• AUSTRALIA $2.00 • BELGIUM BF60 • CANADA $2.00 • FRANCE FF1 0 • ICELAND Kr150 • NEW ZEALAND $2.50 • SWEDEN Kr12 • UK £1.00 • U.S. $1.50 INSIDE L.A. meeting p.rotests visa denial to····Cuban· general THE -PAGE 11 A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE VOL. 61 NO. 38 NOVEMEBER 3, 1997 Cubans celebrate California poultry Che,fellow strikers deinand raise combatants 2,300 workers reject company's 'best offer' BY MARTIN KOPPEL BY OSBORNE HART SANTA CLARA, Cuba- "We come not LIVINGSTON, California- Workers at to bid farewell to Che and his heroic com­ the Foster Farms chicken slaughtering plant rades, but to welcome them," Cuban presi­ struck the country's largest poultry opera­ dent Fidel Castro told an overflow crowd in tion here October 6 after rejecting the the Ernesto Che Guevara Plaza here Octo­ company's offer. ber 17. "I see Che and his men as reinforce­ Members of United Food and Commer­ ments, as a detachment of invincible fight­ cial Workers Locall288- 2,300 strong­ ers, who this time include not only Cubans set up a 24-hour picket line at the sprawling but Latin Americans coming to fight along­ plant, 113 miles from San Francisco in side us and write new pages of history and Merced County, in the agriculture produc­ glory." ing Central Valley. He added, "Che was a genuine commu­ The workforce of chicken pluckers, cut­ nist- and today he remains an example, a ters, and packers is about 50 percent Mexi­ model of a revolutionary and a communist." can, 25 percent are Punjabi, and a smaller Guevara is inseparable from the Cuban percentage of workers are Blacks or Asian, revolution, Castro emphasized, and his po­ including Hmong and Vietnamese. litical values and principles become more Sukh Purewal, who is Punjabi, has Continued on Page 11 worked at the plant for 15 years. In that time "my pay has gone from $6.70 an hour to $8.08," he said. "Near Christmas time, when they are running turkeys instead of chick­ Socialist ens, we may only get 22 to 30 hours work a week. It's the same thing again in the Militant/Osborne Hart spring." United Food and Commercial Workers picket Foster Farms poultry plant October 18 candidate Seventy-seven percent of the ranks re­ workers, are standing firm with the strike, the 1800s when people had to work like jected Foster Farms' "final offer," against despite company pressure to divide them slaves for free." the union's bargaining committee's recom­ from their fellow strikers. The company's five-year offer includes a backs rail mendation. The 150 mechanics, who earn "They want us to work like slaves," Jose 1.5 percent yearly raise - 65 cents for the workers in more than $4 an hour more than production Castro explained. "This is the '90s. It was Continued on Page 12 N.Y. debate Thousands say, 'Clinton go home' BY RYAN KELLY NEW YORK- "The Socialist Workers Party advocates that working people chart a during his tour in Latin America political course independent from the Demo­ crats and Republicans, the twin parties of BY BRIAN TAYLOR war, racism, and economic depression, by "Fuera Clinton" (Clinton go home) read With a 12-week subscription $22 using our own collective power through our the lead banner carried by workers protest­ to the 'Militant' unions and actions in the streets," stated ing the U.S. president's arrival in Argentina. Olga Rodriguez, the Socialist Workers In a time-honored tradition, workers, peas­ Party's candidate for mayor of New York ants, and young people from Argentina, ~..:...... ;..~~...., .1"h•~ha.-ging·•Face of. U.S •. Politics City, during a debate with Democratic can­ Brazil, and Venezuela greeted William Clin­ WORKING•CLASS POLITICSANDTHETRADE UNIONS didate Ruth Messinger and the Republican ton with protest marches and street demon­ jack8arnes incumbent Rudolph Giuliani. The debate, strations throughout his tour of the three A handbook for workers coming into the factories,mines; and mills, which was sponsored by the Campaign Fi­ Latin American countries. The week-long as·they react to the .. uf1Certain.life, ceaseless turmoil, and brutality. of nance Board, was televised live on New trip, an unusual one for the U.S. president, capitalism in the dosing years of the twentieth century. It shows how York l cable television and on WNYC ra­ began October 12.1t was designed to shore millions of .workers, as political• resistance grows,.·will ·re\'oll.ltionize dio. up trade pacts, spur austerity measures themselves, their unions, and all. of society. Regular price $19.9Sph.ls Rodriguez, who works as a baggage han­ aimed against the working class in South $10 for the subscription. dler for Northwest Airlines at Newark air­ America, and deepen Washington's domi­ port and is a member of the International nation in the region. Che Guevara: Economics and Politics Association of Machinists, explained that In Caracas, Venezuela, Clinton's first in the Transition to Socialism the working class needs a voice in the elec- stop, protesters spray-painted "Millions for . Continued on Page 4 banks - hunger for the people" and "Raise Quoting extensively from GuE)Vara's writings and speeches on building socialism, this book the general salary" outside the National Pan­ presef'lt$. the interr-e!aticmship ·of. the ma!"ke~ economic planning. material. incentives, and vol­ theon, the building where the U.S. president untary work; and why profit an

Clinton's U.S. embassy-bound limousine Available from boo~rpre$listedol) page .. t2, or ffom·Pathfinder. 41 0 West St., New York, NY 10014c with manure. Many were angry at a state- Fax: (21.2) 727.0 ISO. If ordering by mail; please include $3 to cover shipping and handling. Continued on Page 12 Berkeley students defend affirmative action - page 6 Ecuadorans halt oil transport October 14 ruled against opening up the Oil workers in Ecuador paralyzed pro­ country to foreign ownership of agricul­ duction at Petro Ecuador's eight oil wells turalland, sending Budapest into urgent in the Amazonian region after they took negotiations to attempt to reverse the de­ over the first pumping station in early cision, which was taken just before a October. The strikers halted oil transport scheduled vote on Hungary's member­ all over the country as they closed high­ ship in NATO. An October 15 Financial ways and air strips linking the Amazon Times article described the court ruling province to the rest of the country. as "an embarrassing setback for the rul­ The workers have occupied the oil ing coalition." The Hungarian parliament wells there for more than I 0 days, reduc­ failed to reach a compromise that would ing daily output by 15 percent. avert a delay of the NATO referendum. Amazonians are demanding among other Meanwhile, the land question "is be­ things that the government repair and ing taken as an important test" of whether build roads and bridges. there, and that it Budapest is ready to enter the European give wage increases to government-em­ Union, according to the Financial Times. ployed workers. Meanwhile, the teach­ Earlier this year the govemm~nt intro­ ers union workers are also on strike de­ duced a law that allowed foreign-or do­ manding a pay hike. mestic-owned Hungarian businesses to own up to 740 acres of agricultural land. Dominicans protest In August, main opposition parties orga­ deteriorating living conditions nized a petition against foreign land own­ ership to force a referendum. Demonstrations continue to spread in the Dominican Republic, as working Siberian energy workers strike people demand that the government pro­ Some I ,500 machine operators struck vide potable water, electricity, and repair Indigenous activists from Lago Agrio, E~uador, marched to Quito in earlr O.ctober, joining the roads. Government-deployed cops workers and peasants in protests demandmg a popular assembly and constitutional reforms. the Chitaenergo company power plant and troops attacked protesters October 14 October 16 demanding payment on the in Villa Mella, a neighborhood in the capi­ $2.5 million owed to them in back wages. thousands of foreign-born workers in that tries in either of the two countries that ex­ Most of the maintenance and repair work­ tal Santo Domingo. Several people were in­ country - Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, and ceeds $20 million dollars. Gazprom has de­ jured and dozens of demonstrators were de­ ers had gone out three days earlier. The Egyptian - are lining embassy offices to fied Washington's threats saying that the workers at Chitaenergo provide electricity tained. In another battle, 21-year-old Adolfo avoid arrest, fines of up to $27,000, and profit to be made outweighs "those incurred for close to Jimenez was killed- shot eight times- by half of the 2 million people in possible jailing. Saudi bosses who hire or by sanctions against us." the Chita region in Russia. the cops, reported local residents in the east­ accommodate "illegal" immigrants also face If Washington severs any business deals em town of Monte Plata, who were on the stiff penalties. More than 700,000 undocu­ with Gazprom, this would pave the way for U.S. environmental laws lifted scene during the shooting. mented workers have immigrated to Saudi more investments in the Russian firm by its The California government has dumped Arabia seeking jobs. Several of the embas­ imperialist rivals in Europe. The Clinton laws protecting endangered species from Israeli warplanes bomb Lebanon sies asked for an extension before the crack­ administration's efforts to isolate Tehran capitalist expansion Two Israeli warplanes flew into Lebanon down began, but government officials re­ September 26, and could cripple a $1 billion investment in adopted a plan that merely seeks "compen­ October 17, and in two passes fired four air­ jected the request. Gazprom by the Wall Street giant Goldman, to-surface missiles, hitting the base of the sation" for the damages the companies cause Sachs & Co. for a major pipeline project al­ to wildlife. This course, summed up in two Popular Front for the Liberation of Pales­ U.S. sanctions on Iran ready under construction in Russia. tine, some 10 miles from Beirut. Tel Aviv bills signed into law by Republican gover­ boomerang nor Pete Wilson got bipartisan support. Wil­ said the attacks were aimed at a weapons The Clinton administration faces a di­ Rome makes deal for stability storage facility allegedly in the area. Pales­ son said the laws struck a "sensible balance" lemma as the Russian oil company Gazprom, On October 15 Italian prime minister between industrial development and the pro­ tinian guerrillas have been fighting to push the French energy company Total. SA, and Romano Prodi, who had resigned a week the 1,500 Israeli troops out of Lebanon, who tec.tions of threatened species. The new laws the Malaysian company Petronas have re­ earlier; struck a deal with Fausto Bertinotti, only address compensation- that will usu­ occupy l 0 percent of their land. fused to back away from a $2 billion oil deal the leader of the Communism Refoundation ally mean providing "environmentally valu­ Saudi gov't attacks immigrants with Tehran. This move violates the U.S. Party (RC). Prodi is seeking stability for his able" land somewhere else - for the actual Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which calls on government, which collapsed when the RC loss of a species. There are no provisions After final warnings were issued by the Washington to impose sanctions on any backed away from supporting the package for habitat destruction, which can cause Saudi Arabian interior ministry October 15, country doing business with energy indus- of aus~rity measures that he says are needed ' long -term damage or extinction to rare plant to get Rome in shape to enter the European and animal species. · Monetary Union. The agreement allows the government to Dairy farmers face crisis raise the "early retirement" age from 52 to In New York State, the crisis of overpro­ 57 over the next several years while exempt­ duction, and government's moves to cut sub­ ing "blue collar" workers from this "reform." sidies threatens to put 1,000 of the state's Rome also scrapped the idea it floated of 9,000 diary farmers out of business. Con­ paying pensions based on the average wage necticut commissioner of agriculture Shirley of a worker over the duration of work life, Ferris said, "Dairy farmers are getting the instead of at final wage levels. Some union same amount for their milk as they did 10 officials were poised to accept the so-called years ago, but the cost of everything they pension reforms, but Bertinotti is posturing have to buy has quadrupled." Dairy farmers for a confrontation with the regime against are disappearing. Since 1987 the number of the pension cuts, as well as pressing for leg­ diary farmers in New York has dropped from islation to introduce a 35-hour work week. 14,500. The flooding of milk in the market also meant a 14 cent loss per gallon in sales Hungary: no foreign ownership for dairy farmers. The Constitutional Court of Hungary on -BRIAN TAYLOR

scriptionsend$65,drawnona U.S. bank, to above The Militant address. By first-class (airmail), send $80. Asia: Vol. 61/No. 38 send $80 drawn on a U.S. bank to 410 West St., Closing news date: October 23, 1997 New York, NY 10014. Canada: Send Canadian $75 for one-year sub­ Editor: NAOMI CRAINE scription to Militant, 4581 St. Denis, Montreal, Business Manager: MAURICE WILLIAMS Quebec H2J 2L4. Editorial Staff: Megan Arney, Hilda Cuzco, Britain, Ireland: £36 for one year by check Martin Koppel, Argiris Malapanis, Brian Tay­ or international money order made out to Mili­ lor, and Maurice Williams. tant Distribution, 47 The Cut, London, SEl 8LL, Published weekly except for one week in Decem­ England. Continental Europe, Africa, Middle ber and biweekly from mid-June to mid-August East: £40 for one year by check or international NAME by the Militant (ISSN 0026-3885), 410 West St., money order made out to Militant Distribution New York, NY 10014. Telephone: (212) 243- at above address. France: Send FF300 for one­ D $1 0 for 12 issues 6392; Fax (212) 924-6040. year subscription to Militant, MBE 201, 208, rue ADDRESS The Militant can be reached via CompuServe de Ia Convention, 75015 Paris; cheque postale: at: 73311,2720 or via Peacenet at: themilitant 40 134 34 U. Belgium: BF 1,900 for one year D $15 for 12 weeks Internet: [email protected] or: on account no. 000-1543112-36 of lMei Fonds/ RENEWAL [email protected] Fonds du 1 mai, 2140 Antwerp. Iceland: Send The Militant can be accessed on the internet 5,400 Icelandic kronur for one-year subscription at: gopher://gopher.igc.apc.org:/11/pubs/militant to Militant, P.O. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Swe­ D $27 for 6 months CITY STATE ZIP Correspondence concerning subscriptions or den, Finland, Norway, Denmark: 500 Swed­ changes of address should be addressed to The ish kronor for one year. Pay to Militant Swedish Militant Business Office, 410 West St., New giro no. 451-32-09-9. New Zealand: Send New UNIONISCHOOUORGANIZATION PHONE York, NY 10014. Zealand $75 to P.O. Box 3025, Auckland, New D $45 for 1 year Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and Zealand. Australia: Send Australian $75 to P.O. CLIP AND MAIL TO THE MILITANT, 41 0 WEST ST., at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Box K879, Haymarket, NSW 1240, Australia. NEW YORK, NY 10014. Send address changes to the Militant, 410 West Pacific Islands: Send New Zealand $75 to P.O. St., New York, NY 10014. Box 3025, Auckland, New Zealand. Subscriptions: United States: for one-year Signed articles by contributors do not neces­ subscription send $45 to above address. sarily represent the Militant's views. These are Latin America, Caribbean: for one-yearsub- expressed in editorials.

2 The Militant November 3, 1997 Adams: 'British gov't is the cause of conflict in Ireland' BY PAUL DAVIES Going into the talks, the British AND DEBRA JACOBS government presented a "framework doc­ MANCHESTER, England- "We want ument," signed jointly with the Irish gov­ you to be the last British prime minister with ernment, that clearly reflects its determina­ jurisdiction in Ireland," Sinn Fein president tion to cling onto Northern Ireland. The Gerry Adams told British prime minister document proposes the election of a new Anthony Blair. The exchange took place Northern Ireland Assembly and commits the October 13, during the first meeting between Irish government to changing its constitu­ tion to renounce its territorial claim to any An Phoblacht a British prime minister and a Sinn Fein Above: Sinn Fein youth rally outside part of Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein docu­ leader since London imposed the partition Omagh Courthouse demanding disband­ ments argue that ending the union is the only of Ireland in 1921. "From our point of view ment ofRUC. Left: Youth raise Irish flag way "to create viable conditions in which the biggest cause of the conflict is British over RUC barracks. Young activists have the people of Ireland can find agreement on government involvement in our country," called for release of political prisoners and the exercise of national self-determination Adams went on to explain. stepped-up protests against British troops without external interference .... An inter­ Following the meeting Blair was jostled in Northern Ireland. by Unionist supporters, angry that he had nal six-county arrangement cannot work." met with Adams. The prime minister had to During the meeting with Blair, Sinn Fein tempts by the British authorities to placate abandon his planned walk through a pre­ negotiator Martin McGuinness demanded an loyalist groups. Scottish Nationalist Party dominantly Protestant area in east Belfast. inquiry into the killing of 14 unarmed civil MP Roseanna Cunningham condemned the Despite the claims of the Unionist pro­ rights protesters in Derry in 1972 by the proposed move, saying, "Campbell is a thug testers that Blair is a "traitor," the British British army. The British government has who was jailed for a brutal and repugnant government makes clear that it will try to begun to hint that it may issue an apology murder with no motivation other than sense­ use the all-party talks to bolster the "union" for Bloody Sunday. Tony Doherty of the less bigotry. "The government eventually of Britain and Northern Ireland. In an inter­ Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign said, "It reversed its decision to make the transfer. view in the Irish News Adams stated, "For appears that the British government is happy night -let the UN and Bill Clinton and Meanwhile, the British army and its of­ the British government 'consent' [of the to follow the apology option. We have never everyone else make a scene - and it is over ficer caste faced further dents to their cred­ Unionists] is the last refuge; a camouflage campaigned for an apology, nor never will. for 20 years." ibility, following revelations of several cases behind which it is attempting to conceal the How can you apologize for murder? We are Sectarian killings such as those Clark of racism against soldiers who are Black. reality ... the legislature, courts, and Armed campaigning for justice." advocates have been put into practice, over The Guardian published reports of a num­ Forces Act in every conceivable way to "Despite new evidence which emerged years by British governments and loyalist ber of Black soldiers who had resigned as a maintain the Union." last year, successive British governments paramilitaries. This was recently brought to result of racism instigated in many cases by Evidence of this reality can be seen in the have failed to admit responsibility for public attention by the transfer request of officers. "Whether we like it or not, there is stepped-up harassment by the Royal Ulster Bloody Sunday," said Enda Finlay of the convicted murderer Jason Campbell. a perception that the army is a racist organi­ Constabulary (RUC) of nationalists and the Bloody Sunday March Organising Commit­ Campbell was convicted in 1996 of the sec­ zation," said Chief of General Staff Roger expansion and reinforcement of army bases. tee. By pointing to the findings of the white­ tarian murder of 16-year-old Mark Scott Wheeler. Major Eric Joyce is expecting to This has been met by resistance of Sinn Fein washed Widgery inquiry carried out at the outside a football match in Glasgow. Scott face a court martial following public accu­ Youth, who have organized hundreds of time, "they have actively suppressed the was wearing the colors of the Celtic team sations he has made about "snobbery, rac­ young people to demonstrate outside RUC truth," she declared. The opinion of some when Campbell slit his throat. Many Celtic ism and sexual discrimination" in the army. barracks in Belfast in recent weeks. The ruling class politicians towards British rule supporters identify with the national struggle In Ireland nationalist fighters are taking demonstrators demanded the release oflrish in Ireland was reflected in comments made in Ireland. The transfer to a prison in North­ to the streets to press for the release of Irish political prisoners and the disbandment of by Conservative Member of Parliament em Ireland where loyalist prisoners are held, political prisoners. Several thousand repub­ the RUC. Sunday drivers and mass goers (MP) Alan Clark. Speaking at a side meet­ had been requested.by the Progressive licans traveled to Coalisland in early Octo­ honked their horns in support, as youth ing at the Conservative Party conference Unionist Party, which is linked to the loyal­ ber to support the demands of Saoirse, the climbed the barracks's metal guards and Clark said, "The only solution for dealing ist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer prisoners support organization, for the re­ placed Irish tricolors on them. with the IRA is to kill 600 people in one Fighters. The transfer had been part of at- lease of all political prisoners. UK prime minister prepares for more austerity

BY IAN GRANT emment has been relatively smooth. But the sale of the state rail system to individual we all have to save more." Harman has been LONDON -Prime Minister Anthony there is a rocky ascent ahead." capitalists but have since intensified, have in the fore of presenting the attempt to dis­ Blair and other government figures used the led to industrial action by some workers in mantle welfare as "compassionate." platform of the Labour Party's annual con­ Avoiding debate on austerity recent months. Challenged by a motion from In the face of the advances made by fight­ ference the first week of October to show­ The potential for the government's anti­ the railway union bureaucrats to renational­ ers for Irish unity and independence over case policies that will target workers' so­ working-class measures to run up against ize a part of the railway system, Deputy recent months, Marjorie Mow lam, secretary cial wage. The National Health Service, state resistance from workers themselves was an Prime Minister John Prescott countered by of state for Northern Ireland, put forward funded pensions, sickness and unemploy­ unspoken assumption underlying many of arguing that it would cost the government several minor reforms. The government ment benefits, and access to further educa­ the conference debates. Rejection by work­ £4.5 billion (US$7 .3 billion) to "buy back" committed itself to abandon the provision tion were all earmarked for "radical reform." ing people of deeper austerity and belt tight­ the industry from its new owners. to intern suspects without trial, unused for Many ruling-class commentators re­ ening demanded by the capitalist class lay Delegates were persuaded to drop mo­ several years, when it replaces the existing mained unimpressed. Financial Times col­ at the root of the Conservative's election tions opposing government plans to charge "antiterror" laws with a new bill. They also umnist Philip Stephens commented, "So far defeat in the May ballot. Government fig­ students tuition fees of £1000 (US$1,500), propose to scale back, but not to scrap, ju­ ... all we have had is rhetoric. Mr. Blair ures collaborated with top trade union offi­ and end student grants. Several thousand ryless trials in the six counties of the North­ promises political will to accompany it. But cials, who wield powerful block votes at the predominantly young people demonstrated em Ireland statelet. serious welfare reform will be unpopular. conference, to keep tensions generated by outside the conference against the govern­ In a minor upset for the government, left­ There is no painless way of taking money this reality to a minimum. ment proposals. Student bodies are currently wing MP Kenneth Livingstone was elected from people. And this is a prime minister At a side meeting addressed by Trades building for a national demonstration oppos­ to the Labour Party's National Executive who has only experienced adulation." Union Congress (TUC) general secretary ing these measures on November 1. Committee (NEC) in a runoff with Blair fa­ Blair's keynote address to the conference John Monks and Peter Mandelson, minister vorite Peter Mandelson. used the themes of national pride and part­ without portfolio in the Labour government, Moves to privatize pensions A package of measures eroding internal nership between workers and bosses that the two faced off over the level of a pro­ Using popular demagogy, veteran Labour party democracy was agreed to, including marked Labour's election campaign earlier posed national minimum wage. While Party states woman Barbara Castle criticized reducing the constitutional rights of the con­ this year. "For business this will be a gov­ claiming to await the deliberations of the plans by the government to establish a sys­ ference to formulate policy. While Labour ernment on your side, not in your way." he government's "Low Pay Commission," tem of compulsory private pensions to re­ governments have never considered them­ said. There was "no place for militant trade Mandelson echoed statements by other gov­ place the state scheme. "I'm darned if I am selves bound by party policy, the conference unionism or uncaring management today." ernment figures that a lower minimum might going to hand my social conscience over to has in the past provided a focus for opposi­ Packaged as "compassionate with a hard apply to workers under 25 or to trainees. the man from the Pru!" she declared, refer­ tion to unpopular government policies. Re­ edge," the thrust of the government's pro­ Monks said that the unions expected the ring to Prudential Insurance Company. The forms to the structure of the party NEC re­ gram continues a campaign by the rulers to minimum wage to apply to "all fully trained week of the conference saw one mutual life duce the influence of the trades unions and scapegoat those receiving social benefits. adult workers under 25." Transport and insurance company fined £450,000 local Labour Party organizations. Following close behind Home Secretary General Workers Union (TGWU) general (US$675,000) for "mis-selling" private pen­ Blair is also preparing to counter future Jack Straw's probes a few days earlier secretary William Morris in remarks made sion schemes. In the last year, 49 insurance opposition by seeking allies outside of his around the introduction of youth curfews, at the conference conceded that "trainees" companies have been fined over £2 million party who will assist in pushing ahead un­ young people were also the target of Blair's and workers under 18 should be excluded. (US$3 million) for wrongly advising hun­ popular government policies, against resis­ speech, which pledged Labour to adopt Mandelson reasserted the government's dreds of thousands of people to leave occu­ tance from the Labour Party's working-class "zero tolerance" anticrime policies. The commitment to give a legal right to union pational pension plans. base. The Labour government has pursued Labour government would not dodge the recognition where the majority of workers Frank Field, minister for welfare reform, closer collaboration with the Liberal Demo­ "tough choices" Blair warned. voted for it, but claimed the "legitimate con­ has recommended that mutual insurance crats, Britain's third-largest bourgeois party. For the big-business press, however, cerns" of employers opposed to this limited companies should play a prominent role in In his conference address Blair stressed his Blair's "tough choices" were all ahead of measure would need to be resolved before replacing state schemes. However, the con­ affinity with so-called "radical reforming him. "In theory his programme ... is as bold the publication of the government's prom­ ference motion Castle was addressing, leaders" in recent history, including among as any since the 1945 Labour government, ised policy document on "fairness at work." which called for linking state pensions and them Liberal Party prime minister from including Baroness [Margaret] Thatcher's," The government and the union officials average earnings, was also remitted for fur­ 1916 - 22, David Lloyd George. wrote Robert Peston in the Financial Times also avoided a brush on the issue of railway ther consideration another time. Secretary October 4. "But. .. he has yet to face any renationalization. Deep attacks on the con­ of State for social security Harriet Harman Ian Grant is a member ofthe Transport and really 'hard choices.' So far his road in gov- ditions of rail workers, which began before told delegates, "Because people live longer, General Workers Union at Ford. November 3, 1997 The Militant 3 $1 zs.ooo Pathfinder Fund New Pathfinder books in October September 1 - November 1 BY DEBORAH LIATOS A steady flow of fund payments is com­ was sent with more than $800, putting Des NEW YORK- Pathfinder's publication ing into Pathfinder's office now, putting Moines backers at 96 percent of their goal. list for the month of October gives a con­ supporters of Pathfinder in a strong posi­ "We worked on the fund in the course of crete picture of the importance of the tion to not only meet the goal in full and on the conference, and got 13 new contribu­ $125,000 Pathfinder Fund, which has en­ time, but surpass it, by the November 1 dead­ tors as a result," reported Alyson Kennedy tered its final weeks. Europe & America: line. The $19,468 received brings the cam­ of the collection efforts that brought Chi­ Two Speeches on Imperialism is now back paign to nearly $91,000. Comparable col­ cago supporters up on target. "We only need in print, after being unavailable for many lections in the remaining two weeks will take $286 in pledges to match our $12,000 goal." years. The pamphlet consists of two the fund drive beyond the $125,000 inter­ Toronto and Vancouver met their goals speeches by Bolshevik leader Leon Trotsky national goal. two weeks before the deadline, helping to from the 1920s. Socialism on Trial, the tes­ Chicago and Des Moines supporters of keep Canada fund supporters at the top of timony of Socialist Workers Party leader the fund were also co-sponsors of the con­ the chart. James P. Cannon in his 1941 trial for speak­ ference entitled "The Coming American Supporters in Pittsburgh are discussing ing out against World War II, has just been Revolution." Featuring Jack Barnes, author who to approach on the job and in their issued with new, more readable typesetting. of The Changing Face of U.S. Politics and unions for contributions, Chris Remple The text for Le visage changeant de Ia Mary-Alice Waters, Pathfinder's president, wrote, and are planning similar discussions politique aux Etats-Unis, the French trans­ the conference celebrated the 80th anniver­ "with those we work with in solidarity with lation of The Changing Face of U.S. Poli­ sary of the Russian Revolution and the 30th the Cuban revolution, with the Irish struggle, tics-Working-Class Politics and the Trade anniversary ofEmesto Che Guevara's death and with the fight for justice for Jonny Unions, is now on the press, and the book in combat in Bolivia. Gammage," who was killed by the police. will be released October 28, in time for the "The October 18 event in Chicago helped Remple reported a fund meeting is also be­ Young Socialists founding convention in us take a big leap in the amounts pledged ing organized in collaboration with support­ Canada at the end of the month. and collected," wrote Ray Parsons. His note ers in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Bosses campaign against Amtrak strike BY RUTH ROBINETT NEW YORK- "I don't like it -they're making workers look like bad guys. We are just asking to get paid." This is how Broth­ erhood of Maintenance of Way (BMWE) member Chris Nickoless, who works in the Building and Bridges Department at New York Penn Station, responded to the effort by Amtrak and the ruling class to turn people against the fight of BMWE members for wage parity. Amtrak recently rejected wage recom­ mendations from a government-appointed board. The wage recommendations are the same as those that were agreed to last year between the BMWE and other class 1 rail­ roads. The board did not recommend the same benefit, job security, or work rule im­ provements that are also part of the agree­ ment, but instead proposed these and other local issues be placed into binding arbitra­ tion for final resolution. BMWE members have worked for over Militant Possible strike is big' discussion among workers at Sunnyside Yard in Queens, above. two years without a wage increase and had been preparing for a possible strike on Oc­ had an effect. One newly hired conductor Among workers here at New York's Penn tober 22. At this time, the strike deadline described how over a two-day period pas­ Station and Sunnyside Yard in Queens, has been extended from 12:01 a.m. October sengers repeatedly asked if there was going many are angry about the campaign to slan­ 22 until12:01 a.m. October 29. Amtrak had to be a strike, some grabbing her arm to der the track workers, and the BMWE's re­ asked the BMWE for a postponement until speak to her. One passenger lectured that if cent announcement that it will try to keep NovemberS. she and others walked out, Amtrak would the L.I.R.R. running. A new development is an agreement, go down and there would be no more jobs. "Look at the facts," said coach cleaner brokered by Sen. Alfonse D' Amato, be­ The hysteria around the strike includes Juliette Jusino, "give us more money!" Her tween union officials and Amtrak to try to lies about the fight of the track workers. The coworker Betty Key agreed. "I want them keep the Long Island Rail Road (L.I.R.R.) New York Post reported that BMWE "mem­ to strike because we need the money. We running into Manhattan even if a strike oc­ bers earn about $42,000 a year." But BMWE should be equal to the rest of the railroads." "Whoever's against it [the strike] is crazy curs. members at Amtrak earn $12.69 an hour­ Referring to the L.I.R.R. arrangement, because first it's them and then it's us." Track The agreement lets several dozen work­ about $507 for a 40-hour week, or $26,400 coach cleaner Shirley Quinn said, "They workers are "the hardest working people out ers from other unions cross BMWE picket per year. The "presidential emergency shouldn't strike if they're going to let ev­ here with the least amount of money." lines to maintain four miles of Amtrak­ board" recommended a 3.5 percent wage eryone ride on the rails. The point is to stick owned tracks that connect the L.I.R.R. sys­ increase for just three of the six years be­ together." Ruth Robinett is a member ofUnited Trans­ tem with N.Y. Penn Station, the destination tween 1995 and 2000. Engineer Leonard Robinson said, portation Union Local 1370 at Amtrak. of most of the L.I.R.R. 's 260,000 daily pas­ sengers. Negotiations are still under way between the BMWE and Amtrak. The BMWE organizes workers who construct Socialist candidates get hearing in N.Y. and maintain Amtrak's railroad tracks, buildings, bridges, and electrical power sys­ Continued from front page sion. "Several of them mentioned the sig­ paper, the Militant, at a debate between the tems that power trains. tions. She put forward a program that, if nificance of seeing a worker standing up for candidates for New York's Public Advocate, The concerted effort being led by the rul­ taken up by the unions, could advance the workers on television," said Rodriguez. which included Socialist Workers candidate ing class to tum public solidarity away from fight to unite workers and defend them from The topic of police brutality was raised Shoghi Fret. the Amtrak workers includes Amtrak, other the crisis of capitalism. This includes fight­ several times by questioners in the debate. Rodriguez encouraged listeners to the de­ railroads, the news media, and politicians. ing for jobs for all by demanding a shorter When the socialist candidate was asked if bate to join the demonstration outside the "Commuter doomsday is detailed, Fears workweek with no cut in pay, defending and the attention given to police brutality was United Nations on October 12 to demand of Amtrak strike" was the headline of an extending affirmative action, and calling for an exaggeration, she responded, "No, I don't equal rights for all immigrants. "My cam­ October 16 Daily News article here in New a massive public works program to put think it's exaggerated. The city cop depart­ paign will be participating along with hun­ York. The first line says, "Transit officials people to work at union-scale wages rebuild­ ment and other repressive forces have one dreds of others as we call for a world with­ have a one-word prediction for next week's ing the infrastructures of the cities. aim: to defend property for the few who have out borders and to stop the deportations for threatened Amtrak strike: pain." In a segment of the debate where the can­ it. We are for the arrest, prosecution to the all immigrants." Some listeners to the de­ New Jersey Transit issued a notice to pas­ didates asked each other questions, fullest extent of the law, and jailing of any bate responded to this call. Campaign sup­ sengers warning, "If a strike occurs, rail­ Rodriguez asked Messinger if she would use cop accused of police brutality." Two young porter Nell Wheeler from New Jersey re­ roads throughout the country, including NJ her influence to demand that Democratic co-workers of Rodriguez agreed with her ported that a young woman who heard TRANSIT will not be able to operate rail president William Clinton not intervene to assertion in the debate that "the most dan­ Rodriguez on television came to the protest service on portions of railroad which are prevent track workers from the Brotherhood gerous gang working people, Blacks, and and bought a copy of the campaign news­ owned and maintained by Amtrak." New of Maintenance of Way Employees Latinos have to deal with is the gang in paper, read it, and bought a subscription. Jersey governor Christine Whitman created (BMWE) at Amtrak from going on strike in blue," referring to the police. On October 15 Rodriguez was inter­ an Emergency Transportation Council to the battle shaping up in that passenger rail The day following the debate phone calls viewed on WLIB radio in New York. Fol­ "oversee statewide contingency plans in line for a decent contract. Messinger said poured into the campaign headquarters. lowing the talk show, she was approached case of a strike." she would have to check out the situation Campaign volunteer Nancy Rosenstock re­ by a young worker on his lunch break at a Whitman announced last week that she and try to keep the two sides talking. ported that two students from New York nearby pizza parlor who asked if she was had sent letters to President William Clin­ Rodriguez then explained the socialist Technical College interviewed her and an­ Olga Rodriguez. He followed by saying, "I ton, Speaker of the House Newton Gingrich, campaign's opposition to any government other volunteer for their campus newspaper. saw you on TV, which was wonderful." Af­ and Amtrak President Thomas Downs, ask­ intervention to stop a strike by BMWE They said they wanted to encourage other ter further discussion he expressed an inter­ ing them to "take extra steps to resolve this workers, and pledged that she and her sup­ students on the campus to support est in joining the socialist candidates and situation." porters would walk the picket lines and build Rodriguez's campaign and are trying to or­ supporters in walking the picket lines with Warning signs about the strike have also solidarity with the BMWE workers should ganize a meeting on their campus for her. workers at Amtrak, should the track work­ been posted in Penn Station and in the New they be forced to strike. A young campaign supporter was part of ers go out on strike, and he attended a Mili­ York subway system. . Many of Rodriguez's co-workers heard the delegation to the mayoral debate after tant Labor Forum on "The Communist The anti-working-class propaganda has the debate on the radio or saw it on televi- buying a subscription to the campaign news- Legacy of Che Guevara." 4 The Militant November 3, 1997 SELL THE BOOKS WORKERS OF THE WORLD NEED

, , BillS~,.es oilaliinl,lr. dnlfllqll'<>n-latlilllle:nll~tds ~ Final push can meet goal of SEPTEMBER CITY SOLD AUG JUL JUN 1,300 new readers to press BOSTON 223 174 19 CLEVELAND 13 60 0 BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS unionists on the job and the remaining LOS ANGELES 209 137 62 "Leading up to the strike deadline by the by two teams of Militant supporters at CHICAGO 30 83 35 Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employ­ the entrance of the Amtrak station in HOUSTON 87 23 10 ees (BMWE) against Amtrak last week, discus­ New York. "Many workers noted the sion on the pending union action was intense contrast between the Militant's cover­ TWIN CITIES 18 15 10 on the job," wrote Ruth Robinett in an October age and the articles on the possible MIAMI 61 48 1 21 note to the Militant. Robinett is a member of BMWE strike in the big-business press." ATLANTA 63 22 5 United Transportation Union Local 1370 and Another highlight of the seventh week NEW YORK 292 364 99 works for Amtrak in New York. of the Militant/Perspectiva Mundial During that period, socialists sold 26 copies subscription drive was sales at the Oc­ DETROIT 16 73 and two subscriptions to the Militant to rail tober 16-19 Claridad festival in San Juan, SAN FRANCISCO 128 243 239 workers there, Robinett said. Of those, 15 single Puerto Rico. Militant supporters from PITISBURGH 64 0 23 issues and one subscription were sold to fellow the Caribbean island and from Atlanta, WASHINGTON, D.C. 76 141 33 Miami, and Newark, New Jersey, took part and set SEATTLE 30 16 11 up a booth at the event. NEWARK 0 0 2 They sold $1 ,300 worth of BIRMINGHAM 55 22 0 Pathfinder books and DES MOINES 0 18 7 other literature, including 17 copies of Nueva GREENSBORO 4 City/Country Internacional, the Span­ MORGANTOWN 0 SWEDEN* 11 ish-language sister publi­ PHILADELPHIA 19 15 1 cation of the Marxist TOTAL 1384 1454 562 AUSTRALIA* 6 6 13 11 magazine New Interna- SHOULD BE CANADA tional. In addition, they Vancouver 5 5 20 8 sold 53 subscriptions to Montreal 10 6 30 22 Perspectiva Mundial and Toronto 10 6 20 18 two Militant subs. "Books example, Doug Nelson, SWP can­ Canada total 25 17 70 48 by Ernesto Che Guevara, didate for mayor of that city, and Fidel Castro, and Malcolm Arlene Rubenstein, socialist can­ UNITED STATES X were among the most didate for school board there, took Washington, DC* 15 15 15 15 popular," said Rollande part in campus meetings October Atlanta* 15 35 15 14 Girard, a member of the 13 - 14 where Palestinian leader Miami 22 27 25 30 United Steelworkers of Hanan Ashrawi spoke. Nelson Birmingham, AL * 5 6 15 15 America and the Socialist and Rubenstein's supporters par­ San Francisco 30 19 35 26 Workers candidate for Mi­ ticipated in the discussion on the Philadelphia 8 3 8 7 ami City Commission, Dis­ Palestinian struggle for self-deter­ Des Moines 20 25 20 13 trict 5. mination and sold 12 copies of the Los Angeles 55 43 55 46 "Tens of thousands of Militant, 12 copies of the Path­ Boston 15 14 35 25 young people, workers, finder pamphlet Palestine and the . Detroit* s 8 12 15 Arabs' Fight for Liberation, and Pittsburgh* 1 15 and others participated in 3 5 two copies of New International Twin Cities, MN 15 7 15 8 the annual festival spon­ Seattle 20 11 20 17 sored by Claridad, a no. 7 with the article "The Open­ New York 70 67 60 80 weekly newspaper that ing Guns of World War III; Chicago* 45 43 40 17 supports Puerto Rico's in­ Washington's Assault on Iraq." Newark, NJ 40 50 60 65 dependence from the Perspectiva Mundial is a par­ Cleveland 6 4 10 9 United States," Girard ticularly hot seller. In addition to Houston 15 7 15 4 said. "This year the festi­ the Puerto Rico sales, many new Other val was dedicated to Che subscribers signed up during the U.S. total 385 470 411 Guevara because of the October 12 marches for immigrant 30th anniversary of his rights held in several U.S. cities UNITED KINGDOM death in combat in Bolivia. and other related activities. London 12 15 38 58 The main slogan was, At one such rally of 800 in Chi­ Manchester 2 1 12 12 'Che: A man who lived by cago, for example, YS members UK total 14 16 50 70 his ideas.' The banner that and others sold 22PM subs. With these successes, we have already ICELAND 5 3 adorned the festival's cen­ tral stage had a portrait of surpassed by 53 the goal of sell­ Che and read, 'Now is the ing 400 PM subs, one week be­ NEW ZEALAND Militant/Linda Joyce Auckland 2 3 10 6 time to bring them back fore the drive ends, as well as sur­ Perspectiva Mundial and Pathfinder books sold very passing the New International Wellington 0 1 0 home,' referring to 15 well at Claridad festival in Puerto Rico. Christchurch 1 1 5 6 Puerto Rican indepen­ goal. NZ total 4 4 16 12 dence fighters currently in­ Socialist workers and others carcerated in U.S.jails." pendent Union of Telephone Employees around the world are using the momentum Other international 16 48 "Che was a revolution­ (UEIT). Barbosa had participated in the Oc­ from increased sales in the last two weeks in an all-out effort to meet the Militant sub­ International totals 453 634 614 ary and this is what we the tober 1 UEIT strike and demonstration of Should be 350 600 525 students like," Mariela some 100,000 people that day against the scription goal by the October 26 deadline as Collazo, a student at the government's attempt to privatize the tele­ well. The Militant will count on the final University of Puerto Rico, phone company. "I oppose privatization chart all subscriptions received at the busi­ told Militant reporters. because those who will mostly be affected ness office in New York by Wednesday, Among those who sub­ will be the consumers," Barbosa said. The October29. scribed at the San Juan attempted sale of the com- CANADA pany will also result in job USWA 0 5 event was Harry Barbosa, lAM 0 5 3 a repairman at the Puerto cuts, he told Girard. Canada total 2 0 10 4 Rico Telephone Company Young Socialists, Social­ ist Workers Party members, AUSTRALIA and a member of the In de- AMWU 0 0 0 and others are finding a simi­ lar response through sales NEW ZEALAND AEEU - Amalgamated Engineer­ on campuses, door-to-door UFBGWU 0 0 0 ing and Electrical Workers Union; EU 0 0 AMWU -Amalgamated Manufac­ in working-class communi­ MWU 0 0 1 0 turers Union: CAW- Canadian ties, and at political events. NZ total 0 0 3 Autoworkers Union; EU- Engi­ neers Union; MWU- Meat Work­ During the October 17 - 19 UNITED STATES ers Union: lAM- International As­ conference of Anti-Racist lAM 15 5 22 3 sociation of Machinists: OCAW­ Action in Columbus, Ohio, UFCW 13 15 9 8 Oil, Chemical and Atomic Work­ YS and SWP members sold UTU 5 0 20 3 ers: RMT- National Union of Rail, USWA 4 1 22 7 Maritime. and Transport Workers: 4 Militant subscriptions, UAW 5 0 25 TGWU-Transport and General two copies of New Interna­ UNITE' 8 7 6 Workers Union; UAW-United tional, and 10 Pathfinder OCAW 10 15 0 Auto Workers: UFBGWU-United U.S. total 60 29 119 23 Food, Beverage, and General Work­ books and pamphlets to the ers Union: UFCW- United Food nearly 300 participants, UNITED KINGDOM and Commercial Workers: UMWA reported Kibwe Diarra from From the rally site: Go to Logan Circle RMT 0 0 2 -United Mine Workers ofAmerica; (on Parkway) and walk 10 blocks AEEU 0 0 5 2 UNITE- Union of Needletrades, Cleveland. S o c i a 1 i s t TGWU 0 0 4 0 Industrial and Textile Employees: Workers candidates are also south on 19th St. to South St. UK total 0 0 11 3 USWA ~ United Steelworkers of using their election cam­ For more information, call (215) 546-8218 America; UTU -,United Transpor­ paigns to promote the so­ • no report this week 0 0 11 3 tation Union. cialist press. In Atlanta for November 3, 1997 The Militant 5 - YOUNG SOCIALISTS AROUND THE WORLD------­ YS in Canada builds national convention This column is written and edited by of actions organized by the Ontario Federa­ the Young Socialists (YS), an interna­ tion of Labor (OFL) are to protest the cuts tional organization of young workers, by the provincial government. This time students, and other youth fighting for some 20,000 workers and youth mobilized socialism. For more information about on October 17 to shutdown three major auto the YS write to: Young Socialists, 1573 plants, post offices, bus service, and schools. N. Milwaukee, P.O. Box #478, Chicago, On the following night, two YS leaders, Ill. 60622. Tel: (773) 772-0551. LeBlanc and Mick O'Donnell, spoke at a Compuserve: 105162,605 Militant Labor Forum preceded by a suc­ cessful benefit dinner that raised more than BY VICTORIA MARSHAL $200 for the tour. LeBlanc began the forum TORONTO - "We need more Cubas stating that "in just 13 days, the YS will be around the world," explained Evelyn having their founding convention .... One of Encalada during a discussion on Ernesto the key questions before the convention will Che Guevara and the Cuban revolution at be the fight for Quebec independence and Militant/John Sarge York University in Toronto. Cosponsored its place in the struggle for a workers and Young Socialists leader Maria Isabel LeBlanc sells the Militant at October 17 Day of farmers government in Canada." by LACSA (Latin American and Caribbean Action labor protest in Windsor, Ontario. Studies Association) and the Young Social­ After the forum, Fabian Garda, who had ists, the meeting on October 16 featured met the YS at the 14th World Festival of ganized a class on a section of the book The now living in Quebec. Young Socialists leader Maria Isabel Youth and Students in Havana this summer, Changing Face of U.S. Politics: Working­ Many youth visited the YS literature table LeBlanc, from Montreal, who is on tour in asked to join the YS because, "I want to learn Class Politics and the Trade Unions, by Jack during the conference, buying more than 20 Toronto to build the upcoming founding more about socialism and get more involved. Barnes. copies of theMilitant, P erspectiva M undial, convention of the Young Socialists from You can'tjust wait for freedom to get here. They also participated in a rally on the and several pamphlets on Cuba, An Action October 31 - November 2 in Montreal. You have to be active and do something." In border between the United States and Program to Confront the Coming Economic A student ~ho is a teacher's assistant and addition to Garda, three other young people Canada where 150 demonstrators demanded Crisis, and Lenin's The Right ofNations to member of CUPE (Canadian Union of Pub­ at the forum signed up to go to the conven­ freedom and justice for Native American Self-Determination. Several are interested lic Employees) picked up a subscription to tion, including Kevin Austin, a high school fighter Leonard Peltier who has been in in attending the convention. Three young the Militant at the York meeting to follow student and YS member in Woodstock, prison since the late 1970s on framed-up people are interested in joining the YS there, developments in Cuba and the labor move­ Ontario. charges. A subscription to the Militant and including two Quebecois. ment. The YS and Communist League set On October 19 the YS organized a class a pamphlet on Genocide against the Indi­ Conetl Tonatiuh Garda Ramfrez, a YS up literature tables on campus in the days on the struggle for Quebec independence and ans were sold at the rally. member in Quebec-City who helped orga­ leading up to the meeting where several stu­ the socialist revolution in Canada. After the YS members have participated in several nize the conference, also organized a YS dents signed up for more information on the class, Andrew Souran, another high school conferences taking place in commemoration class on Che Guevara the following day. YS and bought two Perspectiva Mundial student from Woodstock, joined the YS. of the political legacy of Che Guevara. Sixty The final regional tour is scheduled for subscriptions, one Militant subscription, a The tour in Toronto is part of three con­ people came to one conference in Quebec Montreal and Quebec City on the weekend copy of the Marxist magazine New Inter­ vention-building regional tours organized by City. Carlos Catalan, a YS leader from Mon­ of October 24 - October 26. national no. 8 on Che Guevara, and a copy the YS in Canada to recruit young fighters treal, spoke alongside a student leader from of Pombo: A man ofChe's 'Guerrilla.' to communism and participate in the YS Coalition Y (a student group for the right to The next day YS members participated convention. education); a representative of the Federa­ Youth speak at conference in the Day of Action labor protest in A regional tour took place in Vancouver tion of Cuban Women on tour in Quebec, Windsor, Ontario. This was one of a series October 11 - 13 where the YS chapter or- and speakers from Latin American countries on Ernesto Che Guevara BY OLYMPIA NEWTON COLUMBIA, Maryland ~ Nearly 80 Berkeley students defend affirmative action people celebrated the legacy ofErnesto Che · Guevara here on October II, The program, BY CATHLEEN GUTEKANST arrested. He explained that he had identified is just the beginning," said Mirella Rangel, sponsored by the Howard County Friends BERKELEY, California - Students at himself to police officers as a press photog­ a member of the Students of Color Solidar­ of Central America and the Caribbean the University of California Berkeley kicked rapher and was taking pictures at the time. ity Council (SCSC), a coalition of student (HOCOFOCA), consisted of a report-back off a week of planned rallies, demonstra­ "They just came up to me after a while and organizations that are demanding that the from two participants in this summer's 14th tions and teach-ins in defense of affirma­ said 'You're under arrest,"' he said. "I think administration implement affirmative ac­ World Festival of Youth and Students; po­ tive action with a sit-in at the Boalt Hall it was because I was taking pictures of them tion. Classes given in the Third World Col­ etry and music celebrating the life of Che Law School October 13. Fifty-four demon­ using chokeholds and neck compression." lege Teach-In include such topics as: Social Guevara and the Cuban revolution; and strators were arrested. Palofox stated that he thought the protests Movements in the United States; the IMF, speakers who addressed the need to fight the Most of the 200 protesters were Boalt against the ban on affirmative action in ad­ the World Bank, and Structural Adjustment; U.S. embargo against Cuba. A delegation Hall students, who noted that this year's missions were needed, but added, "It's Political Prisoners; and the Oppression of from the Cuban Interests Section was in at­ first-year class of 270 students, the first to broader than that. It's the attacks on iinmi­ Women. Rangel continued, "We're saying tendance. be admitted since the board of regents grants, on indigenous people. They're try­ if the school is not going to teach us these Basilio Gutierrez, a representative of the banned affirmative action programs in the ing to say that it's in our interests to send things, we're going to do it ourselves. This Cuban Institute for Friendship with the University of California system, included Huey helicopters to kill indigenous people. is a mobilizing as well as an educational pro­ Peoples (ICAP), spoke on the ideas and only seven Latino students and no African­ What kind of society do we want to see here? gram." legacy of Che Guevara. Gutierrez was in American or Native American students. One One that puts profits before people? I don't town from Cuba and had been invited to Black student and seven other Latino stu­ think so." Cathleen Gutekanst is a member of the Oil, make a six-week U.S. tour but the U.S. gov­ dents were carried over in their enrollment "This week of activities and teach-ins Chemical and Atomic Workers Union Lo­ ernment prevented him from traveling out­ after deferring enrollment last year. we're putting on at the Third World College cal I -5 in Richmond, California. side a 25-mile radius of Washington, D.C. Norma, a first-year law school student, explained that the Boalt Hall Coalition on Diversity had gone on a campaign to col­ lect signatures on a letter to the administra­ Anti-Cuba rightists are set back in Miami tion, protesting the ban on affirmative ac­ tion. She said that" 194 students out of 270 BY MAGGIE McCRAW ordinance by soliciting the $125,000 from American Civil Liberties Union, described signed the letter, more than 70 percent. Most MIAMI - In a blow to ultra-rightist private and corporate contributions. the firing as "the type of government action of the students here support affirmative ac­ Cuban groups who oppose cultural exchange This followed an outcry over the Septem­ one might expect in a communist dictator­ tion. When we presented our letter to the between the United States and Cuba, gov­ ber firing of Peggi McKinley, an appointee ship, but not in the United States." admission committee, he said, 'Well, how ernment officials and businesses in nearby of the Dade County Commission and chair After McKinley's firing, the Miami Her­ many of you would be willing to give up Miami Beach proposed a plan October 7 to of the film advisory board. Supporting the ald urged readers to write in their opinions your place at the school?'" circumvent a Miami ordinance that threat­ effort to get the ordinance waived for on McKinley's termination and the politi­ The week of protest began with a sym­ ened an international music conference by MIDEM, McKinley publicly stated that "al­ cal questions involved. The majority focused bolic action as an answer. More than 100 barring the participation of Cuban artists. lowing a few people's political standpoint their fire on the county commission's firing students who are Black, Latino, or Asian The music conference - MIDEM Latin to dictate the potential economic growth of of McKinley and the attempts of the more marched into two first-year law school American and Caribbean Music Market­ the area is not for the benefit of the commu­ vocal right-wing elements in the Cuban classes, where white students stood up and is an international gathering for artists and nity as a whole." community to eliminate discussion. gave their seats to the protesters. music executives. It has hosted Cuban art­ Following this statement, the Dade The Herald gave prominent attention to Later in the day, students attempted to ists at meetings outside the United States, County Commission unanimously voted to a statement made by Gloria Estafan. The present their demands to the Boalt Hall Dean and in September held the first of five an­ dismiss her. Later one commissioner, Katy popular Cuban-American singer, who de­ Henna Hill Kay. The demands included: nual conferences contracted for Miami. Sorenson, voiced opposition to the firing and scribed herself as "staunchly anti-commu­ • Removal of the text of the U.C. regents' A 1996 Dade county ordinance prohibits changed her vote. Commissioner Javier nist," said she felt "dismay" at McKinley's anti-affirmative action policy from the the county from funding events that allow Souto denounced Sorenson's decision, de­ firing and called for defense of"each other's school's admission packet. participation by Cuban artists or businesses claring, "You are playing with fire .... There right to voice an opinion without fear of re­ • Revision of admissions criteria to as­ that do business with Cuba. This year the are a lot of Cuban people who vote." prisal, whatever the opinion might be." sist students from working-class families. MIDEM organizers complied with the ban. The rightist Cuban American National Right-wing radio stations and groups began • Provision of scholarships for minority Facing a threatened boycott by the music Foundation accused McKinley of making a a campaign against Estafan, with some call­ students. industry if they continued to adhere to the "patently racist statement.. .[that] is an af­ ing for a public burning of her CDs. • Hiring of more Black, Latino, Asian anti-Cuba ordinance, MIDEM, which re­ front to the many victims ... of Fidel Castro's Janet Post, Socialist Workers candidate and women faculty members. ceived $I25,000 from the county, indicated human rights atrocities." for the mayor of Miami, told the Militant, • A policy statement by [Hill] Kay urg­ it would cancel its contract with Miami. In Several prominent political figures spoke "I condemn attempts by Miami's rulers to ing the U.C. regents to support race-targeted an effort to keep the conference and its out against McKinley's firing. At the same stifle a free and open discussion on these outreach programs. multi-million-dollar revenues, government time, many of them seized on the opportu­ issues and call for support to forums, picket Jose Palofox, a U.C. undergraduate and officials and businesses interests in Miami nity to try to smear the Cuban revolution. lines or any other protests against these at­ a photographer for La Voz, was one of those Beach proposed October 7 to bypass the Andy Kayton, legal director of the Florida tacks on all our democratic rights." 6 The Militant November 3, 1997 'Our task is to organize and fight now' Chicago conference celebrates 1917 Russian revolution and Che Guevara

BY NAOMI CRAINE There is no way for the capitalist rulers CHICAGO- More than 100 people to resolve the crisis they face short of battles turned out here October 18 to celebrate the with the working class. The Teamsters strike 80th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolu­ at UPS in August and the beginnings of la­ tion and the 30th anniversary of Che bor resistance to the bosses' austerity drives Guevara's combat in Bolivia. The Saturday across Europe are important signs of class afternoon educational conference on "The battles to come, Barnes noted. He pointed Coming American Revolution" featured to a few examples of the reactionary ways talks by Mary-Alice Waters, the president the employing class tries to prepare the of Pathfinder Press, and Jack Barnes, na­ ground politically for such conflicts, includ­ tional secretary of the Socialist Workers ing stepping up executions and the use of Party. It was also a celebration of the books subtle and not-so-subtle anti-Semitism. published by Pathfinder Press, and a ben­ An indication of the kinds of forces the efit for the $125,000 Pathfinder Fund. bosses will try to unleash against the work­ The meeting was sponsored by the Path­ ing class could be seen in the recent strike finder bookstores in Chicago and Des by workers at Bay Area Rapid Transit in San Moines, Iowa, and by the Young Socialists. Francisco, who were fighting to push back It was cochaired by YS leader Veronica the two-tier wage scale that had been im­ Poses and Joe Swanson, a member of the posed on them. Workers on the picket lines United Auto Workers from Des Moines. The described how outraged middle-class com­ event was held at Decima Musa restaurant muters yelled abuse and threw things at the in the mostly Mexican community ofPilsen. strikers. Those attending the Chicago con­ Several participants learned about the ference were given copies of a letter Barnes celebration at political activities in Chicago had received from a trade unionist in the Bay over the previous 10 days. These included Workers and students involved in actions like October 8 protest of 200 against U.S. Area during the strike. The letter described an October 8 demonstration of 200 people, embargo on Cuba (above) turned out for Chicago event celebrating examples of work­ the "calculated hysteria of the ruling-class­ most of them young, against the U.S. em­ ers and farmers taking power in Russia and Cuba, and coming American revolution. orchestrated campaign against these union­ bargo on Cuba, as well as an action in de­ ists and the petty-bourgeois venom that ac­ fense of immigrant rights held here Octo­ in Bolivia 10 years later. As the protests in years after Lenin's death. companied it. The mass psychology of fas­ ber 12, which drew more than 800 people Latin America showed, the gap continues Barnes pointed to the essential place of cism reared its head an inch above the sand." from around the region. to widen between the wealth of a tiny mi­ books for communist workers and youth in It noted the "similarities between the emo­ Trade unionists and students from nority and the declining living and job con­ applying the continuity of revolutionary tive wellsprings of anti- BART-worker throughout the Midwest and as far as Pitts­ ditions of the toiling majority. struggle, and the greater political leverage venom and pro-Lady Di hysteria." burgh and Birmingham, Alabama, attended The world imperialist system is relatively of those books in today's world. Che the celebration. Two packinghouse workers weaker and more vulnerable today than it Guevara, like other communist leaders, con­ Task is to organize, prepare, and fight from Perry, Iowa, were attending their first was 30 years ago, Waters said. This was a tinually organized to read and study with In closing his talk, Barnes referred to socialist conference. Bob Peters, a veteran point of contention at the Havana confer­ others. Joe Swanson appealed to those greetings sent on behalf of the Socialist of the 1994 - 95 Bridgestone/Firestone ence on Guevara's legacy where she spoke present to contribute to the $125,000 Path­ Workers Party National Committee to the strike, also attended from Iowa. Now a in September. Some participants argued that finder fund. Participants gave more than recent congress of the Communist Party of member of the Communications Workers of imperialism is stronger than ever. The course $1,500 at the meeting itself, and pledged an Cuba, copies of which were available to par­ America, Peters said he wanted to hear the carried out by Che and the Cuban leader­ additional $1,000. Many also took advan­ ticipants. The party congress and Guevara speakers after reading issue no. 10 of New ship in the 1960s to advance the fight against tage of the literature sale there to stock up. commemorations in Cuba not only remind International, which includes "Imperial­ U.S. imperialist domination and for social­ Sales included six copies of The Changing "us all of the course that Fidel has fought ism's March toward Fascism and War" by ism is no longer possible in today's world, Face ofU.S. Politics-Working-Class Poli­ for from the beginning," the message said, Jack Barnes and "Defending Cuba, Defend­ these conference participants argued. tics and the Trade Unions by Jack Barnes, but also foreshadow "the battles that will ing Cuba's Socialist Revolution" by Mary­ That is the opposite of the lesson being as well as four Militant subscriptions. decide the fate of the 21st century. Alice Waters. drawn in Cuba during the events this month "New generations of revolutionary toil­ Melissa Kaplan, 22, came with a carload to inter the remains of Guevara and several Imperialism is more vulnerable ers - including those inside the most bru­ from Birmingham, Alabama. She has been of his co-combatants, which were unearthed Barnes noted that the imperialist system tal and mighty imperialist power in history, active in the fight for women's rights on in Bolivia earlier this year. The big-business is more vulnerable to shocks and explosive the United States of America - will draw campus. Kaplan said the conference gave press, Waters said, falsely portrays these breakdowns today. The economic crisis in strength from the example of these heroic her a "broader perspective and a more clear events as hero worship. Meanwhile, many Mexico at the end of 1994 is a harbinger of fighters and the lessons we have learned picture of what the party stands for." of these same voices in the capitalist media what is coming, he said. Who benefited from from the men and women who made the Hiryu Abdu, a student who came to the express dismay at the "hard line" of the the "recovery" in Mexico trumpeted by the Cuban revolution possible and changed the meeting from Evansville, Indiana, said he October 8 - 10 congress of the Communist Clinton administration? Not the Mexican course of history in our time. gained respect for the Cuban revolution from Party of Cuba, where delegates held a broad­ workers and peasants, who are w~rse off "The reality that will mark the century his experiences in Ethiopia following the ranging discussion on how to move forward today. And Mexican banks and industries on whose threshold we stand is that of the 1974 revolution in that country. He said, "I today on a socialist course. are being bought up by U.S. and other im­ growing historic weakness of U.S. imperi­ first made contact with Cubans in Ethiopia, In fact, Waters said, the commemorations perialist interests. alism -faced as it is around the world with who helped both militarily and medically this month were a solemn celebration and An even larger economic disaster is un­ ever increasing numbers of gravediggers of in the war" to push back the 1978 invasion affirmation by millions of working people folding in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, its own creation, and diminishing political by the government of Somalia, which was in Cuba of what Guevara and his fellow and other countries of Southeast Asia, barriers to unity in struggle amongst them. instigated by Washington. combatants had fought for- their interna­ Barnes said. Wall Street forced massive, un­ "As that truth breaks through the surface Paul Cornish, 23, is a member of the tionalism and conviction that the fight for sustainable loans on the capitalists in these of imperialist wealth and arrogance," the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Tex­ socialism is the only road forward for hu­ countries, and now the local and foreign message said, the example of the combat­ tile Employees (UNITE) who recently manity. That was the message of the Cuban exploiters are attempting to make working ants in Bolivia and Cuba "and of the worker­ joined the Young Socialists in Atlanta. He party congress as well, she said. people pay the consequences. bolsheviks who established and defended was in Chicago for a meeting of socialist The imperialist regimes themselves are the first socialist victory in our century will workers who are members of UNITE, which Importance of Bolshevik revolution in the midst of a deflationary crisis. In Ja­ be emulated. coincided with the educational conference. The October 1917 revolution led by the pan economic growth remains stagnant. Un­ "Our task is to organize, prepare, and Bolshevik party in Russia was the most im­ employment is at double-digit highs fight- now." Che and the imperialist reality portant event in this century, said Jack throughout much of Europe. In Germany the The first speaker was Mary-Alice Waters, Barnes in his talk. It was the first practical economic gap is widening between west and Tom Alter, member of United Food and who had just returned from a three-week example that the working class can take east, as social conditions for all workers Commercial Workers Local 1149, and reporting trip to Cuba. While there she spoke power out of the hands of the capitalist ex­ slide. In the United States, the economic Amanda Ulman, member of United Auto on "Che Guevara and the Imperialist Real­ ploiters and open the struggle for socialism. upturn of the mid-l990s has been the weak­ Workers Local270,from Des Moines, Iowa, ity" at a conference on Guevara sponsored The most important outcome of the Oc­ est since World War II. contributed to this article. by Tricontinental magazine. Waters also at­ tober revolution was that a new kind of pro­ tended a conference on the legacy of the fessional revolutionist - the worker­ Argentine-born revolutionary at the Univer­ bolshevik - was forged in the process. The sity of Havana, and reported for the Mili­ Bolsheviks built the first party in history tant on the fifth congress of the Communist whose membership and leadership were Che Guevara, Cuba, and the Party of Cuba. Immediately after the event composed in their big majority of worker­ in Chicago, she and Barnes left for Havana bolsheviks. Ever since, Barnes said, that has Road to Socialism to attend an international workshop com­ been the kind of party communists the world In New International no. 8 memorating Guevara, titled "Socialism To­ over have worked to emulate. wards the 21st Century." Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Ernesto Che Guevara, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, Waters opened her remarks by pointing October revolution and 30th anniversary of Carlos Tablada, Mary-Alice Waters, Steve to how U.S. president William Clinton was Che 's combat in Bolivia, are part of celebrat­ greeted by workers when he arrived in ing the coming American revolution, Barnes Clark, Jack Barnes Buenos Aires, Argentina, the previous day. said. The example of the victorious work­ Debates from the early 1960s and today on the relevance In what is a tradition among working people ers and farmers in Russia and Cuba poses and importance of the political and economic perspec­ throughout Latin America, he was met by the possibility and necessity of revolutions tives defended by Guevara. $10.00 Available in English and Spanish. thousands of demonstrators carrying a huge elsewhere in the world. Revolutionists in the banner that read "Fuera Clinton" (Clinton United States- the world's mightiest and go home). He got a similar reception on ear­ most brutal imperialist power - have a spe­ In New International no.1 0 lier stops in Venezuela and Brazil. cial obligation in that regard. "The world in which Che Guevara was There are fewer obstacles today than at Imperialism's March toward Fascism and War born and fought, the imperialist reality that any time since the mid-1920s for fighting by Jack Barnes made him a communist, remains the same," workers and youth to find the road to revo­ $14.00 Available in English, French, Spanish, and Swedish. Waters said. Nothing fundamental has lution instead of the road of accommoda­ changed since the Cuban revolutionary war tion with imperialism carried out by the in 1956-58 and the combat led by Guevara Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union in the -~~··~·~·'·~·~··see··•••12. November 3, 1997 The Militant 7 Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution Guevara: 'Human " beings are no longer beasts of burden'

The following is a speech given by how the U.S. archeologists pillaged the ru­ Enrique Oltuski at a conference at the ins of Machu Picchu. His love for University of Havana on "Che: Man of his fellow man led him to live side the Twenty-First Century," October 1 - by side with lepers, who bid him 4. Oltuski worked closely with Ernesto farewell as a brother. Che Guevara in the Ministry of Indus­ He met Bolivian and Guatemalan try, which Guevara headed in the early revolutionaries. In Mexico he joined 1960s, and today is Cuba's deputy minis­ up with the Cuban revolution. He ter of fishing. Translation, subheadings, was no longer a mere spectator; he and footnotes are by the Militant. was now a revolutionary who wanted to change things. Left, Militant/Martin Koppel; above, Granma Above, Che Guevara taking over as president of Cuba's BY ENRIQUE OLTUSKI When they went to the encamp­ National Bank, November 1959. From left, Jose Naranjo, What is happening in the world that ments in the final stage of their train­ Osmany Cienfuegos, Osvaldo Dorticos, Che Guevara, (un­ ing as a Granmal expeditionary, makes the figure of Che grow larger and known), Felipe Pazos, Enrique Oltuski, Faustino Perez. Left, larger every day. Is it not because he fills a Che told of his travels through Latin Oltuski speaking in a conference "The 21st Century: The moral void? Is it not because he inspires America. The anecdotal side was not Legacy and Relevancy of Che's Works," held in Havana, confidence in the future? Is it not because what he wanted to stress; rather the September 25-27, sponsored by Tricontinental magazine. he is the human being we all want to be? Is poverty, how the people lived, how it not because Che is the herald of the new the Mayan Indians lived in Guate- man? mala, the corruption of the governments. He consciousness also develops. This too was They don't affect me, and if they do, it's my Asthma, which he eventually would bring wrote a great deal on these topics: his trip part of forming the new man. problem.' under control with his willpower and which from one country to the other, the persons But ... what was Che's personal life like? "When the exercises began in the gym, I he began to suffer at age two, compelled him he met, but above all the poverty, the state How was this human sensibility manifested, taught the people to defend themselves, how to rest during periods of acute attacks. As a of slavery that the Indian of the Americas a sensibility that has so rarely been reached? to grab other people's clothes, how to hit child of educated parents, books were fa­ lived in. Let us poke through the recollections of someone, what the vulnerable parts are, how miliar objects in the house, and thus books Later came the epic events in Cuba, his those who had the privilege of knowing him. to hurt them, even to the point of causing became a refuge over long hours. apprenticeship as a guerrilla together with death, and so on. One day he called to me: As a 15-year-old he read Freud, Verlaine, his teacher Fidel; the invasion, the battle of Stories of those who worked with Che '"Hey, Vanegas, how long are we going Mallarme, Zola, Sarmientos, Faulkner, Santa Clara, the Ministry of Industry. Arsacio Vanegas, the Mexican who to go through this routine. What is it we're Steinbeck. An interesting mix of authors, With the Ministry of Industry the first trained the future guerrillas in the Sierra learning? I'm not going to join the circus or seeds of the future forest of ideas, planted steps were taken to create an organizational Maestra, relates the following: be a gymnast.' as yet with no order. structure of a socialist character in Cuba. The "I opened the door that afternoon in "I said something rude to him, and Over time and as his intellect grew, his system of management being developed at Mexico City, as I was attending to my friend grabbed him by surprise and threw him on interest in works with a social content grew. the time was based on a fundamental theo­ Maria Antonia Gonzalez, who was then ill, the canvas. 'This is what I'm showing you, He intensified his reading of Marxism and retical conception; the aim was to develop and whose house served as general head­ and if you don't know how to defend your­ also read Kafka, Camus, and Sartre. man's consciousness and to develop the pro­ quarters to the Cuban exiles. self, I'm going to break your arm.' His travels to South America were deci­ ductive forces in such a way that, in a given "Before me appeared a young man, with "He remained there thinking, and said to sive in his formation. He became conscious period of time, the development of the pro­ uncombed hair, attractive in appearance, me with a humility that I found moving: of the Indian of the Americas; there arose in ductive forces would aoincide with theJor~ whose clothing indicated that his economic '"That's OK, Vanegas. You're right. Par­ him a fraternal spirit toward the indigenous mation of the new man. In this way a just situation was not particularly flourishing. don me."' peoples. With his stay in the mines of society would be created, where man would "'I'm looking for Nico Lopez,' he said. Chuquicamata in Chile, he got to know the be brother of man, and where happiness of "'Who's looking for him?' Enemies of Cuba falsify Che's image life of the copper miners, and the oppres­ the individual would be the happiness of all. '"Doctor Guevara.' Orlando Borrego, Che's first deputy min­ sion they are subjected to by the Yankee The system of the Ministry of Industry '"I'm sorry, but he's not here.' ister of the Ministry of Industry, tells us: owners. He felt in his own blood and bone was being consolidated as the result of an "The voice of Maria Antonia came from "Today Che is a figure of world stature. experience where man was at the center. inside the apartment. Now that Che is an example and a banner Man's education, the development of his "'Who is it, Vanegas?' of young people around the world, the en­ consciousness, and moral and material in­ "'A young doctor who's looking for emies of the Cuban revolution are trying to This selection is part ofa series mark­ centives played a principal role. Nico.' give a false image of his personality. Today ing the 30th anniversary of the death in '"Well, stop fooling around, tell him to those of us who had the privilege of know­ combat ofErnesto Che Guevara. Argen­ The element of voluntary work tine by birth, Guevara became one ofthe go to hell. This isn't the time for social vis­ ing him and living at his side during that central leaders of the Cuban revolution A new element made its appearance as its.' fleeting but profound stay in our country, that brought down the U.S.-backed part of this conception: voluntary work. Che '"It's the owner of the house, Marfa cannot fail to remember his affection and Batista dictatorship in 1959 and, in re­ characterized voluntary work as an abso­ Antonia Gonzalez, and she doesn't feel human warmth in his relations with his com­ sponse to mounting pressure from Wash­ lutely selfless contribution, a transformation well."' Vanegas said, trying to smooth things rades during wartime, with the workers dur­ ington, opened the socialist revolution in of work into a social duty- and more than over. ing peacetime, with his subordinates in the the Americas. Che, as he is popularly a duty, a social pleasure. The idea of work '"Boy, does she have a temper,' said the Ministry of Industry, with his family, with known, was one ofthe outstanding Marx­ as a completely integral function of man was young man. He left a message and rapidly members of his escort, with his friends, and ist leaders of the 20th century. also part of the theoretical conception that left. above all, with Fidel." In I966-67, he led a nucleus of revo­ Che was completing during his years in "The day Che and Fidel met they talked Aleida March, his companion in the lutionaries from Bolivia, Cuba, and Peru Cuba. a long time. I waited outside and when they mountains of the Escambray, in the battle who fought to overthrow the military dic­ In August 1964, at a ceremony awarding left the house where they were meeting, Fi­ of Santa Clara, and in life, recalls: tatorship in Bolivia. In the process, they communist certificates to the best workers del told me: "Che spent very little time at home. Only sought to forge a Latin America-wide of the Ministry of Industry, Che, with his '"Vanegas, my friend, Doctor Guevara is Saturday night and some Sunday afternoons, movement of workers and peasants that fine human sensibility, cited a few para­ now a member of the July 26 Movement. after voluntary work. There was never a lot could lead the battle for land reform and graphs from a book by the poet Leon Felipe: Make arrangements with him to begin his of time to talk. Che told me to study history, against U.S. imperialist domination ofthe "But man is a hard-working and stupid training.' that someday we would sit down together continent and advance the struggle for child, who has turned work into tiresome "I told Che to bring adequate clothing in front of the fire to talk about this favorite socialism. Guevara was wounded and toil, he has turned the drumstick into a hoe, topic of his, and that was what I studied captured on Oct. 8, I967. He was shot because we would be scaling some hills. We the next day by the Bolivian military, af­ and instead of tapping out a song of joy on would meet near Guadalupe, at the when he went off to Bolivia. ter consultation with Washington. the land, he began to dig ... " Buenavista movie theater. Everybody was "After the Africa campaign we were to­ As part of the commemoration of this The poet continued: assembled there and we began to walk north. gether in Tanzania for almost a month and anniversary in Cuba, dozens of articles, "I want to say that no one has been able As we climbed the hill we practiced how to we talked about many things we had not had speeches, and interviews by those who to dig to the rhythm of the sun, and that no breathe, how to guide ourselves, learning time to speak about before. We read and Che worked with Che are being published, one has yet cut a stalk of com with love and which direction was north, where the sun wrote. In Prague, for the first time, we had a dealing with the Cuban revolution, its im­ grace." rose, where it set. Days later we quickened home life. I cooked, washed the clothes. We pact in world politics, and the actions of Che stated in reply: the pace. It was very hard to climb the hill lived the life we had not been able to. its leadership. Many of Guevara's col­ "That's why I wanted to quote those lines. with its steep slopes. Che had gone sepa­ "At the beginning Che did not want to laborators andfamily members have spo­ Because today we could tell that great des­ rately, falling behind, and suddenly I heard return. He thought this would implicate ken at conferences and other meetings, perate poet to come to Cuba to see how man, a strange sound. I told the guys to keep walk­ Cuba, but Fidel insisted he come and train. bringing Che to life for a new genera­ after passing through all the stages of capi­ ing, and I went back to where Che was. "During the training in Cuba, I brought tion and explaining the importance ofhis talist alienation, and after being considered '"What's the matter, doctor?' He didn't Celita and Ernestico, the youngest children, rich political legacy today. These mate­ a beast ofburden harnessed to the yoke of say anything to me. He made signs for me to see him. I didn't bring the older ones, so rials contain many valuable firsthand ac­ the exploiter, has rediscovered his course, to wait, and I did so for a long time, until that they wouldn't recognize him. Che counts and information, some of which has found his way back. Today in our Cuba, his attack of asthma passed. Continued on Page 10 are being written down and published for work takes on new meaning every day. It is '"I don't want you to tell anybody what the first time. They are part ofthe broader done with new joy." happened, Vanegas, because this must not discussion taking place in Cuba today on And we say as in the song: Che, you are hinder me from going on the expedition.' 1 Granma was the name of the boat that car­ how to advance the revolution. the poet. ried 82 revolutionary combatants, including Che The Militant is reprinting a selection "I tried to limit Che in the exercises, be­ and Fidel Castro, from Mexico to Cuba in De­ of these contributions as a weekly fea­ But there was another element in the con­ cause I was concerned with his asthma. Che cember 1956. The fighters formed the core of ture, under the banner "Che Guevara ception of the new life, the new society, the eventually became very upset, and told me, the Rebel Army that led the struggle to overturn and the Cuban Revolution." new man. It was the human warmth that 'Don't prohibit me from doing exercises. the U.S.-back Batista dictatorship.

8 The Militant November 3, 1997 for members of the Pathfinder Readers Club

the Cuban Revolution and the Legacy of Ernesto Che Guevara Episodes of the Cuban In Defense of Socialism Revolutionary War, 1956-58 Four speeches on the 30th anniversary ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA of the Cuban revolution Firsthand account of the military campaigns FIDEL CASTRO and political events that culminated in the Not only is economic and social progress possible without January 1959 popular insurrection that the dog-eat-dog competition of capitalism, Castro argues, overthrew the U.S.-backed dictatorship in but socialism remains the only way forward for humanity. Cuba. With clarity and humor, Guevara Also discusses Cuba's role in the struggle against the describes his own political education. He apartheid regime in southern Africa. explains how the struggle transformed the men Regular $13.95 Special offer $10 and women of the Rebel Army and July 26 Movement led by Fidel Castro. And how these To Speak the Truth combatants forged a political leadership Why Washington's 'Cold War' capable of guiding millions of workers and against Cuba Doesn't End peasants to open the socialist revolution in the Americas. Regular $23.95 Special offer $17 FIDEL CASTRO AND CHE GUEVARA In historic speeches before the United Nations and UN Lenin's Final Fight bodies, Guevara and Castro address the workers of the world, explaining why the U.S. government so hates the Speeches and Writings, 1922-23 example set by the socialist revolution in Cuba and why V.I. LENIN Washington's effort to destroy it will fail. In the early 1920s Lenin waged a political battle in the leadership of the Regular $16.95 Special offer $12 Communist Party of the USSR to maintain the course that had enabled the workers and peasants to overthrow the old tsarist empire, carry out the The Changing Face of U.S. Politics first successful socialist revolution, and begin building a world communist Working-Class Politics and the Trade Unions movement. The issues posed in his political fight remain at the heart of JACK BARNES world politics today. Several items appear in English for the first time. Also available in Spanish. Also available in Spanish. Regular $19.95 Special offer $14 Regular $19.95 Special offer $14 Che Guevara Speaks The Bolivian Diary of Selected Speeches and Writings Emesto Che Guevara Regular $14.95 Special offer $10.50 Guevara's day-by-day chronicle of the 1966-67 guerrilla campaign in Bolivia, a painstaking effort to Che Guevara: Economics and Politics forge a continent-wide revolutionary movement of in the Transition to Socialism workers and peasants. Includes excerpts from the CARLOS TABLADA diaries and accounts of other combatants, including Also available in Spanish and French. Regular $17.95 Special offer $12.50 - for the first time in English - My Campaign with Che by Bolivian leader Inti Peredo. Introduction by Mary-Alice Waters. Regular $21.95 Special offer $15 The Leninist Strategy of Party Building The Debate on Guerrilla Warfare in Latin America JOSEPH HANSEN In the 1960s and '70s, revolutionists in the Americas and throughout the world debated how to apply the lessons of the Cuban revolution to struggles elsewhere. A living analysis by a participant in that debate. Regular $26.95 Special offer $19

Pombo: A Man of Che's Guerrilla With Che Guevara in Bolivia, 1966--68 HARRY VILLEGAS A never-before published story of the 1966-68 revolutionary campaign in Bolivia led by Emesto Che Guevara. It is the diary and account of Pombo- a member of Guevara's general staff, a young fighter still in his twenties and already a veteran of a decade of struggle around the globe. Regular $21.95 Special offer $15

November 3, 1997 The Militant 9 'Bolivian Diary' film is caricature of Che The Bolivian Diary ofErnesto Che Gue­ industry, and frequently represented Cuba vara. A film written and directed by Ri­ internationally. chard Dindo. Produced in France/Swit­ In early 1965, Guevara resigned his gov­ zerland, 1994; 94 min. ernment posts and responsibilities and left Cuba in order to return to South America to BY MA'MUD SHIRVANI help advance the anti-imperialist and anti­ Richard Dindo's movie about the guer­ capitalist struggles that were sharpening in rilla campaign in Bolivia led by Ernesto Che several countries. Along with a number of Guevara, which has been shown extensively volunteers who would later join him in Bo­ at movie theaters in the United States and livia, Che went first to the Congo where he other countries over the last two years, pre­ aided the anti-imperialist movement sents a caricature of the Argentine-born founded by Patrice Lumumba. From No­ revolutionary and his political course. It is vember 1966 to October 1967 he led a guer­ part of a propaganda offensive by the en­ rilla movement in Bolivia against that emies of the Cuban revolution to use the country's military dictatorship that was 30th anniversary of the combat in Bolivia backed by Washington. Wounded and cap­ Dindo's movie attempts to regurgitate the lie that Cuban president Fidel Castro (right) by Che and his comrades to divide Guevara tured by the Bolivian army in a CIA-orga­ and Ernesto Che Guevara (left) had a falling out before Che left for Bolivia. In his from the Cuban revolution and its central nized operation on Oct. 8, 1967, he was ex­ letter to Fidel in 1965, Guevara wrote, "I have always been identified with the foreign ecuted the following day. policy of our revolution, and I continue to be. Wherever I am, I will feel the responsi­ Che died in Bolivia in 1967 fighting to bility of being a Cuban revolutionary, and I shall behave as such." IN REVIEW extend the free territory to the southern cone of the continent. His actions exemplify the but conveys the same message regardless of disagreement with Mario Monje, general internationalism of the Cuban revolution, writer's and director's intentions. secretary of the Communist party of Bolivia, leadership and smear his legacy. and the Cuban communist leadership con­ The rest of the film includes scenes of the is portrayed in the movie falsely as a per­ Ernesto Che Guevara, one of the great tinues on the same course to this day. locations where Che and his comrades sonal power struggle on who was going to communist leaders of the 20th century, was The Bolivian Diary movie gives a differ­ moved along the mountains of Bolivia, se­ be the military commander of the move­ the product of the Cuban revolution. In 1955 ent picture, closer to a caricature than a real lected quotes from Che 's Bolivian Diary and ment. And there is no mention of the fact Fidel Castro recruited Che to the Rebel life portrait. The film discards the Cuban interviews with some of the peasants who that the leadership of the Bolivian CP sabo­ Army that he was organizing in Mexico. revolution, abstracts Che and makes him into had come across the guerrillas. taged the guerrilla movement. After graduating from medical school in some kind of a romantic, naive, and a good­ One peasant remembers the guerrillas as The disagreements between Guevara and 1953, Che had set off to travel the Ameri­ hearted military man that peasants in Bo­ very polite, saying they paid for what they Monje were not personal, but were based cas. While in Guatemala a year later, he be­ livia would not and could not understand. took, "and they said that they wanted to on fundamentally divergent political strate­ came involved in political struggle, support­ Produced in a documentary style, Dindo's transform the country, introduce commu­ gies. Che was fighting to emulate the Cu­ ing the elected government of Jacobo movie has little to do with the facts or an nism, and that would be good for us." An­ ban socialist revolution, and the Stalinist Arbenz against the CIA's eventually suc­ accurate portrayal of the guerrilla movement other peasant recalled one of the combat­ leadership of the Bolivian CP practiced class cessful attempts to overthrow it. He then in Bolivia. At the outset, the narrator sets ants with Che, Inti Peredo, gave a speech to collaboration and looked the other way to escaped to Mexico, where he soon joined the political frame of the film. He states that a group of peasants, saying "we have find possibilities to reform capitalism. Fidel Castro and other Cuban revolutionar­ in February 1965 Che made a speech in brought you together so that you understand Che's strategic prognosis of the Latin ies of the July 26 Movement seeking to over­ Algiers allegedly "criticizing the socialist that we are not bad people. We are fighting American revolution was confirmed shortly throw the U.S.-backed dictatorship of camp for exploiting the Third World coun­ for the poor and the dispossessed." Mean­ after his murder by the Bolivian generals Fulgencio Batista in the Caribbean island. tries, thus collaborating with Western im­ while, the camera pans across a photo of after consultation with Washington. This is In December 1956 Guevara was part of perialism." Earlier you hear the narrator say­ peasants, pausing for a rather long time on elaborated by Mary-Alice Waters in her in­ the expedition that landed in Cuba aboard ing that Che was opposed to the policy of each face who just stares, giving the impres­ troduction to Che's Bolivian Diary. Mass the yacht Granma to begin the guerrilla peaceful coexistence because it allowed "the sion that the words have fallen on deaf ears. struggles broke out in Bolivia in 1970, in struggle. Originally the troop doctor, Gue­ Russians and Americans to divide up the A peasant woman tells Che "they say you Argentina 1969 with a semi-insurrection in vara became a commander of the Rebel world," putting words in Che's mouth. take things from the peasants without pay­ the working class city of Cordoba, and ris­ Army. As he fought alongside Castro and When Che returns to Havana from a trip ing them," to which Che supposedly re­ ing working-class and peasant militancy in other combatants in the Sierra Maestra he in Africa "Castro andChe s~nt the next two sponds, "That is not true, senora, the peas­ Chile that carried the Socialist Party leader grew to be an outstanding military and po­ days behind closed doors. No one knows ants have betrayed us. We are fighting for Salvador Allende into presidency in 1970. litical leader. Workers and peasants in Cuba what goes on between the two men or ex­ the poor, for humble people. But they have But a conscious revolutionary leadership through the revolutionary war of 1956-58 actly what it is they discussed." The narra­ never helped us." Gloom and resentment that could lead the workers and peasants on took power, made a socialist revolution, and tor continues, "Nevertheless a week later permeates the film, not the combatants' de­ a continental scale remained absent. established the first free territory in the Che submits his resignation to the Ministry. termination to fight against great odds as Finally, the film belittles Che's participa­ Americas and defended it against the mur­ From that moment on he will never again they did, and the leadership capacity, and tion in the liberation battles in Africa, and derous empire to the north. be before public eye." The implication is strategic thinking of their commander that says in passing that he went there "to par­ Following Batista's fall on Jan. 1, 1959, clear and it is the same theme that the Hol­ reading of Che 's entire Bolivian Diary con­ ticipate in an obscure liberation battle in the Guevara became one of the central leaders lywood film Che pushed in the late 1960s, veys. The movie portrays toilers as victims, former Belgian Congo." That is not how lib­ of the new workers and farmers government. where Omar Sharif played Che. That Sharif lacking the capacity to organize and fight. eration fighters assessed it. Nelson Mandela, He held a number of posts, including presi­ movie was a crude "cold-war" imperialist Quotes from Che's Bolivian Diary are who was in an apartheid prison at the time, dent of the National Bank and minister of production. Dindo's movie has a left veneer, usually taken out of context. For example, spoke on this point a quarter century later, at a rally of tens of thousands in Matanzas, Cuba. Mandela acknowledged the impact of the contributions made by the "Great Che Guevara" and said that Che's revolutionary Speech by Enrique Oltuski actions in Africa "were too powerful for any prison censors to hide from us." Continued from Page 8 revolutionary. Reviewing everything said by Vanegas, After Che's death Cuban revolutionists wanted to have children. The children were "My relations with Che began as those Aleida, Borrego, Harry, and many comrades continued to fight shoulder to shoulder with more attached to me, because they saw their between a commander and his subordinate. who knew Che, who lived side-by-side with workers and peasants in Africa in their father so little. He used to say: 'Enjoy them Che was always our commander, our guide, him, who were influenced by his ideas and struggle for liberation. Over a span of 15 now because when they're older they'll be and as such we respected him. But gradu­ above all his example, confirms once again years several hundred thousand Cuban vol­ mine. Before the birth of Aleidita, our first ally and in a very subtle way, these relations his exceptional qualities as a revolutionary, unteers fought alongside the Angolan gov­ child, Che thought it would be a boy and became transformed into more fraternal ties because a revolutionary is one who changes ernment forces and defeated the invading wanted to name him Ernesto. I said no, that and sentiments, of comrades, offriends. We things. His thinking knew no boundaries, armies of the South African apartheid re­ calling him Ernesto Guevara would be a saw his concern for us, as if he were our and neither did his confidence in man. gime, the final blow being dealt to them at large burden for him to carry. 'We'll name father. He wanted to prepare us for when The idea that the development of social the battle of Cui to Cuanavale in early 1988. him Camilo, •2 Che compromised. 'That way the revolution triumphed, so we could be consciousness would give birth to the new Referring to this victory in the same he'll be a combination of two guerrilla fight­ useful in building the new society. man, where intelligence triumphs over natu­ speech in Matanzas, Mandela said, "It is un­ ers.' "On October 8, 1967, I was 100 meters ral forces and where both of these triumph paralleled in African history to have another "I didn't think Che would one day leave from Che in the Yuro ravine, although I over personal selfishness, is the central con­ people rise to the defense of one of us." Cuba, until he returned from Africa and told didn't know this at the time. The ravine was cept of his thought and the force that moves That is also how the conscious workers me that this time the departure for Bolivia in front of us and further, behind the ravine, and will continue to move men of good will in industrialized countries and the oppressed would be definitive. Che did not think about was the little schoolhouse at La Higuera. We around the world. peoples of the East saw the Russian revolu­ death; he was always an optimist. He saw the movement, we heard the soldiers All this intellectual and physical strength tion, early in the century. The international­ thought he would triumph and that we would speaking, all of which gives an idea of how harbored a sensitive man, human, who ism of the Bolsheviks in Lenin's time and be reunited later. close we were. loved, laughed, joked, composed and recited Cubans today are not isolated episodes in "Che liked poetry. He left behind letters "The news reached us via the radio. They verses, and who at the same time would suf­ history, but are linked by the line of march to his children, his parents, and his clos st gave details of how Che was dressed, of his fer the injustices of the world he wanted to of the working class for power. Che is part comrades. He left me a tape recording of two watches, since he also carried the watch change. of that continuity. And a new generation of his voice, with the poems he loved most." Tuma had left with him before dying, to give The example, the teachings of Che have young fighters coming into politics around to his son. All that convinced us that Che not died with him, nor have the men who the world look to Ernesto Che Guevara as Revolution is more than social justice had really been killed. can carry them out. Because despite having an internationalist revolutionary to emulate. Harry Villegas, "Pombo," who was with "For us this was a mortal blow. At first, been an exceptional individual, Che was not They will find distortions and slanders in Che from age 16, tells us: we felt crestfallen. But we were children of someone out of reach. As Fidel once said Dindo 's film. Reading what Che wrote him­ "With Che we learned what the revolu­ Che. We were the clay he had molded, and about Camilo, among the peoples of the self in the Bolivian Diarv, as well as tion really was. The revolution was not only we understood that one had to overcome that world there are many Ches, and they will Guevara's Episodes of the Cuban Revolu­ a question of social justice, but a moral ques­ state of mind, and we were able to overcome complete his work. tionary War: 1956-58, Pombo: A Man of tion. For us it was a new outlook on life; it. We reached the conclusion that the war Che's 'Guerrilla': With Che Guevara in simply put, it was to become a new man. Bolivia 1966-68by Cuban brigadier general was not over, that Che continued to be 2 Camilo Cienfuegos was a Granma expedi­ The revolution wasn't a question of living present among us with his ideas and his ex­ tionary who rose to commander in the Rebel Harry Villegas - all published by Path­ one day at a time; Che set goals for us, ob­ ample, that it was necessary to continue the Army in January 1959. He became Rebel Army finder- will provide an accurate picture of jectives for which it was necessary to fight struggle until the final victory, something chief of staff. His plane was lost at sea on Octo­ the Cuban revolution and the Bolivia cam­ each day. That was what it meant to be a that revolutionaries could achieve." ber 28, 1959. paign from the mouths of the combatants. 10 The Militant November 3, 1997 Cubans celebrate Che, other combatants Continued from front page its workers and peasants, is today one of the attractive to millions as the horrors imperi­ countries with the best prospects in the alism offers humanity are increasingly ex­ world. Hong Kong had to be returned after posed. Tens of thousands packed the square 150 years of [British] occupation." at the entrance to this city to honor the revo­ The Cuban leader noted that "not all times lutionary leader and his fellow communist or circumstances require the same methods fighters who fell in battle in Bolivia 30 years or tactics. But nothing can stop the course ago. The rally and military ceremony were of history. Its objective laws have enduring the culmination of ten days of activities in relevance. Che based himself on these laws which the remains of Guevara and six of his and had absolute faith in man." co-combatants, recently discovered and re­ turned from Bolivia, were interred here. Che's ideas attractive to fighters today The Argentine-born revolutionary joined A combatant may die, Castro stated, but the July 26th Movement and Rebel Army his ideas do not have to. "Those interested led by Fidel Castro in 1955, and soon be­ in eliminating him, in making him disap­ came one of the outstanding commanders pear, were incapable of understanding that of the popular insurrectionary movement he had already left his indelible mark on that overthrew the U.S.-backed tyranny of history and ... would become a symbol for Fulgencio Batista. After the 1959 victory he all the poor of this earth, of whom there are shouldered central responsibilities in the billions." new government, such as director of the In fact, he underlined, the ideas Che was National Bank and of the Ministry of In­ fighting for are more important and attrac­ dustry, as Cuba's revolutionary vanguard led The population of Santa Clara turned out in mass for the celebration tive today for fighters because of the brutal­ millions of workers and farmers on a course ity and decay of the existing order. "The independent of U.S. imperialist interests, songs and read poetry celebrating Che. ideas for which you fought so hard, to save greater the injustice, exploitation, inequal­ opening the socialist revolution in the Under a burning sun, people filled the the revolution, the country, and its socialist ity, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and Americas. main square early on October 17. The mood conquests - the part of your dreams that misery in human society, the greater his fig­ In Bolivia, Che led a unit of Bolivian, was a mixture of popular celebration and have been fulfilled." ure becomes," he explained. Peruvian, and Cuban revolutionary combat­ solemn pride. He added, "This land, which is your land, Castro concluded his speech declaring, ants in 1966-67 in a struggle to topple the Fidel Castro was accompanied on the re­ this people, which is your people, this revo­ "Welcome, heroic comrades of the reinforce­ viewing stand by Raul Castro, minister of lution, which is your revolution, continue ment units! The enemy will never be able Next week's Militant will feature the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and other to uphold the banners of socialism with to conquer the trenches of ideas and justice generals; other members of the newly honor and pride." that you will defend alongside our people! the complete text of Fidel Castro's elected Political Bureau of the Communist Answering those, both foes and would­ And together we will continue fighting for speech in Santa Clara Party; relatives of the seven honored com­ be friends, who depict Guevara as a reck­ a better world!" batants; veterans of Column 8; and other less adventurer or a utopian dreamer at best, Many of those taking part in the ceremo­ military regime there and forge an interna­ invited guests. Castro insisted that the Bolivian guerrilla nies here echoed this conviction. Isidro tional movement capable of accomplishing Castro gave a brief speech before a quiet, was based on a solid political perspective. Reyes, a high school teacher, who along with in countries throughout Latin America what disciplined crowd that seemed intent on ab­ "His ideas about a revolution in his country many others stood in line for hours waiting working people had proven was possible in sorbing every word. He described how Che of origin and the rest of South America, to pay tribute to Che, remarked, "The U.S. Cuba. Che was wounded in combat and cap­ Guevara's revolutionary life and struggle despite enormous difficulties, were possible government is annoyed by the meetings in tured on Oct. 8, 1967, and the Bolivian mili­ were intertwined with the Cuban [to achieve]. If they had been achieved, per­ homage to Che that are taking place in many tary, after seeking agreement from their revolution's history and political course. haps the world today would be different. countries of the world." He said he had read mentors in Washington, murdered him the "The invasion from the Sierra Maestra "Vietnam demonstrated that it was pos­ that a U.S. State Department official had following day. through immense and unprotected plains, sible to fight against imperialism's interven­ tried to dismiss the commemorations in Starting on October 11, for three days, and the capture of the city of Santa Clara tionist forces and defeat them," Castro Cuba and elsewhere by saying they meant thousands of people - 72,000 in the first with just a few men, are some of the actions pointed out. ''The Sandinistas [in Nicaragua] Cubans were "stuck in the past" in a chang­ day alone - filed through the Jose Marti that show the feats he was capable of achiev­ defeated one of the most powerful U.S. pup­ ing world in which Che was irrelevant. "But monument in Havana's Plaza of the Revo­ ing," he said. pets. The Salvadoran revolutionaries were the reason there are more sincere people in­ .lution to honor Che and six other fighters in As though addressing Che himself, the on the verge of attaining victory. terested in Che's thought is precisely be­ .the Bolivian campaign. These revolution­ Cuban president declared, "Thank you for "In Africa, apartheid was defeated, de­ cause the world is changing, and it's get­ a;rie&. ~lsp .\olpwn by the if, noms de guerre, coming to reinforce us in this difficult spite the factthat it possessed nuclear weap­ ting worse for the peoples of the Third are: Alberto Fernandez (Pacho), Orlando struggle we are waging today to save the ons. China, thanks td'the heroic struggle of Continued on Page 14 Pantoja (Antonio), Rene Martinez Tamayo (Arturo), and Carlos Coello (Tuma) of Cuba; Simon Cuba (Willy) of Bolivia; and Juan Pablo Chang (Chino) of Peru. Meeting protests denial of visa for Villegas The families of Simon Cuba and Juan Pablo Chang had asked that their remains BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS participants· that the U.S. State Department Sandra Escalante, chairperson of LASA, be brought to Cuba together with those of LOS ANGELES - More than 200 stu­ had just denied a visa to Harry Villegas, also introduced the featured speakers: Felix Wil­ their fellow combatants. dents and others filled Haines Hall at the known by his nom-de-guerre Pombo, who son, deputy chief of the Cuban Interests On October 14, a military procession took University of California Los Angeles had. been invited as the main speaker. Section in Washington, D.C., and Emilio the seven caskets to Santa Clara, following (UCLA) on the evening of October 22 to Villegas, today a brigadier general of the Perez, another officer of the Interests Sec­ the same route - in reverse - that the units mark the 30th anniversary of the combat in Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, tion. ''Che's life represents what Cuba is of the Rebel Army commanded by Guevara Bolivia of Ernesto Che Guevara and his fought with Che Guevara during Cuba's today and what it has been for 38 years: An and Camilo Cienfuegos took in January comrades. The meeting, titled "Ernesto Che 1956-58 revolutionary war in the Sierra example to the struggles of the dispossessed 1959 as they marched victoriously on Ha­ Guevara and Cuba: Past, Present and Fu­ Maestra and as part of internationalist mis­ and exploited around the world," Wilson vana. Tens of thousands of people lined the ture," was sponsored by an array of student sions in the Congo in 1965 and Bolivia. said. "The defeat of the invading armies of streets for mile after mile, not only in Ha­ organizations, including African Student Kunzle and other professors at UCLA and the South African apartheid regime in An­ vana but through numerous towns, villages, Union, La Gente de Aztlan, Latin Ameri­ other campuses here had invited Villegas to gola two decades after Che was killed in and rural areas along the 200-mile route. can Students Association (LASA), MEChA, speak at their classes. "The State Depart­ Bolivia was a by-product of the internation­ Most people stood silently by the road as the Cultural Affairs and Academic Affairs ment considers him a threat to the interests alism of Che and the Cuban revolution." the caravan passed through. Some brought commissions of the Undergraduate Students of the government of this country, and they Wilson and Perez are invited to speak at portraits of Che apparently taken from their Association, and the Young Socialists. said they don't give members of the Cuban Kunzle's class at UCLA on "Revolutionary living rooms, or signs painted with the slo­ David Kunzle, professor of art history at government a platform to speak in the U.S.," Art" October 23. They will also address the gan Hasta Ia victoria siempre! (Forward UCLA, opened the meeting. He informed Kunzle said. He called on students and oth­ classes of Marjorie Bray and Enrique Ochoa, ever until victory). In cities such as Havana ers to protest "this undemocratic decision." professors of Latin American Studies at and Matanzas, many people hung Cuban Kunzle urged everyone to take part in the California State University Los Angeles, flags and the red-and-black flag of the July symposium "Thirty years later: A retrospec­ later that evening, and speak at another class 26 Movement from their apartment win­ tive on Che Guevara, Twentieth-Century at California State University Long Beach dows. The population of Santa Clara turned Utopias and Dystopias," scheduled for Oc­ on the morning of October 24. Their visit out in force to welcome the procession. tober 24--25 on the same campus. Villegas will end with a meeting at the UNITE union During the following two days, groups of had been invited to address that conference. hall here on the evening of October 25. workers, schoolchildren, and many others Participants approved a letter to the State Villegas had also been invited to speak at stood in long lines to pay homage to the Department by the sponsoring organizations all these events. revolutionary fighters who lay in state in the demanding that it reverse its decision and Protest messages demanding the State Jose Marti library in the city center before grant Villegas a visa "so we can organize Department grant Villegas a visa can be being interred in a mausoleum, which is another event to hear him at a later date." called or faxed to James Theis, Cuba Desk, combined with a museum, in the Ernesto Kendya Mosley, president of the Under­ U.S. Department of State, 2201 C. Street, Che Guevara Plaza. graduate Students Association Council, the NW, Washington D.C. 20520; Tel: (202) A few days earlier, youth from the Fed­ UCLA's student government, chaired the 647-9273; Fax: (202) 736-4475. eration of University Students (FEU) held a program along with Gale Shangold, a mem­ march through the streets of Santa Clara ber of the Union ofNeedletrades, Industrial celebrating Che's life with colorful banners. and Textile Employees (UNITE). To loud Why is Washington afraid to A group of several dozen students from applause, Mosley read a message Villegas let Harry Villegas of Cuba Sancti Spfritu, east of Santa Clara, organized had just sent to the event. "Che's example come to the U.S.? a bicycle contingent that pedaled through is more and more relevant because there are some of the key sites in central Cuba where more evils that afflict the societies of the Guevara's Column 8 of the Rebel Army had third world: more poverty, more hunger, Tues., Oct. 28, 7:00 p.m. passed on its historic march westward into more illit~racy," Villegas said. Cougar Den, University Center Las Villas province, which cut the island in Doug Williams, president of the African University of Houston two and captured Santa Clara, Cuba's third­ Student Union, presented greetings to the (Main campus, Gate I) largest city, on Jan. 1, 1959, sealing Batista's meeting on behalf of his organization. Hugo For more information call U of H History fate. Maldonado, chair of the campus MEChA, Dept. (713) 743-3083 or Cuba Coalition The night before the main rally, groups presented a 14-minute video interview with of Houston (713) 313-7355 of youth lit bonfires throughout the city. Villegas shown on Cuban TV last year. Bringing guitars and Cuban flags, they sang November 3, 1997 The Militant 11 Protests greet Clinton in Latin America Continued from front page decision to give the Argentine government. toward forming a western hemispheric trade increase business dealings with the Euro­ ment released by Washington that charac­ Clinton held up Venezuela as a positive bloc dubbed the "Free Trade Area of the pean Union through Mercosur, a South terized corruption in Brazil as "endemic." example of carrying out austerity. "Ameri­ Americas." However, many Brazilian capi­ American regional trade bloc. But he made Clinton apologized, claiming the description cans look to Venezuela and see a growing talists are hesitant. When the trade barriers a point of boasting that Washington has was "an appalling error." economy, renewed and strengthened by sac­ for U.S. toy barons were lowered in 1994, lower tariffs that its European counterparts. In Argentina, according to an Associated rifice," he declared. In recent years the gov­ more than 520 toy factories closed over two Before the tour to the three Latin Ameri­ Press report, Clinton faced protests "at ev­ ernment in Caracas has rolled back the sev­ years. Some 15,000 workers were fired. "We can countries began, Clinton was attempt­ ery step of his two-day visit." Riot cops in erance pay system for workers and is now don't want a U.S. economic invasion, at least ing to get "fast track" legislation passed in full gear were deployed by the Argentine looking towards "reforming" the social se­ not until we are in a position to compete," Congress. This would give the head of state government October 16 to crack down on curity system by partially privatizing it. said Synesio Batista da Costa, president of the power to make trade proposals to Con­ the hundreds of anti-imperialist activists. In Brazil, the U.S. president was looking the Brazilian Association of Toy Makers, gress that would have to be voted up or down Two hundred protesters were detained. At a to push further along the lines of the 1994 following Clinton's speech to business lead­ with no amendments. As of Clinton's tour, staged Argentine television program, de­ Summit of the Americas, where Brazilian ers in Sao Paulo. Clinton stated that he ac­ the "fast track" legislation was still being signed to welcome the U.S. president to president Fernando Cardoso agreed to work cepted the Brazilian government's right to debated in the U.S. Congress. South America, youth from the audience grilled Clinton with questions challenging U.S. policy. In both Argentina and Venezu­ ela chants like "Clinton No, Che Guevara California poultry workers demand raise Yes" were part of the actions. Guevara, born in Argentina, became one the central lead­ Continued from front page eran, who requested anonymity, said, "They ists. Earlier in the week, one worker re­ ers of the 1959 revolution in Cuba, which life of the contract- with lump sum bo­ are running one of the five lines" and that ported, a United Parcel Service driver overthrew the U.S.-backed dictator nuses totaling $1,500. At the same time, the can be no more than "1 00,000 chickens." stopped his truck to give strikers two cases Fulgencio Batista. A convoy of a half-dozen company is demanding increases in medi­ Joe DelToro, a "chicken hanger" for 13 of sodas. Another said that United Farm cars drove past the foreign ministry build­ cal co-payments and monthly insurance pre­ years, described to the San Francisco Workers and Teamsters members from ing in Brazil waving banners with photos miums. They are asking workers to pay $600 Chronicle his job. He works in a room dimly Watsonville strawberry fields joined the line. of Guevara. Some 30 protesters there de­ a year more than the $230 that they pay un­ lit with red light to "keep the birds calm," The police are ever-present. A command manded, "Get rid of the embargo [on der the expired contract. grabbing 24 live birds a minute and hang­ post occupies a side street across from the Cuba]!" as one of their chants, referring to "I have been working here for 22 years," ing them by their feet on a conveyor belt. picket line. Police barricades run parallel to the trade and travel sanctions the U.S. gov­ Ross Parcel said. "At the end of the con­ "This job I have, it's really something"- several sections of the fence around the ernment has enforced against Havana for tract the company is offering it will be $8.95. 11,000 chickens a day. "Your hands get big, plant. Two sheriff's deputies ride horses more than three decades. That's ridiculous after 22 years. They run just from grabbing so many chickens." back and forth along the line. The Califor­ During the tour, Clinton made moves to the newer lines at 160 birds a minute." Along the picket line several women nia Highway Patrol stands watch over the strengthen U.S. economic ties to the three At full speed, the plant processes nearly workers wear medical braces - a sign of main intersection where trucks tum onto the South American countries. He was accom­ 480,000 chickens in 24 hours. Foster Farms carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive street leading to the plant. panied by U.S. secretary of state Madeleine claims the plant is now running at 50 per­ motion arm injuries. Albright, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and a cent capacity - 250,000 a-day. Strikers say With chants in Spanish, Punjab, and En­ Osborne Hart is a member of International number of congressional officials. In Argen­ otherwise. After an hour on picket line, five glish resonating in the background, several Association of Machinists (JAM) Lodge tina, Clinton announced plans to give that trucks - two in, 3 out - pass through the strikers expressed their appreciation of the 1584. Norton Sandler, a member of JAM regime "major non-NATO ally" status, mak­ gate. One mexicano striker, a 10-year vet- support they've received from other union- Lodge 1781, contributed to this article. ing it the first Latin American government to join Israel, South Korea, Egypt, Jordan, Japan, and Australia under that designation. --MILITANT LABOR FORUMS------Clinton praised Buenos Aires for taken part in "peacekeeping operations" from Bosnia CALIFORNIA Che Guevara and the Imperialist Reality. Oct. 31, 7 p.m. 66 Albion St., Surry Hills. Dona­ tion: $4. Tel: (02) 9281 3297. to Cyprus to Haiti. The government of Chile, Los Angeles Speaker: Luis Madrid, Socialist Workers Party National Committee. Sat., Nov. 1, 7:30p.m. Din­ which just got a waiver on U.S.-imposed Washington Escalates Drive Against Immi­ grants. A panel of immigrant rights activists: ner, 6 p.m. 1223 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tel: (773) restrictions of military sales and is now buy­ 342-1780. NEW ZEALAND ing F-16 fighter jets, opposes Washington's Angela Sanbrano, executive director, CARACEN (invited); Jose de Paz, executive Auckland director, No Te Dejes; Oily Mongo116n, Move­ MASSACHUSETTS Lessons of the Russian Revolution. Speaker: ment for Latin American Action; Barry Fatland, Terry Coggan, Communist League. Fri., Oct. 3.J, BostoJJ -CALENDAR- Socialist Workers Party1, and rail unionist: Sat-., 7 p.m. La GondQ. /i[J;ade. ~OJ_ Ka~J~,ngal]ap_e Nov. 1, 7:30p.m. Dinner, 6 p.m. 2546 W Pico No to the Death Penalty. Fri., Oct. 31, 7:30p.m. Road. Donation: $3. Tel: (09) 379-3075. FLORIDA Blvd. Donation: $4, Dinner: $5. Tel: (213) 380- 80 Years of World Revolution: The Living Christchurch 9460. Reality of the Russian Revolution. Fri., Nov. Oppose the Government's Health Cuts! Miami 7, 7:30p.m. Socialist Workers Campaign Rally. 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International. 104216,2703 Compuserve: 106462,327 NEW YORK: New York City: 59 4th Av­ CANADA NEW YORK UNITED STATES enue (corner of Bergen) Brooklyn, NY Zip: Brooklyn ALABAMA: Birmingham: Ill 21st St. 11217. Tel: (718) 399-7257. Compuserve: Montreal: 4581 Saint-Denis. Postal code: H2J 2L4. Tel: (514) 284-7369. Compuserve: Socialist Workers Campaign Rally. Meet Olga South Zip 35233. Tel: (205) 323-3079. 102064,2642 ; 167 Charles St., Manhattan, Rodriguez for mayor and other Socialist Work­ Compuserve: 73712,3561 NY. Zip: 10014. Tel: (212) 366-1973. 104614,2606 ers candidates. Sat., Nov. 1, Reception 6:30, pro­ CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles: 2546 W. Toronto: 851 Bloor St. West. Postal code: OHIO: Cincinnati: P.O. Box 19484. Zip: gram 7:30p.m. 59 Fourth Ave.(at Bergen St). Pico Blvd. Zip: 90006. Tel: (213) 380-9460. M6G 1M3. Tel: (416) 533-4324. Compuserve: 45219. Tel: (513) 662-1931. Cleveland: 1832 Donation: $5. For more information, call (718) Compuserve: 74642,326 San Francisco: 3284 103474,13 399-7257. Euclid. Zip: 44115. Tel: (216) 861-6150. 23rd St. Zip: 94110. Tel: (415) 282-6255,285- Compuserve: 103253,1111 Vancouver: 3967 Main St. Postal code: 5323. Compuserve: 75604,556 VSV 3P3. Tel: (604) 872-8343. Compuserve: PENNSYLVANIA CONNECTICUT: New Haven: Mailing PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia: 1906 103430,1552 address: P.O. Box 16751, Baybrook Station, South St. Zip: 19146. Tel: (215) 546-8218. Philadelphia Compuserve: 104502,1757 Pittsburgh: 1103 Report from Cuba. Hear: Rev. Estela West Haven. Zip: 06516. FRANCE Hernandez Marquez, president, Ecumenical Dis­ E. Carson St. Zip 15203. Tel: (412) 381-9785. Paris: MBE 201, 208 rue de Ia Convention. FLORIDA: Miami: 137 N.E. 54th St. Zip: Compuserve: 103122,720 tribution Committee in Cuba and co-pastor of 33137. Tel: (305) 756-1020. Compuserve: Postal code: 75015. Tel: (1) 47-26-58-21. William Carey Baptist Church of Havana. Sat., 103171,1674 TEXAS: Houston: 6969 Gulf Freeway, Compuserve: 73504,442 Nov. 1, 7 p.m. Old First Reformed United Church GEORGIA: Atlanta: 803 Peachtree St. Suite 380. Zip: 77087. Tel: (713) 847-0704. ofChrist,153 N. 4th St. (at Race St.) Hernandez Compuserve: 102527,2271 ICELAND will also speak on Sun., Nov. 2, 11 a.m. at Com­ NE. Zip: 30308. Tel: (404) 724-9759. Reykjavik: Klapparstfg 26. Mailing ad­ munity of Joy United Church of Christ, Fairhi/1 Compuserve: 104226,1245 WASHINGTON, D.C.: 1930 18th St. N.W. dress: P. Box 233, 121 Reykjavik. Tel: 552 St. & Chew Ave. in Olney. Sponsored by Cuba ILLINOIS: Chicago: 1223 N. Milwaukee Suite #3 (Entrance on Florida Ave.) Zip: 5502. INTERNET:[email protected] Support Coalition. For more information, call Ave. Zip: 60622. Tel: (773) 342-1780. 20009. Tel: (202) 387-2185. Compuserve: (215) 232-7823, or (215) 482-4685. Compuserve: 104077,511 75407,3345. NEW ZEALAND Pittsburgh IOWA: Des Moines: 2724 Douglas Ave. WASHINGTON: Seattle: 1405 E. Madi­ Auckland: La Gonda Arcade, 203 Socialist Workers Campaign Rally. Hear: Zip: 50310. Tel: (515) 277-4600. Compuserve: Karangahape Road. Postal address: P.O. Box Edwin Fruit, Socialist Workers candidate for son. Zip: 98122. Tel: (206) 323-1755. 104107,1412 Compuserve: 74461,2544. 3025. Tel: (9) 379-3075. Compuserve: mayor of Pittsburgh, and member of Interna­ 100035,3205 tional Association of Machinists Local 1976; MASSACHUSETTS: Boston: 780 Tre­ Leroy Watson, Socialist Workers candidate for mont St. Zip: 02118. Tel: (617) 247-6772. AUSTRALIA Christchurch: 199 High St. Postal address: City Council 6th District, and member of the Compuserve: 103426,3430 Sydney: 19 Terry St., Surry Hills 2010. P.O. Box 22-530. Tel: (3) 365-6055. Compuserve: 100250,1511 United Steelworkers of America Local 1843. MICHIGAN: Detroit: 7414 Woodward Mailing address: P.O. Box K879, Haymarket Sponsored by Western Pennsylvania Socialist Ave. Zip: 48202. Compuserve: 104127,3505 Post Office, NSW 1240. Tel: 02-9281-3297. SWEDEN Workers 1997 Campaign. Sat., Nov. 1, 7:30p.m. Tel: (313) 875-0100. Compuserve: 106450,2216 Pathfinder Bookstore, 1103 E. Carson St. Do­ Stockholm: Vikingagatan 10 (T-bana St nation: $4. For more information, call (412)381- MINNESOTA: St. Paul: 2490 University BRITAIN Eriksplan). Postal code: S-113 42. Tel: (08) 9785. Ave. W., St. Paul. Zip: 55114. Tel: (612) 644- London: 47 The Cut. Postal code: SEt 8LL. 31 69 33. Compuserve: 100416,2362 12 The Militant November 3, 1997 -GREAT SOCIETY------"Quite a stable system - to aim for the creation of 12 mil- people suffer food poisoning from Peace Prize for her activity against after doing 15 months on a corrup- "Sales at the nation's biggest retail- lion jobs in five years and cut it. land mines, Clinton skipped the tion conviction. At 69, he may find ers took a slide last month, hurt by Europe's jobless rate from 10.7 per- phone and sent her a letter. His ad- it hard getting a job, but he'll prob- unseasonably warm weather and the cent to 7 percent. The British Way of Death - ministration has refused to sign an ably scrape by on his $100,000-a- funeral of Princess Diana, which A wire service report said the Smaller British funeral companies international anti-mine treaty. year federal pension, which he drew ministers of the 15 member coun- complain that unscrupulous con- even while in the joint. tries "expressed concern that the glomerates are offering "cash for Miracle of the marketplace - adoption of such headline targets corpses." They point to the practice In Russia, the Red Cross urged the Inching toward the millen- Harry would raise false expectations that of offering contributions to nursing wealthy to help an estimated 31 nium- In a test run at 800 par- could lead to a popular backlash if homes in return for the inside track million people who are so impov- ishes, the Church of England has the ambitious objectives were not on death notices and pay staffers for erished that it's feared many may altered the marriage vow so that a it.Ring met." placing the deceased in shrouds not survive the winter. woman need not declare she will bearing their corporate logo. Meanwhile, reports the Times of "obey" her spouse. Enjoy -A scientist called in by London, with the drying up of gov- Isn't even his nickel- The Join the fun -If you get a kick kept many customers out of the the British government reports that emment funding, health care "has prez loves to get on the hom. He out of jabbing at the inanities of stores and glued to their televi- E. Coli, the sometimes lethal meat deteriorated to the point of catas- phoned the Superbowl champs in capitalism, how about sending clip- sions."- October 10 San Fran- contaminant, is now more common trophe." their locker room and put in calls to pings to this column? Great Soci- cisco Chronicle. than salmonella~ He estimates that a third of the uncooked chickens other winners, not to mention invit- Who says they're anti-entitle- ety, c/o Pathfinder Bookstore, 2546 Easy on the expectations -The sold in Britain are contaminated and ing donors over for coffee. But ment? - Ex-Congressperson W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles CA, European Union rejected a proposal that each year up to half a million when Jody Williams won the Nobel Daniel Rostenkowski was released 90006. Fax: (213) 380-1268. What was New Economic Policy in Soviet Union? Below we reprint excerpts from Lenin's that developed in the colonies, we were the Final Fight: Speeches and Writings, 1922- first to make a breach in the old bourgeois 23 that explain how the Bolshevik gov­ world at a time when our country was eco­ ernment initiated the New Economic nomically, if not the most backward, at any Policy (NEP) in 1921. In 1920 the revolu­ rate one of the most backward countries in tionary government in the Soviet Union the world .... defeated forces loyal to the capitalists, We began to develop the new economy in landlords, and the tsar which had an entirely new way, brushing aside every­ launched a civil war to overthrow the thing old. Had we not begun to develop it we workers state that was formed as a result would have been utterly defeated in the very of the October 1917 revolution led by the first months, in the very first years. But the Bolsheviks. The war provoked a severe fact that we began to develop this new economic crisis that weakened the economy with such splendid audacity does worker- peasant alliance. Through the not mean that we must necessarily continue NEP, the Soviet government restored pro­ in the same way. Why should we? There is duction and trade, stabilized the currency, no reason. began regaining the confidence of the From the very beginning we said that we peasantry, while increasing production. had to undertake an entirely new task, and Copyright © 1995 by Pathfinder Press. that unless we received speedy assistance Reprinted by permission. from our comrades, the workers in the capi­ talistically more developed countries, we should encounter incredible difficulties and certainly make a number of mistakes. The main thing is to be able dispassionately to Peasants farming in the Soviet Union, 1925. BOOK OF examine where such mistakes have been made and to start again from the beginning. If we progress much more quickly than we even festive communist garments, learn a simple THE WEEK begin from the beginning, not twice, but many dream of today. This, in my opinion, is the thing simply, and we shall beat the private times, it will show that we are not bound by first fundamental political lesson of the capitalist. We possess political power; we prejudice and that we are approaching our New Economic Policy.... possess a host of economic weapons. If we BY V.I. LENIN task, which is the greatest the world has ever The capitalists create an economic link beat capitalism and create a link with peas­ The New Economic Policy is important seen, with a sober outlook .... with the peasants in order to amass wealth; ant farming, we shall become an absolutely for us primarily as a means of testing · We are developing our economy together you must create a link with the peasant invincible power. Then the building of so­ whether we are really establishing a link with with the peasantry. We shall have to alter it economy in order to strengthen the eco­ cialism will not be the task of that drop in the peasant economy. In the preceding pe­ many times and organize it in such a way that nomic power of our proletarian state. You the ocean called the Communist Party, but riod of development of our revolution, when it will provide a link between our socialist have the advantage over the capitalists in the task of the entire mass of the working all our attention and all our efforts were con­ work on large-scale industry and agriculture that political power is in your hands; you people. Then the rank-and-file peasants will centrated mainly on - or almost entirely ab­ and the work every peasant is doing as best have a number of economic weapons at see that we are helping them, and they will sorbed by - the task of repelling invasion, he can, struggling out of poverty, without your command; the only trouble is that you follow our lead. Consequently, even if the we could not devote the necessary attention philosophizing (for how can philosophizing cannot make proper use of them. Look at pace is a hundred times slower, it will be a to this link. We had other things to think help him to extricate himself from his posi­ things more soberly. Cast off the tinsel, the million times more certain and more sure. about. To some extent we could and had to tion and save him from the very real danger ignore this bond when we were confronted of a painful death from starvation?). by the absolutely urgent and overshadow­ We must reveal this link so that we may ing task of warding off the danger of being see it clearly, so that all the people may see -25 AND 50 YEARS AGO-­ immediately crushed by the gigantic forces it, and so that the whole mass of the peas­ of world imperialism .... antry may see that there is a connection be­ Owing to the course taken by the devel­ tween their present severe, incredibly ruined, TH£ MILITANT opment of war events, by the development incredibly impoverished and painful existence PUBLISHID IN THIINTIRISTS Of THE WORKING PIOPLii and the work which is being done for the sake THE MiliTANT NEW YORK, N.Y. FIVE (5) CENTS of political events, by the development of A toelAUSf HfWSWUXtY/..UIUSMEO- IN JH( JNtEUS'I'$ OF 'I1K: WOKING JOtOru: capitalism in the old civilized West, and ow­ of remote socialist ideals. We must bring November 3, 1947 ing also to the social and political conditions about a situation where the ordinary, rank­ November 3, 1972 and-file working man realizes that he has Sitting in Washington as prosecutor, judge obtained some improvement, and that he has The second round of "weekender" and jury is the Thomas-Rankin Un-Ameri­ obtained it not in the way a few peasants ob­ strikes by powerful locals of the United can Committee "investigating" the movies. from Pathfinder tained improvements under the rule of land­ Auto Workers Union against key assembly The two-bit politicians in charge are well owners and capitalists, when every improve­ plants in the General Motors complex be­ suited for the task of whipping up the red­ lenin's Final Fight ment (undoubtedly there were improvements gan Friday, Oct. 20. hunt and grateful for the opportunity to bask Spee(hes and Writings, 1922-23 and very big ones) was accompanied by in­ Plants hit this time were Fairfax Kan. in the limelight. In the name of"American­ V.I. lenin sult, derision, and humiliation for the muzhik (4,100 workers); Janesville, Wis. (4,900 ism" of the 200% Ku Klux Klan variety they [peasant], by violence against the masses, workers); and Arlington, Texas (3,500 violate the basic civil liberty of freedom of In the early 1920s Lenin waged a po­ which not a single peasant has forgotten, and workers). All three plants are among the thought, guaranteed by the First Amendment litical battle in the leadership of the Com­ which will not be forgotten in Russia for de­ 18 managed by General Motors Assembly to the U.S. Constitution. munist Party of the cades. Division (GMAD), which has a total of The truth is, Hollywood is "loyal"-not USSR to maintain the 85,000 workers on its payroll. to the American people-but to Wall Street course that had en­ From retreat to renewed advance The rash of strikes aims not only to dis­ and the State Department. When World War abled the workers Shall we accomplish our immediate task rupt GM production schedules but also to II preparations started, Hollywood produced and peasants to or not? Is this NEP fit for anything or not? If publicly expose and discredit the GMAD war propaganda films. When the White overthrow the old the retreat turns out to be correct tactics, we product. House and the Kremlin got together, appro­ tsarist empire, carry must link up with the peasant masses while In St. Louis, Edward Gregory, a GM in­ priate propaganda films such as Mission to out the first success­ we are in retreat and subsequently march for­ spector for nearly 20 years, charged that Moscow were ground out, giving the Stalin­ ful socialist revolu­ ward with them a hundred times more slowly, the company tum out cars with shoddy ist version of the Moscow Trials, endorsed tion, and begin but firmly and unswervingly, in a way that paint, wrong parts, and safety violations at that time by the State Department. As the building a world will always make it apparent to them that we because it refuses to hire enough workers current drive for war against the Soviet communist move­ are really marching forward. Then our cause to do the work properly. Union swings into high, we learn that Hol­ ment. Also available will be absolutely invincible, and no power "They cut out so much manpower these lywood is already busy preparing anti-Rus­ in Spanish. $19.95 on earth can vanquish us .... guys can't do it," Gregory said. "The cars sian films as its contribution to atomic de­ Link up with the peasant masses, with the pile up on the end of the line. We've lost struction. Available from bookstores, including those listed on page 12, or rank-and-file working peasants, and begin to one-third of our inspectors. If you don't The Hollywood "probe" started off with write Pathfinder, 410 West St., New York, NY 10014. Tel: (212) 741- move forward immeasurably, infinitely more have someone to inspect the cars and write open recommendation from Representative o690. Fax: (212) 727-0150. When ordering by mail, please include slowly than we expected, but in such a way up rejection sheets, then the repairmen Thomas to the Hollywood employers that $3 to cover shipping and handling. that the entire mass will actually move for­ aren't going to do the work." (Detroit Free they fire and blacklist all "communist" em­ ward with us. If we do that we shall in time Press, Oct. 10.) ployers. November 3, 1997 The Militant 13 -EDITORIALS------On Scottish Vote Socialist Workers! independence MANCHESTER, England- Recent letters to theMili­ In the 1997 elections for city and state offices across employed against the unemployed, the socialists call for a tant regarding different aspects of the question of Scot­ the United States, the Militant urges readers to vote for reduction in the workweek to 30 hours with no cut in pay, tish self-determination give us an opportunity to take a the Socialist Workers Party candidates in your area. along with a massive public works program to build needed broader look at the question following the recent devolu­ The socialist campaigns advance a course of action and infrastructure and social projects such as schools and hous­ tion vote there. In a letter published in the October 6 is­ a program in the interests of working people around the ing. sue, Pete Evans asks why the Communist League in the globe, and have been part of the resistance of working The candidates put defense of affirmative action at the United Kingdom backs the independence of Scotland, as people to employer and government attacks. This includes center of their campaign, joining protests in Texas, Cali­ opposed to supporting "the fullest possible regional au­ backing the fight of rail workers at Amtrak for a wage fornia, and elsewhere that are part of fighting back against tonomy, e.g. a Scottish parliament, to support the deci­ increase; encouraging broad labor support for striking reactionary legislation that has already had devastating sion of the majority of the Scottish people should they Teamsters at United Parcel Service; building and seeking consequences for enrollment of Blacks and Latinos in a decide for independence, but to continually warn against union involvement in protests demanding an end to po­ number of university programs. The struggle to push back the illusions of Scottish nationalism." He cites arguments lice brutality in New York; publicizing the fights of work­ the government assault on this hard won gain for working made by Leon Trotsky in relation to the Basques and ers involved in union organizing drives; and joining in people is a crucial one for the entire labor movement. Catalans in Spain in the 1930s. recent actions in defense of immigrant rights. During the course of the campaign the true relations But all questions of self-determination have to be ap­ These candidates provide the only working-class voice between the big imperialist powers and the Third World proached in a concrete way. The approach communists in the elections. They set an example for the labor move­ again revealed their true colors with the collapse of what took to one concrete circumstance cannot be a template ment of the need to break from support to the two parties had been touted by the big-business media as the Asian answer to every other national question. of the super-wealthy minority- the Democrats andRe­ "miracle." Working people are the ones to bear the brunt The crisis of the United Kingdom (UK) today grows publicans -and chart an independent working-class po­ of the currency devaluation and stock market collapse in out of the increasing pressures of world depression. Re­ litical course as a means to increase the effectiveness of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and elsewhere. The social­ gional disparities and inequalities fuel a growing nation- the struggles of workers and their allies. ist campaign points to the need for working people and The Socialist Workers campaigns defend the Cuban our unions to join together internationally to back the pro­ revolution against Washington's unceasing aggression and tests against austerity measures that are taking place and explain its example for working people. The candidates to demand an end to the growing and unpayable debt of DISCUSSION WITH extend active solidarity and support to struggles for na­ the Third World to imperialist banks and governments. tional liberation, from the fight for a united Ireland free of The socialist campaign also charts a course for workers OUR READERS British domination to the demand of the Korean people and working farmers to join together in a revolutionary for the removal of U.S. troops and the reunification of struggle to replace the government of the ruling wealthy their country. They condemn imperialist military and eco­ minority with that of the producing majority, installing a alist agitation in Scotland, as workers search for ways to nomic alliances as chauvinist attempts to pit workers of workers and farmers government than can deepen the battle defend themselves. This has been the case in the face of one country against another. They speak out against the to abolish capitalism and to join with workers around the previous economic crises. The difference this time around drive to expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. world in the struggle for socialism. is that the ruling class is weaker than ever before, having The socialist campaigners point a way forward for la­ Over the past months socialists candidates and their been on a slide for the last century or so, and having seen bor in the fight against the growing and devastating im­ supporters around the country report an increased recep­ since the last world depression the massive wave of anti­ pact of the world capitalist economic crisis by advancing tivity to their campaign and more opportunities to both colonial revolutions that liberated millions from subjec­ a program to unite working people internationally. Un­ join struggles and discuss these central issues in world tion to the crown. The unstoppable advance of the Irish employment persists at double-digit levels across much politics with workers and youth. The Militant encourages struggle continues to deal hammer blows to the very core of Europe, is a constant scourge across the Third World, our readers to join this effort between now and election of the UK. The destruction ofthe United Kingdom is one and is higher in the current U.S. economic upturn than in day, cast your ballot for the working-class campaign, and of the historic tasks posed for workers and farmers here most recessions since World War II. To combat the conse­ to become a part of the socialist movement over the weeks along the road to taking state power. Because of every­ quences of this and the drive by the employers to pit the and months ahead. thing the British Empire ever stood for, this is a task com­ munists should revel in. The parliament to be established in Scotland cannot be said to represent "the fullest possible regional autonomy." Listed below are the Socialist Workers candidates NEW YORK Strict limitations on what it can legislate (e.g. the exclu­ for state and local offices. Socialist candidates are run­ Olga Rodriguez, 49, lAM, Mayor of New York sion of social security and abortion), the need for every­ ning in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Due to Shoghi Fret, 21, UNITE, New York Public Advocate :j: thing to be approved by the Westminster government, and undemocratic election laws designed to keep working­ Wendy Lyons, 52, UNITE, New York Comptroller its negligible financial autonomy all underline this. class candidates off the ballot, many of the Socialist Brian Taylor, 23, Manhattan Borough President * :j: Contrary to Evans's assertion, independence is the only Workers candidates will not appear on the ballot. In­ OHIO concrete form in which Scottish self-determination is cluded here are the candidates' ages and union affilia­ Steve Warshell, 43, USWA, Mayor of Cleveland* posed today - the fact that every bourgeois political party tions, where applicable. PENNSYLVANIA explained its stance on devolution in relation to the ques­ Edwin B. Fruit, 51, lAM, Mayor of Pittsburgh tion of independence reflects this. FLORIDA Leroy Watson, 46, USWA, City Council in the 6th Dis­ Finally, Evans says the task of communists is "to con­ Janet Post, 47, lAM, Executive Mayor of Miami trict tinually warn against the illusions of Scottish national­ Rollande Girard, 34, USWA, Miami City Commission TEXAS ism." It is correct of course that independence will not District 5 Patti Iiyama, 52, OCAW, Mayor of Houston * solve the problems of working people, but will only help GEORGIA Laura Garza, 38, lAM, City Council Position 3 * to clarify the root of them. But in the immediate discus­ Doug Nelson, 22, USWA, Mayor of Atlanta :j: WASHINGTON, D.C. sion, the dangers of English nationalism would appear to Arlene Rubinstein, 47, UNITE, School Board* Mary Martin, 45, lAM, D.C. City Council At-Large be much more pressing to confront. The fight in England IOWA (election is December 2) to win working people to ally themselves with the fight of Thomas Altar, 23, UFCW, Mayor of Des Moines ** :j: Scottish workers and farmers for national liberation is key Ardella Blandford, 42, City Council At-Large** to strengthening the working class throughout the UK, as MASSACHUSETTS * Write-in candidate is the fight for solidarity with the Irish struggle. Linda Marcus-Leonard, 42, UTU, City Councilor, At­ ** Was on primary ballot, now a write-in candidate In his letter that appeared in the October 27 Militant, Large in Chelsea t Member of the Young Socialists Pete Seidman questions the Communist League's stance, Andrew Buchanan, 39, Mayor of Boston * lAM - International Association of Machinists as reported in the Militant, "in favor of a Scottish parlia­ OCAW- Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers ment, although not in favor of granting it the right to tax MINNESOTA UAW- United Auto Workers Jennifer Benton, 28, OCAW, Mayor of Minneapolis ** workers even more," which he says is contradictory. UFCW- United Food and Commercial Workers What has been granted to the Scottish parliament-to-be NEW JERSEY UNITE- Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile is the right to vary the basic rate of income tax by as much Robert Miller, 41, UAW, Governor of New Jersey Employees as 3 percent. There is no right to vary corporate tax, value­ Megan Arney, 28, State Assembly, 29th District USWA- United Steelworkers of America added tax, or any other kind of national tax. The tax-vary­ Brock Satter, 26, USWA, State Assembly, 29th District :j: UTU- United Transportation Union ing powers do not in any real sense equate to the right to levy taxes. During the run-up to the devolution vote, the opposition made much of the supposed subsidy of Scot­ land by England. They argued that Scotland gets more money from the central government than it pays in taxes, and that if Scotland were to vote for a devolved parlia­ Guevara celebrated in Santa Clara ment it would be right to end this state of affairs. Looked Continued from Page 11 credible stories about what Che was like, and how young at from the point of view of the conditions of the working World," Reyes pointed out. people today have to learn from his example." class, this argument is spurious, since social statistics for Luis Martinez, a textile worker, responded, "For me, Antonio Martinez, 78, a veteran of the Battle of Santa Scotland show the highest mortality rate in the UK, some Che's example is extremely important today. He was very Clara, described with pride how the rebel fighters under of the worst housing conditions, and so forth. demanding of others, but was always the first to do the Guevara's command had crushed Batista's forces within a The Communist League rejects the argument that work­ most difficult job. Today, that's important for a leader and few days rather than the several weeks they initially ers have to pay more to get what is their right. Our inten­ a revolutionary- it's what we need if we are to start get­ thought it would take. tion was precisely as Seidman states "to keep our eyes on ting out of the Special Period," referring to Cuba's cur­ Martinez pointed to the military review that took place how [fighters in Scotland] view the fight right now." rent economic crisis. after Castro's speech. Commanded by Villegas, hundreds However the statement that Seidman quoted did con­ Maylfn Morera, 21, a student at the Pedagogical Insti­ of troops from the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Ministry fuse two separate issues. Supporting the right to levy taxes, tute attending the Ernesto Guevara Studies Program there, of Interior, and Territorial Troop Militias, marched with which is, as he notes, a necessary part of any genuine self­ said, "My generation didn't live through the revolution, precision through the square along with veterans of the determination, does not in any way bind communists to but we were brought up reading about Che, and he is one revolutionary war, of the crushing of the U.S.-backed Bay supporting any specific proposal of a Scottish parliament of my heroes. Some of the young people I know aren't of Pigs invasion, of the fight against the counterrevolu­ to impose tax increases. interested in socialism and all, but I've read everything I tionaries in the Escambray mountains, and of various in­ It is also clear that fighters in Scotland, and working can by Che." Morera said a group of students at her school ternationalist missions. They were accompanied by units people as a whole, took to this power and the parliament were planning an event devoted to Che Guevara in late of workers belonging to voluntary work contingents and itself, regardless of how limited, as a down payment on a October. to Production and Defense Brigades, the workers militias "real" parliament with "real" powers. A more correct po­ Referring to Brig. Gen. Harry Villegas (also known as that guard workplaces from enemy attack or sabotage. sition for the Communist League to take would have been Pombo), who fought with Che in the Congo and Bolivia "Look at our soldiers," Martinez remarked with a grin. to support a Yes vote on the taxation referendum. as well as Cuba's Sierra Maestra and Las Villas, she said, "Their moves are impeccable, beautiful. Don't you think -IAN GRANT "Pombo came to speak at our university - he told us in- that scares the imperialists?" AND ANNE HOWIE 14 The Militant November 3, 1997 Auto parts workers strike Clerical workers strike Columbia U. over wages in New Jersey

This column is devoted to re­ The UAW members report that to $57 per week. Top porting the resistance by work­ two months before the strike, the wages are $11.45 per hour. ing people to the employers' as­ company bought two warehouses The strike vote was sault on their living standards, for the purpose of storing engines. unanimous. One nonunion working conditions, and unions. And on the evening of the strike, the mechanic has crossed the We invite you to contribute bosses changed all the locks on the line. short items to this column as a doors and gates at the plants. "The UPS drivers are respecting our picket line. The railroad workers at Norfolk Southern haven't ON THE PICKET LINE delivered tank cars since the strike began." said Curtis Lyles a striker. "The way for other fighting workers British miners win case company filed for and won around the world to read about an injunction on October and learn from these important over workplace injuries 3 limiting our picketing to struggles. Jot down a few lines LONDON -Overthepastnum­ five at one gate and two at about what is happening in your ber of years, the National Union of the other." union, at your workplace, or Mineworkers has been fighting the The truck drivers who other workplaces in your area, former coal owners British Coal deliver the cases of soda including interesting political dis­ (BC) for compensation for vibration are still picking up and About 800 members of the United Auto Workers Local 2110 at Colum­ cussions. white finger (VWF), a condition delivering, although they bia University began a strike October 16 over job security and a wage caused by damage to the hand's cir­ are not crossing the picket increases. The clerical union is asking for an increase of 3 percent for PHILADELPHIA- More than culation and nerves from vibration. lines. They wait down the each of the next three years. Honoring the pickets professors moved 200 members ofUAW Local 1612 Seven miners won a test case Sep­ street to pick up. They are more than 100 classes to locations off campus. "Our union was formed are on strike in southern New Jer­ tember 30. also Teamster members in 1985 because the merit system led to wage disparities and gross pay sey against Holman Enterprises, Now the government could face but work under a different inequalities between white workers and minorities," said Maida which supplies engines and automo­ a bill of up to £50 million in com­ contract. The Atlanta fac­ Rosenstein, president of the union. "Equality, fairness, justice-they [the tive parts to dealerships across the pensation claims from other former tory is the only union plant university] don't seem to understand that." The union rejected Northeast. pitmen who are suffering from vi­ owned by S. E. Atlantic. Columbia's proposal of lengthening the contract, slowing promotions The unionists rejected 173-11 a bration white finger. More than The company has brought for new hires in a two-tiered salary scale, and the loss of union jobs. new proposed contract which low­ 12,000 miners have already begun in scabs from their non­ ers wages and cuts their benefits. legal action against BC. union facilities in Florida. This is their first strike since 1967. In severe cases of VWF, symp­ plant are organized by the Team­ sweatshops owe workers $89,554 in "They told us we were family and toms include a loss of grip, strength sters union, local 760. They have back wages. The marchers stopped and sensitivity. Some people suffer Workers strike two plants we kicked butt for them. And this is been working without a contract for at different shops leaving posters paralysis of their hands. in Yakima, Washington the thanks we get? Well, we're no 15 months. Their strike was announcing how much they owed longer going to be a doormat" stated The condition was identified in YAKIMA, Washington- Work­ prompted by the company's propos­ their workers in back pay. Keith O'Neil. "They're bloodsuck­ 1911 and information on it has been ers at two plants here have been als of a meager 1.6 percent wage Christina Vasquez, assistant re­ ers," said Ken Gordy. "We have to available since 1954. walking the picket lines since Sep­ increase each of 3 years; refusal to gional director for UNITE in Los be pretty mad to do this. We have Judge James Stephenson ruled tember 10. Eighty-five workers grant sick leave and allow employ­ Angeles, said, "In Los Angeles guys close to retirement out here, that from at least January 1, 1993, struck Summit Windows, a com­ ees to take holidays off; and the there are 5,000 contract shops em­ 30-35 years," said Joe Sinni, an­ BC should have known of the risk pany owned by Jeld-Wen Corpora­ company demands for random drug ploying 160,000 workers. The La­ other striker. of vibration white finger from tools tion. About 50 workers also struck and alcohol testing. bor Department has cited these "All we're asking for is 25 cents which were used in the coal mining the John I. Haas Extraction Plant shops with 4,000 violations. Among more perhour and to keep every­ industry. about a mile away from Summit. the violations are paying less than thing else the same," said Scott Peter Cudlip, who was awarded The strikers at Summit are mem­ Garment workers rally to minimum wage, not paying over­ McDonald, a member of the nego­ £I 0,000 in damages, cannot handle bers of the United Brotherhood of protest sweatshops time, homework, and child labor." tiating team who has worked for small coins or do a host of every­ Carpenters, Local 2739. They had LOS ANGELES - Some 400 In Atlanta some 400 UNITE Holman Enterprises for 13 years. day tasks requiring any dexterity. voted in the union in 1995 by a large garment workers, other unionists, members protested in front of Lord In the last two contract agree­ Miners were given no protection majority. In these contract negotia­ and students rallied and marched and Taylors department store at the ments, the union has conceded sick against the vibration white finger, tions, the workers were demanding downtown here October 4. The pro­ posh Phipps Plaza mall during a days and 50 cents in wages and al­ no padded gloves or padded handles a union security clause and wage test was part of the N a tiona! Day of break in the October 3-5 Southern lowed a two-tier wage scale for new on the machines. Road workers who increases that would put them at the Conscience to End Sweatshops regional UNITE conference here. hires at less than half the average operate jack hammers, or other tools same rates that Jeld-Wen pays in called by the National Labor Com­ Union members cheered when a salary. The highest paid worker in which operate with high vibration their other union window plants in mittee in Support of Worker and banner that read "Unionize the the plant makes $15 per hour; most will be able to clam if they develop Kent, Washington, and Hawkins, Human Rights. South" was unfurled. make at least $2 less. the disease. Wisconsin. The Union of Needletrades, In­ The largest contingent was over McDonald said Holman Enter­ Their wages now vary from $6.67 dustrial, and Textile Employees twenty textile workers from prises rejected the union's offer, in­ Beverage workers per hour to $10.03, with the major­ (UNITE) was active in building the Kannapolis and Concord, North stead asking UAW members to ap­ strike in Atlanta ity being paid between $7 to $8 per October 4 events in many cities Carolina who are in a battle to win prove a contact that calls for no in­ hour. Workers at the Kent and around the country. a union at the giant Fieldcrest-Can­ crease in salaries, taking back all ATLANTA-Twenty-one work­ Hawkins plants make $1 to $4 per In Los Angeles one of the most non mills. their paid sick days and personal ers represented by Teamsters local hour more than the Yakima work­ spirited contingents was a group of days, as well as giving up overtime 528 have been on strike against S. ers. Jeld-Wen, which had an esti­ garment workers for the GUESS Hattie McCutcheon and Bob pay on weekends. Workers now E. Atlantic Beverage Co. since Sep­ mated $850 million in revenues and company that are currently fighting Stanton from Philadelphia; Don have four personal days, two sick tember 29. Over the years, the com­ $64 million in profits in 1996, of­ for union recognition. GUESS Fane from Atlanta; Jim Spaul, days and two floating holidays for pany has increased the payroll de­ fered a paltry 21 cents per hour worker Enriqueta Soto said, "We member of the RMT in London; Christmas, said Tom O'Rourke, duction workers must pay for their wage increase, and refuses to agree are here today to protest with hun­ Scott Breen, member oflAM Local also a member of the unions nego­ medical insurance. Workers at the to a union shop agreement. dreds of others for no more sweat­ 75/A in Seattle; Gale Shangold, a tiating committee. "Employees get bottling company went on strike in Since the strike, Summit has be­ shops. There are many, many sweat­ member ofUNITE Local482 in Los paid time and a half for working on response to the company's demand gun to hire replacement workers in shops and they owe workers money. Angeles; and Arlene Rubinstein, Saturdays, and double time for that the weekly payroll medical in­ retaliation. The time to pay us is now." It was member of UNITE from Atlanta working on Sundays." surance deduction be raised again The workers at the Extraction announced from the podium that contributed to this column. -LETTERS------Scottish independence 2. Carry on an agitation to "warn pressed peoples. Mr. Evans' policy Times 'objectivity' Messinger." In a letter printed in the Militant against the illusions of Scottish na­ is one designed to break down Recently, working people here Accompanying this article was a of October 6, reader Pete Evans, tionalism." 3. If in spite of these working-class unity and to had an opportunity to learn a bit front page photo of the candidates critiques the Communist League's warnings, the Scots do choose self­ strengthen that imperialist state, about the class bias and phony "ob­ during the debate, but the editors of statement of " ... full support of determination, to support them in known as the United Kingdom. jectivity" of the big-business press. the Times- whose motto embla­ Scotland's fight for independence." this choice. In other words, Evans Roy lnglee This particular lesson we might call zoned on it's front page is "All the Evans states that support for inde­ stands for the present policy of the Elsmere, Delaware the New York Times school offalsi­ News that's Fit to Print"- had pendence is "a sharp break from the British government and the right fication. deftly cropped the photo to leave previous position of Communists on wing, reformist Labor party that On Oct. 9, the first of only two out the Socialist Workers candidate this subject." and then cites, out of forms the government. Making a difference scheduled debates between the vari­ Rodriguez, and to reinforce the im­ context, an irrelevant quote from The policy of the Communist I would like to receive a 12-week ous candidates running for mayor pression of their headline that only Leon Trotsky to support his posi­ League is designed to strengthen subscription to the Militant, or how­ of New York took place. The de­ the Republican and Democratic tion. working-class unity in a common ever many weeks I can get for $20. bate, which was broadcast live over candidates had participated in the The statement of the Communist fight to break up the imperialist I would also like to thank you for a local cable channel, included the debate. League, is simply an expression of state. The policy of the Labor Party, truly making a difference. three candidates who will appear on Mike Galati the communist movement's tradi­ touted as "Communist" by Mr. While the mainstream capitalist the November ballot: the incum­ Brooklyn, New York tional position of support to the Evans, is intended to strengthen the media has devolved to being prima­ bent, Republican mayor Rudolph struggle of oppressed nations for unity of the imperialist state. Any rily sensationalistic, corporate, and Giuliani, the Democrat Ruth The letters column is an open self-determination and indepen­ English party (and the League is commercial, while at the same time Messinger, and Socialist Workers forum for all viewpoints on sub­ dence. What does Evans pose as an primarily active in England) that pushing fear and divisiveness, your candidate Olga Rodriguez. jects of general interest to our alternative strategy, as a substitute engages in propaganda to warn of newspaper provides a much-needed The next day's New York Times readers. Please keep your letters for Leninism? This is what our critic the alleged dangers of Scottish, Irish alternative. reported quite a different debate brief. Where necessary they will proposed as a political course for or Welsh nationalism, will be cor­ I thank you. however. It's front page article was be abridged. Please indicate if the Communist League: 1. Support rectly perceived as a pro-imperial­ C. F. headlined: "Sharp Exchange Pepper you prefer that your initials be the call for a Scottish Parliament. ist party and an enemy of the op- Spokane, Washington Debate Between Giuliani and used rather than your full name. November 3, 1997 The Militant 15 THE MILITANT Ontario workers say no to austerity BY ROBERT SIMMS GM spokesperson Greg Gibson told the WINDSOR, Ontario -At an October 22 press after the action that GM hasn't decided press conference the 126,000-member if it will follow up its fine threat. Ontario Teachers'· ·Federation announced The Day of Action affected shipping and that a province-wide teachers' strike will trade between industries in Canada and the begin October 27 unless the Conservative United States. The Ambassador Bridge and goverment of Premier Michael Harris drops the Windsor-Detroit tunnel are important major provisions ofBill160, a law that the border-crossings for trade between the two teachers have labeled as a "smokescreen" countries, handling 30 percent of the for massive cuts to the education system - US$290 billion yearly Canada-U.S. trade. including the firing of up to 10,000 teach­ Pickets and marchers closed both inter­ ers. mittently between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00p.m. The strike, which the government has Moreover, many firms had not scheduled to branded as "illegal," comes on the heals of ship things that day. "It's been a very light a massive show of union power that effec­ Friday," said Skip McMahon, manager of tively shut down the city of Windsor, Octo­ the Ambassador Bridge, which normally ber 17, in protest against the antiunion aus­ handles 10,000 trucks a day. terity drive of the government. The Day of Action also featured a rally Billl60 and the potential for a large-scale in downtown Windsor. An estimated confrontation was a major theme of the 15,000- 20,000 auto workers, municipal Windsor Day of Action. The job action was workers, steelworkers, teamsters, nurses, embraced by more than 30,000 workers in teachers, other unionists, and students took this city of 200,000, who shut down 90 per­ part. The large majority were either mem­ cent of the 200 unionized workplaces. It was Militant/John Sarge bers of the CAW or among the 4,000 teach­ the ninth city-wide protest organized by the Workers march from Windsor stadium in Ontario for October 17 Day of Action ers in Essex County where Windsor is lo­ labor movement in this province since 1995. cated. The central slogan of the teachers' The action closed the city's main auto up to work did not cross the picket line. from CAW Local2027, who has worked for fight across the province, "We won't back plants - a Chrysler minivan assembly Picket lines went up at the GM plant be­ 18 years as a carpenter at the Hiram Walker down!," was picked up by marchers and fea­ plant, five Ford engine and casting opera­ fore midnight and by 6:00a.m. about 150 facility. "We have to fight to defend our tured in a song at the rally. tions, and one General Motors transmission pickets blocked the main entrance. Those health-care system. We can't let them touch "If Bill 160 passes, extra-curricular ac­ factory, employing a total of 12,000 work­ on the line came from CAW Local 2027 at education. We aren't backing down and the tivities will be cut in half and all scholar­ ers. Most of the auto parts plants in the city the Hiram Walker Distillery and from the government knows it," he told the Militant. ships will be thrown out the window. I'm closed. Also shut down were the transit sys­ Windsor Star newspaper. Two busloads from Although Chrysler had acknowledged to very mad," Stephanie Robert , a grade 10 tem, postal service, City Hall, other munici­ CAW Local 1286 at Chrysler's Bramalea its workforce before the action that it would student at Forrester High School told the pal services, and the Casino Windsor, which assembly plant near Toronto arrived to swell close, Othmar Stein, vice president of pub­ Militant. is organized by the Canadian Auto Workers the line and successfully block the few po­ lic relations for Chrysler Canada told the "Fighting back does work," Ontario Fed­ union (CAW). tential entrants, including the office work­ Toronto Star that the company didn't decide eration of Labour president Gordon Wilson Most companies posted voluntary shut­ ers who arrived about 8:00 a.m. to close down, it was "shut down." told the rally in a park bordering the Detroit down notices, but GM had threatened to fine "When your 6,000 employees say they are river. He and other speakers urged picket workers $2,500 each for the lost day of pro­ 'We aren't backing down' going to strike illegally, what can you do?" line support for the teachers if the govern­ duction. The few GM workers who showed One the pickets at GM was Gino Loduca he complained. ment forces them to strike. New Zealand students: 'don't privatize education'

BY CHRISTINE BERESFORD monly called the "Green Paper," contains Professor Bryan Gould, the vice chancel­ dents Association spokesperson Jacob Bri­ AND PATRICK BROWN similar proposals to the leaked document, lor of Waikato University, referred in an ar­ ars said that those arrested had been denied WELLINGTON, New Zealand-Thou­ while modifying the language in which they ticle to the report's proposal that the Public their right to see a lawyer who had waited sands of university students have taken to are expressed. It proposes that Crown Tertiary Education Institutions be run by at the station for about five hours. Many had the streets to protest the rising cost of ter­ [state]-owned university, polytechnics, and government-appointed bodies. He stated that been held overnight, he said. tiary education, and proposals for its further other tertiary colleges become "Public Ter­ the "Green Paper ... paints a picture of New Protester Rob Smissen told the Militant privatization. The protests, centered in the tiary Education Institutions," based broadly Zealand universities as subject to an unat­ that "one result [of the arrests] was that the North Island cities of Auckland and on the Companies Act and expected to be tractive combination of market pressures numbers of students at the next demonstra­ Wellington, were called by the official stu­ "accountable." The Christchurch Press and government control." tion doubled." On October 1 up to 1,000 stu­ dents associations to which virtually all full­ noted in an editorial that "although [there­ The appraisal of the Green Paper's pro­ dents and academic staff marched silently time students belong. They have grown in view] does not use the term education posals by student protesters has been blunt through Wellington as part of a national day size and determination as the students' de­ vouchers, they are clearly on its agenda." A - expressed in the chant of Auckland stu­ of action called by NZUSA. mands have been ignored by government Herald article reported that "under this sys­ dents: "Privatization stay out of education." Students at Auckland University orga­ and university authorities, and as the police tem students can spend their subsidy at a New Zealand University Students Associa­ nized actions on the same days. Some 250 have responded with force, arresting more crown-owned institution, such as a univer­ tion (NZUSA) president Michael Gibbs de­ protesters faced a wall of baton-brandish­ than 90 across the country and at times us­ sity, with a private institution, or use it for scribed the report as a thinly veiled privati­ ing cops outside the Ministry of Education ing batons against demonstrators. industry training." zation bid. Proposals contained in the paper headquarters on September 25. One week The protests were sparked by the release Rob Crozier, the executive director of the would lead to higher student fees, he said, later on October 1, police arrested 13 stu­ on September 11 of a "Tertiary Education Association of University Staff at Auckland adding that the average student fee had in­ dents in a protest that the youth termed Review." The release of the document fol­ University, said that this "would see private creased more than 100 per cent in the past "storming the castle" - the castle being the lows the leaking in early August of a Min­ training establishments fmanced at the same five years. registry building, which houses the univer­ istry of Education briefing, "which sug­ level as public institutions." University courses for most students were sity administration. ANew Zealand Herald gested voucher-financed students in priva­ The report's authors clearly favor courses virtually free until changes that began un­ report described "clashes ... as students and tized and profit-driven institutions," accord­ more closely tailored to the needs of em­ der the Labour Party government in 1990. police battled each other during a fees pro­ ing to the September 13 New Zealand Her­ ployers, suggesting that "purchasers of edu­ An official scheme of interest-bearing stu­ test .... Windows were smashed .... Some ald. cation" compare the "reputation" of various dent loans for course and living costs was students' hands were stomped on; others The 'fertiary Education Review, com- courses in the "workforce." established by the National Party govern­ were forced down the fire escapes as police ment in 1992. Government funding perter­ tried to secure the building." tiary student fell by 6. 7 percent between On October 8 the Auckland University 1990 and 1995. By the end of April this year, Students Association called on students to from .. Pathfinder New Zealand students owed a total of more protest again. One thousand mobilized to than $2 billion under the scheme. Linda East, march along Queen St., near the university An·Action Programto·Confront the the fees, allowances, and loans manager at and in the center of the city's shopping area. Canterbury University, estimated that the Pedestrians and motorists for the most part -~-- . CQming ~OrtQOOi¢ (:ri$iS average third-year Canterbury student owes watched with interest, as the students $20,000. chanted "They say cut back, we say fight The protests have occurred as the univer­ back!" sity year is drawing to a close. This is the When the students sat down briefly in the period in which universities set fees for the middle of the street, cops seized the Students next year's courses, giving the students' Association's sound truck, driving it away. demonstrations a sharp focus. Hundreds of angry students confronted the On September 25 in the capital city of police on the campus. Some succeeded in Wellington, 74 protesters were arrested dur­ occupying sections of a university office ing a rally of 400 people outside the parlia­ building before police forced them out, ar­ ment buildings, after the speaker of the resting six. . · Available from bookstC>~, including tho5e list~ ~n ~a~ 12, or ~rite Pathfinder, House Douglas Kidd instructed police that 410 West St~ NeW York, NY 10014. Tel: (212) 74l-0690. Fax: (212) 727~0150. demonstrators were trespassing. The cops Christine Beresford is a member of the When ordering by mall; please include $3 t6 cover shipPing and handling. used batons to force students to release tem­ United Food, Beverage, and General Work­ porary barricades, battering their hands. Stu- ers Union in Wellington.

16 The Militant November 3, 1997