AUSTRALIA $1.50 · canada $1.50 · france 1.00 euro · new zealand $1.50 · uk £.50 · u.s. $1.00 INSIDE Belarus protests and strikes shake Lukashenko regime — PAGE 6 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE vol. 84/no. 44 November 9, 2020 SWP campaign Vote Socialist Workers Party! wages fight for political rights in Washington by john studer and steve clark Once again, the Socialist Workers Party and its presidential ticket — this year, Alyson Kennedy for president and Malcolm Jarrett for vice presi- dent — are setting an example for all working people in defense of political rights and free expression. On Oct. 19 the secretary of state’s Militant/Kaitlin Estill Militant office in Washington state informed SWP presidential candidate Alyson Kennedy brings solidarity to Vice presidential candidate Malcolm Jarrett, left, speaks with Socialist Workers Party campaign Teamsters on strike at DSI Tunneling in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 22. Amanda Mazza, right, on her doorstep in Gloversville, New York, leaders of a request by a person to Join campaign to expand Workers need a labor party, For a shorter workweek with release names and addresses of 2020 the reach of the ‘Militant’ to fight for our own interests no cut in pay to stop layoffs SWP electors. “We do not believe that there is a By Kaitlin Estill This statement was issued Oct. 27 by terry evans public records exemption that clearly LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Socialist by Socialist Workers Party candidates As the Nov. 3 election draws near, allows us to withhold this informa- Workers Party campaigners are tak- for president and vice president, Aly- and liberals’ hysteria about the pos- tion,” wrote Public Disclosure Officer ing advantage of the final days be- son Kennedy and Malcolm Jarrett. sibility that Donald Trump could Brenda Galarza. The state, she said, fore the Nov. 3 election to discuss be reelected reaches a fever pitch, would release the names and address- with working people what we can Socialist Workers it’s clearer than ever that neither the es on election day, Nov. 3, short of a do together to change the conditions Democrats nor Republicans offer any court order not to do so. we face, build support for the party’s Party statement way forward for working people. The facts show the opposite. There candidates, and widen interest in its The only party presenting a course is a long and well-documented pub- campaign platform. Vote for the Socialist Workers to fight the massive joblessness and lic record of harassment and threats They’re preparing to continue to Party! We are the only party offering hardships, often perilous working against SWP supporters, both in campaign with the Militant and books working people a way to defend our- conditions, and inadequate health Washington and nationwide. They’ve by SWP leaders in the months af- selves from a deepening economic, care is the Socialist Workers Party been revealed, among other ways, in terward, presenting a revolutionary, health and moral crisis that the capi- presidential ticket, Alyson Kennedy Continued on page 3 working-class road forward. talist rulers are foisting on our backs. and Malcolm Jarrett. Continued on page 4 Continued on page 9 “More than anything, workers need to be at work,” Kennedy said at a Fall Campaign to sell meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. Militant subscriptions Nigerian army attacks protest 24. “It’s there that we can join togeth- er to fight the bosses who push the and books burden of the crisis on our backs. It’s Sept. 26 - Nov. 24 (week four) against brutal SARS cop unit there that our struggles can change the conditions we face and it’s there Sub Subs Books Books that we can begin to build the kind of Country quota sold quota sold union movement we need. UNITED STATES “We need a labor party,” Kennedy Albany 70 39 70 31 said, “to lead millions to end the boss- Atlanta 70 36 70 30 es’ exploitation of our labor by taking Chicago 110 59 110 42 political power into our own hands Dallas 30 19 30 12 and establishing a workers and farm- Lincoln 12 7 12 7 ers government.” Los Angeles 90 47 90 39 Liberal warnings about the grim Louisville 80 48 80 42 Miami 25 15 25 10 Continued on page 5 New Jersey 70 40 70 30 New York 85 64 85 59 Oakland 85 43 85 53 Philadelphia 25 19 25 14 Inside Pittsburgh 40 25 40 12 Paris uses anger over killing, Seattle 85 40 85 31 Jew-hatred to attack rights 2 Twin Cities 25 15 25 12 Washington 60 27 55 38 Would a Joe Biden White Total U.S. 962 543 957 462 House be better for Cuba? 6 AP Photo/Sunday Alamba Prisoners 25 17 Oct. 20 protest in Lagos, Nigeria. Later that day army attacked protesters, killing at least 10. Cuba celebrates Committees UNITED KINGDOM by janet posT geria. “Then they started shooting into to Defend the Revolution 7 London 40 28 40 24 “First they started shooting in the air, the crowd. It was barbaric.” Manchester 35 24 35 14 so we said, keep sitting on the ground, At least 10 people were killed and an Federal cops charged in 2017 Total U.K. 75 52 75 38 wave your flags, sing the national an- untold number injured in the assault. killing of Bijan Ghaisar 8 Canada 85 41 85 57 them — they are military, they won’t Workers and youth across the coun- shoot you if you are waving a Nigerian try took to the streets beginning Oct. 8, –On the picket line, p. 8– New Zealand 25 15 25 10 flag,” protester Famade Ayodeji told the demanding the government abolish the Build support for Dominion Australia 25 12 25 6 Financial Times after the Oct. 20 mas- notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad workers strike in Canada sacre at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Ni- Total 1,197 680 1,167 573 Continued on page 2 SHOULD BE 1,200 600 1,200 600 Paris uses anger over killing, Jew-hatred to attack rights by seth galinsky Among others taken into custody by The Oct. 16 beheading of history French police were the student’s father teacher Samuel Paty by an Islamist ter- and Abdelhakim Sefrioui, the leader rorist in a Paris suburb is an attack on of Cheikh Yassine Collective, a group freedom of speech and the rights of all that openly espouses anti-Semitism working people, as well as a deadly con- and backs Hamas, the reactionary anti- sequence of Jew-hatred. working-class party that rules in the The French government is using Gaza Strip. Sefrioui helped the father the ghastly attack to further erode get his videos out. democratic rights and strengthen the The government in Paris also ordered imperialist state’s repressive appara- the dissolution of the collective and tus, proposing legislation that would closed down for six months a mosque it allow it to outlaw groups that promote said was linked to the case. “Islamic separatism.” Shortly after the Charlie Hebdo car- Paty was murdered by Abdoulakh toons were printed in 2015, Islamist Hans Lucas Agency Sign at Paris rally Oct. 18 says, “Hey Abadou, you do not represent Islam or Muslims,” referring to Anzorov, an 18-year-old of Chechen gunmen, the brothers Cherif and Said killer of Samuel Paty. Government is attempting to use anger at killing to weaken political rights. origin, who posted a photo of the be- Kouachi, assassinated five cartoonists heading on Twitter. “I have executed and eight others at the magazine’s of- media he wanted to get “some Jews.” Paty, a man wielding a knife seriously one of the dogs from hell who dared fices in Paris. Two days later, their as- President Barack Obama at the time wounded two people in Paris outside the to put Muhammad down,” he wrote. sociate, Amedy Coulibaly, who said he called the killings at the kosher market former offices of Charlie Hebdo. The French police later tracked Anzorov was acting on behalf of Islamic State, “random,” refusing to admit that Jews magazine’s current address is not public. down and killed him. entered the Hyper Cacher kosher mar- were a special target. The magazine had just republished the The killing took place on the occa- ket and killed four shoppers. He told the About a month prior to the murder of Continued on page 3 sion of the opening of the trial of 14 people who were associated with the deadly anti-Semitic assault on the of- fices of the satirical French magazine Nigeria army attacks protest against SARS cop unit Charlie Hebdo in 2015. The magazine Continued from front page always come to this ground, and we will banded SARS in 2017, in 2018 and in had published demeaning cartoons of of the Nigerian police. Lekki toll gate always feel for those that are gone.” 2019, and it wasn’t true. Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. has become a central rallying point. Protester Chike Okonkwo told the After the carnage at Lekki, actions in In early October the 47-year-old his- When the protest began, demon- press that the Oct. 20 rally had been solidarity with the protesters have been tory teacher had angered the father of strators sat on the ground, listening to peaceful the whole time, but “we have a held around the world. At the Oct. 24 one of his Muslim students when in a speeches, chanting and singing, and country where the lives of citizens don’t action in Philadelphia, participants wore class discussion on “contours and lim- sharing stories of brutalization at the matter to anybody in power.” He said T-shirts saying, “#Lekki Toll Gate Mas- its of free speech” he included showing hands of the cops. When night fell 18 soldiers shot seven people near him. The sacre” and carried signs reading, “#End the cartoons from Charlie Hebdo. The trucks with uniformed forces arrived army denies any involvement. SARS; #End SWAT; #End bad govern- father posted several videos demanding and deployed to surround the gathering. SARS thugs have engaged in killings, ment; #End impunity” and “Soro Soke,” Paty be fired and called him a “thug.” “When [the soldiers] were making extortion, rape, and torture, including which means in Yoruba “speak up.” Paty told school officials he had comments that the flag is not bulletproof “mock execution, beatings, waterboard- “We are not only here because of the warned students he was going to show — that’s when I knew this was going to ing and near-asphyxiation,” Amnesty police brutality. But because of all those the pictures and they didn’t have to look get out of hand,” Isaiah Abor told Al- International has documented. who use their power to oppress the peo- at them if they didn’t want to. Jazeera. “We are not cowards. We will Dressed in plainclothes and armed ple,” nurse Toyin Fajinmi told the rally. with heavy weapons, SARS cops also The IndustriALL Global Union said extort money. At ATM machines, if you that the union federation’s affiliates in don’t have money “they take your card. Nigeria are in solidarity. “It is under- If you don’t give them your card, they standable that the current protests reflect shoot you,” Jennifer Agu, president of the serial historic and contemporary Newfoundland, Canada, Nigerian Stu- atrocities by the Nigerian police,” read a dent Association, told CBC. statement by Issa Aremu, IndustriALL Solidarity is key to winning labor battles Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s presi- vice president. dent and a former military general and Some forces responded to the mas- From Arizona copper min- dictator, announced Oct. 11 he was sacre with arson, looting and street vio- ers and grocery workers in disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery lence. The authorities used this to smear Canada, to health care work- Squad and replacing it with a SWAT the protest movement, hoping to divide ers in California, the soli- unit. But the government said it had dis- the youth from the rest of the population. darity by unions, individual workers and others is what Latin America, Caribbean: For one year send strengthens workers’ fights. The Militant $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to above address. Vol. 84/No. 44 Africa, Asia, and the Middle East: For The ‘Militant’ gets out the one year send $85 drawn on a U.S. bank to United Steelworkers Local 675 Closing news date: October 28, 2020 above address. word about labor battles, and Los Angeles Steelworkers bring donations to Asarco strikers in Arizona, Dec. 2019. Editor: John Studer Canada: For one year send Canadian $45 builds support. to the Militant, 7107 St. Denis #204, Mon- Managing Editor: Terry Evans treal, Quebec H2S 2S5. 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2 The Militant November 9, 2020 SWP wages rights fight in Washington Continued from front page Washington’s imperial- hard-fought battles against the disclo- ist aims in the Second sure of names and personal informa- JOIN THE FIGHT! World War. The SWP tion. Victories have been won before Help get statements of headquarters there was the Seattle Ethics and Election Com- support for the fight to defend raided by the FBI. Par- mission, Washington Public Disclo- political rights in Washington. ty and Teamster lead- sure Commission, Federal Election Send a contribution, made ers were framed up, Commission and federal benches up out to the Socialist Workers tried and imprisoned to the Supreme Court. National Campaign, marked for “conspiracy to ad- These rulings document hundreds of for Seattle fight, and win vocate the overthrow of contributions from friends and threats, physical assaults, firebombings the U.S. government” and other attacks on SWP candidates, co-workers. Send to SWP Campaign in under the thought-con- supporters and campaign offices, as well trol Smith Act. as government spying and disruption. Washington state, 650 Orcas St., #120, Seattle, WA 98108, The SWP has taken In the last few months alone, party or [email protected]. the lead in exposing campaigners in Washington have re- decades of FBI infiltra- ceived several serious death threats. tion and disruption of To make public the electors’ per- to its political activity — campaigning the labor movement. sonal information opens them to being and putting the SWP ticket on the bal- In the 1970s and ’80s targeted by government political po- lot there; participating in battles to win the party organized lice, employers and right-wing goons. unions by fruit packers and farmwork- a successful decade- It exposes them to middle-class radi- ers in the Skagit and Yakima valleys; and-a-half political cals who resort to “cancel culture” to and other efforts to advance struggles campaign and federal shut down those they disagree with by workers and farmers. lawsuit against FBI by public lynching on social media, But the party has also faced threats. spying, harassment and thuggery and harassment outside their In July, for example, Dean Peoples disruption. The SWP’s homes and apartment buildings. was talking with workers coming out suit was upheld in fed- Militant/Rebecca Williamson The SWP campaign has retained of a Walmart in Renton, including get- eral court, and millions Alyson Kennedy, left, SWP presidential candidate, talking with strik- the well-known labor and political ting signatures to put the SWP ticket learned more about the er Angie Lara on Allan Brothers fruit packers picket line in Naches, rights law firm of Barnard Iglitzin & on the ballot. One person, however, true face of the capital- Wash., May 19. Lara is member of Trabajadores Unidos por la Justicia. Lavitt to help meet this challenge. In “looked at me coldly and said, ‘Some- ist rulers’ criminal “justice” system. Iglitzin was the attorney ended with a response to initial steps by the party’s body should shoot three or four of It was a victory that advanced the ruling that all employees in Washington lawyers, the state government has them,’” Peoples reports. space for political activity for all work- state have a legally enforceable right to agreed not to release information un- “F--k antifa socialists!” a caller said in ing people. a paid 10-minute rest period after every til at least Nov. 9 to facilitate court a message left on the SWP phone Aug. When liberal political forces, largely three hours of work. proceedings and negotiations. 28. “And you motherf--kers better watch in the Democratic Party, began winning The Socialist Workers National Cam- your back, because I’m coming to burn adoption of “campaign reform” legisla- Join the fight! paign Committee has launched an im- your f--king place down and kill all of tion in the 1970s — on the false claim There is a growing threat to free mediate campaign to raise $20,000 to you!” A similar phone threat had been speech and workers’ rights in the U.S. help cover the legal and associated costs. this would clean up capitalist politics left a month earlier. SWP members today. It comes not only from govern- “For decades — since our party was — these laws were put to use to target acted on these threats, informing other ment spies, cop informers, rightists formed out of the 1917 Bolshevik Rev- the Socialist Workers Party and other tenants in the building and increasing and stepped-up efforts by the bosses to olution in Russia — we’ve been ac- working-class groups. security measures there and at forums make workers pay for the crisis of capi- tive in working-class struggles, fights In response, the SWP filed for exemp- and other meetings. talism. There are also mounting assaults to build and strengthen unions and to tion from turning over to the govern- So when they learned of the secretary on political rights from those seeking to defend the rights of all those who chal- ment the names, workplaces and home of state’s threat to turn over names and impose their version of “politically cor- lenge the dog-eat-dog capitalist sys- addresses of campaign contributors. addresses of party electors to anyone rect” speech. As part of imposing their tem,” Mary Martin, an SWP leader in The fight built on victories won by the who wants them, socialist workers were views, they support government efforts Seattle, told the Militant. “For that rea- NAACP in the 1950s and ’60s against determined to take it on. to force the disclosure of names and son, we’ve all too often been targeted moves by Alabama state authorities to personal information of those engaged by those who fear the working class force the civil rights group to turn over Front lines defending rights in political activity. and seek to block moves toward inde- its membership lists. The party has fought to defend work- The SWP’s current fight in Washing- pendent labor political action. The party succeeded in winning ers’ rights from its origins in 1919. Its ton against such undemocratic govern- “This fight is part of defending that the right not to disclose this informa- founders, as leaders of the young Com- tion through political fights on federal, ment measures — a frontal assault on working-class tradition against all who munist Party in the 1920s, helped lead state, and local levels — victories used the Bill of Rights and other constitu- seek to attack it,” she said. the International Labor Defense, orga- by others to defend their rights, as well. tional protections won by toilers over nizing working-class campaigns in de- Death threats In 2016, for the first time in decades, the centuries — is in the interests of all fense of victims of frame-ups and other Federal Election Commission refused working people and the labor move- The SWP has gotten a good response capitalist injustice. such an exemption. ment. Your help is needed! from working people in Washington As leaders of the Teamsters union in But the fight goes on, including in Minneapolis and the Upper Midwest in Washington right now. the 1930s, SWP members were deeply Socialist Workers Paris killing involved in labor battles, including Fighting lawyers building working-class opposition to Party Fund Drive Continued from page 2 The Barnard Iglitzin & Lavitt law Sept. 26-Nov. 24 (Week 4) controversial cartoons to mark the open- firm representing the SWP in this fight Area Quota Collected ing of the trial, and to show they would has an earned reputation in the fight for Albany $7,500 $1,850 not give up the right of press freedom. MILITANT workers’ rights. They trace their his- Atlanta $11,000 $5,797 Several Muslim religious leaders tory back to George Vanderveer, the condemned the murder of Paty. Kamel Chicago $13,000 $3,552 LABOR attorney for militants in the Industrial Kabtane, the representative of a mosque Dallas $2,750 Workers of the World victimized in in Lyon, said, “Muslims must be united Lincoln $325 $74 FORUMS Everett, Washington, in 1916, and then to face this ignorance and violence.” Los Angeles $12,500 $4,044 in Centralia a few years later. “All working people must condemn GEORGIA Louisville* $5,400 $2,921 Kathy Barnard has fought legal bat- the vile killing of Samuel Paty, as well Atlanta Miami $3,750 $200 How Rulers Use ‘Racial Sensitivity’ tles to defend the Familias Unidas por la as the second round of attacks against New York $15,500 $4,484 Programs to Attack Working Class. Justicia union and its right to organize Charlie Hebdo,” Malcolm Jarrett, So- Speaker: Sam Manuel, Socialist Workers N. New Jersey $6,000 $2,730 Party. Fri., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. Donation: $5. and defend farmworkers from boss sur- cialist Workers Party candidate for Oakland $12,750 $5,752 777 Cleveland Ave. SW, Suite 103. Tel.: veillance and attack in Skagit Valley. U.S. vice president, told the Militant (678) 528-7828. Philadelphia $3,500 $200 She won a case defending the right of Oct. 23. “Jew-hatred is a deadly dan- Pittsburgh $3,000 $1,150 participants in a union-organized action ger for the working class, in the U.S. TEXAS Seattle $12,500 $2,595 to rally in a Walmart parking lot. as well as in France.” Dallas Twin Cities $4,250 $1,859 Workers Need Our Own Party, a Labor She has also successfully fought for Jarrett also condemned the repres- Wash., D.C. $6,000 $3,035 sive moves of the French government. Party. Speakers: Alyson Kennedy, So- protection of victims of sexual harass- cialist Workers Party 2020 candidate for Other $500 “Dissolving groups the government dis- ment and domestic violence from hav- president; Gerardo Sánchez, SWP candi- Total $119,725 $40,743 agrees with on the basis of their ideas date for U.S. Senate. Sat., Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m. ing their addresses made public by gov- Should Be $120,000 $60,000 undermines the fight to defend free Donation: $5. 1005 Jefferson Blvd., Suite ernment agencies. 207. Tel.: (215) 939-3371. *raised quota speech and oppose Jew-hatred,” he said. An important case in which Dmitri

The Militant November 9, 2020 3 Vote SWP, get out the ‘Militant’ Cut hours with no cut in pay! Continued from front page Her family is three months behind on Continued from front page slowdown in capitalist production and “No matter which capitalist can- rent and when the eviction moratori- outcome of a second Trump term are trade, rather than action by workers, didate ends up in the White House, um expires at the end of the year she reaching a crescendo, with New York farmers and our unions to press for working people will need to keep or- is sure her landlord will evict them. Times columnist Paul Krugman pre- our own class interests. Biden prom- ganizing to fight for protection from “The responsibility of online dicting “the end of American democ- ises if he wins he will prepare mea- the bosses’ attempts to put the crisis schooling during COVID largely falls racy” if the president wins. “White sures to eventually create 18 million of capitalism on our backs,” says So- to the mothers who have to quit their men, mostly without a college degree” “green” jobs, while Trump claims his cialist Workers Party candidate for jobs or work less hours,” Kennedy are Trump’s base, sneers Charles Blow policies have put 11 million back to president Alyson Kennedy. said at the Oct. 23 forum. Schools in the same paper. His presidency is work since the pandemic began. “A lot of working people agree must open and do so safely, she added. not a period of “momentary insanity,” But over 23 million people are col- when we say the working class is the “There’s work to be done in improv- but “the beginning of a soft civil war” lecting unemployment benefits today, only class that can change things,” ing ventilation and building more spa- of the “aggrieved,” led by Trump, who and that figure masks the true extent Kennedy told the Oct. 23 Militant La- cious schools. This would be possible are “fighting for white power.” The only of the crisis, with millions more out bor Forum here. The unfolding capi- with a federally funded public works way Republicans can win the election, of work and unable to get help either talist economic, political and moral program that would put the unem- Blow claims, is to cheat. because they don’t have “proper” pa- crisis will continue to fuel interest in ployed to work at union-scale wages,” pers or they don’t qualify under gov- what the party is putting forward. a key part of the Socialist Workers Liberal frenzy to oust Trump ernment “guidelines.” Many workers Socialist Workers Party campaign- Party’s campaign platform. That argument is echoed by the have exhausted their maximum of 26 ers and Communist League members middle-class left. The Shut Down D.C. to 39 weeks of state unemployment David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP in Australia, Canada, New Zealand Solidarity with DSI strikers Militant/Maggie Trowe group says Trump will attempt a coup benefits. Special federal “pandemic” Pop-up distribution center gives out food at Virginia High School, Bristol, Virginia, Oct. 15. and the U.K. will keep working to Kennedy was warmly welcomed SWP candidate for president Alyson Kennedy, and Samir Hazboun, left, party’s candidate for and will only be driven from office benefits expire Dec. 31. Growing numbers depend on events like this in face of rising joblessness. Neither Joe Biden Congress in Kentucky’s 3rd District, talk with worker at JBS packing plant in Louisville Oct. 23. nor Donald Trump propose to get millions thrown out of work back into jobs immediately. bring home the eight-week inter- at the picket line of DSI Tunneling with “direct action,” including vio- Despite a weak federal government national drive — which continues workers, fighting for their first con- didn’t. But I still have to pay taxes.” cal DJ James Wilson at his doorstep. lence, by self-appointed “defenders of ban on evictions that began Sept. 4, the Biden says under Trump’s presidency, and signed by thousands of other through Nov. 24 — to increase the tract after winning union recognition “My campaign demands restoring “Have you heard about these protests democracy” like themselves. numbers threatened with being thrown “we’re learning to die with it.” medical personnel, it says lockdowns number of subscribers to the Mili- a year ago. Thirteen workers have voting rights to people convicted of in Nigeria against the brutal police In 2016 Trump won votes from mil- out of their homes rose in mid-October, But there is no common “we.” The contributed to “lower childhood vac- tant and readers of books by revolu- been on strike since Aug. 4. Bryan felonies,” Kennedy said. “In Florida force there called the Special Anti- lions of working people who successive as landlords found loopholes in the reg- economic crisis and the pandemic cination rates” and “fewer cancer tionary leaders. The SWP’s annual Trafford, organizer for Teamsters Lo- working people voted overwhelm- Robbery Squad?” he asked. Democratic and Republican adminis- ulations. In five states alone — Arizona, fall in starkly different ways on dif- screenings,” with the burden falling Party-Building Fund, this year with cal 89, told Kennedy about the soli- ingly to restore voting rights. But then “Workers all over the world face trations had dismissed as “deplorable” Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas ferent classes. hardest on the working class. a goal of $120,000, is running at the darity the striking workers have won. a court ruled you can’t vote until you the same thing,” Wilson said. “Here and treated with open scorn. He has — some 9,500 eviction notices were Long before the pandemic, the for- The signers urge what they call “fo- same time. “Hundreds of people have driven past pay off your fines and court-ordered in Cincinnati every Sunday we have governed for a capitalist ruling class that filedsince the moratorium. profit nursing home bosses crammed cused protection” for the most vulner- They will discuss with workers, the picket line,” he said, “and stopped debts. We oppose that restriction.” 200 to 300 people come to a nearby is accelerating efforts today to push the “Workers and our unions should de- elderly workers into understaffed facili- able, particularly those living in nursing farmers and small proprietors on their and asked what this is, what are we While campaigning outside of the church to protest against things like deepening economic and health crisis mand the government fund a public ties. When the virus spread, government homes and other retirees. doorsteps in big cities, small towns doing, because they don’t know what JBS meatpacking plant Oct. 23, Ken- the police killings and what the gov- onto the shoulders of workers and farm- works program that puts all those cast at all levels did nothing to stop them In addition, millions of workers in and rural areas. They will continue to a picket line is.” nedy and Samir Hazboun, SWP can- ernment is doing to us.” ers. Democrats have spent the past four out of a job back to work immediately, at from becoming incubators for the dis- the U.S. are more susceptible to infec- build solidarity with striking workers “A lot of my co-workers at the didate for Congress in the 3rd District, Socialist Workers Party and Com- years using an FBI-led witch hunt to try union-scale wages, to build the houses, ease, leading to a wide swath of deaths. tion because bosses cram us into con- and join protests against police brutal- Walmart in Dallas where I work don’t met Dominique McQueen, a worker munist League campaigners have to overturn the 2016 election. hospitals, schools and other things work- The lives of the elderly are no longer of fined workspaces while they speed up ity, for amnesty for immigrant work- know what a union is,” Kennedy at the plant. joined local protests denouncing the During their final debate in Nashville, ing people need,” Kennedy said. “When value to the bosses when they can no production. “Workers and our unions ers, for a woman’s right to choose said. “But there are many examples Referring to killings by the cops, police and government brutality in Tennessee, Oct. 22, neither Republican the bosses threaten layoffs, we need to longer exploit their labor. Infection rates need to wage a fight to wrest control abortion, and in solidarity with work- of Walmart workers sticking together McQueen, who is Black, told SWP Nigeria. At the action in London five Donald Trump nor Democrat Joe Biden fight for a shorter workweek with no cut at nursing homes across the country be- of production from the hands of the ing people fighting for political rights against attacks by the bosses, to me campaigners, “It’s not really a color participants bought subscriptions to pledged anything more than generalities in weekly take-home pay.” gan rising again in late September, as employers, including line speeds and in Belarus, Thailand and elsewhere. that’s what a union is.” Trafford sub- thing. They kill lots of white people the Militant and a number of books. about creating some jobs, someday in they have among the general population. all aspects of health and safety,” SWP The results so far confirm the big op- scribed and bought The Clintons’ An- too. The police target all of us.” In Philadelphia Janet Post joined a the future. They offered nothing to stop Debate over lockdowns Neither Biden nor Trump propose candidate Kennedy said. portunities to increase the reach of the ti-Working-Class Record: Why Wash- “That’s very true,” Kennedy said. rally of some 30 Nigerians. “The pro- profit-hungry bosses throwing more of Biden and Trump debated whether using the federal government to make In contrast to both the bosses’ par- Socialist Workers Party. At the half- ington Fears Working People by SWP “Black workers are disproportion- tests are mostly in the cities, but are sup- us onto the streets in the meantime. it is necessary to impose more lock- available to all the effective treatment ties, SWP candidates act on the needs way point of the drive 680 subscrip- National Secretary Jack Barnes. ately targeted, but it really is a class ported by people in the countryside,” Both act as if new government regu- downs to combat the recent spike in that Trump received when he got CO- of the toiling majority and point to our tions and 573 books have been sold. On Oct. 21, Kennedy and campaign question. The purpose of the police Folake Oniyade told Post. On top of cop lation or issuing more and more debt coronavirus infections. Trump says VID-19. Neither proposes to end the capacities to change our conditions and Kennedy on Oct. 22 met Susan supporter Zachary Larrabee met Carl is to defend the ruling class by keep- brutality, “it’s hard to find a job there — can paper over the ruinous effects of the no, “We’re learning to live with it.” anarchy of the for-profit pharmaceutical to transform ourselves. They are getting McEnerney, a server at the Cracker Jackson, a 44-year-old worker who ing the working class in check. The you have to know someone to be hired,” bosses who seek advantages over their a widespread hearing in the final days Barrel restaurant for the last 13 years. does lawn maintenance and snow only way to combat this is by using Oniyade said. “The health care is very rivals, as opposed to pooling resources of the campaign. McEnerney told Kennedy she can’t removal. “I can’t vote because I was our power to bring mass pressure to bad. You have to pay before being seen to get a vaccine as quickly as possible. Whoever sits in the White House work all her shifts because she has convicted of a felony when I was a charge these cops, and in the long Vote SWP, get out the ‘Militant’ The liberal media has tried to bury in 2021 will rule for the bosses and by a doctor.” Oniyade was one of two ers have met on their doorsteps have to stay home with her young son and kid,” Jackson said. “I was not guilty run build a working-class movement Continued from previous page discussion of an Oct. 4 petition by three bankers. What matters is the continu- protesters who subscribed to the Mili- contributed more than $90 in the last help him with his online schoolwork. but I couldn’t win, so I took a plea. powerful enough to replace the dicta- “Our campaign calls for a price guar- epidemiologists who say shutdowns ing efforts of workers and farmers to tant at the action. few weeks. Every contribution, no mat- The restaurant is only at half capacity, After I finished my sentence I was told torship of capital with a workers and antee that would provide sufficient in- caused “irreparable damage.” Known find a revolutionary working-class ter how small or large, is key to financ- so tip income is way down and she’s I had the right to vote again. Then the farmers government.” come for farm families to live on,” said as the Great Barrington Declaration road forward. Cut the workweek with no cut in ing a working-class party like the SWP. no longer eligible for unemployment. government sent me a letter saying I In Cincinnati, Kennedy met lo- pay to fight layoffs Perasso. The party demands a halt to foreclosures and calls for nationalizing Taking the time to sit down with those by Jacob perasso the land so that no farmer can be evicted. who have subscribed to the Militant or 25, 50, and 75 years ago BRIDPORT, Vt. — “I started work- Plouffe renewed her family’s subscrip- begun reading the books campaigners ‘We’re living this ing off the farm about four years ago tion to the Militant and picked up a copy are distributing can lead to many decid- crisis, we’re not when the milk prices dropped,” dairy of In Defense of the US Working Class ing to kick in even more. farmer Becky Plouffe told Malcolm Jar- by SWP leader Mary-Alice Waters. We have received $40,743 for the progressing. The SWP rett, SWP candidate for vice president; “The working class has the moral Party-Building Fund. Keep the contri- is the only party that Abby Tilsner, SWP candidate for Con- high ground and produces all the wealth butions coming. They are being put to offers a road forward for November 13, 1995 November 13, 1970 November 10, 1945 gress in New York’s 20th District; and in society,” Chris Walters told campaign good use as the party receives them. SEATTLE — The International As- The National Peace Action Coali- NEW YORK — More than 200,000 Jacob Perasso, the party’s candidate in supporters when they met with him. “It Send in reports directly to the Mili- working people’ sociation of Machinists has scheduled a tion registered a major accomplish- Jews crowded into Madison Square Park the 21st District, Oct. 23. would be a better place when workers tant on discussions, debates and ex- Willie Head, long-time farmer from solidarity rally in support of strikers at ment with the Oct. 31 demonstrations October 24, in the largest protest against Plouffe, her husband Paul and their play an active role in the way society is changes of views you have while intro- Valdosta, Georgia, and veteran of Boeing. No contract talks have taken against the war in Vietnam. Britain’s White Paper in this city. family operate a small dairy farm here. run.” Waters, a worker at the Ben and ducing the Militant and books to oth- battles by farmers who are Black to place since October 5, when 32,500 Since the inception of the movement, The meeting represented a cry of an- She works two or three jobs in addition Jerry’s Ice Cream factory in Waterbury, ers, or while soliciting contributions to keep their land. IAM members overwhelmingly reject- election periods have proven the most guish of a tormented people at the treat- to milking cows. Her daughter, a nurses signed up to endorse the campaign. the Party-Building Fund. ed Boeing’s three-year contract offer. difficult for organizing massive demon- ment accorded to it by its own “allies.” assistant, lost her job this year and hasn’t Tell your family, friends and co-work- Picket lines remain solid. Teamsters strations. Substantial numbers in the an- With almost eight million Jews wiped found a new one yet. New contributors to the SWP ers about the paper, the special offers on Endorse the 2020 Socialist Workers Party campaign! at Boeing are contributing $10 per tiwar coalitions have turned to garner- out by Hitler, the true meaning of Jew- “Our campaign calls for cutting Party-Building Fund books by SWP leaders and the fund. Campaign for what you are for, not who you’re against! member to the union food bank. The ing votes for one or another major party ish “liberation” by the victorious Allies the workweek with no cut in pay to By Maggie Trowe To join in the effort, see the directory last week of October, 150 members “peace” candidate. The process was is becoming clearer every day. stop layoffs. Thirty hours work for The Louisville branch has raised on page 8 for the SWP or Communist q I want to endorse the Socialist Workers Party ticket of Alyson Kennedy of IAM District 142 from TransWorld compounded by the current Nixon cam- The several hundred thousand Jews 40 hours pay,” said Jarrett. Plouffe its SWP Party-Building Fund quota. League branch nearest you. for president and Malcolm Jarrett for vice president. Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Con- paign to swindle the American people left in Europe live in utter destitution said that for her a 12-hour day would “We have won seven new contribu- q I want to join in campaigning or host a house meeting for the tinental joined the picket line in front into believing he intends to wind up the and misery, most in concentration be a relief. tors, including from a cashier at the candidates. Pleases contact me. of Boeing’s corporate headquarters. war. The total capitulation of Democrat- camps maintained by the Allies. Con- “This year farm losses in the Walmart where I work who has been The ‘Militant’ Prisoners’ Fund q Here is my contribution of $______to help spread the word. IAM mechanics from Alaska Airlines, ic and Republican “doves” to the Nixon ditions in these camps are “shocking” U.S. are $12 billion — mostly from fighting for timely breaks,” Ned Mea- makes it possible to send prisoners (Make checks to Socialist Workers National Campaign) along with members of the Associa- fraud was a boost to war efforts. and “reminiscent of Hitler’s regime,” small working farmers,” said Jarrett. sel, fund organizer here, told the reduced rate subscriptions. Send q Send me a 12-week subscription to the Militant, a socialist tion of Flight Attendants, organized a Despite these obstacles NPAC suc- according to a recent official report to “When family farms are lost it im- Militant. “The response to our appeal a check or money order payable newsweekly. ($5 enclosed, checks payable to the Militant.) car caravan to the picket lines from the ceeded in initiating demonstrations in President Truman. pacts other working people and small and to the party’s politics has been so to the Militant earmarked “Prison- Seattle-Tacoma Airport. well over 30 areas of the country. NPAC Anti-Semitic outrages — not Hit- shop owners in the community.” strong that we are raising our quota ers’ Fund” to 306 W. 37th St., 13th Send in along with your name, address, phone # and e-mail address to: The mood on the picket lines is bol- succeeded in counterposing the demand ler’s “invention,” but one of the vile “Big farms get a lot of breaks on fees from $5,000 to $5,400.” Floor, New York, NY 10018 or do- Socialist Workers Party 2020 Campaign, 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, NY, NY stered by each expression of support for immediate U.S. withdrawal to Nix- outgrowths of capitalism in its decay that we don’t get,” said Plouffe. In New York, Tamar Rosenfeld re- nate online at: www.themilitant.com 10018. Tel: 347-871-0282 f Email: [email protected] for the strike. on’s crooked “peace” ploy. — are still being perpetrated. Continued on next page ports that workers who SWP campaign- 4 The Militant November 9, 2020 The Militant November 9, 2020 5 Belarus protests and strikes Cuba celebrates 60 years of Committees to Defend Revolution shake Lukashenko regime by róger calero Flora. The CDRs have been the heart Working people in Cuba in Septem- of Cuba’s emergency response system ber celebrated the 60th anniversary of that saves lives every year, preventing by Roy Landersen hundreds have faced violent abuse in the founding of the Committees for the natural disasters from becoming social Demanding the resignation of Presi- jails. Several have been killed. Defense of the Revolution (CDRs), the catastrophes. “No one is left to fend dent Alexander Lukashenko, some Local media showed some empty country’s largest mass organization with for themselves!” is the principle that 200,000 people took to the streets of factories as workers didn’t show up more than 8 million members in neigh- guides them. Minsk, Belarus, Oct. 25, the largest pro- for morning shift Oct. 26. Construc- borhoods in cities and countryside. And they’ve stepped forward to aid test against the regime in several weeks. tion sites and many smaller shops shut Even with special measures in place toilers in other countries facing simi- Strikes by workers around the country down for the day. Students staged sit- to protect people during the coronavi- lar conditions. On repeated occasions the following day kept up the pressure, ins or marched from university cam- rus pandemic limiting some activities, they’ve organized special drives to do- despite Lukashenko’s efforts to suppress puses despite threats of expulsion. it was a day of rejoicing with workers nate blood, for example, to people in the workers’ actions. Workers held mass meetings to decorating their houses, apartment Peru in 1970 and Armenia in 1988 in The workplace walkouts were back- discuss whether to take strike ac- buildings and streets with flags and response to earthquakes there. ing a “national strike” call by Sviatlana tion at some state-owned enterprises. banners, and some public events to Over decades the CDRs have helped Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled head of the About 200 workers gathered outside mark the anniversary. extend access to culture to working bourgeois-led opposition and widely Grodno Azot, one of the country’s The CDRs have been at the fore- people by creating libraries, organiz- recognized winner of the Aug. 9 presi- largest chemical plants. Security front of supporting the Cuban public ing music and other festivals, and pro- dential elections. Protesters have been forces arrested and beat more than health system in halting the spread of viding ongoing support for the schools demanding Lukashenko quit after he 50 of them after they refused to move Topky.sk Some 200,000 protesters in Minsk, Belarus, Oct. 25, mark 11 weeks of marches, strikes demanding dicta- COVID-19. In addition to the 28,000 in their neighborhoods. In June 1962, rigged the vote, saying his 26-year run when ordered to do so. tor Alexander Lukashenko resign, new elections be held and all those detained by authorities be released. medical students who have been mak- CDR de Cuba the CDRs sponsored a performance by as president would continue. They are Lukashenko first won office in ing daily house visits to check on ev- Members of Cuba’s Committees for Defense of the Revolution do voluntary work on vegetable the Cuban National Ballet that was at- also calling for the release of all those 1994, promising to prevent “oligarchs” ish workers and students who take Authorities promised to release them eryone’s health, brigades of volunteers farm, June 7. CDRs have helped mobilize masses to counter U.S. rulers’ economic and military tended by 50,000 people at the Latin efforts to overturn Cuban Revolution, while providing vital supplies like food, medicines. detained by authorities and a halt to the from taking over state-run factories. In- strike action. if they publicly admitted “guilt” and re- organized by the CDRs, the Federation American Stadium. They saw interna- violence meted out by the regime’s forc- stead, his government introduced capi- morse for their part in the strike actions. of Cuban Women, the Union of Young sembly session, U.S.-backed counter- counterrevolutionary activities leading tionally acclaimed Cuban dancer Ali- es to its political opponents. talist methods into the state factories, Regime acting against strike leaders When they refused, they were moved to Communists and other mass organiza- revolutionary terrorists set off several up to and after the April 1961 U.S.-or- cia Alonso, members of the national “Resign!” “Strike!” and “New elec- raking off profits and attacking workers’ Even before the Oct. 26 strike, author- new, undisclosed prisons. In an attempt tions are ensuring that children with bombs nearby. ganized invasion at the Bay of Pigs, and ballet she directed and 140 dance stu- tion!” shouted those taking to the streets rights and conditions. This included re- ities detained union leaders at the Belar- to break his will to fight, Bokun has disabilities, the elderly living alone, in fighting petty capitalists who sought dents perform Giselle. Oct. 25. Almost daily, smaller protests placing permanent jobs with short-term uskali potash mining complex, where been subjected to loud, nonstop record- and others in need of assistance re- CDRs born out of revolution to profit from hoarding and speculating continue to be organized, with demon- contracts in 1999. nearly 20,000 people work. ings depriving him of sleep. ceive their meals and medications, and “If they think they can stand against with food and other necessities. Fighting food scarcity today strators defying new threats by police to Recognizing the breadth of support Four workers from the Belaruskali Russian President Vladimir Pu- to run errands for them. the people, they are going to be hugely In 1962, when the Kennedy adminis- Over the years, the CDRs have use lethal fire against them. among workers for strikes against the strike committee, Anatol Bokun, Siar- tin backs Lukashenko. He views the Others volunteer for brigades to clean disappointed! We’ll put in place a com- tration was tightening its economic em- mobilized hundreds of thousands of Over 500 protesters were arrested government’s attacks on protesters, like hei Charkasau, Yury Korzun and Pavel movement aimed at bringing down quarantine centers and to provide com- mittee of revolutionary vigilance in bargo and preparing a U.S.-organized volunteers to help bring in the sugar around the country Oct. 25, many the ones that took place two months ago, Puchenia, have been held in jail in Soli- Lukashenko’s regime as a threat to pany to patients staying there. These every block,” Castro responded to an military invasion, the CDRs guaranteed cane harvest and in other agricultural picked up after dark when marches in Lukashenko’s security forces tried to gorsk for the past two months. Authori- Moscow’s interests. Like the Stalin- mobilizations reflect the fact that Cuban ovation. “When the masses are orga- the distribution of food and other sup- production. several cities had ended. The total num- prevent the Oct. 26 walkouts, arresting ties keep extending their detentions. ist regime before it imploded in 1991, workers and farmers see the government nized there isn’t a single imperialist, or a plies to the population, and organized Today, Cuba faces growing scarcity of ber detained has now reached 15,000. more than 300 people that day. They had helped lead walkouts in Au- Putin has long aimed to draw Belarus as their own, and use their organizations lackey of the imperialists who can make 12,000 medical brigades of 300,000 some foodstuffs, as a result of the drastic While most of those have been released, He has ordered authorities to pun- gust against the rigged election and the into economic and political integra- to help it meet every challenge. a move.” And the CDRs were born. members. They attended first aid cours- drop in production, trade, and tourism regime’s brutal response to those who tion with Russia. He hopes to avert When nearly 1 million people gath- They grew to become a vibrant na- es, made stretchers, and constructed due to the coronavirus pandemic — ex- refused to accept the “result.” The four another revolt like the Maidan upris- ered in Havana Sept. 28, 1960, to hear tional organization capable of mobiliz- bomb shelters. They organized retired acerbated by Washington’s stepped-up are leaders of the Belarusian Indepen- ing in Ukraine that toppled the pro- Cuban leader Fidel Castro speak after ing millions in defense of the revolution. workers, housewives, and students who sanctions. The CDRs and other mass or- dent Trade Union. Moscow government there in 2014. returning from a U.N. General As- The formation of neighborhood com- volunteered to take the place of workers ganizations have responded by organiz- mittees to guard against counterrevolu- who left to staff the front lines. ing to increase food production. tionary activity came at a turning point They were centrally involved in the The tasks of the CDR “continue of the revolution, then less than 2 years national campaigns to eliminate illitera- to be the same: to defend the revolu- Would a Joe Biden White House be better for Cuba? old. Workers and peasants were mobi- cy in 1961; and a year later to administer tion in each neighborhood and each By Steve Warshell tration, the U.S. rulers made a tactical lasted almost 60 years,” Castro said, lizing to take control of the fields and the polio vaccine to over 2 million chil- block,” Gerardo Hernández, recently MIAMI — A number of groups shift, recognizing that decades of bru- “what about those who have died in factories, and the revolutionary govern- dren under the age of 15. elected CDR national coordinator, here and around the country that con- tal sanctions and economic warfare to the mercenary attacks on Cuban ships ment was nationalizing the formerly Albert Sabin, developer of the oral said at the main anniversary celebra- sider themselves “friends of Cuba” overthrow the Cuban Revolution had and ports, an airliner full of passen- imperialist-owned banks and industries. polio vaccine, visited Cuba in 1963, tion held in Havana. Hernández was are promoting Joe Biden’s bid for the failed. The “new” approach followed gers blown up in midair, mercenary As it became clearer and clearer to astonished by the eradication of polio one of the “Cuban Five” revolutionar- Charter97 Minsk motor plant workers at MTZ discuss next steps in strike action against regime, Oct. 26. presidency as a way to relieve the ef- by Obama, which Biden says he wants invasions, multiple acts of violence Cuban capitalists and the U.S. rulers in a single campaign. It took six more ies who spent up to 16 years in U.S. fects of over 60 years of Washington’s to revive, sought to promote growth of and coercion?” that they would no longer be able to ex- decades for polio to be eliminated in the prisons for gathering information for economic and political attacks. These capitalist businesses in Cuba in hopes “No one should be under the illusion ploit the people and resources of Cuba, rest of the world. the Cuban government on the actions Books workers groups are organizing car caravans the workings and “morals” of the and plans of counterrevolutionary need today… …ABOUT BUILDING THE ONLY KIND that the people of this noble and selfless Washington accelerated its political, A description of these giant trans- OF PARTY WORTHY OF THE NAME here, peddling the myth that Demo- market system would undermine the country will renounce the glory, the economic and military efforts to over- formations can be found in the book groups in the U.S. with a long history “REVOLUTIONARY” cratic administrations — and in par- working-class confidence and social rights,” of what they’ve “gained with the turn the revolution. Women in Cuba: The Making of a Revo- of murderous attacks in Cuba. ticular Barack Obama’s — “have relations of solidarity that are preva- development of education, science and This is the course Washington has lution Within the Revolution, published “If someone asked, what’s the mys- The Turn to Industry: been better” for relations between lent in Cuba as a result of the revo- culture,” wrote Castro. “We are capa- pursued for over 60 years, under every by Pathfinder. tery behind this revolution?” Hernández Forging a Proletarian Party Washington and Havana, especially lution. Obama and Trump, however, ble of producing the food and material administration, Democratic or Repub- said, quoting from a speech given by Fi- by Jack Barnes $8 with a subscription better than Donald Trump’s. have the identical goal — to reimpose wealth that we need with the work and lican: a brutal economic war aimed at ‘No one left to fend for themselves’ del Castro at the fourth congress of the Tribunes of the People But that simply isn’t true, and revo- capitalist exploitation and U.S. impe- intelligence of our people.” the Cuban people. And the response Also in 1963, the CDRs collected CDRs in 2003, “there could not be any and the Trade Unions lutionary leader Fidel Castro said so. rialist control over the island’s land Biden’s camp has defended, against by working people and their CDRs has clothing and toys for the hundreds other answer than the fact that it rests on by Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Dobbs and Barnes The U.S. rulers’ decadeslong eco- and resources, and over its people. criticism from the Trump campaign, earned a special hatred from enemies of of thousands of victims of Hurricane the organized masses.” $7 with a subscription nomic war against the Cuban people During President Obama’s visit to its plan to return to the positions of the revolution. Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and their revolution has been uninter- Cuba in 2016, part of reestablishing dip- the Obama administration as a bet- The CDRs came into being as revo- and the Road to Workers Power ruptedly bipartisan. Since the Cuban lomatic relations between Cuba and the ter way to attack Cuba’s revolution. lutionary forces were taking leadership Cuba and the Coming American Revolution by Jack Barnes $10 with a subscription Revolution in 1959 every administra- United States — something that is still “In Cuba, engagement is not a gift to in the unions, and women, farmers, and tion without exception has sought to in place — he advised the Cuban people a repressive regime. It’s a subversive students were forming their own orga- SPECIAL OFFER by Jack Barnes be the one to go down in history as the “to forget the past, leave the past be- act,” Juan S. Gonzalez told Americas nizations. These organizations — along This is a book about the example set by the people of Cuba one that brought it down. And Biden hind,” and to open up Cuba to unbridled $25 Quarterly in July. Gonzalez served with the workers and peasants militias that revolution is not only necessary — it can be made. FOR ALL THREE BOOKS aspires to get a shot at doing so again. capitalist investment. both as an advisor to Biden and in and the revolutionary armed forces — With a Militant It’s about the class struggle in the U.S., where the subscription He already takes credit for attempting Cuban leader Fidel Castro wrote a re- Obama’s State Department. formed the foundation for the new popu- it as vice president under Obama. sponse, entitled “Brother Obama.” De- The fact is the only campaign for lar government, as it began transform- capacities of workers and farmers are today as utterly In October, while campaigning in spite the U.S. president’s urging, he said, president that offers solidarity with ing society for the benefit of the toilers, discounted by the ruling powers as were those of the The Jewish Question PLUS Little Havana, Biden said “we” need the Cuban people will, and should, nev- the Cuban people and their revolu- Cuban toilers. And just as wrongly. A Marxist Interpretation not the capitalists. by Abram Leon to return to Obama’s policy towards er forget the economic and human price tion is the Socialist Workers Party 20% $12 with a subscription Cuba. The Trump administration’s they have paid for Washington’s aggres- campaign of Alyson Kennedy. Not Toilers’ capacities unleashed The First and Second $10 off Red Zone: Cuba and the Battle course “is not working,” he said. sions, including its economic embargo. only does the SWP call for an end A quick look at the history of the All OTHER Against Ebola in West Africa “Cuba is no closer to freedom and de- “We don’t need the empire to give us to Washington’s economic assaults CDRs gives a flavor of how the revolu- Declarations of Havana Pathfinder by Enrique Ubieta mocracy than it was four years ago.” anything,” he said. against Cuba and for the U.S. rulers tion unleashed the creativity, resource- Manifestos of Revolutionary books $12 with a subscription He promised to continue using sanc- He reviewed the real record of U.S. to get out of Guantánamo, Kennedy fulness and capacities of working people Struggle in the Americas Are They Rich Because They’re Smart? tions against both Cuba and Venezu- efforts to strangle the revolution, what points to Cuba’s socialist revolution to use their organized power to confront Adopted by the Cuban People. Class, Privilege, and Learning under Capitalism ela “smartly.” Obama wanted Cubans to “forget.” as an example for workers and farm- all challenges to the revolution. by Jack Barnes $5 with a subscription $10 In 2014, under the Obama adminis- “After a ruthless blockade that has ers in the U.S. to follow. They were decisive in neutralizing www.pathfinderpress.com See distributors page 8 or visit pathfindeRpress.com

6 The Militant November 9, 2020 The Militant November 9, 2020 7 Build support for Dominion workers strike in Canada BY BEVERLY BERNARDO bers will keep their line up and de- “Those of us standing on a picket cide their next steps once the court line for nine weeks, we’re here to say decides, union lead negotiator Chris that we are fed up with this compa- MacDonald said. ny taking our full-time jobs away,” “This isn’t just about 1,400 workers Dawn Hanames told an Oct. 22 rally fighting. It’s about us acknowledging of striking Dominion grocery work- a broken system that is failing work- ers, outside the Loblaw distribution ers. I say to Galen Weston, see us, center in Mount Pearl, Newfound- hear us because we’re not going any- land. Hanames has worked at Domin- where,” Carolyn Wrice, Local 597 ion for 30 years, first as a part-time president, told the rally. Weston, one worker and then full time. of the richest capitalists in Canada, “One day longer, one day stron- owns Loblaw. ger!” the strikers chanted outside the “We have been watching the news center, which supplies Dominion and about your struggle,” read a letter Unifor Dominion workers picket Oct. 26 at Weston’s bakery in St. John’s, Newfoundland. “See us, other stores owned by Loblaw. sent by Canadian Union of Public hear us, because we’re not going anywhere,” said Unifor Local 597 President Carolyn Wrice. Eighty percent of the workers at the Employees Local 1777 in solidar- company are part time, and more than ity with the grocery store workers. cal 15 in Vancouver also sent a let- bosses’ attacks. Messages of support half earn the provincial minimum The CUPE local represents workers ter of solidarity and a contribution of and donations should be sent to Unifor wage of 12.15 Canadian dollars an in Social Planning Toronto and sent CA$1,000 to the strikers. Local 597, 301-55 Bond St., P.O. Box hour ($9.24). a check for CA$100 to the Domin- Dominion workers need more soli- 922 Station C, St. John’s, NL A1C 5L7, The strike by 1,400 Unifor Local ion workers’ strike fund. CUPE Lo- darity in their fight to push back the Canada, or [email protected]. 597 members began Aug. 22 after workers overwhelmingly rejected company bosses’ offer of CA$1 an hour wage increase over three years. Federal cops charged in 2017 killing of Bijan Ghaisar Workers are demanding higher wag- By Glova Scott Ghaisar stopped his jeep twice, but The officers claim that they acted es, more full-time jobs and better WASHINGTON — A grand jury when the cops jumped out with their in self-defense and to protect public benefits. in Fairfax County, Virginia, filed guns drawn and pounded on his car, safety, even though the video showed The rally took place days before manslaughter charges Oct. 15 against he drove off. When he was pulled Ghaisar was driving away, not toward the Newfoundland and Labrador Su- Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vin- over a third time, the cops shot nine the officers. preme Court was due to hear an in- yard, two U.S. Park Police officers, times into Ghaisar’s vehicle, striking State charges were filed because junction requested by bosses to block who shot and killed Bijan Ghaisar on him four times in the head. Ghaisar, the U.S. Justice Department had pre- workers from picketing the Mount Nov. 17, 2017. who was Iranian-American, was un- viously refused to do so. Federal au- Pearl facility. The cops chased Ghaisar after his armed. He died 10 days later. The thorities also refused to turn over any Now into their 10th week on the vehicle was rear-ended in a minor chase and the shooting was recorded of the evidence to Virginia prosecu- picket line, Unifor Local 597 mem- fender bender that was not his fault. by Fairfax County police. tors. The cops now claim that they can’t be charged because the law says federal officials can’t be brought be- letters fore state courts. Omari Musa, Socialist Workers Randy Jasper dom and join farmers and truckers in a cause he could no longer make ends Party candidate for D.C. Delegate meet and began repairing farm equip- Randy Jasper, a Wisconsin farmer, London rally demanding government to Congress, welcomed the fact that fighter for the rights of family farmers relief from soaring fuel prices, where ment in a shed near his house. the two cops were charged. For three and longtime supporter of Cuba’s social- he was asked to speak. “I told the rally He remained politically active — years Ghaisar’s family organized ral- ist revolution, died Oct. 23 from COV- I need to know what is happening in joining fights by working farmers, lies and other protests demanding ID-19 related illnesses. He was 70. Europe and you need to know what is speaking about the example of Cuba’s justice, which finally pushed Virginia Jasper was a milk and grain farmer. happening in the U.S., because what revolution, protesting against the po- officials to file charges against Ama- His first political fight was when he we face is a world problem,” he told lice killing of George Floyd in Min- ya and Vinyard,” he said. started organizing dairy farmers to the Militant. nesota and supporting working-class “They always linked up their fight protest the low prices they received Over the past decade, Jasper and battles like the 2019 Machinists strike with other struggles against cop kill- for their milk. his wife Zena organized for Social- at Wisconsin-based Regal Beloit in ings, inviting activists from Black In February 2000 Jasper helped or- ist Workers Party members from Valparaiso, Indiana. civil rights groups to join their pro- ganize a protest outside the headquar- Chicago to visit and write for the Beyond his political activities, Jas- tests and to speak,” Musa said. “But ters of Foremost Farms USA, Wiscon- Militant about what farmers in Wis- per was also a champion tractor puller it isn’t guaranteed the family will get sin’s largest milk buyer, to demand consin were facing as the crisis of in southwest Wisconsin. the trial they so deserve, given the higher prices. David Rosenfeld and capitalism deepened. Dan Fein laws are written to protect the police. Joel Britton, Socialist Workers Party Finally, Jasper gave up farming be- Chicago, Illinois We have to keep the pressure on.” members, attended the action to re- port on it for the Militant. After meet- ing the party, Jasper found a number if you like this paper, look us up of opportunities to collaborate with the SWP over the rest of his life. Where to find distributors of the NEBRASKA: Lincoln: P.O. Box 6811. AUSTRALIA Militant, New International, and a full Zip: 68506. Tel: (402) 217-4906. Email: Sydney: Suite 103, 124-128 Beamish Jasper visited Cuba three times and [email protected] was invited to the 1999 National As- display of Pathfinder books. St. Campsie. Postal Address: P.O. Box 73 UNITED STATES NEW JERSEY: 3600 Bergenline, Suite Campsie, NSW 2194. Tel: (02) 8677 0108. sociation of Small Farmers (ANAP) 205B, Union City. Zip: 07087. Tel: (551) 240- Email: [email protected] conference. He was won to support CALIFORNIA: Oakland: 675 1512. [email protected] Hegenberger Road, Suite 250. Zip: 94621. CANADA Cuba’s socialist revolution and joined NEW YORK: New York: 306 W. 37th St., Tel: (510) 686-1351. Email: swpoak QUEBEC: Montreal: 7107 St. Denis in activities to explain and defend it, @sbcglobal.net Los Angeles: 2826 S. 13th Floor. Zip: 10018. Tel: (646) 434-8117. Email: [email protected] Albany: 285 #204 H2S 2S5. Tel: (514) 272-5840. Email: both among farmers where he lived in Vermont. Suite 1. Zip: 90007. Tel: (323) [email protected] 643-4968. Email: [email protected] Washington Ave. #1R. Zip: 12206. Tel: (518) Muscoda and at conferences and oth- 810-1586. Email: [email protected] FRANCE er gatherings of farmers around the FLORIDA: Miami: 1444 Biscayne PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 2824 Paris: BP 10130, 75723 Paris Cedex 15. country and abroad. The workers and Blvd., Suite 215. Zip: 33132. Tel: (305) 929- Cottman Ave., Suite 16. Zip: 19149. Tel: Email: [email protected] 8966. Email: [email protected] farmers government in Cuba guar- (215) 708-1270. Email: philaswp@verizon. antees farmers the right to work the GEORGIA: Atlanta: 777 Cleveland net Pittsburgh: P.O. Box 79142. Zip: 15216. NEW ZEALAND Ave. SW Suite 103. Zip: 30315. Tel: (678) Tel: (412) 610-2402. Email: swppittsburgh@ Auckland: 188a Onehunga Mall, land, he explained, unlike in the U.S. 528-7828. Email: [email protected] gmail.com Onehunga. Postal address: P.O. Box 13857, where farmers are driven into debt ILLINOIS: Chicago: 1858 W. Cermak TEXAS: Dallas: 1005 W. Jefferson Blvd., Auckland 1643. Tel: (09) 636-3231. Email: and, all too often, off the land through Road, 2nd floor. Zip: 60608. Tel: (312) 792- Suite 207. Zip: 75208. Tel: (469) 513-1051. [email protected] bankruptcies and foreclosures. 6160. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] UNITED KINGDOM He once told a Militant Labor Fo- KENTUCKY: Louisville: 1939 WASHINGTON, D.C.: 7603 ENGLAND: London: 5 Norman Road rum in Iowa, “Farming in Cuba is or- Goldsmith Lane, Suite 134. Zip: 40218. Georgia Ave. NW, Suite 300. Zip: (first floor). Seven Sisters. Post code: Tel: (502) 882-1041. Email: louisvilleswp@ 20012. Tel: (202) 536-5080. Email: N15 4ND. Tel: 020-3538 8900. Email: ganized to provide for the population, gmail.com [email protected] not to make profits.” [email protected] Manchester: 329, MINNESOTA: St. Paul: 1821 University WASHINGTON: Seattle: 650 S. Orcas Royal Exchange Buildings, 3 Old Bank St. In 2000 Jasper organized time off Ave. W Suite S-106A. Zip: 55104. Tel: (651) St., #120 Zip: 98108. Tel: (206) 323-1755. Post code: M2 7PE. Tel: (0161) 312-8119. the farm to travel to the United King- 340-5586. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

8 The Militant November 9, 2020 SWP statement Thousands protest Vote Socialist Workers Party! gov’t attack on right Continued from front page to fight to wrest control of production out of their to abortion in Poland Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump say “Ameri- grasp. Under workers control, decisions are made cans” need to come together. But there are two based on the protection of life and limb of all, not by Emma Johnson Americas — the rulers of the propertied capital- the bosses’ profits, and workers learn more about Thousands joined in a march in Warsaw Oct. 23 to ist families on one side and the tens of millions of our own capacities. protest a ruling the day before by Poland’s Constitu- workers, farmers and youth on the other. Workers need our own political party, a labor tional Tribunal that bans abortion even in the case “of For the capitalist system of the bosses to return party, that acts in the defense of all those exploited a severe and irreversible fetal defect or incurable ill- to profitability they need to restore their dog-eat- and oppressed by capital and leads millions to take ness that threatens the fetus’s life.” dog competitive edge against rivals at home and political power and put a workers and farmers gov- This will lead to a near-total ban as this was the abroad by inflicting deep cuts on our jobs, wages, ernment in place. grounds for 98% of all legal abortions in Poland last and health care provisions. Whether Trump or Along the way, fighting workers confront blows year. Under the ruling, abortion will only be allowed Biden is elected, they will loyally serve the ruth- aimed at our political rights. The SWP has initi- in the case of rape or incest, or if the woman’s health less self-interest of the exploiting class, and work- ated an urgently needed fight to halt officials of or life is in danger. ing people will go to the wall. Washington state from making the names and “There have been over 300 actions all over Poland, The socialist candidates are presenting a road addresses of its presidential electors public. Such in big cities and small towns, every day so far, with forward to build an independent, fighting working- a disclosure would open the door to harassment, thousands of people,” Krystyna Kacpura, executive class movement of millions to take political power spying and attacks on SWP supporters by cops, director of the Federation for Women and Family into our own hands. That’s a struggle that will con- bosses, rightists, middle-class radicals and all Planning, told the Militant from Warsaw Oct. 28. tinue long after Nov. 3. those who believe the way to deal with those you In taking to the streets protesters defied government- disagree with is to shut them up. It comes on the imposed COVID-19 restrictions. In most of the coun- For government-funded public works program heels of a series of death threats made against par- try, gatherings of more than 10 people are banned. The SWP urges fellow workers and our unions ty campaigners there. Three previous attempts by the government to in- to fight for a government-funded public works pro- This fight is in the interests of all working people crease restrictions on women’s right to choose failed in gram, putting all those thrown out of work back and deserves your support. the face of demonstrations by thousands. The govern- into jobs at union-scale pay to build the housing, The mighty revolution made by working people ment launched a third attempt earlier this year, but the hospitals, schools and other things working people in Cuba in 1959 and defended for decades since bill did not come to a vote. Instead, a group of legisla- need. To fight for a cut in the workweek with no shows it is possible to build a movement that can tors requested that the Constitutional Tribunal review cut in take-home pay, to spread the work around end the dictatorship of the capitalist class and reor- the clause, bypassing parliament. and prevent layoffs. To build solidarity with work- ganize society in the interests of the vast majority. Women’s groups estimate that as many as 200,000 ers who are standing up to boss attacks on their Vote for the SWP presidential ticket and all its women in Poland get abortions every year — either wages and conditions, like the strikers at Dominion local candidates in your area. If the party’s candi- clandestinely or by going abroad. The burden of the grocery stores in Canada. dates have been kept off the ballot where you live, restrictions falls hardest on working-class women and As bosses push speedup on the job, with utter write them in. We’re out to build a movement that women in rural areas who cannot afford to travel or disregard for our health and safety, workers need can change the world. seek expensive private clinics.

Socialist Workers Party 2020 campaign action platform The Socialist Workers Party control of production out of the hands CUBA’S REVOLUTION — AN EXAM- ment income for all. presents a fighting working- of the bosses. Employers care about PLE. The Cuban Revolution in 1959 WOMEN’S RIGHT TO ABORTION. De- class program. we need to orga- profits, not the dangerous conditions showed it is possible for workers and fend women’s right to unrestricted ac- nize to fight growing employer we’re forced to work under. This is the farmers to transform themselves in cess to family planning services, includ- attacks on our jobs, wages and only road to take control of and enforce struggle, to take political power and ing the right to safe, secure abortions. working conditions. Build solidar- safety and health on the job. Demand uproot capitalist exploitation. End the ity with workers’ struggles to organize the bosses open their books for inspec- US rulers’ economic war against Cuba; DEFEND POLITICAL RIGHTS. Defend and defend themselves. On this course, tion by workers and consumers. Work- US out of Guantánamo. the right to vote, to free speech and as- we can build and use union power on sembly and to bear arms, under attack ers control of production is a school for FIGHT POLICE BRUTALITY! Demand our own behalf, and for all those suffer- learning to run the economy ourselves, from Democrats and Republicans alike. that cops who kill and brutalize people Defend freedom of worship. Stop FBI ing blows by the bosses and their gov- in the interests of all producers, a crucial be prosecuted. Fight racist discrimina- and other government spying, harass- ernment. One union for all drivers — step alongside building a labor party to tion and the entire capitalist injustice ment and disruption. No to reactionary taxi, Uber, Lyft and other app-based and fight to take political power. car service drivers! system, with its frame-ups, “plea bar- “cancel culture” and efforts to shut up FARMERS — WORKERS’ ALLIES ON gains,” onerous bail and “three strike” people by public lynching through so- MILLIONS NEED JOBS TODAY! Our THE LAND. Fight for immediate govern- prison sentences, all of which dispropor- cial media. unions need to fight for a federal gov- tionately hit workers who are Black. For ment relief to fully cover farmers’ pro- DEFEND RIGHTS OF PRISONERS. End ernment-financed public works program the right to vote for ex-prisoners and all duction costs, including living expenses solitary confinement. End suppression to put millions to work at union-scale workers behind bars. for themselves and their families. No of the Militant, books and other news- wages building hospitals, schools, hous- more foreclosures! Nationalize the land, ing, mass transportation and much more HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. Fight for uni- papers by prison authorities. Abolish guaranteeing its use by those who live that workers need. Fight for a sliding versal, government-guaranteed cra- the death penalty, an anti-working-class on and till it, not “repo” seizures by ab- scale of hours and wages to stop layoffs dle-to-grave health care, and retire- weapon in the hands of the rulers. sentee bankers, landowners, or capitalist and the effects of runaway prices. Cut farmers. the workweek with no cut in pay! For cost-of-living clauses in every contract AMNESTY FOR ALL UNDOCUMENTED Vote Socialist Workers Party in 2020! that raise pay and retirement benefits to IMMIGRANTS in the US, a life-and- Alyson Kennedy for president offset every rise in prices! death question for the unions to unite Malcolm Jarrett for vice president workers and cut across divisions the Demand immediate national govern- SWP candidates coast to coast: ment unemployment benefits at union bosses use to drive down wages. For ac- New York/New Jersey Midwest scale for all those thrown out of work as cess to driver’s licenses for all. Lea Sherman, US Senate, New Jersey Naomi Craine, US Senate, Illinois long as they need it. OPPOSE WASHINGTON’S WARS. US Willie Cotton, 9th CD, New York Maggie Trowe, US Senate, Kentucky hands off Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. US Seth Galinsky, 10th CD, New York WORKERS NEED THEIR OWN PARTY, David Rosenfeld, US Senate, Minnesota troops out of Afghanistan, Korea, the Abby Tilsner, 20th CD, Albany A LABOR PARTY. For our unions to lead Samir Hazboun, 3rd CD, Louisville Middle East. End US colonial rule in Jacob Perasso, 21st CD, Albany a class break from the parties of the Candace Wagner, 8th CD, Union City, NJ Helen Meyers, 4th CD, St. Paul bosses, the Democrats and Republicans. Puerto Rico. Mid-Atlantic Region A labor party can organize workers in FOR RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL AND OF Southwest and West Coast our millions to fight in our own interest Omari Musa, delegate to Congress, D.C. A CONTIGUOUS PALESTINIAN STATE. Osborne Hart, 3rd CD, Philadelphia Henry Dennison, Governor, Washington and in the interests of all those exploited The leaders of Arab states, of Israel and Ruth Robinett, 14th CD, Washington, PA Rebecca Williamson, 9th CD, Seattle and oppressed by capital. It can chart a Palestinian leaders need to meet and rec- Dave Ferguson, 18th CD, Pittsburgh Gerardo Sánchez, US Senate, Texas course to take political power out of the ognize both the state of Israel and an in- Joel Britton, 13th CD, Oakland hands of the capitalist rulers and estab- South dependent Palestinian state. For the right Rachele Fruit, US Senate, Georgia Dennis Richter, 37th CD, Los Angeles lish a workers and farmers government. of Jews to return to Israel as a refuge in Anthony Dutrow, 27th CD, Miami Deborah Liatos, 40th CD, Los Angeles WORKERS CONTROL OF PRODUC- the face of capitalist crisis, Jew-hatred See directory on page 8 to contact party campaign office nearest you. TION. Workers need to fight to wrest and murderous violence.

The Militant November 9 , 2020 9