute"-are more and more tak­ such as the Chamber of Commerce, Meanwhile, other revolutionary in­ the laws prior to the facts that the ing on the tasks of government. For Chamber of Industries, and Union of stitutions far more representative of revolution creates and above all, revo­ example, Nicaraguans wishing to Agricultural Producers (the landlord's the Nicaraguan workers and peasants lutionary processes involve change." leave the country or obtain a driver's association). began to come into existence. None of Commandante Daniel Ortega-one license must get approval from their In the period immediately following these were foreseen in the "Fundamen­ of the nine FSLN "commanders of the CDS. In some smaller towns­ the July victory, it was widely thought tal Statute." revolution" and a member of the particularly in Carazo Province-the that the Council of State would soon be Sandinista Defense Committees junta-took on the bourgeois parties CDSs are playing a direct role in convoked to assume its legislative (CDS) arose in the neighborhoods and directly, attacking the remnants of the municipal administration, and Barri­ function. The September 4 issue of the began taking on governmental func­ landholding oligarchy's old Conserva­ cada has projected coordination of the FSLN daily Barricada even carried a tions. tive Party, which is now split among CDSs on a municipal level as an front page item announcing probable Workers set up democratically the so-called Social Democrats, Demo­ important next step in the organiza­ convocation of the council for Sep­ elected committees in the plants and cratic Conservatives, and other groups. tion of the masses. tember 15. formed unions affiliated to the Sandi­ "We want to make it clear," Ortega Mass assemblies organized by the But the council did not meet. In- nista Workers Federation. Barricada said, "that in this country the Conser­ CDSs in some cities have ratified the vatives have been the ones who have appointments of municipal authorities sold out the nation-who always made by the national junta. In some of forced our people to 'volunteer' for their these gatherings residents have voted wars of ambition against the Liber­ to alter the composition of the local El Salvador junta kills 24 als." government juntas. Now, Ortega continued, the Conser­ Current plans for the Council of that government forces in armored By Gus Horowitz vatives "are terrorized by the fact that State still include representation for cars not only attacked the street Soldiers and police of the new the same people they humiliated and those sectors of "private enterprise demonstration, but also opened fire military junta in El Salvador fired used as tools for their own interests that are actively participating in na­ with machine guns on "groups on demonstrators in the capital Oc­ have a voice and a say iQ. the govern­ tional reconstruction," junta member watching from street corners." tober 29, killing at least twenty-four ment." Alfonso Robelo said October 22. But people, according to Red Cross offi­ The Revolutionary People's :6loc, The "restructuring" of the Council of the decisive weight in the restructured cials, and leaving dozens wounded. one of the largest left-wing groups in State is to be aimed at providing real council will be in the hands of the The demonstration of between 150 El Salvador, is demanding the re­ representation for forces such as the workers and peasants-through the and 300 persons, according to AP lease of'political prisoners. Sandinista Workers Federation, which CDSs, the CST, the ATC, and other and UPI reports, was called by the with its more than 180,000 members mass organizations. Revolutionary People's Bloc (BPR), The BPR is also demanding and 343 affiliated unions is now by far Together with continuing inroads in support of other BPR activists higher wages and a halt to price the largest workers organization in the against the economic power of the who have taken over the buildings of rises. The minimum wage is only country; the Agricultural Workers As­ exploiters, the convocation of a nation­ the Labor and Economic Ministries, three dollars a day, and even that is sociation, which is rapidly organizing wide body decisively based on these where they are holding some 300 often not paid, whereas prices for tens of thousands of farm laborers who mass organizations would mark an hostages, including three govern­ basic foodstuffs such as rice, beans, make up the largest sector of Nicara­ important advance toward the estab­ ment ministers. and corn have risen 30 to 50 percent gua's proletariat; and the Sandinista lishment of a workers state ruled A witness to the shootings said in the past six months. Defense Committees. through democratic councils of the Further modifications of Nicara- Nicaraguan workers and peasants.

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THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 3 National conference to hear FSLN's Tijerina By Nancy Cole nothing great to speak about, had Organizers of the national Nicara­ stabilized somewhat. But people were gua solidarity conference have an­ certainly aware that they were using nounced that Doris Tijerino H. will up their provisions and that come represent the Sandinista National Lib­ December and January, times are go­ eration Front (FSLN) at the November ing to be very, very hard." For all supporters of democratic and human rights, and espe­ 16-18 meeting in Detroit. The Detroit meeting will likely pro­ cially for socialists, there is no more important task at this time David Funkhouser, coordinator of pose specific aid campaigns, Funk­ than organizing a campaign for emergency material aid toNica­ the National Network in Solidarity houser said. One idea that the FSLN ragua. This week the 'Militant' .begins a column to highlight with the Nicaraguan People, told the has proposed is a campaign to collect activities in solidarity with Nicaragua. Militant that they expect "a broad tools for Nicaraguan reconstruction. representation from around the coun­ The bigger and broader the confer­ NOW Minority Women call for massive aid try, as well as Canadians," at the ence and the more involvement from The Minority Women's Workshop at the October convention of the Detroit gathering. trade unionists, the better chance that National Organization for Women approved a resolution detailing the these campaigns will swell in the criti­ rights accorded women in the Nicaraguan Bill of Rights. Such provisions Out of the conference, he said, cal months ahead. should emerge "a clearer understand­ In Detroit, conference builders have as equal pay for equal work, maternity leave, and adequate child care are ing of the situation in Nicaragua and a reprinted the Network's brochure on all goals of NOW, the resolution points out. clearer sense of the direction solidarity the conference and are distributing it The resolution concludes with an explanation of the U.S. government's work should be taking now." in the auto and steel plants, as well as responsibility for the destruction in Nicaragua. "The United States Funkhouser recently returned from a on campuses, at shopping areas, and should acknowledge that responsibility and send massive amounts of trip to Nicaragua where, he reports, in the Black and Latino communities. food and medical supplies to Nicaragua to overcome the devastation that very little international aid has actu­ The survival of the Nicaraguan revo­ exists, helping the Nicaraguans move forward toward the goal of full ally arrived. lution depends in large part on politi­ equality for women." "What they need is hard cash for cal and material aid from working paying salaries and buying imports," people around the world. The Detroit Bloomington meeting hears Nicaraguan student he said. "There is still a very great conference is an important step toward One hundred and twenty-five people turned out at Indiana University need for medicines and medical equip­ organizing that aid and toward insur­ in Bloomington October 24 to hear Nicaraguan student Roberto Cajina. A ment. ing that the U.S. government keeps its film on Nicaragua was also shown at the meeting sponsored by the "The food supply, though it was military forces out of Nicaragua. school's Department of Latin American Mfairs. Two days later, Cajina spoke at a Militant Forum in Indianapolis. Nicaraguan poets: 'Song and Struggle' "Nicaragua: Song and Struggle tells the story of Nicaragua as it has 200 Nicaraguans in LA. been told by the poets who refused to be silent, and who for over forty years have written and sung the struggle of Nicaragua in backrooms and cellars, in prisons and trenches." cheer Sandinista rally film That's how the Nicaragua Solidarity Committee of Minnesota describes By Alan Hicks impassioned rally speech by Tomas its bilingual pamphlet of poetry. The collection is intended as a fundraiser LOS ANGELES-Two hundred en­ Borges, the only founder of the Sandi­ for a larger project, a book called Nicaragua in Revolution: The Poets thusiastic people, most of them from nista National Liberation Front still Speak. The pamphlet sells for $1 (discounts for bulk orders) from the the Nicaraguan community here, living, brought repeated cheers and committee at 513 Eighth Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414. turned out for a meeting October 26 shouts of support from the crowd here. One example is "The Death of Somoza" (that is, of Anastasio Somoza's organized by the Nicaraguan consu­ The tape also showed the military father) by Ernesto Mejia Sanchez: late. parade of the newly formed Sandinista . Somoza's death, like Foster's, The meeting featured a videotape army. The biggest response from those is a terrible loss, says Ike. Weep! sent by the Nicaraguan government attending the meeting here was for the for the free world. He was a great friend that shows a September 1 rally in battalion of women when they of the U.S., in public and private. Managua. The rally commemorated marched past the reviewing stand. They'll have to enlarge Arlington the 1967 battle of Pancasan when all Several other solidarity activities or use the White House lawn but one of a group of Sandinistas were also took place here during the same to bury their bosom buddies. And I bet killed by the Nicaraguan National week. Two hundred students at East they're at it already. Because I looked for Guard because they refused to sur­ Los Angeles College attended a show­ Somoza's body all over Nicaragua, render. ing of the Nicaraguan film Patria and nobody knew what to say. The October 26 program here began Libre o Morir (Free Homeland or with songs by Nicaraguan folk and Death). At the meeting, which was Portland group shows FSLN film protest singer Pedro Taran. The crowd organized by the Chicano Studies De­ joined in singing the songs popularized partment, students signed up to work In Oregon, the Portland Nicaragua Support Committee recently spon­ during the revolution. on a student solidarity committee. sored a series of showings of the film, Nicaragua: Free Homeland or In introducing the videotape, Manuel And on October 27, a poetry reading Death (Patria Libre o Morir). The documentary film on the Sandinista Valle, Nicaraguan consul general, des­ over the public radio station in Los National Liberation Front (FSLN) was made before the fall of Somoza cribed the steps being taken to recon­ Angeles raised more than $300 for last July. struct his country, to provide medical Nicaragua. The reading was organized In Portland thE} film was shown at Lewis & Clark College, Portland care for all, and to give land to those by the Los Angeles Group for Latin State University, and a Methodist church. The committee also sponsored who work it. American Solidarity and the Nicara­ a showing in Corvallis, Oregon. The videotape was inspiring. An guan Solidarity Organization. -Nancy Cole

Off the press: Castro speech and Nicaragua By Helen Meyers the Rights of Nicaraguans; and the On November 3, Pathfinder Press July 26, 1979, speech by Fidel Castro will release two new titles: The Nica­ on the Nicaraguan revolution. raguan Revolution and Fidel Castro Fidel Castro at the UN is the full at the UN: "We represent the im­ text of the October 12 United Na­ mense majority of humanity." tions speech that brought delegates Events in the past few months­ to their feet chanting, "Fidel!" The the Nicaraguan revolution, the U.S. speech clearly places the blame for military's stepped-up moves against world poverty and illiteracy at the Cuba and the entire Caribbean, and feet of imperialism. It explains how Castro's speech to the United for the sake of profits, the tiny Nations-have created a new inter­ capitalist minority in the world est in the truth about Cuba and threatens nuclear holocaust. The Nicaraguan Revo­ Nicaragua among the American peo­ The pamphlet also includes an lution ple. introduction by Socialist Workers 80 pages, $2.25 The Nicaraguan Revolution, Party presidential candidate An­ edited and with an introduction by drew Pulley and an article by Fred Fidel Castro at the UN Pedro Camejo and Fred Murphy, Feldman on the Nonaligned Confer­ 48 pages, $1.25 consists of an interview with Jaime ence in Havana. Wheelock, Nicaragua's minister of The distribution of both these ti­ Order by mail from agrarian reform; the speech to the tles will aid in defending the Nicara­ Pathfinder Press, 410 Havana Nonaligned Conference by guan revolution and in answering West Street, New York, Daniel Ortega, a member of the the barrage of lies the U.S. govern­ N.Y. 10014. (Please en­ Junta of the Government of Na­ ment advances about Cuba and Ni- close $.75 for postage.) tional Reconstruction; the Statute on caragua.

4 Boob¥-lra~~ed 'aid' offer Carter arms Pol Pot, starves Kampuchea By Fred Feldman The headline in the October 28 New York Times read, "Cambodia, Barring Aid, Calls It an Imperialist Trick." Similar headlines appeared from coast to coast. They are lies. Far from "barring aid" to feed 2.5 million Kampuchean (Cambodian) peo­ ple threatened with starvation, the Heng Samrin government appealed three months ago for food and medi­ cines from the United States and other countries-with little result. "We don't hide the fact that we need help," stated Defense Minister Pen Sovan October 12. The Kampuchean leader charged that "aid" programs operated by the U.S. government, its allies, the United Nations, and supposedly independent 'It's an aid questionnaire ... Is the starvee now, or has he-she ever been, a communist? relief agencies are primarily helping Would you consider yourself amiably disposed toward the givers of this aid? Pol Pot's troops. Explain, In 300 words or less, why .. .' The ousted tyrant controls tiny en­ claves along the Thai border, where his Khmer Rouge troops hold about 300,000 people captive. On-the-scene ment would send $70 million in aid to Similar lame excuses are being used up military support to Pol Pot, so that reports have revealed that food aid Kampuchea. The catch was that the to bar aid from being shipped directly this mass murderer can bring death to reaching these zones is used to support Pnompenh government would have to to Kampuchea's port of Kompong Som. still more people. Pol Pot's troops-described as "heavily accept the organization of a truck Hovey reported October 27 that Washington has increased its arms armed and ... well fed" in an eyewit­ convoy from Thailand into western "even the ships that will carry $25 shipments to Thailand's military dicta­ ness report in the October 26 Washing­ Kampuchea, where Pol Pot's forces are million worth of food for Cambodians torship fourfold over last year. And ton Post-while the great majority are hol.ed up. Otherwise, no aid. under the Food for Peace program will new U.S. military advisers are being starving. This was exactly what the Pnom­ not go directly to the Cambodian port assigned to the Thai army. On the other hand, the Heng Samrin penh government called it: a transpar­ of Kompong Som in the near future, regime, which governs about four mil­ ent effort to divert the aid to Pol Pot but this is due to inadequate facilities Arms for Pol Pot lion people, is getting virtually no help. while pretending to help Kampuchea. there. "In the month of September," Pen Three U.S. senators went to Pnom­ "The ships instead will go to Singa­ Much of the military hardware ends Sovan stated, "the republic received 41 penh October 24 to press Heng Samrin pore.'' And the right-wing government up in Pol Pot's hands. "Thailand, or at tons of supplies from international to accept the offer. They proposed that of Singapore will no doubt make sure least the Thai military, is allowing organizations, but through Bangkok the U.S. government should "try to that the aid ends up in the "right arms and supplies across the border [capital of Thailand], according to the assure the security of the convoys," hands"-that is, Pol Pot's. not only to Pol Pot's men but to several international press, more than a thou­ according to a report by Graham Ho­ The Pnompenh government insists, other non-communist Khmer resist­ sand tons of products were delivered to vey in the October 27 New York Times. according to the October 28 New York ance groups," wrote Mark Frankland surviving counterrevolutionaries and in the October 27 New Republic. Acceptance of that proposal would Times, that "its airport at the capital 'refugees.' " be an open invitation for the Thai and the port of Kompong Som could CBS correspondent Ed Bradley, re­ The same article handle more aid than they have been New York Times army, the United Nations, or the Car­ porting October 26 from one of Pol that falsely claimed Heng Samrin re­ receiving ter administration to move troops into and that the Government Pot's camps on the Thai side of the jected aid also reported his govern­ distributing food western Kampuchea to rescue Pol Pot's was capable of Kampuchean border, interviewed a ment's complaint that the aid the beleaguered hit men. throughout the country.'' U.S. army lieutenant he found there. Kampuchean people are getting from Since the government has been re­ The lieutenant claimed to be part of a relief agencies and capitalist govern­ Pnompenh officials considered for ceiving Soviet food and equipment and military delegation "observing" the ments was "minimal compared to as­ three days before rejecting this booby­ distributing them throughout the coun­ border. sistance from Vietnam, the Soviet trapped "offer," an indication of the try, there is no reason to doubt its We've heard such cover stories from Union and other Communist coun- intensity of their need for more help claims. Relief agencies that mean busi­ U.S. "advisers" before. tries.'' from the rest of the world. ness about helping Kampuchea-such The U.S. government has 400,000 U.S. officials are claiming that aid as Britain's Oxfam-have reported no tons of rice in storage-more than Carter's latest ploy can be delivered only through a convoy difficulties in using these facilities. twice what Kampuchea requires to Carter is still looking for gimmicks from Thailand because the Kampu­ The facts are plain: Carter remains survive. Working people in this coun­ that will block aid to the Kampuchean chean government doesn't have trucks determined to· starve millions of Kam­ try should demand that Carter stop all people and provide it to Pol Pot's to distribute food. But Carter and U.S.­ pucheans because the U.S. rulers op­ military aid to Pol Pot, halt the threats troops-while preserving a humanitar­ dominated relief agencies refuse to use pose their government and want to and military moves against Kampu­ ian image for Carter as the 1980 pri­ Vietnamese trucks for this purpose, impose one that Washington can more chea, and end the food crisis in that maries approach. holding that collaboration with Hanoi easily control. country now by sending Kampuchea The latest ploy was Carter's October in feeding Kampucheans is politically Instead of helping Kampucheans what it needs-without ifs, ands, or · 24 announcement that the U.S. govern- unacceptable. fend off starvation, Carter is stepping buts. Widespread hunger in every village' The following are excerpts Prime Minister down-there is con­ south sent north. villages they were summarily from an eyewitness account of sequential· disease and illness on a The 50 percent who have survived rounded up and shot, in other vil­ conditions in Kampuchea, based significant and massive scale. are now struggling to walk back to lages they were given medicine and on an eight-day fact-finding tour The illnesses I found were anae­ their homes, their villages. These told to take it-it was poison-and in and given in London October 8 mia, followed closely by malaria and migrant groups are constantly on other villages they were simply by Brian Walker, director­ then all the intestinal problems­ the move and they are not able to chased out into the hills where there · general of the international re­ hookworm in particular-diarrhoea secure a share of the Government's was no food and they subsequently lief organization Oxfam. We and a great deal of tuberculosis. rice ration-because they are a shift­ died. have taken the text from the Undoubtedly the massively trau­ ing population. So they depend on The overall impression one has is October 21 issue of the 'Man­ matic political event through which the goodwill of the governor whose that the infrastructure of the com­ chester Guardian Weekly.' the people have gone, the unbelieva­ province they happen to be walking munity has been totally smashed. ble cruelty and bestiality of the Pol through at that time or the goodwill The population as a whole is No one knows what the real situa­ Pot regime-which in my personal of the people who have received the clearly at risk and highly vulnerable tion is, but we do know there has judgment exceeds in immorality the rice ration in the villages through to malnutrition, and to the diseases been a dramatic reduction in the wickedness of that of the Nazi re­ which they are passing. consequent to malnutrition, through population. I think it is reasonable gime against the Jews in Germany­ So they survive by begging. These to next August. In our own judgment to say that, out of a population of 71/ 2 has reduced the population to an groups of people were the emaciated, it is generous to say there has been to eight millions, there are some­ extremely confused and befuddled walking Belsen-type skeletons that 20 per cent of planting during the thing like 31/ 2 to four millions left. state of mind. one has read about in the media. current season-the crop which The first impression I have Within this area of personal confu­ Their position is one of extreme should be ready in January. Other brought back with me is of wide­ sion there is the confusion of the anguish, extreme pain, extreme mal­ agencies say from satellite surveil­ spread hunger and malnutrition. entire community. Under Pol Pot, nutrition. lance that the figure is as low as 5 to You see this at every corner and one of the tactics to create disorien­ One of the things which struck me 10 per cent. twist of the road, in every village tation among the community was very early on was that I did not see When I left Cambodia on Friday that you enter, in every hospital, in virtually to redistribute the whole any lepers. The reason was very the total input of Western aid over every orphanage. Out of this wide­ population. As far as I can gather, simple-Pol Pot has exterminated none months-against this hideous spread hunger and malnutrition­ this was broadly on a north south all lepers. background-amounted to 200 tons which so far as I can see is shared basis-the people living in the north Three methods were used, I was of food. I don't see how any of us can by the entire community, from the were sent south and the people in the told, in different places. In some be proud of that situation.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 5 Case of Cuban counterrevolutionary Why capitalist press parades Huber By Fred Feldman solely because he believed in demo­ With the flight of Batista on De­ riod, Matos took out a $120,000 loan On October 21, the Cuban govern­ cracy. Matos's claims-supported by cember 31, 1958, and the entry of the from Urrutia which he said was for ment released Huber Matos from pri­ no evidence-of having been tortured victorious rebel soldiers into Havana, a "normal expenses.") And Matos did son. He has completed a twenty-year in prison are being treated as gospel. coalition government was set up. It .what he could to stall the agrarian term for treason against the Cuban Reporters who looked for signs of was headed by a wealthy and popular reform in Camagiiey. revolution. He is among more than torture on the sixty-year old Matos judge, Manuel Urrutia. "The cattle ranches of Camagiiey," 3,000 imprisoned counterrevolutionists were disappointoo. New York Times The Cuban capitalists and land­ historian Hugh Thomas explains, who have been released in the past correspondent Jo Thomas had to settle lords-and their backers in Washing­ "were in fact the heart of counterrevo­ year, leaving only a few hundred in for noting that "only a pale gray ton-hoped that the revolution would lutionary Cuba, the home of conserva­ jail for such offenses. mustache remains of what was a dark stop right there with only a change of tive interests.... " Matos got a hero's welcome from beard and dark glasses protect bad faces at the top. Matos also established ties with Costa Rica's capitalist rulers when he eyesight." But the July 26 Movement had prom­ Manuel Artime and Rogelio Gonzalez ised many things to the Cuban Corso, two officials in the Ministry of SPECIAL FEATURE: Castro speaks Enemy of workers people-agrarian reform, an end to Agriculture. They "had begun to con­ on Cuba's role in world politics. See Huber Matos was a bitter enemy of racist. discrimination and unemploy­ spire against Castro as early as March p. 19 the Cuban workers and peasants. He ment, free medical care, decent low­ 1959," according to Hugh Thomas's landed in prison when he moved pub­ cost housing, and an end to illiteracy. venomously anti-Castro Cuba: The arrived in San Jose October 22. He was licly from counterrevolutionary words Castro and his fellow revolutionists Pursuit of Freedom. Artime was the greeted by Costa Rican President Ro­ to deeds. who made up the core of the July 26 figurehead commander of the CIA drigo Carazo and by ex-President Jose A rice planter and teacher, Matos Movement were determined to keep invasion of Cuba in April 1961. Figueres. joined the guerrilla fighters in early those pledges. When Castro denounced Urrutia's The U.S. media used Matos's release 1958. He became commander of a Their determination divided the for­ obstruction of needed social reforms, to step up the propaganda campaign Rebel Army column. By this time ces that had joined momentarily to mass demonstrations forced him to against Cuba. He is being portrayed as virtually all sections of the Cuban support the ending of Batista's terror. resign. a martyr-an innocent victim of com­ population agreed that the Batista Matos, who was now military gover­ munist dictatorship. As the New York dictatorship had to go. Support for the nor of Camagiiey Province, opposed a CIA role Times and other capitalist newspapers armed struggle which Fidel, Raul, Che, revolutionary course. Counterrevolutionists didn't limit tell it, Matos was a supporter of the and others had launched more than a themselves to words. Pedro Diaz Lanz, revolution who was jailed by Castro year earlier was growing fast. Land reform the head of the air force and a close Simmering conflict between the collaborator with Matos in the right workers and peasants on one side and wing of the Rebel Army, deserted to the wealthy Cubans and the imperial­ the United States in June and called ists on the other exploded on May 17, for U.S. action against Cuba. About 1959, when the government, prodded this time, the CIA began to back by Prime Minister Fidel Castro, pro­ bombing raids against Cuban cane mulgated an agrarian reform bill. This fields and towns, carried out by Cuban guaranteed sixty-seven acre plots to exile and U.S. pilots. tens of thousands of sharecroppers, Counterrevolutionary guerrillas- while turning many of the big sugar many landed in Cuba by the CIA­ plantations and cattle ranches into appeared in the Sierra de Escambray. state farms and cooperatives. Philip Bonsai, who was U.S. ambassa­ The Eisenhower administration in dor to Cuba at the time, acknowledged Washington demanded massive com­ later that "anti-Castro guerrillas were pensation for U.S. sugar magnates and receiving arms-drops from a source cattle barons. And Cuba's landlords generally assumed to be a United and capitalists moved into open oppo­ States agency." sition. In mid-August a plot by cattle Since the land reform was over­ ranchers in Camagiiey to bring down whelmingly supported by the workers the regime was thwarted. "It is just and peasants and could therefore not possible that the CIA were also in­ be attacked openly, the opposition volved," wrote Thomas. concentrated on denouncing "commu­ In Washington, figures like Vice­ nist infiltration" in the government, president Richard Nixon and the chief and pressing for a witch-hunt against of naval operations, Admiral Burke, leftists. were pressing for the organization of Prensa Matos, sometimes joined on the plat­ an exile army to invade Cuba. Matos began to organize against revolution when Cuban government began massive form by President Urrutia, made anti­ With the counterrevolution pushing land reform. communist speeches. (During this pe- hard, Matos began organizing opposi- Cuban Mission bombed: cops .make no arrests By Gus Horowitz Garden at the time of visits by Cuban NEW YORK-Counterrevolutionary artists and athletes. Cubans claimed responsibility for set­ Authorities told the New York Times ting off a bomb at the Cuban Mission that Omega 7 is a pseudonym used by to the United Nations on October 27. the Cuban Nationalist Movement, The bomb had a force equivalent to which is also "believed to be responsi­ several sticks of dynamite, according ble for the assassination last April of to police officials. It demolished a Carlos Muniz Varela," a Cuban living heavy metal door at the mission and .in Puerto Rico who was well known for had sufficient force to break windows his activity in organizing visits to in about thirty nearby buildings, some Cuba and as a leader of the Antonio of them almost two blocks away. Four Maceo Brigade. The brigade is an persons received minor injuries-two organization of young Cubans who passersby and two police on guard favor restoration of U.S. diplomatic duty at the mission. relations with Cuba and an end to the blockade. No arrests were made. A man who Although the Cuban Nationalist had created a diversionary ruse just Movement maintains public offices prior to the explosion was held briefly and is known to the government au­ by police, but the cops claim to have thorities, no arrests were made in any lost him in the confusion following the of the above cases either. explosion. Three leaders of the Cuban National­ The bombing followed a pattern ist Movement were convicted of mur­ typical of previous incidents by Cuban dering Orlando Letelier in 1976; Lete­ counterrevolutionaries. lier had been the Chilean ambassador Persons identifying themselves as to the United States at the time of the representatives of a group called Allende government. Omega 7 called United Press Interna­ The Socialist Workers Party 1980 Damage from bomb explosion at Cuban Mission to the United Nations. As In past tional and Associated Press, saying presidential candidates Andrew Pulley terrorist attacks cops have come up with no suspects. the bombs "were part of the explosives and Matilde Zimmermann condemned 'we had reserved for Fidel Castro when the bombing in an October 29 letter to he visited New York." Mayor Edward Koch, and called for Zimmermann said, adding that "there the American people. The majority Omega 7 is that same group that "an immediate crackdown on these is no conceivable pretext" for the police favor an end to the economic blockade bombed the, Cuban mission in 1976 terrorists." not to arrest them immediately. of Cuba, the reestablishment of diplo­ and 1978, and that planted bombs at "The identity of the criminals is The violent anti-Cuba groups, they matic relations, and an end to the Lincoln Center and Madison Square known to the government," Pulley and said, "do not speak for the majority of cowardly crimes of the terrorists.''

6 Socialists plan push Matos to catch up on sales By Peter Seidman bought PM so far. Interest in Fidel Castro's October 12 Interest in this issue was also high speech to the United Nations spurred at the Puerto Rican Congress in New continued high sales of the Militant Jersey held October 27. Participants last week. bought fifty-two copies. At 19.5 percent, industrial sales were Hopefully such efforts in other cities also the highest of any issue yet during will move the drive as a whole back this fall circulation drive. toward schedule: This momentum and progress is Boston socialists upheld a proud good. But we're still 21 percent behind Militant tradition October 27. where we should be overall. They mobilized to sell our issue Lower-than-projected subscription headlined "Boston Blacks under racist sales are the main reason for the lag. siege, antibusing gangs on rampage." We've now sold 26,435 points-which Despite an atmosphere of racist vio­ is 44 percent behind where we should lence and intimidation in the city, they be. sold 250 copies of the Militant and 32 But a number of branches report of PM. that they've decided to pull out all As in previous times when racist lea ~pon release. Bitter enemy stops in an effort to come back from scum have lashed out at the rights of and peasants, he attempted to organize officer corps against the revolution. behind. Boston's Black community, the Mili­ In addition to scheduling a big week­ tant is playing a unique role in getting tion to the revolution among the offic­ cember 1L Fidel and Raul Castro were end sub and sales mobilization, for out the truth. ers of the Rebel Army. the main witnesses against him. Ma­ example, the New York local is taking This role is particularly important On October 19, Matos and fourteen tos, who was represented by counsel, other steps. now. The city's two big-business dai­ other officers sent "letters of resigna­ spoke for two hours in his own defense. Anticipating a plant shutdown dur­ lies are treating the renewed racist tion" to Castro denouncing "commu­ He was convicted and given a twenty­ ing the sub week, a number of socialist onslaught as merely a series of isolated nist infiltration." Having thrown down year term. The officers who had joined auto workers at the Ford plant in incidents. the gauntlet, they hoped Castro would his anti-government move were given Metuchen, New Jersey, have volun­ So it's no surprise that "the Black back down in face of a split in the lighter terms. teered to join full-time sub sales teams. community residents we sold to were Rebel Army. Retreat would have Felipe Pazos, head of the national One of these teams will be traveling overwhelmingly friendly. Two-thirds of meant the end of agrarian reform, the bank and the last important capitalist to New Haven, Connecticut, where it the people we approached bought the end of moves toward independence politician remaining in the govern­ will meet and sell to striking workers paper," as the Boston sales director from imperialism, and repression of ment, resigned in the wake of Matos's at the Olin Corporation's Winchester reported. the workers and peasants instead of arrest. Guevara was appointed to re­ arms plant. Others will be fanning out Boston socialists plan to continue moves to thwart the counterrevolution­ place him. to campuses in the tristate region. with another big sales push as part of aries. With the support of the vast major­ Laid-off auto workers in Minneapolis next week's sub mobilization. Castro didn't back down. Knowing ity, the Castro leadership went on to and St. Paul will spearhead similar This time they'll also be bringing the that the U.S. rulers were working day overturn all capitalist property rela­ teams. paper to nearby Lynn, where many and night to bring down the revolu­ New Yorkers are confident that the workers from the giant General Elec­ tions and consolidate the first socialist current issue of tionary government-and that Wash­ Perspectiva Mundial, tric plant there live. Many of these revolution in the Americas. featuring the text of Castro's speech in ington had used a CIA-organized exile workers are now on strike against Spanish, will also boost sales. invasion backed by local military com­ discriminatory rates for lower-paid manders to bring down a popularly Algerian experience Students at Hostos College in the workers in the plant. They will no Bronx snapped up thirty-five copies. supported government in Guatemala Subsequent experience has shown doubt be doubly interested in our cover­ At the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where in 1954-Castro was determined that how correct the revolutionary govern­ age of what the labor movement can be PM sales generally average about two this would not happen in Cuba. ment was to move quickly and firmly doing to join in defense of Boston's or three per week, twelve workers have He went. to CamagUey the next day against Matos's attempt to organize embattled Black community. to arrest Matos. The masses of Cama­ the officer corps against the revolution. gfley poured out in support of Castro The workers and peasants govern­ and the agrarian reform, and in opp()· ment in Algeria, headed by Ahmed sition to the military governor. Ben Bella, faced a similar problem in On October 21, Matos's associate the first years after Algeria won its Dfaz Lanz carried out an air raid over independence from French rule in Havana that resulted in forty-seven 1962. Army commander Houari casualties. Boumediene went into opposition to City Militant PM Totals %Ind. Ben Bella's anticapitalist course. Goal Sold Goal Sold Goal Sold Percent "'o Ind. Castro's speech Instead of mobilizing working people Detroit 200 406 10 0 210 406 193.3 17.7 As he always did at key turning against Boumediene, Ben Bella com­ St. Louis 100 166 0 0 100 166 166.0 6.0 points, Castro explained this develop­ promised with him. This made it possi­ Gary 90 128 10 8 100 136 136.0 27.9 ment to the Cuban people. On October ble for Boumediene to launch a mil­ San Diego 90 112 20 23 110 135 122.7 31.1 26 he addressed a rally of one million itary coup in 1965, place Ben Bella Los Angeles 240 294 60 71 300 365 121.6 19.7 people who gathered in Havana to under arrest, and reverse many of the Salt Lake City 110 121 5 8 115 129 112.1 5.4 protest Washington's stepped-up ag­ gains won by the workers and pea­ Iron Range 75. 84 0 0 75 84 112.0 23.8 gression against Cuba. sants. Dallas 70 80 15 15 85 95 111.7 18.9 "The revolution is here to stay," Matos claims to have supported the Seattle 140 159 5 2 145 161 111.0 20.5 Castro proclaimed. Cuban revolution but, in the numerous Washington, D.C. 115 119 35 44 150 163 108.6 6.1 Philadelphia 170 173 He explained why the revolutionary letters he wrote from prison, he gave 30 43 200 216 1.08.0 17.1 Birmingham 150 158 0 0 150 158 105.3 8.2 no hint of opposition to the Bay of Pigs government could not permit the right Morgantown 80 84 0 0 80 84 105.0 15.5 wing of the Rebel Army command to invasion, the economic blockade, or Kansas City 110 118 7 4 117 122 104.2 8.2 organize against the revolution: other counterrevolutionary moves by New York City 445 416 105 142 550 558 101.4 20.4 U.S. imperialism-not even when Pres­ What the reactionaries would like is an Albuquerque 105 106 20 20 125 126 100.8 Portland unarmed civil population and an army ident Kennedy threatened to pulverize 90 90 0 0 90 90 100.0 5.6 which is corruptible and that some day may Cuba and the world in the "missile San Antonio 50 58 15 7 65 65 100.0 43.1 be able to put a brake on the revolution and crisis" of October 1962. make our country backslide. This is why the Matos was fond of predicting that he Indianapolis 125 119 0 0 125 119 95.2 2.5 betrayal of Huber Matos is such a serious would never be released, that Castro Ann Arbor 15 13 0 1 15 14 93.3 0 matter. It was the first attempt to utilize would have him murdered before he Denver 105 99 20 16 125 115 92.0 17.4 Miami 50 71 17 members of the Rebel Army against the could leave the country. But the Cu­ 50 100 88 88.0 13.6 Tacoma 125 109 0 0 125 109 87.2 9.2 revolution; it was the first attempt to cor­ bans set him free right on schedule. rupt officers, to use them against the people, Twin Cities 225 194 0 0 225 194 86.2 6.2 The Cuban government can release Louisville 100 85 0 1 100 86 86.0 27.9 against the interests of the people, against Matos and thousands of other counter­ the Cuban revolution. Of course the reac­ Chicago 275 233 50 33 325 266 81.8 30.1 tionaries do not want the workers and revolutionaries because the Cuban Newark 125 100 25 22 150 122 81.3 20.5 farmers to be given weapons. All they want workers and peasants have defeated Atlanta 125 97 0 3 125 100 80.0 5.0 is a professional army of which they might them decisively, and dealt big blows to Tidewater 130 104 0 0 130 104 80.0 46.2 some day be able to win over some officers. their imperialist masters in the pro­ Milwaukee 115 93 10 0 125 93 74.4 30.1 They might be able some day to corrupt a cess. Types like Matos can't do much New Orleans 100 77 5 0 105 77 73.3 36.4 professional army and once again have an damage to the Cuban revolution today, Pittsburgh 200 142 0 0 200 142 71.0 36.6 instrument with which to perpetrate a fact which all the sanctimonious Oakland/Berkeley 165 133 50 12 215 145 67.4 5.5 Phoenix 100 80 40 7 140 87 another coup d'etat, like the lOth of March editorial writers in the capitalist pa­ 62.1 44.8 [the date of Batista's 1952 takeover]. Albany 100 62 5 1 105 63 60.0 6.3 pers can't do much to change. Boston 175 95 15 7 190 102 53.7 7.8 But there will never again be a lOth of But the Cuban revolution still has a March in our country. Baltimore 125 58 0 0 125 58 46.4 25.9 powerful enemy in U.S. imperialism, San Francisco 200 72 50 20 250 92 36.8 9.8 Castro announced that the workers which is using the campaign of lies Southern Team 235 235 54.9 and peasants would be armed, orga­ about the Matos case as part of the Totals 5855 5143 725 527 6380 5670 88.9 19.5 nized into militias, and given military preparation of new aggressions. training. This provided the mass base Working people have an answer for Petitioning: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo. Not reporting: Houston, Piedmont, San Jose. for the creation later of a revolutionary this drive. It is to demand hands off Covers sales of issue forty-one of the Militant and the second week of sales of Perspectiva Mundial. professional army. Cuba, an end to the blockade, and '% Ind.' indicates percentage of total sold at plantgates and to co-workers on the job. Matos went on trial before a normalization of diplomatic relations "Figure not reported. specially-established tribunal De- with Cuba.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 7 New dictator backed by_ U.S. Korea coup: move to head off mass upsurge , . . By Fred Feldman After gunning down President Park Chung Hee October 26, the South Korean military seized power and de­ clared martial law. Army Chief of Staff Chung Seung Hwa took over as martial law commander in a coup indelibly stamped "Made in U.S.A." The takeover was signaled by the killing of President Park, and four of his bodyguards. The head of the power­ ful Korean Central Intelligence Agency, whom the ruling generals now claim was responsible for the plot to assassinate Park, was placed under arrest as were other aides of Park and officials of the KCIA. U.S. officials dismissed as a "coinci­ dence" the fact that General Chung was within earshot when Park was Troops burn homes of civilians suspected of opposing South Korean dictator Syngman Rhee during Korean war. Twenty-six gunned down. years later, U.S. troops In South Korea are still being used to prop up hated dictators. The 38,000 U.S. troops in South Korea, whose units operate under a joint command with the South Korean an unprecedented move, the NDP pro­ But now the boom is over. Semico­ Korean people from reunifying their armed forces, were placed on alert as claimed its solidarity with the protes­ lonial countries are being hit with country. Park became a protege of the soon as martial law was declared. U.S. tors October 25. special ferocity by the effects of the U.S. military chiefs during the war, as Secretary of Defense Harold Brown An earlier sign of growing unrest world capitalist economic crisis. he had been of the Japanese imperial­ declared October 28 that an American was Kim Young Sam's declaration This crisis helped spark the new ists during World War II. aircraft carrier and radar warning June 13 that he was ready to meet with outbreak of struggle in South Korea. The Korean war was fought for the planes were being sent to South Korea. North Korean officials if it would help "Now the inflation rate is high, a same reasons that the U.S. imperial­ to get talks started. This was a rebuff credit squeeze has started, jobs are ists later fought the Vietnam war. The to Park's policy of maintaining a con­ hard to find, there is increasing ten­ Vietnamese workers and farmers suc­ Target: Korean masses stant siege atmosphere around alleged sion between the opposition party and ceeded in taking control of their own The Pentagon claimed the alert was threats from the North in order to Mr. Park and the government is crack­ country, while the South Koreans were aimed at deterring North Korea from justify suppression of all dissent in the ing down on worker groups" wrote left under the thumb of the U.S. capi­ military moves against the South, but South. Stokes m the August 15 New York talists. And U.S. troops are kept in the real target was the Korean masses. Times. Korea to see that it stays that way. "Both U.S. and Korean forces have Fear another Iran intensified their efforts to capture any Park's removal and the installation Working class 'Trip wire' infiltrators that North Korea may send of a military regime were motivated by The one lasting accomplishment of As Drew Middleton explained it in in to foment trouble," reported the Wall the fear harbored by the generals-and the boom was the creation of a sizable the October 27 New York Times, U.S. Street Journal October 29. "Infiltrator" their paymasters in Washington-that industrial working class in Korea, troops are a "trip-wire" to assure mas­ is a charge that the South Korean South Korea was headed for a popular including many women, which is now sive U.S. involvement in any "hostili­ government often lays against upsurge like those that toppled the coming to the fore in the new wave of ties" in "one of the potential East workers, farmers, and students who shah of Iran and the Somoza dictator­ mass protests. Asian trouble spots." defy its rule. ship in Nicaragua. The growing instability of Park's If the Korean people (South or President Carter expressed "shock With Park out of the way, U.S. regime-and fear of further extension North) threaten imperialist domina­ and sorrow" about Park's demise and propagandists are now left with the of the Vietnamese revolution in South­ tion in the South-including the bil­ State Department officials claimed unsavory job of justifying the U.S. east Asia-motivated Carter to cancel lions in U.S. capitalist investment­ events had caught them by surprise government's eighteen-year record of the announced plans to withdraw some Carter is ready to throw American (even though Secretary of Defense support to his regime of torture, American troops from Korea after his working people into a new Vietnam, Brown met with the top generals in murder, rigged elections, and corrup­ visit last June. It was a move to bolster and even to bring the world to the Seoul a week before the killing). tion. Park's wobbling reign of terror. point of nuclear war. But it was the U.S. military and the The resulting eulogies to Park ap­ The presence of these troops has That is what makes the demand for CIA that trained the Korean Army and pear to have been lifted intact from nothing to do with protecting Ameri­ the withdrawal of U.S. forces from KCIA in the use of murder and torture earlier articles praising the butcher can or South Korean working people Korea so important for all working against political opponents. It is only shah of Iran as a "modernizer." from "North Korean aggression." It people in this country. natural that they would tum these Henry Scott Stokes portrayed Park's has everything to do with protecting It has been a bad year for U.S.­ methods against Park himself when he regime in the October 27 New York the profits of U.S. capitalists-in Ko­ supported dictators. Park Chung Hee's became a liability. Times, as one of "economic expansion rea and around the world. ignominious end is another sign of the These are the same methods that the pushed at the expense of human U.S. imperialism bears complete re­ weakening position of the U.S. impe­ American CIA-using Saigon generals rights." A major factor in spurring this sponsibility for the tortures, jailings, rialists, and the growing determina­ to do the dirty work-employed to get "industrial revolution," for Stokes, was and murders that characterized Park's tion of workers and peasants all over rid of South Vietnamese President Ngo "the stationing of tens of thousands of rule. the world to fight for a better life. It Dinh Diem in 1963 when massive American troops." From 1950-53, U.S. planes devas­ remains to be seen for how long the antigovernment protests threatened to Sotkes explained that Park's foes tated the countryside in the Korean new military dictator will be able to get out of hand. just couldn't appreciate all that pro­ war, millions of Koreans were killed, keep the lid on the demands of South Whatever the degree of direct U.S. gress and efficiency: "He 'made the and thousands of American lives were Korea's workers and farmers for demo­ involvement in Park's assassination, trains run on time'. . . . But doing so thrown away to keep dictator Syng­ cratic rights, social justice, and free­ U.S. officials aren't unhappy with the got him into trouble." man Rhee in power and prevent the dom from imperialist domination. outcome: "American influence with the Stokes asserted that the income of caretaker government is greater than the average Korean rose to $1,500 it was with the strong-willed President under Park's regime. Park," asserted the October 29 Chris­ If this figure is accurate, it means tian Science Monitor. Korean workers take home a mere $125 The move to get rid of Park came in a month. And this doesn't take into Withdraw U.S. troops, the wake of the biggest explosion of account the effects of 30 percent an­ popular protest in South Korea since nual inflation and an unemployment say Pulley, Zimmermann the demonstrations that brought down rate of 8 percent. The following statement was The main prop of the Park Chung Syngman Rhee's dictatorship in 1960. Moreover, there is a vast gap be­ released October 29 by Andrew Hee dictatorship and his successors Antigovernment demonstrations be­ tween the tiny handful of rich in South Pulley, Socialist Workers Party is the United States, which main­ gan in Pusan, leading to the imposi­ Korea and the poor. It is this gap-not candidate for president, and Ma­ tains 38,000 troops in South Korea. tion of martial law there on October 17. "progress"-that Park's army and se­ tilde Zimmermann, SWP candi­ Without U.S. backing the corrupt They spread to Masan, where troops cret police were and still are protecting. date for vice-president. regime would collapse. were ordered in on October 18. South Korea-like some other semi­ The protests spread from there to the colonial countries-experienced a sub­ President Carter, who claims to U.S. troops should be withdrawn support shipbuilding center of Ulsan, as well stantial industrial expansion during human rights, is committed from Korea immediately-before the to keeping U.S. troops there to pre­ as Kwongju and Taegu. the capitalist boom of the 1960s. Capi­ American people are dragged into serve the dictatorship and U.S in­ Although the participants were gen­ talist investors were attracted by the another war. vestments. As long as those troops erally described as students in the U.S. miserably cheap wages, the absence of Massive protests by Korean remain, the risk is great that we will media, many of the protesters in Ma­ social welfare measures, and the brutal workers and students are shaking be involved in another conflict in san were industrial workers. measures taken to suppress strikes and the U.S.-supported dictatorship to Korea-where tens of thousands of The demonstrations were sparked by unions. the core. In the last weeks, tens of Gls and millions of Koreans died a the expulsion of Kim Young Sam, thousands have poured into the For millions of workers this "pro­ generation ago. leader of the opposition New Demo­ gress" meant grinding poverty, long streets to express their opposition to cratic Party, from the National Assem­ hours, declining health due to job­ a regime that uses troops and tanks The American people do not want bly and the resignation of the entire induced diseases, and brutal mistreat­ to brutally suppress democratic another Korean war! opposition from that stacked body. ment by arrogant employers and su­ rights. The U.S. should get out now! Ferment deepened after the initial pervisors backed to the hilt by the demonstrations had been quelled. In government.

8 Behind anti-OPEC scare New evidence of oil com swindles By Andy Rose The major oil companies-U.S., and add billions more dollars to com­ As U.S. oil companies report record­ French, Dutch, and British-continue pany profits. breaking profit increases, a new cam­ to control the transportation, refining, Meanwhile, evidence of massive paign has gotten underway to divert and marketing of oil on a world scale. price-gouging by the oil companies the blame for the energy ripoff onto the They can find a thousand ways to continues to mount. A recent Energy Arab oil-producing countries. channel oil they buy from OPEC onto Department report revealed that oil The news media have spotlighted the spot market for resale at higher refiners increased the retail price of recent crude oil price increases by prices. The oil companies pocket the home heating oil twice as fast as the Kuwait, Libya, Iran, and Iraq. Libya difference. price of crude oil between January raised the price for its top quality crude This situation obviously puts the oil 1977 and 1979. to $26.27 a barrel; the other producers producing countries under pressure to And an unpublicized civil trial in set prices .of about $22-23 a barrel. raise their own prices to share in the Nova Scotia, Canada, four years ago­ When the Organization of Petroleum take. belatedly reported by the New York Exporting Countries meets in De­ The question is: why are spot prices Times on September 30, 1979- cember, an increase in its official ceil­ so high? provided a vivid picture of fraud and ing price (now $23.50 a barrel) is likely. Oil consumption in the United States profiteering by Exxon, the world's Working people in the United States is down. Industry deliveries of gasoline barrels of oil. largest oil company. Company docu­ are told that these OPEC moves are the dropped 5 percent in September while Business Week reports "a stockpiling ments and testimony by Exxon offi­ cause of soaring prices for gasoline (up deliveries of distillates, which include effort that is filling up tanks world­ cials revealed that: 41 percent so far this year) and home home-heating fuels, dropped 7.2 per­ wide." • "The company disguised increases heating oil (up 47 percent). cent. The decrease in consumer de­ The September 22 Economist gives in its profit margins by backdating This explanation is just as phony as mand was attributed to sharply higher this description: "Hastily recommis­ them to blend in with price increases last spring's gasoline shortage. prices. People just can't afford to buy sioned tankers are again being ordered tied to OPEC price increases." As in the past, OPEC is following as much gasoline and heating oil, no to steam slowly, adding more millions • "Exxon used transactions between behind price increases already carried matter how much they may need it. of barrels to the effective stockpile. subsidiaries ... to justify price in­ out by the major world oil companies­ In fact, U.S. oil imports in September Heating oil dealers in central Europe creases to other customers." first and foremost the U.S. oil giants. were 7.3 percent lower than a year ago. and eastern North America are finding • "Exxon used offshore corporations The oil producing countries are simply Oil refineries cut back their operations it hard to coax extra gallons into their to 'launder' and artificially inflate trying to retain for themselves a share to only 84 percent of their capacity, customers' brim-filled tanks." price increases.... these corporations of the tremendous wealth being down from 90 percent a year ago. The Economist cites an estimate by were organized to avoid millions of pumped out of their lands by world The demand for oil is likely to drop the International Energy Agency that dollars in taxes." imperialism. even further as the recession deepens, stocks of oil and oil products would be Both the semicolonial oil-producing The real situation is signaled by the factories close down, and more workers at an all-time record high by October 1. countries and working people in the sharply rising "spot price" for oil in are fired. The oil companies claim their stock­ United States are victims of the oil the world markets. At roughly $40 a So are those "Arab oil sheiks" cut­ piling is justified by fear of future oil corporations' insatiable drive for prof­ barrel, the spot price is almost twice as ting back production in order to keep shortages. But the immediate impact is its. Nationalization is the only way to high as the OPEC price. supplies tight and prices high? clear: to keep prices artificially high call a halt to their plunder. Most OPEC oil is sold under long­ Just the opposite. Saudi Arabia, the term contracts at a set price. The spot biggest OPEC producer, increased its market is where oil is bought and sold output from 8.5 million barrels a day to Aramco 's fast shuffle on a day-to-day basis. 9.5 million barrels a day earlier this It just doesn't pay for the oil­ Aramco partners' pockets. Industry year. According to a report in the producing countries to keep their analysts think that the four compan­ October 20 London Economist, " ... prices down. ies, as much as possible, are selling OIL PROFITS privately, Saudi Arabia's oil planners Saudi Arabia has been selling oil the Saudi crude in Europe and meet­ SCOREBOARD are fairly sure that production will run for several months at $18 a barrel, ing U.S. demand with higher-priced increase at 91/ 2m b/d right through the first significantly below other OPEC pro­ Iranian oil, because U.S. law limits 3rd quarter from year three months of 1980. And, mor~ im­ ducers. Saudi oil goes to Exxon, the permissible markup on any im­ profits before portantly, they are considering produc­ Mobil, Texaco, and Standard Oil of ported crude, and European rules do Exxon $1.15 billion 118% ing as much as 10Ij2m b/d for a few California, the four U.S. companies not." Texaco $612 million 211% months." that make up Aramco (Arabian­ Just by coincidence, Exxon, Tex­ Mobil $595 million 130% The October 29 Business Week con­ American Oil Company). aco, and Mobil reported the highest Gulf $416 million 97% firms that "oil supply and demand are Business Week reported October 8: profits of any oil companies for the Sohio $366 million 191% approximately in balance world­ ". . . the main effect of ·the lower third quarter of 1979. Exxon and Arco $320 million 45% wide ...." Saudi price seems to have been to Mobil more than doubled their prof­ Conoco $247 million 134% The key reason for the high spot funnel the $3 per bbl. differential its; Texaco's tripled. Standard Oil of price is that the oil companies are below Iranian prices into the California hasn't reported yet. hoarding millions upon millions of 1,000 arrested in Wall Street nuclear By Ed Josephson those victimized by the profit system, a NEW YORK-More than 2,000 dem­ system that leads big business to in­ onstrators gathered near Wall Street, vest not only in nuclear power, but also the nation's financial capital, October in the nuclear weapons industry and 28 to protest the big corporations' the South African apartheid regime. investment in nuclear power. Henry Foner, president of the Fur, The drenched but spirited crowd Leather and Machine Workers Joint braved freezing rain to hear represen­ Council, opened the rally by condemn­ tatives of labor, civil rights, feminist, ing the corporate irresponsibility and environmental groups denounce which leads to both nuclear catas­ the callous disregard for human needs trophes such as Three Mile Island, and by the corporations that profit from economic catastrophes such as the De­ the nuclear industry. pression. On Monday, October 29-the fiftieth anniversary of the great stock market Many speakers called for public own­ crash-more than 1,000 protesters re­ ership of the energy industry as the turned to Wall Street, symbolizing only way to insure safe and abundant their opposition to nuclear investment energy for the American people­ by attempting to peacefully close down sentiments echoed by many banners in the New York Stock Exchange. the crowd. More than 1,000 people were arrested Joseph Carnegie, a member of the for sitting down in front of the police Transit Workers Union, reminded the barricades closing off the streets sur­ crowd that both the Democratic and rounding the Exchange. Republican parties are united in favor Most demonstrators were released of nuclear power. "Unless working quickly after being issued a summons. people unite, they'll find themselves Several hundred who refused to iden­ going down the drain in either a nu­ tify themselves were given conditional clear accident or a nuclear war," he releases the same evening. said. The Exchange ordered many of its The demonstrations on both Sunday workers to arrive as early as 6 a.m. to and. Monday were organized . by the avoid the protest. All doors on Wall Manhattan Project-a coalition of Street were locked and employees were anti-nuclear groups in the Northeast admitted through a side entrance to including the SHAD and Clamshell the building. The Exchange opened for alliances. business on schedule. Demonstrators came from as far Speakers at Sunday's demonstration away as New Hampshire and South stressed the need for unity among all Carolina to join the protests. Cops drag off protester outside New York Stock Exchange

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 9 Cam~gning in the South I!Make Louisiana a union state: repeal right By Peter Seidman as the chairman of the safety commit­ NEW ORLEANS-The labor-hating, tee stop by. So do Rev. Isidore Booker racist Democratic Party politicians and Cynthia Hawkins, two leaders of who run Louisiana won a big victory the fight waged by Local 13000 to here three years ago when they got defeat Brian Weber's well-publicized "right to work" laws put back on the challenge to the affirmative-action pro­ books. The laws prohibit the union gram their union negotiated with shop and restrict workers' right to Kaiser. organize. As workers go by, they say: Since then inflation has soared. "Hi there, governor!" Taxes have gone up. The bosses have "That's my comrade here." cut wages and slashed out at safety One older Black man says: "I'm a regulations and working conditions. friend of Nelson, but I haven't made a But, with membership down and in a decision yet about who to vote for." weakened position, the trade-union "You the fellow who works for movement here has been less able than Kaiser? Hope you make it fellow." ever to defend working people from "You've got a lot of people in there this pummeling by the employing wearing your buttons." class. "Saw you on TV. Liked it." Their backs to the wall, workers are Nelson tells his partner, a flex ma­ ready and willing to listen to new ideas chine operator, that he'll be an hour on how to fight back. late to work. That's what Matilde Zimmermann, "Take your time," the man replies. the 1980 vice-presidential candidate of "You're running for governor." the Socialist Workers Party, came to ...... discuss with them during a tour here October 23-24. We're up at 5 a.m. the next morning Zimmermann also urged support for to talk with dock workers, members of SWP gubernatorial candidate Greg the International Longshoremen's As­ Nelson in the October 27 Louisiana sociation, shaping up at the union primary. Nelson, twenty-seven, is a hiring hall. member of the United Steelworkers of Zimmermann raises the idea of end­ America Local 13000. He works at the ing the blockade against Cuba and giant Kaiser Aluminum plant in opening up U.S. trade with the island. Chalmette. Also, starting massive shipments of Five Democrats and one Republican food to Nicaragua. have spent an estimated $20 million to She says that as one of the nation's come out on top in this contest. largest ports, this would create many The state AFL-CIO calls for a vote jobs in New Orleans. for any of three of the Democrats-all Those she speaks with nod their supporters of the union-busting "right heads in agreement. Many buy copies to work" laws. of the Militant-as they do every week. Nelson calls this "a crisis" for the Ten buy copies of How I Became A state's labor movement. Militant/Peter Seidman Socialist by Andrew Pulley, the SWP "Last election, the AFL-CIO backed Matllde Zimmermann, center, talks to striking steelworkers at Amax Nickel Refining candidate for president. Democratic candidate and now gover­ Company. At a news conference the day before, nor Edmund Edwards because he Zimmermann also urged trade with promised to oppose 'right to work,' " Cuba. Nelson says. been out on strike against the Amax of us will go back without our union." Zimmermann made another impor­ "Then Edwards stabbed us in the Nickel Refining Company in Braithe­ The workers explain how the com­ tant point at the J!.ews conference. back. But in this election, the Demo­ waite, Louisiana, since September 1. pany forced this strike in the new She urged the working people of cratic candidates openly promise to Zimmermann, Nelson, and a group climate fostered by the "right to work" Louisiana to stand shoulder to knife us right up front." of supporters make the one-hour trip laws. shoulder against the resurgence of Ku out from New Orleans to express their "Safety is one main issue," one man Klux Klan violence taking place in the Zimmermann kicked off her tour at a solidarity. says of Amax's- last-offer contract. new conference where she gave the South. All workers, whites as well as When we introduce ourselves, the "Heavy forced overtime," is another. socialist alternative to this dead end: Blacks, have a stake in stopping this, strikers greet us warmly. At bottom "they're trying to break the she explained. "We don't need 'right to work,"' she There are only six pickets on the union." Blacks are some of the best fighters explained. "We need more unions. line, four white men and two Black Zimmermann and Nelson raise ideas against right to work and for strong Tougher, democratic unions. And we women. This was because of an injunc­ about demanding thirty hours work for unions. After all, they suffer lower need to use the power of these unions tion slapped down the second day of forty hours pay as a way of creating wages and worse working conditions against our enemies in the political the strike. more jobs and fighting forced over­ than anyone else when the bosses have arena. We need a party of our own-a Five strikers have already been run time. a free hand. So racist attacks on labor party based on the power of the over by company scabs, the workers They ask about labor solidarity. Blacks are really an attack on the unions, a party that can fight on tell us. Local 13000 donated $1,000. The fire­ whole labor movement. behalf of all the oppressed and exploit­ Other pickets have been threatened men have also given support. So have "That's why," Zimmermann said, ed." by company gun thugs. The picket line some Teamsters and rail union locals. "we say the labor movement should Zimmermann brought this message is under constant surveillance by a The strikers think more could and organize to smash the KKK." to campaign engagements throughout company microphone and videotape should be done. Like a union support the area-and learned first hand what recorder. rally, or a march through the sur­ misery "right to work" is bringing the But that's the only coverage Local rounding Plaqueman's Parish. "Or at working people of Louisiana. 8373's strike has gotten. There's been a least a labor picnic." ...... virtual blackout in the capitalist me­ Zimmermann agrees . dia. "The Perez brothers run this parish The 417 members of United Steel­ "We expect to be here 'til at least like a little kingdom" they inherited workers of America Local 8373 have December," the pickets tell us. "None from their father, a prominent Louisi­ ana political boss, say the strikers. Zimmermann raises the idea of a labor party that could mobilize the Louisiana union movement behind their strike and even "run a steel­ worker in the elections to challenge the Perez brothers' control." The strikers listen thoughtfully. Two buy copies of the Militant. All of them gladly take campaign literature. They warmly shake our hands as we set off to make an engagement at the afternoon shift change at -the Kaiser plant in Chalmette...... Nelson is already well-known at Kaiser. Many people coming in to work stop to say hello. Nelson introduces them to Zimmermann. Both candidates hand Militant/Peter Seidman out leaflets for a rally the next night. Matllde Zimmermann and supporters campaign at Avondale Shipyard The president of Local 13000 as well

10 to work!' Victory rally for The highlight of Zimmermann's tour right to work is taking place right was campaigning outside the gates of under the company's nose. the Avondale Shipyard. The largest Ohio ballot drive private employer in the state, A von­ * * * dale boasts in its Employees' Guide An October 24 rally caps off Zimmer­ that it is "the only major non-union mann's tour. It shows the considerable shipyard in the United States." The impact the socialist campaign is begin­ company adds that it "is also one of ning to have. the most productive shipyards in the Half the forty-six people here are not country" and one that "prefers to yet members of the SWP. Many are at operate its facilities without the inter­ their first socialist meeting. ference of organized labor." The impact is obvious in other ways also. Like the careful attention paid to For the 9,000 or so people who work speeches by the five Local 13000 there this means that Avondale is a workers in the audience. hell hole where injury and death on the The impact is also clear from greet­ job are commonplace. ings to the rally. One is from Joy Van When the 4:30 p.m. whistle blows, Buskirk, a member of the executive hundreds of workers start running out council of the United Teachers of New the gates. Orleans. Nelson's stand on right to Today Zimmermann, Nelson, and work makes him "the only candidate six other campaign supporters are to represent the interests of the work­ there to meet them. ing people of Louisiana," Van Buskirk says. "I wish the AFlrCIO leadership "Make Louisiana a union state! Re­ had the courage to endorse him." Andrew Pulley speaks at Cincinnati news conference. MilitanVKathleen Denny. peal right to work!" the socialists start Vicky Cofield, a member of the Jef­ shouting. ferson Parish Federation of Teachers, "Hi, I'm Matilde Zimmermann, so­ also gives greetings. Cofield was active cialist candidate for vice-president." in a recent, hard-fought-and victor­ By Elizabeth Myers "Every other candidate and politi­ "Hi, I'm Greg Nelson. I'm running ious-strike. and Valerie Libby cian in the city says there is no money or that working people have to pay for governor. I'm a member of the In her speech, Zimmermann blasts CINCINNATI-A victory rally here USWA at Kaiser Chalmette. Our union Carter's claims that American workers October 28 celebrated the successful more taxes to fund education for our just organized the biggest shipyard in are threatened by Soviet military ad­ completion of the Ohio statewide ballot children. I don't agree. Virginia at Newport News. I think we visers in Cuba. drive. Giving his congratulations to "There is plenty of money availa­ should do it here too and make Louisi­ "There is a threat to the security of the efforts by Ohio petitioners was ble," Rahn continued. "First, there's the $136 billion war budget. This mon­ ana a union state!" working people here," Zimmermann Socialist Workers presidential candi­ ey should be used to educate children Workers smile as they go by. Some says. "But it doesn't come from Cuba. date Andrew Pulley. not to bomb and maim children stop and shake hands. "Castro doesn't lay you off," the At a rate of almost 1,000 signatures i~ "I recognize you from TV, sir." socialist candidate explains. "And he per day, campaign supporters collected other parts of the world. "Then there's the big downtown "Good luck." doesn't collect an extra nickel every 21,277 signatures to place Pulley and corporations. The developers of Foun­ "I've been here sixteen years. I know time the price you pay for a quart of his vice-presidential running mate, tain Square are avoiding $18 million in what right to work means." milk goes up. And talk about security! Matilde Zimmermann on the ballot in property taxes over the next thirty Guards at the gate house look on He doesn't build nuclear power plants Ohio; along with John Powers, a years. The Central Trust Tower and grimly. A Jefferson Parish cop car is on earthquake faults near our cities! Cleveland auto worker, the SWP's can­ the Cincinnati Bell Tower are getting on the scene within minutes, looking "These threats come from the big didate for U.S. Senate. off the hook to the tune of $7.5 million corporations that rule America Ohio petitioners went over their goal on. over the next ten years. It's these big They're trying to intimidate the through the Democrats and Republi­ of 20,000, due largely to the enthusias­ businesses, not working people, that workers. So accepting a leaflet or smil­ cans. Working people need a party of tic response they found for placing should be taxed to pay for schools. ing becomes a sign of defiance. their own, a labor party based on the socialist candidates on the ballot. "And let's look at Sohio. Their prof­ Almost everyone who goes by takes Cleveland SWP organizer, Alyson J>?Wer of the unions, to fight that rule," its just soared by 191 percent to a one. Some passengers jump off buses Zimmermann says. Kennedy, was the high· petitioner in whopping $366.2 million. There's to take stacks of leaflets to pass out to The rousing reception to her ideas at the state, collecting 968 signatures. plenty of money to solve the school their co-workers inside. Many are the rally-and all during her tour of More than half the crowd of about crisis, with no cuts in education or in folded up and put inside pockets. Louisiana-show that the bosses and 100 unionists at a Cleveland energy teachers' wages," Rahn declared. People in cars from the parking lot their political stooges are in for an protest rally Oct. 17 signed to put the Pulley spoke about the issue of flash V-signs and take leaflets as they increasingly hard time in what they've socialist candidates on the ballot. school desegregation and pointed to go by. hoped to preserve as the "right to Powers collected 461 signatures, the recent flare-up of racist violence A demonstration of sorts against work" South. sixty of them from his co-workers at Baker Material Handling. The vice­ against Black schoolchildren in Bos­ president of Powers' union, United ton. He blasted local officials for giv­ Auto Workers Local 451, signed, along ing the racists a helping hand by with shop stewards and members of refusing to place the blame where it the Local's women's committee. belongs-on the racist opponents of Two steelworkers in Cincinnati both busing who are trying to deny Black What 'right to work' really is children an equal education. The following excerpts are That's right to work in action. working more than fifty hours a ~eek, collected over 500 signatures each. A Pulley also blasted Washington's from a speech by Socialist They've had right to work since policy on aid to Kampuchea (Cambo­ Workers Party gubernatorial they opened up. Toledo auto worker on layoff, Janet Post, collected 775 signatures. dia). He explained how the White candidate Greg N~lson at t~e It's probably the only "right" the Speaking to the rally, Pulley said, House was cynically trying to use the October 24 campaign rally In workers at Avondale have. issue of relief aid to try to prop up the New Orleans. "Working people in Ohio, just as every­ Because the right to work at Avon­ where, are fed up with the record of the remnants of the brutal Pol Pot regime, Democrats and Republicans. More and while denying aid to the great majority Millions of dollars, a constant dale means the right to have hundreds of needless industrial acci­ more they are interested in seeing who live under Heng Samrin. Pulley barrage of editorials about the evils pointed to Washington's insistence on of big labor, and rivers of political dents, including numerous deaths workers' candidates run against Carter each year. and the other representatives of big a "land-brigade" of trucks-with the doubletalk from the big-business U.S. providing "security"-to trans­ candidates have been used to con­ The right to work at Avondale business." . means you give up your real rights Pulley is a member of United Steel­ port aid from Thailand as the latest fuse the working people of this state example of this attempt. He said that about the "right to work" law. the minute you hire on. workers of America Local 1066 at U.S. Steel's Gary Works. this withholding of food was a crimi­ It is as if the slaveowners, back in You give up freedom of press, nal attempt to block the extension of the days of chattel slavery, were to Speaking with Pulley was Mark freedom of speech, and freedom of Rahn, also a steelworker, and the the Vietnamese revolution. pass something called the "right to association. As one worker ex­ Pulley said, "Kennedy got on TV the own" law. SWP's candidate for Cincinnati City plained, you can toss out the Bill of Council. Rahn, twenty-four, is chair­ other night to denounce Carter for not Now most people would think that Rights when you enter Avondale. sending - aid to Kampuchea. But, there is nothing wrong with the person of the Cincinnati Young Social­ ist Alliance. Kennedy's position is just the same as "right to own." After all, I own a That's the real right to work law. And that's what the Democrats Earlier in the week, Rahn attended a Carter's. toothbrush. I own my own shoes and "Kennedy pretends he is concerned clothing. and Republicans want at Kaiser march of 4,000 called by the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers to demand about the starving Kampuchean peo­ But the slaveowners wanted the Aluminum. funding for public schools. Also, pro­ ple," Pulley continued. "But, why right to own human beings. That They want that at the New Or­ fessors at the University of Cincinnati wasn't he concerned when he voted for isn't a right at all. It's a crime! leans docks. have gone out on strike for the first all the war appropriations for the It's the same with right to work. It They want a little Avondale at time in history-over tenure, grievance massive bombing of Cambodia? It was doesn't mean that everybody gets a every rail yard and refinery in the procedures, and wages. the thousands of B-52 bombers, virtu­ job. It means that the boss gets the state. Rahn expressed his full support for ally obliterating this small country, right to work you to death. the strike. that is the cause of the severe starva­ The trick comes in what is a And when a Democrat or Republi­ "The school board is threatening to tion today," Pulley said. "right" and who gets this right. can party politician tells you he close the Cincinnati public schools for During his two-day stint in Cincin­ If you really want to see the effect doesn't know that's what right to work is all about, then tell him what three ·weeks in November and De­ nati, Pulley was interviewed by two of right to work, then go to Avondale TV stations, and campaigned at the Shipyards. he is. A no-good liar. cember for lack of funds," Rahn said. The teachers have been denied a pay big General Motors assembly plant in boost for 1,000 days. Norwood.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 11 PHOENIXSWP CAMPAIGN: 'A clear choice for working people' By Janice Lynn declared her support for this reaction­ "I'm campaigning on the Socialist ary measure." Workers Party platform and that's A fund-raising letter on Fein's behalf what qualifies me to be the mayor," was recently sent out by thirteen indi­ reads the October 21, Sunday edition of viduals including prominent civil liber­ the Arizona Republic, Phoenix's major tarians, well-known Chicano and labor daily. movement figures, poUtical activists in Dan Fein is a thirty-four-year-old .the Democratic party, leaders in the welder, on leave froiJ) Midland-Ross women's movement and professors at Capitol Castings in order·to campaign Arizona State University. full time for the Phoenix mayor's seat. The letter urges people to contribute He is a member of the United Steel­ to Fein's campaign, attend a No­ workers of America Local 4102. vember 2 campaign rally, and vote for Dan Fein, Socialist Workers Party Midland-Ross Capitol Castings. The only other candidate in the race Fein on November 6. is the Republican incumbent, Mayor Margaret Hance. The letter points to Fein's positions The Militant telephoned Phoenix for "reinstating cut city services (the Many of Fein's most active cam­ The morning of the Militant inter­ October 26. to talk to Fein about his low-income job training program, li­ paigners are other steelworkers. Two of view Fein got up at 3:00 a.m., and campaign. We were lucky to catch him brary hours, parks and recreation them, Betsy McDonald and Lou Schle­ along with several campaign volun­ in between campaign engagements. hours, collection of uncontained trash); singer, are members of USWA Local teers, drove out to the Palo Verde He had just returned from a lun­ an end to the $20 million annual tax­ 3937 at Reynolds Metals Co. They Nuclear Generating Station. About cheon in honor of Ruben Bonilla, na­ free give-away to banks as interest have been campaigning for Fein du­ 7,000 workers are employed there. tional president of the League for Uni­ payment on bonds; the right of public ring their lunch breaks, and meeting Fein's platform calls for a halt to ted Latin American Citizens. employees to strike; against the right­ with a .good response. construction on this dangerous nuclear "I was the only candidate for either to-work laws; ratification of the Equal In an attempt to prevent these cam­ facility and proposes that the crews be mayor or city council who was in­ Rights Amendment; and [for] the right paigners from winning support for put to work building bridges that are vited," Fein explained. of women to control their bodies." Fein, the company threatened to fire badly needed in the Phoenix area, or "My campaign has expressed its full As tbe Militant talked with Fein, the them if they continued talking about on other useful projects. support to the struggles of Chicanos­ other phones in the campaign office the Fein-for-mayor campaign during "People immediately stopped," Fein for busing; bilingual, bicultural educa­ were continually ringing. Fein ex­ their breaks. said, "and wanted to know more about tion programs; increased funding for plained that the headquarters has been Fein responded immediately and my campaign. Many told me they had schools; affirmative-action programs flooded with calls. Volunteers come held several well attended news confer­ seen me on TV and asked for stacks of on the job; and a halt to police brutal­ regularly to help on the campaign. ences to protest this attempt to inter­ literature to distribute to workers in­ ity and racist frame-ups in the bar­ Many are activists in the women's fere with the election process. "Now side." rios." movement. The Democrats and Repub­ that some employees at Reynolds are The danger of nuclear power has Later that evening, Fein attended a licans in the Arizona state legislature campaigning for a workers' candidate, been an important issue for the Fein statewide LULAC meeting where he still refuse to pass the ERA. the company bosses are trying to si­ campaign. "We participated in a three­ spoke about his campaign. The SWP campaign was one of the lence them," Fein told reporters. day antinuclear conference at Arizona Fein explained, "Never before in sponsors of an October 25 abortion The steelworkers union also filed State University," Fein said. Phoenix has there been such a clear rights rally at the state capitol. Fein grievances on behalf of the two cam­ "We issued a campaign statement cut choice for mayor. Margaret Hance was one of the invited speakers. paign supporters protesting the com­ expressing our support for the No­ makes no secret of her ties to big He called for full federal and state pany's interference with their free vember 10 demonstration at the state business. She sits on the board of funding so that all women can have speech rights. capitol protesting the Palo Verde nu­ directors of Valley National Bank, one access to safe and legal abortions. "As a result of the pressure," Fein clear plant." of Phoenix's largest. Just last week, Fein's opponent, Hance, refused to said the company was forced to back Fein made an October 14 appearance Valley National reported whopping speak at the rally. down. "And now, they tell me, the before the Low Rider's Club. Five profits of 42 percent. Campaign supporters have been plant is buzzing with conversations hundred young Chicanos were packed "Meanwhile, the working people of coming in to the headquarters and about my campaign." into the club in the Chicano commun­ Phoenix are barely limping along taking stacks of campaign posters to One of the local TV stations did a ity of South Phoenix. Mayor Hance under Carter's seven-percent wage paste up throughout the city. Other profile on all the candidates. A camera declined to appear. guidelines. Phoenix is the sixth most campaign workers come by on Satur­ crew accompanied Fein and several of Fein spoke out against police harass­ expensive city to live in, yet our wages day to help with campaign distribu­ his supporters to the plant gates out­ ment of the Chicano youth; about are nowhere near the sixth highest." tions at shopping areas. side Reynolds Metals. The station be­ youth unemployment; and about full One young Chicana and her two gan its coverage by stating, "These are rights for undocumented workers. Right-to-work . children have been volunteering at the the Socialist Worker's favorite places One of the major issues in Fein's campaign headquarters every morn­ to campaign. These are the people they Nicaragua campaign is his call for repeal of the ing. She has recently decided to join are trying the most to reach.... " "I also talked a lot about Nicara­ state's "right-to-work" (for less) law. the Young Socialist Alliance, the so­ Fein agrees. He sent a letter to union gua," Fein said. "How the Nicaraguan "We are saddled with this law which cialist youth organization that is ac­ locals in the Phoenix area requesting youths are the ones driving the revolu­ undermines union organizing," Fein tively supporting the socialist cam­ to speak before their meetings. The tion forward in the country; how the explained. "This has led to signifi­ paign. letter said in part, "I feel strongly that youths are the ones who have the cantly lower wages in Arizona than in Classes have been organized at the labor should have a voice in the muni­ courage and sacrifice to fight for free­ states without this anti-union law. My campaign office to discuss the basic cipal elections. I am campaigning dom at all costs." opponent Mayor Hance has openly ideas of socialism. against the 'right to work' law as well Fein's remarks received an enthusi­ as other causes in the interest of astic response and campaign support­ unions and all working people." ers quickly sold all copies of the Young The response has been excellent. Socialist newspaper they had brought Fein spoke before the Communications along. Workers of America Local 8519; two Fein has publicly called for Mana­ meetings of USWA Local 3937; USWA gua, Nicaragua to be adopted as a Local 5913; before his own local meet­ sister city as part of Phoenix's sister­ ing; and informally to a number of city program. other USW A locals. Fein is also supporting efforts by "At these union meetings," Fein told attorneys from the Mexican-American me, "the idea of working people having Legal Defense and Education Fund to our own party-a labor party-really seek an injunction postponing the No­ hits home. These unionists see how we vember 6 elections. In Phoenix, the city aren't getting a thing with Democratic council is elected at-large, not from and Republican politicians running districts. This effectively disenfran­ the government-that, in fact our prob­ chises the communities of Chicanos lems are getting worse. They see how and other oppressed minorities, leav­ they operate in the interests of the ing them no representation. business community, not our interests. So, in order to solve our problems, a • • • labor party, fighting for workers' inter­ Campaign supporters are invited ests, becomes a concrete alternative to an open-house November 6, at that union members can clearly sup­ 7:00 p.m. to watch the election Dan Fein at one of hla many news conferencn during campaign port." returns at 1243 East McDowell. Vote Socialist Workers on Nov. 6

Listed below are the Socialist KENTUCKY Mayor;* George Windau for City Workers Party candidates in the Council* Louisville-Mary Gutekanst for Board November 6 local elections. In of Aldermen, Twelfth Ward some states, restrictive ballot PENNSYLVANIA la•vs prevent socialist candi­ MARYLAND Philadelphia-Nora Danielson for dates from gaining ballot status. Mayor; Stephen Eckardt for City Write-in candidates are indi­ Baltimore-Norton Sandler for Controller; Benjamin Bailey, Wilson cated by an asterisk (*). Mayor* Osteen, Marta Reinhart, and John Werntz for City Council At-Large ARIZONA MINNESOTA Phoenix-Dan Fein for Mayor Minneapolis-Gayle Swann for Mayor TEXAS Houston-Debby Leonard for Mayor CALIFORNIA OHIO San Francisco-Sylvia Weinstein for Cincinnati-Mark J. Rahn for City UTAH Mayor; Deborah Liatos for Board of Council Salt Lake City-Pamela Burchett for Supervisors, District Seven Toledo-Susan A. Skinner for Mayor*

lt1arroquin u defense of Cuba CHICAGO/GARY By Meg Hayes Socialist Campaign Rally DETROIT-"Washington's slanders Speaker: and threats against Cuba are also Andrew Pulley, SWP candidate threats against Nicaragua," Hector for president Marroquin told more than seventy people at the Detroit Militant Forum Gary-Friday, November 9 on October 14. Reception & rally 7:30 p.m. "They are telling the Nicaraguan Gary Sheraton Hotel, Broadway working people and peasants, 'We Donation: $2 don't want any more Cubas' and they are telling the Cuban people, 'We don't Chicago-Saturday, November 10 want any more Nicaraguas.' " Reception & rally 6:30 p.m. "But," Marroquin continued, "the 434 S. Wabash Cuban people and the Nicaraguan Room 700, Chicago people have a message for Washing­ Donation: $3 ton: 'We don't want any more Yan­ kees.'" Andrew Pulley Marroquin received an enthusiastic response from the audience when he candidate for president explained: "Washington fears the in­ ternational solidarity Cuba provides. Nov. 4-5 Milwaukee They fear the inspiration the Cuban Nov. 9-10 Chicago/ revolution provides for the workers Gary and peasants of the entire hemisphere. Washington is terrorized that the Matilde Zimmermann masses of Nicaragua, El Salvador, candidate for vice-president Honduras, Guatemala, and the rest of Central America might follow the Cu­ ban example: that is, one of justice, Nov. 4-5 Houston equality, and revolutionary interna­ Nov. 9-10 San Antonio tionalism.'' Hector Marroquin, fighting for political asylum In this country. The forum, held only two days after Fidel Castro addressed the United other socialists on tour Nations, came at a high point in Ann Arbor, Marroquin was the guest nearly $600 by taking collections at interest in Cuba and recent U.S. mil­ of two senior' government classes. He every meeting where Marroquin spoke Cathy Sedwick itary aggression in the Caribbean. It explained to almost 100 students that and through a benefit cocktail party on had been publicized at local auto he was a victim of a frame-up in October 13. Nov. 1-4 New York/ plants, steel mills, college campuses, Mexico designed to squelch political Local supporters of the defense gave New Jersey and high schools. More than a dozen dissent. When he described his fight special attention to building the be­ Nov. 7-9 Newport News, Va. people came after hearing announce­ for political asylum in this country, nefit among their co-workers. Among Nov. 14-16 Minneapolis/ ments on local radio stations. many students responded by volunteer­ the fifty people who ·attended were St. Paul Marroquin found a lot of interest in ing to write letters to the Immigration members of the United Auto Workers Cuba throughout his three-day tour in and Naturalization Service in his sup­ at River Rouge and the United Steel­ Fred Halstead Detroit. Fifty-five students came to port. Several signed up to receive more workers from Great Lake Steel. hear him speak on "Cuba and Soviet information on the case and become Steelworkers and auto workers sold Troops" at a Young Socialist Alliance involved in local defense activity. tickets at Ford's River Rouge Complex, Nov. 2-4 Salt Lake City forum at the University of Michigan. An important focus of the tour was Great Lakes Steel, Chevrolet Forge Nov. 8-10 New Orleans An informal get-together was held in to help raise funds necessary to publi­ Plant, Whitehead, and Kales, and to Ann Arbor with Marroquin to watch cize this case. Marroquin is now appeal­ members of UAW Local 140 at Dodge Hector Marroquin Castro's speech broadcast on televi­ ing the April decision of the INS to Truck. Other supporters bought blocks sion. deport him back to Mexico. of tickets to help publicize the case and Nov. 9-11 Kansas City At Plymouth High School, outside Defense supporters here raised raise funds. Nov. 15-17 Virginia, Minn.

(Marroquin's tour sponsored by Hector Join the Socialist Workers Campaign! Marroquin Defense Committee, P.O. Box 843 Cooper Station, New York, New York Yes, I want to help. tons, and __ "Vote Socialist 10003). 0 Enclosed is $ ___ Workers" buttons. 50¢ each, 25¢ For more information call the Socialist 0 Please send me a free packet of each for ten or more. Workers Party branch nearest you. See the campaign material. _"Pulley for President" posters, and directory on page 27 for phone numbers 0 Please send me the following: __ "Zimmermann for Vice Presi­ ana addresses. _copies of How I Became a Socialist dent" posters. 10¢ each, 8¢ each by Andrew Pulley. 50¢ each, 35¢ for ten or more. each for ten or more. Clip and mail to Socialist Workers Presi­ _copies of Bill of Rights for Working dential Campaign Committee, 14 Charles People (English or Spanish). 3¢ Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. each. Name _"Pulley for President" buttons, and Address ------__ "Zimmermann for Vice Presi­ City State ___ dent" buttons (with photos). 50¢ Zip Phone ______each, 35¢ each for ten or more. Union/School/Organization _"Human Needs Before Profits" but-

Paid for by the Socialist Workers Presidential Campaign Committee. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission. Washington, D.C.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 13 By Suzanne Haig shop: "I came here to get women in my The national conference of the Na­ union more active. Of 2,700 members, tional Organization for Women, held 1,000 are women but only 6 attend in Los Angeles October 5-7, repre­ union meetings." sented a major step forward for NOW Other NOW members in unions and the entire fight for women's rights. asked for help in setting up women's committees, for ideas on how to com­ NOWwelct The 3,000 conference participants, overwhelmingly young, were opti­ bat company harassment, for support in strikes they were waging. mistic and with good reason. They were inspired by the new possi­ A featured speaker on the workshop bilities for powerful allies to join with panel was Gloria Jordan, vice­ president of the International Chemi­ in women's the women's movement, and especially by the upsurge in labor support for cal Workers Union Local 882. Jordan women's rights and the Equal Rights is a leader of the strike at Sanderson Farms, a chicken processing plant in Amendment. Two important union gatherings had Laurel, Mississippi. She described the occurred just prior to NOW's meeting: inhuman conditions at the plant that the August 12 Labor for Equal Rights drove the mostly Black and female Now (LERN) conference, which called work force to walk out and launch a for a January 13 march for the ERA in boycott of Sanderson's product, Miss Richmond, Virginia; and the Sep­ Goldy chickens. tember 13-16 convention of the Coali­ There were also panelists from the tion of Labor Union Women (CLUW), J.P. Stevens boycott, from the Occupa­ attended by 1,100 women. tional Safety and Health Urban Coali­ These two meetings were but the tion, and the American Federation of most recent of a series of labor gather­ State, County and Municipal Em­ ings organized by different unions to ployees. discuss the problems of women on the ..To unite in this industrial union, job-from the auto plants to the post Labor resolution The workshop discussed and passed regardless of race. creed, color or offices to the coal mines. They showed nationality..• all working men and a comprehensive resolution on women the increasing desire of working WOrking WOmen. · ·" .... The purpm <>Jiht' UXITFD STE£UVORK/j8S women to fight back against discrimi­ and labor for NOW in the coming year. Ol .HJERIC4, Jhnn its very bet,1'nnmg' nation on the job and in society as a The resolution (reprinted on page 16) whole. endorsed the J.P. Stevens and Miss They also reflected the growing reali­ Goldy chickens boycotts, solidarized zation of working people-male and with organizing drives and opposed female-that the fight for women's right-to-work laws, urged a fight to rights is part of the broader fight protect affirmative-action gains during against union-busting, racist attacks, layoffs, and denounced sexual harass­ right-to-work laws, inflation, and un­ ment on the job. employment. These attacks are educat­ The January 13 Virginia labor ing the entire labor movement in the march for the ERA was a central topic heat of the battle on the need for unity. of discussion at the workshop. The San Just as labor is more and more Francisco chapter of NOW had submit­ recognizing that women's rights, the ted to the convention a resolution to ERA in particular, is a working-class support the march, the December 2-9 issue, so participants in this NOW local actions leading up to it, and conference saw their fight as women LERN's campaign of education around directly related to the struggles of their the ERA. allies in the unions and the Black and One of the LERN co-coordinators, Latino communities. Suzanne Kelly, attended the labor Resolutions before the NOW confer­ workshop and spoke for the proposal. ence took up a wide variety of political Kelly, a member of NOW, is also the issues, from the ERA, abortion, and president of the Virginia Education lesbian rights, to union organizing Association. "NOW's involvement is drives and affirmative action, to the crucial," she told the workshop. "NOW draft, nuclear power, and aid to Nica­ proved it could mobilize people in a ragua. More than at any previous time, short time when it brought 100,000 out the women attending this conference for the ERA in Washington, D.C., on saw no contradiction between their July 9, 1978." fight as women and other social issues. Sara Nelson, head of NOW's labor Clockwise from top left: United Steelworkers of America greetings to NOW confer. In fact, most felt it was imperative that task force, also spoke in favor of the workshop panel. the women's movement take a stand proposal and the work LERN forces on other big political questions. have carried out in Virginia since 1977. At the same time, the conference The labor workshop approved the indicated the growing involvement of San Francisco proposal overwhelm­ ingly. Two workshops of Black and about power and money," she said. Carol Pudliner, Virginia NOW state other social movements-particularly That power could help build NOW, coordinator, attended the workshop the labor movement-in NOW. Latina women did the same. Following the labor workshop, some she added. "With this action in Virgi­ and spoke out against the labor­ nia, I can get railroad women in my sponsored march. Interaction with unions 300 women attended an "ERA Na­ tional Campaign Overview" workshop union to come to NOW and join, be­ She argued that a march would There were many more trade-union chaired by NOW President Eleanor cause they'll see NOW involved in an interfere with NOW's electoral efforts members of NOW at this conference, Smeal. alliance." and would actually have a negative reflecting the desire of working women San Francisco NOW's proposal to Joey Rothenberg, from United Steel­ effect-by disrupting negotiations be­ to get the power of the feminist move­ endorse the Virginia march was loudly workers Local 2610 at Sparrows Point tween NOW and Virginia legislators ment behind their struggles on the job. applauded in this workshop. As the list in Baltimore, explained how the NOW­ NOW is lobbying. An entire morning session of the of labor endorsers of the action was initiated ERA march on Washington Some of the other Virginia NOW conference was devoted to a salute to read out-including national CLUW in 1978 had spurred the formation of a leaders present agreed with Pudliner, working women and the labor move­ and locals and districts of the United women's committee in her union. "If arguing that financial and human ment (see box). Auto Workers, Teamsters, United Mine NOW endorses January 13, I can go resources would be diverted away from Unions sent official rerpresentatives Workers, and others-women cheered. back to my union and get them behind the lobbying and electoral work. to the gathering, such as Marsha Za­ this march too." But Virginia NOW member Betsy kowski of the United Steelworkers civil Trade unionists speak Discussion focused not only on the Whittaker, an auto worker, urged rights department. The USWA had a The workshop participants listened power labor could bring to the ERA women to support the march. She literature table at the meeting, as did attentively as trade unionists spoke on fight, but on the pitfalls of relying on a described the upsurge around women's national CLUW. Several unions­ how NOW's support for the march different "ally"-Democratic and Re­ rights in the area she came from, including the USWA, United Auto could inspire working women. A steel­ publican legislators-to ratify the Newport News. There, Steelworkers Workers, International Association of worker got up and explained that a amendment. Local 8888 is fighting to organize a Machinists, Office and Professional visible, powerful demonstration for the Suzanne Kelly pointed out that the union, she said, and women workers Employees International Union, and ERA would encourage women steel­ defeat of the ERA in Florida, North have been in the forefront. A big others-placed greetings in the official workers to fight back against sexual Carolina, and Illinois was due to "pro­ march in the state would not only NOW convention booklet. harassment. "We need something to ERA" legislators switching their votes. boost the ERA, but would strengthen Discussions in the NOW conference show that people are backing us as And in Virginia, she added, it was one women Steelworkers and the USWA's labor workshops became focal points women on the job," she said. legislator-elected on a pro-ERA organizing fight. for discussion at the conference as a Mary Zins, a Pennsylvania coal platform-who killed the ERA by vot­ Other women in the workshop whole, reflecting the growing role of miner and member of Local 287 4 of the ing "no" once in office. argued that NOW should welcQ..- . working women in shaping NOW and United Mine Workers of America, The proposal to endorse the Virginia labor's move to march for the ERA. its political perspectives. talked about the growing support for ERA march and accompanying activi­ The unions have a genuine stake in A workshop on "Problems of Women the ERA in her union and reported on ties passed by a.big margin in the ERA women's equality. Moreover, they can in Labor Unions" was attended by the recent conference UMW A women Overview workshop. But some NOW mobilize the power needed to force the more than ·100 women. They were held. members disagreed with the proposal, legislators to ratify the ERA, women steelworkers, auto workers, public em­ NOW member Robbie Scherr, from counterposing a strategy of working to said. ployees, Teamsters, postal workers, the United Transportation Union in elect "pro-ERA" candidates and defeat When one opponent of the proposal construction workers, boilermakers, Los Angeles, discussed the kind of "anti-ERA" contenders instead. answered that the unions have in the and railroad workers. power labor could bring to the fight for A caucus of the labor workshop took past endorsed openly anti-ERA candi­ A woman from the Bakery and Con­ the ERA. place Saturday night to discuss further dates, a young machinist stood up and fectionery Workers Union in Hershey, "When you talk about steel, Teams­ the differences between these two said, "Yes, that's true. But we have to Pennsylvania, explained in the work- ters, the AFL-CIO, you're talking strategies. change that too!"

14 • NJ UAW organizes r1 for Virginia ERA march NEWARK-The United Auto UAW Local 595 at the GM assembly Workers union in New Jersey has plant in Linden, New Jersey, discussed begun to put some muscle behind the at its last meeting a motion to support Labor for Equal Rights Now campaign the march and sponsor a bus of its to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment own. An ERA literature table was set in Virginia. LERN has called for an up at the meeting and a presentation education/action campaign for the on why Local 595 members should ERA, including a January 13 march participate in the march was received and rally in Richmond, Virginia. enthusiastically by the 200 members The first move was made by the present at the meeting. Region 9 New Jersey CAP Council Despite the fact that there was a Women's Committee, which set up an motion already on the floor to adjourn, ERA subcommittee to educate the that motion was rescinded and another union's 35,000 members and organize motion was passed unanimously to buses for the January 13 march. sponsor the bus by a cheering and Hundreds of LERN pamphlets called clapping membership. Labor's Stake in the ERA have already been distributed in auto assembly and When it was announced at the meet­ parts plants in New Jersey. One thou­ ing that fifty women would be needed sand more are on order. to fill the bus, workers yelled out "men A UAW brochure on the ERA-put too!" After the meeting adjourned, out by the International-is also being forty people signed up for the bus and distributed in large quantities. took literature to pass out around the The women's committee is also put­ plant. Several men said their wives ting out a green-and-white UAW ERA would also want to go. button and T-shirts with the UAW The next day the bus was totally symbol advertising the Richmond filled as members of the women's com­ march. These will certainly start a lot mittee went through the plant telling of discussions on the assembly lines. workers about the march. Alternate To coincide with the LERN week of transportation is now being planned. local activities December 2-9, the UAW At Local 1669, Englehardt Indus­ will host an educational meeting De­ tries, Wendy Berger, co-chair of the cember 3 on why working people need UAW Region 9 subcommittee on the the ERA. The Coalition of Labor ERA, made a presentation to 250 union Union Women, National Organization members. Her president, Jay Webb, for Women, and the Women's Affirma­ said, "I back you 100 percent and will tive Action Committee at the UAW be in Richmond." Regional office in Cranford are also In addition the New Jersey AFL-CIO participating. Gloria Johnson, na­ is supporting the march. The Newark tional treasurer of CLUW, will be the Teachers Association is putting out a keynote speaker. January 13 button and sending buses. The UAW has also made its regional United Transportation Union Local office available as a headquarters for 800 has set up an ERA subcommittee. coordinating buses for the march. CLUW is organizing its members to go Laid-off auto workers will be able to to Virginia. And the Cumberland run leaflets, make phone calls and County Central Labor Council has coordinate material distribution from endorsed the LERN activities and will the office. send $200 to the campaign in Virginia.

9; New Jersey NOW chapter booth; plenary session at conference; NOW labor- Salute to working women The workshop discussion reflected At the Sunday conference session, an ongoing debate in NOW over how the January 13 march proposal re­ As we come marching, marching, tion of Labor Union Women. to win the ERA. Some, like the Virgi­ ceived a powerful boost from Addie We bring the greater days. Ginny Foat, 1979 NOW conference nia NOW leaders who opposed the Wyatt, vice-president of the Coalition The rising of the women means coordinator, in her opening remarks march, believe that the correct ap­ of Labor Union Women. the rising of the race. to the session, said working women proach is to campaign for Democratic In her keynote address she urged For the people hear us singing, "have always been a part of the and Republican candidates who say NOW members to support the action Bread and Roses, Bread and American work force. . . . Thou­ they are for the ERA. Visible activities which her union, the United Food and Roses. sands have struggled against the such as demonstrations or picket lines Commercial Workers, has helped agonies of dangerous and difficult will hurt their chances for election, spearhead. * * * working conditions, long hours, poor according to this strategy. "There are some people who seem to pay, and labor abuse. Don't scab for the bosses, Don't "They have turned out on strike But more and more women in NOW feel that such rallies are unnecessary," listen to their lies. are coming to see that this is not the Wyatt explained. "But my response to against these conditions and have Us poor folks haven't got a been beaten, jailed, and killed in the right approach; that the Democratic that is that as much as we can, we chance, Unless we organize. and Republican parties are responsible ought to .keep raising the issue, we cause of the labor movement." Which side are you on? Which side The NOW program, said Foat, "is to big business, which profits from the ought to keep clarifying the issue. We are you on? discrimination against women. Big ought to keep projecting it before the a tribute to what these women en­ dured and accomplished in their business doesn't want the ERA and states and before the whole world until * that's why the ERA continues to suffer we can win the kind of support that we * * struggle to improve the quality of all defeats. need to guarantee the ratification of These are excerpts from a medley our lives." Relying on these two parties results the ERA." She urged the conference to of working women's songs that And it was especially a tribute to in subordinating women's rights to the give the January 13 march "all the opened up the Sunday morning ses­ the steelworkers, miners, auto demands of capitalist politicians. They support that you can." sion of the national conference of the workers, teachers, truckers, clerical end up calling the shots and that A motion for the conference to en­ National Organization for Women workers, railroad workers, and other means telling women to sit back and dorse the march came to the floor that held October 5-7 in Los Angeles. working women who were part of the keep quiet. afternoon, just before the scheduled The performance of these songs by nearly 3,000 women attending the time to adjourn. the Los Angeles Women's Commun­ conference. Real allies Conference delegates so much ity Chorus accompanied a slide pres­ It was a fitting introduction to the entation marking NOW's salute to morning's guest speakers, who in­ Instead, women need to mobilize wanted to hear discussion on this and the battles of working women and cluded Inez Cassiano, a founder of t1. · ·~ real allies in the labor and civil other important resolutions that by a men. Cheers punctuated by standing NOW, D.C. president of the Na­ rights movements to build the broad­ two-thirds majority vote they decided ovations went up from the crowd as tional Conference of Puerto Rican est, most visible movement possible, a to extend time for one hour. slides were shown of the textile Women, and recently elected to the movement that can force the legisla­ When the resolution to back the workers organizing drive in the Board of NOW's Legal Defense and tors to ratify the ERA. Virginia ERA campaign came to the early part of this century; the recent Education Fund; Addie Wyatt, vice There are many women in NOW who floor, Carol Pudliner introduced a sub­ drive of the United Farmworkers in president of the United Food and are attracted to the idea of building stitute motion, referring the entire the Southwest; the battles of the Commercial Workers and of the-Coa­ this kind of movement. While they still resolution to NOW's ERA Strike Force United Mine Workers; the union lition of Labor Union Women: and believe in working to elect Democrats for implementation. Dorothy Height, president o~· the and Republicans, they are increasingly This was unsatisfactory to most of contingents for the ERA at the July 9 NOW march on Washington; and National Council of Negro Women. Jpposed to subordinating the indepen- the delegates, who wanted to demon­ -S.H. 1ent women's movement to the de­ stratively welcome the labor-initiated the recent conference of the Coali- mands of these politicians. Continued on next page

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 15 throughout the conference. because they recognized that electing members being delegates at the Demo~ They were a central part of the Black women to NOW's ·leadership cratic and Republican conventions was ... NOW keynote addresses given Sunday by would strengthen the organization as a urged by national NOW leaders, as Continued from preceding page Inez Cassiano, current president of the whole and better reflect the kind of well as for demonstrations outside the campaign by endorsing the march National Conference of Puerto Rican women's movement NOW aspires to conventions, there was little discussion right then and there. And, as one Women in the Washington metropoli­ be. of this perspective. Women expressed speaker pointed out, NOW chapters tan D.C. region, and just elected to the far more enthusiasm for united action would need to jump into the campaign board of the NOW Legal Defense and Other resolutions campaigns with labor and other allies, right away to ensure its success. Education Fund; Dorothy Height, pres­ The delegates passed a comprehen­ such as the Virginia march. After questions from the floor, Elea­ ident of the National Council of Negro sive reproductive rights resolution pro­ A general ERA resolution that was nor Smeal clarified Pudliner's motion Women; and Addie Wyatt. jecting the fight for safe, legal abortion passed, however, made the strategy of from the podium. While referring im­ Wyatt said, "Until Black sisters and as a major NOW campaign. electing Democrats and Republicans plementation to the strike force, she This represented an important step and lobbying legislators the central said, NOW would endorse the march their families are free of racism, sis­ ters, we're still bound-all of us." She away from an incorrect course the thrust. The resolution was signed by right away. Local NOW chapters could NOW leadership had embarked on incoming national officers and re­ begin working to build the action as stressed the need for NOW to increase its Black and Latina membership. earlier in the year. Last winter NOW flected the main orientation of NOW's soon as the conference ended. leaders had met with reactionary anti­ ERA Strike Force. The substitute motion, with these Dorothy Height explained that while abortion figures to try to achieve a Conference delegates elected na­ additions, passed overwhelmingly. women earned fifty-nine cents for each "compromise." The meeting was tional leaders for the next two years. dollar earned by men, Black women highly unpopular with NOW members, The slate of candidates elected was: Sexism and racism earn three dollars to the five dollars who viewed it as a retreat from the Eleanor Smeal, president; Judy Gold­ An integral part of NOW's deepen­ earned by white women. unconditional abortion rights stand smith, executive vice-president; Jane ing ties to working women was the "This should not be a battlecry for us NOW has had in the past. Wells-Schooley, vice-president for ac­ greater consciousness at this confer­ to be against each other," she told the A weakness of the reproductive tion; Sandra Roth, national secretary; ence of the central role Blacks and crowd. "It should tell us loud and clear rights resolution passed this year, how­ and Alice Chapman, national treas­ Latinas must play in the feminist that we need each other and we need to ever, was its failure to support federal urer. Goldsmith and Smeal ran unop­ movement. realize that until all of us have ad­ guidelines that require a thirty-day posed. At a news conference following the vanced, none of us have ad­ waiting period before a woman is Arlie Scott, the outgoing vice­ national gathering, Smeal stressed vanced. . . . The way to bring the top sterilized. These guidelines-which in president for action, was defeated in a NOW's solidarity with the struggle up is by pulling up the bottom." no way restrict women's right to reelection bid. Her supporters were choose-are a needed curb to the racist angered that she was not included on against racism and pledged a cam­ Resolutions passed in the workshops paign to recruit more women of the practice of forced sterilization suffered the Smeal slate, charging this was a held by Black and Latina women in particular by Blacks and Latinas. retreat from NOW's commitment to oppressed nationalities. included opposition to capital punish­ "We are working with the leadership The conference also passed a resolu­ gay rights. Scott is a well-known les­ ment and support for U.S. aid toNica­ tion reaffirming NOW's active support bian activist. of women's groups from Black consti­ ragua. They also called for NOW to tuencies and Hispanic constituencies," to lesbian and gay rights. Scott's backers held a floor demon­ appoint Black and Latin women to do Reflecting the concern of members stration in her support during the she told reporters. outreach in their communities and for for an open and democratic organiza­ Sunday plenary proceedings after the "We are forming chapters in minor­ another National Minority Women's tion, the New Jersey NOW state con­ election. During the demonstration, ity communities and hiring minority conference in 1980. ference submitted a resolution to estab­ Scott went to the platform and sat in field organizers. You cannot really The role of women of oppressed lish a letters-to-the-editor section in the the vice-president's chair. · work to eliminate sexism without deal­ nationalities in NOW was also a theme National NOW Times. This would She then addressed the conference, ing with racism. They're part of the in the election of new national officers. allow NOW members to express differ­ pledging continued activity. Smeal same fabric." ent points of view within the organiza­ thanked Scott for her contributions to These goals were a theme running Black runs for office tion, the resolution explained. NOW. Sharon Parker, head of NOW's Mi­ Unfortunately, this resolution did nority Women's Task Force, ran for not pass. Lead movement forward national secretary. In her campaign The course of action adopted by this speech to the conference, delivered 1980 elections NOW conference-especially the deci­ partially in Spanish, she pointed to the The conference took place as the sion to build the January 13labor ERA need to broaden the ERA movement to presidential election campaigns were march-reaffirms NOW's potential to involve "all human rights groups." In heating up. lead the women's movement forward addition to winning the ERA, she At a news conference on the first day in alliance with the labor and civil added, NOW should become involved of the conference, President Smeal told rights movements. in "economic, civil rights, environmen­ reporters "we will be in massive It opens up new opportunities to win tal, and labor issues." numbers at both [Democratic and Re­ the ERA and other women's rights, as NOW must fight, she concluded, for publican] conventions." well as to strengthen NOW's common "poor people, racial and ethnic minori­ When asked what she thought of work with labor organizations such as ties, and the working class." President Carter and Sen. Edward CLUW, the Coalition of Black Trade Parker received nearly 300 votes, out Kennedy, Smeal replied that Carter's Unionists, and union women's commit­ of the more than 800 cast by delegates. record on women's rights was "mixed," tees. Incumbent secretary Sandra Roth was and criticized his anti-abortion stand. In the final months before January reelected. Roth was part of a slate She then said she thought Kennedy 13, NOW can take a big step toward headed by Smeal. "has been vigorous for the ERA and building an alliance to drive ahead Sharon Parker, chair of NOW minority A number of delegates, however, reproductive rights." and win the ERA-and a big step Women's Committee, ran for National supported Parker while voting for the The conference took no position on toward building a mass independent Secretary. rest of the candidates on Smeal's slate, candidates. While the idea of NOW women's movement.

NOW labor workshop resolution Below is the full text of the union women including rank and and that an Action Alert stating these anti-union consultants regard­ resolution passed in the Prob­ file organization to ratify the ERA; specific activities necessary for this ing the unionization of women; lems of Women in Labor Unions That National NOW support and final push be sent to all NOW chap­ That NOW support a shortening of workshop at the national NOW endorse the Labor for Equal Rights ters; the standard work week to increase conference. Now actions which include public That NOW members support the the opportunity for more full time WHEREAS: Despite gains in some actions, locally and regionally, dur­ boycott of Miss Goldy chickens and jobs and that NOW support the areas of women's life, the wage gap ing the week of December 2-9, 1979, give support to members of Interna­ establishment of flexible work hours continues to grow between the wages and a massive state-wide march/ tional Chemical Workers Union, including, but not limited to: 4-day of men and women; rally in Richmond, Virginia, on Sun­ AFL-CIO, Local 882, who are on work week, part time jobs, job­ Organization of women into day, January 13, 1980, to demand strike against Sandersons Farms in sharing, voluntary early retirement unions lags behind organization of that the Virginia General Assembly Laurel, Mississippi; with no loss of benefits, and a min­ men into unions and unionization of pass the ERA at the coming session; That NOW support a national imum wage which keeps pace with women is the best current means of that all NOW members in areas near coalition activity and use all applica­ the cost of living; decreasing the wage gap; Richmond be urged to attend the ble strategies to achieve equal pay That NOW join with others to Coalitions between feminist organ­ march/rally; and that National for work of comparable value: defend the employment rights and izations and labor organizations will reproductive freedom of workers who NOW call for January to be a month That NOW denounce sexual ha­ help create an environment in which of actions in solidarity with the are exposed to toxic substances and issues of critical importance to rassment of workers, expose its pre­ other hazards, and that NOW push LERN activities and urge all the valence, and defend its victims; women and workers can be attained; chapters to participate. to ensure that women workers' Meaningful affirmative action and That NOW go on record against safety and health problems be ap­ NOW support efforts of the Citi­ betterment of women's economic discriminatory lay-offs so the unions propriately addressed by those fed­ zens' Clearinghouse Against Right­ condition can only be achieved in an may negotiate seniority lists preserv­ eral agencies responsible for admin­ to-Work, in particular the Southwest economy committed to full employ­ ing the affirmative action gains won istering occupational safety and Regional Conference for the Repeal by labor and recognizing the tradi­ health laws; ment. of Taft-Hartley 14-b-the root cause THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: tional strengths of the "seniority sys­ That NOW reconfirm the 1978 of Right to Work in all states-on That the National Organization for tem; Labor Committee resolution entitled November 10-11 in Albuquerque, Women's Labor Committee enter That NOW demand the enforce­ "Closing the Wage Gap-A Femin­ New Mexico; and the Labor effort to into a full time effort in coordination ment of current laws on full disclo­ ist-Labor Issue;" defeat Right-to-Work in Louisiana with the NOW leadership to produce sure of corporate money spent to hire That NOW present to George and wherever it rears its ugly head; a series of national and regional anti-union consultants and that Meany on his retirement, a suitably conferences over the next two That NOW chapters take action at NOW present testimony at the engrossed tribute to his work in years-organized around issues fac­ this crucial time in the retail cam­ Thompson Labor Committee hear­ support of issues critical to women ing union women and would-be paign of the J.P. Stevens boycott ings on the destructive impact of and workers. Strengthens secret ~olice F81 charter: new weapon against civil liberties By Duncan Williams Secondly, by imposing some purely ment wiretaps, burglaries, and elec- WASHINGTON-A giant fraud is cosmetic "restrictions," it feeds the tronic surveillance, if the FBI thinks being carried out here. It goes by the propaganda about the "new" FBI, these "investigative techniques" are name of "The Federal Bureau of Inves- which is law·abiding, rejects the "ex- "necessary" for prosecution of a case. tigation Charter Act of 1979," and its cesses" of the past, and won't do It authorizes the use of informers perpetrators are the FBI, the Justice anything illegal. and gives these spies permission to Department, President Carter, Sen. The repeated exposures of the FBI's break the law in pursuit of their goals. Edward Kennedy, and the American record of massive violations of elemen- Moreover, it explicitly states that no Civil Liberties. Union. . tary democratic rights-many brought court can order that the identity of Kennedy, wded by the ACLU, 1s to light as a result of the Socialist informers be revealed. currently guiding this swindle through Workers Party's suit against the FBI- It grants the FBI a new power-to his Senate Judiciary Committee, which have weakened the bureau as an effec· obtain bank and credit records of indi· held public hearings on the charter tive political police force. Lacking in viduals and organizations under inves- October 10 and 11. credibility and thoroughly despised by tigation. What is the FBI charter? In millions, the nation's political police Kennedy's words, it "symbolizes the are hampered in their job of concocting VIctims can't sue fact that the Bureau has learned from frame-ups, spreading slanders, disrupt­ And finally, the charter allows the its mistakes, has identified the causes ing political groups and union strug­ FBI to cover up what its army of finks of these errors and has come forward gles, and compiling detailed files on and provocateurs have done. It re­ with a charter which contains provi- everyone who dares to speak out moves all liability from the Justice sions which will insure that the chron- against government policy. Department, the FBI, and individual icled abuses and failures of the past The purpose of the charter is to agents and informers for any crimes will not be repeated in the future." restore the FBI's image. This point they may commit. The charter will, says Kennedy, was stated baldly by former FBI direc­ In other words, victims of FBI further enhance "the expertise, the tor Clarence Kelley in his testimony crimes can't sue the government. professionalism, the dedication, and before Kennedy's committee here: "My No wonder every representative of KENNEDY: charter will enhance 'ex­ the excellence of the Bureau." primary concern [as director] was to the FBI has said that they are satisfied pertise and dedication of the Bureau.' reestablish the credibility which may with the charter! Strengthening secret police have been lost because of past expo­ Of course, a lot of window dressing This liberal reform of the FBI is sures. . . . We have to have credibil· has been hung as bait for the gullible. aimed at strengthening the nation's ity." The FBI promises never to conduct secret police force. It does so in two Not only does the charter not elimi­ Cointelpro operations, to have a scrup­ The political police would have no ways. First, it adds significantly to the nate current abuses, it actually will ulous regard for First Amendment trouble whatsoever finding compliant legal powers of the FBI to trample on give the FBI the authority to commit rights, to keep its finks in line, etc. judges to issue whatever warrants they the First Amendment rights of the new crimes. The Senate hearings themselves are desired. American people. Specifically, the charter OKs govern- just for show. Testimony is being The charter will not be a weapon in taken only from supporters of the the fight against the FBI; rather, it charter. Those who call for rejection of will be a weapon in the FBI's attacks the charter, such as Andrew Pulley, on democratic rights and liberties. have been denied permission to testify. What is needed is a campaign to Unfortunately, the bait has some expose the truth about this charter and takers-notably in the ACLU, itself a to defeat it. A victory in this fight will victim of FBI crimes. In testimony be a step forward for civil liberties. before Kennedy's committee, ACLU lobbyists said, "The ACLU has long Such a campaign is what Andrew advocated enactment of an FBI Char­ Pulley is calling for. "The labor move­ ter.... We commend the Justice De­ ment," he explained in an October 10 partment and the FBI for developing a statement, "has a special stake in proposed FBI Charter.... " defeating the FBI charter. Numerous Of course, the ACLU wants some provisions in the charter allow the amendments made to the charter. If government to victimize people en­ added, these amendments would gaged in what the FBI calls 'intimida­ further enhance the FBI's new image, tion or coercion.' without changing anything fundamen­ "Every unionist who has ever been tal. For instance, the major "improve­ on strike knows that the government ment" the ACLU wants is to require always uses these words to describe the FBI to get a judicial warrant before peaceful picket lines. In any battle it could use informers against unions, between the bosses and the workers we political activists, Black groups, and so don't need a charter to know which on. side the FBI will be on. "The labor movement, and the vast Further legitimacy majority of the American people, need The only effect this , reform would and want to put an end to FBI crimes. Provisions In new charter would give FBI legal cover to go after peaceful have would be to further legitimize the I urge Congress to defeat the proposed protests such as this one In Newport News, VIrginia. use of stoolpigeons and provocateurs. charter."

What's in the FBI charter proposal By Margaret Winter Government" provisions of the U.S. pany constitutes "intimidation and tenanced under this provision. The proposed FBI charter makes law. coercion.'' Any union held in viola­ Wiretaps, bugs, mail covers, legal, for the first time, numerous The FBI to this day is fighting the tion of a "right to work for less" law "trash covers," pretext calls-all are government violations of democratic Socialist Workers Party lawsuit or a Taft-Hartley injunction is fair explicitly legitimatized by the char­ rights. against it by invoking the very laws game for the FBI. ter. The only safeguard is that they cited above, despite the fact that in 3) But there's a lot more to the be used to further "lawful investiga­ 1) The FBI's "general authority to forty years they couldn't come up charter than a license to investigate tions.'' But as we have just seen, any investigate," as outlined in the char­ with any evidence to attempt a people the FBI doesn't like. The investigation the FBI wants to con­ ter, gives the political police the go­ prosecution of the SWP. charter also legitimizes the "inves­ duct can be justified under the char­ ahead "to conduct an investigation What's more, the FBI is free to tigative techniques" that have ter. on the basis of facts or circumstan­ aroused the hatred of millions of "investigate" groups organizing le­ • The charter puts a cloak of ces that reasonably indicate that a gal, peaceful protest actions that people. Consider the following: person has engaged, is engaged, or • The charter provides that FBI secrecy over all these crimes by may require federal services, such as stating, "In no event may a court will engage" in criminal activity. public health services. undercover agents and informers may commit "criminal acts" in order order an attorney for the Govern­ Based on its own speculation, the 2) Under the provisions of its au­ to "establish and maintain credibil­ ment or any other official of the FBI can assert that an individual or thority to investigate "terrorist ac­ ity" or "to obtain information or Department of Justice to disclose the group will break the law and it can tivity," the FBI can go after anyone evidence necessary for paramount identity of a confidential infor­ open an investigation. And there is, "influencing or retaliating against prosecutive purposes." mant... .'' quite literally, no First Amendment the trade or economic policies or Burglaries, break-ins, even murder activity by unionists, civil rights actions of a corporation or other. • Finally, even if the FBI violates (such as FBI informer Gary Rowe's its own charter, no victim of a gov­ activists, socialists, or feminists that entity engaged in foreign commerce, participation in the Ku Klux Klan ernment crime can sue "any officer, the FBI can't characterize as a viola­ by intimidation or coercion." tion of the "Rebellion and Insurrec­ murders of civil rights worker Viola agent, or employee or former officer, tion," "Seditious Conspiracy," and In cop language, any peaceful Liuzzo and of four children in a agent, or employee" of the U.S. gov­ "Advocating the Overthrow of the picket line or boycott against a com- Birmingham church) could be coun- ernment.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 Electrical strikers defend Black women By Kip Hedges Mter the strike here began, a foreman The specific issue of the strike, which pealed over the head of the union for LYNN, Mass.-Most people know said to one of the AEG workers, "What began October 27, dates back nearly workers to return to work and vote the General Electric Co. for its toast­ are all of you worked up over about two years when workers in the prep-to- against expanding the strike. ers, washers, and dryers. More than this case? It's only some broads and a braze department of AEG filed a They have offered to allow the strike 100,000 GE workers nationwide know few niggers"! grievance for a pay-rate increase. This to resume by May 1, 1980, if no pro- the company from a different angle­ The majority of workers involved, was after two machines, eighty-seven gress has been made in the union's its anti-unionism, race and sex dis­ however understand the issue of solid- new jobs, and 127 new operations were antidiscrimination case. But the crimination, and wage-slashing. arity. A~cording to one male worker, introduced into the job with no in- twenty-nine workers don't need more All 3,500 workers in the Aircraft "If they can make those women do crease in pay. stalling. They need action. Engine Group (AEG), one of two div­ more work for the same money, they The twenty-nine workers in the prep- GE has tried to bribe the union and isions at the Lynn GE plant, are now can do it to all of us. I can't really to-braze department are almost all the prep-to-braze workers with offers of on strike because the company is try­ afford to go out, but in a way, none of women. transfers to higher-paying jobs for the ing to impose speed-up on a group of us can afford to stay in." The increased Work load is roughly twenty-nine while leaving unchanged the same as being told to run, instead the pay-rate on the job in question. The women workers, many of whom are Another worker said, "The com­ Black. of one, two machines at the same time union rejected the offer pany's always trying to divide us and for the same money. Aircraft workers did exactly that at It's no big mystery where racists pick away at our union. We've got to Two years of negotiations yielded a mass meeting of more than 2,000 on now on the rampage in Boston get put them away once and for all." some of their inspiration-from GE. nothing. On October 1 of this year, the Monday, October 23, when they voted Local 201 of the International Union twenty-nine prep-to-braze workers were to empower union officers to expand of Electrical Workers, which represents forced to strike. A week later, the 800 the strike to all 3,500 AEG workers if all 8,000 workers at the Lynn plant, other workers in their building joined necessary. Then GE rejected all union Kip Hedges works in the Aircraft already has a lawsuit against GE the strike in sympathy. proposals, including a proposal to have Engine Group at the Lynn General charging that the company discrimi­ GE has responded like the antilabor the strike settled by a third party. Electric plant and is a member of nates against women workers by chan­ outfit that it is. Through local newspa- On Friday, October 27, union offi- International Union of Electrical neling them into certain low-paying pers and a letter mailed to the homes cials expanded the strike and shut Workers Local 201. jobs. of all AEG employees, they have ap- down AEG. Boston Militant forum protests antibusing violence By Osborne Hart point where Blacks are pictured as the the truth about what is happening in BOSTON-"Black reaction and self criminals and whites as victims. Boston because of the news media's preservation can't be equated with the King declared that the "focus should cover-up of the real facts. violence of white racism," Democratic be on racist violence and those respon­ She demanded that the city provide State Rep. Mel King told a Militant sible." full protection for the Black students Forum audience here October 27. Emphasizing the seriousness of the and that those responsible for the Along with school committee candi­ situation, King said, "This city is on racist terror, including those who shot date Jean McGuire, and Jeannette the brink of a race war. And if we don't Black student Darryl Williams, be Tracy of the Socialist Workers Party, do something, things are going to es­ arrested and prosecuted. calate." King participated in a panel discussion Tracy called for a "public show of on the recent wave of racist violence in "Black children need to be protected in the public schools of Boston," support to put the racists on the defen­ this city. Sixty-five people attended the sive, to show that they don't own the meeting. McGuire said. "It is open season on young Black people." streets. King's remarks were directed at the Tracy, a recent SWP candidate for "We must reaffirm the right of Black news coverage here, which has tried to city council, said the racists "want to students to attend any school in any portray as racist any actions of self­ roll back the gains of school desegrega­ part of the city to achieve an equal defense by Black students under attack tion. If they can't do it through the education-and the right of Black and from antibusing bigots. Militant/Jon Hillson courts, then they are more than willing Puerto Rican citizens to walk, work, The media have actually down­ MEL KING: warned racist violence could to resort to terror." and live in Boston without fear of played white racist violence here to the escalate . She emphasized the need to get out attack. The time to do it is now." ... Boston Blacks hit banning of film Continued from back page quested to leave early because they tober 14-19, when gangs of white ra­ feared for their safety. cists roamed through the downtown Students who were suspended from area of the city assaulting Blacks. Charlestown High School October 22 There were also attacks on Black stu­ returned to school October 29. dents in the schools. Since then, there A Black Charlestown High School have been fewer reported incidents of student, who asked to remain anonym­ violence. But this could change at any ous because of possible victimization, time. told the Militant that day, "Things On October 24 a group of some were alright today-but tense. If seventy whites tried to enter Hyde anyone had said anything, something Park High School. They were turned would have happened." away by the cops because they pres­ Karen Holmes, of WILD News, told ented "a clear danger" to others. The the Militant that the station receives cops were informed that the whites periodic calls reporting racist harass­ had met in an area near the school. ment. Most of this news is covered up Later in the day, Black students re- by the major media. Meanwhile, the Boston cop investi­ gation· into organized racist violence, announced on October 19, has resulted in no arrests or recommendations. Mayor Kevin White and other city officials also continue procrastinating on the prosecution of the three white youths arrested for the shooting of Black football player Darryl Williams. Their hearing has been postponed until later in November. The Boston NAACP has requested an investigation of the Williams shoot­ ing, as well as previous acts of racist violence. In an October 8 letter to Assistant Attorney General Drew Days, Tom Atkins, Boston NAACP president, asked the Justice Department to probe the situation to determine whether any civil rights laws have been violated. The NAACP has not received a reply. 286 pp., $17, paper $4.95 A spokesperson in the U.S. Attor­ Order from Pathfinder Press, ney's office here said the Justice De­ 410 West Street, partment has a copy of the NAACP New York, N.Y. 10014 request. But the agency refuses to take December 14, 1974, march In Boston In support of desegregation. Labor needs to any action at this time. speak out today to defend busing and Black students In Boston.

18 World Outlook News, analys_is, and discussion of international political events Castro on Cuba's role in world politics On September 28, at the height of the with nuclear weapons. And the Soviet furor created by the Carter administra­ Union has scrupulously-that is the tion over its supposed discovery of a precise word: scrupulously, rigor­ brigade of Soviet combat troops in ously-abided by the 1962 October Cuba, Fidel Castro held a news confer­ Crisis agreements. That is what I can ence in Havana for U.S. and other declare. Accords which we were not foreign journalists. The text was party to and which we don't feel bound printed in the October 7 issue of the by." Cuban weekly Granma. One journalist asked if Cuba had set One of the areas the discussion cen­ up "a training facility to train troops tered on was Cuba's role as an inde­ from the People's Revolutionary Re­ pendent and sovereign country, and public of Grenada?" Castro's view of Cuba's part in inter­ Fidel replied: "I prefer not to answer national politics. that question. Strictly speaking, we do When asked if he would allow the . not have a training center. Now we journalists present to inspect the train­ have given certain collaboration, mod­ ing bases staffed by Soviet forces, est and discreet collaboration, since Castro responded: the triumph of the Revolution. But to "Would the United States Govern­ speak of a center, no. There have been ment allow a group of Cuban jour­ some Cubans there, there have been nalists to inspect U.S. military some Cubans and they have given a installations-ones of our choosing­ kind of modest and discreet aid. . . . nuclear research centers, the headquar­ "We offered this collaboration at the ters of the Strategic Air Com­ beginning, after the triumph of the mand? ... Why should we submit to Revolution. But now, all the collabora­ any form of inspection? I repeat: not tion that we are discussing with Gren­ even during the October [1962 Missile] ada deals with collaboration in the Crisis, when world peace was in the fields of medicine, construction, fish­ balance, not the reelection of a presi­ ing, as well as some agriculture." dent, not even during the October In rebutting the charge that Cuba is Crisis would we allow it. I repeat that a Soviet puppet, Fidel asked: "Why do we will never allow an inspection of they pay so much attention to Cuba, if Cuba. This is a question of principle, Cuba doesn't have any policies of its CASTRO: 'Cuba Is less Isolated than ever.' an article of faith almost." own? Why did they pay so much atten~ tion to the Sixth Summit? Why are Cuba not isolated they so concerned that Cuba heads the Replying once again to the charge that the people of Nicaragua." Referring to Washington's constant Nonaligned Movement? Why does Cuban forces in Africa were acting as Rather asked: "Were you the princi­ hostility and to the U.S. blockade, Cuba today have the support that it "mercenaries" for the Soviet regime, pal arms supplier for the Nicaraguan Castro declared: has in the heart of that Movement? Fidel said: rebels?" "All the plans against the Revolu­ How can this be explained, if we are a "Mercenary armies never defended a Fidel replied: "There is absolutely no tion have failed. Cuba is not more satellite country?" just cause. The causes we have de­ proof of that. isolated: Cuba is less isolated than fended all over the world have been "But I have no intention of answer­ ever. The prestige of the Cuban Revolu­ SALT II treaty just causes. ing that question." tion is not smaller; it is greater than Turning to the SALT II treaty, Cas­ "You can ask the Africans, the An­ ever before. Five presidents have had tro stated: "It is said that this minicri­ golans, the Ethiopians and the fighters Revolution in El Salvador their campaigns and subversive plans sis, this pseudocrisis, or however this in Namibia and Zimbabwe; you can Rather suggested that perhaps against Cuba run aground. Maybe crisis is called, true or false, can jeo­ ask all the really progressive and another example of a Cuban adventure Carter will be the sixth and then all we pardize SALT. If this is true, then I honorable movements. is in El Salvador. Answering that, can hope for is that we'll have better think that this is something that is of "You can ask the most prestigious Fidel said: luck with a seventh U.S. president." concern to all of humanity, not only to ·governments in Africa; they can "What's happening in El Salvador? Asked about nuclear arms in Cuba, the Unitec:I States, the USSR and answer that question." There is a corrupt, tyrannical, genoci­ Castro said: "Everyone in the world Cuba." Taking up the relationship between dal government, and the people are no knows that we have no nuclear subma­ But after this endorsement of SALT, Soviet and Cuban policy, Fidel said, longer willing to tolerate the regime. rines and that we have no nuclear Castro continued: "Now what is the "At times we coincide. We don't always Why must we be blamed for that?" weapons. Everyone knows there was price of SALT? Must we be subjected to coincide." Rather: "Because you were training an agreement on this between the blackmail? Must we be subjected to Rather asked: "Can you think of a the people, you are supplying the arms, Soviet Union and the United States in intimidation? Must we be subjected to time when you've not coincided with the money.... " 1962. We are not bound by that agree­ humiliation? On these grounds, there Soviet policy?" Fidel: "I think that the United States ment, because, quite simply, we ·were will be no collaboration from Cuba for Fidel replied: "I gave an example, is the one that has trained all those not party to it and everyone knows that. the October crisis in 1962." armies-the one in Chile that murders that. In other words, we have never "With respect to the stand the So­ the people, the one in Uruguay that given up any of our rights. Do you viets will take, I think you must ask Nicaraguan revolution has killed thousands of Uruguayans, understand? ... The Soviet Union is the Soviets that. I can't speak for the Moving on to Rather's claim that the Somoza's army and that of El the only country that could supply us Soviets. But the Soviets have shown Nicaraguan revolution represented one Salvador-the United States has themselves to be our good friends." of "Fidel Castro's military adven­ trained and equipped all the genocidal Charged by one journalist with inter­ tures," Fidel declared: governments in this hemisphere, not fering in the affairs of Grenada, Castro "What is it that makes Nicaragua Cuba. declared: Castro's adventure? It was an adven­ "If we were to' help the revolutionar­ "Grenada was already a legally con­ ture of the United States. It was the ies we would have the right to do so, stituted government. Where is the in­ United States that intervened in Nica­ but I'm not going to say here that we terference there? If that is interference, ragua, that set up the National Guard are doing so. then you are interfering in at least 60 and installed Somoza in power and "That is our affair and not a matter countries in the world. I don't know kept him there for over 40 years. . . . to be discussed on television." how you can talk about our interfer­ "It wasn't Cuba nor was it Cuban Rather: "But you don't deny it?" ence. And what about your interfer­ soldiers that overthrew the Govern­ Fidel: "I neither confirm it nor deny ence in Japan, Turkey, Greece, the ment of Nicaragua, that is, the Somoza it. I proclaim it as a right; furthermore, FRG, England, Spain, Panama, Puerto dictatorship. It was the Sandinistas, as a duty." Rico? The list is never-ending.... "We have collaborated [with Gren­ ada] and we have done so with discre­ tion. . . . But because we want to do it Venezuela hits U.S. war drive that way, because we feel it is conve­ Venezuelan Foreign Minister in La Paz, Bolivia, Zambrano com­ nient to do it that way, because we Jose Alberto Zambrano stated Oc­ plained that such U.S. military don't want it to appear that we are tober 23 that U.S. naval and ma­ moves make the nations of the creating conflicts, we don't want it to rine corps exercises in and around Caribbean region appear "to the appear that we are creating prob­ Cuba carried out under the pretext eyes of the world as subject to lems. . . . We have been discreet, care­ of Soviet troops there constituted military tutelage." ful. We have not been going .around an "excessive demonstration of Alfred A. Rattray of Jamaica publicizing it." force, in a situation difficult to spoke in support of Zambrano's Cuban troops in Africa characterize as an authentic cri- remarks, insisting that the Jamai­ SIS. •.••" can government "rejects the Carib­ Two days later Castro granted an Speaking at the meeting of the bean as a sphere of military con­ interview to Dan Rather of CBS-TV, Organization of American States flicts among great powers." an interview that was also printed in full in the same issue of Granma.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 19 World Outlook

U.S. to ste~~ arms Morocco's war against Saharan people By Ernest Harsch Imperialist backing to Hassan had Polisario's advances on the ground Striking swiftly across hundreds of been building up well before the Carter have been paralleled by political gains miles of barren desert, several thou­ administration's recent moves. From internationally. Several dozen govern­ sand Western Saharan freedom fight­ 1974 to 1978, American arms exports to ments have now recognized the Saha­ ers on October 5 attacked the Hassan jumped dramatically from $4.1 ran Arab Democratic Republic, includ­ Moroccan-occupied city of Smara, the million to $99.8 million-almost in step ing twenty in Africa itself. The recent third largest in Western Sahara. In with the increase in fighting. Ameri­ summit conference of Nonaligned several days of fierce fighting, the can F-5A jet fighters, bombs, napalm, countries, in its final declaration, rec­ guerrilla forces claimed to have killed and other weapons have been used ognized the right of the Sahraoui peo­ more than 1,200 Moroccan troops and against the Sahraoui people. ple to "self-determination and indepen­ captured considerable military equip­ For public relations purposes, the dence" and condemned Morocco's ment. White House maintains that Hassan annexation of even more Saharan ter­ The battle of Smara is just one does not have U.S. permission to use ritory. indication of the increasing strength these arms in the Sahara, but govern­ The Cuban government, which has and effectiveness of the Polisario ment officials now admit that they backed the Saharan struggle for sev­ Front, which is fighting for the West­ know Hassan is doing so. eral years, has played an important em Sahara's independence. Under Po­ American approval for Hassan's war role in rallying international support lisario's leadership, the Sahraoui peo­ effort was further underlined in Febru­ for the Sahraoui people. ple have made significant advances in ary 1979, when Carter approved the Even before the Mauritania pullout recent months in their struggle to sale of spare parts for the F-5As, from the war, Polisario forces had regain control over their country. armored vehicles, and other arms used R: Lends military hand to Moroc­ struck at Moroccan garrisons within They have forced the Mauritanian by the Moroccan army in the Sahara. co's Hassan. Morocco itself. Since then they have regime, which formerly occupied part It also approved the sale of six Boeing escalated such attacks, hoping to make of the Western Sahara, to pull out of CH-47C "Chinook" heavy-lift helicop­ the war as costly for Hassan as possi­ the war. They have won growing inter­ ters, a helicopter that was used by sario was able to subject the Mauritan­ ble. national support for their right to American forces in Vietnam. The heli­ ian forces to considerable pressure. Journalists traveling with Polisario national self-determination. And they copters were delivered in August. Under the strains of the war-and forces have reported that the Moroc­ have thrown the Moroccan army of Despite Washington's public pro­ growing antiwar sentiment among the cans have abandoned numerous small King Hassan onto the defensive. nouncements of "neutrality," a counse­ Mauritanian population-the dictator­ garrisons, falling back on the main lor to Hassan himself has noted that ship of Moktar Ould Daddah was centers. Increasingly, even those have U.S. policy these arms sales underline "the excep­ overthrown by a military coup in July come under Polisario attack. Such In face of this situation, the Carter tional character of the real position of 1978. A little more than a year later, in important Moroccan garrisons as administration announced on October the United States." August 1979, the Mauritanian authori­ Techla, Bou-Craa, 'and Bir Anzaran in 22 that it plans a major increase in With American encouragement, ties signed a pact with Polisario agree­ the Western Sahara and Abetih, Tan­ arms shipments to Morocco. President Sadat of Egypt has also sent ing to withdraw from "the unjust war Tan and Lebuirate have suffered Although Washington formally arms to Hassan. French imperialism in the Western Sahara" and recogniz­ heavy losses. At times, even the Moroc­ maintains that it is neutral in the has likewise been an important backer ing Polisario as the "representatives of can regime has admitted losing conflict, it has backed Hassan's war of the Moroccan monarchy; the Moroc­ the Saharan people." hundreds of troops. against the Sahraoui people ever since can air force used French-supplied Fearful of the repercussions of this The economic strains of the war the Spanish colonialists handed the Mirage jets in the battle of Smara. Polisario victory, Hassan further ex­ have fostered rising discontent within territory over to Morocco and Maurita­ tended Moroccan involvement in the Morocco itself. In early 1979, tens of nia in 1975-against the will of the Polisario advances war. As Mauritanian troops were pull­ thousands of workers went out on a people living there. Despite the considerable imperialist ing out of southern Western Sahara, series of strikes. Some demoralization Now the Carter administration is military aid to Hassan, and despite the Hassan annexed the area as a "pro­ has been noted among Moroccan dropping its pretense of neutrality, Moroccan army's vastly greater resour­ vince" of Morocco. He also increased troops as well. claiming that Morocco needs U.S. ces and number of troops, Polisario Moroccan troop strength in the West­ If the war in the Western Sahara arms for self-defense! has been able to register significant ern Sahara, recalling the 1,500 troops continues to drag on as it has, and Like the U.S. interventions in An­ advances, thanks to the overwhelming he had stationed in Za'ire (who were Moroccan forces continue to suffer gola, Ethiopia, Zaire, and other Mri­ support it has from the Sahraoui popu­ helping to prop up the Mobutu regime) heavy losses, Hassan's throne will can countries, the White House's back­ lation. for that purpose. become increasingly shaky. Loss of ing to the Moroccan monarchy in its Founded in 1973 to fight against Washington provided assistance to this bulwark of reaction is one of the war against the Sahraoui people repre­ Spanish colonial rule, Polisario contin­ Hassan in this operation by flying the imperialists' greatest fears in the re­ sents a serious threat to African sover­ ued its struggle for independence when Moroccan troops out of Za'ire on Ameri­ gion, and has been an additional fac­ eignty. If not stopped, it could escalate the country was partitioned between can planes. According to Polisario, tor in their opposition to the Saharan into even greater direct imperialist Morocco and Mauritania. they were flown directly into the West­ freedom struggle. aggression in the region. Striking into Mauritania itself, Poli- ern Sahara. From Intercontinental Press/lnprecor How the Palestinians were driven from Israel By David Frankel could not draw upon any previous "Great suffering was inflicted upon Israeli regime has attempted to hush Not even former prime ministers can experience: the fate of the civilian the men taking part in the eviction up damaging information. Through escape the heavy hand of the Israeli population of Lod [Lydda] and Ramie, action," Rabin says. "Soldiers of the military censorship, the Israeli army censors. Particularly when the facts numbering some 50,000 .... Yiftach Brigade included youth­ made a year-long effort to stop news about how the Palestinians were "We walked outside, Ben-Gurion ac­ movement graduates, who had been about an atrocity in southern Lebanon driven from Israel is involved. companying us. Allon repeated his inculcated with values such as interna­ from leaking out. In the October 23 issue, New York question: 'What is to be done with the tional brotherhood and humaneness. In that case, an Israeli military court Times correspondent David Shipler population?' B.G. waved his hand in a The eviction action went beyond the established that during the Israeli quoted passages of former Prime Min­ gesture which said, 'Drive them out!' concepts they were used to." invasion of Lebanon in March 1978, ister Yitzhak Rabin's memoirs that "Allon and I held a consultation. I Mter the Times publicized Rabin's Lt. Daniel Pinto seized four Lebanese were censored by the Israeli govern­ agreed that it was essential to drive account, Allon claimed the whole thing villagers, including a sixteen-year-old ment. the inhabitants out.... never happened that way. "I did not boy. Pinto tied the four up in separate The deleted passages dealt with the " 'Driving out' is a term with a harsh . ask the late Ben-Gurion for permission rooms of a building, tortured them, and expulsion of 50,000 Palestinian inhab­ ring. Psychologically, this was one of to expel the population of Lydda. I did then strangled them and dumped their itants from the towns of Ramie and the most difficult actions we under­ not receive such permission and did bodies into a well. Lydda during the 1948 war. Rabin's took. The population of Lod did not not give such orders," he said. Pinto was convicted of two counts of account gives the lie to the argument leave willingly. There was no way of Although Rabin was one of the bri­ murder (two of the bodies were not usually made by Zionists-that somt avoiding the use of force and warning gade commanders who actually carried recovered) and sentenced to twelve 700,000 Palestinians left their homes shots in order to make the inhabitants out the expulsion, Allon argued that "I years in prison. A military appeals and villages because they were ordered march the 10 to 15 miles to the point was his commander and my knowl­ court reduced the sentence to eight to by the Arab governments. where they met up with the [Arab] edge of the facts is therefore more years in January. In June, the case legion." accurate." was reviewed by Lt. Gen. Rafael Eitan, Describing a meeting between Palm­ In his self-serving account, which Allon resorted to the timeworn lie the Israeli army chief of staff, who ach Commander Yigal Allon-later an presents the expulsion of the Palesti­ that the Palestinians fled because they reduced the sentence to two years. Israeli foreign minister-David Ben­ nian population as an incident rather were "panic-sticken" and because Eitan invoked military censorship to Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, than the systematic policy that it was, "they were instructed by the Arab prevent the facts of the case from and himself, Rabin said: Rabin stresses how hard things were­ Legion to evacuate in order to enable getting out, but he was unable to "While the fighting was still in pro­ not for the Palestinians expelled from the latter to recapture Lydda from us." prevent them from being printed in gress, we had to grapple with a trouble­ their homes, but for the Israeli soldiers The censorship of Rabin's memoirs newspapers outside of Israel. some problem, for whose solution we carrying out the action!. is only the latest incident in which the From Intercontinental Press/lnprecor Dissidents sentenced in Czechoslovakia By David Frankel A hurried two-day trial ended in Prague October 23 with the sentencing of six Czechoslovak human-rights acti­ vists on charges of "subversion of the republic." All six defendants were leaders of the Czechoslovak civil-rights move­ ment, Charter 77; and of the Commit­ tee for the Defense of the Unjustly Persecuted (VONS), a Charter 77 sub­ group. The Stalinist regime-despised by the Czechoslovak people and owing its existence to the Soviet invasion of August 1968-had the "gall to charge that the six fighters for democratic rights had been "abetted by a foreign agent." But the failure of the regime to present even the pretense of a criminal case and the worldwide condemnation of the frame-up-including protests by many Communist parties-marks the trial as another blow to the already miniscule prestige of the Czechoslovak government. Hoping to keep publicity to a min­ imum, the regime barred foreign jour­ arrest of the Charter 77 activists. So­ spect for human and civil rights in Prague. nalists and supporters of the defend­ viet dissident Andrei Sakharov .also Czechoslovakia and the world ...." Although the Czechoslovak regime ants from the courtroom. Forty people protested the arrests and urged world­ (For the full text of the charter, see was forced to slow down its repression who took part in a vigil outside the wide protests. Intercontinental Press, February 14, due to the international outcry, events courthouse on the night of October 22 1977, p. 132.) since Charter 77 was made public have were arrested, and the trial was rushed Charter 77 The appeal for democratic rights in more than confirmed the charges it to an end. Since its appearance in January Czechoslovakia, which was signed by raised. Petr Uhl, who at the time of his 1977, Charter 77 has presented the some prominent former Communist In a March 1978 interview, Uhl arrest May 29 was the editor of the Czechoslovak Stalinists with a contin­ Party members, such as former For­ pointed out that "my flat is under Charter 77 information bulletin, was uing dilemma. Presented as a petition eign Minister Jiri Hajek, met with a round the clock surveillance by the described from the start as the princi­ to the authorities, Charter 77 de­ friendly response among broad layers police, VB (uniformed police) agents pal "conspirator." He was sentenced to manded that the regime adhere to the of the working class around the world. are watching me and look at the iden­ five years in prison. democratic standards embodied in the Under ~his pressure l'Humanite de­ tity papers of those who come to visit Vaclav Havel, an internationally Czechoslovak constitution and in the clared in its January 25, 1977, issue: me and often prevent people from known playwright and one of the three · covenants on human rights ratified at "We cannot fail to express our shock coming in .... . original Charter 77 spokespeople, re­ the 1975 Helsinki Conference on Secur­ at the accusation raised by the Czech­ ceived a four-and-a-half-year sentence. ity and Cooperation in Europe. oslovak authorities that the signers "I have lost my driving license, my rank in the army has been withdrawn, Vaclav Benda, secretary of VONS Charter 77 explained that there were of Charter 77 are following the 'com­ and a Charter 77 spokesperson, got mands of anti-Communist and Zionist the telephone has been cut off, I have "many fundamental human rights had problems at work, and recently I four years. that, regrettably, exist in our country centers.' The use of such methods Jiri Dienstbier, a commentator for inevitably evokes the arbitrariness of a got a letter sacking me ...." (IP I I, only on paper." March 20, 1978, p. 340.) Radio Prague and a member of the It noted that "tens of thousands of tragic past. . . . Communist Party prior to the Soviet citizens have been prevented from "We cannot consider the exercise of Now, after five months of detention, invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, working in their professions for the the right of petition, of distributing the regime has gone a step further and and Otta Bednarova, a journalist, were sole reason that their views differ from pamphlets, and of calling for dialogue convicted Uhl and his comrades of both sentenced to three years imprison­ the official ones. and discussion as crimes, and espe­ "subversion." ment. cially not in a socialist society .... We Such miserable frame-ups, however, Dana Nemcova, a leading activist in " . . . many young people are pre­ cannot accept practices that imply that cannot stifle the aspirations of the the cultural underground, drew a two­ vented from pursuing higher education under socialism every discordant voice Czechoslovak workers to live in free­ year suspended sentence. The court because of their views or even because will be condemned either to silence or dom and dignity. Nor can they stop the cited her seven children as the reason of their parents' views .... repression .... solidarity of the working class move­ for its "leniency." "Freedom of speech is suppressed by ment around the world. The police the government's management of all Free the dissidents! state measures of the Stalinist regime International labor outcry mass media, including the publishing When the British and Italian Com­ should be answered by a worldwide Especially damaging to the Czechos­ and cultural institutions. No political, munist Party dailies defended the campaign demanding freedom for the lovak regime has been the outcry philosophical, scientific, or artistic Charter 77 group, they were banned in imprisoned dissidents. against the sentences in the interna­ work that deviates in the slightest tional labor movement. L 'Humanite, from the narrow framework of official the newspaper of the French Commu­ ideology or esthetics is permitted to be nist Party, declared October 24 that produced. Public criticism of social "the motives given for the arrests, the conditions is prohibited." . conduct of the trial and the length of Lack of freedom of speech, assembly, the prison terms can only be received and association, the Charter said, "pre­ with indignation." vent working people from freely estab­ L 'Unita, the Italian Communist lishing labor and other organizations daily, announced the verdict on its for the protection of their economic front page and called it a "serious and and social interests, and from freely inadmissible sentence." The Italian using their right to strike.... Trade Union Federation, which in­ cludes the Communist-led Italian Gen­ "Other civil rights ... are gravely eral Confederation of Labor, also de­ circumscribed by the fact that the nounced the sentences. Interior Ministry employs various Amnesty International has adopted practices to control the daily existence the six as "prisoners of conscience." of citizens-such as telephone tapping Among those who had previously and the surveillance of private homes, protested the frame-up of the six were watching mail, shadowing individuals, seventy-eight Labour Party members searching apartments, and recruiting a of Parliament and twenty-four leaders network of informers from the ranks of of the British Communist Party. Olaf the population ...." Palme, in his capacity as a leader of Signatories of Charter 77 -more the Second International, denounced than 1,000 have signed-declared: the "monstrous trial," as did French "Charter 77 is a free and informal Socialist Party leader Fran~is Mitter­ and open association of people of var­ rand. ious convictions, religions and profes­ On June 6 more than 3,000 ·people sions, linked by the desire to work demonstrated in Paris against the individually and collectively for re-

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 North Carolina workers battle for union rights Bosses use lies& violence against Teamsters By Jack Foster , the union, charging violence by its WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-At their members! The courts complied with the 2 a.m. lunch break on September 28, company's strikebreaking aims by or­ twenty-six angry third shift workers at dering restrictions on the number of the PPG Industries fiberglass plant in pickets. Lexington, North Carolina, set up a "A subtle, yet vicious form of vio­ picket line. lence is practiced each and every day· The strike grew to 300 by the time by the top management of Halstead the first shift workers came in. Nearly Industries," the union countered in a 700 were out by the time of the after­ statement. noon shift change. The plant of nearly "This is the violence which impelled 1,400 was crippled. workers at this plant to join together in The strike came after PPG execu­ a union." tives told the night workers that the The union cites unsafe conditions in company did not intend to negotiate a the plant, low wages, and a permanent contract with their union, Teamsters swing shift. Local 391. "The decisions of this company ap­ This was PPG's latest move in its pear to be made with one goal in eighteen-month effort to defeat the mind-how to squeeze the greatest union. Local 391 won a representation profit out of their workers," says the election there in, July 1978. statement. Voice of 391 The company· then hired four law­ Workers at Hanes Dye and Finishing Company celebrate Teamster victory In union The bosses' offensive, aided by their yers to delay certification of the union. representation election. This time company anti-union tricks failed. alliance in the Piedmont Manufactur­ They presented a ninety-four page ers' Association, has produced some "brief' of objections to the National setbacks for Teamster organizing. Labor Relations Board. The board, threatening white workers, and the Teamsters 204 to 161. One year after winning an NLRB several weeks ago, finally overruled all voices of deputy sheriffs. And they Now the company is refusing to election at Coble Dairy in Lexington, of them and certified the local as the heard their own plant manager's voice respect the elections. Charging that North Carolina, Local 391 pulled out of bargaining agent for PPG workers. announce that the plant would be shut some of the plant's machines have a decertification election called there. Shortly after the NLRB's ruling, the down. been sabotaged, the bosses are requir­ The company's stalling tactics had company held its meeting with the The record was sent out by the ing all workers to take lie-detector blocked union efforts to negotiate a night workers. Union officials say this company a week before a scheduled tests. The company says· it will fire contract after the earlier election vic­ was a provocation aimed at inciting NLRB election at the plant near Salis­ anyone who refuses. tory. the union to file unfair labor practice bury, North Carolina. The company Company lawyers have filed objec­ Demoralized by the situation and charges. This would have opened the called it "a dramatization of a 1965 tions to the union vote with the NLRB, their seeming isolation, 130 out of the door for further company appeals in Teamsters strike." charging that pro-union workers 180 workers in the plant signed a the federal courts, and further stalling A white worker interviewed by the threatened "violence." decertification petition circulated by of negotiations. Greensboro Daily News pointed to the The charge of "violence" against the management. The union then pulled The strike by the workers called the company's efforts to use racism to Teamsters is a common theme out. company's hand. divide the workers. "All of the good whipped up by the companies and At Thomas Manufacturing in Tho­ "We surprised PPG," said a striker. guys on that record sound like they're featured in the local media. masville, North Carolina, the union "They didn't think we had the guts to white, and all the bad guys sound like Big-business media attention focuses also withdrew from a decertification go out. We're sick and tired of this they're Black." on a strike under way by Teamsters at election. Here over half the work force stalling around." Thirty-six hours before the voting Halstead Metal Products in Pine Hall, conducted an eleven-month economic Local union officials called on the began, the workers were called in early North Carolina. strike. But the bosses replaced the international to sanction the strike. for a paid overtime meeting. The com­ The 370 metal workers there walked striking workers. A decertification peti­ But the workers returned to their jobs pany presented an anti-union slide­ off their jobs August 2 after twenty­ tion circulated by management was on the appeal of a union staffer, who show about the Teamsters. The meet­ five bargaining sessions failed to pro­ signed by a majority of the new stressed the company's aim of going to ing was presided over by Rowan duce a contract. The company's final workers. Few of the strikers got their court instead of the bargaining table. County deputy sheriffs. offer was a laughable thirty-cent jobs back. Throughout the Piedmont area of The Teamsters lost the election 1,272 hourly wage increase over seventeen Recently the union lost a representa­ North Carolina, where unorganized to 883. months and a thirty-cent raise in Janu­ tion vote at two Union Carbide plants workers are turning to the Teamsters, ary 1981. The average wage at Hal­ in Asheboro, North Carolina. Teamster these same union-busting tactics are Hanes textile plant stead is $4.48 an hour. The U.S. aver­ organizer R.W. Brown said the vote being used. The same slide show appeared days age for primary metal workers is $8.89. was influenced by the union's decision Recently the 2,200 synthetics textile later at Hanes Dye and Finishing to pull out of the Thomasville plant. workers at Fiber Industries all received Company, a textile plant in Winston­ Company violence Union Carbide pointed to the union .a phonograph record in the mail. Salem. A representation election was Supervisors at Halstead have come defeat there as a sign of the Teamsters' For seventeen minutes, they heard scheduled there for August 31. out of the plant with guns in hand to inability to make gains for the crashing glass, machine-gun fire, and This time the union-busting tactics usher in strikebreakers. But the com­ workers. babies crying. They heard Blacks didn't work. The workers voted in the pany filed a $100,000 lawsuit against The company gave most of its 1,400 workers fifty-one and sixty-one cent wage increases two weeks before the election. After the union lost, the com­ pany took back seventeen cents, and is Newport News designers hit union-busting reportedly reconsidering other in­ By Jon Hillson the Steelworkers. They helped spark Then, on October 3, scab designers creases given. NEWPORT NEWS, Va.-With the the organization of USW A Local petitioned the NLRB for an election threat of a decertification election 8888, which recently won the right to to decertify the Steelworkers. Company tactics hanging over its head, United Steel­ represent the yard's 15,500 produc­ While the union's final count of The tactics used by the bosses are workers Local 8417 has filed new tion and maintenance workers. returned strikers is not yet available, much the same in all these plants. charges of unfair labor practices The designers were forced out on shipyard President Edward J. They organize groups of anti-union against Tenneco. The local repre­ strike on April 1, 1977, when Ten­ Campbell stated that 156 members workers into "red shirt" committees sents marine designers at Tenneco's neco tried to reclassify half of the of Local 8417 reported back to work. (Teamster supporters wear yellow "Go Newport News Shipbuilding and design department out of union­ That's out of some 900 who were Teamster" T-shirts in the plants). Dry Dock Company. eligible positions. Negotiations were originally on strike. Where NLRB elections are won by The October 17 complaint to the stonewalled for the next two and a Thus, should a decertification elec­ the union, the companies turn to the National Labor Relations Board half years, as Tenneco presented tion be ordered, Local 8417 will have courts, using the time they gain to charges shipyard management with union-gutting "contract offers" to a serious fight on its hands to retain launch further anti-union efforts, in­ refusing "to meet at reasonable Local 8417. recognition. cluding the hiring of new workers who times with the United Steelworkers An unfair labor practice ch-arge by The fate of the embattled de­ are intimidated into signing decertifi­ of America for the purposes of bar­ the local was upheld by a U.S. signers union now hinges on the cation petitions. gaining." appeals court last August, more than outcome of negotiations between When strikes are called, the compan­ The designers were the first New­ two years after it was filed. Tenneco Tenneco and the much larger Local ies rely on the courts to limit picketing port News shipyard workers to join "complied" with the order, waiting 8888. and frame up workers. more than a month to begin bargain- Local 8888 President Eddie Cop­ The Teamsters had hoped a win at BULLETIN ing. pedge has pledged solidarity with Union Carbide would spark interest in On October 30 the National But the designers, faced with loss the designers. If Local 8417's negoti­ the union throughout Asheboro. An Labor Relations Board rejected of court-ordered job protection as the ations with Tenneco are not settled article announcing the scheduled elec­ the bid by scab designers for an time limit on the order neared, were before Local8888 begins bargaining, tion in a recent Voice of Teamsters 391 election to decertify USWA Local forced to return to work without a Coppedge stated, "I'm prepared to said the situation was "reminiscent of 8417. contract on. September 22. ask for joint negotiations." the campaigns in the Lexington area. Presently there are no union shops in 22 Asheboro. Workers at several other building public support for the rigr.t of Randolph county businesses have re­ North Carolina workers to have a quested help from the Local." union. It has the potential to spark N.Y. forum reflects broad Organizing victories by the Teams­ more solidarity activities among the ters at several plants in Lexington last Teamster membership nationally, and summer spilled over into other indus­ among organized and unorganized support for Iran prisoners tries in the area. A quarter of the work workers in this area. By Janice Lynn force around Lexington-about 3,500 Public meetings and rallies spon­ NEW YORK-"It was exactly eight workers-joined the union. Area·wide sored by the labor movement can scan­ weeks ago today that we gathered a mobilizations of workers, including dalize PPG and educate the area's few blocks from here and pledged to plant-gate rallies and pick-up truck workers about the need to rely on their campaign in this country to stop the parades, helped to solidify support for own strength to beat back the bosses' executions of socialists in Iran," said the union and successfully countered offensive. Farhad Nouri. the resistance of individual bosses. Nouri, a leader of the Iranian Social­ A year later the bosses have learned Unleash union power ist Workers Party (HKS), was address­ their lessons. They are banding to­ Such moves could help unleash the ing a defense rally here October 26. gether. Behind the anti-union offensive kind of power that was demonstrated On August 26, twelve members of the loom the giant unorganized and low­ during the 1977-78 coal miners' strike. HKS were sentenced to death by an wage textile and furniture industries Workers throughout the country sup­ Islamic court. Two women were sent­ that dominate this state's economy. ported that struggle through their enced to life imprisonment. unions. Farmers organized truck cara­ Since the death sentences, a world­ Potential for solidarity vans to bring food. Support rallies wide defense campaign has blocked But the Teamsters are far from were held in many cities. the execution of the HKS militants. beaten. The source of the union's Widespread labor backing was also Nouri has been on tour in this country, power is its more than 11,000 trucking expressed for the eighty-two-day strike Canada, and Mexico to publicize the and industrial members in North Ca­ last spring by shipyard workers in case. rolina, the union's 2 million members Newport News, Virginia. That strike "The most heartening thing to me," nationally, and the unorganized was crucial to cutting through court Nouri said, "was to see the support workers here who are watching this delays and forcing the company to from the young workers in the plants. struggle closely and identify with the recognize the United Steelworkers as They spoke of solidarity among people's revolution, and it shall con­ union cause. These workers can. be bargaining agent for 15,500 workers­ workers all over the world. They tinue ... until freedom finally pre­ mobilized in solidarity actions. the biggest organizing victory any­ signed petitions for the release of the vails." "We have gotten calls from workers where in the country in decades. HKS fourteen. They hailed the over­ Ayoub, who is being threatened with in every industry in this area, wanting Workers from such steel centers as throw of the shah and were inspired by deportation for speaking out in defense to be organized," reports a staff person Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Chicago­ the struggle of the Iranian masses." of Palestinian rights, said, "The four­ at the Lexington union office. Gary travelled to Newport News to join The breadth of support, responsible teen represent all democratic rights­ As these unorganized workers are the picket lines and rally in solidarity. for saving the lives of the Iranian the democratic rights of women and welcomed into the union, they will add Teamsters Local 391 can win the socialists, was represented by the minorities and the democratic rights of fresh forces to the fight. same kind of support as it broadens speakers at the rally here. Joining workers to organize at the grassroots "We are learning that it is not the campaign for union rights in North Nouri were Bernadette Devlin McAlis­ level to carry the revolution forward." enough to win a union vote," said Carolina. Our unionized brothers and key, the well-known Irish civil rights Ten members of the Spartacist Local 391 President R.V. Durham re­ sisters in the North increasingly un­ activist; Ali Mahmoud, foreign rela­ League, a small sect, picketed outside cently, referring to company tactics at derstand that the new battles by south­ tions secretary for the Association of the defense meeting in an attempt to PPG and Halstead Metals. ern workers are in their interests too. Kurdistan Students Abroad; William prevent people from attending. Laurie Teamsters International President They know that the bosses are seeking Kunstler of the Center for Constitu­ Roberts told the Militant that she had Frank · Fitzsimmons announced Oc­ to extend the conditions of the low tional Rights; Duma Ndlovu of the received a telephone call from someone tober 16 that the union would launch a wage, right-to-work-for-less, unorgan­ steering committee of the Black Con­ claiming to be from the Spartacist nationwide boycott of PPG products in ized South into the rest of the country. sciousness Movement of South Mrica, League urging her to "respect" their order to force that company to sign a If alerted to the vital importance of U.S. region; and Palestinian activist picket and said they would be calling union contract at the Lexington plant. this fight, they will respond and help Elias Ayoub. other speakers to request the same. PPG makes Zerex antifreeze, Pitts­ create a movement of solidarity that Howard Simms of the Democratic While the SL claims to support the burgh Paints, plate glass, and fiber­ can turn the tables on the employers Socialist Organizing Committee read a defense of the Iranian Fourteen, its glass insulation. and win the right for every worker in message from DSOC national chair­ members have attempted to disrupt The boycott can be one step toward the country to have a union. person M.ichael Harrington, and defense meetings in Los Angeles, San Laurie Roberts brought official greet­ Francisco, and other cities. These ac­ ings on behalf of the New York chapter tions run completely counter to the of the National Lawyers Guild. labor tradition that "an injury to one is Pickets discuss solidariJy The Guild at New York University an injury to all." · cosponsored the meeting with the New While in the New York area, Nouri York Committee to Save the Iranian spoke at Barnard College and met with 14. Frank K. Totten, president of the New McAliskey received a standing ova­ Jersey Education Association, who tion from the crowd as she delivered added his name as a sponsor of the her inspiring remarks on the role of Committee to Save the Iranian 14. international working-class solidarity. Other recent sponsors include Sami "There could have been little more Esmail, former political prisoner in joy in Iran the day the shah fell than Israel; Carl Shier, United Auto there was in the streets of Belfast, Workers Region Four, international because we knew it was our victory," staff representative; and authors Wal­ she said. ter and Miriam Schneir. "While our hearts are with the people Nouri also attended the Congreso in Iran, our hearts are even more with Boricua · (Puerto Rican Congress of the people of Kurdistan, because we New Jersey), where 180 Puerto Rican know that their right to autonomy is activists added their names to peti­ something that has to be settled. And tions to save the lives of the Iranian Voice of Teamsters 391 Teamster pickets at Halstead Metal Company that is why our hearts are also with socialists. the women of Iran.'' New labor support has come from McAliskey explained how a victory Charles Perlik, Jr., president of the By Greg Williams that it was company people who for the Iranian Fourteen is also a Washington, D.C., Newspaper Guild; PINE HALL, N.C.-"! can't im­ fired a rifle shot into the home of a victory for Irish political prisoners. Local 1930, New York Public Library agine going back to work without a strikebreaker, an incident that has Mahmoud talked about the Kurdish Guild of the American Federation of contract," says one young striker at been played up in the local press. struggle and denounced the U.S. gov­ State, County and Municipal Em­ Halstead Metal. "We're peaceable people. There ernment's resumption of military ship­ ployees; the executive board of Local We're sitting outside a tent-the isn't a striker here who'd have fired ments to Iran. He explained how deny­ 19 of the International Longshore­ picketers' makeshift hangout. At 2 that shot." ing rights to revolutionaries who men's and Warehousemen's Union in a.m. my co-worker has just left his Faced with the company assault fought against the shah only serves Seattle; forty-six members of the Inter­ second-shift job where he has been against the strike, many workers imperialism's purposes. national Brotherhood of Painters and working to make ends meet since feel the union needs to take decisive "Let it be clear," Mahmoud declared, Allied Trades Local 28 in Brooklyn; Halstead Metal Company's final action. "that the revolution has not stopped and seventy-one members of UAW contract offer forced him and others Most of the night we talk about and shall continue. The revolution is Local 1866 at the A.C. Sparkplug fac­ out on strike August 2. He will be on the union and what might be done to not Khomeini's revolution, it is the tory in Milwaukee. the picket line until 6:30 a.m. extend union support for the strike "The first three weeks were some­ and make the shutdown effective. thing else. We had 75 to 100 picket­ Many ideas are discussed, including ers out all the time. The scabs tried plant-gate rallies, solidarity work to sneak in through the back but we with other unions, fundraising, and chased them through the woods. Not extending the strike to other Hal­ many scabs were getting in and stead plants. Halstead was hurting. Toward early morning several "Then the court slapped that in­ strikers finish their picket-line duty. junction on us, limiting the number As they leave the others waiting for of pickets because of 'violence.' But the morning replacements, one turns you know it was Halstead who was to a striker who had only worked six

responsible." days before he joined the walkout. Milot~n.tlr"n~rl"o rlotrnto .. v All the picketers agree that the "Remember, you have 350 people Seated, from left: William Kunstler, Diane Wang, Howard Simms, Elias Ayoub, company set them up. They charge backing you up." Farhad Nourl, Laurie Roberts, Bernadette Devlin McAiiskey, and All Mahmoud. At podium, chairperson Miriam McCray.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 23 In Brief

Abortion rights actions United Auto Workers Forums, rallies, and and when to bear children, tional Abortion Rights Ac­ to set up youth committee pickets, marking Abortion the right to safe effective tion League, CLUW, Na­ Rights Action Week, October birth control, the right to a tional Organization for By Sally Rees open to all UAW members 22-29, were held in cities safe legal abortion without Women, Planned Parent­ Young members of the between eighteen and thirty­ around the country. discrimination based on the hood, National Alliance of United Auto Workers Union five in the region. UAW New York City events in­ ability to pay, the right to be Black Feminists, Religious from Region 1 in the Detroit President Douglas Fraser cluded an October 24 forum, free of sterilization abuse or Coalition for Abortion area are preparing for a will address the Saturday "Abortion and Working pressure to have an abor­ Rights, National Lawyers November 10-11 conference session. Fraser's talk will be Women," cosponsored by the tion, and the right of all Guild, and others. to establish a region-wide followed by a report and Coalition of Labor Union workers to work in an envir­ UAW youth committee. discussion on Friday's delib­ Women (CLUW) and the onment free of hazards to A number of youth com­ erations. New York Committee for themselves and their future mittees have been function­ Local 235's youth commit­ Abortion Rights and children. ing in UAW Region 1. Mark tee has met twice, said Rog­ Against Sterilization Abuse. Other speakers talked Rogers of UAW Local235, a ers. Between fifteen and It was held at the union hall about the attacks on govern­ delegate to the conference twenty members attended of District 1199 of the hospi­ ment funding of abortions, from his local's youth com­ both meetings, most of them young Black workers. A leg­ tal workers. the international campaign mittee, told the Militant that Some 500 people rallied for abortion rights and the the purpose of the commit­ islative committee, educa­ October 27 at the United need for protection against tees is to train young tional committee, and reso­ Nations. sterilization abuse. members as leaders of the lutions committee were Grace DuBreuil from the In Chicago the week of union. formed. New York chapter of CLUW activities culminated in a "This conference could be At the November 10 ses­ a big step forward for the was one of the featured rally of 250 people at the sion, delegates to the confer­ speakers. She said that it Daley Center in the Loop UAW," Rogers said. "Set­ ence will discuss committee ting up youth committees was working women who October 27. Alice Peurala, reports and resolutions on gained the most when abor­ president of United Steel­ would give young auto such problems as nuclear workers a means of making tion was legalized in 1973. workers Local 65, addressed power, the energy crisis, and their opinions heard and a DeBreuil urged working the crowd. solidarity with union strug­ women to organize into Rallies occurred at various way to begin redressing gles. They will also elect an their special grievances." unions: "Through our state capitals. In both Lans­ executive board for the Re­ ing, Michigan, and Albany, For more information on unions we can put forward gion 1 youth committee. the conference call Ramona the social demands that New York, 250 people rallied October 28. On Saturday, November Alison, Region 1 education have always been part of the 11, a session is scheduled director, at (313) 573-0808. labor movement." Activities throughout the CLUW had a leaflet for country were organized and distribution that called for endorsed by a number of the right to decide whether organizations including Na- UAW EXPANDS STRIKE AT CATERPILLAR Seventeen thousand United Auto Workers members joined 23,000 others on the picket lines at Caterpillar Tractor fa­ Woodworkers strike backs fired woman cilities October 29, stopping By Margaret Trowe hired in May. Mter being violation of the union con­ IWA spokespersons received production. Workers at Cater­ SEATTLE-The 1,400- hired, she filed a sexual tract. CLUW endorsement of the pillar's eight plants in Peoria, Illinois, had been out since member International Wood­ harassment suit over the Local 3-38 filed a grie­ strike. In addition, Local 3- workers Association Local 3- questions she was asked vance over the firing. The 38 is now seeking other their contract expired October 1, while UAW locals at another 38 in Shelton, Washington, during an employment inter­ union has insisted on her union support. Local leaders view. Seven other women right to her original job. The called an informational eight plants agreed to work has been on strike since while negotiations continued. October 8 against Simpson have given statements to the company, conceding only picket line October 25 at the union charging similar ha­ that it had violated a "tech­ Bank of California Building A central issue in the strike Timber Company. The issue reportedly is forced overtime. is the firing of a woman rassment, including ques­ nicality," offered her two in Seattle, where Simpson's days' severance pay. Jim main offices are located. The original UAW "strike employee. There are fifty tions such as, "Do you wear target" in the agricultural im­ women workers at Simpson. a bra?" and "Would you Lowery, Local 3-38 business agent, told the Militant, "We plements negotiations was The IW A, which has ap­ have sexual relations with More than 3,000 workers don't consider that a John Deere. A three-week proximately 125,000 mem­ the interviewer?" have joined in the strike technicality-that's our con­ including members of strike at Deere plants ·ended bers, is one of the few unions The woman first held an th~ October 22. The Deere plow­ that has the right to strike entry-level job and then was tract." Lumber Production and In­ and-planter works in Moline, over grievances during the fired after working at a new The union then voted to dustrial Workers Union, Illinois, was again shut Oc­ life of the contract. job for twenty-three days. strike. The strikes have won shutting down Simpson's tober 29 when 1,400 UAW Simpson fired her for her local support. At the October McCleary plant in Washing­ members honored picket lines 24 meeting of the Puget The woman-who is with­ alleged inability to carry out ton and its operations in set up by the International holding her name for fear of the job and refused to offer Sound chapter of the Coali­ Califmmia in addition to the Association of Machinists. company harassment-was her previous job back, a tion of Labor Union Women, Shelton Mill. The UAW has given notice to a third farm manufacturer,

p.m., program 8 p.m. Gary Sheraton New York City forum on El Salvador, 518; Steve Eckardt, SWP candidate for CALIFORNIA GEORGIA Hotel on Broadway. Donation: $2. Ausp: scheduled for Sat., Nov. 10, will not take city controller, member of Transportation LOS ANGELES ATLANTA SWP Campaign. For more information place. Workers Union Local 234. Sat., Nov. 3, CUBA TODAY. Speakers: Prof. Jaime THE SONG OF THE CANARY. Award­ call (219) 884-9509. 7:30p.m. 5811 N. Broad St. Donation: $1. Regalado, Cal. State L.A., recently re­ winning documentary on dangers of NEW YORK CITY Ausp: SWP Campaign Committee. For turned from Cuba on medical brigade; working in America. Introduced by Jeff DEFEND ELIAS AYOUBI Picket and more information call (215) 927-4748. Patti liyama, Socialist Workers Party. Rogers, member United Auto Workers MARYLAND rally in front of Board of Immigration Slide show. Fri., Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. 2211 N. Local 10 and Socialist Workers Party. Appeals to defend Palestinian student SUPPORT THE NEW NICARAGUA. Broadway. Donation: $1.50. Ausp: Mili­ Sun., Nov. 11, 7 p.m. 509 Peachtree St. BALTIMORE threatened with deportation. Speakers: Speaker: Saul Arana, alternate ambassa­ tant Forum. For more information call NE. Donation: $2. Ausp: Militant Forum. ABORTION: WORKING WOMEN Elias Ayoub; representative of Hector dor to OAS for Nicaragua. Slide show (213) 225-3126. For more information call (404) 872-7229. SPEAK OUT ON THE RIGHT TO Marroquin Defense Committee. Tues., and entertainment. Sun., Nov. 11, 7:30 CHOOSE. Panel discussion. Sun., Nov. 4, Nov. 13, 4:30-5:30 p.m. 26 Federal Plaza, p.m. Fine Arts Auditorium, Univ. of Penn., 7 p.m. 2913 Greenmount. Donation: INS Office. Ausp: Elias Ayoub Defense 34th & Walnut. Donation: $5. Ausp: Coali­ ILLINOIS $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more tion for a Free Nicaragua. For more THE U.S. ECONOMY: HEADED FOR Committee. information call (301) 235-0013. information call (215) 848-0356. DISASTER? Speaker: Holly Harkness, CHICAGO THE SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE FOR member of United Auto Workers Local THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY: WHY 148, Socialist Workers Party. Sat., Nov. 1980. Speakers: Andrew Pulley, former OHIO Socialist Workers candidate for mayor of BLACKS SUPPORT THE PALESTINIAN RHODE ISLAND 10, 7:30 p.m. 2211 N. Broadway. Dona­ CLEVELAND Chicago, now SWP candidate for presi­ STRUGGLE. Speakers: Jerry Hunnicut, PROVIDENCE tion: $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. For Socialist Workers Party, others. Sun., CUBA: CARTER'S NEW WAR THREAT. dent; Lee Artz, SWP candidate for U.S. STOP THE EXECUTIONS OF IRANIAN more information call (213) 225-3126. Nov. 11, 7 p.m. 2913 Greenmount Ave. ITS MEANING FOR CUBA AND NICA­ Senate in Illinois, member of United SOCIALISTS! Speaker: Mina Farzin, Donation: $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. RAGUA. Speakers: Kathleen Fitzgerald, Steelworkers Local 15271. Sat., Nov. 10, Committee to Save the Iranian 14. Sat., For more information call (301) 235-0013. Socialist Workers Party; Joe Lowe, re­ reception 6:30 p.m., rally 7:30 p.m. 434 S. Nov. 3, 1 p.m. Knight Memorial Library Wabash 7th Floor. Donation: $3. Ausp: cently returned from Nicaragua. Sun., Nov. 11, 4 p.m. 13002 Kinsman Rd. Dona­ Aud., 275 Elmwood Ave. Ausp: Iranian­ 1980 Illinois SWP Campaign Committee. NEW YORK American Workers Solidarity Committee. For more information call (312) 939-0737. tion: $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. For LOWER MANHATTAN more information call (216) 991-5030. For more information call (401) 726-3657. COLORADO NICARAGUA TODAY. (Forum will be DENVER in Spanish with no English translation.) Speaker: Mirta Vidal, staff writer for Pers­ 'TOIL l RAGE IN A NEW LAND.' A INDIANA PENNSYLVANIA UTAH pective Mundial; others. Fri., Nov. 9, 7 film history of Colorado coal mining. GARY PHILADELPHIA SALT LAKE CITY p.m. 108 E. 16th St. (1/z block east of Speaker: Eric Margolis, director of the WHY WORKING PEOPLE NEED THEIR $0CIALIST WORKERS CAMPAIGN THE NICARAGUAN REVOLUTION: AN film. Thurs., Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. 1120 W. OWN PARTY. Speaker: Andrew Pulley, Union Sq.) Donation $2. Ausp: Perspec­ RALLY. Speakers: Nora Danielson SWP EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT. Speaker: Fred 12th. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. Socialist Workers Party candidate for tiva Mundial Forum. For more information candidate for mayor, member of Br'other­ Halstead, longtime leader of the Socialist For more information call (303) 534-8954. president. Fri., Nov. 9, reception 7:30 call (212) 260-6400. hood of Railway and Airline Clerks Lodge Workers Party. Sun., Nov. 4, 7 p.m. 677 S.

24 The Great Society Compiled by Arnold Weissberg Harry Ring PROTEST EFFORT TO DEPORT PALESTINIAN Carrying it to the bank?-A Texaco gender, drinking, diet-we could go on Supporters of Elias Speakers will include a rep­ spokesperson said it was "gratifying" and on." Ayoub, a Palestinian stu­ resentative of the Hector that they had enjoyed a third-quarter 211 dent, will gather in New Marroquin Defense Commit­ percent profit increase since the company What more could you ask?-"1 fully York City November 13 to tee. Rallies are also set for anticipated extra expenses next year. uphold democracy."-The president of protest U.S. government ef­ other cities around the coun­ Pakistan announcing imposition of mar­ forts to deport him. Ayoub try. Functioned perfectly-A D.C. Metro tial law, postponement of elections, in scheduled to go before the For more information, call subway operator got out to check another further curbs on the press and added Board of Immigration Ap­ the Elias Ayoub Defense train standing on a side track. The central repression of unions. peals the following day. Committee at (614) 486-0045, computer signaled his train to go, which it Although claiming it or write to P.O. Box 3169, did. It stopped automatically at four sta­ Mr. Clean-The chemical industry is seeks Ayoub's expulsion be­ Columbus, Ohio 43210. In tions, but the manually operated doors responding to public concern about its cause he "failed to establish New York contact the de­ didn't open. A woman passenger got into poisoning of the environment and indis­ an educational goal," Immi­ fense committee at Box the cab with a hair-pin and opened the criminate dumping of deadly wastes. gration and Naturalization 1757, Manhattan Station, doors at the next stop. Said a Metro Some $10 million is being allocated for a Service documents refer to New York, New York 10027. him as a "subversive." What spokesperson: "In no. way was it a runa­ cleanup-of its "image." The ad campaign the government really fears way train." is intended to counter a finding that is Ayoub's support to the chemical producers rank thirteenth in cause of Palestinian rights. Nice for the weekends-Laurance image among thirteen industries, with the In fact, Ayoub has been and David Rockefeller have decided to get gap between it and number twelve "quite an outstanding student, gra­ rid of their 4,085 acre estate on St. Croix large." duating from college in only in the Virgin Islands. Asking price, $10 three years, with high million. The march of civilization-Saudi marks. He is currently a Arabians will enjoy a new benefit of graduate student at the New And probably will-Responding to western culture. A Madison Avenue ad School for Social Research insurance findings that the death rate for agency is installing the country's first in New York City. smokers at all ages is double that of sixty-seven outdoor billboards. Deporting Ayoub to Israel, nonsmokers, a Tobacco Institute spokes­ the country in which he person said many things "may contribute Shopping tip-Top quality Iranian holds citizenship, would en­ to mortality rates in terms of life styles, caviar is available in New York for about.­ danger his life. personal customs, environmental expo­ $250 a Russian pound. A Russian pound The New York rally will sure, occupational hazards, smoking, contains fourteen ounces. be held at Immigration and Naturalization Service head­ quarters, 26 Federal Plaza. ELIAS AYOUB

International Harvester, that The conference is open to its extended contract with male and female members of 35,000 members will expire No­ the UMWA. By Any Means Necessary vember 1. SAN FRANCISCO MINE UNION CALLS TEACHERS SETTLE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE San Francisco teachers have The United Mine Workers voted overwhelmingly to ac­ Black & proud in Cuba has called a national confer­ cept a two-year contract, end­ The following article was written foreign hegemony as well as all forms of ence of women coal miners for ing their six-week strike. The by Barbara Lee of the National economic, political, military and cultural November 10 in Charleston, teachers voted 1,112 to 290 in Newspaper Publishers Association pressure in international relations. The West Virginia. favor of the strike settlement. and appeared in the October 4 issue Iraqi representative chaired this commis­ Last June, the Coal Employ­ The contract gives teachers a of the 'Miami Times,' a Black news­ sion. ment Project sponsored the 7.5 percent raise this November weekly. Lee attended the recent Non­ The behind-the-scenes activity consisted first · national gathering of and an 8 percent hike next aligned Nations Summit Conference of lobbying for amendments and changes women coal miners in Insti­ November. that was hosted by Cuba. Her re­ to the above mentioned documents. tute, West Virginia. Seventy­ More than 715 of the 1,200 marks reflect the deepening solidar­ Algeria and Cuba acted as coordinating five women miners and about teachers laid off earlier this ity of American Blacks with Cuba. countries in the sports sphere for the 125 other supporters attended. year in the wake of Proposition Nonaligned Movement. Cuba was selected According to UMW A spokes­ 13 were rehired under the I was extremely impressed with the new to chair a committee whose charge was to woman Johanna Stewart, the agreement, including 120 as determine a plan of action to promote November meeting was called facilities built by the Cuban people for part-time teachers and 50 as with the nongovernmental sports agen­ to provide "a forum for women permanent substitutes. this Nonaligned Nations Summit Confer­ cies a combined effort with UNESCO to miners" so that their views on The main improvement in ence. The Palace of Conference located the next union contract to be the contract was rejection of five miles from the center of Havana was bring about more democracy in interna­ negotiated (in 1981) can be the school board's demand that the main site. tional sports. made known. Workshop topics 700 rehired teachers would be The palace had a plenary session hall The committee called for the inadmissi­ include arbitration, contractual long-term substitutes with no with a capacity for 1,700 persons, a press bility of apartheid, racism, and zionism, rights, job bidding, and safety. job protection. gallery, and meeting rooms. In addition, and the need for joint action to ensure there was a restaurant, cafeteria, bar, their elimination. In addition, it supported travel agency, and press rooms with tele­ the holding of sporting events among the vision coverage in French, English, Span­ Nonaligned and other developing coun­ ish, and Arabic for delegates and journal­ tries in order to promote good will and ists. skill development. The majority of the plenary sessions A schedule of international activities consisted mainly of speeches by various through 1981 was worked on and a sports 7th E. Donation: $1.50 Ausp: Militant ist Workers Party. Sun., Nov. 4, 7 p.m. heads of states outlining their countries' manifesto outlining the need for the prac­ Forum. For more information call (801) 4868 Rainier Ave. So. Donation: $1.50. positions on the issues before the body. tice of physical education as being inte­ 355-1124. For more information call (206) 723-5330. The working group of the conference gral to the development of human beings consisted of an economic commission and personally and politically was put forth. TACOMA a political· commission. These commis­ As victims of underdevelopment in the PUT AN END TO NUCLEAR POWER. ghettos of the United States, I think Afro­ WASHINGTON HOW, WHY, AND WHAT ALTERNA­ sions worked in closed sessions and the SEATTLE TIVES? Panel of speakers. Sun., Nov. 4, 7 press was briefed daily on their activities. Americans should seek information about AMERICAN ECONOMY IN CRISIS: A p.m. 1306 S. K St. Ausp: Militant Labor Cuba presented a document on world these upcoming major international SOCIALIST ANALYSIS. Speaker: Mar­ Forum. For more information call (206) garet Trowe, chairperson, Seattle Social- 627-0432. economic problems which served as the sports events. basis for debates and discussions during The solidarity of the Cuban people with the summit meeting. the Afro-American people was demon­ The document chartered new courses for strated throughout my stay in Havana. LOS ANGELES strengthening the struggle for a new Being a member of the majority and not a LABOR AND POLITICAL ACTION IN economic order, endorsed the United Na­ minority was very reassuring. Press tions as the most suitable framework for passes wer~ easier for me to get, inter­ THE 1980s debating economic problems, and firmly views with the delegates were easier for A panel discussion. Speakers: Pete president, Calif. Federation of condemned the existence of military bases me to arrange, and my questions during Beltran, president of United Auto Teachers; John T. Williams, former Workers Local 645 at the General official, Teamsters Local 208; and in Latin America. press conferences were responded to more Motors plant, Van Nuys; David D. Bernie Sapiro, president, So. Calif. The political commission presented a frequently and in more detail. Crippen, executive director, Social Printing Specialties and Paper Pro­ draft declaration of policy of the Non­ The vast majority of the black, brown, Services Union Local 535 and ducts Union, District Council 2. Fri., member of international executive Nov. 16, 7:30p.m. United Teacher/Los aligned Movement. This policy statement and yellow delegates knew quite well the board of Service Employees I nterna­ Angeles Auditorium, 2511 W. 3rd St. included the struggle against imperialism, nature of the white establishm~mt press tional Union; Woody Fleming, politi­ Ausp: Social Services Union Local colonialism, neocolonialism, apartheid, and treated them accordingly. To be black cal action coordinator, SEIU Joint 535. For more information call (213) Council 8; Elinor Glenn, president, 385-9321. and racism, including zionism. and proud was more than a notion in SEIU Joint Council 8; Raoul Teilet, In addition, it confronted all forms of Cuba at the Nonaligned summit meeting. occupation, domination, interference, and It was a reality.

THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 25 Our Revolutionary Heritage Letters

Campaigning In L.A. Here in Germany we don't Square D strike Matilde Zimmermann, hear much about the American Twenty-five years ago, on September 30, Socialist Workers candidate for labor movement so that even 1954, a 107-day strike of workers at the vice-president, got a good many leftists do not believe in Square D plant in Detroit ended with the response from workers at the the revolutionary future of the agreement of the company to renew its huge McDonnell Douglas American working class. contract with the United Electrical aircraft plant when she European bourgeois Workers, one of the unions expelled from campaigned here October 10. propaganda shows the U.S. as the CIO in 1949 as "communist domi­ Workers changing shifts at a "middle-class society" nated." the plant that employs nearly without revolutionary The strike had been almost smashed 30,000 people had a lot of potential. Your reports on the when rank-and-file auto unionists, includ­ friendly comments. fights of workers, Blacks, ing socialists, intervened and succeeded in "You mean this woman is Puerto Ricans, etc. are proofs mobilizing the support of United Auto running for vice-president?" of the contrary. Workers locals. asked one older worker. "Well," I wish you the best for your While the UE did not win its principal he commented, "I'm all for struggle, especially lots of economic demands, the solidarity of the women." supporters and votes for Pulley auto workers who joined the Square D A middle-aged Chicano who and Zimmermann. picket line did force the company to give spoke to Zimmermann said, J.W. up on its refusal to renew its union con­ "Things are so screwed up now West Germany tract. that you socialists wouldn't The following editorial from the Mili­ hurt a bit." tant of October 11, 1954, offered an initial Reuther: Rank-and-file auto workers sup­ A young, Black production assessment of the strike, stressing the ported Square D strike In spite of his red­ worker getting off work SWP campaigner on TV importance of labor solidarity and the baiting. stopped when he saw the During her tour stop here in bankruptcy of UAW President Walter posters of Zimmermann and Portland for the Socialist Reuther's policy of protecting labor's her running mate Andrew Workers 1980 Presidential had prevented that. But they could try to "friends" in the Democratic Party. Pulley. Campaign, Cathy Sedwick salvage something. They had another "How can I get involved?" appeared on a twenty-minute • • • card to play. They could use the tie-up of was his first question. A few television interview and call-in the labor officials with the Democratic minutes later, talking to a show. Sedwick, who recently Party to rob the strikers of a clean-cut campaign supporter who also returned from visits to Cuba There are important lessons for the victory. And that's just what happened if worked at the plant, he and Nicaragua, made defense whole American working class in the you want the blunt truth. commented, "I don't know of these revolutions the center ~ently concluded Detroit Square D Detroit labor could easily have won much about this campaign, but of her comments. strike. every demand raised by the Square D anybody running a woman The interviewer asked: How The strike-breaking plan of the Square strikers. These demands were elementary and a brother has to be right." did people live in Cuba? What D employers was launched immediately and completely justified. As a matter of Joanie Quinn was the quality of life? What after Congress passed the Humphrey­ fact they were exceedingly modest de­ Los Angeles, California about Cuban troops in Africa Butler "Communist infiltration" in unions mands. But the Reutherites, after failing and how much Soviet aid had bill, the Communist Control Act of 1954. to isolate the Square D strike from the been given to Cuba? He asked The workers at Square D belonged to a · main stream of the Detroit labor move­ Thanks from Germany if they have free elections in union, the independent United Electrical ment, knifed the strike in another way. Thank you very much for Cuba. Workers, which was marked by the union­ They convinced the more militant union your free copies of the Militant, Other questions were called busters as ·"red." officials that mass picket actions, which your Pathfinder Press catalog, in by the viewing audience. Surely, the employers figured, there was would certainly have won the strike, and all the other information One asked her impressions of you sent me. I enclosed my Nicaragua and what no need to worry about the rest of the should not be used-because it would half-year's subscription to the Detroit labor movement coming to the aid governments have sent aid embarrass the Democratic Party state Militant. I am also going to there. Another asked if of the strikers. Reuther and the other administration during an election year. order books and pamphlets socialism will mean more labor officials have been red-baiting and Thus in the interests of their alliance with from Pathfinder Press soon. government control over raiding the UE for years. the Democratic Party strike-breakers, the What a wonderful opportunity to set a Reutherites prevented a sure victory for precedent for some good, old-fashioned all the strike demands. strike-breaking. The employers all over The Detroit workers saved the day for Hayden echoes pro-Israel line the country were watching with avid unionism, they prevented the Square D Tom Hayden has come out Arafat." interest, licking their chops at the deli­ strike from being smashed by police terror against what he calls "a Hayden argued that it was cious prospect-a smashed strike in De­ and scab-herding, they gave a magnifi­ new tilt in American foreign essential to maintain the troit! cent demonstration of solidarity and mil­ policy towards the Arab "progressive and historic" cause." Camp David accords in face But wait. Something happened. The itancy. But the Reutherite union officials He also criticized­ of alleged pro-Arab pressure rank-and-file Detroit unionists upset the sold the strikers' demands down the river without naming them­ by big oil. He claimed that apple cart. They refused to stand by and in order to sew up their alliance with American Black leaders who his energy policy proposals allow the strike to be broken. They cut "Soapy" Williams, the Democratic gover­ went to the Mideast and were designed to reduce U.S. right through all the witch-hunting formu­ nor. held discussions with the dependence on foreign oil, las with the sharp axe of working-class The lesson stands out in bold relief. The Palestine Liberation Organi­ and thus ease the pressure solidarity. A wave of support for the union-busters cannot be fought success­ zation, saying that if "some on Israel. Square D strike swept the Detroit union fully in alliance with one of the major people" insisted on doing so, The U.S. left was wrong in movement, AFL and CIO. Talk was rife union-busting boss parties. What is won they should at least counsel the 1960s, said Hayden, in about a Labor Holiday. on the picket line is lost in the smoke­ nonviolence and a policy of drawing a parallel between The tables were turned on the employ­ filled room where the labor officials make restraint on the PLO. He did U.S. bombing in Vietnam not urge Israel to employ and Israeli attacks on the ers. They couldn't get what they dreamed deals with the capitalist politicians. The nonviolence and restraint, Palestinians. What is about-a broken strike in the heart of the fight against the union-busters demands a however. needed, he said, is an "al­ industrial union movement of the United break once and for all with company Hayden made these re­ liance between American States. The rank-and-file Detroit unionists unionism in politics. marks on October 3, at a working people, consumers meeting in New York spon­ and the state of Israel." sored by the American Jew­ Hayden's remarks, echo­ ish Congress, as part of a ing the line of the pro-Israel nationwide tour on the lobby, were reported by Ro­ ener_gy crisis that he and nald Radosh, in the October Jane Fonda are making for 17-23 issue of In These the Campaign for Economic Times. Radosh was clearly THE MII..ITANT.is the voice of Democracy. embarrassed and upset that the Socialist Workers Party. Speaking to the strongly Hayden, whom he described pro-Israel audience, Hayden as "a major figure on the IF YOU AGREE with what warned that U.S. oil tankers American left," had been were in danger of being sab­ "sounding much like Nor­ you've read, you should join otaged by Palestinians and man Podhoretz," who is one us in fighting for a world Name ~'-'-,.-'-'-,..._¥,___,...___,___,...__...... ;;.. claimed that OPEC and of the ideological leaders of Saudi Arabia had already without war, racism, or Address _ __,______....,....,.__,....__,....__,...... ,...... _.,.,.....8 i> 1 the unabashedly procapital­ forced the loss of U.S. stra­ ist "neoconservative" trend exploitation-a socialist tegic oil reserves-which he among intellectuals. world. described as a "national de­ But Hayden's reactionary feat and a national embar­ position on the Mideast rassment." should be no surprise. JOIN THE

26 Learning About Socialism

everyone's lives. Another asked if Carter is re-elected, will we Castro on imperialism have a new war. Fidel Castro's October 12 speech to the United Nations tions to maintain their stranglehold. Sed~ck put the Cuban and was the most damning indictment of imperialist exploita­ All this explains why, as Fidel said, "the gap between the Nicaraguan revolutions in a tion that body has ever heard. developed and developing countries not only persists, but favorable light and established The U.S. press reacted with bitter hostility. What they has substantially increased." the Socialist Workers Party as found particularly outrageous was Fidel's demand for a a defender of these revolutions. If imperialist "development" means misery and suffering $300 billion fund to help finance the development of impe~ P.F. for the overwhelming majority of the world's population, Portland, Oregon rialism's colonial victims. what does it mean for working people at home? Are we the "When Mr. Castro attributes Third World poverty to beneficiaries of this plunder and exploitation, as our bosses colonialist 'plunder' and asserts that 'imperialists' should and their government would have us believe? Picked up compensate by adding $25 billion a year for a decade to the Hardly. The monopolies use the superprofits they reap resources being transferred anyway, he is drawing a politi­ Here's a check for a year's abroad to strengthen their hand against workers in the U.S. cal cartoon," complained the Washington Post. Further­ subscription. Just a couple of How? weeks ago I was feeling a little more, said the Post, those countries that accept Castro's By introducing "labor-saving" methods to "rationalize" depressed-the growth of argument might refrain "from taking full advantage of the production-in other words, speed-up and layoffs. uranium mining and milling in limited but still valuable steps the United States is prepared By increasing their ·control over all sectors of the U.S. Colorado, fulminations from to take on global development now." economy, turning them into ever more formidable oppo­ the U.S. Senate against Cuba But, as Fidel showed, it is just such "steps" on the part of nents of the labor movement. and Nicaragua (whoever called the U.S. and its imperialist partners that have produced the By giving the monopolies a free hand to set artificially it the greatest deliberative underdevelopment and impoverishment of the colonial high prices as the oil monopolies have mercilessly done. body in the world?), Garter's world. By providing low-wage havens abroad to flee from the energy "policy." Then I picked The imperialist powers export capital for only one reason: demands of U.S. unions. up the Militant-and it picked to realize a profit that is otherwise impossible at home. By forcing increased military spending at the expense of me up; just reading about the Human considerations-the health, well-being, and pro­ schools, social services, and medical care. Pulley-Zimmermann gress of colonial peoples-are of no concern to them. We pay the bill for imperialism with our wages, working campaign. What attracts capital to the colonial world is cheap labor, conditions, jobs, environment, and inevitably our lives-as One thing I haven't seen in captive markets, and freedom to loot natural resources. the capitalist class drags us into one war after another to the paper (did I miss it?) is Economic relations based on these backward conditions protect its investments. figures on the jobs that would perpetuate underdevelopment. When the colonial masses throw U.S. imperialism off be created if solar energy were The economies of the semicolonial countries are strictly their backs-as they have done in Vietnam and Cuba, as pushed. These jobs would be subordinated to the needs of the imperialist center. Some of they are doing today in Nicaragua-they strike a blow for skilled and semi-skilled, would the worst cases occur where production centers around require little or no retraining, single crops or minerals for export-like tin in Bolivia or our freedom too. would be offered in production Cuba is a good example. sugar in Haiti. and installation, many of them Under the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship, yearly per AB a result, with each fluctuation in world prices these in the communities where solar capita income in Cuba was $320-$520. Twenty percent of economies undergo violent convulsions. Agricultural na­ equipment would be installed. the country's annual income was spent on food imports. The tions cannot afford to buy food to feed their populations. · Another link between energy U.S. owned the bulk of the transportation, communication, Peasants who work the land starve. and jobs is in the field of mass and electrical systems along with 40 percent of raw sugar The imperialists with the help of their colonial lieutenants transit-production of cars and production. Illiteracy, unemployment, and disease were block the development of modern industry in the semicolo­ engines and rails, as well as rampant. nies to guarantee the import of their manufactured goods­ jobs running and servicing the Today, twenty years after the Cuban revolution, everyone that are at inflated world prices. system. We could put people to has a job. There are more doctors in proportion to the "Our dependency is once again expressed in the fact that work, save energy, decrease population than in the U.S. Crippling diseases like polio pollution, and not have to bail the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America import 26.1 have been wiped out. The entire population can read and out Chrysler. percent of the manufactured goods that enter into interna­ write. Housing is provided at 6 percent of income. I hope to send in some orders tional trade," said Fidel, "and we export only 6.3 percent of Has Cuba's progress taken place at the expense of U.S. for subscriptions for friends them." workers? Not at all. Only the U.S. ruling class has suffered. and will remind you to extend Only industry that complements rather than competes ours. with the imperialist enterprises is given the go-ahead. They have been deprived of the super-exploited labor and Lois Remple Whether low-technology light manufacturing or outlets of criminal tax breaks Cuba provided. They have been de­ Pueblo, Colorado the multinationals themselves, these industries thrive upon prived of a military ally willing to crush its people in blood intensive, super cheap labor. to protect their profits. In fact, the entire economic infrastructure of the under­ U.S. workers, especially Blacks, Latinos, and others who developed countries is directed toward the export/import suffer national oppression, have gained an ally and out­ The 'New South' sector-finance, transportation, energy, and communica­ spoken champion in the Cuban government. And in Cuba a southerner, I am AB tion. Next to nothing is spent on education, health care, we have gained an inspiring example, proving that human concerned about the welfare of social services, or cultural opportunities for the masses. The and economic development can be unleashed only with the the working people of the imperialists prop up the most traditional, subservient ruling overthrow of capitalist rule. If not, as Fidel said, "we will all South. The "New South" be equal victims of the catastrophe." dream is dead. It's not worth a classes and the most backward social and political institu- -Shelley Kramer damn, because it emphasized the wealth of the southern industrial establishment-i.e. the southern capitalists. This has been the case since Henry Grady announced a "New South" to northeastern If You Like This Paper, Look Us Up industrialists in the 1880s, Where to find the Socialist Workers Party, Young Socialist Alliance, and socialist books and pamphlets encouraging them to move their businesses to the South. ALABAMA: Birmingham: SWP, YSA, 1609 5th Ave. MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, c/o M. Casey, 5030. Oberlin: YSA, c/o Gale Connor, OCMR Box Despite the fact that the N. Tel: (205) 328-9403. Send mail to P.O. Box 42 McClellan. Zip: 01002. Tel: (413) 537-6537. 679. Zip: 44074. Tel: (216) 775-5382. Toledo: 3382-A. Zip: 35205. Boston: SWP, YSA, 510 Commonwealth Ave., 4th SWP, YSA, 2120 Dorr St. Zip: 43607. Tel: (419) latest New South advocates ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP, YSA, 1243 E. McDowell. Floor. Zip: 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4621. 536-0383. seemed to favor the civil rights Zip: 85006. Tel: (602) 255-0450. MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor: YSA, Room 4120, Michigan OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, 711 NW Everett. struggle, their real intent has CALIFORNIA: Berkeley: SWP, YSA, 3264 Adeline Union, U. of M. Zip: 48109. Detroit: SWP, YSA, Zip: 97209. Tel: (503) 222-7225. been to attract industry. St. Zip: 94703. Tel: (415) 653-7156. Los Angeles, 6404 Woodward Ave. Zip: 48202. Tel: (313) 875- PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, Edinboro State SWP, YSA, 2211 N. Broadway. Zip: 90031. Tel: 5322. College. Zip: 16444. Philadelphia: SWP, YSA, Obviously, working people (213) 225-3126. Oakland: SWP, YSA. 1467 Fruit­ MINNESOTA: Mesabi Iron Range: SWP, YSA. P.O. 5811 N. Broad St. Zip: 19141. Tel (215) 927-4747 have gained nothing at the vale Ave. Zip: 94601. Tel: (415) 261-1210. San Box 1287, Virginia, Minn. Zip: 55792. Tel: (218) or 927-4748. Pittsburgh: SWP, YSA, 1210 E. hands of these New South Diego: SWP, YSA, 1053 15th St. Zip: 92101. Tel: 749-6327. Twin Cities: SWP, YSA, 373 University Carson St. Zip: 15203. Tel: (412) 488-7000. State (714) 234-4630. San Francisco: SWP, YSA, 3284 Ave., St. Paul. Zip: 55103. Tel: (612) 222-8929. College: YSA, c/o Jack Craypo, 606 S. Allen St. spokesmen. 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 824-1992. San Jose: MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP. YSA, 4715A Troost. Zip: 16801. Tel: (814) 234-6655. SWP. YSA, 733 E. Hedding. Zip: 95112. Tel: (408) Zip: 64110. Tel: (816) 753-0404. St. Louis: SWP. It is up to working people to TEXAS: Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose. 7409 Berkman 295-8342. YSA, 6223 Delmar Blvd. Zip: 63130. Tel: (314) make the South a land of Dr. Zip: 78752. Dallas: SWP, YSA, 5442 E. Grand. COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, 126 W. 12th Ave. 725-1570. Zip: 75223. Tel: (214) 826-4711. Houston: SWP, justice. We have made a great Zip: 80204. Tel: (303) 534-8954. NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, YSA, 11-A Central YSA, 806 Elgin St. #1. Zip: 77006. Tel: (713) 524- start with the Newport News FLORIDA: Miami: SWP, YSA. 8171 NE 2nd Ave. Zip: Ave. Zip: 07102. Tel: (201) 643-3341. 8761. San Antonio: SWP, YSA, 112 Fredericks­ 33138. Tel: (305) 756-8358. NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque: SWP, 1417 Central victory. We all must continue burg Rd. Zip: 78207. Tel: (512) 735-3141. GEORGIA: Atlanta: SWP, YSA, 509 Peachtree St. Ave. NE. Zip: 87106. Tel: (505) 842-0954. to fight. NE. Zip: 30308. Tel: (404) 872-7229. NEW YORK: Capital District (Albany): SWP, YSA, UTAH: Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, 677 S. 7th East, Patricia Hefner ILLINOIS: Champaign-Urbana: YSA, 284 lllini 103 Central Ave. Zip: 12206. Tel: (518) 463-0072. 2nd Floor. Zip: 84102. Tel: (801) 355-1124. Birmingham, Alabama Union, Urbana. Zip: 61801. Chicago: SWP, YSA, New York, Brooklyn: SWP, 841 Classon Ave. Zip: VIRGINIA: Tidewater Area (Newport News): SWP, 434 S. Wabash, Room 700. Zip: 60605. Tel: (312) 11238. Tel: (212) 783-2135. New York, Lower YSA, 111 28th St. Zip: 23607. Tel: (804) 380-0133. 939-0737. Manhattan: SWP, YSA, 108 E. 16th St. 2nd Floor. WASHINGTON, D.C.: SWP, YSA, 3106 Mt. Pleasant INDIANA: Bloomington: YSA, c/o Student Activities Zip: 10003. Tel: (212) 260-6400. New York, Upper St. NW. Zip: 20010. Tel: (202) 797-7699. The letters column is an Desk, Indiana University. Zip: 47401. Indianapolis: Manhattan: SWP, YSA, 564 W. 181 St.. 2nd Floor. WASHINGTON: Olympia: YSA, c/o Lynne Welton, open forum for all view­ SWP, YSA, 4850 N. College. Zip:46205. Tel: (317) Send mail to P.O. Box 438, Washington Bridge 1304 Madrona Beach Rd. Zip: 98502. Tel: (206) points on subjects of gen­ 283-6147. Gary: SWP, YSA, 3883 Broadway. Zip: Sta. Zip: 10033. Tel: (212) 928-1676. New York: 866-7332. Seattle: SWP, YSA, 4868 Rainier Ave .. 46409. Tel: (219) 884-9509. City-wide SWP, YSA, 108 E. 16th St. 2nd Floor. S. Zip: 98118. Tel: (206) 723-5330. Tacoma: SWP, eral interest to our readers. KENTUCKY: Louisville: SWP, YSA, 131 W. Main, Zip: 10003. Tel: (212) 533-2902. YSA, 1306 S. K St. Zip: 98405. Tel: (206) 627-0432. Please keep your letters P.O. Box 3593. Zip: 40201. Tel: (502) 587-8418. NORTH CAROLINA: Piedmont: SWP, YSA, P.O. WEST VIRGINIA: Morgantown: SWP, YSA, 957 S. brief. Where necessary they LOUISIANA: New Orteans: SWP, YSA, 3319 S. Box 2486, Winston-Salem. Zip: 27102. University Ave. Zip: 26505. Tel: (304) 296-0055. Carrollton Ave. Zip: 70118. Tel: (504) 486-8048. OHIO: Cincinnati: SWP, YSA, 970 E. McMillan. Zip: WISCONSIN: Madison: YSA, P.O. Box 929. Zip: will be abridged. Please in­ MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2913 Green­ 45206. Tel: (513) 751-2636. Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 53701. Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 3901 N. 27th St. dicate if you prefer that mount Ave. Zip: 21218. Tel: (301) 235-0013. 13002 Kinsman Rd. Zip: 44120. Tel: (216) 991- Zip: 53216. Tel: (414) 445-2076. your initials be used rather than your full name. THE MILITANT/NOVEMBER 9, 1979 21 THE MILITANT uhammad Ali film banned in Boston By Osborne Hart many will be disappointed" and ex­ the censorship "a new beginning to was Black school committee candidate BOSTON-Blacks here are outraged pected complaints, particularly from establish racial peace as a reality." Jean McGuire. She said, "This movie that a local television station canceled the Black community. The Boston Globe, on the other just should not be shown in this city. It the showing of "Freedom Road," a In an attempt to rationalize the hand, denounced the ban. In its Oc­ is not beneficial." movie about a freed slave during Re­ outright censorship, the statement ex­ tober 30 editorial, "Banned in Boston, Joseph Feaster, first vice-president construction, starring Muhammad Ali. plained that "WBZ TV was particu­ again," the Globe called the decision of the Boston NAACP, told the Mili­ The banning occurred in the climate larly concerned with the effect of unus­ "absurd," "insidious," and "insulting tant that WBZ "acted responsibly." of continued racist attacks on Black ually graphic incidents of racial to blacks." But Alvin Poussaint, noted Black students here. Ever since schools violence depicted. . . . The film could This was not WBZ's first act of psychiatrist and Harvard University opened this fall, Blacks being bused have a negative effect, especially on censorship on Black-related programs. dean, denounced the ban on "Freedom under Boston's desegregation plan many young people in the Boston Using the same "racial tensions" Road." have been subjected to stonings, beat­ area." reasoning, the station preempted the Quoted in the Boston Globe, Pons­ ings, and verbal abuse by antibusing But the station didn't explain why NBC movie "Judge Horton and the saint blasted the cancellation. bigots. City authorities have refused to the very graphic, very real violence Scottsboro Boys" four years ago, at the "I think young blacks are going to provide protection for the students or Blacks here are suffering has gone early phases of desegregation in Bos­ suffer because they are not going to see other Blacks victimized. virtually uncovered by the media. The ton public schools. WBZ also banned something that is important to them Station WBZ-TV Channel4, an NBC major media have failed to report "The Richard Pryor Show" named culturally," he commented. affiliate, issued a press release October many incidents of white racist violence after the famous Black comedian. Using the example of the "Roots" 29 to explain its banning of "Freedom and have portrayed Blacks as equally Dick Kurlander, WBZ program man­ TV series, Poussaint dismissed the Road." "Due to the current racial ten­ responsible for the attacks. ager, said, "This has been consistent racist notion that "Freedom Road" sion that exists in the Boston area, and Sy Yanoff, WBZ station manager, with our responsibility to the commun­ would ignite a violent response from because it wishes to avoid contributing said in a phone interview with the ity." Black youths and add tension to an either directly or indirectly to these Militant that the station was receiving WILD, a Black radi9 station, was already tense situation. tensions, WBZ TV will not air the NBC "more negative calls" than calls sup­ flooded with calls protesting WBZ's "They don't cancel any white shows movie ...," the statement said. porting their decision. decision. because its going to stir up white kids," Claiming the cancellation "was a WBZ's action received editorial en­ Some Black leaders here said they Poussaint stated. difficult decision . . . supported un­ dorsement from the Herald American, agreed with WBZ's action. Among the The antibusing violence here animously by an interracial group," one of the two big-business dailies in interracial groups that approved the reached a high pitch the week of Oc- WBZ-TV said it "understands that the city. The October 30 editorial called ban, at a private showing October 27, Contlnued on page 18 Socialist to Boston mayor: jail anti-Black thugs! By Osborne Hart BOSTON-"Racist violence is a di­ rect challenge to court-ordered busing for desegregation," Andrew Pulley, Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate, charged here October 30. A resurgence of right-wing terror against Black students and white vig­ ilante mobs assaulting Black citizens in downtown Boston prompted Pulley to interrupt his national tour for an emergency campaign stop here. In an effort to get out the truth about racist violence in Boston, Pulley spent two days here meeting with Black students, going to plant gates, and making statements to the media. "In the face of daily attacks on Black people, Boston school officials and the Democratic-controlled city gov­ ernment have not lifted a finger to defend Black people's rights," he stated. "This is a national outrage." Pulley called on Mayor Kevin White to provide full police protection for MilitanVOsborne Hart Blacks throughout the city-on the Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate Andrew Pulley (left) talks about antibusing violence with General Dynamics school buses, in the classrooms, and on Shipyard workers In Quincy, Massachusetts. the streets. He demanded that the city prosecute and convict the white youths responsi­ ble for the shooting of Black football Kennedy, none of whom are defending followed him to the Boston SWP cam­ the General Electric plant (see story on player Darryl Williams. busing and school desegregation." paign headquarters. page 18): And he called for the arrest of "every The double standard of justice meted The next day Pulley sent a letter of "Labor action like this-in defense of racist in this city who has stoned out by Boston cops was dramatically protest to Mayor White that read in workers facing race or sex buses, attacked Blacks on the street, or revealed the morning of October 30, part: discrimination-points the way for­ participated in other acts of violence." when Pulley and his supporters went "It should be an elementary obliga­ ward," he explained. "Racism is a tool "These criminals are walking the to Madison Park High, a desegregated tion of your administration to protect of the bosses and always has been­ streets today free," Pulley said, "be­ school in the Black community. freedom of speech. And a special obli­ whether it's in the schools or on the cause the city has refused to arrest gation of your administration to sup­ job. They use it to divide us-working Thirty cops arrived on the scene and' them. It's just a green light to these port and defend school desegregation. I people. That's why we must speak out tried to intimidate Pulley from talking hooligans to carry out more terror hope you will see that incidents like wherever the racists raise their heads." to students near the school. against the Black community." the one that happened yesterday morn­ Socialist campaign supporters at Speaking on the Black radio station The cops threatened arrests at one ing don't happen again." General Electric have been discussing WILD's "In These Hard Times" show, point and confiscated at least one copy The socialist candidate also talked to the issue of busing and the racist Pulley countered the argument that the of the Militant purchased by a student. workers at the General Dynamics violence in Boston with co-workers. recent violence in the city comes from The presidential candidate stood his Shipyard and the Raytheon electric Nelson Gonzalez, a lathe operator at both Blacks and whites. "The violence ground, and told the cops they were plant. the plant and member of IUE Local comes from a minority of whites who violating his constitutional rights. The Pulley pointed to the strike going on 201, told the Militant that many white are denying Blacks their rights," he police eventually retreated and Pulley in nearby Lynn, where Local 201 of the workers expressed · "outrage" at the stated. continued to talk with students. International Union of Electrical shooting of Darryl Williams. They "I put the blame on Mayor White, As Pulley finished campaigning, two Workers is protesting pay discrimina­ were "disgusted," he said, "with the President Carter, and Senator plain clothes cops in an unmarked car tion against Black women workers at racist thugs roaming the streets."