¡Huelga en Detroit! Europa: Resistencia contra austeridad 12

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! workers.org Oct. 18, 2012 Vol. 54, No. 41 $1 CHÁVEZ NO SE VA! Venezuelans a rm revolution: ‘Chávez isn’t leaving’

By Berta Joubert-Ceci UNASUR, the bank of the South — and the cooperation among the countries and people to lift the masses out of Chávez won! The Venezuelan people won! Latin Amer- poverty. At stake was the road to real liberation from im- STOP KILLER COPS ica and socialism won! These slogans capture the world- perialism and for the socialist construction of their soci- wide sentiments expressed as Venezuela’s National Elec- ety that millions in the region are pursuing.  PHILADELPHIA 2 toral Council (CNE) announced Hugo Chávez’ victory During an interview with Telesur after he voted, just after 10 p.m. on Oct. 7. Chávez said, “It is not about me; it does not depend on a  NEW YORK 3 With nearly all votes counted the next day, Chávez led man. What is at stake is independence, the answer to the with 55.1 percent or more than 8 million votes. The U.S.- Free Trade Agreements, to neoliberalism. That is what is  BALTIMORE 3 backed opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles Ra- at stake. In 13 years, there have been 14 elections and we donski, had 44.2 percent or about 6.5 million votes. The only lost the referendum [for a reform of the Constitu- other four candidates, two men and two women, totaled tion]. [In Venezuela] the people have been empowered; less than 1 percent. it now belongs to her owner, the people.” STRIKE! No other elections in Venezuela have aroused such ex- Capriles’ discourse during the elections was demagogi- citement and commitment in Venezuela and worldwide. cally tailored to appeal to the masses of poor, with the Taking on Walmart A record high of more than 80 percent of those eligible message that he would improve the programs already es-  Detroit city workers win 5 voted, compared to 75 percent in 2006 and 70 percent in tablished by Chávez. The truth is that he would destroy 2004. (vtv.gob.ve) Progressive forces around the world them, or try to. sent statements or have organized demonstrations in Millions of Venezuelans understood this and voted for solidarity with Chávez’ Bolivarian Revolution. Chávez to defend the Misiones — the many programs Our view on In Caracas, the capital, people began celebrating early that have benefited health, education and housing for on election day, confident that Chávez would prevail. Af- the majority of the people — funded with oil industry THE ELECTION 10, 11 ter the CNE announcement, thousands converged at the income. They voted to defend a revolution that has in- Miraflores Presidential Palace for a big, cheerful, mass creased the support of arts and culture; extended the celebration to hear Chávez’ victory speech. At nearly rights of women, children and the elderly; and increased midnight, Chávez appeared on the balcony and sang the the participation of the most excluded from society: the NO WAR national anthem, “Gloria al Bravo Pueblo” (“Glory to the Continued on page 6 Brave People”), together with the crowd. Natl & intl antiwar protests 7 The president congratulated those who voted for and even against him for “not having fallen into destabiliz- BUFFALO ing plans.” This referred to reports weeks earlier that the opposition planned to mobilize, claiming election fraud. Foreign nongovernmental organizations, particularly those from the U.S. like the U.S. Agency for International Development, Freedom House, etc., would back these phony claims.

Bolivarian Revolution vs. imperialism Everyone knows Chávez, not so Capriles. During the WW PHOTO: ELLIE DORRITIE April 2002 coup against Chávez, Capriles was mayor of BOSTON LOS ANGELES the Miranda municipality and led an attack against the Cuban Embassy in Caracas. This counterrevolutionary activity led to his spending 119 days in prison. In 2008, he became governor of the Miranda state. The following year he was accused of corruption and fraud. On February 2012, he became the sole opposition candidate. He has strong ties with the business sector. All of world imperialism, especially Washington, supported him. Thus the election squared off not just two individuals,

Chávez Frías versus Capriles Radonski, but indepen- WW PHOTO: JOHN PARKER dence and sovereignty versus imperialism, the Bolivar- ian Revolution versus neocolonialist counterrevolution. WW PHOTO: GERRY SCOPPETTUOLO For the people in Latin America and the Caribbean, what was at stake was the future of integration of the re- gion which the Bolivarian Revolution has propelled. It was the future of regional organizations — ALBA, CELAC,

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WORKERS WORLD Police beat Puerto Rican this week ...

 In the U.S. woman in Philly Police beat Puerto Rican woman in Philly ...... 2 Police brutality: An all-too-familiar story ...... 3 By Berta Joubert-Ceci No life sentence! Free Mumia Abu-Jamal! ...... 3 Philadelphia Community outraged as lying killer cops are exposed....3 Voter ID law delayed but not dead...... 4 With only two days of organizing, close to 100 people rallied in front of the Philadelphia On the picket line...... 4 City Hall on Oct. 5 to protest police brutality Striking warehouse workers shut down Walmart warehouse . 5 against the Puerto Rican community. Waste water workers score victories, end strike...... 5 The attack occurred on Sept. 30, during a Protests condemn U.S./NATO wars and wars at home ....7 celebration in the community at the end of the WWP leader: ’It doesn’t matter who wins’ ...... 11 Puerto Rican Day Parade. The parade itself Mumia Abu-Jamal: ’From hope to fear’ ...... 11 was held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in an area near the Philadelphia Museum  Around the world of Art, far from North Philadelphia’s Puerto Venezuelans arm revolution ...... 1 Rican community, but close to a community where gentrification displaced hundreds of Liberation-era atrocities by colonialists further exposed..6 Puerto Rican families in the early 1980s. Turkey uses false pretext to attack Syria ...... 7 In a video that went viral, ‘ Stop drones’ protest in Pakistan...... 7 taken by Gisela Valentín, a cop South African strikes spread to public sector ...... 8 is shown hitting Aida Guzmán in the face and in the back of Fired GM Colombia workers update...... 8 her head, so hard that she fell to Haitian masses to president: ‘Leave! We’ve had enough!’..8 the ground. Several other police Protests against racism held in 14 European countries....9 were surrounding the area while WW PHOTOS: JOE PIETTE Vancouver activists exercise rights, defy police ...... 9 she was being hit, preventing With her attorney Enrique anyone from getting through Latoison at her side, after Behind Canadian Auto Workers settlement ...... 9 and allowing the attack to con- meeting with Mayor Nutter Okinawa: Protest deployment of U.S. helicopters...... 10 tinue. Adding insult to injury, in City Hall, Aida Guzmán accepts Puerto Rican ag Guzmán, bleeding from the in-  Editorial from rally participant. jury, was then handcuffed and Where we stand on the election ...... 10 arrested on charges of disorder- ly conduct. The case against her of people of color or even  Noticias En Español was eventually dropped. of poor whites. ¡Huelga en Detroit! ...... 12 This act of police brutality The officer has been Europa: Resistencia contra austeridad...... 12 against a woman has outraged many in the city and par- dismissed for a month, and the police department ticularly Puerto Rican women, who complained about claims it intends to fire him afterwards. He has not been the silence from city public figures and elected officials. charged with any crime, and already the infamous Fra- Only one, Puerto Rican Councilperson María Quiñones, ternal Order of Police is trying to overturn his dismissal complained about the attack and demanded an inves- from the force. Workers World tigation. It took several days and several views of the The “We are all Aida” protest was initiated by Puerto 55 West 17 Street video (http://tinyurl.com/8eybtou), which showed that Rican women demanding respect for the women and New York, N.Y. 10011 Guzmán did nothing to provoke the attack, for the police the community as a whole, and that charges be brought Phone: 212.627.2994 commissioner and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter against the individual cop and against all the other ones to issue a statement. Had it not been for the video, the at- standing by. The outrage demonstrated by those attend- E-mail: [email protected] tack would have been ignored completely. It wasn’t until ing the rally was evidenced by remarks like, “How am I Web: www.workers.org Oct.5 that Nutter offered an apology to Guzmán. going to teach my sons and grandsons that they should Vol. 54, No. 41 • Oct. 18, 2012 But, as the Oct. 5 protesters stated, an apology will not not hit a woman, when they see a police officer hitting Closing date: Oct. 9, 2012 suffice. Philadelphia has been marred by police brutal- a woman for no reason?” and “If they do not charge the Editor: Deirdre Griswold ity ever since the infamous Frank Rizzo headed the city’s officer, there will be riots.” Technical Editor: Lal Roohk police department. This is the city where Black Panther The protest was attended by people from the Puerto members were ordered by police, under Rizzo’s lead- Rican community along with other progressive people in Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, ership, to strip naked in front of TV cameras in 1970; the city, including other Latinas, African Americans and Leslie Feinberg, Kris Hamel, Monica Moorehead, where Mumia Abu-Jamal was sentenced through an ille- whites. At one point, Aida Guzmán herself passed by, ac- Gary Wilson gitimate “justice” process full of lies and judicial miscon- companied by her attorney. The protesters chanted, “We West Coast Editor: John Parker duct. It is the city that bombed itself in 1985, dropping are all Aida!” to show their support. Contributing Editors: Abayomi Azikiwe, an explosive device on the home of MOVE members, an Margarita Padín, one of the organizers, put the assault Greg Butterfield, Jaimeson Champion, G. Dunkel, action that killed six adults and five children. Only one into context when she said that “this incident includes Fred Goldstein, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, adult, Ramona Africa, survived. Although herself a vic- a combination of police abuse, abuse against women, Berta Joubert-Ceci, Cheryl LaBash, tim of the fire, she spent several years in prison. and imperialist abuse against second-class citizens of a Philadelphia police and the “justice” system have cre- colony, plus the disgrace of a capitalist system that turns Milt Neidenberg, Betsey Piette, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Gloria Rubac ated a climate where a cop can commit violence with people into commodities of the system, to the point that impunity. The cop that attacked Guzmán did so because we see ourselves as commodities. For that reason we Technical Staff: Sue Davis, Shelley Ettinger, others were protecting him, and he knew he could get see the abuse against another human being as if it is not Bob McCubbin, Maggie Vascassenno away with it. The police are forces of the state that work against us and it does not concern us, and we can then Mundo Obrero: Carl Glenn, Teresa Gutierrez, on behalf of the rich, protecting their interests — not the put a monetary value of individual gain on the incident, Berta Joubert-Ceci, Donna Lazarus, Michael Martínez, interests of the people, and particularly not the interests instead of uniting in solidarity against the abuse.” Carlos Vargas Supporter Program: Sue Davis, coordinator

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[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. workers.org Oct. 18, 2012 Page 3 WW COMMENTARY Police brutality: An all-too-familiar story By Monica Moorehead Ferguson, Anthony Baez, Michael Stewart, 66-year-old There is one glaring reason why New York City is grandmother Eleanor Bumpurs and 10-year-old Clif- home to the most expensive, repressive apparatus in the A 22-year-old man looking toward the future has his ford Glover. Most of the victims were Black. None of the U.S. and a lot of countries combined: The city is also the life taken from him in a split second by a police officer’s police officers involved in any of these and many more home base of Wall Street, the main artery to the lifeblood bullet. Sound familiar? senseless killings have been convicted of murder. There- of worldwide monopoly finance capital. Simply put, the This time the victim was Noel Polanco, a Dominican fore, none of them has spent any time behind bars. NYPD has expanded its monstrous reach in order to pro- youth from the South Bronx in New York City. He was There are reasons for this kind of injustice. tect the private interests and property of the 1% in op- stopped by the police in the early morning of Oct. 4 on position to the 99%. the Grand Central Parkway in Queens for allegedly driv- The NYPD and the 1% The bottom line is that under capitalist society, which ing in an erratic manner. Out of all the big U.S. cities, New York City stands is based on the haves and have-nots, the police are not In a tragic twist of irony, Polanco was hoping that his virtually alone when it comes to police violence and only above the law. As the profits of the 1% have expand- training as an Army reservist would lead to a career as a abuse. The facts substantiate this claim. New York City ed, so have the powers of the police to act as judge, jury police officer. has the country’s largest police department, with 34,000 and executioner. This is the norm. Diane Deferrari, a passenger in his car, publicly stated uniformed officers and 51,000 employees. The NYPD The lives of African-American and Latino/a youth that at precisely the same time Polanco was told to put is almost three times larger than the police force in the have become expendable in the eyes of the banks and his hands on the steering wheel, he was fatally shot in the city behind it — Chicago. With a population of 8 million, corporations and their armed protectors — especially abdomen by detective Hassan Hamdy. Despite claims by there are officially 4.18 cops for every 1,000 people in during an economic crisis, where there are no jobs and the detective that he thought Polanco was reaching for a New York City. attacks on public education are aimed at working class gun, no weapons were found in the car. According to the New York City American Civil Liber- and oppressed youth. This is precisely why so many On the other hand, Hamdy had been cited in two fed- ties Union, in 2011 more than 685,000 people — close to youth like Noel Polanco join the U.S. military — not to eral civil lawsuits, in 2001 and 2008, for police abuse. 90 percent of them Black and Latino/a — were victims of kill and or be killed in wars. More than $500,000 was awarded to the plaintiffs. stop-and-frisk, the NYPD’s racial-profiling policy. These As this unprecedented global capitalist economic Deferrari blamed “police road rage” for the shooting, stops resulted in a very small percentage of arrests. crisis deepens, oppressed communities in New York, since Polanco supposedly weaved in front of two trucks Salon.com reported Sept. 28 that the 2013 budget Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and else- belonging to the New York Police Department’s Emer- for the NYPD is an outrageous $4.6 billion, which is 15 where are under police occupation to keep a tight lid on gency Service Unit on the parkway. percent of the city’s overall budget. The article stated, the potential for righteous rebellion against intolerable Polanco’s mother, Cecelia Reyes, wasn’t notified by “In addition to ticketing minorities for standing out- conditions. the police of her son’s death until nine hours after he side of their homes, spying on Muslims who live in New What is the answer to ending the reign of police terror was killed. Jersey, abusing protesters, and gunning down black and to win real justice for youth like Noel Polanco? For So now Noel Polanco’s name has been added to an teens over weed, the NYPD has expanded into a mas- sure, it won’t be the outcome of the November elections. already long list of victims who have lost their lives to sive global anti-terror operation with surveillance and It will be a united, independent struggle for people’s police brutality in New York City — Amadou Diallo, Sean military capabilities unparalleled in the history of U.S. power — organized block by block, neighborhood by Bell, Ramarley Graham, Patrick Dorismond, Malcolm law enforcement.” neighborhood and city by city. Judge denies post-sentence motion No life sentence! Free Mumia Abu-Jamal! Taken from an Oct. 5 press release issued by racism with his declaration, overheard by a get the death sentence reinstated by the Federal Court of Rachel Wolkenstein, an attorney who legally court stenographer, “Yes, I’m going to help Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court, was retaliation against represents political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. them fry the n——-.” Mumia for not being silenced. Judge Pamela Dembe, president of the Phila- It was Sabo’s instruction to the jury that the Mumia’s post-sentence motion challenged Judge delphia Court of Common Pleas, affirmed her courts found to be illegal. Dembe in 2001 re- Dembe’s secret proceeding. It also was a constitutional secret sentencing of Mumia Abu-Jamal to life fused to hold an evidentiary hearing on Sabo’s challenge to life imprisonment without parole as a viola- imprisonment and dismissed Mumia’s post- bias as well as new evidence of Mumia’s in- tion of the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel sentence motion on Oct. 1, according to the court nocence, including the confession of Arnold and unusual punishment, the Pennsylvania Constitu- docket records. Dembe’s order followed the [Dis- Beverly who swore he was the man who killed tion’s prohibition against cruel punishments, evolving trict Attorney’s] motion to dismiss, which outrageously police officer Daniel Faulkner. standards of decency and international law. It further asserted that a life sentence was “the precise relief” Mu- On Aug. 13, Judge Dembe imposed a life sentence challenged solitary confinement and the fact that death- mia sought over the past thirty years! without parole on Mumia, without even notifying him. row prisoners are illegally kept in solitary. The DA’s motion centered on a false rendition of the This was in flagrant violation of constitutional and Pa. Mumia’s challenge to a life-imprisonment sentence prosecution’s “evidence” against Mumia. It went way statutory law, intended to foreclose Mumia’s right to unified the fight of all those men and women whoare beyond the even perjured and coerced testimony that challenge his sentence to “slow death row” — life sen- fighting state torture, the death sentence, the “slow death was presented at the trial. Needless to say, it ignored the tence without parole. Had Mumia known of the impend- row” of life imprisonment, and the debilitating and de- federal court rulings that Mumia was unconstitutionally ing sentencing, he would have argued for immediate re- grading conditions of incarceration. Having been defeat- and illegally sentenced to death. lease from prison pursuant to a motion for extraordinary ed and denied a “legal lynching,” the state wants Mumia It was Judge Dembe who deemed it irrelevant that relief based on thirty years of solitary confinement on to rot away in prison. Our fight continues to be freedom Judge Albert Sabo, the trial judge and Post Conviction death row pursuant on an illegal sentence. The decade for Mumia, as part of the fight for liberation of all hu- Relief Act judge from 1995-1998, admitted his bias and he spent in solitary confinement, while the DA tried to mankind. BALTIMORE Community outraged as lying killer cops are exposed

By Gene Clancy The police immediately claimed that Anderson choked He reportedly was not carrying anything that could be and died after trying to swallow a bag of drugs. Commu- considered a weapon — certainly not a gun. Fortunately, An outraged community has called for the jailing of nity witnesses agreed that this was a lie. five witnesses had the presence of mind to take down the three Baltimore police officers who brutally killed An- The lies were exposed on Oct. 2 by the release of an police tag number. thony Anderson Sr. in front of his horrified family — and official autopsy which showed that Anderson died from The Rev. Cortly “C.D.” Witherspoon, a BPA organizer then lied about it. a ruptured spleen caused by “blunt force trauma” that and president of the Baltimore chapter of the Southern On Oct. 4, Todd A. Strohman, Gregg Boyd and Mi- broke as many as ten ribs. The death was ruled a “homi- Christian Leadership Conference, said at the press con- chael Vodarick were identified as the officers involved in cide.” (Baltimore Sun, Oct. 2) ference, “Obviously, police were trying to terrorize and the arrest which led to the horrific death of Anderson, The BPA, along with other community leaders, the intimidate Anthony [Jr.] or, if he had made the wrong nearly two weeks after the Sept. 21 incident took place. victim’s family, and, indeed, the entire local community move, kill him. Witnesses called us immediately. We (Baltimore Sun, Oct. 4) immediately demanded that the police responsible for wrote a public complaint to the mayor, commissioner The release of the officers’ names appears to have been Anderson’s death be jailed and charged with murder. and district major that informed them we intended to oc- prompted by tremendous community rage and publicity. The heinous intent of the Baltimore police was shown cupy the home and neighborhood if the police persisted.” In an investigation conducted by the Baltimore Peo- by their actions towards Anderson’s family before the The events surrounding Anthony Anderson Sr.’s death ples Assembly, witnesses described how “knockers” — a autopsy results were known. have led to a growing, dramatic outpouring, not only of term used by the community to identify undercover nar- Following a press conference of over 100 people called rage and grief, but of an increased willingness of the lo- cotics police — ran up behind Anderson, grabbed him to refute the lies, the police stopped Anthony Anderson cal community to speak out, take a stand and fight back around the knees, hoisted him in the air and brutally Jr., the victim’s 20-year-old son. As he was leaving the against their oppressors. slammed him to the ground. house, the police called out to him to “drop the gun.” Continued on page 10 Page 4 Oct. 18, 2012 workers.org

PENNSYLVANIA On the Picket Line by Sue Davis Voter ID law delayed New England janitors make gains After voting to strike on Sept. 22 due to unfair labor practices, the but not dead 14,000 janitors in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, represented by Service Employees Local 615, negotiated a decent four- year contract on Oct. 1. By Betsey Piette sued by PennDoT to enable nondrivers to vote. Heading the list of gains is that full-time work will increase 200 per- Philadelphia Chief Counsel Jon Greenbaum of the Law- cent over the last contract, with all newly constructed large buildings in yers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Boston metro area to be staffed full time. Wages in the Boston area An Oct. 2 ruling by Pennsylvania Common- an advocacy group opposed to voter ID laws, will increase to $17.85 by 2016, an 11.9 percent increase; in other areas wealth Court Judge Robert Simpson that par- voiced concern that Simpson’s ruling could cre- raises will be 12.4 to 13 percent. Probationary periods for workers when tially enjoined the state’s controversial voter ate confusion since it lets poll workers ask for buildings change cleaning contractors were eliminated, and for the first identification (ID) law is being hailed as a “vic- ID, but does not say what they should do if vot- time a grievance process will allow janitors to stop excessive workloads. tory” by some opponents. Others, however, fear ers don’t have it or won’t show identification. Noting that the workers were supported by their communities as well as that the court just added more confusion for po- (USA Today, Oct. 3) labor and faith leaders, union negotiator Silvia Clarke said, “We won this tential voters to muddle through. No matter how watered down it is, as long agreement by standing united and fighting for what was just.” (seiu.org, Under the latest legalese, full implemen- as the law remains on the books there is always Oct. 1) tation of the law requiring voters to produce the possibility that voters without ID could current photo identification in order to vote is be turned away by overzealous poll watchers. American Airlines agents to vote postponed until after the November election. Challengers of the law are pushing PennDoT to After a 15-year fight for a union voice, 10,000 passenger service Simpson ruled that for now, voters can be asked change its voter education campaign to make it agents at American Airlines will finally be able to vote for a union, a to show photo ID at polling places, but if they clear that no photo ID is required this year. court ruled Oct. 3. The airline, which filed for bankruptcy nearly a year lack the required card, their votes should still ago, has used dirty tricks, including expensive litigation, to try to stop be counted. The law is not dead – just delayed. National attack on voting rights the agents from exercising their rights. In April, the airline even refused Unless further challenged, the law will take full Bills similar to Pennsylvania’s have been to give the Communication Workers union the names and addresses of effect in 2013. pushed by right-wing legislatures across the employees so they could receive ballots. Simpson refused to block the law this sum- U.S. A Government Accountability Office report “This [ruling is] a big step toward being able to negotiate instead of mer when he heard requests for injunction. released Oct. 6 showed that 21 states passed having [management] dictate terms to us,” said Janet Elston, a 28-year That decision was appealed to the Pennsylva- new voter ID laws and seven tightened existing veteran at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. “It’s been grueling … nia Supreme Court, which directed Simpson to ID requirements. Six states passed new proof- but it will be worth it once we have an election.” (CWA newsletter, Oct. 4) block the law unless he could show that no one of-citizenship requirements; 18 states imposed would be disenfranchised. new restrictions on voter registration drives Boycott American Crystal Sugar products Under the terms of the Philadelphia law, over the past 10 years. A nationwide consumer boycott of American Crystal Sugar products which was voted into effect in March, individu- While several of these bills have faced legal was announced by the AFL-CIO on Oct. 2 to protest the 14-month lock- als who lacked a current photo ID had to bring challenges, many are still on the books. In ad- out of 1,300 sugar beet workers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. proof of citizenship, including an original birth dition, more than 4.4 million formerly incarcer- The boycott is set to begin Oct. 15, but could be called off if management certificate, to a Pennsylvania Department of ated people are permanently disenfranchised in resumes bargaining in good faith. Transportation (PennDoT) office, then return all but two states. Though the processor has offered a 17 percent pay increase over five later to get a photo ID, for which they could be Intended to limit turnout from Black and years, the workers, represented by Bakery union (BCTGM) Local 167G, charged a fee. Latino/a communities most likely to vote Dem- object to steep concessions jeopardizing seniority and job security. (AP, Subsequent reviews of Pennsylvania regis- ocratic, Republican-dominated legislatures Oct. 2) tered voter lists found 758,939 instances where used the generally unfounded fear of “voter names were not found on PennDoT’s list of cur- fraud” to push their disenfranchisement cam- rent driver’s licenses. In addition, more than paign. Ironically, the actual fraud netted by one Chipotle signs Fair Food agreement 500,000 registered voters were found to have of these bills in Florida was paid for by the Re- Chipotle Mexican Grill became the 11th major corporation to sign expired driver’s licenses. publican National Committee. the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food agreement on Oct. 4. As opposition mounted to this law — seen The national RNC paid Strategic Allied Con- Enforcing a strict code of conduct to aid Florida’s tomato pickers, the by many as a Jim-Crow-era poll tax specifically sulting $3 million to conduct voter-registration agreement includes health and safety guarantees, a complaint resolu- engineered to disenfranchise poor and minor- drives in seven battleground states. The Flor- tion system, worker-to-worker education, and a raise of a penny a pound ity voters — PennDoT repeatedly rewrote its re- ida Department of Law Enforcement found paid by corporate tomato purchasers. That translates into an increase in quirements, creating even more confusion. One 220 suspect forms filed by the company in 10 workers’ wages from about $10,000 a year to about $17,000. Chipotle, PennDoT mail campaign showed a state driver’s counties. Multiple forms were filled out in the with more than 1,000 restaurants nationwide, joins such fast food chains license with the message “Show it” in order to same handwriting. Signatures, birthdays or as McDonald’s and Burger King and such grocers as Whole Foods and vote. Millions of state voters, especially those in addresses did not match other state records. Trader Joe’s. impoverished urban areas, do not have driver’s Party registrations were changed, sometimes to The CIW has been waging the first farmworker-led campaign since licenses. But what was shown was not the ID is- Republican. 2001. “Farmworkers are finally recognized as true partners — every bit as vital as farmers, chefs, and restaurants — in bringing ‘good food’ to our tables,” CIW spokesperson Gerardo Reyes told Ft. Myers News- Press. (Oct. 4) Food workers organize in NYC The New York branch of Restaurant Opportunities Center United, supported by 99 Pickets and other labor activists, has set up picket lines all over town: • After ROC-United released a report detailing the exploitative prac- tices of the Darden chain (the largest full-service dining company in the world), ROC-NY held yet another picket at Darden’s mid- town Capital Grille on Oct. 3. • Not daunted when the landlord of the building at 63rd St. and Second Ave. closed the Hot and Crusty store there after a summer of intense protest by immigrant workers, ROC-NY has set up rotating protests at various Hot and Crusty locations around Manhattan. Picketers reported “great support” at the WW PHOTO: ANNE PRUDEN 78th and Broadway store on Sept. 24. Sept. 23 protest at Golden Farms in Brooklyn, N.Y. • Brooklyn’s Golden Farm market con- tinues to be picketed to pressure owner I enclose: n $75 (supporter) n $100 (sponsor) Sonny Kim to honor a court order; he An appeal for your support n $300 (sustainer) $_____ other. must pay workers back pay (he shorted If Workers World is essential to your political life — if you’ve come to rely on I enclose every month: n $6 (supporter) n $10 (sponsor) workers’ minimum wage paychecks!) the paper — then please take the next step and support us nancially. n $25 (sustainer) $ ____ other. and let them hold a union election. For the past 35 years we’ve asked our readers to forge a special relationship n Contact me about including Workers World in my will. • Kudos to ROC-NY for its Sept. 24 vic- with the paper by joining the Workers World Supporter Program. There are sev- Fill out the Supporter Program membership form and send it tory at celebrity chef Mario Batali’s eral ways you can participate in the Workers World Supporter Program. Mem- with your check made out to Workers World to pricey Del Posto restaurant. Thirty-one bers who contribute $75 a year receive a year’s subscription to the newspaper, WWP, 55 W. 17th St., 5th Fl., New York, NY 10011.

workers are due to receive $1.15 million a monthly letter with new publications, petitions and brochures and ve free Name ______Email______in back wages as well as paid sick days trial subscriptions to give to friends. For $100 you also get a book published by Address/Apt ______City/State/Zip______and vacation time. World View Forum. And for $300 or more (as little as $25 a month) you also get your choice of ve books or People’s Video Network videos. Email ______Phone______workers.org Oct. 18, 2012 Page 5 Striking warehouse workers & supporters shut down Walmart warehouse hub for day

By Dante Strobino New Jersey are beginning to organize. Elwood, Ill. Rampant abuses Bulletin: As this story went to print, Curtis Tucker, 22-year-old striker, was the 21-day strike came to an end. The formerly a floor worker but got trans- striking workers at Walmart’s Elwood ferred to the receiving department after warehouse won their main demand: the signing the union petition. After having company agreed to stop illegal retali- worked three days in the warehouse, he ation against workers protesting bad went to get his paycheck only to be told conditions. The workers will return to that they did not know who he was and work with full pay for all days they were there was no paycheck for him. Tucker on strike. told Workers World, “I am on strike to Striking warehouse workers, along with make this a better job for my family. I 600 union members, clergy and com- Warehouse Workers United have three kids and a wife, and I just need munity supporters, marched on Oct. 1 at join associates on strike in a reasonable salary.” Walmart’s largest distribution center in Pico Rivera, Calif., Oct. 4. Tucker also spoke about the danger-

North America located in Elwood, Ill. Sev- PHOTO: OUR WALMART ORGANIZATION UNITED FOR RESPECT ous working conditions, especially when enteen people, including United Electrical workers are forced to perform duties Workers Director of Organizing Bob King- next generation. I call it the meat grind- discrimination and sexual assault. without adequate staff and equipment. sley and UE Western Region President er.” (UE News, Oct. 3) Purchase, who is “Warehouse workers in California He stated, “They give us boxes that say Carl Rosen, were arrested in a civil disobe- also president of the local Rainbow PUSH won their strike. They got some health ‘team lift,’ but then only allow one worker dience action that blocked the road to the Coalition, was one of the 17 people ar- and safety situations cleared up and got to pick it up. We get assigned to an entire main truck entrance. The action scared rested. Walmart to agree to participate in inspec- truck to unpack all by ourselves.” the bosses so much that production at this tions and take responsibility for the work- Earlier this year on International Strikes show it’s ‘time to organize’ central hub for Walmart distribution was ing conditions,” reports striking ware- Women’s Day, March 8, women leaders in completely shut down for the day. A WWJ press release states: “The rally house worker Mike Compton in the same WWJ organized a major public hearing to The Elwood warehouse workers went brought Walmart’s distribution system UE News article. “I have been there three draw attention to the rampant sexual as- out on an unfair labor practice strike on into the public eye to protest unfair labor months, and I am considered a veteran — sault and discrimination against women. Sept. 15. Most workers in the warehouses practices and other abuses in the nation’s the turnover rate is unbelievable.” According to a WWJ report, 90 percent are temporary employees with no labor largest inland port. Now supporters all “Warehouse Workers for Justice has of women face sexual harassment in the protections or stable jobs. Walmart has over the country want Walmart to know recovered over $1 million in stolen wages, workplaces at Will County warehouses. been passing all the responsibility for ter- they support improved working conditions but lawsuits are only bandages. Now it is “Working in these warehouses we are rible working conditions onto contractors in the company’s warehouses.” The release time to organize!” stated Cindy Marble, lucky to get $200 per week. … You can’t that run their warehouses. continued, “Workers responsible for mov- former warehouse worker and WWJ or- afford food, can’t afford a babysitter, can’t On Sept. 13, Warehouse Workers for ing an estimated $1 trillion worth of goods ganizer during the Oct. 1 rally. “It’s per- afford anything we need to live,” Uylonda Justice assisted workers in filing a sixth a year through the global economy are paid sonal to me. I lived it; my son worked Dickerson told Workers World. “I have lawsuit against warehouses operated by low wages, often denied breaks and basic there; I have family members that worked been sexually assaulted. Who comes to various multinational corporations in the protective gear, and are employed primar- in warehouses. I am pissed. We are mak- work to have our body looked at? We don’t Wills County suburbs of Chicago, this time ily through temp agencies.” ing lots of money for this company, and come here to be touched.” When workers targeting Walmart. When workers took Strikers and supporters also delivered they are treating people like slaves. complain about this harassment, it is often action the following day to deliver their more than 100,000 petition signatures “Walmart sets the bar for warehouses ignored by the mostly male supervisors. demands to management, they were fired. supporting their concerns to the manage- around here, they can’t keep blaming it Dickerson reports they would dismiss her This illegal retaliation triggered the strike. ment of the Chicago West Loop Walmart on the contractors. Walmart needs to take and say, “You are just being a female.” “These young folks can’t get a job any- Express on Oct. 5. responsibility for what is going on in their WWJ filed a lawsuit against this treat- where these days. Then they come out In striking, the Elwood workers joined house,” Marble concluded. ment. To support this important aspect here and get these temporary jobs that their striking sisters and brothers in the Los Meanwhile, logistics workers — from of the campaign, you can make a contri- give nothing but disrespect, stolen wages. Angeles area, who conducted a two-week the ports to the warehouses, transporta- bution to the Warehouse Women’s Legal They don’t even get health insurance,” strike beginning Sept. 12. Those workers tion networks and railroads — are now or- Defense Fund. stated Pastor Craig Purchase of Mt. Zion held a 50-mile protest march demanding ganizing across the country. Retail work- For updates on the WWJ organizing Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Joliet, that Walmart take resonsibility for their ers inside Walmart stores are forming campaign, check out warehouseworker. Ill. “[The bosses] are shredding up our stolen wages, health and safety violations, organizations, and warehouse workers in org. DETROIT Waste water workers score victories, end strike

By David Sole and Injustice, and other supporters — Instead, the strike leaders refused to call union membership’s right to vote on any Detroit kept many truckers, skilled trade con- off the strike and informed the manage- final settlement agreement. tract workers and others out of the plant. ment side that they would never call off This struggle represents the first time On Thursday, Oct. 4, American Fed- Management personnel scrambled to the strike with workers fired and other is- in 35 years of a federal judge’s oversight eration of State, County and Munici- keep the facility operating, forcing many sued unresolved. of the DWSD that a union has had access pal Employees Union Local 207 ended to work 12-hour shifts and even longer. to the proceedings which affect so many their five-day strike, claiming victories. On Monday, Oct. 1, Judge Cox issued Bosses cave, reach settlement with union workers. Local 207, with 950 members, The powerful forces arrayed against the an injunction ordering the striking work- The management side, perhaps fear- is the largest union among almost 2,000 450 workers at the Detroit Waste Water ers back to work. The strikers defied this ing growing public support for the strike water department workers. Treatment Plant included Mayor Dave injunction and stayed out. On Tuesday, and sympathy for the fired workers, then The real importance of this strike goes Bing, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Oct. 2, management escalated the con- agreed to a settlement acceptable to the lo- far beyond the concessions granted by Department management, and federal flict by announcing that the 34 workers cal union. All fired workers were returned DWSD management, the mayor and a fed- Judge Sean Cox, who oversees the de- who walked off their jobs two days ear- to work (although it is unclear what fu- eral judge. This struggle serves as a lesson partment under a consent decree going lier were to be fired, along with Local ture disciplinary action may follow). The about the power of organized and militant back 35 years. Cheering on these anti- 207 President John Riehl and Secretary- DWSD agreed to return to the bargain- workers. It was a long overdue response union forces were the corporate mass Treasurer Mike Mulholland. ing table over anti-union issues imposed to the many years of attacks against city media. In the end they could not defeat According to Local 207, several by Judge Cox in a November 2011 order. workers and the entire Detroit commu- the workers, who had begun to garner hundred strikers returned to work on Included are provisions regarding senior- nity by the politicians, bosses and bankers support in the broader union and com- Wednesday under this tremendous pres- ity and union representation that Cox had who have been extorting wage and ben- munity arenas. sure. Management announced the strike gutted. efit concessions, threatening pensions and The strike began on Sunday, Sept. 30, was over. They were joined by the lead- If the union wins an appeal at the Sixth slashing essential city services in order to when 34 workers walked off the job at the ership of AFSCME Council 25, who had Circuit Court of Appeals, scheduled to satisfy the profit needs of the banks and largest consolidated waste water treat- never given the strike any support. be heard on Oct. 9 in Cincinnati, then corporations. ment facility in the U.S. For the next few A special “settlement conference” was management has agreed to “reopen the Sole is a longtime Detroit Water and days, strong picket lines — bolstered by called for Thursday, Oct. 4, by represen- contract and re-bargain any areas of the Sewerage Department worker and other union members, students, Occupy tatives of Mayor Bing’s office, Judge Cox contract Cox had changed,” according to a past president of the Sanitary Chemists Detroit activists, members of the Michi- and the water department, where they no bulletin issued by Local 207. and Technicians Association, formerly gan Emergency Committee Against War doubt expected Local 207 to surrender. The settlement also recognized the United Auto Workers Local 2334. Page 6 Oct. 18, 2012 workers.org Kenyans allowed to pursue case in English courts for torture Liberation-era atrocities committed by colonialists further exposed

By Abayomi Azikiwe ish] Telegraph, Oct. 5) In addressing the security issues of the co- gency measures; the country was granted Editor, Pan-African News Wire All the claimants want an apology from lonial authorities, a full-scale war against independence in 1963. the British government as well as compen- the African population was launched. In the aftermath of official colonial Three survivors of colonial detention sation for unjust detention and torture. In the same article, the BBC reported, rule, the actual history of the period was centers in Kenya during the 1950s have Martyn Day, an attorney for the three filing “Those suspects found to be Mau Mau concealed. A policy of national reconcili- been granted the legal right to pursue suit, said in the same article that the deci- supporters will be sent to detention ation was advanced, and successive gov- their case for damages against the Brit- sion to proceed with the case would “re- camps for further questioning. More than ernments have maintained a close alli- ish government. Wambugu Wa Nyingi, verberate around the world. Following this 4,000 British and African troops, Nairo- ance with the imperialist states. 84; Paulo Muoka Nzili, 85; and Jane Mu- judgment we can but hope that our Gov- bi’s entire police force and African loyal- thoni Mara, 75 have made claims result- ernment will at last do the honorable thing ists are involved in the operation. They Signi cance for contemporary Africa ing from their arrest, confinement and and sit down and resolve these claims.” have orders to shoot to kill if there is any British opposition to the continuation torture when the imperialists attempted Day went on to note, “There will un- armed resistance.” of this case is reflected in the govern- to crush a national rebellion to overthrow doubtedly be victims of colonial torture The repressive measures were dubbed ment’s response to Judge McCombe’s white settler rule. from Malaya to the Yemen from Cyprus “Operation Anvil” and were implemented decision to move forward with a full trial. Beginning in 1952, the Kenya Land and to Palestine who will be reading this judg- throughout Nairobi and surrounding ar- The government says that it will appeal Freedom Army (KLFA), popularly known ment with great care.” eas. Although they targeted the Kikuyu the decision. as the Mau Mau, set out to take back the ethnic group, the BBC pointed out that Even some within the British press British imperialists seeks to avoid history land seized by British colonialists in the “any suspects are being handed over for have posed a challenge to this announce- late 19th century. The assassination of Colonialism in Africa was a vicious, further screening.” ment. The Guardian said, “The govern- white settlers and their collaborators highly exploitative, genocidal system. Despite the extreme measures taken ment must stop procrastinating and brought about widespread repression in- Millions of Africans died during the At- by the British colonialists, official reports accept responsibility for events that hap- side the East African colony. lantic Slave Trade, and eventual political stated that only 32 white settlers were pened before many of its members were By the end of the decade, millions of control exercised by European and North killed during the period of 1952 to 1960. born.” ([British] Guardian, Oct. 5) Africans had been detained and relocat- American powers took untold wealth The number of Africans killed was be- The article stresses, “It was not only a ed. At least 11,000 were killed by agents from the continent. tween 11,000 and 20,000, including KLFA question of individual failure. Abuse was of the colonial authorities. The system After the failure of the colonial authori- members or sympathizers, and some ad- sanctioned by a particular institutional of forced labor and land exploitation be- ties to put down the resistance on the part ditional 4,000 people who were agents of attitude that has never been adequately came enshrined in the economic system of the Kikuyu, the largest ethnic group in the imperialist police and security forces. challenged.” of the country. Kenya and in the KLFA, and other groups, One of the most well-known massacres The failure of the governments in Brit- Many of those who were victims of the a more thorough crackdown was ordered by British colonialists took place at the ain and independent Kenya to adequately detention camps and the brutal repres- in 1954. Documents published at the time Hola detention camp on March 3, 1959. address the abuses, and the overall char- sion of the so-called “Mau Mau Rebellion” show clearly that the establishment of de- Government documents reported that acter of colonial rule, has shaped the na- are no longer alive. The claimants in this tention camps and the brutal use of force 85 detainees were marched out in a labor ture of the post-independence process. case have waited for six decades to have were official government policy. crew that morning when several of the Af- The unequal terms of relations in all their day in court. According to the BBC on April 24, ricans refused to work. spheres are still very much in evidence The British government now takes the 1954, “The British authorities ordered In response the guards beat to death throughout the continent. position that justice cannot be served the clampdown on the Mau Mau, a guer- 11 detainees; another 23 were seriously Africans are due reparations and other since so much time has passed and many rilla movement opposed to white settlers injured. The British authorities initially forms of compensations for the atroci- of the witnesses are deceased. This at- in the East African colony, following a claimed that the deaths were caused by ties committed during slavery and colo- tempted cover-up has been going on ever breakdown in law and order.” contaminated water. nial rule. Progressive forces in the West- since the rebellion and is due to the sensi- This purported “breakdown” refers to Nonetheless, the truth eventually ern states should support the legitimate tive nature of the claims made by Kenyans the targeted assassinations and attacks emerged and created a worldwide chorus claims made against the imperialist coun- victimized by the colonial system. on European settlers and some African of condemnation. In 1960, the British of- tries by the oppressed peoples through- However, Justice McCombe of the Brit- members of the colonial security forces. ficially proclaimed the end of the emer- out the world. ish High Court said, “The governments and military commanders seem to have been meticulous record keepers. I have reached the conclusion that a fair trial on this part of the case does remain pos- CHÁVEZ NO SE VA! sible and that the evidence on both sides remains significantly cogent for the Court Venezuelans arm revolution: ‘Chávez isn’t leaving’ to complete its task satisfactorily.” ([Brit- Continued from page 1 that can give a new start to socialist de- Chávez, each with its own voting line. Native and Afro-Venezuelan people.They velopment and protect it, the road to final The PCV campaigned in many regions WORKERS WORLD PARTY CONFERENCECE voted for Chávez to defend participatory liberation from capitalist and imperialist and obtained nearly half a million votes for democracy versus bourgeois “representa- oppression is precarious. Chávez on its line. PCV leaders said this vote OCCUPY FOR tive” democracy practiced in the United Much political education with the “clearly shows that the Venezuelan people States. They thus defended a revolution masses must be done in order to establish in general are ready to continue the struggle SOCIALIST REVOLUTION that in a short time had eradicated illiter- and support the changes needed. That against imperialism and at the same time acy, reduced poverty, built infrastructure, is the stage of the Bolivarian Revolution shows a disposition to advance toward so- Learn about Workers World Party started nationalizations and increased now. That is why the most advanced ele- cialism.” The PCV adds, “It is necessary to food production. ments within the revolution have worked promote the class struggle to defeat impos- for more information [email protected] hard on this election in order to preserve tors who recompose capital in the name of or call 212.627.2994 workers.org What’s still at stake in Venezuela the conquests and to push for deepening socialism.” (pcv-venezuela.org) Yet, a crucial accomplishment is at the revolution in a socialist direction. Juan Contreras, deputy delegate to the Save the date Nov 17-18 stake, too. The revolution began with very They defended nationalizations and all National Assembly and leader of the Si- New York City venue TBA progressive reforms. Its most outstand- the necessary operations to transfer power mon Bolivar Coordinating Group in the ing gain was a new Constitution that the to the people, to the working class, away most militant neighborhood of Caracas, A conference of communists people themselves crafted. from the country’s bourgeoisie and the called the 23 de Enero, said: “Even having & revolutionary forces Now that revolution has developed with corporate transnational financial interests. victory secured, … we must work hard to the goal of building society on the basis of secure that triumph and then continue to A Marxist discussion of the way socialism. This is an answer to historian Venezuela’s revolutionary forces sustain it. Here we are trying to build so- forward in the class struggle Francis Fukuyama’s 1990s proclamation All the pro-revolutionary “Chavista” cialism, and there is no formula for reach-  Evaluate the capitalist elections that the dismantling of the Soviet Union forces and parties united in a Patriotic ing that state. We are in its search and that  Discuss the Occupy Movement, and Eastern Europe meant “the end of his- Pole, along with 35,000 other social and is this stage of transformation demonized racism and police repression, tory,” echoed by Washington’s consensus. civil organizations, to organize and mobi- by the major media, by imperialism and liberation & revolution Now small Venezuela dares to declare so- lize the vote for Chávez. This included the the oligarchy.” (anncol.eu) cialism as the revolution’s goal, setting a main left parties, the young Venezuelan All that is why the struggle underneath “chain reaction” throughout Latin America Socialist Unified Party (PSUV) — which is the elections was so fierce — because what To register email: and the Caribbean. Now Cuba is not alone. Chávez’ own party — and the Communist the opposition candidate represented was [email protected] However, without dismantling and re- Party of Venezuela (PCV), the latter with a turning back to neoliberalism, a victory 212.627.2994 pressing the old violent capitalist state 70-plus years of struggle history. These for capital and U.S. imperialism, a return and replacing it with a new armed power and 10 other parties campaigned for to a colonial state. workers.org Oct. 18, 2012 Page 7 Protests condemn U.S./NATO wars CHICAGO and wars at home WW PHOTO: ERIC STRUCH By Kris Hamel a meeting in Los Angeles on Oct. 16. For this military contractor for its in- more information about the meeting, call volvement with the wars. Many The 11th anniversary of the U.S. inva- 323-306-6240. organizations helped build this sion of Afghanistan was not forgotten by In SAN FRANCISCO, an action initi- action, including Students for a anti-imperialist activists inside the United ated by the Answer Coalition — with the Democratic Society, the Gay Lib- States. From New York City to Los An- endorsement of UNAC and many others eration Network, Freedom Road geles, and in dozens of cities in between, — started with a rally at Powell and Mar- Socialist Organization (Fight the ongoing war and occupation were de- ket streets. Protesters then marched to Back!), Answer Coalition and nounced at actions held Oct. 5-7. Initiated the Grand Hyatt Hotel, in solidarity with range of the anti-war movement: UNAC, Workers World Party. by the United National Antiwar Coalition UNITE HERE Local 2 hotel workers, who IAC, United for Justice with Peace, Wom- Activists hit the streets in front of a busy and related organizations, the series of have called a boycott of the Hyatt chain. en’s International League for Peace and farmers’ market in BUFFALO, N.Y., where protests demanded “U.S./NATO out of Af- Later, an “Anti-Colonial Anti-Capitalist Freedom, New England United, Com- they distributed hundreds of information- ghanistan!” “Hands off Syria!” “Don’t at- March” took place, starting with a rally mittee for Peace & Human Rights, Rhode al leaflets and talked with people about tack Iran!” “No more drone attacks!” and at B. Manning Plaza. It was sponsored Island Mobilization Committee, Veterans the urgency of resisting the war here at “No sanctions!” Following are outlines of by Occupy San Francisco and supported for Peace, Smedley D. Butler Brigade, home as well as U.S./NATO wars abroad. actions in several cities. by members of Occupy Oakland. Work- Women’s Fightback Network, Code Pink, The action, co-sponsored by the Buffalo/ In NEW YORK CITY, protesters rallied ers World Party activists carried a banner Greater Boston, and Occupy Boston Ac- WNY International Action Center, Buffalo Oct. 7 at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State reading “Occupy Wall Street, Not Pales- tion for Peace Working Group. Forum and Burning Books, received cov- Building Plaza in the historic center of tine. U.S. Hands Off Iran and Syria.” This In CHICAGO, demonstrators gathered erage on three local TV stations. Harlem’s Black community. Nellie Bailey march met with heavy repression by the in front of the Tribune Building on Michi- In downtown DETROIT, protesters as- of the Harlem Tenants Council chaired the police, including 26 arrests, with all ar- gan Avenue, a symbol of corporate domi- sembled at Hart Plaza on Oct. 5 during two-and-a-half hour rally. Bailey made a restees facing multiple felony charges, nation of the media, to protest the anni- evening rush hour, where their message of strong appeal to youth in the Harlem com- and a number of demonstrators injured. versary of the war on the Afghan people. “Stop the wars” and “No to anti-Islam big- munity, emphasizing that the organizers’ Protesters marched through downtown Then they made their way to the Obama otry” got a good reception by passersby on message was opposition to wars “at home BOSTON Oct. 6 to oppose U.S./NATO re-election headquarters on Randolph busy East Jefferson Avenue. The action and abroad.” wars. After a rally at Downtown Cross- Street, where speakers condemned the was initiated by the Michigan Emergency Speakers from dozens of anti-imperial- ing, people marched to historic Faneuil administration for drone strikes on civil- Committee Against War & Injustice. ist, anti-war and neighborhood organiza- Hall for rallies. The marchers stopped ians in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Internationally, demonstrations were tions underlined this message. U.S. milita- en route at the Hyatt Hotel to support The crowd chanted slogans opposing U.S. also held in London, Glasgow, Scotland rist policies, which were seen as expanding the UNITE HERE Local 26 boycott, and support for terrorism in Syria and war and Vancouver, Canada. due to the prolonged capitalist economic at the Boston School Department to con- moves against Iran. Based on reports from WW reporters crisis, were strongly condemned. Speakers demn current plans to bring back the re- Finally, the demonstrators rallied in John Catalinotto, Ellie Dorritie, Terri equally denounced anti-Islam persecution segregationist policies of “neighborhood front of the headquarters of Boeing, a man- Kay, John Parker, Gerry Scoppettuolo and the latest types of intimidation from schools.” Speakers represented a broad ufacturer of pilotless drones, to condemn and Eric Struch. local police forces, such as stop-and-frisk and all the recent shootings by killer cops. On the same day, police arrested 25 people, mostly U.S. military veterans, as they held a vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Turkey uses false pretext to attack Syria Memorial Plaza in lower Manhattan to commemorate those killed and wounded By John Catalinotto until all the corporate media and NATO armed attacks on Syria, is keeping on in Afghanistan and oppose the war there. regimes blamed the Syrian army for planting the seeds of hostility between In LOS ANGELES, many organizations Mortar fire on the Turkish-Syria border launching the mortars. our country and Syria for the sake of re- were among those protesting at Persh- — likely a provocation by Syrian rebels or NATO-member Turkey seized upon gional plans of imperialism. ing Square Park on Oct. 6. The event at most an accident — has already exacer- this suspicious pretext to begin daily ar- “Imperialism must be kicked out of the was emceed by the International Action bated the crisis caused by the reactionary tillery fire on Syrian army units close to region. Turkey must immediately aban- Center, which initiated the action. The armed rebellion inside Syria. This event the Turkish border. The U.S., German don supporting the reactionary armed Southern California Immigration Coali- has awakened strong anti-government and NATO command backed Turkey’s gangs, and the camps, which have turned tion, Unión del Barrio, Youth Justice Co- reaction inside Turkey. It also threatens actions, charging the Syrian government into warfare headquarters, must immedi- alition, Cuba Coalition, Syrian Americans a NATO-backed Turkish invasion of Syria — without evidence — with “a flagrant ately be abolished.” for Peace, Union of Progressive Iranians, and a wider war in the region. breach of international law.” While anti-war sentiment inside Tur- International League of Peoples Struggles, The incident setting off these events Whipped up by militarist chauvinism, key grows, the continued attacks have BAYAN-USA, Workers World Party, Peace was mortar fire from Syrian territory the Turkish Parliament voted by about an immediate impact on the struggle in- and Freedom Party, and the Young Com- that landed in the Turkish border town 3 to 1 to authorize Turkey’s army to take side Syria, whose army has pulled back munist League were among the represent- of Akçakale on Oct. 3, killing five Turkish whatever measures it sees fit against Syria 10 miles from the border to avoid new ed groups speaking at the rally. All of the citizens. A flurry of super-patriotic bluster — much as the U.S. Congress backed Pres- incidents. This “buffer zone” creates the speakers, predominantly people of color, from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdo- ident Lyndon Johnson’s Bay of Tonkin potential for a staging area for the Syr- were united in opposition to U.S. wars and gan accompanied heavy Turkish artillery Resolution, which was the pretext for in- ian armed opposition — which contains aggression abroad and against working fire that killed Syrian troops. The Syrian vading Vietnam in 1964. many non-Syrian fighters whose ideology and poor people here at home. That same government regretted the deaths, prom- threatens people of many different reli- Turkish people oppose new war day there was a march by the Answer Co- ised an investigation and said it would not gious beliefs inside Syria. happen again. Turkey’s population, which has opposed alition to a military recruiting station in IAC warns of wider war Hollywood, also commemorating the an- German state TV ZDF’s first report was the government’s role in arming the Syrian niversary of the war. that Syrian rebels had fired the grenades opposition and allowing them to stage at- From inside the U.S., the International At the Pershing Square Park rally, all and took responsibility for them. (See ar- tacks from bases in Turkey, immediately Action Center released on Oct. 5 a state- organizations were invited to continue ticle by R. Teichmann at globalresearch. came out to protest the new war threats. ment, commenting that “this latest ag- participating with UNAC, which is holding ca.) This scenario was gradually altered Tens of thousands of people marched gression by NATO-backed Turkey can be in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, and in Istan- the opening move to direct military inter- bul on Oct. 4, according to a report in the vention from the imperialist powers. This British Telegraph. The demonstrators is something that NATO is looking for. The ‘ Stop drones’ protest in Pakistan “chanted slogans against the war and car- imperialists have fomented, armed and fi- ried banners against the ruling AK Party. nanced the armed insurgency in Syria.” Before Pakistan’s military stopped delegation of 30 people from Code Pink, … The Turkish slogan ‘savasa havir’ (‘no The IAC writes that despite all the them from entering a Waziristan area on was to protest the U.S. use of drone war- to war’) was the top trending item on Tur- deaths and destruction, the anti-Syria the border with Afghanistan, thousands of fare in solidarity with the Pakistanis. key’s Twitter.” insurgency has begun to stall. The state- Pakistani people and a delegation of about Khan’s party, the PTI, is in opposition to The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) ment notes that even the Oct. 4 New 60 anti-war and anti-drone activists from the ruling party and wants to win more took a strong position the next day against York Times reports that almost no Syrian the U.S. and Britain joined a convoy from seats in the next elections. Its program the decision in Parliament. Here are some forces are defecting any longer, and that the northern city of Dera Ismail Khan. includes stopping the U.S. from using excerpts: the opposition of Russia and China has The group had to change its goal and go drones in Pakistan. “The AKP Government is doing its best prevented the U.N. Security Council from to Tank, the last major city before South Besides Pakistan, Washington has ad- to lead our country into a war. AKP is authorizing aggression against Syria. Waziristan, where political leader Imran mitted to using drones against targets in primarily responsible for shooting of our “The lesson of this latest event for the Khan spoke to 10,000 people. Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. It is town, Akçakale, and thus for the death of anti-war movement and the people of the The main goal of the U.S. delegation, probably using drones in other parts of five innocent citizens. U.S. is clear,” says the IAC. “Stay alert!” which included Joe Lombardo of the Africa. “AKP, which feeds, protects and orga- for new lies and new aggression from the United National Anti-war Coalition and a — John Catalinotto nizes reactionary gangs which carry out imperialist powers in NATO. Page 8 Oct. 18, 2012 workers.org

12,000 South African miners red as Strikes spread to public sector

By Abayomi Azikiwe in order to expand the strike to the ports Editor, Pan-African News Wire and railways.” (S.A. Press Assoc., Oct. 8) Public sector workers represented by For two months, wildcat and protected the South African Municipal Workers strikes have taken place in South Africa. Union (SAMWU) are also threatening There have been industrial actions in the to strike. Tahir Sema, SAMWU spokes- platinum, gold, iron ore and transporta- person, said, “The union is mobilizing tion sectors of the economy, Africa’s larg- towards a national protest, which would est industrial sectors. begin as soon as this week.” If there is a On Oct. 5, in response to the escalating strike, 190,000 civil servants would walk labor unrest, Anglo American Platinum off the job, demanding “market-related (Amplats), the world’s largest platinum salaries.” (Reuters, Oct. 8) producer, fired 12,000 of the 28,000 The wave of wildcat and official strikes workers who had been off the job for sev- has caused problems within the South eral weeks. Management said the workers African economy. The currency, the were terminated when they refused to ap- rand, dropped to a three-year low on pear at a disciplinary hearing. However, Oct. 8. Mohammed Nalla, an economic the mine workers said they are deter- Miners march to Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Sept. 10. analyst for Nedbank Capital in Johan- mined to continue the struggle to regain nesburg, said, “International investors their jobs with wage increases. reportedly participated in the commis- Strikes may spread to ports, railways, are really quite concerned about South When police fired rubber bullets and sion of inquiry. public sector Africa. Structurally and fundamentally, tear gas to break up a strikers’ gathering NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka A sector of the South African Transport the outlook on the rand is deteriorating.” on Oct. 4, they killed Mtshunquleni Qa- said, “An unemployed cousin … of an and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) has ( Reuters, Oct. 9) kamba, 48, an Amplats employee. Work- NUM shop steward was shot and killed continued its strike. More than 20,000 The worldwide economic crisis has im- ers’ representatives have pledged to file last night [Saturday] at the shop steward’s truckers have refused to deliver oil, fruit pacted capitalist economies throughout murder charges against the police for the house in what is reported to be a case of and other commodities for more than two the globe. Bankers and industrialists are death of their colleague. mistaken identity. According to the friend weeks. They are demanding a 12 percent pressuring governments to impose aus- George Tyobeka, a worker represen- who was seated on a chair at the time the pay hike. terity pay and benefit cuts. tative at Amplats in Rustenburg, said, incident happened, gunmen appeared The bosses’ group, the Road Freight Workers in Europe have responded, “What we want to do is open a case against from nowhere at the Marikana hostel and Employers’ Association, was scheduled to mostly notably through general strikes the SAPS (South African Police Services). immediately shot the steward’s cousin.” meet SATAWU representatives in court in Greece, Spain and Portugal. A general They shot against the people … until they (iafrica.com/sa, Oct. 8) on Oct. 8. strike was held in Indonesia during the killed one of our colleagues. Employees Seshoka concluded, “From the man- Port and railway workers have also first week of October. weren’t fighting, they were just sitting on ner in which the secretary of the branch threatened to strike. Vincent Masoga, More than 100,000 workers in South the hill.” (iafrica.com/sa, Oct. 8) was killed it is clear that the killers were SATAWU spokesperson, indicated that the Africa are currently on strike. Until their Qakamba’s death comes after the post- ready for some time. The poor leader was union had applied to the “Commission for demands are met these work stoppages ponement until Oct. 22 of a governmental reportedly shot by seven bullets. This is Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration will continue. commission of inquiry into the August clearly no longer about wages but a clear deaths of 46 striking miners at the Lon- attack on the NUM, COSATU, and its min Platinum’s Marikana facility. members.” Fired GM Colombia workers update The Marikana miners have since re- NUM leaders have accused Amplats of turned to the job, having won a 22 percent racism. Seshoka said that security officials wage increase. directed derogatory names at a group of Two other fatalities at Marikana were union representatives at the mines. He Hunger strike lifted, reported on Oct. 5 and 7. One of the dead also charged that Amplats bosses have was a union branch leader for the Na- thwarted NUM’s efforts to resolve the tional Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the strike. A meeting between workers’ rep- occupation continues largest affiliate of the Congress of South resentatives and management there was African Trade Unions (COSATU). He had scheduled for Oct. 8. By Martha Grevatt Solidarity with Asotrecol, Parra and a group of labor and community activists For more than 14 months, members demonstrated outside GM World Head- Haitian masses to president: of Asotrecol — the Association of Injured quarters in Detroit. Simultaneous actions Workers and Ex-workers of GM Colom- were held in cities across the country at bia — have occupied the U.S. Embassy in Colombian consulates, GM dealerships Bogotá. General Motors has fired more and the home of GM CEO Dan Akerson. ‘Leave! We’ve had enough!’ than 200 workers in recent years after Occupy Portland (Oregon) carried signs they became incapacitated through work- supporting Asotrecol at the Occupy Wall By G. Dunkel and transportation rising rapidly, people place injuries. They want to be rehired for Street anniversary march, and strikers can’t make ends meet. So they get out into jobs they can perform with their disabili- at Palermo’s pizza factory in Milwaukee All over Haiti — from Cap-Haïtien in the streets, even in small provincial towns ties, which were caused by speed, repeti- dedicated their picket line that day to the north to Jérémie in the southwest like Miragoâne, and tell Martelly to solve tive motion, heavy lifting and a generally Asotrecol. and Miragoâne in the south, in Port-au- this problem. unsafe work environment. On Sept. 22, Asotrecol lifted the second Prince, and even in the Tenth Depart- When Martelly held a rally at Brooklyn Asotrecol chose to occupy the embassy hunger strike after three weeks “to dem- ment’s New York City, with its huge Hai- College in New York, after giving a speech because the U.S. government bailed out onstrate our will to talk and our hope for tian community — Haitians are coming at the United Nations on Sept. 26, hun- GM and still owns 26 percent of the com- a prompt, just and final mediation.” The into the streets to tell President Michel dreds of Haitians marched down Brook- pany. They began their encampment with group is maintaining its encampment Martelly: “We’ve had enough, leave!” lyn’s Nostrand Avenue in the rain from 68 workers on Aug. 1, 2011. Exactly one and hoping that a settlement to resolve One notable feature of the demonstra- the studios of Radio Panou, chanting year later, 13 brave men, still living in their intolerable situation will be reached tions is that teachers and their students “Down with Martelly! Down with corrup- tents, went on a hunger strike and sewed soon. Parra has received a warm response are prominent. Teachers are demanding a tion! Down with illegality!” their lips shut. in dozens of meetings with union activ- decent rate of pay and that their salaries Haitian Sen. Moïse Jean Charles told The strike was lifted once, when GM ists, anti-war groups, churches, students be paid promptly. Students are coming Haïti-Liberté, “We are not only in the executives in Detroit agreed to partici- and other organizations. Media cover- out in their support. streets against the high cost of living, cor- pate in mediation along with the United age has not been extensive, but has given A major plank in Martelly’s program ruption, nepotism, bad governing, dicta- Auto Workers and the U.S. Federal Me- Parra an opportunity to reach many peo- was free schools. School started Oct. 1 and torship, but equally to demand the depar- diation and Conciliation Service. But ple who are unaware of the harsh situa- government figures state that 772,000 ture of Martelly.” (Oct. 3). The senator GM’s Colombian subsidiary, Colmotores, tion in Colombia. pupils are in its free school program. But was a leader of the coalition that brought offered a sum of money that would not Asotrecol states that “our physical 3,228,000 children are not accounted for. thousands of people into the streets of even cover the surgeries workers need. strike [that] we have maintained for (Haïti-Liberté, Oct. 3) This is a very im- Cap-Haïtien three times in two weeks. The workers resumed their hunger strike over 415 days in front of the Embassy of portant promise that Martelly hasn’t kept. A coalition of progressive groups in New and again sewed their lips shut. Asotre- the United States in Colombia will con- Hand in hand with the people’s percep- York City has called for a demonstration col President Jorge Parra, who stopped tinue until we achieve a definitive and tion of waste and corruption is the issue of on Oct. 12 to protest the U.N.’s renewal of eating but did not sew his lips, arrived in just solution, as will all of our actions we hunger. Most Haitians live on less than $2 a mandate for Minustah, the U.N.’s mili- Detroit on Sept. 5, hoping to meet with started in the U.S. with the goal of raising a day and are used to very tight budgets. tary force in Haiti that keeps the protests GM executives. awareness about our situation and that of But now, with the price of food, clothing against Martelly under control. On Sept. 17, an International Day of workers in Colombia.” workers.org Oct. 18, 2012 Page 9 Coordinated protests against racism held in 14 European countries

By G. Dunkel In reaction to the Nazi genocide, the can’t rent cars. (Agence France Presse, to vote; they have difficulty getting their progressive regimes set up in eastern Eu- Oct. 7) Roma who are not French citizens kids into schools and getting health care. Responding to a call from the Euro- rope after World War II guaranteed the face expulsion, even though they are citi- They face racism that can be quite viru- pean Grassroots Antiracist Movement Roma full employment, mainly in low- zens of an EU country, which gives them lent at times. to reject the racism, discrimination and skilled, industrial jobs, and education some residency rights in France. Roma According to an EGAM press release for prejudice against the Romani people, pro- for their children. Certainly centuries of who are French citizens have to confront Roma Pride Day, similar conditions hold test marches expressing Roma Pride took racist oppression, prejudice, exclusion French laws that make it difficult for them in Spain, Italy, Germany and Denmark. place Oct. 7 in France, Denmark, Norway, and misery were not erased, but the ma- Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Alba- terial conditions of the Roma improved nia, Poland, Ukraine, England, Turkey, tremendously. VANCOUVER the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. What is called the “fall of communism In France, where a recent attack on a in 1989” meant a huge blow to the Roma. Roma encampment in the northern part According to a 1998 Wilson Center report, Activists exercise rights, of Marseilles was brushed off by the au- unemployment in Roma communities thorities (La Province, Sept. 28), there reached 50 percent to 75 percent. will be marches in Paris, Bordeaux and Especially in Romania, where many defy police intimidation Rennes. of the Roma expelled from France have a detainee’s phone while in police hands. While the people themselves share a their origins, the Roma are forced to live By Cheryl LaBash In an Aug. 28 note, “Fire This Time” common culture, language and history, in actual ghettos: walled communities Editorial Board member Thomas Davies the Romani people are also known as with just one or two gates and one well Activists set up the Vancouver Commit- — one of the three assaulted — thanked Roms, Roma, Tsiganes, Gitane and Ma- for a few thousand people. The apartment tee to Defend Freedom of Expression to Workers World Party for its support and nouche. These names vary since they are houses have no door and no windows, fight back after Transit Police and Royal WW newspaper’s coverage. spread over so many countries, and the and receive at best a few sporadic hours of Canadian Mounted Police assaulted and Davies wrote: “We are writing to thank name used in one country is sometimes electricity a week. Garbage and trash pile detained three people distributing the free you for the coverage of the recent police regarded as pejorative in other countries. up for months. Only a few families can newspaper, “Fire This Time,” at a public assault on the Fire This Time newspaper In the United States, they are commonly afford school fees in the ghettos, and the transit SkyTrain station last Aug. 31. in your online article, ‘Canada rightists called Gypsies, which is historically in- only jobs available are very dangerous, Just three weeks later, 20 freedom of persecute activists.’ (Sept. 17) correct since their roots are in northern noxious ones in the chemical industry. speech defenders successfully distributed “We appreciate very much this active India, not Egypt. The European Union of- (French TV channel TF1, Sept. 28) 1,000 free newspapers at the same sta- solidarity, which comes from the very cor- ficially estimates that there are 10 million Conditions are very similar in the Czech tion. They called out, “Get your copy of rect understanding that, ‘An injury to one to 12 million Roma living in the EU. Some Republic and in Slovakia. In Bulgaria and ‘Fire This Time’ — Vancouver’s social jus- is an injury to all.’ This is a good example French academic experts put the number Hungary, right-wing parties with neo-Na- tice newspaper” and “Free, independent for the leftist and progressive movement. as high as 20 million. zi orientation have actually demonstrated social justice news!” “We are continuing to build the cam- Historically, the Roma have suffered against Roma communities, forcing them “Fire This Time” contains articles op- paign to defend the rights of all poor and extreme oppression and racism. They to flee to work camps set up by the gov- posing war and supporting struggles in working people through the founding were enslaved in eastern Europe from the ernment. (European Grassroots Antira- Canada from Indigenous rights to labor of the Vancouver Committee to Defend 14th to 19th centuries. The Nazis set up cist Movement blog) organizing. Police had harassed distribu- Freedom of Expression. You can view the extermination camps for them, very simi- The situation for the Roma in western tors for four months leading up to the Aug. website which includes all of our state- lar to the ones they set up for the Jews, Europe is less harsh than in eastern Eu- 31 assault and detention. Cops issued no ments, videos, photos, and other resourc- which is why there are currently so few rope, but they still face serious obstacles. citations, but kept the confiscated newspa- es at: www.stoppoliceassault.com.” Roma in Germany. In Sweden, Roma in traditional dress pers. A video of the arrest was erased from Behind Canadian Auto Workers settlement

By Martha Grevatt The bosses took a hard line. “From a so the hourly wage of $34 Canadian costs raises or for the restoration of lost vaca- labor cost perspective, Canada’s the most more than the $28 U.S. for first-tier pro- tion time. Like the UAW, CAW offered Last year the United Auto Workers expensive place in the world to assemble a duction workers. proposals to help the companies avoid union signed four-year contracts with vehicle,” said GM Canada’s head of labor Health-care costs for retirees — who “fixed costs.” (CBC, Sept. 17) General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. relations, David Wenner. Detroit and Ca- greatly outnumber UAW active members Despite that, CAW contracts are better These contracts went further than any in nadian news media repeatedly presented — were unloaded in 2007 to a separate than the UAW’s. Chrysler and GM were the union’s 77-year history in rolling back GM’s position — that labor costs in Can- fund with a fixed, one-time contribution. held to the pattern set at Ford. COLA was gains of past struggles. To win approval, ada were “uncompetitive” — as fact. The The introduction of permanent two-tier not eliminated and new hires still eventu- UAW leaders claimed that the alterna- impression was that Canadian autowork- pay in 2007, its expansion in 2009 and ally get top rate. However, the agreements tive would be a long strike at Ford or the ers were greedy, and their greed was the its continuation in 2011 have brought the contain no gains. Base pay is frozen for imposition of a worse contract by an ar- cause of inflated labor costs in Canadian average hourly U.S. wage down dramati- four years, and COLA is suspended until bitrator at the other two, where workers plants. (CBC News, Sept. 17) cally. None of this is the fault of Canadian the last quarter of the four-year pact. New are contractually barred from striking. A What did CAW members do to become autoworkers. hires begin at 60 percent of base pay — sizable percentage of workers — about a so overpaid? Nothing really. In fact they CAW’s figures showed Canadian labor more than any U.S autoworker hired after third at Ford and GM and almost half at gave concessions in 2009 when the Ontar- costs were only 5 percent higher compared 2007 — but need six years to reach 70 per- Chrysler — voted “no.” io provincial and Canadian governments to those in the U.S. and only 4.2 percent cent and 10 years to make top rate. As new Autoworkers on both sides of the joined the U.S. in bailing out Chrysler and of production costs. Yet CAW negotiators hires replace workers who retire, some Canada-U.S. border were hoping to see GM. The CAW took a step toward perma- went to the table “with very modest expec- workers will always make less than others the Canadian Auto Workers union take a nent two-tier pay by giving the companies tations,” according to Secretary-Treasurer for the same work. stronger stand and oppose concessions in six years to bring new hires to top rate. Peter Kennedy. They made “very modest” Nevertheless, UAW members are see- this year’s negotiations. They hoped that It is rarely mentioned that CAW mem- demands on companies that were mak- ing the Canadian contracts as reason to a permanent two-tier pay scale would be bers gave up a week’s paid vacation. At ing billions in profits, with Ford and GM make progressive demands on the Detroit kept out of the Canadian agreements. Chrysler, which has the largest percent- breaking records. CAW did not ask for Three in 2015 — such as abolishing two- This would put pressure on the compa- age of workers in Canada, this is like giv- tier, restoring COLA and no special treat- nies and the UAW to get rid of two-tier ing the company more than 8,000 weeks ment for Marchionne. in the U.S. when new negotiations begin or 1.3 million hours free labor per year. Both unions’ orientation — toward a in 2015. That’s enough to build more than 45,000 partnership with capital — is the major Workers, especially at Chrysler, want- vehicles! obstacle for workers wanting a bigger ed all three companies to be held to the share of the wealth they create. An ideo- same “pattern” agreement. In the U.S, Stop ‘team play’ with capitalists logical shift at the top in an anti-capitalist Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne When in 1985 CAW broke away from direction is not going to happen in the cried poverty; Chrysler workers did not the UAW and resisted concessions, labor Capitalism near future. Workers on the line need get “inflation protection” bonuses, which costs were cheaper in Canada. The Cana- at a to develop a militant strategy to restore were smaller at GM than at Ford. These dian dollar was weaker and lower health- Dead End hard-fought gains. It is time to quit the were granted in lieu of the cost of living care costs were an incentive to invest in For more corporate “team” and start talking about allowance, which was “suspended” in the Canada. The CAW negotiated more per information picket lines, in-plant resistance and even 2009 bankruptcy agreement and elimi- hour based on higher taxes and living ex- go to occupations. nated last year. UAW members were hop- penses. Now the exchange rate between LowWageCapitalism.com Grevatt has worked for Chrysler in the ing the CAW would not give up COLA. U.S. and Canadian dollars is about even, Available at Amazon and other bookstores U.S. for 25 years. Page 10 Oct. 18, 2012 workers.org editorial Where we stand on the election

orkers World says don’t look to At the same time, many people genu- the capitalist elections to bring inely believed they took a progressive Wabout any of the changes that step when they elected Barack Obama workers, oppressed peoples, women, the president in 2008. For the whites who LGBTQ community, youth, the elderly voted for him, it was an unprecedented Oct. 1 demonstration in Ginowan, and immigrants so desperately need in move of not only supporting equality in Okinawa, against the deployment of this country. general but accepting Black leadership U.S. Osprey military aircraft to U.S. The U.S. presidential elections try to over the country. For African Americans, Marines Futenma Air Base in the city. obliterate the fact that this is a highly hope soared over what was seemingly stratified class society, with the widest the culmination of the long struggle wealth gap of any developed country. against racism and national oppression OKINAWA Despite all the talk of the “middle class,” with an historic vote for the first African- it is the capitalist class — a tiny percent- American president — this despite ever- age of the population — that owns and present voting rights suppression. Protest deployment controls the vast wealth. At the other Unfortunately, the 2008 election pole is the working class, the great accomplished none of these things. The majority, whose skills and effort built same racist establishment continues of U.S. helicopters the economy but who are under attack to rule. The jails are still stuffed with on all fronts. 2.5 million inmates, almost entirely The election process, so dominated people of color and poor whites. Black By Kathy Durkin Japanese Trade Union Confederation, by ruling-class money, allows not a and Latino/a youth in impoverished plans to begin gathering 100,000 peti- whisper of this monumental truth to neighborhoods are stopped, arrested The spirit of resistance is alive and tion signatures on Oct. 9. Its president, enter the so-called debates. Discussion and increasingly executed on the spot well in Okinawa. The deployment of 12 Nobumasa Nakamura, emphasized, “We of capitalism is “off the table” with both by trigger-happy police. Undocumented U.S. military helicopters to the U.S. Ma- will unleash more arrows to spread our Republicans and Democrats, even as the immigrants are deported at an unprec- rine Corps Futenma Air Station there has opposition like a wildfire,” reports The social disaster caused by the capitalist edented level. Women lose ground as sparked fierce opposition, shown in mas- Asahi Shimbun of Oct. 4. economic crisis grinds down the lives of jobs in the public sector are slashed — sive demonstrations and civil disobedi- The same article quoted Shutoku Saki- tens of millions. U.S. elections are highly another effect of the capitalist decline — ence actions. hama, 81, a seniors’ organization official undemocratic even compared to those in and attacks on contraception and abor- Even before any MV-22 Osprey air- in Nago city, Okinawa, who insisted, “We other capitalist countries, where parties tion rights escalate. And the war against craft reached the base, activists from the shouldn’t give up.” He said the helicop- win seats in parliament on a propor- unions becomes ever uglier, as both Okinawa Peace Movement Center, labor ters shouldn’t become like the 67-year tional basis. Here it is “winner take all,” private corporations and government unionists, youth, seniors and even local burden of U.S. military bases. meaning progressive political parties bodies shred contracts that workers and politicians were protesting. Protests are spreading to remote areas that don’t get corporate financing have their families have depended on. Organizers say that 100,000 people on of Okinawa. Activists are calling for an no chance of getting candidates elected. It was the hope and desire for unity Okinawa Island on Sept. 9 chanted “No acceleration of their movement to pres- With election day less than a month that propelled Obama into the White Ospreys!” and demanded the base be sure the Tokyo government — which is away, a grossly expensive and pervasive House. The Democratic Party leaders shut down. Rallies were also held on oth- ignoring their opposition — to act to stop propaganda campaign is underway to aroused this hope and then dashed it as er islands in the chain, while thousands the deployments and oust the U.S. facili- convince the people that how they vote they carried out the dictates of the big encircled Japan’s parliament building in ties altogether. will determine the course of events for banks and corporations. But the progres- Tokyo. This struggle isn’t just about the Os- years to come. It is meant to hold the sive sentiment among the masses is not Sit-ins and civil disobedience pro- preys. It’s about the simmering anger at masses responsible for the attacks that dead. Occupy Wall Street is a reflection tests took place during the week starting the U.S. military presence, which is op- are coming down the pike on every social of that. It can be reinvigorated with a Sept. 27; some even blocked the gates at posed by the vast majority of Okinawans. benefit won over years of struggles. real fightback struggle outside the elec- Futenma with vehicles, stopping military After World War II, the U.S. occupied While providing no concrete answers toral arena. traffic. On and immediately after Oct. 1, Okinawa for 27 years, building many bas- on the vital questions of jobs, universal No matter who gets elected, it will be when nine aircraft were delivered, pro- es there, and leading many residents to health care, education, mass incarcera- workers building alliances with their testers held banners and chanted outside view their homeland as a “virtual military tion and police brutality, and the grip of communities — the way the unions did the base. colony.” In 1972, the U.S. finally loosened the military-industrial-financial complex in Wisconsin and more recently the Okinawans consider the Futenma base its occupation somewhat and returned on foreign policy and the budget, the can- teachers in Chicago — and shutting to be “the world’s most dangerous base,” Okinawa to Japanese government ad- didates of both capitalist parties make it down business as usual that will move as it is situated within the highly popu- ministration. seem that everything hangs on who gets our struggles forward. To get there, we lous city of Ginowan. This, combined Okinawa is less than 1 percent of Ja- elected. They never give even the scant- must break with the capitalist rulers and with Futenma’s high flight accident rate pan’s land mass, yet today it houses 75 est mention to the central role of mass their political parties and strive to build and the hazardous nature of Ospreys, percent of U.S. military facilities in Japan. struggle movements in changing history. independent organs of people’s power. which also have a high accident rate, pro- Workers World reported on Aug. 15, pelled people into action. 2010: “There has been a long and mili- A labor unionist predicted, “If they im- tant struggle to get U.S. bases out of Oki- pose that dangerous thing on us, then all nawa. … Especially key to activists is the hell will break loose. Enough is enough.” Futenma [base], one of the largest U.S. (New York Times, Oct. 1) bases in East Asia. The U.S. refuses to re- Demonstrations are expected to con- locate or close this facility, as it is key to Baltimore community outraged tinue. The Okinawa chapter of Rengo, the its military strategy there.” Yet Washington, as well as Tokyo, is as lying killer cops are exposed taking note of the size, number and mili- tancy of the current protests – and the Continued from page 3 thony Anderson’s life have been brought they think Anthony Anderson would have anger directed at the two governments. It is an often hidden, but all too true to justice. On Oct. 17, the BPA activists are approved, by exposing and defeating po- There is concern that opposition to the reality that police killings in the poor and planning to organize and confront the po- lice repression. aircraft will grow into a massive move- Black communities of Baltimore and in lice department at a confirmation hearing Speaking to WW, Sharon Black, All ment against U.S. bases — very inconve- other cities across the United States are for Anthony Batts, named the new police Peoples Congress organizer and BPA rep- nient when the U.S. is striving to increase not at all uncommon. There have been commissioner. Batts is a former police resentative, puts this renewed struggle in its military presence in the region. 12 previous police killings in Baltimore in commissioner of Oakland, Calif., where he a broader perspective: Takeshi Onaga, the mayor of Naha, this year alone. presided over a host of problems concern- “Police brutality is the only answer that Okinawa’s capital, opined: “Anger has ing police brutality and abuse. the capitalist system has to prolonged job- been building up like hot magma beneath More planned actions On Oct. 21, at 6 p.m., exactly one month lessness, homelessness and chronic grind- the surface, and the Osprey could be what Since the killing of Anderson, scores of to the hour after the brutal slaying of An- ing poverty. They have slashed the meagre finally causes an eruption. … If they force witnesses have come forward with horrific derson, there will be a candlelight vigil social and health care programs that ex- the Osprey onto us, this could lead to a stories of police brutality toward them and at Comfort and Village streets, the site of isted, harassed and attacked unions and collapse of the U.S.-Japan alliance.” (NY their loved ones: Illegal strip searches of the killing. Participants will be encour- progressive organizations, and resorted to Times, Oct. 1) women, kidnapping of children and youth, aged not only to memorialize Anthony’s outright murder. The struggle continues. Japan Today racial profiling and other physical abuse life and untimely death, but also to speak “But the people are resisting and fight- reported on Oct. 5 that a protester pro- are only a few of the crimes reported. out about their own personal experiences ing back. We will continue to resist until claimed, “Our anger over the past 67 Organizers in Baltimore have pledged with police brutality. In this way they will this whole repressive system undergoes years since the war ended is on the verge not to rest until the killer cops who took An- push forward the struggle in a way that fundamental change.” of exploding.” workers.org Oct. 18, 2012 Page 11

In aftermath of Obama/Romney debate WWP leader: ‘It doesn’t matter who wins’

By Larry Holmes ing to protect them, take them out of their we should wait a month until the election trance.” That would get rid of the problem is over — is for the working class and the The following excerpts are part of that the first African-American president oppressed, Occupy Wall Street and all the opening remarks given at a Workers represents in terms of just throwing a militants to be prepared to open up a tre- World Party forum entitled “The 2012 curve at the masses. We certainly will see. mendous classwide struggle against the Capitalist Elections: A Marxist View” in It is not a done deal as much as it does capitalist crisis. New York City on Oct. 5, two days after appear, notwithstanding the bourgeois A year ago today, Oct. 5, 2011, was the the first presidential debate by President media’s interpretation of the debates. I first day that the local labor movement Barack Obama and Republican nomi- still think that either of them could win. actually organized a big labor march in nee Mitt Romney on domestic issues. No matter who wins, we are going to solidarity with OWS. Remember at Foley Fred Goldstein, author of “Low-Wage have to be prepared to fight both with Square, you could hardly move. It was so Capitalism” and “Capitalism at a Dead equal vigor and militancy. Yes, we have tremendous because what had happened End,” also spoke. Holmes, WWP’s First to fight a government led by the first is OWS, with its militancy, woke up orga- Secretary, and Goldstein are members African-American president differently nized labor, not just in New York City, but of the WWP Secretariat. To view both because he has support among the op- around the country. presentations go to www.youtube.com/ pressed, especially the African-American Flash ahead 11 months and you see this WWPvideo. community. tremendous brave and relatively victori- I watched the debate. I had no expec- So we have to talk a different way. We ous teachers strike in Chicago where they tations that there would be anything said can’t be carrying around caricatures [of did the work and won solidarity with the that would be helpful to anyone in the Obama] and burning them and being per- parents and the students. working class. sonal. It is much easier to fight a Romney They took on the Democratic Party ma- These are two tried and tested repre- Larry Holmes WW PHOTO: BRENDA RYAN or a Bush or a Bloomberg. You can pull chine right on Obama’s turf. At the AFL- sentatives of imperialism — Obama in out all stops. CIO international level or state level or government and Romney as a capitalist. elsewhere, hoped that Obama four years Our tact and thoughtfulness in this re- central labor council level, when consider- Why did Obama let this walking carica- ago would be like an FDR. spect should not be interpreted as support ing what to do and what not to do to mani- ture of the bourgeoisie, this let-them-eat- We know what FDR did. He was clever. for Obama or support for the Democratic fest solidarity with this brave strike, the cake, this aristocrat of the 1%, babble on He had to spend some time convincing Party in some roundabout way. question that came up was the elections. about liking the middle class, fighting for the imperialist U.S. ruling class that if We are against them. The Democratic [The response was] we don’t want to mess jobs and a voice of the unemployed? they did not make some concessions, they Party is a heavy chain around the neck of up the elections, our hands are tied, so Why didn’t Obama attack him? Why might not be around because there was the working class and oppressed, and it send a speaker, send some money, have a didn’t he talk about the Republican pro- a Russian Revolution, and revolutionary needs to be broken. And the longer that press conference or maybe do nothing be- gram? They plan to privatize Social Se- struggles were going on — it was happen- it is not broken, especially now, the more cause the elections take priority. curity, Medicaid, Medicare and public ing outside the White House — so it is in trouble our class is going to be in. That is why we prepare for opening education and almost everything else that your interest to make some concessions. Both parties and both candidates of the up an unprecedented classwide struggle working people have fought for and won So grin and bear it. bourgeois parties are engaged in a con- against the capitalist crisis with our allies over almost a century. The Democrats can’t do that now. spiracy of silence. and friends through the project of Peo- This was political. It was a sign of just Obama can’t do it. The capitalist crisis They are both being careful about raising ple’s Power Assemblies. how far the capitalist crisis — not just the means they are taking all those conces- austerity. They are waiting until after the One of the biggest goals of the Assem- recent one which is the most intense and sions back; they are repealing it all. The elections because, whatever party prevails, blies is going to be to help break the chains severe and permanent and unprecedent- New Deal, the Great Society, they are re- almost the moment the elections are re- that the Democratic Party has on the or- ed — but the capitalist crisis over a period pealing a century of hard-won concessions. solved the bourgeois media and the whole ganized labor movement and the working of 30 or 40 years has pushed bourgeois bourgeois establishment are prepared to class in this country, so they can fight in politics to the right. Obama, organized labor & struggle generate a crisis, a panic atmosphere. their own interests the way they need to. Obama can’t attack Romney too much What Obama has that helps him — al- The most important thing — not that because some of the things that Romney though it is a double-edged sword — is would do Obama is going to do. He’d put that he is the first African-American pres- himself in trouble. ident. In a manner of speaking that gives From political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal One of the most significant things him an edge in terms of deceiving or dis- about the text of what Romney said to the arming, for a while, some segments of the room full of millionaires and billionaires working class. in Florida [last May] where he made his Most of the Black masses are going to ’From hope to fear’ 47 percent remark — there was a lot of give him a pass by virtue of the fact that he racist, imperialist stuff in that text. It was is the first Black president — and we un- The following article, posted Sept. 27, advocates of austerity. One wants to slap informative how the Democratic Party derstand that. And a lot of other progres- was reprinted from prisonradio.org. people with it; the other slaps you as didn’t jump on it. Romney said about the sive people are going to feel and act the What a difference a few years make. well. He just says he hated to do it. 47 percent, “Those people feel entitled to same way. I am not sure whether it is nec- Four years ago, the Obama presidency Austerity is a strategy to cut off social housing, to health care and to food.” Of essarily because they are so excited about sent a palpable sense of relief across the services and privatize. Fear is the night all things, imagine that — food! The next the Democrats, or they see some big dif- country and around the world. side of democracy. It is its alter ego. And thing is oxygen — and water. ference between the Democrats and Re- I remember seeing a spontaneous the politics of fear always result in loss, It made me think about something that publicans. That may very well be the case eruption of joy in the streets of Pittsburgh not gain. As Europe begins to tumble, most people don’t know anything about, when you have a lot of oppressed groups, near SCI-Greene, as youth took to the the economics of fear sails across the because right after he said it, it was for- women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- downtown district in sheer exultation. Atlantic. And it infects U.S. politics — gotten. It was what was said by [Franklin gender, queer people on a nominal basis. The only thing that came close was and before long — everything else. Delano] Roosevelt who saved capitalism On paper the position of the Democratic when the Philadelphia Flyers (a hockey by making concessions and entering into Party is different [from the position of the team), won the Stanley Cup in 1975, and an imperialist war which put U.S. imperi- Republican Party]. people poured into the streets in a kind alism on top. I still think that there are a lot of young of mania. In his final State of the Union address in whites who may not understand racism Well, the mania is gone now. 1944 he proposed a new economic bill of and national oppression but see the fact Even so, Obama looks increasingly like rights. And he used the question of rights that we finally have a Black president as he’ll win re-election, especially if Mitt like people should have a right to a job, a progress. It means that it is a country, a Romney insists on helping him by step- right to good wages, a right to a home, a society that they are comfortable being ping on his tongue. right to medical care, a right to education. part of as opposed to something else that Four years ago, “hope” and “change” It would have been a tremendous aid to seems representative of racism, reaction were the mantra of the day, captivating “arouse the base,” to put Romney’s voice and war. I think that is out there. What millions. saying “they think they are entitled” to this role it plays is arguable. But history can’t be made every day. and that next to what Roosevelt thought, It doesn’t matter who wins. Americans are terrified of the looming for his own reasons, that the masses have I have talked to some young people economic crisis gripping the nation. a right to. from all over the country, including when The rightists are afraid Obama will But they are not going to do that. we were in Charlotte building for the establish new and larger government THE CLASSROOM AND THE CELL: Obama and most of the Democrats at his March on Wall Street South. We had a programs. Leftists fear that Romney Conversations on Black Life in America level in the party have been pushed into a class on the elections. More than one said, will scuttle so-called Obamacare — aka Mumia Abu-Jamal & Marc Lamont Hill right-wing program, too. “Maybe it would be better if Romney won. Affordable Health Care Act — and This book delves into the problems of Black life I think that a lot of people, even many At least if he wins, it will wake everybody decimate other social services. in America and o ers real, concrete solutions. progressives in the labor movement and up. They won’t think that someone is go- But, truth is, both are essentially Available at Amazon.com Correspondencia sobre artículos en Workers World/Mundo Obrero pueden ser enviadas a:  [email protected] ¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los paises unios! Sindicato de la ciudad va a huelga en Detroit Deuda a los bancos sangra el presupuesto Por David Sole en huelga recibieron la orden de trabajar rativos publicaron historias ridículas directamente a los grandes bancos, in- Detroit turnos de 12 horas y se les dijo que no po- donde alegaban que el DWSD tenía un cluyendo al JPMorgan Chase. El servicio drán ausentarse por enfermedad. Varios exceso de trabajadores/as y hacía gastos de la deuda – el pago a los bancos – ahora El autor es un trabajador veterano trabajadores que habían trabajado toda la innecesarios. Esto a su vez, sirvió para consume más del 40 por ciento de los in- del Departamento del Agua y Alcanta- noche el 29 de septiembre, recibieron la incitar a la opinión pública en contra del gresos del departamento del agua. rillado (DWSD siglas en inglés), de la orden de permanecer en la planta y traba- servicio público, sobre todo en contra de Un informe reciente del propio equipo ciudad de Detroit y ex presidente de la jar por más de 20 horas. la fuerza de trabajo que es en gran parte de revisión financiera del gobernador Asociación de Químicos y Técnicos de Sin embargo, ninguno de estos otros afro-americana. Snyder encontró que Detroit tenía más la Sanidad (antes United Auto Workers sindicatos hacen la misma labor que los/ Un examen más detenido del informe que ingresos suficientes para cubrir todos Local 2334). as cientos de miembros de AFSCME 207 del Grupo EMA muestra que una de las los servicios de la ciudad y pagar a los/as Oct. 2 – Los trabajadores de la Planta quienes mantienen el funcionamiento de principales recomendaciones es privatizar trabajadores/as actuales – excepto por el de Tratamiento de Aguas de Detroit aban- la planta de aguas residuales. grandes sectores del DWSD. Este ha sido hecho de que el pago de las deudas a los donaron el trabajo a las 10 am el domingo Los/as trabajadores/as de la ciudad un objetivo a largo plazo del mundo em- bancos recibe prioridad. Sólo después de 30 de septiembre, y de inmediato estab- de Detroit han sido maltratados/as por presarial para la ciudad de Detroit. Hace pagar el servicio de la deuda a los bancos, lecieron fuertes líneas de piquete. Los/as décadas con recortes salariales, concesio- unos 10 años, el ex director del DWSD es que la ciudad muestra un déficit. ¡La miembros de la Federación Americana de nes y congelación de los salarios. Reci- Víctor Mercado, trajo una consultora dife- deuda de Detroit se estima en 16,9 mil Empleados del Estado, Condado y Munic- entemente, la situación se ha vuelto aún rente, el Grupo de Gestión de Infraestruc- millones dólares! ipales (AFSCME por sus siglas en inglés) peor. Alegando problemas financieros, tura (Infrastructure Management Group). Piquetes son respetados Local 207 – con 950 miembros, el sindi- el alcalde Dave Bing y el gobernador de Y el juez federal John Feikens, quien tenía La mañana del 1 de octubre encontró cato más grande entre los/as casi 2.000 Michigan Rick Snyder, llegaron al acu- la supervisión del DWSD antes del juez piquetes grandes y militantes en todos los trabajadores/as del Departamento del erdo de revocar la negociación colectiva Cox, había autorizado la creación de un portones de la planta de aguas residuales. Agua y Alcantarillado de Detroit- habían y autorizar la imposición de viciosos re- comité secreto predominantemente em- Coches y camiones fueron utilizados para votado el 26 de septiembre para autorizar cortes de salarios, prestaciones sociales presarial para examinar la forma de des- bloquear los caminos de entrada. Co- una huelga. Según un funcionario del sin- y pensiones contra los/as miles de traba- mantelar y subcontratar el departamento. menzando a las 6:20 am, no se permitió a dicato, los/as trabajadores/as de base se jadores/as de la ciudad. Esos esfuerzos fracasaron cuando el al- nadie entrar a la planta. adelantaron el 30 de septiembre mientras Algunos/as trabajadores/as del DWSD calde Kwame Kilpatrick se vio obligado a Los/as trabajadores/as de otros sin- los líderes sindicales aún se encontraban tenían esperanzas de que el fallo del juez dimitir frente a acusaciones de perjurio, dicatos que no estaban en huelga, al ver haciendo planes para una huelga más tar- Cox, quien supervisa el departamento obstrucción de la justicia y corrupción en los piquetes dieron la vuelta y regresaron de en la semana. del agua, les protegería de estos ataques. 2008. Mercado está siendo sometido a un a sus casas. Los/as vendedores/as y los/ El 1 de octubre el juez federal Sean Cox, El DWSD es una entidad independiente juicio, junto con Kilpatrick y otros, por as trabajadores/as contratistas se han ne- a petición de la administración, emitió cuyo presupuesto no está bajo el presu- cargos federales de corrupción. gado a cruzar las líneas de piquete. una orden a los/as trabajadores/as para puesto general de la ciudad, sino que se El DWSD ha aprobado un contrato de Se ha informado ampliamente que la que pusieran fin a la huelga. El abogado basa en los ingresos obtenidos por los cli- $48 millones con el Grupo EMA para im- administración puede despedir a todos/ del sindicato denunció la orden como “in- entes del agua y alcantarillado. plementar sus propuestas antisindicales. as los/as trabajadores/as que se declara- dignante”, y anunció planes de presentar ron en huelga. Pero esta táctica puede ser una moción para anularla. Al escribir es- Privatización y planes antisindicales Prioridad: pagar la deuda de servicio a contraproducente. Los/as trabajadores/ tas líneas, los/as trabajadores/as y los/ Quedó claro sin embargo, que el DWSD los bancos as de la ciudad tanto del agua como de los as dirigentes sindicales locales siguen de- iba a ir aún más lejos que otros departa- A pesar de toda la propaganda anti otros servicios, están hartos/as de llevar safiantes en las líneas de piquete. mentos de la ciudad en los recortes y los obrera y antisindical, el hecho es que todo el peso de la crisis económica sobre La patronal, que opera en “modo de ataques antisindicales. El DWSD había en Detroit el déficit presupuestario del sus espaldas. Y el pueblo de Detroit está pánico”, según dijo un químico que estaba contratado a una “empresa de consul- fondo y los gritos de pobreza del DWSD harto de los recortes a los servicios mu- de guardia el 30 de septiembre, corrió a la toría”, el Grupo EMA, que emitió un in- están causados en su totalidad por los nicipales esenciales. planta el primer día de la huelga. Todos forme en agosto pidiendo la eliminación enormes pagos de intereses exigidos por Esta huelga tiene el potencial de des- los permisos de ausencia y de vacaciones del 81 por ciento de la fuerza trabajadora los grandes bancos. encadenar una lucha más amplia de los/ fueron cancelados. Los/as trabajadores/ pública en el DWSD. De la venta en junio de $660 millones as residentes de Detroit, los/as traba- as de los otros sindicatos que no estaban Los medios de comunicación corpo- en bonos del DWSD, $300 millones van jadores/as y los/as pobres, contra los banqueros y sus lacayos políticos que po- nen las ganancias de los bancos por del- Las arterias endurecidas ante de las necesidades del pueblo. Conferencia del Partido WW/Mundo Obrero de un sistema moribundo OCUPAR Por Deirdre Griswold talistas, prestando dinero a los países “deu- de revolución científico-tecnológica, lo dores” de la Unión Europea — especial- mismo que impulsa al capitalismo a la PARA LA REVOLUCIÓN SOSOCCIALISTAIALISTA El dinero es la sangre vital del capi- mente España, Portugal y Grecia — a la tasa crisis — la alta productividad — sienta las Conozca al Partido WW/Mundo Obrero talismo. Cada vez más los banqueros lo de interés más alta que puedan conseguir. bases para una rápida rectificación de es- Conozca al Partido WW/Mundo Obrero mantienen encerrado en sus bóvedas y Para asegurarse de que estos gobiernos tas divisiones mediante la redistribución para más información: [email protected] no saben qué hacer con él. Los banqueros puedan pagar ese interés, los banque- de los productos excedentes a donde más ya se enfrentan con esa característica tan ros han estado exigiendo recortes draco- se necesita. 212.627.2994 workers.org irracional del capitalismo, la “sobrepro- nianos de cada servicio social necesario En otras palabras, cuando la clase ob- ducción”, que para ellos significa que las que los/as trabajadores/as han ganado a rera rompa las garras que los capitalistas Reserve la fecha 17-18 de noviembre empresas no están expandiéndose porque través de generaciones de lucha: pensio- tienen sobre la sociedad y establece un El lugar se anunciará próximamente carecen de un mercado para más bienes nes, seguro por desempleo, cuidado de sistema socialista, los banqueros en los Cuidad de Nueva York y servicios, por lo que las empresas no salud, educación, etc. países más ricos como Alemania, no po- están pidiendo dinero prestado y los ban- Estos recortes están llevando a la clase drán sangrar a los países más pobres de Una conferencia de fuerzas queros se quedan con dinero en efectivo obrera, y a muchos/as de la clase media, a Europa como lo hacen ahora. comunistas y revolucionarias que simplemente se queda estancado sin participar de muchas huelgas y protestas. Además de las luchas masivas de los/ Una discusión marxista sobre poder cobrar intereses. Los banqueros ni siquiera escuchan las as trabajadores/as sobre las cuáles hemos cómo avanzar en la lucha de clases Mientras tanto, a los/as trabajadores/ voces burguesas que advierten a su propia escrito otro artículo, unas 80.000 per-  Evaluación de las elecciones capitalistas as, que han producido todo lo que tiene clase del peligro para esa misma clase, de sonas se reunieron el 30 de septiembre  Discusión sobre el Movimiento Ocupar, valor, cada vez les resulta más difícil re- no aliviar un poco las medidas drásticas. en París para protestar en contra de los el racismo y brutalidad policial, liberación unir dinero suficiente para vivir. Mientras exista el capitalismo, el capi- recortes del gobierno y los aumentos de y revolución En este momento los bancos europeos, tal fluirá hacia donde las ganancias sean impuestos; y por toda Alemania el 29 de principalmente aquellos que están avala- mayores, creando un mundo dividido septiembre, unas 40.000 personas prote- Para registrarse envíe email a: dos por capital alemán, están tratando de entre los/as que tienen y los/as que no staron los recortes sociales y la creciente [email protected] 212.627.2994 superar la crisis que afecta a todos los capi- tienen. Sin embargo, después de décadas desigualdad social.