CRISIS IN PALEStINE National liberation v. imperialist plot 9

Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite! JUNE 28, 2007 VOL. 49, NO. 25 50¢ FREE tHEm NOW!

Masivas protestas en Colombia 12 lesbians sentenced for self-defense Another world possible? How? All-white jury convicts Black women nother world IS possible. The question is how do By Imani Henry The attack A we get it? New York At the U.S. Social Forum meeting On Aug. 16, 2006, seven young, African-American, lesbian- in Atlanta at the end of June, thou- On June 14, four African-American women—Venice Brown identifi ed friends were walking in the West Village. The Village sands are expected to parti cipate (19), Terrain Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20) and Renata is a historic center for lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) commu- in vibrant discussion and debate Hill (24)—received sentences ranging from three-and-a-half to nities, and is seen as a safe haven for working-class LGBT youth, on the many social problems facing 11 years in prison. None of them had previous criminal records. especially youth of color. people in the richest and most Two of them are parents of small children. As they passed the Independent Film Cinema, 29-year-old bellicose country on the planet. Their crime? Defending themselves from a physical attack by Dwayne Buckle, an African-American vendor selling DVDs, The contrast between what exists a man who held them down and choked them, ripped hair from sexually propositioned one of the women. They rebuffed his and what is possible is glaring and their scalps, spat on them, and threatened to sexually assault advances and kept walking. grows worse all the time. them—all because they are lesbians. “I’ll f— you straight, sweetheart!” Buckle shouted. A video So many young men and women The mere fact that any victim of a bigoted attack would be camera from a nearby store shows the women walking away. He caught in the net of the military, arrested, jailed and then convicted for self-defense is an outrage. followed them, all the while hurling anti-lesbian slurs, grabbing But the length of prison time given further demonstrates the his genitals and making explicitly obscene remarks. The women Continued on page 10 highly political nature of this case and just how racist, misogy- fi nally stopped and confronted him. A heated argument ensued. nistic, anti-gay, anti-youth and anti-worker the so-called U.S. Buckle spat in the face of one of the women and threw his lit cig- justice system truly is. arette at them, escalating the verbal attack into a physical one. The description of the events, reported below, is based on writ- Buckle is seen on the video grabbing and pulling out large ten statements by a community organization (FIERCE) that has patches of hair from one of the young women. When Buckle made a call to action to defend the four women, verbal accounts ended up on top of one of the women, choking her, Johnson from court observers and evidence from a surveillance camera. ImmIGRANt Continued on page 7 RIGHtS CAmPAIGN tO NAmE A StREEt IN HARlEm, N.Y., IN HONOR OF mUmIA ABU-JAmAl  Connecticut  Georgia  North Carolina  Ohio 3 ANtI-WAR Emcee Orrie Lumumba from N.Y. SURGE Esperanza Free Mumia Coalition, top Martell with TONC discusses left and Immortal Technique, NAACP’s top right. fall actions 8 Sundiata Sadiq, above and Abdul Haq, left, invited artist Nana Soul , every one to the naming right. of Sonny Abubadika Carson Street. See page 5.

Pam Africa, Int’l Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal above, gave an Subscribe to update on Mumia’s Appeal for a new trial in Federal Workers World Court. 4 weeks trial subscription: $1 Igwe Williams, right, spoke about the struggle to name One year subscription: $25 the Guillermo Morales- “Strong support for Mumia and the street naming Assata Shakur Center NAME campaign was clearly evident in the many statements of City College. the performers and the audience made. The program EMAIL Mumia Street in Harlem ended with a rousing statement from Pam Africa about ADDRESS the power of the people, and the demonstration of that A June 16 event for the Harlem Campaign power in the streets of Philadelphia on May 17th.” CITY/STATE/ZIP to name a street in honor of Mumia Abu- Jamal was an exciting youth-oriented — Suzanne Ross from the NY Coalition evening. Speakers focused on the struggle to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal. PHONE to free Mumia, police terror, the criminal- Emcee Seated behind Ross are DeLacy Davis of Black Cops Workers World Newspaper ization of youth and the gentrifi cation of Sandra Against Police Brutality and Jaspir Finpho 55 W. 17 St. NY, NY 10011 Harlem. Immortal Technique gave a Rivers of the Jamaica NAACP Youth Council. 212-627-2994 www.workers.org powerful Hip Hop performance. —Captions and photos by Lal Roohk Page 2 June 28, 2007 www.workers.org Atom workers denied

government benefits H In the U.S. By Larry Hales claims were paid; their survivors were paid $6.9 mil- Lesbians sentenced for self-defense...... 1 Denver lion; 279 workers received compensation totaling Atom workers denied gov’t benefits...... 2 $41.7 million; 159 workers were dead when survivors Immigrant-rights activists defy ICE raids...... 3 Though a federal panel, the Advisory Board on filed claims and they were paid $23.7 million.” Immigrant children say: ‘Stop taking our dads!’. . . . . 3 Radiation and Worker Health, voted June 12 to expand • “In cases where the worker’s illness was linked to compensation for ex-workers at Rocky Flats—a for- chemicals or other toxic exposures, 21 workers died Children demand justice for Smithfield workers. . . . . 3 mer weapons facility 16 miles northwest of downtown before claims were paid; their survivors were paid Can auto workers make the system work for them?. . . . 4 Denver—75 percent of the facility’s former work force $2.6 million; 16 workers received compensation total- On the picket line...... 4 will still be ineligible for automatic compensation. ing $1.5 million; 153 workers were dead when survi- Bed-Stuy now has a Sonny Carson Avenue...... 5 The compensation will only cover those that worked at vors filed claims and they received $19.2 million.” Rocky Flats from 1959 to 1966. Workers there from 1952- Moore goes on to refute the government’s claim that Being Puerto Rican is not a crime’ ...... 5 1958 had been recommended for compensation earlier. the $7 billion allocated for cleanup of the area—$36 bil- NYC meeting salutes Philippines leader...... 5 The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission’s Rocky Flats lion was necessary—was enough and that the cleanup was Movement defends right to marriage equality...... 6 weapons production facility first began production in successful enough for the government to use Rocky Flats Organizers plan fall actions to challenge war funding. . . 8 1952 under management of the Dow Chemical Co., pro- as a wildlife refuge and to open it to the public. ducing detonators or nuclear triggers. It was later oper- According to Moore, regarding evidence from autop- H Around the world ated by Rockwell International. sies on bone samples done from 1975 to 1979 and closer A sprawling facility composed of several buildings on to the actual site of the plant: “The researchers in this Lavender and red, part 102...... 6 6,500 acres, the plant was closed in 1991 after being raid- DOE- funded study sorted the bone samples according to Palestine chronology since January 2006 ...... 8 ed in 1989 by the FBI. place of residence within three areas defined by concen- National resistance confronts imperialism in Gaza. . . . 9 The new decision has yet to go before U.S. Health and tric circles drawn at intervals of 25 kilometers (about 15 Hamas: ‘We were forced to do it’...... 9 Human Services Department, which will have to make miles) out from 903 Pad at Rocky Flats. They found the a recommendation on compensation to Congress—from highest plutonium concentrations in bone samples from New Palestinian premier has U .S . ‘blessing’...... 9 which the final decision will be made. the inner ring closest to Rocky Flats, with concentrations Vilma Espín, presente! ...... 10 The panel’s recommendation is ultimately a defeat of decreasing as they moved progressively away from the Socialist Korea focuses on sustainable development. . . 10 justice for the over 15,000 workers who worked under facility.” Agent Orange survivors challenge Dow, Monsanto. . . . 11 dangerous conditions being exposed to high levels of He cited the study in response to a 1998 report radiation and chemicals. released by the Colorado Department of Public Health Ousmane Sembène: African revolutionary artist . . . . 11 There were many incidences of accidents during the and Environment. Moore states, “In 1998 the Colorado H Editorials facility’s 40-year lifespan, ranging from fires to leakages Central Cancer Registry of CDPHE weighed in on the Another world possible? How?...... 1 to improper storing of waste—all leading to contamination public health issue with a report asserting that there is of the ground soil and water sources in the plant’s vicinity. no evidence of adverse health effects in residential areas H Noticias En Español In 2006 the facility’s owners were made to pay millions near Rocky Flats by comparison with areas elsewhere in of dollars in fines and damages to owners of property in a the Denver area.” Protestas masivas en Colombia...... 12 class-action lawsuit that had lasted 16 years. He quotes a German radiation specialist named Bernd Prisiones secretas de la CIA...... 12 Franke, who said the report was meant to “calm people Justice denied down, for public relations purposes.” These workers are called “Cold War veterans.” The Former FBI agent Jon Lipsky, who was part of the Workers World Department of Energy’s official history on Rocky Flats Rocky Flats raid and investigation, has filed a lawsuit 55 West 17 Street states that “the urgency of the nuclear arms race placed against the Department of Justice in order to unseal New York, N.Y. 10011 a national priority on weapons production and testing,” records of contamination. He has filed this lawsuit with Phone: (212) 627-2994 which illustrates the U.S. government’s callousness Wes McKinley, the former leader of the Rocky Flats grand Fax: (212) 675-7869 toward even those it deems “heroes,” something espe- jury, and Jacque Brever, a former chemical operator who E-mail: [email protected] cially seen today with U.S. imperialist wars against the suffers from radiation exposure. Web: www.workers.org Iraqi and Afghan peoples. In an article in Muckraker, Lipsky said: “I left so I could The panel’s argument is that the question of whether the help expose the truth. Without the truth there can be no Vol. 49, No. 25 • June 28, 2007 facility exposed the workers enough to these deadly chem- real understanding of the extent of this environmental Closing date: June 20, 2007 icals to justify compensation has proved inconclusive. crime, and there can be no thorough cleanup.” Editor: Deirdre Griswold Currently, according to a study conducted by the According to Lipsky, Brever and McKinley: “The Technical Editor: Lal Roohk University of Colorado, there are 1,259 cases of cancers depart­ment allocated $7 billion to the cleanup, a sum among these former workers. initially criticized as far too low to enable a thorough Managing Editors: John Catalinotto, LeiLani Dowell, In a document titled “Rocky Flats A Local Hazard job. And less than 8 percent of the allocated sum is even Leslie Feinberg, Monica Moorehead, Gary Wilson Forever. Citizen’s Guide to the ‘Cleanup’ Wildlife Refuge being used to decontaminate the site. ... The rest is going West Coast Editor: John Parker A Bad Precedent For Other Sites,” LeRoy Moore, Ph.D, to administrative costs and decommissioning the plant.” Contributing Editors: Greg Butterfield, G. Dunkel, indicates that there was a great deal of plutonium And the article reports, “She [Brever] said several Fred Goldstein, Teresa Gutierrez, Larry Hales, released into the environment by the plant and that two fields and hillsides that had been dumping grounds for David Hoskins, Berta Joubert-Ceci, Cheryl LaBash, studies—one by the Department of Energy and one by the toxic and radioactive wastes have been excluded from the Milt Neidenberg, Bryan G. Pfeifer, Minnie Bruce Pratt National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health— cleanup. Additionally, she said, the sampling techniques Technical Staff: Shelley Ettinger, Bob McCubbin, found increased cancers in workers exposed to 5 percent for determining contamination levels are misleading, and Maggie Vascassenno of the permissible level according to DOE. the standards for soil and water purification are weak.” Many workers who are already sick are afraid they (Jan. 21, 2005) Mundo Obrero: Carl Glenn, Teresa Gutierrez, will die before receiving any compensation. The Rocky The workers are being denied their just due from the Berta Joubert-Ceci, Donna Lazarus, Carlos Vargas Mountain News studied the number of workers who were government—in the name of expanding profits worldwide Internet: Janet Mayes awarded compensation and never received it, and found: for U.S. capitalism—that also lied about the dangers of Supporter Program: Sue Davis, coordinator • “In cases where the worker’s illness was linked to the poisons workers and those in the surrounding com- Copyright © 2007 Workers World. Verbatim copying radiation, beryllium or silica, 46 workers died before munities were being exposed to. n and distribution of articles is permitted in any medium JOIN US. National Office Buffalo, N.Y. Houston Richmond, Va. without royalty provided this notice is preserved. 55 W. 17 St., 367 Delaware Ave, P.O. Box 130322, P.O. Box 14602, Workers World (ISSN-1070-4205) is published week- Workers World Party New York, NY 10011 Buffalo, NY 14202 Houston, TX 77219 Richmond, VA 23221 ly except the first week of January by WW Publishers, (WWP) fights on all 212-627-2994; 716-566-1115 713-861-5965 [email protected] 55 W. 17 St., N.Y., N.Y. 10011. Phone: (212) 627-2994. issues that face the Fax (212) 675-7869 [email protected] [email protected] Rochester, N.Y. working class and [email protected] Chicago 585-436-6458 Subscriptions: One year: $25; foreign and institutions: Los Angeles Atlanta 27 N. Wacker Dr. #138 [email protected] $35. Letters to the editor may be condensed and edited. oppressed peoples— 5274 West Pico Blvd., P.O. Box 424, Chicago, IL 60606 Articles can be freely reprinted, with credit to Workers Black and white, Latin@, Suite 203 San Diego, Calif. Asian, Arab and Native Atlanta, GA 30301 773-381-5839 3930 Oregon St., World, 55 W. 17 St., New York, NY 10011. 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Box 9202, Send an e-mail message to If you would like to [email protected] [email protected] 284 Armory St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 [email protected]. know more about WWP, Detroit 610-453-0490 Boston, MA 02130 Washington, D.C. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. or to join us in these 617-983-3835 5920 Second Ave., [email protected] P.O. Box 57300, struggles, contact the Detroit, MI 48202 Washington, DC 20037, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fax (617) 983-3836 Raleigh, N.C. branch nearest you. [email protected] 313-831-0750 [email protected] Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., 5th Floor, [email protected] workersworld.net/boston [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10011. www.workers.org June 28, 2007 Page 3 From Connecticut to Georgia Immigrant-rights activists defy ICE raids Special to Workers World individual police officers would tip off res- Law School sent lawyers and students idents in the largely Latin@ Fair Haven from their legal clinic to help. In a show of resistance and solidarity neighborhood where the raids occurred. Teresa Gutierrez and Walter Sinche of more than one thousand people marched The passage of the City ID and the New York’s May 1 Coalition joined the through the streets of New Haven on subsequent raids are raising the level of local activists at the press conference. “It June 16 as part of the continuing protest popular resistance to ICE. Many New is amazing to see such community sup- of racist and retaliatory arrests of immi- Haven residents are expected to seek the port for immigrants,” Gutierrez said. “It is grants by the Department of Homeland new ID cards in order to show solidarity clear that in Connecticut, from Danbury Security/Immigration and Customs with immigrants, while there has already to Hartford to New Haven, the entire Enforcement (ICE). Large contin- been discussion about similar measures community is standing up to resist these gents from the labor unions Unite Here being passed in other Connecticut cities. horrible ICE raids.” and SEIU Local 32B-J, along with broad It is significant that after the harsh criti- At the press conference in Hartford, Joel participation from the Latin@ commu- cism directed at ICE, the regional direc- Rodriguez, a union organizer of Puerto nity and active support from progressive tor announced that the agency would Rican/Mohawk heritage from Local 108 non-immigrants made Saturday’s march “temporarily suspend” its operations in Carpenter’s Union in Springfield, Mass., a lively response to the ICE raids. Connecticut. No one knows if this means said that ICE had made sweeps across Two weeks earlier, the New Haven that the raids will stop for a day, a week or Massachusetts, and that some of the New a month, but activists are relying on soli- Board of Aldermen voted 25-1 to become WW photo: Heather Cottin Haven 33 were in jail with workers arrest- the first city in the U.S. to issue ID cards to Immigrants protest in Hartford, Ct., June 17. darity, not government promises, to keep ed in Springfield. “I spoke to an 8-year-old residents irrespective of their immigration the people of New Haven safe from the boy who asked me, ‘How can they call this status. The demand for “City ID” came racist attacks. the land of the free in school if they took from the immigrant community itself vation and manner in which the raids The protest on June 16 followed a press my daddy away from me forever?’” and is widely viewed as a way of bringing were carried out. conference two days earlier that local undocumented residents out of the shad- In addition to evidence that the raids immigration rights organizers held in Atlanta: Thousands say, ows. The ID card makes it possible for were in retaliation for the passage of the front of the Connecticut State Courthouse ¡Sí, se Puede! residents to open bank accounts, access City ID law, there is also evidence that ICE in Hartford. Dozens of activists from The parking lot at Plaza Fiesta, a mall city services, and identify themselves to used racial profiling to identify its victims churches, schools, community groups, in the heart of the Latin and Asian immi- health-care providers, schools and land- and repeatedly violated its own rules. In unions and immigrant rights networks grant community in Atlanta, was filled with lords without disclosing their immigra- one instance, ICE officials bragged about from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New thousands of workers and their families on tion status. how agents had stayed with a boy whom York and Long Island gathered to chal- the evening of June 18. But only two days after the law was they found home alone until his father lenge ICE’s bail hearings for the immigrant The emotion-filled rally was initiated pas­sed, ICE agents went on the attack, returned, but neglected to mention that detainees taking place that morning. by Georgia Latino Association for Human rounding up at least 33 residents in a they entered the house illegally in order to The workers were brought in to the Rights (GLAHR) and called for “fair and show of force that Mayor DeStefano has do so. Then they arrested the boy’s father courthouse handcuffed and chained at comprehensive immigration reform.” described as “retaliatory.” Facing a bar- and took him away. the waist. None of them could raise the Speakers addressed the common desire rage of demands from community lead- City officials also charge that ICE agents $15,000 to $25,000 bail set, and support- of immigrants to make a better life for ers, both of Connecticut’s U.S. senators illegally failed to notify the New Haven ers were working to lower the bail for the themselves and their families and chal- and Congressperson Rosa DeLauro have police about the raids until they were detainees, whose sole crime was working lenged the political leadership of the U.S. called for an investigation into the moti- already underway, because ICE knew that to support their families. Yale University Continued on page 4 Immigrant children say: ‘Stop taking our dads!’

By Sharon Danann European-Americans are the immigrants.” Immigrants give Painesville, Ohio After Velasquez spoke, a woman new meaning to emerged from the crowd and tearfully Father's Day. In Painesville, Ohio, June 16, Father’s took the bullhorn. Her father had been on WW photo: Martha Grevatt Day was honored with love, tears and his way to work when ICE agents stopped a courageous march and rally of sev- the van he was in. He and others were eral hundred immigrants and their sup- arrested. Now he is in jail in Youngstown. express working- porters. They were protesting the recent She had been told that she would have class unity. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to come up with $5,000 before anyone The march even­ raids that resulted in 43 arrests and depor- could even start working on his case. She tually returned to tations, mainly of Latino workers. didn’t know what to do. A baseball cap its starting point, Kiwanis Recreational their arrival, marchers broke into shouts The children of jailed or deported men was placed on the ground in front of the Park, silent by deliberate choice. But upon of, “¡Sí, se Puede!” (Yes, we can!) n carried a banner at the front of the march, speakers and it was soon buried under a proclaiming, “Stop Taking Our Dads!” mound of cash. Over $500 was collected. The march was a sea of the red flags of The raides are targeting children as the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, well. Two sisters, aged 12 and 9, spoke of Children demand justice emblazoned with the slogan, “¡Hasta la being awakened in the pre-dawn hours Victoria!” (Until Victory) by ICE agents. They were required to for Smithfield workers Many people held signs with photos of report with their younger brother to the their now-absent fathers, with heartfelt U.S. Department of Homeland Security By David Dixon port their just demands expressions such as, “My father is the soul in Cleveland. Charlotte, N.C. and drop Smithfield of my family.” Dahlberg commented sarcastically, pork products from their March participants traveled from “What a wonderful use of our tax dollars.” Harris Teeter is a stores. Harris Teeter’s Toledo, Youngstown, Cleveland, Columbus The girls’ mother stood by them as they supermarket chain with brand of bacon is even and as far away as Cincinnati, Ohio. Event bravely spoke out, wiping tears from her stores in six southern made at the Smithfield organizer Victoria Dahlberg, executive face. The government agencies are the states. To honor their plant. director of Hispanas Organizadas de Lake real terrorists. parents on Fathers Of course, Harris y Ashtabula, expressed regret that there United Church of Christ pastor Nozomi Day, June 17, children Teeter denied any were not more Painesville residents in Ikuta Watson spoke of the experiences of of Smithfield Packing responsibility for the attendance, but acknowledged the fear her Japanese grandparents who were not workers led a spirited workers’ conditions in a that kept them away. allowed to become citizens. She said the march to the home of Harris Teeter’s statement released this past March. There were delegations from Oberlin immigrant struggle raises “broad issues president in Charlotte, N.C. After a short Smithfield Packing is the largest hog pro­ College; the Ashtabula County AFL-CIO; of justice.” prayer vigil in front of a Harris Teeter cessing plant in the world, located in Tar and the Hiawatha Church of God in Christ, The Rev. Steve Sar­gent from the shop, workers, their families and support- Heel, N.C. It was raided by Immigration an African-American church in Ashtabula, Hiawatha Church of God in Christ pledged ers marched to nearby HT President Fred and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents among others. to march with the immigrant commu- Morganthall’s home where they delivered this past January when 21 workers were Baldemar Velasquez, founder and pre­ nity “until the immigration laws are just a huge Father’s Day card. detain­ed and sent to detention facilities si­dent of FLOC, declared: “We are Mesti­ and fair.” As he spoke of the Rev. Martin The card asked Morganthall to help in as far away as Georgia. There is an ongo- zos, Native and Indigenous, with some Luther King, Jr. and of Cesar Chavez, the ending abusive and unsafe working condi- ing campaign for Justice at Smithfield. Spanish ancestry. We have been here in crowd applauded. Rev. Sargent declared, tions. It included messages from the work- To learn more see www.smithfieldjustice. the Americas. We did not immigrate. The “Your struggle is our struggle,” to help ers’ children urging Harris Teeter to sup- com. n Page 4 June 28, 2007 www.workers.org On the picket lIne Can auto workers make By Sue Davis GE unions reach agreement the system work for them? A strike by 23,000 General Electric workers was nar- rowly averted June 17 when a tentative agreement for By Martha Grevatt another 20 percent while employ- tronics plant also), nuts and bolts, new four-year contracts was reached. The terms will be ees would “own” the remaining 60 plastics—and there are also profits announced on June 20 after they are reviewed by 13 union On June 4 a group of Chrysler percent. to the oil companies—and more. negotiating committees. Union members will vote on them workers from Ohio and Michigan These workers may feel some The sale of products workers on June 28. The biggest sticking point as of June 16 was demonstrated outside corporate affinity with Kerkorian, stemming make also pays to construct new, health benefits. headquarters near Detroit. While from his lawsuit attempting to more modern plants requiring “GE and the unions have agreed to accelerate our joint the group was small, a large num- block the Daimler-Chrysler merger. fewer workers, thus increasing efforts to address the difficult health-care issues our nation ber of honks greeted signs that read Kerkorian’s bid to buy Chrysler was profit. Later, the car companies sell faces,” said Jim Clark, IUE-CWA president, in a June “No Cerberus.” Cerberus is the Wall also rejected by Daimler. Yet as a off certain “non-core” aspects of 17 joint union news release. “This will help to address a Street private equity firm poised to major shareholder in Chrysler and the business, such as parts plants, critical issue for not only GE employees but all American purchase Chrysler. later General Motors, Kerkorian pocketing the cash and benefiting workers.” The sponsoring group, Chrysler had no qualms about pushing for from the lower labor costs of the Employee Ownership Buyout worker concessions. The only real new, often non-union, enterprises. Committee, had put out a call difference between the Las Vegas- More profits are made when a Grocery workers set to strike on its web site. “Attention All based Tracinda and New York- worker cannot pay cash for the If the grocery workers’ union in southern California Chrysler Workers And Retirees,” based Cerberus is geographical. vehicle. The lender—often the doesn’t win a fair contract by June 21, its 65,000 members the group appealed, “STAND UP financial services division of the may strike. UFCW members will vote to either accept the FOR YOURSELVES AND BE A crisis of leadership? car company—makes thousands grocery chains’ contract offer or authorize a strike on June HEARD!!! Act NOW To Save Jobs While some autoworkers hope of dollars in interest on its loans. 24. and Pension Fund!” The Buyout to solve the crisis through ESOP, More profit is made by periodi- Negotiations have been going on for over six months, Committee rightly pointed out that others cling to the illusion that cally selling off the financial arm with the main issues the same as those that led to the “the employees are vested assets of what is needed is a different style of the company. Selling debt—or 2003-2004 strike: wages and health coverage. These 30 plus years and have everything of “leadership.” the opportunity to realize profit off issues are critical for 33,000 “second-tier” workers who to lose” as opposed to Cerberus, Former Chrysler CEO Lee our labor in the form of interest— were hired after the strike with reduced wages and limited which is “trying to speed the sign- Iacocca has popularized this generates additional profit. health benefits. ing of this sale with Daimler before notion with a best seller, “Where It may seem that no one will The 12,700 grocery workers in Houston, represented negotiations this fall; they want to Have All the Leaders Gone?” In make a profit on the near-giveaway by three UFCW locals, authorized a strike against Kroger finalize it in July.” an article in the May 17 edition of of Chrysler. Not so. stores on June 8. On June 15 they voted not to extend the Then the Buyout Committee, Business Week, “Daimler Screwed Seven lenders—JPMorgan current contract. The main issue is—no surprise—health whose offer to buy Chrysler was Chrysler,” Iacocca asks, “Has the Chase, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., benefits. purportedly higher than that of sale to Cerberus rescued Chrysler Citigroup Inc., Morgan Stanley, It’s the same story in Toledo where UFCW Local 911 is Cerberus, goes on to claim that or doomed it to the junkyard?” His Bear Stearns Cos., Toronto- fighting for decent wages and health benefits. Stay tuned. “employee ownership helps guar- answer is that “in the end, it will all Dominion Bank and the Royal antee job security, wages, health come down to leadership.” Bank of Canada—are financing the care, and pension fund security.” Some workers, like Iacocca, Cerberus buyout to the record tune Women office workers In fact employee ownership is blame the current Daimler leader- of $62 billion. illusory. ship for the massive job cuts and Back on May 20 the Detroit defend pensions As United Airlines flight atten- the coming threats to wages and News explained: “Some $50 billion When Miller Brewing Co. tried to shortchange women dant Michelle Quintus explained to benefits. In online comments they of proceeds will be used to refi- office workers in Milwaukee by cutting their pensions— Workers World, “Two things hap- voice nostalgia for their old boss. nance debt at Chrysler’s financing after giving increased pension benefits to male workers— pened that underscored the fallacy The former CEO dispels any illu- unit. The amount will be the largest the women fought back. On picket lines over the last six of the ESOP. First, United Airlines sions that workers would fare bet- refinanced by a private equity firm, months they exposed the bosses’ double-dealing. And they made $8 billion in net profit dur- ter under a different “leadership.” according to financial data tracker lodged federal and state sex discrimination complaints. ing the economic boom of the late “It would be naive to think that Dealogic. On May 31 the workers in OPEIU Local 35 voted to 1990s while employees struggled cost-cutting and even downsizing “DaimlerChrysler Chief Financial accept the company’s offer of an 8-percent raise over the to survive under concessions. And are not necessary when a company Officer Bodo Uebber said during a life of the contract, a 20-percent increase in the pension second, overcapacity in the air- is struggling,” argues Iacocca, in a conference call on Monday that the multiplier from $59 to $70 a year, and improvements in lines industry left workers carry- voice that could be Ford’s Mulally, new Chrysler would likely carry a life insurance and health benefits. ing the burden when the industry GM’s Wagoner, or Chrysler’s ‘BB’ junk rating after it splits from But there’s a huge downside. The agreement froze pen- collapsed. In fact, 20,000 jobs had LaSorda. “I had to do that myself DaimlerChrysler, which has a ‘BBB’ sions after 2009; the company will then replace the current been cut at United by the end of when we turned Chrysler around in investment-grade rating. The lower pension plan with a 401(k) and contribute 45 cents less for 2001.” When UAL emerged from the early Eighties.” rating would equate to higher bor- new employees than for current ones. bankruptcy, the union pension Workers who look to differ- rowing costs. In a June 1 Local 35 news release on June 1, Business plan had been gutted. ent leaders, like those proposing “As part of the $62 billion Manager Judy Burnick said, “We achieved our major objec- The Committee envisions the ESOP, are acting on the given financing, the banks have agreed tive, which was to protect the pensions of our members, by Daimler maintaining a 20 percent assumption that there is some to secure $12 billion in loans that winning increases in the multiplier that will mean millions stake in the new Chrysler, with inherent “right” or “need” to earn Cerberus can draw from to help in of dollars to our members over the years.” While she noted multi-billionaire Kirk Kerkorian’s a profit. the restructuring.” In other words, that the workers didn’t get everything they wanted, she Tracinda Corporation holding Auto workers need to understand the lenders—who will also receive said, “We are certainly a hell of a lot better off now than we that profit represents theft of their hundreds of millions of dollars in were with management’s so-called ‘final offer.’” She credit- labor. Workers are not paid the full consultant fees, and doubly so for ed that to members’ “creativity, hard work and solid unity” value of the product they produce. Daimler’s financial advisor, also and support from other unions. Immigrants The unpaid portion is pocketed by JPMorgan Chase—are profiting by the capitalist owners of the means financing the destruction of work- defy ICE raids of production as profit. The labor of ers’ living standards, all for the Quincy, Mass. teachers strike today’s auto workers generates bil- purpose of realizing bigger profits Starting June 8, nearly 900 teachers in 19 schools in lions and billions in profits. for the car companies! Continued from page 3 Quincy, Mass., walked picket lines for four days in defiance Executive salaries and bonuses— For UAW members, the capitalist to stop scapegoating immigrants for of a court order to return to their classrooms. This was the such as the $4.5 million going-away drive for profit is at the root of the the problems caused by big-busi- first teachers’ strike in over a decade in Massachusetts. present Daimler is giving Chrysler problems they face in the upcom- ness practices and inadequate social After negotiating for 15 months, the teachers were deter- CEO Tom LaSorda—are just the tip ing negotiations. Workers who try programs. mined not to pay more for health benefits. However, the of the iceberg of this exploitation to accommodate this unyielding Former Georgia Rep. Cynthia settlement announced June 13, which included 3-percent Of course, companies try to pressure on their wages and bene- McKinney roused the crowd of wage increases each year of the five-year contract, also stip- suggest otherwise. For example, fits will be disappointed every time. 8,000 to cheers with her call for ulated that employees pay 20 percent of the cost of health Chrysler’s small car—the Dodge Plant closings will go on and con- Black-Brown unity. She recalled benefits. That could wipe out the raises. Teachers are due Caliber—is said to only generate cessions will never be enough. how African slaves fleeing their bru- to vote on the agreement the week of June 18. tal masters had found sanctuary in $109 in profit per vehicle. However, Understanding that profit is only Mexico and urged active solidarity a car consists of many, many parts. what the bosses steal from us will among all communities against a More and more parts production help prepare class-conscious work- Calif. nurses rally continues to be outsourced. So ers for the difficult battles ahead. common enemy. Nearly a thousand members of the California Nurses besides the profit directly to the car Grevatt has worked for 20 As darkness fell, thousands of Association rallied near the Capitol in Sacramento on June manufacturer, there are profits to years at Chrysler’s Twinsburg, candles were lifted high in memory 12 to support passage of Senate Bill 840, which would pro- the suppliers of steel, tires, wheels, Ohio, stamping plant and serves of all those who have died crossing vide affordable health care for all Californians. They were glass (Chrysler stopped producing on the executive board of her local the border and a chorus of voices, joined by Michael Moore, whose latest film “Sicko” exposes glass a few years ago), carpeting, union. declared “si se peude” in the struggle the many ills of the U.S. health-care acoustics (Chrysler closed its elec- E-mail: mgrevatt@workers. for immigrant and worker rights. n system. n www.workers.org June 28, 2007 Page 5 Bed-Stuy now has a Sonny Carson Ave. By Monica Moorehead of the thousands of people who signed Brooklyn, N.Y. petitions supporting the street-renam- ing campaign for late Black Nationalist Militant chants of “Black power!” reso- community activist Sonny Carson was nated on a street corner in the Brooklyn, defeated. Twenty-four out of the 25 white N.Y., community of Bedford-Stuyvesant council members, including the Speaker on June 16 as 200 people, young and old, of the Council, Christine Quinn, voted the vast majority of them Black, gathered against the street renaming. A majority of for a historic street-renaming ceremony. the Black council members voted for the Even a thunderstorm could not dampen resolution with some abstaining. the spirits of the rain-drenched crowd Councilmember Charles Barron and when the “Gates Ave.” sign at two corners others stated at May 30 and June 10 news of Nostrand Avenue were replaced with conferences and during many interviews plastic strips with the inscription: “Sonny that the defeat of this resolution was a Abubadika Carson Avenue.” racist slap in the face. Barron argued that This event’s literature cited the close the white-dominated capitalist estab- proximity of “Juneteenth,” which com- lishment has no right to declare who memorates June 19, 1865, the day when should or should not be declared heroes slaves in Texas found out that they had in the Black community. Black people, been legally freed by the Emancipation Barron said, should have the right to self- Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. People determination. of African descent in the U.S. celebrate So in defiance of the city council vote, Juneteenth all over the country and the December 12 Movement (D12) and its Bedford-Stuyvesant was no exception. allies and supporters carried out their own Streets are named and renamed every renaming ceremony to honor the legacy of WW photo: Monica Moorehead day, usually without a lot of fanfare, espe- Carson, who died in 2002. cially in a large metropolitan city. This Speakers included Al Vann, Barron and Recent racist editorials in the New York out of the community. particular street naming, however, came Viola Plummer, Barron’s chief of staff Post and New York Daily News attacked Some of those who attended the Carson about through a struggle that showed and also a longtime leader of the D12 both Barron and Plummer for their con- street renaming ceremony as a show of once again that racism is alive and well in Movement. They all spoke about how the sistent anti-imperialist stances and for anti-racist solidarity were International New York. Carson development was an important defending Carson’s legacy. Carson had Action Center volunteers and a multina- On May 30, a resolution raised by Black example of why Black people must contin- been an outspoken critic of police brutal- tional delegation from Workers World City Councilmember Al Vann on behalf ue to fight for all forms of empowerment. ity and organized a struggle to keep drugs Party. n On parade arrests ‘Being Puerto Rican is not a crime’ By Monica Moorehead Panamá Vicente Alba, a union orga- please taste.” In our community yellow/ how many people’s rights they violated at New York nizer and Justice Committee spokes- gold is a very popular color in the summer the Puerto Rican Day Parade in the name person, wrote an open letter following because it contrasts with the beautiful pig- of enforcing laws that do not exist. On June 10 during the largest Puerto the massive police assault on the Puerto mentation of brown people’s skin. Millions of people flock to the hundreds Rican Day Parade held in the U.S., the Rican community. Below are excerpts The use of beads is also extremely pop- of floats carrying many popular enter- New York Police Department arrested from that letter. ular in our community. They are worn tainers and other prominent personali- 208 people, overwhelmingly Puerto This past Sunday the 50th annual as ornaments by men and women alike. ties. The day also has become a time for Rican youth. At a press conference at Puerto Rican Day Parade was held in New This is particularly true of young people. Puerto Ricans to celebrate our heritage at One Police Plaza on June 17, the Justice York City. Over the years it has become Yes, the Latin Kings wear black and gold the parade and/or in our respective com- Committee denounced the actions of the the largest expression of national/ethnic beads. Black and gold is not illegal, nor munities throughout the Tri-state area. police. According to the committee’s press pride anywhere in the United States. This are beads, nor membership in the Latin The historical clashes between the release, out of the 208 detained, 132 peo- year’s parade was marred by an NYPD Kings. police at Sunset Park Brooklyn did not ple were arrested for “unlawful assem- operation, which appeared to have tar- The use of beads is particularly prom- materialize in large part due to the pres- bly,” of whom 113 plead not guilty to this geted the Latin Kings. inent amongst the many thousands ence of large numbers of activists on Cop charge while the rest had their charges It is impossible to attend a parade and (perhaps millions) in our community Watch duty. Over the past few years, on reduced to “disorderly conduct.” not assemble either as participants or who practice the Yoruba religion. Many the day of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, On June 10 in Newburgh, N.Y., some obser­vers. This is the reason why whoever such individuals were either arrested or hundreds of police officers are reassigned 60 miles north of New York City, police organizes a parade must obtain a parade ordered to remove their beads during this to Sunset Park Brooklyn. Under a mobile viciously attacked a Puerto Rican Day permit, something which parade organiz- year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade. command these cops awaited the return block party. Police pepper-sprayed parti­ ers do each and every year. In the United Being Puerto Rican, Latin@, or a Latin of parade goers. During the past three cipants in the block party, including States freedom of expression guarantees King is not a crime. Are there criminals years many dozens of young people have children, and confiscated video cameras the individual the right to wear any color amongst us? Certainly, and so are there been arrested, many beaten, particularly showing the police attack. Residents desired. amongst Irish, Italians and others. So when the police attempt to enforce an were planning to raise complaints about In our community it is often said that are there amongst the biggest gang in illegal and unannounced curfew on the this police riot at a June 11 city council “Pa’ los gustos se inventaron los colores” New York City—the New York City Police neighborhood. n meeting. which equals “colors were invented to Department. If anyone has doubts, look at NYC meeting salutes Philippines leader By Sharon Eolis are thrilled to bring to the world a glimpse became the founding chairperson of the tively with the audience. The discussion New York of the man this government has so wrong- Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ranged over the prospect of socialism in fully labeled a terrorist. Terrorists are not and is now chief political consultant of Latin America, the state of socialism in Bayan USA and the Anakbayan Filipino popular or supported by the people. But the National Democratic Front of the China, the struggle for immigrant rights Youth Collective of New York and New tonight it is clear Jose Maria Sison’s life has Philippines (NDF). He is also chairperson in the U.S. and the impact of the Katrina Jersey held a tribute here June 10 to the won the hearts and minds of the Filipino of the International League of People’s disaster. life and writings of Filipino revolutionary people and strong support from all those struggle (ILPS), a global anti-imperialist Cultural presentations included Asian- leader Jose Maria Sison, who is currently who yearn for freedom from U.S. war and people’s organization. American musician Fred Ho’s saxophone exiled in the Netherlands. aggression around the world. He is not a The dictatorial regime of Ferdinand rendition of Bayon Ko, (My Country), a The meeting brought together anti- terrorist, but a genuine freedom fighter, Marcos held him political prisoner patriotic folk song first heard in the 1920s imperialist forces among anti-war, grass- because he has dedicated his life to the for eight years. In 2001 the U.S State during the U.S. occupation of the Philip­ roots and community organizations and democratic cause of oppressed peoples.” Department declared that Sison, the CPP pines. Sison’s poem, “The Guerrilla is Like heightened awareness among progres- Revolution Books, the site of the trib- and the New Peoples Army (NPA) were a Poet” was read in Pilipino and English. sives of Sison’s historic role and the lead- ute, is launching the fifth edition of the all terrorist organizations and that the The ILPS U.S. Coordinating Committee, ership he has provided to the struggle for historic text entitled “Philippine Society Philippines was “the second front of the the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Philippine liberation. and Revolution,” which Sison wrote in war on terror.” the International Action Center and New Secretary–General Berna Ellorin of 1970 under the name Amado Guerrero. Through an international video confer- York City Labor Against the War delivered Bayan USA introduced the meeting: “We Sison was a radical student leader who ence Sison was able to participate interac- solidarity statements. n Page 6 June 28, 2007 www.workers.org

Cuba and homosexuality Change apparent in still photos By Leslie Feinberg Canadian activist Ian Lumsden quoted or discrimination with regard to homo- island, culture began to be produced to a gay émigré living in Toronto, who stated sexuals. [It is] a natural human tendency meet the social needs of the many, not just Two years into the AIDS epidemic and with regard to gay men that “homosexuals that must simply be respected.” packaged for individual consumption for on the eve of the overturning of the Soviet in Cuba find it much easier to be open and These qualitative changes in Cuba, like the few. Union—Cuba’s primary trading partner— free about conveying sexual desire in the still photographs, capture the peaks of Lumsden, who published his views on and the East European bloc of workers’ street than they would in Canada.” (“Cuba progress. Cuba in 1996, reported the ways in which states, the Cuban Revolution continued and Homosexuality”) The release of three films in the 1990s— he saw culture being made available to to make great gains in the battle against However, in 1988 Cuba took another ”Strawberry and Chocolate,” “Gay Cuba” everyone in Cuba. “This is evident in the old, obstinate prejudice against same-sex major step by striking down the imperi- and “Butterflies on the Scaffold”—offered low prices and range of theater, dance love. alist-era “Public Ostentation Law” against a panoramic moving picture of the sweep and music that are available on stage or in Qualitative developments of great “public scandal” or “extravagance.” of progress resulting from decades of the open spaces like the Parque Central in Old import took place in Cuba in the late process of building socialism despite the Havana. It is evident in the quantity and 1980s. Revolutionary leadership, imperialist military, economic and politi- quality of translated foreign and domes- Leonardo Hechavarría and Marcel mass participation cal blockade. tic books that have been published at low Hatch wrote that in 1987, the police were Cuban society was not changing in prices in huge editions. Finally it is evident “forbidden to harass people because of some automatic, unconscious way. These From the balcony to the screen in events such as the annual film festival appearance or clothing, largely benefiting developments—which are both a reflec- When Havana was ruled by U.S. crime (New Latin American Cinema), which has gays.” tion of the growth of consciousness and bosses and bankers, capitalism made an impact as great as Toronto’s Festival.” A year later, another important change an effort to raise wider, deeper conscious- room in the market for homosexual acts, (Temple University Press) in Cuban law occurred. Pre-revolutionary ness—are the result of revolutionary lead- forced to serve the fantasies of those who Lumsden observed: “When you attend legislation against “flaunting homosexu- ership, with widespread popular discus- could afford the cost in dollars and pesos. a cultural event in Havana you come away ality” in public was rescinded. That edict sion and debate. Often the patricians who paid for as impressed by the informed and critical had threatened feminine males and mas- Two years before the old sex despised those whom they engagement of the audience as you are by culine females of all sexualities since its law was rescinded, in 1986, lavender exploited—hating them for the innovative quality of the performance imposition under U.S. neo-colonial rule Fidel Castro and the Cuban their class, their race, their sex itself. This involvement is far removed from in the 1930s. Communist Party had initiated a & #102 and/or their gender expression the commodified nature of so many main- Punishment for homosexual acts had popular campaign, “not simply to and for witnessing the cruelty, stream cultural events in North America.” red This is the Cuban audience that flocked already been formally removed from rectify errors committed in the lastt 10 self-hatred, guilt and shame in Cuban law back in 1979—almost a quarter years,” the Cuban president emphaH- the customers’ desires. to the state-sponsored release of the of a century before the U.S. decriminal- sized, “or errors committed throughout So there were lots of homosexual acts 1993 blockbuster movie “Strawberry and ized same-sex love. the history of the revolution. Rectification taking place in Havana—the biggest U.S. Chocolate.” The film, about an attempt at Research scholars Lourdes Arguelles is finding the way to resolve errors that are brothel industry in the Caribbean. But off friendship and understanding between and B. Ruby Rich noted, though, that the hundreds of years old.” (“Alert on Before the clock there was not much social room a young heterosexual communist and a 1979 legal code “failed to legalize mani- Night Falls,” Jon Hillson) for two men or two women of any gender homosexual, brought same-sex love out festations of homosexual behavior in the That same year, Cuba’s National expression to meet and get to know each of the cinema balconies, where shame and public sphere and left intact anti-gay laws Commission on Sex Education stated other, to freely follow same-sex attrac- guilt lurked in the shadows, and onto the dating to the Cuban Social Defense Code that homosexuality is a sexual orientation tion and exploration, or to fall in love silver screen of Cuban culture. of 1939.” and announced the goal of countering and/or live together as couples or in other Over the next two years, two important Arguelles and Rich, summarizing their homophobia with education. (From the formations. documentaries followed—“Gay Cuba” in research in Cuba in the mid-1980s, made film “Gay Cuba”) Many men found each other in the 1994 and “Butterflies on the Scaffold” in a very important point about the differ- In 1988, Fidel Castro spoke out pub- darkened theaters of old Cuban cinemas 1995. ence between private and public spheres licly about the need to change negative like the Campoamor, Rialto and Verdún. All told, these movies offer a view of in a society building socialism that might attitudes in society and in the party about One older Cuban homosexual recalled, the influence of revolutionary process on not be readily apparent to anyone living in homosexuality. “[Y]ou could go and immediately pick up popular culture, as well as the influence a capitalist system. At the 1992 congress of the Union of a young guy. Many had their first experi- of popular culture on revolutionary devel- They explained, “As delineated in a Young Communists, Cuban revolution- ence there. There was a lot of sex in those opment. The films are themselves part of Latin American socialist setting, private ary leader Vilma Espín, president of the cinemas.” (Lumsden) that dialectical struggle, which itself takes space is far wider than in the United Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), The culture of Cuba changed with social place within the battle against the roar of States, encompassing virtually all behav- challenged prejudicial ideas presented by ownership of the means of production on ruling imperialist ideology, broadcast at ior outside the purview of official sanction a psychologist. Sonia de Vries, director of the island—the land, mines, factories and every turn by its entertainment, media or attention, while approved policy, pub- the film “Gay Cuba,” reported that Espín other major arteries of economic life. and education industries. lished texts, and official stances compose stated that what needed changing was The Cuban Revolution did not, and Next: “Strawberry and Chocolate,” the public sphere.” prejudice, not gay and lesbian sexuality. could not, wave a magic wand and instant- sweet taste of change. They added that “within the private (Cuba Update) ly transform the social content of culture. To find out more about Cuba, read sphere, there are a clear latitude and That same year, Fidel Castro stated in But it quickly transformed the economic parts 86-101 of Lavender & Red at range of possibilities for lesbians and gay an interview: “I am absolutely opposed to underpinnings of culture. Like everything workers.org. men that surprise the critical observer.” any form of repression, contempt, scorn else that is collectively produced on the E-mail: lfeinberg.org

Massachusetts. Movement defends right to marriage equality

By Frank Neisser would have shut down the right of LGBT for marriage rights and against the big- Marriage Solidarity Coalition empha- Boston couples to marry here. Marriage rights oted amendment. sized the need for solidarity among all have been the law in Massachusetts since Today, that grassroots movement was oppressed groups. Activists stressed the June 14—Hundreds of supporters May 17, 2004. vindicated. Under progressive mass pres- need to fight on all issues affecting the of equal marriage rights for lesbian, The right-wing attempt to put the anti- sure, the legislators defeated the bigoted LGBT communities, including access to gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) couples same-sex marriage initiative on the bal- ballot question in a vote of 151 to 45. This the same rights for partners of immi- thronged outside the State House here to lot would have opened the way for a two- killed the measure, which would have grants that heterosexual married couples celebrate a hard-won victory today. The year-long public campaign fanning the needed 50 or more votes to be placed on enjoy, employment rights for immigrants Equal Marriage Rights supporters were flames of bigotry, hatred, fear and mis- the ballot in 2008. and trans people, and an end to bashing. stronger, more numerous and more vocal understanding in the Commonwealth. The next time it could possibly be on On the other hand, those marriage than the group that gathered on the other However, the reactionary initiative has the ballot now is 2012. equality activists who tried to say that the side of the street to oppose same-sex mar- been continuously opposed by a large- This is an historic victory for equal struggle for equal marriage rights was riage rights. scale grassroots movement in support of rights. Massachusetts is the only state in identical to the civil rights movement of Inside, the legislature had met in a equal marriage rights for LGBT people. the country that recognizes the right of African Americans—part of a movement special joint session, called a constitu- This mobilization included an outpouring all couples to marry. There are hundreds for national liberation—tellingly failed to tional convention, to consider for the of calls and faxes and e-mails to legisla- of specific rights available to married incorporate demands and issues of impor- second time a reactionary ballot initia- tors from around the state. couples that are not available to couples tance to LGBT people of color. Instead, tive that would put language into the Last fall, voters put an increased num- in the civil unions that have been imple- they stuck to a “single issue” approach. Massachusetts Constitution stating that ber of equal marriage rights supporters mented in other states. The victory for justice and equal rights marriage is only between a man and a into the legislature and elected an African- During the course of the fight in here today is surely an historic victory. woman. American governor, Deval Patrick, who Massachusetts for equal marriage rights, Now, the struggle must continue for the Had it passed, such legal language has campaigned vigorously and publicly the Stonewall Warriors and the Equal rights of all. n www.workers.org June 28, 2007 Page 7

FREE tHEm NOW! lesbians sentenced for self-defense All-white jury convicts Black women

Continued from page 1 battle against the NYPD that, along to their gender expressions and body she carried a knife because she was just pulled a small steak knife out of her purse. with the Compton Cafeteria “Riots” in structures were twisted and dehumanized 4-foot-11 and 95 pounds, worked nights She aimed for his arm to stop him from California, helped launch the modern-day in the public eye and to the jury. and lived in a dangerous neighborhood.” killing her friend. LGBT liberation movement in 1969. The According to court observers, He quoted the nursery rhyme, “Sticks and The video captures two men fi nally run- Manhattan LGBT Pride march, one of the McLaughlin stated throughout the trial stones will break my bones, but names ning over to help the women and beating biggest demonstrations of LGBT peoples that he had no sympathy for these women. will never hurt me.” (June 15) Buckle. At some point he was stabbed in in the world, ends near the Christopher The jury, although they were all women, All of the seven women knew and went the abdomen. The women were already Street Piers in the Village, which have were all white. All witnesses for the dis- to school with Sakia Gunn, a 19-year-old walking away across the street by the time been the historical “hangout” and home trict attorney were white men, except for butch lesbian who was stabbed to death the police arrived. for working-class trans and LGBT youth one Black male who had several felony in Newark, N.J., in May 2003. Paralleling Buckle was hospitalized for fi ve days in New York City for decades. charges. the present case, Gunn was out with three after surgery for a lacerated liver and Because of growing gentrification in Court observers report that the defense of her friends when a man made sexual stomach. When asked at the hospital, he recent years, young people of color, home- attorneys had to put enormous effort into advances to one of the women. When she responded at least twice that men had less and transgender communities, LGBT simply convincing the jury that they were replied that she was a lesbian and not attacked him. and straight, have faced curfews and bru- “average women” who had planned to just interested, he attacked them. Gunn fought There was no evidence that Johnson’s tality by police sanctioned by the West hang out together that night. Some jurists back and was stabbed to death. kitchen knife was the weapon that pen- Village community board and politicians. asked why they were in the Village if they “You can’t help but wonder that if etrated his abdomen, nor was there any On Oct. 31, 2006, police offi cers from the were from New Jersey. The DA brought Sakia Gunn had a weapon, would she be blood visible on it. In fact, there was NYPD’s 6th Precinct indiscriminately up whether they could afford to hang out in jail right now?” Bran Fenner, a found- never any forensics testing done on her beat and arrested several people of color there—raising the issue of who has the ing member and co-executive director of knife. On the night they were arrested, in sweeps on Christopher Street after the right to be there in the fi rst place. FIERCE, told Workers World. “If we don’t the police told the women that there Halloween parade. The Daily News reporting was relent- have the right to self-defense, how are we would be a search by the New York Police Since the 1980s there has been a steady less in its racist anti-lesbian misogyny, supposed to survive?” Department for the two men—which to increase in anti-LGBT violence in the portraying Buckle as a “fi lmmaker” and date has not happened. area, with bashers going there with that “sound engineer” preyed upon by a “les- National call to action After almost a year of trial, four of the purpose in mind. bian wolf pack” (April 19) and a “gang of While racist killer cops continue to go seven were convicted in April. Johnson For trans people and LGBT youth of angry lesbians.” (April 13) without indictment and anti-immigrant was sentenced to 11 years on June 14. color, who statistically experience higher Everyone has been socialized by cul- paramilitary groups like the Minutemen Even with Buckle’s admission and the amounts of bigoted violence, the impact tural archetypes of what it means to be are on the rise in the U.S., The Jersey video footage proving that he instigated of the gentrifi cation has been severe. As a “man” or “masculine” and “woman” or Four sit behind bars for simply defending this anti-gay attack, the women were their once-safe haven is encroached on “feminine.” Gender identity/expression themselves against a bigot who attacked relentlessly demonized in the press, had by real estate developers, the new white is the way each indivdual chooses or not them in the Village. trumped-up felony charges levied against and majority heterosexual residents of the to express gender in their everyday lives, Capitalism at its very core is a racist, them, and were subsequently given long West Village then call in the state to bru- including how they dress, walk, talk, etc. sexist, anti-LGBT system, sanctioning sentences in order to send a clear resound- talize them. Transgender people and other gender non- state violence through cops, courts and ing message—that self-defense is a crime For the last six years the political LGBT conforming people face oppression based its so-called laws. The case of the Jersey and no one should dare to fi ght back. youth group FIERCE has been at the on their gender expression/identity. Four gives more legal precedence for big- forefront of mobilizing young people “to The only pictures shown in the Daily oted violence to go unchallenged. The rul- Political backdrop of the case counter the displacement and criminal- News were of the more masculine-appear- ing class saw this case as a political one; Why were these young women used as ization of LGBTSTQ [lesbian, gay, bi, two ing women. One of the most despiciable FIERCE and other groups believe the entire an example? At stake are the billions of dol- spirit, trans, and queer] youth of color and headlines in the Daily News, “‘I’m a man!’ progressive movement should as well. lars in tourism and real estate development homeless youth at the Christopher Street lesbian growled during fi ght,” (April 13) Fenner said, “We are organizing in the involved in the continued gentrifi cation of Pier and in Manhattan’s West Village.” was targeted against Renata Hill, who hope that this wakes up all oppressed peo- the West Village. This particular incident (www.fiercenyc.org) FIERCE has also was taunted by Buckle because of her ple and sparks a huge, broad campaign to happened near the Washington Square been the lead organization supporting the masculinity. demand freedom for the Jersey Four.” area—home of New York University, one Jersey Seven and their families. Ironically, Johnson, who was singled FIERCE is asking for assistance for of most expensive private colleges in the out by the judge as the “ringleader,” is the these young women, including pro-bono country and one of the biggest employers The trial and the media more feminine of the four. According to legal support, media contacts and writers, and landlords in New York City. The New Deemed a so-called “hate crime” against the New York Times, in his sentencing pen pals, fi nancial support, and diverse York Times reported that Justice Edward a straight man, every possible racist, anti- remarks, “Justice McLaughlin scoffed at organizational support. For details, visit J. McLaughlin used his sentencing speech woman, anti-LGBT and anti-youth tactic the assertion made by ... Johnson, that www.fi ercenyc.org. n to comment on “how New York welcomes was used by the entire state apparatus and tourists.” (June 17) media. Everything from the fact that they The Village is also the home of the lived outside of New York, in the working- Coming soon from World View Forum: Stonewall Rebellion, the three-day street class majority Black city of Newark, N.J.,

workers.org on the march. In May, 261,286 readers from all over the world visited this Web site to read In defense of CUBA the news and analysis printed here. It is the constant work of our volunteer staff who keep this going; they regularly post new articles, photographs, and

podcasts of interest to activists around the world and reporting on struggles his ground-breaking book is a right here in the U.S. They keep it updated. Here, you can check on timely compilation of 25 articles about Thow the Cuban Revolution has analyses of world and national crises and people’s struggles. worked to overturn prejudice against Help to keep the workers.org Web site running! same-sex love from the colonial and Your donations make a diff erence. imperial eras. Support the National Workers World Spring Fund Drive. The articles are part of the Lavender & Please fi ll out the coupon below and return it with your check to WW Publishers. Red series from Workers World weekly Know that your dollars will help get the truth out and be an organizing tool in the newspaper. This never-before-com- fi ght against capitalist war, racism and poverty. piled information off ers a factual vista n Yes! I want to contribute to the National Spring Fund Drive. on the trajectory of progress of the n Here is my donation of n $250 n $100 n $50 n $35 _____ $ (other). Cuban Revolution. n Send me a subscription to Workers Worker Newspaper: It’s a must-read to understand the revolutionary process required to n $4 for an 8-week trial subscription. n $25 for one year uproot prejudice.

NAME Your help is needed ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP to publish this book! PHONE NO. E-MAIL Look for a special mailing Return to: WW Publishers, 55 W. 17th St., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Or write to World View Forum 55 W. 17th St., 5th fl ., New York, NY 10011 Page 8 June 28, 2007 www.workers.org Organizers plan fall actions to challenge war funding By Brenda Ryan Congress, different groups could argue for ‘Let’s not forget that Haiti is New York better uses for the funds now earmarked occupied too,’ speaker at right. for war. By demanding funds for health Solidarity Center hosts discussion More than 100 anti-war organizers, care, education and job creation, for of anti-war work, below left. ww photos: G. Dunkel including many students and youths, example, they could directly confront the labor, community and immigrant orga- “war Congress” meeting at the Capitol. resistance movements in those nizers, veterans and GI organizers gath- “We need a grass roots movement to countries and in Palestine and ered June 16 at the Solidarity Center in save the anti-war movement from becom- Lebanon. The TONC organiz- New York City for the National Anti-war ing marginalized by the elections,” TONC ers took note of the U.S. threats Strategy and Planning Meeting. They came spokesperson Larry Holmes told the against Iran and are raising slo- from as far away as California, Cleveland, meeting. Holmes said that the anti-war gans against U.S. aggression North Carolina and Boston to discuss movement now has another chance to against Iran, too. Against the War, Free­dom Socialists, the how to kick-start the anti-war movement galvanize people to force the government An Iraqi American reflected the meet- Greens, Free­dom Road Socialists, Military into action following its pause after the to halt the war. ing’s feeling of urgency to end the occu- Project, among others—raised additional Democratic Party-controlled Congress pation. “I get calls every day from people proposals for anti-war actions or for strat- approved war funding this spring. ‘An opportunity for the movement’ in Iraq,” said Najim Chechen. “Hundreds egies to unite the anti-war movement. The The meeting focused on a propos- “This is an opportunity for the move- in my family are homeless. We have no call for the September encampment, how- al for an action in Washington in late ment to intervene in a political crisis,” country.” Chechen said that even though ever, sparked the greatest discussion. September, the next confrontation over Holmes said. “Because when the struggle he had been tortured under Saddam the war. At that time the U.S. Congress is taken from Congress and the courts Hussein, he considered that Iraqi leader Students plan actions will again debate funding the occupations and put on the street, that makes it more “100 times better than Bush” for the Iraqi for September of Iraq and Afghanistan and will hear difficult for warmongers. It creates a new people. Tyneisha Bowens, of Raleigh FIST Pentagon strategists report on the alleged dynamic.” From the floor, a Haitian activist (Fight-Imperialism-Stand Together) and status of Iraq following the U.S. “surge.” Holmes emphasized that his organiza- brought up the struggle against the U.N. Chapel Hill Students for a Democratic Troops Out Now Coalition (TONC) orga- tion “encourages all of the antiwar coali- occupation of his country, and TONC Society (SDS), described how students and nizers proposed an Encampment to Stop tions on the local and national level to activists also distributed a leaflet calling youth are using the tools of the Internet, the War at Home and Abroad in front of engage each other in order to build a unit- for a solidarity demonstration with the including the Web site Facebook, to mobi- the Capitol to confront Congress begin- ed demonstration that will be as large and Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela in lize young people. ning Sept. 22 and culminating in a mass as strong as possible.” He said that TONC its decision not to renew the broadcast Laura Bickford, of the same two groups, march on Sept. 29. was open to suggestions for improving the license of a counterrevolutionary televi- noted that students have become politi- Last March, TONC had organized an demonstration and could be flexible with sion station. cized by the war. In the summer of 2006 encampment in front of Congress just dates, sites, etc., in the effort to achieve a Many participants joined Holmes in about 100 youth met in Chicago and before its members voted to hand over united action. emphasizing the importance of uniting since then students on campuses across more money for the war. That event, The September encampment is aimed the struggle against the war abroad with the country have formed 250 chapters of organized in just three weeks and char- at developing this dynamic. “People are the struggle against the war at home. SDS, which, she explained, differs from acterized by a series of dramatic actions, telling us we need a different approach, Those at the meeting encompassing these the 1960s SDS. was TONC’s first campaign to move “from more than just another protest,” said Sara struggles included Teresa Gutierrez, a These students are also planning actions protest to resistance.” Flounders, a TONC coordinator and co-di- leading organizer of the May 1st Coalition in September. Ben Carroll, of Raleigh TONC organizers told Workers World rector of the International Action Center. for Immigrant Rights, Brenda Stokely of FIST and Chapel Hill SDS, said students that in a discussion at a breakout session, Regarding the content of the anti-war the Million Worker March Movement, are formulating a call to action for high the suggestions that part of the encamp- call, there was overwhelming sentiment Larry Hales of the Colorado United school and college students to stage walk- ment be a “People’s Peace Congress” dur- that it should be for immediate withdrawal Communities Against Police Brutality, outs and strikes and join the encampment. ing that September week aroused exten- of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, along with many trade union activists. He noted the rise of the student anti-war sive discussion. At such a People’s Peace with many expressing solidarity with the These activists are fighting for immi- movement and its forceful protests over grant rights and the past year, from blocking a recruiting joining the struggle station in New York City to taking over against racism that a congressional office in Wisconsin and exists on so many blocking a state highway in California. levels, from police Tom Barton of the Military Project, brutality to repa- who publishes a daily Web newsletter, GI rations for the vic- Special, read letters from enlisted troops, tims of Hurricane showing a rapid growth in opposition to Katrina. This is the occupation. something TONC Milt Neidenberg, a former steelworker organizers want to and longtime union activist, called on the integrate with the labor movement to organize opposition group’s anti-war to the war on a class basis independent of work. the two parties. Members and Four “breakout sessions” took place for representatives of students and youth, GI organizing, labor many organiza- and community organizing, and to mull tions—U.S. Labor over tactics for the encampment. n Palestine chronology since January 2006 By Joyce Chediac Palestinian government. Abrams is known Gaza warlord Mohammad Dahlan, a close government.” (Jerusalem Post, Feb. 14) for getting funds to Nicaraguan contras ally of Israel and the United States and In addition to supplying guns, ammu- The Abbas-Dahlan clique within Fatah in the 1980s and covering up massacres the Abbas-affiliated ‘Presidential Guard.’” nition and training to Fatah forces to take has allowed itself to be the agent of a and atrocities committed against civilians (electronicintifada.net, June 14) Peter on Hamas in the streets of Gaza and the U.S.-Israeli planned coup against Hamas, in El Salvador by U.S.-backed militias Beaumont, foreign affairs editor of the West Bank, by this time the U.S. govern- designed to topple the unity govern- and death squads. (Asia Times, May 16; British Observer, called Dahlan “the man ment had arranged for the training of a ment. Hamas’ military moves in Gaza this Conflicts Forum, Jan. 7; electronicinti- widely credited with beginning the cycle large number of Fatah military personnel month were defensive actions to prevent fada.net, June 14) of violence in Gaza” (June 17). at camps in Ramallah and Jericho, in the that coup. Here’s how it went. Israeli-occupied West Bank. January 2007: The Bush administra- February 2007: Hamas and Fatah, in January 2006: To the shock of Tel tion announces plans to give $86 mil- an agreement brokered in Mecca by Saudi May 2007: “Israel this week allowed the Aviv and Washington, 80 percent of the lion to “fortify Mr. Abbas against armed Arabia, form a national unity govern- Palestinian party Fatah to bring into the Palestinian electorate vote for Hamas, for assaults from Hamas.” The security ment that will place their militias under Gaza Strip as many as 500 fresh troops a substantial majority in the Palestinian program “reflects the basic sense in the the control of a neutral interior minister. trained under a U.S.-coordinated pro- Authority Parliament. [Bush] administration that the only way However, Abbas and Dahlan refuse and gram to counter Hamas. ... The troops February 2006: A program attributed to change things is through confronta- continue to amass weapons (Conflicts were trained by Egyptian authorities to U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor tion.” (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 12) Forum, Jan. 7) under a program coordinated by Lt. Gen. Elliott Abrams calls for giving Fatah guns, Much of these funds were earmarked At that time, a senior Hamas official said Keith W. Dayton, a special U.S. envoy to ammunition and training, and getting for “unaccountable militias, particularly of Dahlan, “This man has been involved the region.” Additionally, the U.S. govern- them to fight Hamas for control of the the ‘Preventive Security Force’ headed by in the American-backed plot to topple our ment “approved $40 million to train the www.workers.org June 28, 2007 Page 9 National resistance confronts imperialism in Gaza By Joyce Chediac Security forces and the Presidential Guard, Hamas targeted many collaborators who Zionist, pro-imperialist agenda on their which reported to Mohammad Dahlan. In worked for Israel and committed many own people. June 20—Recent events in Gaza were the heat of events, genuinely anti-impe- crimes—such as killing Palestinians just The Observer (June 17) reports that not a “power struggle between rival fac- rialist, anti-Israeli militants in the Fatah because they had beards and blowing people within Fatah support the Hamas tions,” or a “five-day civil war.” These side may have erroneously been drawn up supermarkets and houses linked to move. Former senior Fatah member descriptions in the establishment press into the struggle. This, however, does not Fatah.” Khaled Abu Helah said on Hamas TV are imperialist attempts to conceal the change the struggle’s class character. Continuing its blatant intervention, “The that he “welcomed Hamas’s cleansing events’ true nature. United States had quietly encouraged Mr. of Fatah of its collaborators and trai- The Gaza struggle was between irrec- Hamas and Gaza need worldwide Abbas to dissolve the Palestinian govern- tors.” Additionally, “Some officers in the oncilable class forces. On one side were support ment and dismiss Prime Minister Ismail Presidential Guard had sent their men the forces of national resistance repre- The U.S., Israel, the Arab League and Haniya,” (New York Times, June 15). This home as the fighting began.” sented by Hamas. On the other side were European Union have quickly lined up is exactly what Abbas did, ignoring offers A Gaza resident added, “Hamas fighters the forces of imperialist slavery repre- against Hamas, issuing further threats to from Hamas to re-establish the unity gov- were not getting salaries. They believed sented by a small faction of Fatah under that group and to the 1.4 million people of ernment (see Hamas statement). in what they were doing. Some fought for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Gaza. Hamas and the Palestinian struggle In violation of the Palestinian Consti­ four days without going home. and his security advisor Mohammad need the support of progressives world- tution, and much to the joy of Washington, “Fatah security forces fought for their Dahlan. This group consciously lent itself wide at this crucial time. he has fired Hamas and the entire elected thousand shekels or a pack of cigarettes. to Washington and Tel Aviv’s designs Palestinians, so much in need of a strong government and appointed an emergency Dahlan had used poverty to recruit the to drive Hamas from power and over- and united movement, have reacted to government and prime minister—a for- people. The majority didn’t even turn up to turn the results of the 2006 election that the Gaza developments and ensuing split mer World Bank official who is the West’s defend their stations. Many stayed home. gave Hamas a majority in the Palestinian with a heavy heart. Under constant attack economic point man. (see related article). Most were in plain clothes. Dozens called Parliament. (see chronology) by Israel, the situation in the Occupied This new government, in which only the Qassam and said, ‘We want to leave, “Our fight is not against Fatah, the one Territories is dire. But it would have been Abbas was elected, claims to preside over give us security and a safe passage.’ Most with the long history in the struggle, but worse if Hamas had been defeated in Gaza the West Bank, really ruled by the iron fist of the decent security people don’t want against just one group of Fatah agents by the Fatah group. This group countered of Israeli occupation, where all the strug- to fight for Dahlan, or Israel or America. who were following the Zionist agenda,” every attempt by Hamas to achieve unity gle forces must remain underground. They don’t feel they should be killed for explained Abu Obaida, spokesman for against the Israelis, and stood by while Now Bush is now calling Abbas “presi- the [U.S] American or Israeli agenda.” Hamas’s Qassam Brigades. (Observer, Israel arrested 40 Hamas legislators. The dent of all the Palestinians,” and Israeli There were earlier times when Fatah June 17) Hamas recognizes Mahmoud group persisted in provocation, even to the Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is call- forces felt they had something to fight Abbas, and has called on him to join them point of trying to assassinate the Hamas ing Abbas “friend.” However, neither for. One of their finest moments occurred in a new unity government (see related prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh. Washington nor Tel Aviv have any inten- during the 1982 U.S.-Israeli siege of article). Quotes from the Gaza street reveal what tions of granting true sovereignty to the Beirut. For seven weeks, Israel attacked Hamas was compelled to defend itself this Abbas-Dahlan cooperation with U.S. Palestinian people, out of fear of their Beirut by sea, air and land, cutting off by destroying the armed forces of the and Israeli destabilization brought on the revolutionary potential. food and water supplies and disconnect- cat’s-paw of imperialism before this cat’s- people. Hatem Shurrab, 22, an aid worker ing the electricity in blistering heat. But paw destroyed Hamas. This is why Hamas in Gaza, interviewed by aljazeera.net on ‘Won’t fight for the armed people and heroic fighters, staged a pre-emptive assault on Fatah June 15, said “I was really sad about what an American agenda’ who mostly identified with Fatah, held security offices, especially the Preventive happened … [but] one good thing is that The U.S. and Israel were caught strong under the most unbearable condi- unawares, and dealt a stunning defeat tions, defended the camps and suburbs, with the fall of the Fatah security forces. and would not give in. Their steadfast- Even the New York Times, in an edito- ness forced a negotiated settlement and New Palestinian premier rial (June 15), calls events in Gaza “a inspired workers and oppressed people defeat for Israeli and American policy.” everywhere. The U.S., which looks upon the people as These Fatah fighters showed the world has U.S. ‘blessing’ commodities to be bought and sold, was that only the struggle wins concessions, truly shocked at how quickly the more especially in a national liberation struggle Salam Fayyad, whom Mahmoud Abbas Fayyad has no known credentials in numerous and better armed Fatah forces as beleaguered as the fight for Palestine. unilaterally named premier in a govern­ the struggle to liberate Palestine. “In collapsed before Hamas. Today Hamas is the most under attack ment meant to bypass Hamas, was appoin­ last year’s elections to the Palestinian But people have hearts and minds. for waging this struggle. It, and all who ted “with the explicit blessing of the U.S.,” Legislative Council—the election Hamas Though poverty may have driven them fight for Palestine, sorely needs the active said Peter Beaumont, foreign affairs edi- won—Fayyad’s list secured just 2.4 per- into the security forces, many Fatah sol- support of all who value justice and tor of the Observer (UK, June 17) cent of votes, Beaumont said. “He is large- diers had no heart for enforcing a pro- freedom. n Before the appointment, this former ly unknown to most Palestinians. He has World Bank official was “trying to drum no party machinery to support him.” up support to have international aid sent “The only people who are really behind through a special Palestine Liberation Salam Fayyad are the European and U.S. Hamas: ‘We were Organization bank account in order to diplomats who have long sung his praises avoid Hamas.” (New York Times, June behind the scenes to any journalist pre- 16) pared to listen,” continued Beaumont. n forced to do it’ The worldwide imperialist establish- crisis toward explosion.” ment and its media blame Hamas for “Abbas has legitimacy,” Meshal Palestine chronology staging a coup against the Palestinian said. “There’s no one who would ques- unity government, a government dis- tion or doubt that he is an elected Continued from page 8 ammunition from Arab countries, includ- solved and replaced by Fatah. To give president, and we will cooperate with Palestinian Presidential Guard, a force ing Egypt.” This includes “armored cars, our readers a more accurate picture, a him for the sake of national interest.” of about 4,000 troops. ... Although it is hundreds of armor-piercing RPG rockets, statement from Hamas follows, excerpt- Meshaal called upon Arab League foreign under Abbas’ authority, the Presidential thousands of hand grenades and millions ed from www.Manartv.com.lb (June 16). ministers meeting in Cairo to help medi- Guard is run by Mohammed Dahlan.” of rounds of ammunition for small caliber “Hamas does not want to seize pow- ate talks between Hamas and Abbas, to (Washington Post, May 18) weapons.” (Haaretz, June 7) er,” said the group’s politburo chief act “as an umbrella to hold the nation- Israeli paper of record Haaretz pub- Laila el-Haddad, a writer for Aljazeera. Khaled Mershaal. “We are faithful to the al Palestinian dialogue to approach a lishes on May 4 the full text of another net, said while waiting to pass through the Palestinian people.” Palestinian accord.” U.S. plan, “Benchmarks for Agreement Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt on Mershaal added: “What has happened Meshaal said that a national unity gov- on Movement and Access,” which details June 7 that she saw “several hundred and in Gaza is an emergency measure to deal ernment is the only solution, and that deadlines for Israeli dismantling of road- thousand” Palestinian troops enter Gaza. with a state that wanted to impose itself Abbas’ dissolution of the unity govern- blocks, with Mohammad Dahlan drawing (democracynow.org, June 15) on everybody … we were forced to take ment “will not remedy the situation ... up and implementing a security plan to In a preemptive move, in mid-June this emergency measure. We did not want and will not solve the problem. There will stop Qassam rocket fire into Israel—code Hamas took control of Fatah’s national to take it but we were forced to do it. … be no two governments and no division of words for suppressing Hamas. The forces police headquarters, the border crossing We want brotherhood with the sons of the the homeland.” under Dahlan must be deployed to “prob- with Egypt, the Preventive Security head- Fatah movement. This was not a confron- Meanwhile Hamas official Sami Abu lem areas no later than [the] date” of June quarters, Fatah’s intelligence services, the tation with Fatah. Our crisis is not with Zuhri said, “The appointment of Salam 21. (Asia Times, May 16) Presidential Guard offices, and media. Fatah.” Fayyad as a head of the emergency gov- June 2007: With this plan and date While Fatah forces were more numerous “The people [of Gaza—JC] were suf- ernment is a coup against [Hamas’] legiti- as a backdrop, senior Fatah officials in and better armed, they were demoralized fering from chaos and lack of security macy ... We ask President Abbas to with- the Gaza Strip ask Israel “to allow them and offered little resistance (see related and this treatment was needed,” Meshaal draw the decision in order to preserve the to receive large shipments of arms and article). n continued. “The lack of security drove the integrity of our people.” n Page 10 June 28, 2007 www.workers.org

Another world possible? How?

Continued from page 1 retail chains and the banks. It also controls the risking their lives in imperialist wars of con- bought-and-paid-for political system, including quest because they couldn’t get good jobs or an both major parties. education as civilians. This class is now on the defensive around So many people in prison or brutalized by the world. Its “neocon” political grouping police because they are poor and/or the target launched a disastrous and incredibly brutal of racial profiling. war for control of the Middle East’s oil that has So many workers unable to find full-time, liv- boomeranged and generated resistance every- ing-wage jobs that provide some security from where. Oppressed nations are standing up to its Vilma Espín illness or old age. dictates and making new alliances to strengthen So much new wealth funneled into the cof- their independence. fers of the already super-rich while workers’ With all the jockeying going on between ¡presente! incomes stagnate and even decline. Democrats and Republicans before the 2008 So much waste and destruction of the envi- presidential election, it should be clear to Dear Comrades and Dear Sisters of the Cuban Federation of Women, ronment when the technology for sustainable everyone now that neither of these capitalist We are deeply saddened by news of the death of Vilma Espín economic development already exists. parties is willing to break with the ruling class Guillois. Vilma Espín was in every sense a leader of the profound revo- So many hurdles still preventing women and and oppose the imperialist wars in Iraq and lutionary processes that have transformed Cuba from an island endur- lesbian, gay, bi and trans people from achieving Afghanistan. Even those who say they oppose ing neocolonial slavery into a proud and independent socialist country liberation from age-old oppressions, despite the the war are only searching for a more suc- setting world-class standards of social development for the masses of many victories they have won. cessful strategy for extending U.S. corporate people. The good news is that movements of resistance domination. Our party has learned much from the Cuban Revolution and its have been springing up all over. These grassroots This means the field is wide open for a mili- leaders. Sister Vilma was no exception. Representatives from the groups will be in Atlanta and will contribute to a tant, grassroots movement of opposition to Federation of Cuban Women have spoken to us on many occasions sharper definition of the problems. capitalist exploitation and all its disastrous by- and each time we learn more and more about the profound revolu- We are sure that as the political questions products: national oppression, sexism, LGBT tion within the revolution. Cuban women are exceptional people and become infused with the flesh-and-blood expe- oppression, militarism and a growing police revolutionary leaders. Comrade Vilma can take much credit for this riences of people in the struggle, the intercon- state. phenomenon. nectedness of all these issues will become even Whether it’s plant closings, high gas prices, more apparent. assaults on women’s clinics, mass arrests of As a young woman, Vilma Espín gave up privileges to become a self- Out of all the talk should come a clearer immigrant workers or the poisoning of whole less guerrilla, fighting the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship from the view of the anatomy of capitalism in this most communities by industrial waste, all can be mountains along with Fidel Castro and the 26th of July Movement. destructive, imperialist stage—when vast sums traced to the way capital rides roughshod over Once in power, she and the other leaders of the revolution just as of capital can move instantly around the world our lives, letting no human value stand in the selflessly began the task of eradicating the severe poverty, inequality searching out workers to exploit, resources to way of profit. and underdevelopment created by centuries of foreign domination. gobble up and governments to topple or control. Many times in the past, large popular assem- Nowhere was this more glaring than in the status of women. Just bringing so many people together to blies—like the communes in Paris, the soviets Under Vilma Espín’s leadership, the Federation of Cuban Women talk about the problems accomplishes a very in czarist Russia, the speak-bitterness meetings encouraged and organized millions of women to break their chains important and necessary step. But the basis on in China—have galvanized the people into link- and demand full equality in everything from employment to reproduc- which to judge the Social Forum will be whether ing up their individual grievances and struggles tive rights. Today, as just one measure of their success, 65 percent of it points towards a broader analysis of the into a class-wide assault on the powers-that-be. Cuba’s college graduates are women. problems and then becomes a platform to move Eventually, that will come here, too. She also played a key role in raising awareness on lesbian, gay, bi from discussion to action. If, out of the USSF gathering, a clearer view and trans oppression, leading to progressive changes in Cuban law as While many thousands are expected to emerges on the need to fight capitalism and early as 1979. attend, there are tens of millions of people in replace it with a socialist system, where the Vilma Espín forever remained a revolutionary. With great intel- the United States who need and want things to working masses control the productive wealth ligence and determination, she strove to continue the “revolution change. They must be engaged—and can be— of society, much will have been accomplished. within the revolution.” in the struggle against the forces who want to And if this view then becomes the basis for maintain the status quo. And who is that? coordinated, mass actions that are explicitly She lives on in the remarkable achievements of socialist Cuba and It is the class that controls the productive against imperialist wars and the assault on the in all the millions who have been inspired by her life and deeds. Vilma machinery of this country, that sucks up profits working class here at home, then history indeed Espín Guillois, presente! from agribusiness and heavy industry to the will have been made. n Teresa Gutierrez for the Workers World Party Secretariat Socialist Korea focuses on sustainable development

By Deirdre Griswold While expanding its production of mals like abalone, mussels, scallops, sea Koreans credit their independence to ma­chine tools, it is also improving both urchins and sea cucumbers. their great revolutionary struggles, first Not too much has appeared in the the quality and quantity of textiles, from The Yanghwa Fishery Station has against Japanese colonial rule and then U.S. media lately about the Democratic cotton and silk to synthetics, and the moved 100,000 cubic meters of granite against the division of their country by People’s Republic of Korea. In this case, clothing and household items made from and gravel from nearby mountains into the U.S. after World War II. no news is good news. them. Focusing on the development of areas of the seabed to provide more favor- Recently they celebrated several dates The socialist north of the Korean penin- indigenous resources, its research insti- able conditions for marine life. Tens of symbolic of the unity of the people sula is making gains, despite long-stand- tutes are working on improving the qual- millions of young sea cucumbers and sea around their revolutionary leaders and ing economic sanctions and menacing ity and variety of processed grains and urchins are transferred from controlled the Workers Party of Korea. One marked military threats from both Washington bean paste. breeding grounds into these areas in the the anniversary of the day when Kim and Tokyo. But the corporate media, At a recent exhibition of consumer open sea each year. Jung Il, the present leader of the DPRK, which have long abused and ridiculed this goods in Pyongyang, the capital, 550 dif- In addition to creating a better habi- began working in the Party’s Central heroic country, aren’t interested in letting ferent items produced in northern Korea tat for these animals, the sea floor in this Committee. the people of the United States hear about were on display. area now supports a large harvest of kelp Another date—June 15—was commem- its hard-won achievements. An improved power supply has helped and other seaweeds. orated for its importance in the efforts to The DPRK’s economy was built up from make all this possible. The DPRK’s socialist economy makes reunify Korea. Seven years ago on June scratch after the devastation of the U.S. In its planned development, the DPRK such large-scale projects possible. These 15 the DPRK and South Korea signed a invasion and war of 1950-53, but took is taking environmental issues very seri- campaigns are integrated with mass edu- North-South Joint Declaration laying out another big hit in the 1990s after the col- ously. Reforestation is high on its agenda; cation on the importance of protecting steps toward reunifying a people cruelly lapse of the USSR. It is now growing in for example, in March 170,000 chestnut and improving the environment. Thus separated for almost two generations. both heavy industry and consumer goods. trees were planted in just two counties. they draw on the people’s participation Recently, a rail line connecting the two The DPRK is building new hydroelec- It is concerned with the protection of its to improve their own lives and that of the parts of Korea for the first time in over 60 tric and tidal power stations to provide biodiversity and has set aside large areas nation. years was inaugurated with great hope. It clean energy. It has also shown it has the of land as nature preserves. Korean development is driven by its represented a victory over U.S. imperial- scientific and technological capacity to Along its east coast, a large-scale effort own needs and not by the intrusion of ism’s politics of division and another tan- build a nuclear industry if U.S. imperial- has begun to improve water quality and foreign capital seeking profits from raw gible step toward peace and cooperation ism continues to deny it other sources of create underwater habitats more con- materials and cheap labor, as has hap- between north and south. power. ducive to the cultivation of marine ani- pened in so much of the world. The E-mail: [email protected] www.workers.org June 28, 2007 Page 11

Vietnamese at court hearing Agent Orange survivors challenge Dow, Monsanto By Workers World New York bureau unpopular it collapsed despite massive U.S. military intervention to prop it up. Scores of people attended a rally and Passersby listened with interest to Federal Court of Appeals hearing June explanations about the continuing effects 18 calling for compensation for victims of chemical warfare 30 years after the of Agent Orange by the corporations that war’s end. Many had never heard of Agent produced the dioxin-laden toxic chemical Orange before. sprayed as a defoliant extensively during Workers World asked Ngo Thanh the U.S. war against Vietnam. Nhan, an organizer with the Vietnam U.S. veterans and Vietnamese victims Agent Orange Campaign, why these con- of Agent Orange and anti-war activists tras supported the poisoning of 3 mil- accused Dow, Monsanto and others of lion people from their former homeland, supplying chemical warfare agents known which has resulted in birth defects over to be toxic to humans. “Corporations three generations. He replied, “They think must pay for their crimes” and “Justice the government of Vietnam is communist for Vietnam Agent Orange survivors,” and they are so fanatically opposed to read some of the signs. communism that they don’t care about A larger group of Vietnamese “contras” the suffering of the people.” waved the flag of colonial rule in Vietnam, On June 16 the Campaign sponsored a screaming epithets at those calling for well-attended welcome ceremony at the justice and trying unsuccessfully to sur- Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center/1199, round and intimidate those supporting where Nguyen Thi Hong, age 60, Ngyen the survivors. Many had come by bus Muroi, age 24, Vo Thanh Hai, age 48, and case of Nguyen Muroi—were exposed to WW photo: Ellen Catalinotto from Virginia, outside Washington. One Nguyen Van Quy, age 52, spoke in very the dioxins found in Agent Orange. June 18 outside Federal Court in NYC. boasted he had come from Paris. These moving terms about the difficulties of They are named plaintiffs in the suit were the Vietnamese who had support- living with the deadly diseases they con- that was discussed in court June 18, but ed the pro-colonial regime that was so tracted after they—or their parents in the not yet ruled on as of June 20. n Ousmane Sembène: African revolutionary artist

By G. Dunkel He published anoth- Until “The Black Girl” in 1966—his first er novel and then feature film—he made socially conscious, Ousmane Sembène, widely considered “God’s Bits of Wood,” short black-and-white films. “The Black the parent of African cinema and an art- a recreation of the Girl” examines the story of Diouana, a ist of worldwide renown, died in Dakar, tremendous struggle Senegalese maid taken to the Riviera by Senegal, on June 9 at the age of 84. His the Senegalese peo- her employers, who learns what living in films were original and masterful. He ple waged against France means for an African: She is no won prizes at the Venice Film Festival in their French colonial longer Diouana but “the black girl.” 1968 for “Mandabi” and 1988 for “Camp master in 1947-48. In 1969, Ousmane Sembène, Timite de Thiaroye,” and at Cannes in 2004 for This tremendous Bassori, Oumarou Ganda and others orga- “Moolaadé.” However, Sembène really novel, which should nized a festival of cinema and television in was a novelist who used films to reach his be compared to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which grew people of Senegal and West Africa who Maxim Gorky’s “The into the PanAfrican Festival of Cinema had little or no access to books. Mother,” shows how and Television, held every two years. It Sembène’s message came from his expe- the Senegalese peo- has become a major venue for African rience. He was the son of a fisher, born in ple supported the films, both from Africa and the Diaspora. Ziguinchor, a city in the Casamance, the African workers who were striking against actions, as well as how they change. It is Sembène could have made many more southern section of Senegal. He went to a railroad to gain the same rights as the a moving, illuminating and emotionally films but he had trouble financing them, Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in his mid- French who worked for it. The railroad engaging book. Every high school student given both his politics and the economic teens, laying bricks and doing manual linked Dakar to Bamako, Mali, moving in Francophone Africa is exposed to it. underdevelopment of Africa. “Mandabi” labor, after he was expelled from school the cotton and peanuts of French West While the strike was a major incident in (1968) is a Kafkaesque film on the tra- for indiscipline. He was drafted into the Africa to market. “God’s bits” were the the struggle to get France to end its direct vails of a poor resident of Dakar trying French army in 1944, came back to Dakar small pieces of wood track workers used colonial rule, the struggle over the railroad to cash a money order. Other films like a few years later, joined a construction in laying rails, a term which they ironically still continues, now over neocolonial for- “Xala” (1974) dealt with social issues union and took part in one of the general applied to themselves. eign owners who are running it for their inside Senegalese society; it was censored strikes that were shaking French colonial Sembène shows how women took up the own profits in a way that does not help the in Senegal for five years. “Ceddo” (1976) rule at the time. challenge and sparked the struggle; how economies of Senegal and Mali. is a historical film about the resistance to Having trouble finding work, Sembène French attempts to divide and manipulate After “God’s Bits of Wood” was pub- Muslim and Christian missionaries. stowed away on a ship bound for the people were countered; and the cor- lished, Sembène returned home and began “Camp de Thiaroye” (1989) recreates Marseilles, France. He stayed there for rosive effects of racism, imperialism and to travel widely in Francophone Africa. It the fate of African soldiers captured by 10 years, loading and unloading ships— colonial domination on the French them- was during his travels he came up with the Nazis and put in a military camp in heavy, backbreaking labor before the use selves as well as on the colonized. his ideas on reaching the masses of Africa Senegal before they returned home. They of containers. The dockworkers’ union was While Sembène’s politics are plain, his through film. He got a scholarship to the belonged to the same unit Sembène had part of the CGT (General Confederation characters come alive and the reader sees Gorky Film Institute in Moscow in 1962, served in but had fought in Europe. They of Workers), closely allied with the how the class struggle raging in Senegal is returned home a year later with a used had mutinied to get the bonuses prom- Communist Party, which he soon joined. reflected in the characters’ lives and inter- Soviet camera and began to make films. ised to all French soldiers who wound up Sembène joined MOURAP (Workers’ in Nazi concentration camps, which had Movement against Racism, Anti-Semitism only been paid to the white soldiers. On and Peace) in 1951, and protested against Marxism, Reparations Dec. 1, 1944, the French army ordered the the colonial war in Indochina (1953) and camp destroyed with heavy artillery and the Korean War (1950-1953). He also & the Black Freedom Struggle tanks. This film is such a searing indict- protested the Rosenbergs’ trial and exe- A new book from World View Forum The following sec- ment of a French colonial massacre that it cution in the United States in 1953. He tions present an outline of the contents: • Black liberation couldn’t be shown in France for years. openly supported the Algerian National & the working-class struggle • The material basis for repara- Sembène was an African who wrote and Liberation Front in its struggle for inde- tions in the U.S. • Brief overview of racist oppression & heroic made films for an African audience. But pendence from France (1954-1962), in resistance • What Hurricane Katrina exposed to the world his artistic output was so strong, so true opposition to the French CP’s official • Africa: A battleground against colonialism and for to the struggle of poor and working people line. sovereignty • Justice for the Caribbean • A salute to women in the continent of his origin, that people In 1956 his first novel was published. revolutionaries. • Why fight-back is inevitable throughout the world have learned from “The Black Docker” examined how issues and appreciated it. • Black labor and class solidarity of race played out in a strike he had par- E-mail: [email protected] ticipated in on the Marseilles waterfront. Order online from Leftbooks.com ¡Proletarios y oprimidos de todos los países, uníos! Masivas protestas sobre la educación estremecen Colombia Por Berta Joubert-Ceci erno federal da a la educación y a los ser- la comunidad indígena y la comunidad ritu de lucha de l@s estudiantes ni de las vicios de salud. El sistema de educación afrocolombiana, campesin@s, mujeres, masas. Las acciones siguen alrededor de Las masivas protestas que comenzaron en Colombia es ya precario y estas medi- y muchos otros sectores entre l@s Colombia y un llamado a la “ocupación de el 23 de mayo, culminaron el 30 de mayo das contribuirán a la decadencia de estos trabajador@a pobres marcharon por más Bogotá” ha sido hecho para el 13 de junio. en la movilización nacional más grande vitales servicios. de seis horas por las calles capitalinas. en la historia reciente de Colombia. En Los analistas en Colombia dicen que En la mayoría del país las escuelas que- El papel de los EEUU y los Bogotá, más de 220.000 personas mar- estas medidas prepararán el camino hacia daron paralizadas, con marchas y otras medios corporativos charon en esa capital, cerrando exito- la privatización de la educación y la salud acciones en Medellín, Manizales, Pereira Los medios de comunicación capitalista samente la transportación por algunas y consecuentemente el fin al acceso a estos y Pasto incluyendo bloqueos de carret- en los EEUU han comenzado finalmente horas. Alrededor de la nación, l@s estu- servicios para las familias pobres quienes eras en otras partes. Telesur reportó ese a reportar sobre el escándalo colombiano diantes ocuparon más de 300 colegios— son parte de la mayoría de la población. día que en la muy pobre región occiden- de la “parapolítica” –la infiltración para- sólo en Bogotá cerraron 130—defendien- El Plan Colombia, el Tratado de Libre tal del Chocó, fronteriza a Panamá, “las militar del Congreso Nacional y las pre- do el derecho a una educación pública a Comercio con los Estados Unidos y la comunidades indígenas cerraron la ruta suntas conexiones entre los paramilitares bajo costo; cientos de miles protestaron infiltración de los paramilitares en el gobi- Medellín-Quibdó y demandaron la pres- y Uribe. Esto es una señal de que un sec- en toda la nación. erno local y nacional ya han producido encia de organismos de control como la tor de la clase dominante en Colombia Desde el Primero de Mayo, día que l@s una gran oposición de las masas. Ahora Defensoría Pública y la oficina del fiscal y en los EEUU también está intentando trabajador@s celebran en todo el mundo, este nuevo ataque contra la educación ha para que sus demandas, especialmente distanciarse del régimen de corte fascista Colombia ha estado bajo un estado de agregado una nueva capa de activismo. las demandas sociales, sean cumplidas”. de Uribe. El Congreso de los EEUU captó convulsión. El sufrimiento de las masas Las acciones y asambleas de maestr@s Maestr@s y estudiantes tuvieron asam- esta señal y está al menos, demorando su populares en ese país es muy difícil de y estudiantes que se estaban celeb- bleas y acciones diversas a nivel nacional voto por el TLC con Colombia, basando imaginar. Aún así, a pesar de las masa- rando en toda la nación culminaron el después del 23 de mayo. El movimiento esta demora en los notorios abusos de ese cres, los desplazamientos, los asesina- 23 de mayo tornándose en un nuevo estudiantil se unió y formó un frente país contra los derechos humanos. tos selectivos, los arrestos y detenciones descontento social en Colombia. La unido en defensa de la educación pública, Sin embargo, ni siquiera un solo masivas, la represión general y la siempre Central Unida de Trabajadores (CUT), llamando a la ocupación de universidades artículo ha sido publicado por los medios presente amenaza de los paramilitares, el el partido de oposición de centro izqui- y otro día de manifestaciones nacionales corporativos de comunicación de los movimiento sindical y social mantiene la erda en el Congreso Colombiano—el Polo para el 30 de mayo. EEUU sobre las importantes huelgas y lucha a pesar de todos estos obstáculos, Democrático Alternativo—y la Federación La reacción del gobierno hasta ahora las grandes manifestaciones de estudi- forzando su agenda progresista. Colombiana de Educadores (FECODE), ha sido la de de proceder con el PND y el antes y trabajador@s. Aparentemente El Presidente Álvaro Uribe con su entre otros, convocaron a una huelga PLT, cerrar la Universidad Nacional en estos medios comunicativos han decidido recién propuesto Plan Nacional de nacional del 23 de mayo en contra de las Bogotá y utilizar a la policía antimotín, que la publicidad de la resistencia popu- Desarrollo (PND) y el Proyecto de Ley políticas de Uribe, incluyendo el PND y el la ESMAD, en contra del estudiantado lar en contra de un aliado capitalista de de Transferencias, (PLT) ha provocado PLT. en algunas ciudades. Alrededor de 100 los EEUU, aunque sea el gobierno de la ira e indignación particularmente de Ese día l@s maestr@s de primaria y agentes de la ESMAD invadieron vio- Uribe, es dañina a los intereses de los maestr@s, estudiantes y trabajador@s secundaria iniciaron una huelga que duró lentamente la Universidad de Caldas en Estados Unidos y de la clase dominante de colegios y universidades, quienes han hasta el 1º de junio. Las acciones del 23 la madrugada del 5 de junio rompiendo de Colombia. estado en un estado permanente de movi- de mayo también exigieron una solución puertas, lanzando gases lacrimógenos y En contraste, los mismos medios notic- lización en oposición a las medidas desde política y no militar al conflicto interno tirando perdigones a l@s 200 estudiantes ieros han proporcionado una desmedida el 23 de mayo. armado, el rechazo a la privatización de que ocupaban el campo universitario. cobertura a las manifestaciones contrar- El PND—que es básicamente el plan la industria petrolera (ECOPETROL), L@s estudiantes reaccionaron lanzando revolucionarias de estudiantes venezo- financiero para la nación hasta el año y por la verdad y justicia en el escan- piedras a la policía, la cual arrestó a 22 lanos en contra del cierre constitucio- 2010—dicta que las escuelas y universi- daloso caso de los lazos entre políticos y estudiantes. El 11 de junio, la Federación nal y completamente legal de la estación dades deben pagar a l@s jubilad@s de paramilitares. Estudiantil de la Universidad Caldas golpista RCTV. Esas protestas, mucho sus propios presupuestos, dando así fin Sólo en Bogotá 42.000 personas difundió una declaración en el Internet más pequeñas, sí representan los inter- a los subsidios gubernamentales. El PLT marcharon el 23 de mayo. Estudiantes, pidiendo solidaridad. eses de la clase dominante en Venezuela reducirá la cantidad de dinero que el gobi- maestr@s, trabajador@s, jubilad@s, Esta represión no ha disminuido el espí­ y en los EEUU. n Reporte expone las prisiones secretas de la CIA en Europa del Este Por Caleb T. Maupin La CIA tachó el reporte como “exagera- acusad@s de ser “terroristas” desde el 11 humanos o represión. La única ley en la do” pero nunca negó que tales prisiones de septiembre del 2001. Es sabido mun- mira del Partido Republicano, la cual la Un político suizo llamado Dick Marty existieran ni se opuso a las reclamaciones dialmente que las fuerzas militares esta- lleva a cabo, y en la del Partido Demócrata, ha publicado una revelación del Concilio del reporte. El reporte muestra que hubo dounidenses torturaron brutalmente a que la aprueba silenciosamente, es que las de Europa que muestra, basada en sus 10 vuelos secretos a Polonia de aviones prisioneros en Abu Ghraib, y que la tor- ganancias del petróleo del Medio Oriente entrevistas con fuentes de servicios de militares estadounidense. Seis de ellos tura fue aprobada desde muy alto en la deban seguir alimentando sin límites la espionaje estadounidense y europeo, que procedían de Afganistán. cadena de mando. clase parásita de Wall Street. n habían varias prisiones secretas de la Tal parece que algun@s de aquell@s Un número no sabido de personas está CIA en Polonia y Rumania desde el 2003 que vieron a su país bombardeado e inva- actualmente detenido sin cargos por el hasta el 2005. En estas prisiones l@s dido por los Estados Unidos, y tomaron gobierno estadounidense en la Bahía de detenid@s, en su mayor parte del Oriente un fusil para resistir, se encontraron Guantánamo, donde están sometidas a Medio, estaban encadenad@s, forzad@s aprehendid@s, montad@s en un avión, tratamiento brutal y abusivo. a quedarse desnud@s durante meses y llevad@s como cualquier cargamento Este reciente reporte de Marty sólo sin haber estado acusad@s de ningún a prisiones en Europa del Este, donde se refuerza el hecho que la clase capitalista, delito. Los guardias iban enmascarados enfrentaron a torturas e interrogaciones. en su búsqueda desenfrenada de ganan- para esconder la cara. “Técnicas de inter- Este reporte se añade al creciente acu- cias y control del Medio Oriente, no se rogación”, un eufemismo para los méto- mulado de conocimientos sobre la políti- detendrá de cometer cualquier forma de dos de tortura, fueron usadas. ca estadounidense hacia l@s prisioner@s brutalidad, tortura, violación de derechos Libertad para los cinco Cubanos