AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE Cheryl Goertz: 55-year cadre of the Socialist Workers Party — PAGE 5 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 84/no. 23 June 15, 2020 Protesters in Back fights to Worldwide protests hit cop Hong Kong defend wages, killing of say, ‘Beijing jobs, working hands off!’ conditions! by terry evans by Roy Landersen Undeterred by police assaults and Workers are increasingly taking threats from bosses, workers and other action today to defend their wages, fighters for political rights have contin- working conditions and dignity: from ued to mount protests against the Chi- thousands of autoworkers on strike at nese rulers’ deepening grip over their Nissan in Spain and Renault in France lives in the supposedly semi-autono- over having jobs eliminated; to fruit mous territory of Hong Kong. packers out for better pay and condi- Thousands took to the streets May 27 tions in Yakima Valley, Washington; the day before China’s parliament en- to successful shop floor skirmishes at acted a special “security” law on Hong Walmart and other retail outlets over Kong, bypassing that territory’s own job combination and speedup. legislature for the first time. The rulings These actions take place as the cap- criminalize “separatism, subversion of italist rulers worldwide are pushing state power, terrorism or interference by to cut back on the anti-working-class foreign countries or outside influences.” shutdowns they’ve imposed for over Militant/Hilda Cuzco It mirrors laws Beijing uses to stifle po- two months, desperate to ramp up More than 60,000 people joined June 2 Houston action against Minneapolis cop killing of litical opponents in mainland China. production and trade to compete with George Floyd. Protests draw broad participation, shining spotlight on racist cop violence. Hong Kong’s parliament itself ad- their rivals at home and abroad. And Build powerful, disciplined Demand arrest, prosecution opted additional measures attacking as tens of thousands are in the streets free speech, including outlawing “disre- protesting killings by cops in Minne- working-class movement! of all cops involved in killing spect” for the Chinese national anthem. sota and Louisville, and by vigilantes The following statement was released Retiree Rosa Ning told the New York in . June 2 by David Rosenfeld, Socialist As we go to press . . . Continued on page 9 Continued on page 6 Workers Party candidate for U.S. Sen- Minnesota Attorney General ate in Minnesota. Keith Ellison filed more charges against cop . Three Thousands of autoworkers in Spain, Socialist Workers other cops involved in killing George Party statement Floyd have also been charged. France strike against plant closings The police killing of George Floyd By Emma Johnson has been met with outrage and pro- The scope and breadth of mass test throughout Minnesota, across the demonstrations in response to the country and internationally. The mass cop killing of George Floyd in Min- protests forced the government to ar- neapolis have not been seen for de- rest and charge Derek Chauvin, the cop cades. Outraged by the killing, which who killed George Floyd with a knee to followed on the heels of the vigilante Continued on page 8 Continued on page 2 ‘Militant’ drive goes over the top as protests and workers’ fights spread b y sETH galinsky the paper helps explain what working Participants in rapidly growing people can do to defend themselves protests around the country against and all those exploited and oppressed the cop killing of George Floyd are by capitalist rule. buying up copies of the Militant Continued on page 4 newspaper and subscribing, pur- chasing books by Socialist Workers Party leaders and other revolutionar- CCOO Nissan ies, and contributing to the Militant Inside Nissan workers protest in Barcelona May 28, chanting “If this is not fixed — war, war, war!” Fighting Fund. This helped take us demanding auto bosses reverse decision to shut down factories there in move to boost profits. over the top in the spring circulation SWP ‘stimulus’ appeal over by Roy Landersen store profit rates. and fund drives. $105,000 and growing 5 Thousands of autoworkers have A thousand strikers massed out- New readers of the socialist news- gone on strike in Spain and France side the entrance to the main Nissan weekly will find its coverage of the Workers resist clampdown demanding their jobs back after both car plant in Barcelona May 28 after struggles of working people invalu- on protests by gov’t in Chile 7 Nissan and Renault bosses announced bosses announced they will close all able. It explains why factory closings and layoffs. Nissan car production in Spain by De- is endemic to capitalist exploitation. Yakima fruit packers fight As auto bosses and others gear up cember. Workers chanted, “If this is The paper is a tool for building soli- for wages, hours, safety 7 to resume production after lengthy not fixed — war, war, war!” darity with the fights against police government-mandated closures, cut- After the plants were shuttered by brutality and killings as well as the Demand freedom for throat competition amid decimated the Spanish government’s coronavi- other struggles working people are Jalil Muntaqim now 8 world markets and depression condi- rus lockdown in March, bosses re- waging today against the effects of tions are driving them to dump work- opened them May 4. When they re- the crisis-ridden capitalist system on SWP statement: Defend jobs ers. They see this downsizing and fused to say whether they would keep our lives. Drawing on the lessons of wages, working conditions 8 consolidation as the only road to re- Continued on page 6 decades of revolutionary struggles, Worldwide protests Continued from front page Workers Party candi- in Geor- date for president, at gia, hundreds of thousands of work- the Houston march. ing people have turned out in more “I have had problems than 250 marches, rallies and vigils in with the cops too,” said all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Harless, who spent two the U.S. colony of Puerto Rico and years in prison. “I plea- around the world. bargained because I Floyd’s family joined some 60,000 was facing 20 years for demonstrators June 2 in Houston, where a crime I didn’t do.” he grew up. Marching through the city “This is peaceful demonstrators chanted his name and pressure to change the “no justice, no peace.” system,” Houston city Floyd, a 46-year-old African Ameri- worker Everett Neal told can, was killed when cop Derek Kennedy. “It can’t con- Militant/Mike Shur Daily protests have taken place in New York City and across the country. Above, thousands marched May 29. Chauvin, who is Caucasian, handcuffed tinue the way it is. The him and put his knee on Floyd’s neck for police union, the DA’s, the whole system brutality since then demonstrators chant breaking into it. Demonstrators in Los over eight minutes. backs the cops up when they are wrong.” “I can’t breathe” while holding their Angeles stopped them from ransacking “I’m here to support the family of Thousands marched in other cit- arms in the air. a Walgreens pharmacy. George Floyd and their fight for jus- ies the same day. In Bronzville, on Numerous unions have spoken The destructive assaults “are a tice,” construction worker Ricky Har- Chicago’s South Side, Jourdain Gant, out against the killing, including the deadly obstacle to building the fight less told Alyson Kennedy, Socialist a young public school worker, was at Amalgamated Transit Union, United to end police violence and the struggle his first protest. “I had to come down Auto Workers, United Steelwork- to defend working people,” Rosenfeld here and show my support,” Gant told ers, Service Employees International noted. He pointed out they unneces- Malcolm X, Black the Militant. “It’s been eight days since Union, International Longshore and sarily “give the government a handle Liberation, and the George Floyd was killed and the pro- Warehouse Union, AFL-CIO Presi- to blame protesters, not the cops and tests have been continuous.” dent Richard Trumka and many more. their ruthless brutality.” President Road to Workers Power Those joining the actions around the The National Farmers Union also de- seized on the looting to by Jack Barnes country include Black and Caucasian, nounced the killing. threaten to send the military to occupy native- and foreign-born and people Why revolu- Sizeable actions have taken place cities across the country. from all generations. Some came with in cities across the world. Some The killing of Floyd came on the heels tionary con- homemade signs that read, “I can’t quest of power 10,000 marched in Auckland, New of cops shooting Breonna Taylor in Lou- breathe” — Floyd’s final words as Zealand, June 1. by the working isville, Kentucky, and the vigilante kill- Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck. The large daily protests in the U.S. ing of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, class will make Others chanted the names of some of the have put the spotlight on how the capi- Georgia. Protests against all these kill- possible the thousands of other victims of police bru- talist rulers use cop brutality to try to ings take place as growing numbers of final battle for tality over many years. intimidate and punish working people. workers are finding ways to stand up to Black freedom In New York, demonstrat- “The mass protests forced the gov- the bosses’ attacks on wages, hours and and open the ed May 29. She has been a tireless fighter ernment to arrest and charge Derek working conditions. way to a so- $20 against police brutality since cops killed Chauvin,” David Rosenfeld, Socialist Below are some reports from around cialist world. her son, Eric Garner, in Staten Island in Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate the country. 2014. Garner said over and over, “I can’t With Militant subscription: $10 from Minnesota, said in a June 2 state- v breathe,” trying to make officer Daniel ment. Rosenfeld urged all those incensed www.pathfinderpress.com Pantaleo let go of the chokehold he had by the killing to continue organizing BY HELEN MEYERS put Garner in. In protests against police disciplined actions and demand all four AND DAVID ROSENFELD cops “be arrested and prosecuted.” MINNEAPOLIS — Daily marches Some demonstrators have stood up and rallies of thousands in Minneapo- to the widespread burning of stores by lis and St. Paul demanding the pros- groups of anarchists, provocateurs and ecution of all four of the Minneapolis looters who attached themselves to the cops involved in the killing of George protests, adding to the devastation many Floyd have continued since cop Derek communities already face. Chauvin was charged with third-de- Working people in Cuba lead way forward When some looters smashed the win- gree murder. Cuba’s revolutionary lead- dows of a New York Aldo shoe store, “Bus drivers are not transporting one protesters rushed forward to pull them more police officer. It is not our duty to ership has organized work- away and stop them. In Brooklyn pro- move racist police,” Doni Jones, a bus ers, farmers and youth testers made a human chain around driver and president of the Black Cau- through their mass organiza- a Target store to prevent looters from cus of Amalgamated Transit Union Lo- tions to increase food produc- tion, repair tourist facilities Latin America, Caribbean: For one year send and work at medical centers The Militant $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. Vol. 84/No. 23 Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For to combat effects of U.S. eco- one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to Juventud Rebelde/Roberto Suárez Closing news date: June 3, 2020 above address. nomic war, and to minimize Cuban young people plant cucumbers May Editor: John Studer Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 impact of coronavirus. 23, joining brigades to expand production. to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- Managing Editor: Terry Evans treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. 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2 The Militant June 15, 2020 Militant/Bill Scheer Militant/Maggie Trowe Thousands of multinational, mostly young protesters marched for several hours through Like many other protests, May 29 march in Louisville, Kentucky, points to names of numerous streets of Minneapolis May 28 demanding prosecution of cops who killed George Floyd. victims of police killings, including Breonna Taylor who was shot by city’s police March 13. cal 1005, told the rally on Minneapolis’ Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vi- mit to carry a gun, fired a single shot house. Many left as the sun went down, Lake Street. Union bus drivers are also kings football team. After taking a knee at those bursting into the apartment, but some stayed, intending mayhem. refusing to assist cops transport protest- on the Hennepin Avenue Bridge — like hitting an officer in the leg. Walker As demonstrations continue many ers they arrest to jail. Bus drivers in New former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was charged with attempted murder, a people are trying to figure out how to York have done the same in solidarity Colin Kaepernick did — they marched charge later dropped. move their struggle forward effectively. towards Interstate 35W. with fellow unionists. The cops tried to cover up the kill- v “More than ever we need a new civil State officials closed all interstates as ing, in the face of continuing efforts rights movement,” the local said in a the marchers approached the highway. by Taylor’s family members to press By Arlene Rubinstein statement, “that is joined with the la- An 18-wheel oil tanker came toward the for justice. They launched a lawsuit WASHINGTON — Hundreds of pro- bor movement and independent of crowd and protesters scrambled out of against the police and in May began testers joined a May 29 protest that as- the corporate establishment’s politi- the way. The driver was then pulled out organizing public protests. sembled at 14th and U Street, marching cal parties so all workers from every of the cab by some demonstrators who On Memorial Day Tamika Palmer, to the White House and then to the U.S. religion, race and sexual identity can began roughing him up. Other protest- Taylor’s mother, led a wreath-laying Capitol demanding justice for George struggle together for a better future for ers intervened to save him. protest that drew more than 100 peo- Floyd. The action grew to several thou- people of color and for our collective The cops then swarmed onto the high- ple to her daughter’s bullet-riddled sand as others joined along the route. liberation as working people.” way, forcing protesters off the bridge. apartment. Protests have taken place throughout After four days of sizable protests and The driver was arrested. The next day the family organized a the region from Baltimore to Hager- nights of looting and destruction orga- Several dozen peaceful protesters protest rally of 200 at the mayor’s office stown in Maryland and from Manassas nized by groups of anarchists, provoca- spent the night at the site where George holding homemade signs saying, “Pros- to Richmond in Virginia, and in Mar- teurs and opportunists, Gov. Tim Walz Floyd was killed, which has turned into ecute police who killed Breonna” and tinsburg, West Virginia. Some 400 peo- imposed a curfew on both cities and or- a growing memorial. “Justice for Breonna.” ple turned out in Easton, on Maryland’s ganized the largest mobilization of the Later that day, after the release of the Eastern Shore. state’s National Guard since the second Zena Jasper contributed to this article. video seen by millions showing George Hospital worker Liz Galati, 31, told imperialist World War, along with State v Floyd dying at the hands of Minneapolis the Militant that 200 turned out for a Police and other area cops. cops, workers and youth started going May 31 protest in Fredericksburg, Thousands joined several demon- By Jacquie Henderson downtown to protest. Virginia. “When it seemed nothing strations May 30, marching and rally- LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Daily demon- After hours of growing marches was being organized, a friend and I ing for hours. strations protesting the killing of Bre- and rallies May 28, some forces bent put out a call and posted up leaflets. As night fell the combined military onna Taylor by Louisville police, rein- on provocation set out to attack police, People of all ages, and nationalities and police forces assembled by the city forced by outrage at the killings of Ah- vandalize and loot. Someone fired some came,” she said. and state began to enforce the curfew, maud Arbery and George Floyd, have shots; seven people were injured. Three young people from Martins- breaking up nonviolent demonstrations, continued here. “The last thing Breonna would want burg carried a sign at the May 29 pro- patrolling working-class neighborhoods Taylor, a 26-year-old African Amer- right now is any more violence,” Palmer test here that read, “Let me kneel on and forcing people inside their homes. ican emergency room technician, was said in a May 29 statement. “Changes your neck for seven minutes and see if killed by plainclothes cops March 13. are being made, but it’s not enough. you can breathe.” A few at the action Carnage, cleanup, more protests They broke down her apartment door Please keep demanding justice and ac- taunted these youth, saying because Hundreds of businesses and other with a battering ram as she and her countability, but let’s do it the right way they are Caucasian they didn’t have a buildings in the Twin Cities have been boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, slept. The without hurting each other. We can, and place at the march. Undeterred, they burned, looted or damaged. The gov- cops fired dozens of bullets — at least we will, make some real change here.” replied that police brutality is their ernment shut down all public transport. eight hit her. Walker, who has a per- That day marches took place across fight as well, winning support from Many gas stations, grocery the city, with more than 1,000 people many others who had joined the pro- stores, banks and pharma- ending up in front of the city court- test. They stayed. cies are closed, imposing se- rious hardships on working people needing medicines, Vote Socialist Workers Party in 2020! food and public transporta- tion for work. Alyson Kennedy for president Pat Rottach, a member of Malcolm Jarrett for vice president the National Association of SWP candidates coast to coast: Letter Carriers, joined some fellow union members at the New York/New Jersey Midwest smoldering remains of the Lea Sherman, US Senate, New Jersey Naomi Craine, US Senate, Illinois Willie Cotton, 9th CD, New York Maggie Trowe, US Senate, Kentucky post office where he worked. Seth Galinsky, 10th CD, New York “The killing of George Abby Tilsner, 20th CD, Albany David Rosenfeld, US Senate, Minnesota Floyd was horrific,” Rot- Jacob Perasso, 21st CD, Albany Samir Hazboun, 3rd CD, Louisville tach told the Militant. “But Candace Wagner, 8th CD, Union City, NJ Helen Meyers, 4th CD, St. Paul to have people stripped of Mid-Atlantic Region the service the post office James Harris, delegate to Congress, D.C. Southwest and West Coast provides, that hurts the com- Osborne Hart, 3rd CD, Philadelphia Henry Dennison, Governor, Washington munity.” Ruth Robinett, 14th CD, Washington, PA Rebecca Williamson, 9th CD, Seattle On May 31 rallies and Dave Ferguson, 18th CD, Pittsburgh Gerardo Sánchez, US Senate, Texas marches continued out- South Joel Britton, 13th CD, Oakland side the state Capitol in St. Dennis Richter, 37th CD, Los Angeles Militant/Zena Jasper Rachele Fruit, US Senate, Georgia Paul and in Minneapolis. Doni Jones, president of Black Caucus of ATU Local 1005, Anthony Dutrow, 27th CD, Miami Deborah Liatos, 40th CD, Los Angeles More than 5,000 protesters speaks at May 30 rally. Union calls for a “new civil rights See directory on page 9 to contact party campaign office nearest you. marched from U.S. Bank movement that is joined with the labor movement.”

The Militant June 15, 2020 3 ‘Militant’ drive over the top Continued from front page Arbery in Georgia are important for At a May 31 action of some 20,000 in all working people,” Kennedy told a Los Angeles, 17 protesters subscribed rally of hundreds in Denver May 29. to the Militant and 27 bought books by “The protests come at a time when the revolutionaries. In Albany, New York, government tells us we must stay at the day before, five subscriptions and home and quarantine while millions five books were sold. Members of the of workers have lost their jobs and we Socialist Workers Party and other dis- face growing depression conditions.” tributors of the Militant have found sim- ilar receptivity across the country and Workers control of production around the world. Kennedy and campaign supporters The interest in the paper at protests, also talked with workers during shift strike picket lines and in discussions change at the JBS beef packing plant with working people on their door- in Greeley, Colorado, May 30. Work- steps in cities, towns and rural areas ers said that under pressure the com- has taken the international drive to pany had slowed the line speed a little expand the reach of the Militant well so workers don’t have to work so close over all its goals. More than 1,100 together in the midst of the coronavi- subscribed, over 950 books were sold rus pandemic. and $134,000 raised for the Militant “Slowing down the line speed Fighting Fund. should be permanent,” Kennedy told Alyson Kennedy, Socialist Work- Angel Bernal, one of 17 workers who ers Party candidate for U.S. president, purchased a copy of the Militant. Militant/Betsey Stone SWP presidential candidate Alyson Kennedy speaks with Angel Bernal during shift change at joined campaign supporters to sign up “Packing workers have suffered inju- JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado. “Slowing down line speed should be permanent,” nine presidential electors and raised the ries for years because of brutal speed- Kennedy said. “Workers need to take control of production to ensure safe working conditions.” $1,000 needed to get her and running up. Workers need to fight to take con- mate Malcolm Jarrett on the November trol of production,” in order to enforce Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Kennedy the mud, to treat the poorest people.” ballot in Colorado. safe working conditions. noted that such attacks make it harder Quiñones bought Zona Roja, a “The massive outpourings across “A lot of workers complain,” JBS to involve larger numbers of workers. book about the role of volunteer Cu- the country demanding the prosecu- worker Juan Avila told Kennedy. “I “You can be sure the police are be- ban medical workers providing on- tion of the cops who killed George tell them we can’t just complain, we hind some of the violence,” said Edu- the-ground, hands-on care to thou- Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna have to do something.” ardo Quiñones, a body-shop worker. sands infected with Ebola in West Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and “Changes only come when we stand “I know this from when I was in Africa, that helped roll back the dis- the vigilantes who killed Ahmaud up,” Kennedy said, pointing to the ex- Guatemala during the war against the ease. Their story shows the kind of ample set by fruit packers in Wash- dictatorship. The military actually at- people a deep-going socialist revolu- ington state who are striking for better tacked the police and then blamed it tion produces. He also got Tribunes of conditions and higher wages, and to the on the movement.” the People and the Trade Unions; The ‘Militant’ Prisoners Fund protests organized by truckers fighting Turn to Industry: Forging a Proletar- The fundmakes it possible to send freight brokers who are refusing to pay Learn from Cuban Revolution ian Party; and In Defense of the US prisoners reduced rate subscrip- drivers enough to survive. “We need to rebuild and transform Working Class, along with a subscrip- tions. To donate, send a check or the unions, break from the capitalist tion to the Militant. money order payable to the ‘Mili- ‘We need disciplined action’ parties and build a labor party that can The spring drive is over, but mem- tant’, earmarked “Prisoners Fund,” Kennedy also pointed to the na- fight in our interests,” Kennedy said. bers of the Socialist Workers Party to 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, tionwide protests against police bru- “This can put us on a course to use our and other partisans of the Militant New York, NY 10018. Or donate tality. “We need more disciplined power to do what the Cuban workers will continue reaching out to workers, online at www.themilitant.com actions, without the attacks on stores and peasants did in 1959, make a revo- farmers and young people in cities and small businesses that hurt work- lution where the workers take power out and towns, large and small. To join in ing people and provide of the hands of the capitalists.” see page 9 for the distributors nearest an excuse for the govern- “In Guatemala we had the Cuban you or email the Militant at themili- Campaign to expand reach of ment to blame protesters doctors,” Quiñones said. “We called [email protected]. ‘Militant,’ books, fund for violence and go after them ‘the doctors without white shoes.’ our rights.” This was because they would go into the Betsey Stone in Oakland, California, April 4 - June 2 (final chart) At a house meeting in most remote areas, with the rains and contributed to this article. Sub Subs Books Books Fund Country quota sold quota sold quota Received UNITED STATES 25, 50, and 75 years ago Albany* 55 64 55 56 $6,300 $6,480 * 55 59 55 56 $10,550 $10,564 Chicago* 80 121 60 73 $11,400 $12,052 Dallas 20 25 20 25 $2,500 $2,697 Lincoln 10 11 10 15 $250 $304 June 19, 1995 June 19, 1970 June 16, 1945 Los Angeles* 70 86 60 68 $10,800 $11,853 MONTREAL — Protests in- A significant recent development More than a million war work- Louisville* 55 69 55 63 $3,900 $4,079 volving thousands of working has been the growing organization ers are seeking jobs. By the end of Miami 20 21 20 23 $3,500 $3,679 people are being organized al- of nationalist sentiment in the Mex- October, 4,800,000 war workers N. New Jersey* 55 68 40 47 $5,000 $5,240 most every day since the Quebec ican-American, or Chicano, com- and returned veterans will be on New York* 65 82 60 79 $14,000 $14,530 government announced plans munity. the “no longer required” list. Oakland* 65 83 70 79 $12,000 $12,200 May 11 to close nine hospitals in The first annual Chicano Youth The question of jobs, of ad- Philadelphia 20 22 20 26 $3,000 $3,320 the Montreal area. Close to 1,600 Liberation Conference of Aztlan equate compensation during un- Pittsburgh* 30 39 20 22 $2,250 $2,580 beds are slated to be lost in the held in March 1969 adopted a pro- employment is posed squarely Seattle* 55 78 40 53 $10,500 $11,444 coming year. More than 9,500 gram [that] calls for the formation before the entire American labor Twin Cities 20 29 20 21 $3,500 $3,935 workers will be affected by these of an independent Chicano party. movement. Nobody but the orga- Washington* 30 52 45 30 $5,500 $5,763 cuts, with several thousands los- The conference also raised the con- nized workers themselves are ca- Other 2 $1,300 ing their jobs altogether. cept of Aztlan, which includes all of pable, ready and willing to fight Total U.S. 705 911 650 736 $104,950 $112,020 Coalitions of trade unions, com- the southwest United States, which for a bold and radical program Prisoners 25 36 munity organizations and hospital originally belonged to Mexico: Tex- of JOBS FOR ALL which will workers are springing up to orga- as, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado brush aside the profit and mo- UNITED KINGDOM nize against these drastic cuts. and California. nopoly interests of a handful of London* 35 37 40 42 $4,250 $5,188 More than 800 hospital workers The development of a Chicano ruling profiteers and compel the Manchester* 27 33 37 41 $1,722 $1,979 went to the Montreal Expos base- party has gone the furthest in government to operate the plants Total U.K. 62 70 77 83 $5,972 $7,167 ball game May 31 to publicize their Texas. There the successes of La at full capacity. Canada* 65 70 75 103 $9,360 $9,979 fight to keep the hospitals open. Raza Unida Party mark the first Precisely at this crucial juncture The next day, some 400 people electoral victories for an indepen- the leadership of the labor move- New Zealand* 15 19 15 15 $3,000 $3,250 participated in a vigil against the dent Chicano party. Its candidates ment has shown itself least capa- Australia 20 20 20 20 $1,500 $1,600 closing down of the Queen Eliza- were overwhelmingly elected to ble or willing to offer an adequate beth hospital. Hundreds of health the Crystal City school board on program and to mobilize the forc- FINAL TOTAL 892 1,126 837 957 $124,782 $134,016 care workers also participated in April 4 and to the city councils of es of labor for the type of all-out SHOULD BE 700 700 700 700 $115,000 $115,000 the Women’s March Against Pov- Crystal City, Cotulla and Carrizo fight, on the economic and politi- *Raised goal erty in Quebec City June 4. Springs on April 7. cal field, which can achieve it.

4 The Militant June 15, 2020 Cheryl Goertz: 55-year cadre of the Socialist Workers Party BY JANICE LYNN An attractive three-panel display ATLANTA — A meeting to cel- of photos and articles highlighted the ebrate the political contributions of SWP’s activity in the last 55 years, and Cheryl Goertz, a 55-year cadre of the Goertz’s political work as part of it. Socialist Workers Party, was held here LaMont read a message from Jack May 30. Participants came from Atlan- Barnes, SWP national secretary. ta; Greensboro and Hayesville, North “There are descriptions in many Carolina; Miami and Plant City, Florida; messages to this meeting of Cheryl’s ef- Carrollton, Georgia; and New York. ficiency and of the carefully honed or- Goertz died May 19 of complications ganizational skills she continued to de- from a lifelong congenital autoimmune velop for well over half a century in our disease. She was born in 1944 in Hills- movement,” Barnes said. “But there’s boro, Kansas, a farm town with a popu- one possible misunderstanding that’s lation of 2,500. In the mid-1960s Goertz important to avoid. There was nothing administratively narrow, as organization Militant/Harry Ring joined the Lawrence, Kansas, Young At 1968 Young Socialist Alliance convention Cheryl Goertz has lunch with Ray Dunne, Socialist Alliance chapter, and the SWP is universally seen in bourgeois society, a central leader of Teamsters union battles in Minneapolis in the 1930s and of the SWP. when she moved to Chicago. about Cheryl’s strengths and habits. Cheryl’s sister Beth described Hill- “Cheryl knew that the working- in the center of these developments to Building a proletarian party sboro in her message to the meeting. class movement had, above all, as its put all this together.” Rachele Fruit, SWP candidate for “It was a Protestant rural community great strength, the ultimate capacity to She threw herself into the fight against U.S. Senate from Georgia, explained with town and farm closely intercon- organize millions of individuals who the indictment of three YSA members at that “Cheryl helped build many branch- nected, with farm crops determining had never thought it was possible they Indiana University in 1963 on charges es of the party — Chicago; Boston; Salt town sales in many ways. Bartering would begin organizing a totally new of attempting to overthrow the govern- Lake City; Tampa, Florida; Pasadena, was a part of the economy. For exam- society,” Barnes said. ment of the state of Indiana. California; Birmingham, Alabama; and ple, the person owning one of the gas “Proletarian politics without organi- Benson highlighted what he, Goertz Carrollton and Atlanta in Georgia.” stations bought furniture from our zation and habits is a pretense, and there and others of their generation learned Fruit pointed to a message sent by Bill Dad and in turn we filled up our cars was no pretense to Cheryl.” from party leaders with experience in Arth from Los Angeles. “Cheryl regu- at no charge as payment.” the big class battles in the 1930s. Benson larly participated in the effort to back “Dad, a Republican, as most were Goertz joined SWP in 1960s pointed to a photo of Goertz, in her ear- up our union fractions by participating in this area, was practical,” she wrote. John Benson, a leader of the SWP in ly 20s, having lunch with Ray Dunne. in plant-gate sales,” Arth said. “Cheryl “When on the Draft Board during the Atlanta, described the world that politi- Dunne was a central leader of the Team- and I were a regular team at a sewing Vietnam War for our area, he deter- cized Goertz in the 1960s, as she saw sters union battles in Minneapolis and factory in Bowden, Georgia.” mined that the farm boys were not eli- and got involved in the SWP’s activity throughout the Midwest, and of the So- María Hernández, who worked at that gible for the draft as they were needed in response to these developments. Ben- cialist Workers Party and its efforts to plant when a party organizing commit- for food production.” son explained he was of the same gen- lead workers in opposition to the U.S. tee was established in 2007 in nearby These traits informed Cheryl, Beth eration, having joined the party just a rulers’ entry into the second imperialist Carrollton, came to the meeting. She said. “She was 100 percent reliable, few years earlier. slaughter of World War II. told this correspondent of the respect steady, and calm.” Goertz was inspired by the proletari- “Cheryl was of the generation of she had for Goertz and other SWP Susan LaMont, organizer of the At- an-led struggle to smash Jim Crow seg- young people who joined the party at members she worked with. “Being here lanta branch of the SWP, chaired the regation. She decided to go to a meeting a time when they still had the oppor- to celebrate her life with everyone has meeting. She welcomed participants, to hear Malcolm X speak in 1963 while tunity to hear Ray Dunne speak to a meant a lot to me,” she said. including Dave Wulp, Cheryl’s 50- attending a teachers’ education program Midwestern socialist educational con- Fruit added that Goertz was a main- year companion, and for more than in Detroit. She defended Cuba’s social- ference and answer the question, ‘What stay of mine portal sales in Birmingham half a century a member and supporter ist revolution, led by Fidel Castro, where does organizing a picnic right have to to help the party’s fraction in the United of the SWP. working people had taken power and do with socialist revolution?’” Barnes Mine Workers union. She encouraged people to read the uncompromisingly stood up to U.S. im- wrote in his message. “Cheryl had an unwavering con- 23 messages sent by comrades, family perialism. The movement against apart- “Ray answered by going through not viction,” Fruit said, “that the working and friends put together in a booklet heid in South Africa was growing, and only strikes and picnics, but workers mi- class will carry out its historic job and for the meeting. The messages were protests against the U.S. war in Vietnam litias, which were the beginning of the rid the world of the dog-eat-dog system sent by people who spanned the sever- were beginning. arming of the proletariat. And it was all of capitalism and begin to build a new al generations Goertz had known and “But,” Benson emphasized, “she based on direct personal experience Ray society based on human solidarity. She worked with building the party in cit- had to meet the party that was right had been an integral part of.” Continued on page 9 ies across the country, as well as from Communist Leagues abroad. LaMont said we are living in a pe- riod when the working class is awaken- SWP ‘stimulus’ appeal over $105,000 and growing ing, with job actions by workers taking place. A time when thousands, in cities In the past week “stimulus” appeal contributions to the Socialist Workers and towns, are taking a stand in pro- Party reached $105,700 from 94 contributors with 10 new people in the last tests against the police killing of George week. The total continues to grow. Floyd in Minneapolis and the vigilante “I am so happy to be sending my contribution to the party where it can lynching of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. be put to good use for the future of our class,” Cecelia Moriarity from Seattle wrote with her contribution. Joanne Kuniansky from New Jersey accompanied her contribution with the following, “I was beginning to think I wasn’t getting anything when the ‘stimu- lus’ check arrived. It’s great to put it to use for the party.” Edwin Fruit, a Walmart worker in Seattle, noted, “Farrell Dobbs, a central leader and organizer of the Teamsters in the class battles of the 1930s, and of the Socialist Workers Party, always kept his gas tank filled so he could respond immediately to any resistance by workers against the bosses and their govern- ment. Well, this money is for the same purpose.” The nearly 100 contributors have taken the U.S. government “stimulus” payments and turned them into what Scott Breen, another contributor, called an “example of the law of unintended consequences.” The contributions have created a special stake, a qualitative augmenting of the SWP’s long-term financial capital — to be able to act in a timely and deci- sive way as the working class is awakening amidst the unfolding of the conse- quences of a historic worldwide capitalist decline. The stake is for the building of a proletarian party, now and going forward, that will organize working people in their millions to end capitalist exploitation and rule, and join hands with toilers worldwide to build a new social order based on solidarity. If you’d like to join in donating your government payout, send a check to the Socialist Workers Party at 306 W. 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY Militant/Bob Braxton 10018, earmarked “Special Fund.” Participants in May 30 Atlanta meeting look at displays showing Cheryl Goertz’s 55 years — Emma Johnson in building Socialist Workers Party. Inset, SWP leader Dave Prince addresses the meeting.

The Militant June 15, 2020 5 Defend wages, jobs, working conditions Workers resist clampdown Continued from front page hours a week to support my family.” es’ moves to speed up the on protests by gov’t in Chile This resistance by working people Inspired by pictures of Memphis sani- exploitation of the work- will inevitably deepen in response to tation workers going on strike in 1968, ers who pack and load stepped-up boss assaults as depression a fight that was backed by Martin Lu- the orders. by seth galinsky living day by day before the conditions, financial crises, and trade ther King Jr., the hoppers’ picket signs Samir Hazboun, So- “The company, the supervisors, the pandemic,” Carrera said. and military conflicts mount. The only say, “I am a man.” cialist Workers Party can- government authorities, the police, the A wave of massive anti- way out for working people is to come Company bosses initially responded didate for U.S. Congress virus and the rain are all against us,” government protests in Chile together on a class-struggle road to de- to the strike by saying those who walked from Kentucky, works at said Claudio Higueras Osorio, union began in October when stu- fend ourselves and all those oppressed out were fired, Harris said. They re- a Walmart store in Lou- president and one of nearly 500 workers dents in the capital, Santia- and exploited by capitalism. versed themselves because they feared isville loading groceries on strike at Promasa, a lumber company go, protested rising subway One of the central questions facing legal action. So far they have refused to into customers’ cars. He in Los Ángeles, Chile. Nonetheless, for prices. The actions rapidly workers is jobs. Many big employers negotiate with the workers, who have or- told the Militant how he 43 days workers struck for higher wag- spread to include workers and — from Boeing to General Electric — ganized as the City Waste Union. and his co-workers were es, better conditions and a contract. farmers, demanding a rise throw more and more workers out of The strike at Hood River Distillers able to score a victory “We were tired of all the inequality in the minimum wage, - a job, seeking to carve out a return to in Oregon “is still going strong,” Mi- by standing up against and the arrogance of the supervisors,” ter pensions and health care profitability on the backs of those who chael Beranbaum, secretary treasurer moves by the bosses to Higueras told the Militant in a June 1 and a constituent assembly to Courtesy Claudio Higueras Osorio are still working. The bosses want to pit of Teamsters Local 670, told the press speed up the work over phone interview. replace the constitution im- Road blocked by some of 500 workers in 43-day strike at Promasa, a lumber company in Los workers with jobs against those with- June 2. The 25 workers walked off the the past couple months. The supervisors always push for posed by the Augusto Pino- Ángeles, Chile, one of number of recent strikes and protests. Mass anti-government protests that out, to lower wages and worsen condi- job May 6 after bosses imposed their A year ago, “we were faster production, imposing overtime chet dictatorship. A pause in began in October “are going to explode again soon,” union leader at Holdtech strike predicted. tions for all. They aim to saddle working own “final offer,” including a worse expected to complete 20 and pushing workers harder. “They the protests started after the people with the burden of the social and health care plan with higher costs put orders in a day,” he said. exploit us to the maximum,” Higueras government of President Sebastián jobs and food. Cops and soldiers dis- other necessities. “I am a single mother. economic crisis of their system. on the workers and a wage increase “By January, a busy day said. “There are a lot of on-the-job Piñero imposed a ban on gatherings persed the protesters with high-pressure I want to work, but what can I do if there Official jobless claims in the U.S. over that didn’t come near to meeting was 40 orders.” Now boss- Jason Kerzinski injuries. A lot of amputations, espe- of more than 50 people in April. water and tear gas. are no jobs,” a laid-off janitor protesting the last few months totaled 40.8 million, workers’ demands. Darnell Harris, right, and Rahman Brooks, in ongoing walkout cially of fingers.” “I think those demonstrations are go- More than 900 people have been de- in El Bosque told TV24 news. “The gov- es are pushing them “to by “hoppers” at contractor for New Orleans sanitation system. and this undercounts the actual number The bosses try to keep production go- complete as many as 105 The government kept up constant ing to explode again soon,” Carrera said. tained across the country for violating a ernment has not given me a single bag of of those unemployed. The estimated ing using strikebreakers, but they have orders with about the same number of truth and it needs to be told.” pressure to try to force strikers back In mid-May young people and oth- government curfew. food. What am I supposed to live on?” real figure of 23.9% is closing in on the problems. The plant’s air conditioning workers as before. We’re still getting the Hazboun said the bosses never let to work, claiming no one should strike ers blocked streets in five working-class The Piñero government claims it has At least 25% of Chilean workers have Great Depression peak of 25.6%. Many broke down, and HVAC repair crews same size paychecks.” up in looking for ways to boost their during the coronavirus pandemic. neighborhoods in Santiago, demanding distributed 2.5 million food baskets and lost their jobs over the last few months. of these job losses, especially among refuse to cross the strikers’ picket line. Workers in the department decided profits, and workers need to be ready Health officials came to the picket line small businesses, half of which are Contributions to the strikers can be they had to do something about it. to answer. “As long as everything from demanding strikers wear face masks not expected to reopen, will be per- sent to Teamsters Local 670, P.O. Box They organized together to tell the production to distribution remains un- and “social distance.” manent. The unemployment rate in 3048, Salem, Oregon 97302. bosses they needed more workers or der the control of the bosses, the con- “The police have arrested more than Yakima fruit packers fight for wages, hours, safety Detroit, where over three-quarters of Retail giants like Walmart and Target the work just couldn’t get done. After structive capacities of human labor 20 strikers claiming they were caus- BY HENRY DENNISON In the midst of the packinghouse “We have fought for collective bar- the population is African American, have benefited greatly from the recent some back-and-forth the bosses agreed will be twisted to serve profits, not ing ‘disorder in the street,’ but then re- YAKIMA, Wash. — Fruit packing strikes, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee an- gaining agreements. We are defending has jumped to 48% from 11% before shutdowns, unlike their smaller com- to send more workers to help. human needs. Fighting for improved leased them,” Higueras said. “They do plant workers continue their week- nounced new coronavirus guidelines for our people,” Torres said. “We put our the lockdowns. petitors who face bankruptcy. Grocery This victory was consolidated later job conditions helps increase our con- it to intimidate us.” slong strikes for higher wages and farmworkers May 28. people first, not money, not profits.” Hundreds of millions more have lost sales skyrocketed 74% at Walmart over that week when the bosses said two fidence and class consciousness.” The latest attack was on June 1 when safer working conditions at Columbia Some striking fruit packers work in Torres also addressed Inslee’s rules jobs across the world. While the Chi- the last three months. The billionaire workers instead of one would be as- Working people are beginning to the police dispersed strikers with wa- Reach Pack here and at Matson Fruit the fields in the summer, where pay for segregating and housing H-2A work- nese government admits unemployment Walton family recently announced the signed to load groceries into cars. awaken, to stand up and act against ter cannon. Union leaders reached an in Selah, Washington. is higher. ers, who are brought from Mexico and is a serious problem, it claims a jobless company is making record-breaking Co-worker Trinity Bostic explained the brutalities and exploitation of the agreement with the company to end Strikers at Matson returned to work Familias Unidas President Ramón elsewhere on short-term contracts. rate of only 6%. But one Chinese bank- profits, buoyed by online orders. what a difference this has made. “It’s capitalist system. Fighting for jobs, the strike later that day, even though after the bosses said they would sign Torres answered him on the union’s The new rules specify that H-2A ing company estimates that in April it A May 1 memo by Walmart CEO just too much work for one person,” against speedup, and against moves it “wasn’t what we wanted,” Higueras a preliminary agreement they reached page. “There were 6 strikes workers be kept together in groups of was actually 20.5%, which means 70 Doug McMillon noted the profit boost she said, explaining it’s a lot safer now. by the bosses to cut our pay and cast told La Tribuna. with the workers’ committee at the here in the last 3 weeks and not one rep- 15, both on and off work, separated from million workers out of work. was aided by “robust adoption of on- Two people can work together to lift aside regard for our safety is the road About half of the 1,200 workers at plant. But the company reneged and resentative of the governor came to meet other workers. “Like groups of prison- Everywhere the bosses and their gov- line pickup and delivery.” the 40-packs of bottled water. “You forward to deepen the unity and fight- the plant — whose biggest customer a number of workers walked back with us. Nor a representative of the De- ers,” said Torres. ernment continue to tell us, “We are all What is really “robust” is the boss- can quote me on all of that. It’s the ing capacities of the working class. is Lowe’s in the United States — are out and resumed the strike. Columbia partment of Health.” “This also separates workers into in this together.” Whenever they say this, in the CUT trade union federation af- Reach bosses have so far refused to The crowded and unsafe conditions areas where it’s going to be hard if whether in times of war or of depression filiated union. meet with the committee chosen by bosses set up to maximize profits in the something happens to complain, to or- conditions, this lie means they’re com- This is one of a growing number of strikers there. fruit packing plants in Washington and ganize themselves, to make things bet- ing after working people. The United Autoworkers in Spain, France strike over plant closings working-class battles today in Chile Allan Brothers packing, where Oregon have contributed to significant ter,” said Rosalinda Guillen, executive States — like all capitalist countries — Continued from front page green electric vehicles. planned worldwide alliance, but now are and across Latin America, many of the first of a half dozen walkouts in outbreaks of the disease among workers, director of the Community to Com- is a deeply class-divided society. Their them open, some 3,000 Nissan work- Renault chiefs have tried to defuse instead divvying up their markets and which face government crackdowns the region took place May 7, finally one of the things that spurred the walk- munity Foundation, who works closely claim to “feel our pain” is also a lie. ers represented by four unions went workers’ anger, claiming they might production. Nissan is retreating from on the pretext of limiting the spread signed a preliminary agreement rec- outs in the Yakima area. with Familias Unidas. The only “we” for the wage and debt on strike May 6. Parts plants employ- reconsider shutting the Maubeuge Europe and Renault from Asia, in hopes of coronavirus. ognizing the workers’ committee and slaves under capitalism is our work- ing another 20,000 workers could also plant. But they made it clear they of offsetting intensified competition. Workers at Holdtech, a call center made some concessions on working ing-class brothers and sisters here and for WOM cellphone company, won Books workers be shut down. Workers reacted in an- have not altered plans to cut produc- The assault on autoworkers at Nissan conditions. Strikers are returning to need today… …ABOUT BUILDING THE ONLY KIND around the world. Our interests are di- ger after Nissan bosses finally admit- tion by a fifth and slash 14,600 jobs and Renault foreshadows what millions their key demands May 25 after nearly work June 1, while they continue to OF PARTY WORTHY OF THE NAME rectly opposed to the exploiting class. ted they intend to close the plants. worldwide. This includes pulling out of workers the world over will face as three weeks on strike. negotiate over wages. “REVOLUTIONARY” As part of reducing its workforce by of production in China. the bosses try to cut workers’ jobs while These include a wage increase, time “I am very happy because employees Workers stand up and say No! 20,000 worldwide, Nissan’s manage- Bosses at Nissan and Renault, as well putting the squeeze on those who re- and a half on holidays and company sub- will go back to work with their heads The Turn to Industry: Sanitation workers in New Orleans ment is shifting all its production in Eu- as Mitsubishi, had been ballyhooing a main to work harder and faster for less. sidized transportation to work. “We also held high and with a lot of pride,” com- Forging a Proletarian Party have been on strike since May 5, de- rope to its big Sunderland plant in the won back pay for the days on strike,” mittee member Agustín López told the by Jack Barnes $8 with a subscription manding a wage raise, safer working United Kingdom. They also plan to shut Angélica Carrera, a call center worker Yakima Herald-Republic. Tribunes of the People conditions and respect. “Every day be- a factory in Indonesia. and president of the Holdtech union, These committees, which were nomi- and the Trade Unions ginning at 4 a.m. we picket for our jobs For their own reasons, both the Span- said by phone from Coquimbo. nated and elected on the picket lines, by V.I. Lenin, Farrell Dobbs, Karl Marx, back,” Darnell Harris told the Militant in ish national government and the Cata- Like the workers at Promasa, the didn’t exist in any packing plant in the Leon Trotsky and Jack Barnes a phone interview May 30. Harris is one lonia provincial administration — who Holdtech workers organized an “olla Yakima fruit growing region until the $7 with a subscription of 14 hoppers, who jump off and on gar- have sharp differences over Catalonian común,” or communal pot, a long tradi- walkouts began a month ago. Malcolm X, Black Liberation, bage trucks to fill them with trash. national rights — are offering new in- tion in working-class struggles in Chile. The farmworkers’ union, Familias and the Road to Workers Power “We want $15 an hour,” Harris said. centives to Nissan, or any other auto A stew is prepared in a huge pot and Unidas por la Justicia, is working with by Jack Barnes $10 with a subscription “I’ve worked the same job for different dished out to everyone. the committees from each packinghouse boss who promises to keep the car SPECIAL OFFER agencies for nearly 10 years, but I’m still plants running. “We received a lot of support, but we and helping to plan solidarity actions. only making $10.25. I have to work 70 also went out knocking on doors” to Familias Unidas also represents work- Some 2,000 workers struck Renault’s $25 Maubeuge factory in northern France spread the word about the strike, Car- ers at Sakuma Brothers Farms, a berry- FOR ALL THREE BOOKS May 29, after bosses announced plans to rera said. “That’s why we won.” picking operation in Skagit Valley. at left Teamster with a Militant close the factory and shift some produc- Many call center workers are urged The organization was formed in subscription Rebellion tion to another plant, slashing 4,600 jobs to work from home because of the 2013 when berry pickers walked off by Farrell Dobbs tells Red Zone: Cuba and the Battle story of how a class- across the country. A union protest rally quarantine imposed by the govern- the job. It became a union as workers PLUS Against Ebola in West Africa struggle leadership of the next day drew 8,000. ment. “The company provided com- fought a number of strikes and other by Enrique Ubieta the Teamsters union The government of French Presi- puters, but refuses to pay for the inter- actions. They won recognition and in Minneapolis in dent Emmanuel Macron, which has a net or even a good chair,” Carrera said. a contract after a four-year struggle. 20% $12 with a subscription 1934 showed how to 15% stake in Renault, is going ahead “We work 10-hour days.” Since then farmworkers in other parts off Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? $16 fight — and win — Resumen Latinoamericano All OTHER with an $8.8 billion handout to the “There have always been abuses of the state have reached for its help Class, Privilege, and Learning under Capitalism Some 8,000 autoworkers and supporters protest May 30 against Renault bosses’ plans to slash Pathfinder strike battles in midst auto bosses to cut down their expect- and it’s always the workers that pay the in standing up to orchard and berry by Jack Barnes $16 of depression. 4,600 jobs in France and another 10,000 worldwide. Rally backed strike at Maubeuge factory books $16 ed losses and to boost production of in northern France bosses plan to shutter. Banner says “Don’t touch MCA, it’s our factory.” price, especially those who were already farm bosses. $5 with a subscription pathfinderpress.compathfinderpress.com See distributors page 9 or visit pathfindeRpress.com

6 The Militant June 15, 2020 The Militant June 15, 2020 7 Swp statement Demand freedom for Defend jobs, wages, working conditions! Jalil Muntaqim now Alyson Kennedy, the Socialist Workers Party can- allies among farmers and small proprietors to win pro- by brian williams didate for president, issued the following statement tection from depression conditions and the widening Former Black Panther Jalil Muntaqim, who has June 3. Malcolm Jarrett is the party’s candidate for divisions they try to use to pit us against each other. been imprisoned for 49 years, was rushed to the hos- vice president. The starting point for such a program is joining in pital from the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Falls- every fight that develops. Use theMilitant to spread burg, New York, May 25 after testing positive for CO- From strikes by thousands of autoworkers at Nis- the word about these struggles! VID-19. His blood oxygen level was at a critical 81%. san in Spain fighting to keep their jobs, to walkouts ●● The SWP urges workers to fight for a gov- Muntaqim, working with the Legal Aid Society, by fruit packers over wages and safety in Washington ernment-funded public works program to put had filed a petition April 13 for his release on- con state — working people more and more are finding millions back to work at union-scale pay, build- stitutional grounds, as an ongoing medical condition ways to stand up to the bosses and their government. ing things working people need — schools, hos- heightened his vulnerability to the virus. These strikes and protests reinforce the countless pitals, child care, public transit and more. This Two weeks later Sullivan County Supreme Court on-the-job actions in factories, big-box stores and oth- would reduce the competition among workers Judge Stephan Schick granted Muntaqim’s release. “I er workplaces to resist the bosses’ attacks and speed- for jobs, putting us all in a stronger position to can’t imagine anyone more vulnerable, more at risk up. They are an example to millions of other workers. organize, build unions and resist the employers. for death,” he wrote. “Mr. Muntaqim may have gotten And the mass protests worldwide demanding pros- ●● As bosses cut the hours of millions of work- a 25-to-life sentence, but it was not a death sentence.” ecution of the cops who killed George Floyd in Min- ers to protect their profits — slashing our wages New York Attorney General Letitia James inter- neapolis inspire workers to redouble their efforts to as they do so — we need to fight for 30 hours vened, appealing the judge’s decision, preventing take on the bosses. work for 40 hours pay. Such a struggle can both Muntaqim from being released. A court hearing took Bosses are pushing for the government to lift their help share the jobs around while preventing the place May 28, but no decision has been announced. lockdowns to enable them to boost production and bosses from cutting our pay. “What happened is incredibly sad and a commen- trade to compete for markets. At they same time, they ●● Bosses use the fear of deportation hanging tary on the whole system of the New York state pris- look to cut their workforce to the bone, and squeeze over millions of immigrant workers to weaken ons,” Nora Carroll, an attorney with Legal Aid Society remaining workers harder to maximize profits. Then the efforts to organize and to lower the wages of who is representing Muntaqim, told the Militant May they use the competition between the growing number all workers. To unite against the employers’ at- 29. “A judge felt his life mattered and granted him of unemployed workers and those still on the job to tacks, workers need to fight for amnesty for all temporary release,” but with the appeal pending “he deepen their attacks on wages and safety for all. fellow workers without papers. must stay in prison.” To advance our interests we need a fighting pro- ●● Production cannot be left under the control In a brief filed before the May 28 hearing, the -at gram to mobilize the entire working class and all its Continued on page 9 torney general’s office argued there is nothing in the Constitution that protects Muntaqim from getting sick in prison, or that supports the proposition that because he did get sick he should be released. James’ brief goes so far as to argue that Judge Build a disciplined, working-class movement! Schick’s April decision to release him is null and void Continued from front page The bosses are organizing for a profitable “recovery” since Muntaqim is now infected with the virus and his the neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd and by- on our backs. earlier arguments based on the possibility of getting standers pleaded for his life. They have the potential Working-class struggles against these attacks — the virus are no longer valid! to grow and accomplish more. While all four cops in- joblessness, police brutality, attacks on our wages, “Jalil should be released from prison and his sen- volved in the death of George Floyd have been fired, unsafe working conditions and racist discrimination tence commuted,” Seth Galinsky, Socialist Workers we must continue to demand that they all be arrested — will deepen. The capitalist rulers will continue to Party candidate for Congress in New York’s 10th Dis- and prosecuted. turn to the police to keep us in check. trict, told the Militant May 29. “His outrageously long The widespread looting and violence by a small mi- In the face of this we must build a labor movement sentence and repeated denials of parole show the true nority who tie their agenda to the protests are a deadly that acts as the champions of all working people. The workings of the capitalist ‘justice’ system. They’re obstacle to building the fight to end police violence protests today point to the possibility to build a broad punishing Muntaqim for his political ideas, and to try and the struggle to defend working people. working-class fight that can effect changes in the inter- and intimidate others from fighting for their rights.” ests of all the exploited and oppressed. No reforming the police But the nightly burnings, looting and destruction by Free Jalil Muntaqim! Cop brutality is not an aberration. It is endemic to groups of provocateurs, anarchists, opportunists, and Muntaqim has been in prison since he was 19 years the capitalist system. The role of the police — part of those driven by frustration and demoralization give old, accused of killing two police officers in 1971. He, the capitalist rulers’ criminal “justice” system — is the government a handle to blame protesters, not the Albert Washington and Herman Bell were convicted to mete out intimidation and punishment to working cops and their ruthless brutality, for violence. It deters in 1975, and each given a sentence of 25 years to life. people, fighting unionists and disproportionately to working people from joining the mass protests — mil- Washington died in prison in 2000. Bell won parole in African Americans. itant, peaceful and legal actions — that can put real 2018. Muntaqim has been rejected for parole 19 times, The police cannot be reformed. No amount of pressure on the government to prosecute killer cops. with the next hearing set for this September. “community policing,” “diversity training,” or The consequences of the looting and destruction are Overcrowding and decrepit health conditions citizen review boards can change the nature of the not only disrupting the lives and livelihoods of many throughout the U.S. prison system has made inmates, cops. They exist to protect and serve the interests workers, farmers and small proprietors, through the especially those who are elderly, more susceptible to of the wealthy rulers. closure of grocery stores, pharmacies, schools and contracting COVID-19 and other diseases. various businesses and the shutdown of public transit. While department of corrections figures tend to What we need They have given an opening to the government, which underestimate the numbers of those infected, as of It will take a powerful, disciplined, militant work- is responsible for defending the rulers’ system of ex- May 20 at least 29,250 workers behind bars in the U.S. ing-class movement to win the fight against the vio- ploitation, oppression and violence, to bring in more tested positive. There have been at least 415 deaths, the lence and brutality that the police inflict on workers cops, National Guard, and active-duty military forces, Marshall Project reports. and farmers. The mass Black-led movement that over- to shut down many cities. Over 60 million are now At the Rikers Island jail complex in New York City, threw Jim Crow segregation in the 1950s and ’60s, as covered by a variety of curfew orders. one case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in mid-March. well as the fighting Teamsters union movement here in It is along a course independent of the bosses’ Dem- Within two weeks, more than 200 cases were diag- the 1930s, are powerful examples of the kind of move- ocratic and Republican parties that we can build our nosed. Mass testing was done at Marion Correctional ment and leadership that can and must be built. own party, a labor party, to help lead a struggle for Institution in Ohio, and of the 2,500 prisoners there, Unions have spoken out against the cop killing of a workers and farmers government that will provide 2,000 tested positive. George Floyd — including the Amalgamated Tran- working people the mightiest weapon possible to wage A few state governments, like those of Ohio and sit Union, United Steelworkers, United Auto Work- the ongoing battle to end Black oppression and every California, have released some prisoners because of ers, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, form of exploitation in class-divided society. the threat of coronavirus. In New York the Democrat- UNITE HERE, and many more. The bus drivers’ Fidel Castro and the July 26 Movement set an ex- ic administration of Andrew Cuomo has released just union in Minneapolis has called for “A [new] civil ample for workers and farmers everywhere by orga- 172 inmates, all of whom are 55 and older. All were rights movement that is joined with the labor move- nizing them to overthrow the U.S.-backed Fulgencio within 90 days of when they would have gotten out ment and independent of the corporate establish- Batista dictatorship in 1959. They transferred political of prison anyway. Of the 40,500 persons incarcerated ment’s political parties” to fight for “our collective power to working people, transforming society as they in New York state, nearly a quarter of them are older liberation as working people.” The unions should transformed themselves. Cuban workers and farmers adults, many whose health has suffered in prison. mobilize members and other workers to join the pro- built and continue to defend their own government, Muntaqim — who prison authorities refer to as An- tests and use the power of organized labor to draw one built on new social and moral foundations in the thony Bottom, his birth name — and supporters of the more working people into this fight. interests of all. rights of prisoners continue to demand he be released The cop killing of George Floyd — and of Breonna One of the first steps of the revolution was to abol- and allowed to seek the medical care he needs. Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as the vigilante ish Batista’s police and army, replacing those hated Call Letitia James’ office at (718) 560-2040 to de- killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia — take place servants of the dictatorship with proven revolutionary mand freedom for Anthony Bottom. Send your sup- as working people face a broad social crisis, with mil- cadres from the July 26 Movement. That is the road to port to Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom) 77A4283, lions thrown out of work by government lockdowns. ending police violence once and for all here as well. Sullivan CF, P.O. Box 116, Fallsburg, NY 12733. 8 The Militant June 15, 2020 Hong Kong, ‘Beijing hands off’ Continued from front page forbidden in China. The only excep- Times that authorities insist on playing tions have been in Hong Kong and the anthem before public events like Macau. But this year authorities also the operas she likes to attend, requiring banned the event, claiming they are act- people to stand up. “I stood up against ing to prevent the spread of coronavi- my will,” said Ning, “but in my heart, I rus. Some 180,000 people crowded into was singing ‘Glory to Hong Kong,’” — Hong Kong’s Victoria Park last year to the anthem composed by the movement mark the anniversary. Many joined that for political rights. action to express their determination to Over the past year millions of working halt Beijing’s interference there. people and youth joined demonstrations demanding direct elections for the city’s Washington, Beijing rifts sharpen chief executive officer and its legislative President Donald Trump used the council, currently selected by a Beijing- Chinese government’s interference in controlled committee, as well as for a Hong Kong to press the U.S. capitalist halt to cop repression of their protests. rulers’ interests in their conflicts with While the city’s main union group Beijing over trade and influence in Sipa USA via AP — the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Asia and elsewhere. These clashes — Demanding political rights, autonomy protesters block Pedder Street in Hong Kong May 27. Unions — is pro-Beijing, today’s mass in the making for decades — follow movement for political rights and Beijing’s rise as a major competitor if Washington levies sanctions. break began, protested to demand un- greater autonomy has helped spur the to Washington. They have intensified Millions of workers have moved from paid wages. In Liuzhou, 1,000 taxi driv- formation of new trade unions that are with the current drop in world pro- the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong ers protested to demand the suspension more independent. duction and trade. since British colonial rule ended there in of cab rental fees and the right to sell Some workers in Hong Kong reported Trump announced May 29 that Wash- 1997. Many travel back and forth. Some their vehicles back to the cab company that their bosses threatened them to sup- ington will suspend preferential trad- participate in the movement for political they bought them from with no penalty. port Beijing against the growing pro- ing relations that give company bosses rights in Hong Kong. The Chinese rul- The ban on public gatherings in Hong democracy movement. The Hong Kong in Hong Kong tariff-free access to U.S. ers remains not only fiercely determined Kong was slated to end after June 4 — Financial Industry Employees General markets. It will also sanction some Hong to quash any resistance to their rule in the anniversary of Tiananmen Square. Union, which represents bank workers, Kong and Chinese officials. Chinese Hong Kong, but to prevent it from filed a complaint that Chinese bosses students and researchers with connec- spreading to mainland China. had pressured workers to sign a petition tions to Beijing’s military will be barred When the Chinese government began publicly supporting the new Chinese from entering the U.S., he said. lifting lockdown restrictions in March, Defend jobs, wages “security” law, and to send images of “Hong Kong is China’s Hong workers in different parts of the country Continued from page 8 their signature out to others. Kong,” haughtily replied Zhao Lijian, seized the opening to begin organizing, of bosses, who keep their profit- For decades the protest and com- a spokesperson for the Chinese minis- the China Labour Bulletin reports. driven plans, books and practices memoration of Beijing’s bloody sup- try of foreign affairs, warning Wash- Construction workers recruited to hidden from workers and consum- pression of the mass protest in Tianan- ington that Beijing would retaliate build emergency hospitals from scratch ers alike. They have zero concern men Square on June 4, 1989, has been against U.S. companies in Hong Kong in Wuhan, where the coronavirus out- for what they make, for workers’ health and safety, nor what they do to the land, sea and air. ●● The fight by workers to wrest Cheryl Goertz: 55-year cadre of Socialist Workers Party more and more control over pro- Continued from page 5 the U.S. Her commitment was an exam- the years,” Prince said, “was always a duction, including power over was committed to the program and the ple, to build a proletarian party to make welcome relaxation and complement to line speed, work conditions and party that is needed to lead that fight to the revolution in the country where you hard political work.” what is produced and how, are victory.” live, as part of joining the worldwide Prince closed his comments with necessary steps toward workers Fruit recounted some of the politi- fight for socialism. the closing words of Barnes’ message: running the entire economy. cal campaigns of the party that Goertz “Cheryl was part of the generations “The most striking thing about Cheryl ●● We need to break with the had been a part of — the fight to stop represented at this meeting that car- over fifty-five years was not her unusual bosses’ two-party shell game and the execution of Troy Davis, framed up ried forward that course and continue debilitating and long-lasting illness, but build our own political party, a la- in Georgia; the campaign to win the to do so today. what she was determined to accomplish bor party, that speaks and acts in freedom of the Cuban Five; building the “Cheryl was a cultured person in the with the strengths she marshaled, and the interests of the working class fight of Black farmers against discrimi- true meaning of the word,” Prince said, the impact that had on others, including and all those oppressed and ex- nation by the banks and government. “how she related to and worked with the many she helped bring to the com- ploited by capitalism. This party LaMont brought greetings to the event others in collective, human solidarity.” munist movement. will lead a course of working- from Willie Head, a working farmer Her sister Beth had written, “Cheryl “In doing this — I can testify person- class struggle to strengthen us from Pavo, Georgia, who had been in- enjoyed music, both classical and jazz. ally — Cheryl’s work was and is an ex- for the revolutionary battles nec- volved in these fights over decades. She always carried the beat and kept the ample to all of us.” essary to overturn capitalist rule Mike Tucker wrote on behalf of the rhythm in her life going!” Participants contributed $1,135 to and put in power a workers and Communist League leadership in New “Cheryl and her companion Dave’s continue the work of building the party farmers government. Zealand, saying Goertz “found the hospitality to many at their home over to which Goertz had devoted her life. Join the SWP campaign! road to a meaningful and purposeful life through building the revolutionary workers party.” if you like this paper, look us up On behalf of the Communist League Where to find distributors of the NEBRASKA: Lincoln: P.O. Box 6811. AUSTRALIA in Canada, Steve Penner wrote, “As the Militant, New International, and a full Zip: 68506. Tel: (402) 217-4906. Email: Sydney: Suite 22, 10 Bridge St., deepest crisis of capitalism since the display of Pathfinder books. [email protected] Granville, NSW 2142. Tel: (02) 8677 0108. 1930s depression unfolds, Cheryl’s con- UNITED STATES NEW JERSEY: 3600 Bergenline, Suite Email: [email protected] 205B, Union City. Zip: 07087. Tel: (551) 257- tributions to building the kind of pro- CALIFORNIA: Oakland: 675 5753. [email protected] CANADA letarian party needed to forge a class- Hegenberger Road, Suite 250. Zip: 94621. QUEBEC: Montreal: 7107 St. Denis Tel: (510) 686-1351. Email: swpoak NEW YORK: New York: 306 W. 37th St., struggle leadership in the class battles 13th Floor. Zip: 10018. Tel: (646) 434-8117. #204 H2S 2S5. Tel: (514) 272-5840. Email: @sbcglobal.net Los Angeles: 2826 S. [email protected] that are coming are invaluable.” Vermont. Suite 1. Zip: 90007. Tel: (323) Email: [email protected] Albany: 285 643-4968. Email: [email protected] Washington Ave. #1R. Zip: 12206. Tel: (518) 810-1586. Email: [email protected] FRANCE A trained and educated Marxist FLORIDA: Miami: 1444 Biscayne Paris: BP 10130, 75723 Paris Cedex 15. Dave Prince spoke on behalf of the Blvd., Suite 215. Zip: 33132. Tel: (305) 929- PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 2824 Email: [email protected] 8966. Email: [email protected] Cottman Ave., Suite 16. Zip: 19149. Tel: SWP national leadership. “Cheryl be- (215) 708-1270. Email: philaswp@verizon. NEW ZEALAND GEORGIA: Atlanta: 777 Cleveland net Pittsburgh: P.O. Box 79142. Zip: 15216. came a trained and educated Marxist in Auckland: 188a Onehunga Mall, the party’s program, schooled in two ba- Ave. SW Suite 103. Zip: 30315. Tel: (678) Tel: (412) 610-2402. Email: swppittsburgh@ 528-7828. Email: [email protected] gmail.com Onehunga. Postal address: P.O. Box 13857, sic books of the SWP, The Struggle for Auckland 1643. Tel: (09) 636-3231. Email: ILLINOIS: Chicago: 1858 W. Cermak TEXAS: Dallas: 1005 W. Jefferson Blvd., [email protected] a Proletarian Party by James P. Can- Road, 2nd floor. Zip: 60608. Tel: (312) 792- Suite 207. Zip: 75208. Tel: (469) 513-1051. non and In Defense of Marxism by Leon 6160. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] UNITED KINGDOM Trotsky, that describe how the party KENTUCKY: Louisville: 1939 WASHINGTON, D.C.: 7603 ENGLAND: London: 5 Norman Road was steeled in the international fight to Goldsmith Lane, Suite 134. Zip: 40218. Georgia Ave. NW, Suite 300. Zip: (first floor). Seven Sisters. Post code: defend the continuity of Lenin and the Tel: (502) 882-1041. Email: louisvilleswp@ 20012. Tel: (202) 536-5080. Email: N15 4ND. Tel: 020-3538 8900. Email: gmail.com Bolshevik Revolution against Stalinism [email protected] [email protected] Manchester: 329, MINNESOTA: St. Paul: 1821 University WASHINGTON: Seattle: 5418 Rainier Royal Exchange Buildings, 3 Old Bank St. in the 1930s, and its political corruption Ave. W Suite S-106A. Zip: 55104. Tel: (651) Ave. South. Zip: 98118-2439. Tel: (206) 323- Post code: M2 7PE. Tel: (0161) 312-8119. of giving up on making a revolution in 340-5586. Email: [email protected] 1755. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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